A grommet is a tiny plastic tube that sits across the ear drum allowing the middle ear to be ventilated. The operation is performed as a day surgery under general anaesthesia, and the whole procedure including the anaesthesia usually takes 20 to 30 minutes. The procedure is often combined with an adenoidectomy.

The adenoids are a collection of lymphoid tissue (like tonsils)   located at the back of  the nose.  They are often enlarged in children as a result of repeated viral infection and cause symptoms of snoring, a blocked nose and mouth breathing.

Tonsils are a collection lymphoid tissue that sits in the back of the throat. Although they are part of the body's defence system they can be a source of recurrent infections. They can also cause breathing issues if enlarged

Tympanoplasty is an  operation  to close a perforation of the eardrum (tympanic membrane).  It Ican also be called a myringoplasty. A perforation of the ear drum may result from middle ear infections, grommet surgery or trauma and often presents with recurrent discharge.

A tongue tie is a membrane/band of tissue that extends from the undersurface of the tongue to the floor of the mouth. It is formed as part of the normal development of the tongue. Normally the membrane disappears but in some instances it persists as a tongue tie. Sometimes it can affect breastfeeding with difficulty in latching and pain for the mother

Prominent ears occur because of a loss of the fold within the ear called the antihelix and/or a deep conchal bowl. If noted early (first few months of life) applying splints to keep the ear in place can correct the deformity. This can be achieved by using a commercial device such as the “ear buddy” system or simply using steristrips. When children have reached the age of 5 years of age they can undergo a Pinnaplasty to reshape and pin back the ears.

Modern anaesthesia is extremely safe and reliable.  Anaesthetists are highly specialised hospital doctors with at least 5 years of post-graduate training prior to becoming a Consultant.  Paediatric anaesthetists regularly anaesthetise children as part of their normal practice and have undergone at least one extra year of training in anaesthesia for children.