Sanford Health

Procedures

Ear Tubes (Pressure Equalization Tubes)

If your child has repeat ear infections or fluid built up behind the eardrum, your physician may suggest P.E. tubes.

P.E. tubes can help with ear infections because they:

  • Allow air to enter the middle ear
  • Allow fluid to flow out of the middle ear through the tube into the ear canal
  • Clear fluid from the middle ear and restore hearing
  • Prevent future buildup of fluid in the middle ear while they are in place
  • Decrease the feeling of pressure in the ears, which reduces pain

The child is given general anesthesia during the surgery and can usually go home within 1 to 2 hours of the procedure. A follow up appointment is usually scheduled to make sure the P.E. tubes are patent and normal middle ear ventilation has been reestablished. A hearing check may also be done.

Removal of Tonsils (Tonsillectomy)

A tonsillectomy is a surgery where the tonsils are removed. This surgery typically occurs when a child has had several bouts of infections in the tonsils or if the tonsils are too large and obstructs breathing or swallowing. The adenoids are often removed with the tonsils. The adenoids are made of similar tissue to the tonsils and sit in the nasopharynx directly behind the nose. Removing the adenoids, with or without removing the tonsils, can help reduce ear and sinus infections and improve breathing through the nose.

Tonsils are two lumps of tissue that are located towards the back of the throat. They act as germ fighters for the body by trapping viruses and bacteria trying to enter the body. Tonsillitis happens when the tonsils become infected by these viruses and bacteria. The tonsils become swollen, red and sore. They may have a white or yellow coating on them. Tonsils enlarge in response to infections and although the infections clear the tonsils (and adenoids) remain enlarged and obstruct the upper airway causing sleep disturbance and other problems.

The surgery to removal the tonsils and adenoids requires general anesthesia and the procedure usually takes about 30 minutes. The surgery is often a same day surgery but some children require overnight observation, especially if they are less than 3 years old. The time for complete return to a normal diet and activity is variable and may occur as soon as 5 days or take as long as 2 weeks.

Sinus Surgery

Almost everyone has experienced an illness involving the nose and the sinuses at some time in their life. Millions of Americans suffer from chronic nasal and sinus conditions that can range from occasional excessive drainage down the back of the throat (post-nasal drip) to the constant facial pain, pressure and foul discharge of true chronic sinusitis. A correct diagnosis is necessary to allow for the most effective treatment.

At Sanford Clinic Ear, Nose & Throat we have all the resources available needed to determine just what is wrong with your nose or sinus. State of the art CT scanning can often be done the same day of your appointment. Closely working relationships with other Sanford providers in Allergy, Infectious Disease, Pediatrics and Neurology allow us to offer complete multi-specialty care for your particular problem.

Medications are usually the first treatment offered and sinus surgery should be reserved for people who obtain no relief with less aggressive therapy. Should your particular condition require surgery, Sanford Clinic Ear, Nose & Throat surgeons have extensive sinus and nasal surgery experience, as well as the most up to the minute surgery options available including CT guided surgery and Sinuplasty (sinus balloon dilation surgery).

Sinus surgery often focuses on removing diseased or obstructing tissues from the nose and sinus to allow more normal function and drainage. Depending on the type of surgery needed, return to normal activity and work can be as soon as a few days to as long as a week or more.

The Sanford Surgical Tower is the newest and most advanced surgical facility in South Dakota. Anesthesiologists and nurses also experienced in sinus surgery work closely with Sanford Clinic Ear, Nose & Throat surgeons everyday to provide the safest surgical environment.

ABR hearing evaluation

Sanford Clinic Ear, Nose & Throat is proud
to be the first clinic in the region to offer
you and your loved one the freedom of
Integrity – hearing assessment equipment.

With other auditory brainstem response
(ABR) equipment, the patient is often
sedated so the audiologist can get a clear
reading of the patient’s ability to hear. When
Integrity is used, sedation is no longer
needed because of its patented digital
signal-processing techniques. Infants
can be feeding and young children can
even be playing while being tested.

Integrity gives the patient the freedom
to move around during testing due to
its wireless communication technology.
This technology is particularly useful
with restless patients such as young
children and difficult to test patients.

If you need further information or
have questions, please feel free to call
Sanford Clinic Ear, Nose & Throat at
(605) 328-8200. One of our audiologists
will be happy to talk with you.

Cochlear implants

A cochlear implant is a small electronic device that helps people hear. The implant can be used by adults and children who are hard of hearing or have lost their hearing. The implant consists of an external portion that sits behind the ear and a second portion that is surgically placed under the skin. 

A person is evaluated for a cochlear implant via several studies including a special hearing test and a CT scan. It is important that the candidate clearly understand what the cochlear implant will and will not do. Dr. DeSautel was the first physician to perform a cochlear implant in South Dakota and has successfully helped many children and adults restore their ability to communicate with their ears.

For more information on cochlear implants or to schedule a consultation with Dr. DeSautel at Sanford Clinic Ear, Nose & Throat, please call 605-328-8200.