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Paediatric ENT

Ear, nose and throat problems are the single most common reason a child is referred to a specialist. Most are entirely treatable and many resolve without surgery — but they can affect a child’s sleep, hearing, speech development and school performance while they last. Dr Ellinas has been formally trained in Coblation Tonsillectomy and Coblation Adenoidectomy while being a Clinical Fellow at the Oxford Deanery, in the United Kingdom and is Cyprus’s current Official Council Member Representative at the European Society of Paediatric Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (ESPO).

CONDITIONS COMMONLY SEEN

  • Recurrent tonsillitis and enlarged tonsils — repeated throat infections, or tonsils large enough to obstruct breathing and swallowing
  • Enlarged adenoids — persistent mouth-breathing, blocked nose, snoring and disturbed sleep
  • Glue ear (otitis media with effusion) — fluid behind the eardrum causing muffled hearing, often picked up as inattention at school
  • Recurrent ear infections and discharging ears
  • Obstructive sleep apnoea in children — snoring with pauses in breathing, restless sleep, daytime tiredness or behavioural difficulties
  • Tongue-tie (ankyloglossia) — feeding difficulty in infants, speech concerns in older children
  • Nosebleeds and persistent nasal blockage
  • Neck lumps in children
  • Hearing concerns and delayed speech development

ASSESSMENT

Consultation begins with a full history from you and, where appropriate, from your child. Examination includes inspection of the ears, nose and throat. Children are assessed in a calm, unhurried setting, with examination adapted to the child’s age and tolerance.

Hearing assessment (audiometry and tympanometry) is available where hearing or glue ear is a concern. Where sleep-disordered breathing is suspected, sleep questionnaires and, in very selected cases, a sleep study referral is arranged.

TREATMENT

Many childhood ENT problems are managed medically or by watchful waiting, and Dr Ellinas will always say so when that is the right course. Where surgery is indicated, options include:

  • Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, performed using Coblation — a low-temperature radiofrequency technique that reduces blood loss during the operation but also reduces significantly the chances of post-operative bleeding. Postoperative pain is remarkably less and the return to normal eating and activities is much quicker compared with conventional methods. Dr Ellinas is certified in Coblation and has been teaching the technique to other ENT surgeons.
  • Grommet insertion for persistent glue ear
  • Lingual frenulectomy for tongue-tie
  • Nasal and sinus surgery where medical treatment has not succeeded

Every discussion covers what the operation involves, realistic recovery times, what the alternatives are and any further questions that might come up during the Consultation.

WHEN TO SEEK AN OPINION

Book an assessment if your child snores every night or stops breathing during sleep, has had repeated throat infections requiring antibiotics, seems not to hear well or is persistently mouth-breathing.

Request an appointment: +357 24 840840