ENT: Minimally Invasive & Robotic Surgery

The Department of Otolaryngology at UTMB Health specializes in the advanced practice of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery aimed at the diagnosis and management of diseases affecting the ears, nose, sinuses, throat, and head and neck. As has occurred in many surgical specialties, robotic and non-robotic minimally invasive approaches to manage diseases traditionally requiring complex open surgical approaches has increasingly become the norm.

These minimally invasive approaches, combined with state-of-the-art-equipment and specialized physician training, allow us to address numerous surgical conditions in ways that minimize pain and cosmetic changes while promoting faster recovery, shorter hospital stays, less scarring, and a quicker return to normal activities. Our group of fellowship-trained specialists offers the full spectrum of minimally invasive techniques, including robotic surgery, currently available within the specialty.

OUR PROCEDURES

Laryngopharyngeal Surgery

Our surgeons routinely perform minimally invasive surgery aimed at treatment of disorders of voice and swallowing. These approaches have the benefit of decreasing the length of hospital stay and overall recovery time. Importantly, they often afford the avoidance of a tracheostomy and allow for earlier resumption of oral nutrition.

Available procedures include:

• Phonomicrosurgical management of vocal cord lesions
• Endoscopic management of Zenkers diverticula
• Endoscopic management of conditions of the greater larynx structures
• Endoscopic and robotic resection of tumors of the larynx and pharynx.

Thyroid & Parathyroid Surgery

Our surgeons offer minimally invasive thyroid and parathyroid procedures. These minimally invasive procedures maintain the outcome standards of traditional open surgeries while reducing the risk of complications, decreasing the size of incisions, and improving patient recovery.

Available procedures include:

• Endoscopic thyroid lobectomy
• Endoscopic parathyroidectomy.

Sinus Surgery

Our surgeons offer a complete array of minimally invasive surgical treatments for nasal and sinus problems. Available procedures include:

• minimally invasive image-guided endoscopic sinus surgery
• balloon sinuplasty
• endoscopic submucous resection of inferior turbinates
• nasal polypectomy
• rhinoplasy
• endoscopic septoplasty
• FESS with stereotactic navigation.

Snoring & Sleep Apnea

Our surgeons offer minimally invasive procedures for a number of conditions that manifest themselves through snoring and sleep apnea. Available procedures include:

• pillar implants
• laser assisted uvulopalatoplasty
• coblation
• adenotonsillectomy
• uvulopalatopharyngoplasty
• robotic tongue base reduction
• genioglossus advancement
• septoplasty
• submucous resection of inferior turbinates.

Salivary Gland Surgery

Our surgeons have the capacity to perform transductal endoscopic management of obstructive conditions affecting the parotid and submandibular glands. This approach results in full resolution of symptoms thus promoting the preservation of otherwise normal glands and maximally preventing dry mouth.

Available procedures include:

• Endoscopic removal of salivary gland stones
• Endoscopic lysis/dilation of ductal strictures
• Endoscopic biopsy of ductal lesions.