Ear, Nose and Throat

Comprehensive Ear, Nose and Throat Care

Ear, nose and throat complications can often strike when we least expect them to, sometimes from causes we don’t usually consider. Fluid buildup, nasal blockages and even air pressure are all common causes of pain in the head and neck. 

From mild ear infections to complicated tonsillitis, there are therapies and procedures to help stop ear, nose and throat issues from becoming more severe.

What We Treat 

St. Mary’s Physician Associates offers a range of ENT surgeries and procedures, including:

Tonsillectomy

Tonsil removal is one of the most common ENT surgical procedures on those who have persistent throat issues. Persistent sore throats, chronic tonsil infections, sleep apnea and difficulty swallowing can deem someone a candidate for tonsillectomy. 

Myringotomy

Myringotomy is a minor procedure that’s effective in relieving chronic ear infections and dysfunctional Eustachian tubes. An ENT specialist can resolve painful pressure and fevers by making a small incision in the eardrum and placing a small tube inside to drain and ventilate the eustachian tube. 

Sinus Surgery

If you’re suffering from allergies or other sinus issues, we can perform a comprehensive evaluation of your nose and sinuses to determine treatment options for your condition.

Sinus surgery may be a treatment option for people with chronic sinus disease, nasal polyps or nasal or sinuses tumors. The goal of sinus surgery is to adjust or enlarge the narrow channels that connect the sinuses to your nose to improve drainage. We offer different surgical options, including some of the most common ENT surgeries, minimally invasive balloon sinus surgery and endoscopic sinus surgery.

Balloon Sinuplasty

Balloon sinuplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that’s used to treat chronic sinusitis and sinus infections. When other therapies are unable to provide relief, balloon sinuplasty may be an effective option. 

During balloon sinuplasty, an ENT surgeon inserts a small balloon through the nasal passage and dilates the sinus opening. Once finished, the results are immediate and permanent, it requires no additional support. 

Patients with nasal polyps or tumors are not candidates for balloon sinuplasty. The same is true for those who only have mild sinusitis. 

Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

Functional endoscopic sinus surgery is a procedure that may be used to treat chronic sinusitis. It may reduce the frequency and severity of sinus infections, improve drainage, airflow and sense of smell.

During the procedure, an ENT doctor uses an endoscope to access the affected sinus tissue. Once they locate the problem area, they’ll use specialized tools to carefully remove the sinus blockage (membrane swelling, nasal polyps or scar tissue). Afterwards, patients are typically able to go home a few hours after surgery. 

Endoscopic sinus surgery is best suited for those who have chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps or blockages in the nasal passages. 

Sleep Apnea Treatment

Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition in which the soft tissue in the back of the throat collapses in the airway as a person sleeps. This causes the person to stop breathing, often hundreds of times each night. 

Symptoms include loud snoring followed by a sudden silence when breathing stops and gasping and snorting when breathing resumes. Left untreated, sleep apnea can lead to high blood pressure, heart failure, stroke, diabetes and more.

Lifestyle changes, such as weight loss, minimizing alcohol consumption and quitting smoking can help treat sleep apnea.

A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device is the most common treatment for sleep apnea. A CPAP device includes a mask that is worn during sleep. It fits over the mouth or nose only and blows a gentle, steady stream of air to keep the airway open while sleeping.

Because only about 40 percent of patients use or tolerate CPAP, we offer the latest surgical alternatives, including hypoglossal nerve stimulation, palatoplasty and hyoid suspension.

Contact St. Mary’s Physician Associates for Ear, Nose and Throat Procedures

St. Mary’s Physician Associates provides comprehensive ear, nose and throat procedures for patients in the Northwest Oklahoma area. Browse ENT specialists to request an appointment.