Nose (Rhinology and Facial Plastic Surgery)

We specialise in all types of rhinology and facial plastic conditions, from simple to complex. We collaborate with experts in allergy, neurosurgery, plastic surgery, rheumatology, and ophthalmology in our multidisciplinary clinics. These clinics provide a wide range of tests and the most comprehensive medical and surgical treatments for rhinology and facial plastic surgery in the UK.

• Combined allergy, medical and surgical rhinology clinic: complex disorders of the nose and sinuses including rhinitis, vasculitis, sinus disease and upper airway.
• Facial Function MDT: a unique service to treat patients with facial nerve palsies which includes physiotherapy, Botox treatment and facial reanimation surgery.
• Craniofacial MDT: deformities of the face, nose and ear including congenital, trauma, post-surgery.
• Skull base MDT: tumours of the nose, sinuses, and anterior skull base.
• Olfaction clinic: specialist clinic in treating patients with disorders of smell loss.
• Orbital MDT: tumours of the orbit and lacrimal system, thyroid eye disease and oculoplastic surgery.
• Autoimmune diseases and Vasculitis MDT: a unique team-based approach to manage complex diseases with nasal manifestations including septal perforation.
• Dermatology MDT: we work closely with our dermatologists to provide expertise in the reconstruction of complex nasal and facial skin defects following Mohs micrographic surgery for skin tumour excision.

Our facial plastic surgery services offer high-quality, safe, and patient-centred care. Our team of specialists can consult on, investigate, diagnose, and treat a variety of conditions, including but not limited to:

• Deformities of the face, nose and ear including congenital, trauma, post-surgery.
• Treatment of facial skin lesions, including laser treatment of vascular lesions.
• Oculoplastic surgery, thyroid eye disease, external and internal nasal deformity, nasal airway assessment, including nasal reconstruction.
• Facial paralysis, external ear deformity and repair.

Our rhinology and facial plastic surgery service offers excellent clinical photography and radiological imaging. We assess outcomes using patient-reported measures and objective tests like Nasal Inspiratory Peak Flow (NIPF) scores and acoustic rhinometry.

We specialise in treating hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), which causes severe nosebleeds. We receive referrals from across the UK for treatments like laser surgery, nasal septum skin grafting, and nasal closure.

At the Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals, we have a unique local anaesthetic procedure zone, the only one in the south of England. This allows for nasal surgeries under local anaesthetic, enabling faster recovery and quicker return to normal activities.

Nose and sinus disorders can be very debilitating. For example, chronic rhinosinusitis affects 10% of the UK population but is often underdiagnosed, leading to a lower quality of life if untreated. We also treat other conditions such as:

• Nasal polyps and chronic rhinosinusitis
• Odontogenic (Dental) causes of sinus disease.
• Severe nose bleeds (epistaxis) including hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia.
• Loss of sense of smell (anosmia)
• Sinonasal cancers
• Nasal allergy
• Deviated nasal septum.
• Nasal trauma
• Facial skin cancer
• Facial palsy
• CSF leak
• Eye pathologies including thyroid eye disease and watery eyes (epiphora)
• Awake nasal surgery.
• Postnasal drip
• Septal perforation
• Deformities of the face, nose and ear including congenital, trauma, post-surgery.
• Treatment of facial skin lesions, including laser treatment of vascular lesions.
• External ear deformity and repair.

We aim to constantly improve patient care by using questionnaires and the latest equipment to assess our treatments. Most outpatient consultations take place at The Royal National ENT & Eastman Dental Hospitals on Huntley Street. During their visit, patients may undergo various tests and investigations, such as:

• Camera examination of the nose (Nasal endoscopy)
• Skin prick allergy test
• CT / MRI scan of the nose and sinuses
• Clinical photography
• Smell Tests

Our rhinology clinic nurse specialist is a key team member, involved in patient care from the outpatient clinic to post-operation.

She has extensive knowledge and experience with rhinological patients and runs a nurse-led clinic to remove splints and dressings after procedures. She also supports patients by answering questions about surgical procedures and recovery via email at uclh.rhinology@nhs.net.

Surgeries under general anaesthesia are performed at the Grafton Way Building. We also perform some nasal surgeries under local anaesthesia in our unique Procedure Zone, the only purpose-built awake surgery unit in the south of England. For more information, contact us at: uclh.ent@nhs.net.

• Helpful patient information links to a variety of nasal conditions through ENT UK
• Information about sense of smell loss
• British Society of Facial Plastic Surgery (BSFPS)
• HHT Self Help Group and support network