ENT DELHI

What you Need to Know about Stapes Surgery

You may need a stapedectomy if you have hearing loss caused by otosclerosis (oh-tuh-skli-roh-sis). This condition happens when your stapes fuses with surrounding bone tissue, losing the flexibility it needs to transmit sound waves from your middle ear to your inner ear.

Though Stapes surgery is the only known treatment to take care of your hearing loss as well as prevent the progression of your disease, every Stapes surgery carries a rael risk of complete loss of hearing in the operated ear. This must be clearly discussed during treatment planning.

A Hearing aid is another option for treating Otosclerosis.

Why I need Stapes Surgery

You may need a stapedectomy if you have hearing loss caused by otosclerosis (oh-tuh-skli-roh-sis). This condition happens when your stapes fuses with surrounding bone tissue, losing the flexibility it needs to transmit sound waves from your middle ear to your inner ear.

Though Stapes surgery is the only known treatment to take care of your hearing loss as well as prevent the progression of your disease, every Stapes surgery carries a rael risk of complete loss of hearing in the operated ear. This must be clearly discussed during treatment planning.

Are there complications associated with treatment?

Like any surgical procedure, a stapedectomy carries the risk of complications. While the procedure helps about 80% to 90% of people with otosclerosis, it may not be successful in some cases. In rare instances, your hearing may even be worse after surgery. Some other potential complications include:

Feeling dizzy immediately after your surgery and for the next few days. 

Losing your sense of taste on the side of your tongue. This symptom typically goes away after a few months.

Developing tinnitus, or ringing in your ear.

Turbinoplasty Surgery

Turbinoplasty is a surgical procedure aimed at addressing nasal congestion and breathing difficulties caused by enlarged turbinates. The turbinates are bony structures covered in soft tissue located inside the nose, responsible for filtering, warming, and humidifying the air we breathe. When the turbinates become swollen due to allergies, chronic sinusitis, or other nasal conditions, it can lead to nasal obstruction and reduced airflow. Turbinoplasty involves the reduction or repositioning of the turbinates to improve nasal airflow and alleviate breathing problems.

Turbinoplasty - Benefits and Risks

Benefits of Turbinoplasty Surgery: Improved Breathing: Turbinoplasty can significantly enhance nasal airflow, leading to better breathing and reduced nasal congestion. Relief from Nasal Obstruction: Patients may experience relief from chronic nasal obstruction, leading to improved sleep quality and overall comfort. Better Quality of Life: Improved nasal function can enhance the quality of life, allowing patients to engage in daily activities more comfortably. Enhanced Sinus Health: Turbinoplasty may complement the treatment of chronic sinusitis, as improved nasal airflow can aid in sinus drainage.

Risks and Potential Complications: Bleeding: Some patients may experience minor bleeding after the surgery, which is usually temporary and manageable. Infection: As with any surgery, there is a small risk of infection, but proper preoperative and postoperative care can help minimize this risk. Scarring: In rare cases, the surgery may lead to scarring or adhesions inside the nose, but this can be addressed with appropriate medical care. Nasal Dryness: Some patients may experience temporary nasal dryness following the procedure, which can be alleviated with nasal moisturizers.

The Procedure Process

Before the surgery, patients undergo a thorough examination by an ENT specialist to determine the extent of nasal obstruction and the suitability of turbinoplasty. The procedure can be performed under local or general anaesthesia, depending on the patient’s preference and the surgeon’s recommendation.

Anaesthesia: The surgeon administers anaesthesia to ensure the patient’s comfort during the procedure.

Turbinoplasty Technique: The surgeon may employ various techniques to reduce or reposition the turbinates, such as radiofrequency ablation, submucosal resection, or partial turbinectomy. Special instruments like Microdebrider, Coblation, or Laser may also be used.

Recovery: After the procedure, patients are monitored in a recovery area to ensure a smooth awakening from anaesthesia.

Post-operative Care: Patients receive instructions on caring for the nose, managing pain, and avoiding certain activities during the initial recovery phase. Recovery takes about one to two weeks.

Before and After Care for Turbinoplasty Surgery

Before Turbinoplasty Surgery: Medical Evaluation: Patients will undergo a comprehensive medical evaluation to assess their overall health and suitability for the surgery.

Medication Review: The surgeon will review the patient’s current medications and may advise temporary adjustments to certain drugs before the procedure. Blood thinners are sometimes stopped a couple of days before the surgery. BP and Thyroid medicines should continue.

After Turbinoplasty Surgery: Nasal Hygiene: Patients will be instructed on proper nasal hygiene, including saline rinses, to promote healing and reduce the risk of infection. 

Activity Restrictions: Patients may need to avoid strenuous activities and heavy lifting during the initial recovery period.

Follow-up Appointments: Regular follow-up appointments will be scheduled to monitor the healing process and assess the surgical outcomes.

Recovery Timeline:

The recovery timeline can vary from patient to patient, but most individuals can expect to resume normal daily activities within a few days to a week after the surgery. Full recovery and optimal results may take several weeks.

Cost and Insurance Information-Turbinoplasty 

The cost of turbinoplasty surgery can depend on factors such as the geographical location, the complexity of the procedure, and individual patient needs including their personal preference for a technique. Patients are advised to check with their health insurance provider to determine coverage and associated costs.

Why Choose Comprehensive ENT Centre:

At MedFirst, we take pride in offering exceptional patient care and cutting-edge treatments. Here’s why you should choose us:

Advance Technology and Mechanism Being Used Here:

Our facility is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and modern surgical tools to ensure the highest level of precision and safety during turbinoplasty surgery. We utilize advanced techniques such as radiofrequency ablation/Microdebrider/ Coblation and endoscopic procedures for optimal results.

Qualifications of the Surgeon and Medical Team:

Our highly skilled and experienced ENT surgeons are experts in performing turbinoplasty surgery. Dr. (Maj.) Rajesh Kumar Bhardwaj, most experienced ENT surgeon, has over 30 years of surgical experience, including a distinguished service in the Indian army. Our medical team is committed to providing compassionate and individualized care to each patient.

Choosing MedFirst, means entrusting your health to a team of dedicated professionals who prioritize patient well-being and ensure the best possible surgical outcomes.

Otitis externa, also called swimmer’s ear, is inflammation of the ear canal. It often presents with ear pain, swelling of the ear canal, and occasionally decreased hearing.Typically there is pain on movement of the outer ear or on touching the ear.

Otitis externa may be acute (lasting less than six weeks) or chronic (lasting more than three months).

 Acute cases are typically due to bacterial infection, and chronic cases are often due to allergies and autoimmune disorders.The most common cause of Otitis externa is bacterial. Risk factors for acute cases include swimming, minor trauma from cleaning, using hearing aids and ear plugs, and other skin problems, such as seborrhoea (dandruff), psoriasis and dermatitis.

People with diabetes are at risk of a severe form of disease called malignant otitis externa. This disease causes progressive destruction of external ear tissues and can spread deep inside the ear. Diagnosis is based on the signs and symptoms.Culturing the ear canal may be useful in chronic or severe cases. Pain is severe and is usually indicative of an active disease. Controlling the blood sugar and giving prolonged appropriate antibiotics is the treatment of choice.

For Treatment Book Appointment at +919871150032

 Deviated Nasal Septum - What Should I Do?

Deviated Nasal Septum (DNS) is a common medical problem and affects children and adults alike. 

A deviated nasal septum is a serious condition. It can block one side of your nose and make it difficult for you to breathe. Nasal congestion or a stuffy nose can result from a deviated septum that can hamper your routine activities. A deviated nasal septum is usually treated with medications or if it is too serious, then surgery might be required. 

Causes of DNS

A deviated septum can be caused by:

1. Congenital reasons. Congenital means a condition present at birth. A child may be born with a deviated septum.  This could be due to pressure on the malleable (something that can be easily pressed) septum of the fetus (developing baby) while in the mother's womb, or sometimes may be related to birth trauma. Birth trauma is distress experienced by a mother during labour and childbirth.

2. Injury to the nose. If you have experienced frequent minor accidents of the nose as a child, then it could cause your nasal septum to deviate. This may also happen on account of sports injuries in adulthood. Sometimes, road and other house accidents can cause your septum to become crooked.

Nasal tumours are abnormal growths (cancerous or non-cancerous) that begin in and around your nasal passage.

Nasal polyps are soft, painless, noncancerous growths on the lining of your nasal passages or sinuses. Sinuses are air-filled sacs (4 in number) present in your facial bones. 

Concha bullosa happens when one of the conchae inside your nose is filled with a pocket of air. Conchae are structures made of bone inside of your nose.

Symptoms of a Deviated Nasal Septum

Nasal blockage or a feeling of congestion. Nasal congestion, commonly known as a ‘stuffy nose’, is the uncomfortable, stuffed-up feeling you experience due to excess mucus build-up which can cause difficulty in breathing. Mucus is a normal, slippery, and stringy fluid in the nose, produced by your sinuses.

Sinus infection. Inflammation or swelling of the sinus is called sinusitis (sinus infection). Your sinuses are responsible for draining the mucus into your nose and allowing air into the cavities. A deviated nasal septum can cause your sinuses to have trouble draining properly, resulting in sinus infections.

Increase in snoring. Snoring is the harsh or hoarse sound from the nose or mouth that occurs when your breathing is obstructed while sleeping. A deviated septum can be one of the reasons for your snoring.

Increased nasal bleeds. A nosebleed or nasal bleeding is bleeding from tissues inside your nose caused by a ruptured blood vessel. Nosebleeds are a result of extremely dry conditions. The surface of your nasal septum may become dry due to deviation, increasing your risk of nosebleeds.

Facial pain. If you have a severely deviated septum, you are likely to experience one-sided facial pain due to increased pressure.

Risk Factors of a Deviated Nasal Septum

If you play contact sports such as football, rugby, water polo, or kabaddi, then you are at a higher risk of having a deviated nasal septum due to injuries. Another factor that can increase your risk of septum deviation is not wearing your seatbelt while riding in a car or on a motorbike. 

Diagnosis of Deviated Septum

Your doctor will first examine your nostrils with a nasal speculum (a medical tool used by your ENT physician to examine the inside part of the nose). Your doctor will check the size of your nostrils and see if the septum’s placement is impacting it. Your doctor will also collect your medical history regarding sleep, snoring, sinus problems, and difficulty breathing.

In most cases, treatment is not necessary. Even if treatment is done, it is mainly symptomatic. Common treatments include:

Decongestants are medicines used to relieve a blocked nose.

Antihistamines are medicines used to stop allergy symptoms such as coughing, blocked nose, fever, etc. 

Nasal sprays are medicines delivered locally into your nasal cavities to relieve a blocked nose.

For a septum that is deviated enough to cause nasal obstruction, surgery is the only option. One should understand that no medicine can straighten out a bent bone or cartilage. The surgery is fairly simple and patients can hope to return to active work within 3-5 days of the surgery. 

Surgery today is usually performed with an endoscope. An endoscope is a medical device with a light attached. It is used to look inside a body cavity or an organ. The results of endoscopy are usually long-lasting. 

If you are having difficulty in breathing or other symptoms pertaining to a DNS, consult your ENT specialist immediately.

Disclaimer: This article is written by the Practitioner for informational and educational purposes only. The content presented on this page should not be considered as a substitute for medical expertise. Please "DO NOT SELF-MEDICATE" and seek professional help regarding any health conditions or concerns. Practo will not be responsible for any act or omission arising from the interpretation of the content present on this page.