Lanzarote’s Hospital Introduces New Minimally Invasive Ear Procedure

The Doctor José Molina Orosa Hospital in Lanzarote has introduced a new minimally invasive procedure to treat chronic Eustachian tube obstruction, allowing more patients to receive specialist care on the island without the need for referral elsewhere.

The hospital’s Otolaryngology Department has successfully carried out its first six Eustachian tube balloon dilation procedures, all with positive outcomes.

The technique is designed for patients whose condition has not responded to conventional medical treatment. Using a nasal endoscope, surgeons insert a small balloon into the cartilaginous section of the Eustachian tube (the passage connecting the middle ear to the back of the nose and upper throat.) The balloon is inflated to widen the tube, helping restore normal function and improve middle ear ventilation.

The procedure is considered safe and minimally invasive, offering a faster recovery than more traditional surgical approaches. It is mainly recommended for patients experiencing persistent ear blockage, pressure, chronic fluid build-up in the middle ear, or barotrauma-related dysfunction, following assessment by an ENT specialist.

Growing Clinical Activity

The expansion of services has been matched by a significant rise in patient activity.

Since 2022:

• ENT consultations have increased by 29.2%, from 6,476 to 9,021.
• Diagnostic and therapeutic tests have risen by 62%, increasing from 1,676 to 2,723 annually.
• A specialist nursing clinic has been established, providing nearly 1,000 consultations in 2025.
• Outpatient surgical procedures have grown by 76%, from 364 to 640.
• Inpatient operations have increased by 75%, reaching 166 procedures last year.

The department has also expanded its workforce with the addition of two specialist doctors and new nursing staff.

ENT Department head Dr Antonio Martel said the hospital can now offer treatments that until recently were unavailable in Lanzarote, thanks to staff training, investment in new technology and the commitment to improving patient care.