Head and neck surgery at Wessex Hospital

Some of the most common types of head and neck surgery include:

1. Thyroidectomy: The surgical removal of all or part of the thyroid gland, a butterfly-shaped gland in the neck. This is performed to treat conditions such as thyroid cancer, an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), or a non-cancerous enlargement of the thyroid (goitre).
2. Parotidectomy: An operation to remove all or part of the parotid gland, which is the largest of the salivary glands, located in front of the ear. This is most commonly done to remove a lump or tumour, the majority of which are non-cancerous.
3. Neck dissection: A procedure to remove the lymph nodes from one or both sides of the neck. It is almost always performed as part of a cancer operation to remove lymph nodes that either contain, or are at high risk of containing, cancer cells that have spread.
4. Laryngectomy: The removal of the larynx, or voice box. This is a major operation performed to treat advanced laryngeal cancer or severe trauma to the throat.
5. Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS): A minimally invasive (keyhole) procedure to treat chronic sinusitis and remove nasal polyps. A surgeon uses a thin, lighted tube called an endoscope to open up the natural drainage pathways of the sinuses.
6. Tonsillectomy: The surgical removal of the tonsils, typically performed to treat recurrent severe tonsillitis or obstructive sleep apnoea caused by enlarged tonsils.
7. Glossectomy: The surgical removal of all or part of the tongue, which is a primary treatment for tongue cancer. The extent of the surgery depends on the size and location of the tumour.