Here at Regional ENT Associates, our goal is to help each of our patients and their families achieve and maintain optimal health and wellness. We treat a wide range of pediatric and adolescent illnesses; both acute and chronic, common and rare. We offer a wide range of pediatric services and preventative care for children who are injured or ill. Our board certified doctors, and experienced nurse practitioner are experts in pediatric otolaryngology (ear nose and throat, ENT) care.You can expect clear communication, honesty, and reassuring guidance, and excellence in care at each visit. You can feel confident that your child is receiving the best care possible.
Services
Regional ENT Associates offers a complete range of pediatric medical and surgical treatments. Some of these include:
- Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy – for recurrent acute and chronic tonsillitis as well as sleep apnea and sleep disordered breathing
- Cleft lip and cleft palate repair
- Congenital lesions – birthmarks, hemangioma, epidermoid cysts, branchial cleft cyst, thyroglossal duct cyst, and others
- Abscess drainage – of the neck, throat, and other areas
- Septoplasty, turbinate reduction, sinus irrigations, functional endoscopic sinus surgery and minimally invasive balloon sinus dilation
- Tympanoplasty – perforated eardrum repair (fixing a hold in the ear)
- Trauma – Treatment of acute facial fractures, nasal fractures (broken nose), and lacerations (skin injuries)
- Ear malformation non-surgical molding and surgical treatment
Tonsillitis and Adenoids
What they are
Your child’s tonsils are two visible, sponge like pieces of tissue on the sides of the throat, just behind the tongue. This tissue is part of the lymphatic (immune system) system. aCurrent knowledge suggests that they help your body’s immune system, however they can also cause significant problems and may require medical or surgical treatment.When normal medical treatment does not work, your pediatrician may request you bring your child to see an otolaryngologist (ENT) physician. In severe cases, your child may require removal of the tonsil and adenoid tissues. This procedure is called a tonsillectomy (or tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy if the adenoid tissue is removed at the same time)
Tonsillitis and Infections: Tonsillitis is most commonly viral, but can also be caused by a bacterial infection. You child will likely be tested for strep throat, a specific kind of tonsil and throat infection. When children are getting frequent repeat infections, it can cause a significant impact on their health and development. Some complications of tonsillitis include abscess formation (peritonsillar abscess), and chronic infection (chronic tonsillitis).
Medical and Surgical Treatments: There are several reasons for removal of tonsil and/or adenoid tissue. The most common indications include the following:
- Frequent or severe infections
- Chronic (continuous) infections
- Severe bad breath (halitosis)
- Size differences between tonsils – may require biopsy to rule out a tumor
- Breathing problems – obstructive sleep apnea and sleep disordered breathing
What to expect with surgery:
Regional ENT and Associates uses the most current methods for tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. We use modern equipment which has a lower temperature and causes as little irritation of nearby tissue as possible. This results in less pain and discomfort after surgery. If it is appropriate for you, we may perform tonsillectomy using an “intracapsular” method. This method is designed to decrease pain, help you recover faster, and decrease the chances of rare surgical complications.
Tonsil surgery typically takes about 10-30 minutes to perform. You can expect to go home the same day in most cases. After surgery, a prescription plan for liquid medicine to help control pain will be given to you. It is common to have a sore throat and bad breath for several days after the surgery. It is important to keep your child as well hydrated as possible, even though they may have a low appetite for a few days.
Ear infections
Common Signs and Symptoms
Ear infections result from inflammation within the middle ear. In most cases, ear infections are viral and will go away on their own. In some cases, the ear infection is bacterial and will require antibiotic treatment. If your child is getting ear infections frequently, and often requiring antibiotics, your pediatrician may refer you to see us. Sometimes children require the placement of an ear tube through their ear drum. This is usually done when ear infections are frequent, or they are complicated by other problems such as ear drum perforation, meningitis, or hearing problems.Our pediatric ENT services can help you and your child by providing accurate diagnosis and the necessary medical or surgical treatment needed to get your loved one feeling well again.
Medical and Surgical Treatments
Sleep Apnea
Common Signs and Symptoms
Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea is a sleeping condition in which breathing is completely or partially blocked repeatedly throughout the night. This disorder is caused by the narrowing or blockage of the airway while your child sleeps. The cause of sleep apnea in children is different than adults, and is most commonly a result of enlarged adenoids and tonsils.
The best way to prevent complications that can affect children’s growth, behavior, and cognitive development, is through early diagnosis and treatment with one of our expert pediatricians.
Medical and Surgical Treatments
Facial Plastic Reconstruction
Pediatric Birth Defects and Trauma
If your child has a disfiguring condition resulting from birth, or due to an injury, our pediatric specialists can help you determine the best route of treatment possible. We offer facial plastic reconstruction using the most effective surgical techniques for improving the appearance and function of malformations in parts of the body including:
Medical and Surgical Treatments
Cleft lip and Palate Deformities
A cleft lip can be as mild as a notch within the lip, or it can be as severe as an opening that expands from the lip to the nose. Cleft lip can be corrected through surgery. Surgery to correct cleft lip is usually performed before a baby is 1 years old. We will work with you to help determine the best care and possible treatment method for correcting your child’s cleft lip.
Ear Deformities
Pediatric ear malformations describe a range of problems varying from defects and traumatic injuries that affect your child’s ears. Congenital ear deformities are present at birth and occur during development while the baby is still in the womb. Some examples of ear deformities include cup ear (ear is folded over) , microtia (small or incompletely formed ear) anotia (absence of ear), and prominauris (ears that protrude outward). In some cases, congenital ear deformities are best treated immediately, so it is important to discuss this with your pediatrician or one of our providers at Regional ENT.
Ear malformations may be associated with other medical problems, and they can cause other complications including hearing loss, inability to wear glasses, and social challenges including teasing. For more severe cases, remodeling of the ear to correct the shape, and restore hearing loss, can be performed. Surgery is usually performed at age 6 when the ear is close to full adult size. Along with effective remodeling surgery, hearing aids or implants can help improve hearing loss, if needed.
Contact Us
Reach out to the caring professionals here at Regional ENT Associates to learn more about our expert pediatric ENT and facial plastic services. Contact us today and schedule your consultation towards health and wellness for you and your loved ones.
