Pediatric Ear, Nose, Throat

pediatric-ent-doctor-los-angeles

At Pacific Specialists, your child will receive a child-friendly comprehensive evaluation, as well as state of the art treatment. Our fellowship-trained Pediatric Otolaryngologists specialize in all aspects of care for ear, nose and throat disorders in children. All treatment options will be discussed at length with the family (and child when appropriate) and a plan of care will be developed.

Our Pediatric ENT physicians are nationally known as experts in the field and have been providing care for children in Los Angeles for over 25 years.

Some of the pediatric procedures we perform include:

Chronic Tonsillitis Chronic Ear Infections
Pediatric Nasal Obstruction Congenital Cysts and Tumors
Sleep Apnea Chronic Sinusitis

Pediatric Audiological Testing

Chronic Tonsillitis Treatment

Tonsillectomy

A tonsillectomy is the surgical removal of the tonsils (two oval-shaped pads located in the back of the throat on each side), performed on patients with recurring episodes of tonsillitis (inflammation of the tonsils) or for an infection that has not gotten better with other treatment. In some cases, a tonsillectomy may be performed if enlarged tonsils block normal breathing. This can lead to problems such as sleep apnea and difficulty eating. Occasionally, a tonsillectomy may be performed to treat cancer. A tonsillectomy is much more common for children than for adults. The surgery is most often an outpatient procedure performed in our Los Angeles area office and uses a general anesthetic.

  • Contact us to learn more about Chronic Tonsillitis.

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Pediatric Nasal Obstruction

Nasal obstruction is a symptom rather than a stand alone diagnosis, which may be caused by a wide range of medical and structural problems. Medical conditions may include bacterial infections, viral infections, or allergies, which structural conditions could indicate a nasal septal deformity, nasal polyps, or a problem with the turbinate bones.

Treatments include:

Adenoidectomy

An adenoidectomy is the surgical removal of the adenoid glands. Adenoids are small lumps of tissue in the back of the throat that help fight ear, nose, and throat infections. The majority of adenoidectomies are performed in children. The adenoids usually shrink by adolescence, so adults rarely undergo the procedure. An adenoidectomy may be needed if the adenoids become infected and swell up, blocking the nose and making it difficult to breathe. Swollen adenoids may also result in sleep apnea, chronic snoring, ear infections, and difficulty swallowing. Adenoidectomies are usually performed on an outpatient basis using a general anesthetic.

Swollen adenoids are often associated with tonsillitis and may be removed as part of an operation to remove the tonsils. This procedure is called an adenotonsillectomy.

Turbinate Reduction / Coblation Turbinoplasty

Turbinate reduction surgery is a procedure that shrinks the turbinates in order to alleviate chronic nasal congestion and nasal obstruction. The turbinates are small curved bones that extend horizontally along the wall of the nasal passage. Their purpose is to humidify and filter the air that is inhaled through the nose. The inferior turbinate fills the lower portion of the nasal airway and can become very swollen in response to allergies or infections. When a patient’s turbinate is abnormally large and does not respond to traditional therapies such as antihistamines or antibiotics, surgical intervention may be recommended.

During surgery, the turbinate is shrunk by the placement of a surgical probe. Using radiofrequency, the submucosal tissue is vaporized while the muscosal layer is preserved to allow for continued nasal humidification. Patients may experience mild dryness during recovery, but are usually able to achieve effective results from this procedure in our Los Angeles area office.

  • Contact us to learn more about Pediatric Nasal Obstruction.

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Sleep Apnea Treatment

Just like adults, many children suffer from sleeping disorders that prevent them from getting a sufficient amount of sleep. Pediatric sleep apnea is a common sleeping disorder that involves a narrowing of the upper airway during sleep, causing patients to experience short periods of disrupted breathing that can interfere with sleep. Patients with this condition may experience snoring, mouth breathing, restless sleep and bed-wetting, as well as difficulty concentrating when awake.

Sleep apnea may develop as a result of enlarged adenoids or tonsils, obesity or muscle weakness. Treatment for this condition often involves surgical removal of the tonsils and adenoids, which is done through a safe, minimally invasive procedure. Weight loss and treatment of other underlying conditions can also help improve the symptoms of sleep apnea.

For more information, please call our office for a consultation with one of Pediatric ENT physicians – (310) 477-5558, or complete the form below.

 

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