Newcastle Hospitals Charity has made a new ‘scar-free’ ear endoscopy service possible for the first time at The Great North Children’s Hospital.
Thanks to support from Newcastle Hospitals Charity, this pioneering technique will allow surgery inside children’s ears without making an incision or leaving any visible scars.
The Charity’s funding has enabled the purchase of a Panetti Endoscopic Ear Instrument, a new middle ear instrument to make operating endoscopically easier.
After returning to the UK from his fellowship in Canada, Consultant Paediatric ENT Surgeon, Jason Powell, approached Newcastle Hospitals Charity to support a children’s endoscopic ear surgery service, he said:
“Endoscopic ear surgery provides improved visualisation and access to the middle ear and mastoid bone behind the ear without an incision, allowing a less invasive approach that is ideally suited to children.
“This results in reduced recovery time and improved outcomes for young patients. We have already seen children benefit from the new service, with more expected in the future.
“I’m very grateful for the funding from Newcastle Hospitals Charity to facilitate this service for patients at The Great North Children’s Hospital.”
It is hoped that the service will make Newcastle Hospitals a leading centre within the North East and the rest of the UK for endoscopic ear surgery and training in this technique.
Middle ear infection in children, such as ear drum perforation and cholesteatoma (a congenital or acquired middle ear cyst) can result in ongoing infection, pain, permanent hearing loss and potentially life-threatening complications, including meningitis.
Such surgery can improve hearing outcomes, potentially prevent surgical complication, and reduce residual infection rates, compared to traditional techniques.
These infections result in poor quality of life outcomes and reduced educational achievements, they also disproportionately effect children from deprived backgrounds.
Teri Bayliss, Director of Newcastle Hospitals Charity, said: “We are delighted to support Jason in making this important and positive difference to children in Newcastle with the new endoscopy service.
“It will go a long way to supporting the health and wellbeing of patients, as well as enabling the professional development of the staff involved in providing the service.”
Newcastle Hospitals Charity would not have been able to support this new service without your donations and fundraising.
Make a donation or get some fundraising ideas on our website.
You can hear more from Mr Jason Powell in our interview with him on our Spotify for Podcasters channel.
A video of the new service taking place is available to watch on our YouTube channel.
