If you require some type of head or neck surgery, then you will need to seek out the procedure from an ENT or otolaryngologist through services such as Delaware Medical Group Inc. They can complete a variety of procedures and techniques will vary based on your specific disorder. For example, if you require the surgical removal of a tumor, an endoscopic head and neck surgery (eHNS) may be completed. Keep reading to understand what this procedure is and also why it is beneficial when compared to a more classic surgical procedure. 

What Is Endoscopic Head & Neck Surgery?

An eHNS procedure is a minimally invasive one that involves the use of an endoscopic tool. Endoscopes are small, narrow tools that allow a physician to see inside your body in areas where space is limited. The devices are flexible tubes with front attached camera. The camera is small enough to fit into a tiny incision, but it magnifies your anatomy significantly so your physician can accurately investigate your body and perform surgical procedures. 

In some cases, the endoscope can be used in a way that multiple incisions are prevented. For example, if a tumor is located in your sinus cavities, the endoscope can be inserted through your nose so a facial incision can be avoided. 

While eHNS procedures can be used to entirely complete a surgical operation, there are some situations where the endoscopic surgery must be advanced with the help of traditional surgical methods using a scalpel. For example, if a tumor is located close to a nerve or a major blood vessel, then your surgeon may need to carefully release the formation from a different angle through an external incision.

You should know that endoscopic procedures may be completed alone or with the assistance of robotic equipment. Robotic assisted surgeries use advanced technology to increase precision.

What Are the Advantages of eHNS?

There are many benefits to choosing an eHNS procedure over a traditional surgery. Since the endoscopic one is far less invasive, there is a much smaller risk of complications and blood loss concerns. Also, you will feel far less pain and thus you will be able to go home sooner. In some cases, endoscopic procedures are out-patient ones, so you may not have to stay in the hospital at all. 

Scarring is reduced when an eHNS procedure is completed and you will likely recover much more quickly. This means you can likely return to a normal diet soon afterwards. This may be important to you if you have a throat or mouth operation scheduled.