In-Office ENT Surgery and Procedures
Dr. Pantelides has the knowledge and expertise to do perform many procedures in the office without the need for general anesthesia in the hospital setting. Some of these procedures include Balloon Sinuplasty, Balloon Septoplasty, frenulectomy (tongue-tie procedure), ear wax removal, adult ear tube placement, earlobe tear repair, and skin lesion excision.
Balloon Sinuplasty
Dr. Pantelides is one of the premier experts in Balloon Sinuplasty in New York. Combining his knowledge of traditional sinus surgery and minimally-invasive approaches Dr. Pantelides is able to provide the full range of treatment options for your sinus problems. As part of your workup to determine your best treatment option we conveniently offer in-office allergy testing and CT scanning to help expedite your path towards healthier breathing and overall quality of life.
Chronic Sinusitis is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in the United States. It is estimated that some 10% of the population, that is roughly 30 million people, suffer from the symptoms of sinusitis. While there can be many factors that can cause chronic sinusitis the primary issue that leads to prolonged symptoms of nasal congestion, facial pressure, runny nose and decreased sense of smell is poor sinus drainage. Blocked or narrow sinus drainage passages lead to poor mucus and air flow into and out of the sinuses. The hallmark of all treatment methods whether it be with medications or a procedure is to reestablish adequate sinus drainage. While medications play a role in treatment of chronic sinusitis they certainly have their limitations. Additionally, traditional sinus surgery which requires general anesthesia and involves removal of tissue from inside the nose often is a far too invasive option for some patients. In the last decade technological advances have brought Balloon Sinuplasty to the forefront of treatment for sinusitis sufferers.
Balloon Septoplasty
The percentage of people with a deviated septum is likely somewhere around 80%. That is not say that everyone with a deviated septum needs it to be addressed. However, a deviated septum is one of the more frequently encountered causes of nasal airway obstruction. A deviation of the septum will cause narrowing of one or both sides of the nose depending on the location and severity of deviation.
As this is a structural problem it requires a procedure to correct it. Some septal deviations require a surgery under general anesthesia to remove the crooked portions of the septum. However, in recent years a new technique was developed to that allows us to augment the septum and functionally create more space for nasal breathing. This technique, which is performed under local anesthesia in the office, employs the use of an airway balloon to shift the septum more to the midline and at the same time compressing the inferior turbinates (internal nasal bones opposite the septum) to widen the nasal passage and effectively improve your nasal breathing.
Submucous Resection of Inferior Turbinates
The inferior turbinate is a thick bone that sits along the bottom portion of the nose, covered by a thick layer of mucous membrane. The inferior turbinate functions to humidify, warm and efficiently streamline air flow through the nose. When the mucous membranes are swollen or enlarged it can result in poor nasal airflow and nasal congestion.
Dr. Pantelides uses specialized instrumentation to trim away excess and thickened mucous membrane to create more space for nasal breathing. This procedure is comfortably performed in the office under local anesthesia either in conjunction with a balloon sinuplasty or as a stand-alone procedure.
Frenulectomy (Tongue-Tie Procedure)
Tongue-tie or ankyloglossia is a condition that is present at birth and causes restriction of tongue mobility due to a short and thick lingual frenulum, a membrane that connects the tongue to under surface of the mouth. Symptoms include feeding and speaking difficulties including poor latching for breastfeeding.
While some cases do not need intervention, some patients would benefit from a small procedure to simply incise the membrane, essentially freeing up the tongue. We can usually perform this procedure in the office quickly and easily for most children under the age of 10 months.
Other In-Office Procedures
Ear wax removal
Adult ear tube placement
Earlobe tear repair
Skin lesion excision of the head and neck