Otolaryngology and head & neck surgery is a unique specialty, which encompasses a diverse range of conditions. ENT surgeons are qualified in the surgical and medical treatment of conditions of the ears, nose, throat, head and neck, including facial plastics and facial cosmetic surgery.

UPMC Beacon hospital has state of the art surgical facility, with the latest in diagnostic radiology providing the perfect setting for treatment of general ENT cases.

There main areas of Otolaryngology & Head Neck Surgery include:

Head and Neck
This covers malignant and non-malignant tumours in the head and neck, including the thyroid and parathyroid

Common conditions:
Tumours of the throat and larynx
Tumours of the head and neck
Swelling of the neck
Thyroid disorders and tumours (cancerous and non-cancerous)
Diseases of lymph and salivary glands

Common procedures:
Head and Neck Cancer resection
Parotid Surgery
Submandibular gland surgery
Neck Dissection

Laryngology
Disorders of the throat including voice and swallowing problems

Common conditions:
Inflammations of the throat (tonsillitis)
Laryngitis
Snoring
Voice and swallowing disorders

Common procedures:
Tonsillectomy
Snoring surgery
Microlaryngoscopy
Oesophagoscopy

Otology
Diseases of the ear, including trauma, cancer, and nerve pathway disorders, which affect hearing and balance

Common conditions:
Hearing loss
Ear infections
Perforated eardrum
Tinnitus
Balance disorders

Common procedures:
Grommets insertion
Myringoplasty
Tympanoplasty
Mastoid surgery

Paediatric Otolaryngology
Diseases in children with special ENT problems including birth defects in the head and neck and developmental delays

Common conditions:
Glue ear
Tonsil infection
Adenoid infection
Airway problems

Common procedures:
Grommet insertion
Tonsillectomy
Adenoidectomy
Laryngoscopy

Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Cosmetic, functional, and reconstructive surgical treatment of abnormalities of the face and neck

Common conditions:
Cosmetic nasal deformities
Prominent ears
Aging face
Droopy eyelids

Common procedures:
Cosmetic Surgery on the Nose - Rhinoplasty
Blepharoplasty
Facelifts
Otoplasty - Cosmetic surgery to the ear
Facial cosmetic procedures

Rhinology & Allergy
Disorders of the nose and sinuses including sensitivities that affect the ear, nose, and throat

Common conditions:
Stuffy nose
Loss of smell
Injuries to the nose
Nosebleeds
Adenoidectomy
Sinus infections
Nasal allergies
Tumours of the nose and sinuses

Common procedures:
Surgery on the nose - Septal surgery
Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS)
Nasal polypectomy

Information for surgery
Nowadays many of the routine ENT procedures can be done on a day-case basis, however for some procedures we recommend an overnight hospital stay. Your consultant will provide specific information about your surgery.
You may change your mind about the operation at any time, and signing a consent form does not mean that you have to have the operation. If you would like to have a second opinion about the treatment, you can ask your specialist. He or she will not mind arranging this for you. You may wish to ask your own GP to arrange a second opinion with another specialist.

SMOKING
Smoking cigarettes increases the risk of poor healing or infection, causes increased coughing and bleeding after surgery and other complications. As a result we strongly recommend smokers to stop smoking for at least 2 weeks before minor surgery and 6 weeks before major surgery.

MEDICATION
Take all routine medicines but certain medicines require attention. Always inform your consultant especially If you are taking any blood thinning medication or if in any doubt.

PREGNANCY
We do not undertake surgery during pregnancy except in emergency situations. If there is any chance you may be pregnant please let us know and organise a pregnancy test prior to booking any surgery.