Penn State Hershey Anesthesiology

ENT Anesthesia

Anesthesia for Ear, Nose, and Throat Surgery

The management of anesthesia for patients having ENT surgery presents numerous challenges for anesthesiologist in order to accommodate the needs of the patient and the surgeon. The field encompasses a variety of surgical procedures ranging from tonsillectomies, to major head and neck tumor resections. Laser surgery of the larynx and trachea creates additional challenge.

The scope of problems that the anesthesiologists face includes:

Evaluating and securing the patient’s airway often distorted by tumor, trauma, infection, or congenital abnormality.
Sharing operative field and often patient’s airway with a surgeon.
Choosing appropriate anesthetic technique for the type of surgery performed.
Deciding the appropriate time for awaking and tracheal extubation avoiding coughing and increase in blood pressure which could produce bleeding in the operative site leading to surgical re-exploration or airway obstruction.

Providers
FAQs

Patrick M. McQuillan, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology and Pediatrics
Vice Chair for Clinical Care
Director, Acute Pain Management
Wilson Po, MD
Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology
Leonard Pott, MB, BCh
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
Director of Airway Management
Jansie Prozesky, MB, ChB
Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology
Director, PACU
Dana C. Seidl, MD
Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology
Andrzej Trojanowski, MD
Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology
Director, ENT Anesthesia
Sonia Vaida, MD
Associate Professor of Anesthesiology
Director, OB Anesthesia

Who is an otolaryngologist?

Otolaryngologist is a physician specialized in diagnosing and treating diseases of the head and neck, especially those involving the Ears, Nose, and Throat (ENT). Most otolaryngologists diagnose and treat both children and adults.

Will it hurt after ENT surgery?

Pain should always be anticipated and discussed with a patient before surgery in age appropriate terms. For most ENT operations, powerful morphine like painkillers will be given and these are often combined with Tylenol or other medications.

Most operations will not require an overnight stay, so you will need painkillers at home.

Pain can be well controlled if medication is given on a regular basis, you should not worry about giving painkillers regularly, as prescribed; they will help recovery from operation.