Otolaryngology or ENT surgery focuses on surgically treating disorders of the ears, nose, and throat. This type of surgery is performed by an otolaryngologist, a doctor trained to treat patients with disorders and diseases of the ears, nose, throat, and other structures of the neck and face.

ENT surgery can help fix injuries or defects in these areas that cause problems such as pain, frequent infections, and breathing problems. For example, some children have ENT surgery to treat ear infections that keep coming back. ENT surgery may also be necessary to remove tumors (abnormal growths). Depending on the procedure, the surgery may be performed at a doctor’s office, outpatient facility, or hospital.

Common ENT disorders that may require ENT surgery include the following:

Ear problems: Frequent ear infections

Nose problems:

• Frequent sinus pain or infections
• Deviated septum (when the wall between your nostrils is not straight or is off center, so that one nostril is bigger than the other)

Throat problems:

• Vocal cord disorders
• Tonsillitis (infection of your tonsils, two pads of tissue at the back of your throat)
• Swallowing disorders