Peds ENT Explained. Clearly and Thoroughly.
Because Understanding Your ENT Care Matters.
OTITIS MEDIA
Ear infections, also known as otitis media, can be painful and may become recurrent or persistent when Eustachian tube dysfunction prevents the middle ear from draining and ventilating properly. Chronic middle-ear fluid can cause conductive hearing loss, which may interfere with speech, language, and learning during important stages of a child’s development. Our practice offers personalized surgical and non-surgical treatment options for children with chronic otitis media, Eustachian tube dysfunction, and associated hearing loss, with the goal of restoring healthy middle-ear function and supporting clear hearing and development.
TONSILS and ADENOIDS
Enlarged tonsils and adenoids can narrow a child’s upper airway, contributing to snoring, mouth breathing, restless sleep, and obstructive sleep apnea, which may affect sleep quality, behavior, growth, and overall health. We provide individualized medical and surgical treatment for enlarged tonsils and adenoids, recurrent tonsillitis, snoring, and sleep-disordered breathing. When surgery is appropriate, techniques such as intracapsular (partial) tonsillectomy and coblation may be used to remove obstructing tonsil tissue while preserving the tonsil capsule, with the goal of reducing postoperative pain and supporting a smoother recovery.
SINUS DISEASE
Sinus disease can affect patients of all ages, from young children to older adults. Symptoms such as persistent nasal congestion or drainage, bad breath, recurrent fevers, cough, and facial pain or pressure may be signs of sinusitis or chronic sinus inflammation. We offer a comprehensive range of non-surgical and surgical treatment options, taking a conservative, individualized approach focused on reducing inflammation and restoring healthy nasal and sinus function. When surgery is appropriate, we utilize advanced minimally invasive techniques and technologies, including endoscopic sinus surgery, CT-guided navigation, balloon sinus dilation, and sinus stent technology, to provide precise, effective care tailored to each patient.
TONGUE-TIE and LIP-TIE
Tongue tie (ankyloglossia) occurs when a tight or shortened frenulum restricts tongue movement, while a lip tie restricts movement of the upper lip. In infants, significant restriction may cause difficulty latching, painful breastfeeding, or feeding concerns; in older children, it may affect eating, swallowing, or speech. A Pediatric ENT evaluation can determine whether treatment is necessary. Mild cases often require no intervention, while more significant tongue tie may be corrected with a brief frenotomy or frenulectomy, often performed in the office for infants. Dr. Respler has extensive experience with these procedures and recommends treatment only when clinically appropriate.
DEVIATED SEPTUM
The nasal septum is made of cartilage and bone that divide the nose into two air passages. When the septum is significantly crooked or displaced, it can narrow one side of the nasal airway, disrupt normal airflow, and contribute to congestion, mouth breathing, snoring, and difficulty breathing during sleep or exercise. Non-surgical treatment with saline rinses, nasal sprays, and allergy management can reduce surrounding tissue swelling and improve airflow, but it cannot straighten the septum itself. When obstruction remains significant, septoplasty can surgically reposition the cartilage and bone to create a more open nasal airway. In younger patients, elective septal surgery is generally deferred until age 16.
NOSEBLEEDS
Epistaxis, the medical term for nosebleeds, is common in children and is often caused by dryness, irritation, allergies, nose picking, or inflammation of the delicate blood vessels inside the nose. While most nosebleeds are not serious, frequent or persistent bleeding may require further evaluation. Our approach focuses on identifying the source of bleeding, ruling out underlying concerns, and developing an individualized treatment plan to reduce recurrence. Treatment may include nasal hydration, saline, protective lubrication, management of contributing nasal inflammation, and, when appropriate, targeted cauterization of the affected blood vessels for more lasting control.