What Are the Most Common ENT Surgeries?

When it comes to everyday health concerns, ENT issues—ear infections, sinus troubles, throat pain, or breathing problems—are incredibly common. And in many cases, surgery becomes a reliable, effective solution. At Gore Hospital, ENT specialists frequently treat children and adults with safe, minimally invasive surgical procedures that improve breathing, hearing, sleep, and overall comfort.

If you’re searching for a clear, medically accurate, and easy-to-understand guide on the most common ENT surgeries, this article will walk you through each procedure with professional clarity and patient-friendly explanations.

Understanding ENT Surgeries

ENT surgeries focus on the parts of our body we use every single day — breathing, hearing, speaking, and swallowing. Problems in these areas can affect your sleep, your work, and your day-to-day comfort.

Some of the most common reasons people undergo ENT surgery include:

• Chronic or repeated infections
• Difficulty breathing through the nose
• Blocked sinuses
• Snoring or sleep apnea
• Hearing problems
• Enlarged tonsils or adenoids
• Growths in the throat or neck
• Structural issues like a deviated septum

Thanks to modern technology such as endoscopy, laser, coblation, and even robotic surgery, most ENT procedures today are less invasive, more precise, and faster to recover from than ever before.

Most Common EAR Surgeries

Ear problems are especially common in children, but adults need ear surgeries too. Here are the top ones:

1. Ear Tube Surgery (Tympanostomy / Grommets)

This is one of the most frequent ENT surgeries worldwide.

Why it’s done:

Children who get repeated ear infections or fluid buildup behind the eardrum often struggle with pain, poor sleep, or hearing difficulty. Ear tubes help drain fluid and allow air to enter the middle ear.

How it works:

A tiny tube is placed into the eardrum under a very small incision. The procedure takes just a few minutes and recovery is incredibly quick.

Benefits:

• Reduces infection
• Improves hearing
• Helps with speech development in kids

2. Myringoplasty / Tympanoplasty (Eardrum Repair)

What it treats:

A hole or tear in the eardrum caused by infections, trauma, or pressure changes.

How it works:

• Myringoplasty repairs small holes.
• Tympanoplasty repairs larger damage and may also fix the middle ear bones.

Results:

Most patients enjoy better hearing and fewer infections after the surgery.

3. Mastoidectomy

This surgery treats chronic infections deep in the mastoid bone behind the ear — especially a condition called cholesteatoma.

What to expect:

Surgeons remove infected air cells from the mastoid bone. While it sounds complicated, it is a common and safe surgery performed regularly.

Most Common NOSE & SINUS Surgeries

Blocked noses, sinus pressure, or breathing difficulty can affect your sleep, voice, mood, and energy. Nose and sinus surgeries are among the most common ENT procedures.

1. Septoplasty (Correction of Deviated Septum)

Many people don’t realize they have a deviated septum — the wall inside the nose that divides the nostrils. When crooked, it can cause:

• Nasal blockage
• Snoring
• Mouth breathing
• Headaches

How septoplasty helps:

The surgeon straightens the nasal septum, improving airflow and breathing comfort.

2. Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS)

If you struggle with chronic sinusitis — constant blockage, pressure, headaches, or infections — FESS is the gold-standard surgical treatment.

What happens during FESS:

Using a tiny endoscope, the surgeon removes blockages and widens the sinus pathways so they can drain properly.

Why people prefer FESS:

• No external cuts
• Less pain
• Faster recovery
• Better long-term results

3. Turbinate Reduction Surgery

Inside your nose are structures called turbinates that keep air humid and warm. When they enlarge due to allergies or infections, they can make breathing difficult.

This surgery reduces their size, allowing air to pass more freely.

Common techniques include radiofrequency, coblation, or partial tissue removal.

Most Common THROAT Surgeries

Throat surgeries are particularly common in children but increasingly needed by adults as well.

1. Tonsillectomy

Tonsils help fight infection, but when they become a repeated problem, they may need removal.

Reasons for tonsillectomy include:

• Frequent tonsil infections
• Difficulty swallowing
• Sleep apnea
• Snoring due to enlarged tonsils

Modern techniques like coblation make the procedure less painful with faster healing.

2. Adenoidectomy

Adenoids are glands located behind the nose. In many children, enlarged adenoids cause:

• Mouth breathing
• Snoring
• Nasal blockage
• Ear infections

Adenoidectomy is a quick procedure with minimal discomfort and excellent results.

Often, tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy are performed together.

3. Thyroidectomy (Performed by ENT Surgeons)

Many ENT surgeons also treat thyroid problems. Thyroidectomy is done for:

• Enlarged thyroid (goiter)
• Thyroid nodules
• Cancer concerns
• Difficulty swallowing or breathing due to thyroid size

Depending on the condition, either partial or total removal is performed.

Advanced & Trending ENT Surgeries

Advances in technology have introduced newer techniques that are gaining popularity worldwide.

1. Transoral Robotic Surgery (TORS)

Robotic arms help surgeons operate with extreme precision through the mouth — no external cuts!

Used for treating:

• Throat cancers
• Obstructive sleep apnea
• Tongue base tumors

Benefits include less pain, faster recovery, and better accuracy.

2. Balloon Sinuplasty

A minimally invasive alternative to traditional sinus surgery.

How it works:

A small balloon is inserted into blocked sinus passages, inflated to open them, then removed.

Why people love it:

• No tissue removal
• Quick recovery
• Minimal discomfort

How to Know If You Need ENT Surgery

Not every ENT issue requires surgery. But some signs tell you it might be time to consult a specialist:

• Frequent throat or ear infections
• Chronic sinus pressure or blockage
• Difficulty breathing through the nose
• Snoring or sleep apnea
• Hearing loss or fluid in the ears
• Swallowing difficulties
• Growths or lumps in the neck

The expert ENT team at Gore Hospital can assess your condition, explain treatment options, and guide you toward the best solution.

Risks & Recovery for ENT Surgeries

Like any surgery, ENT procedures come with risks — but they’re usually minor. Common ones include:

• Temporary pain
• Mild bleeding
• Infection
• Nasal or throat dryness

Recovery Tips:

• Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully
• Stay hydrated
• Eat soft foods after throat surgeries
• Avoid dusty or smoky environments
• Keep follow-up appointments

Most patients return to their daily routines within a few days to a couple of weeks.

Conclusion

ENT surgeries might sound complicated at first, but they’re some of the most effective treatments for improving everyday comfort—whether it’s breathing, hearing, speaking, or sleeping.

With advanced techniques, skilled surgeons, and faster recovery times, modern ENT care has become safer and more precise than ever. At Gore Hospital, widely recognized as the best ENT treatment hospital in Ravet, PCMC, patients receive expert care supported by advanced technology and experienced ENT specialists.

If you or your child are facing frequent ENT issues, consulting an ENT specialist can help you find the right treatment and possibly transform your quality of life for the better.