Ear surgery is most often done through the ear canal using a microscope and microsurgical instruments.  The most common ear procedure is placing drainage tubes or tympanostomy tubes which is often done in children for recurrent or chronic ear infections.  As well, repairing perforations in the ear drum (tympanic membrane) and treating chronic infections as well as certain hearing disorders are other commonly done operations performed at MPSC.

Sinus surgery involves the removal of diseased sinus tissue, resulting in natural drainage channels that allow the sinuses to return to their normal functioning state.  The vast majority of sinus surgery done presently is performed endoscopically, which allows for removal of the diseased tissue – and normal structures are left alone. Endoscopic

techniques allow better and more precise visualization, and eliminates the need for external incisions. As a result, there is less swelling, bleeding, and discomfort, and a faster recovery from sinus surgery.  As well, 3d image guidance is often utilized to help the surgeon as well as minimize tissue damage.

The tonsils are two clusters of lymph node like tissue located on both sides of the back of the throat. Adenoids sit high in the throat behind the nose and the roof of the mouth. Tonsils and adenoids are often removed when they become enlarged and block the upper airway, leading to breathing difficulty. They are also removed when recurrent tonsil infections or strep throat cannot be successfully treated by antibiotics. The surgery is most often performed on children.

The procedure to remove the tonsils is called a tonsillectomy; excision of the adenoids is an adenoidectomy. Both procedures are often  performed at the same time; hence the surgery is known as a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, or T&A.

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) is a procedure to remove excess tissue in the throat to widen the airway. The tonsils will be removed as well if they are still present.  This procedure is done for patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea and / or snoring.

There are three goals for the surgery:

1. Increase the width of the airway at the throat’s opening
2. Block some of the muscle action in order to improve the ability of the airway to remain open
3. Improve the movement and closure of the soft palate

This operation involves removing half of the thyroid gland that has a nodule or mass. It is sometimes called a “diagnostic Lobectomy – removal of half the thyroid” because the preoperative diagnosis may be uncertain.  The operation will allow the doctor to make a diagnosis of cancer or no cancer. These patients may have had a FNA  (fine needle aspiration biopsy) result that is non-diagnostic, suspicious for malignancy or benign.

This operation involves removing all or nearly all of the thyroid gland. It may be done for benign thyroid conditions that affect both thyroid lobes, such as large Goiter (enlarged thyroid) or Graves’ disease (autoimmune overproduction of thyroid hormone resulting in hyperthyroidism), or it may be done for cancer. In a near-total thyroidectomy the surgeon decides to leave a very small amount of benign thyroid tissue. Thyroid tissue may be intentionally left in areas around important structures, such as the nerves that control the voice, swallowing, and breathing, or the parathyroid glands. All patients who undergo a total or near-total thyroidectomy will need to be on life-long thyroid hormone replacement after surgery.

Parathyroidectomy is the removal of one or more of the parathyroid glands. The parathyroid glands are usually four in number, although the exact number may vary from three to seven. They are located in the neck in front of the Adam’s apple and are closely linked to the thyroid gland. The parathyroid glands regulate the balance of calcium in the body.  Parathyroidectomy is usually done to treat hyperparathyroidism (abnormal over-functioning of the parathyroid glands)  which can cause an increased level of calcium in the blood.