Minimally Invasive Procedures for Ear, Nose and Throat
Advanced Techniques for Best Outcomes
The ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center have pioneered advances in minimally invasive treatments for common ear, nose and throat conditions, such as sleep apnea, thyroid disorders and sinusitis. These innovative treatment methods provide patients many benefits over traditional surgery, including:
Faster recovery times and shorter hospital stays, often with better outcomes
No incisions or smaller incisions with less pain, bruising and scarring after the procedure
Less anesthesia required
Less blood loss
Lower risk of infection
Minimally Invasive ENT Procedures Offered
da Vinci® Surgical System
Balloon sinuplasty for chronic sinus pain
Nonsurgical tonsil reduction and nasal valve repair
Minimally invasive thyroid surgery
Radiofrequency tonsil and adenoid removal
Robotic tongue base reduction
Minimally invasive parathyroid surgery
Pillar procedure
Da Vinci® Robotic Surgery
The da Vinci® Surgical System has revolutionized the way many surgeries are performed. Using small incisions, a high-definition three-dimensional camera and tiny remotely controlled surgical tools, surgeons perform surgeries with much higher precision and fewer side effects for patients compared to traditional surgery.
The otolaryngologists at Illinois Masonic Medical Center use the da Vinci® Surgical System to treat a number of ear, nose and throat conditions, including:
Cancers of the throat and mouth
Sleep apnea and snoring
Thyroid disease
Sinusitis and other sinus conditions
Learn more about robotic surgery at Illinois Masonic Medical Center.
TransOral Robotic Surgery for a Better Night’s Sleep
Michael Friedman, MD, chief of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at Illinois Masonic Medical Center, is one of the first surgeons in the nation to use robotic surgical tools for the minimally invasive treatment of severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). A new and effective alternative for treating OSA, TransOral Robotic Surgery allows for finely controlled throat tissue removal without the need for external incisions. Learn more about TransOral Robotic Surgery for OSA at Illinois Masonic Medical Center.
Balloon Sinuplasty for Chronic Sinus Pain
Balloon sinuplasty is an FDA-approved endoscopic technology for treating chronic sinus pain using a small, flexible balloon inserted into the sinuses. When inflated, the balloon gently widens the walls of the nasal passageway while delivering medication to the affected area.
This outpatient procedure takes approximately 30 minutes, requires no anesthesia and allows patients to resume normal activity within 24 to 48 hours. Traditional sinus surgery usually involves a two-week recovery period and significantly more pain and bruising.
