Modern surgery has developed to such an extent that the body of knowledge and technical skills required have led to surgeons specialising in particular areas, usually an anatomical area of the body or occasionally in a particular technique or type of patient.
There are ten surgical specialties and this briefing covers otolaryngology, or ears, nose, and throat (ENT) surgery.
One of the key areas of concern for ENT surgeons is helping patients cope with or recover from diseases that impair the senses of hearing and balance. They will also be concerned with the functional aspects of breathing, eating, and speech. ENT surgeons also deal with cancers in this region of the body. Many will undertake plastic and reconstructive work on the face.
Common problems include ear infections, tonsillitis, asthma, and allergies. Pediatric ENT’s also care for children with birth defects of the head and neck. They also can help figure out if your child has a speech or language problem.