Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) in Tunisia

Ear, nose, and throat, ENT for short or Otolaryngology, is a medical specialty that focuses on the care and treatment of the ears, nose, and throat. Physicians who specialized in ENT are called otolaryngologists or ENT doctors and are qualified and trained in both the medical and surgical management of the following conditions:

• Conditions of the ear – ENT doctors can help with ear disorders or other issues, such as ear infections, hearing impairment, ear noise (tinnitus), balance disorders, nerve pain, as well as facial and cranial nerve disorders. They can also manage congenital disorders (disorders that are present since birth) of the inner and outer ear. 
• Conditions of the nose – one of the primary skills of ENT doctors in the care of the nose, nasal cavity, and sinuses. They can diagnose, treat, and manage allergies, deviated septum, smell disorders, sinusitis, polyps, and nasal obstruction because of a deviated septum. They can also perform rhinoplasty surgery to correct the appearance of the nose.
• Conditions of the throat – disorders, and conditions that affect the throat, larynx (voice box), and the esophagus or upper aero-digestive tract can be diagnosed and treated by ENT doctors, including voice and swallowing disorders. 
• ENT-related conditions of the head and neck – ENT doctors are trained to treat infectious diseases, tumors, trauma, and deformities of the head, face, and neck. They can also manage problems with the nerves in these areas that control smelling, sight, hearing, and facial movements. In addition, they can perform cosmetic and reconstructive surgery to the head and neck area.

The procedures that ENT doctors perform include, but are not limited to:

• Tympanostomy
• Myringoplasty
• Tympanoplasty
• Stapedectomy
• Tympanomastoidectomy
• Laryngoplasty
• Esophagoscopy
• Laryngoscopy
• Microlaryngoscopy
• Septoplasty
• Nasal valve reconstruction
• Nasal fracture reduction
• Rhinoplasty
• Functional endoscopic sinus surgery
• Parotidectomy
• Neck mass biopsy
• Submandibular gland removal
• Airway reconstruction
• Tonsillectomy
• Adenoidectomy
• Thyroidectomy
• Parathyroidectomy.

How Long Should I Stay in Tunisia?

Your length of stay depends on your condition and the type of treatment you underwent. For surgical procedures, you may need to stay in the hospital for a few days or you can leave the hospital immediately. However, it is advisable that you stay in Tunisia for at least 2 weeks or until your ENT doctor says it is safe to travel home. This is because the change in the aircraft’s cabin pressure can cause problems with the surgical site. During your stay, you also need to attend a follow-up appointment where your doctor will remove the stitches (if necessary) and monitor your healing progress.

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

Your ENT doctor will give you a specific recovery timeline, including when you can resume your normal activity and return to work. In general, you need to avoid all activities that may increase blood pressure in your head area for at least 3 weeks. You also need to avoid strenuous activity for at least two weeks. 

What Aftercare is Required?

Your ENT doctor will give you instructions on how to protect the health of your ear, nose, and throat, as well as how to prevent your disease from reoccurring or complications. Make sure to follow all the instructions closely. Depending on your specific condition, you may be required to attend regular checkups. In most cases, you have the choice to have regular checkups with your local doctor at home or with your ENT doctor in Tunisia.

What's the Success Rate?

The continuous advancement of ENT has increased the success rate of ENT procedures. While there are no general statistics for all ENT procedures, most procedures are proven to be safe and highly successful. For example, the success rate of tympanoplasty is around 90%. Risks and side effects of ENT procedures depend on the specific procedure and the health status of the patient. All surgical procedures generally carry the risk of bleeding, infection, and an adverse reaction to the anesthetic.

Are there Alternatives?

In most cases, there is no alternative to ENT when you have problems with your ear, nose, and throat. However, depending on your condition, your ENT doctor may work with or refer you to a relevant specialist.

Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) in and around Tunisia

About Tunisia

Tunisia is one of the few countries which can cater to everyone and it manages to combine climate, golden beaches, history, and shopping for an “all-around” experience. It has a high standard of healthcare and an excellent reputation for cosmetic surgery. Cosmetic and plastic surgeons are regulated by the Tunisian Ministry of Health and the private clinics have state-of-the-art equipment and English-speaking staff. Tunisia welcomes an ever-increasing number of medical tourists each year, many of whom travel for Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) procedures. Medical Tourists travel from all across the globe, particularly from Europe and neighboring African countries with an inferior healthcare system. Popular medical tourism destinations outside of the capital, Tunis, include Sousse and Mahdia

Popular Parts of Tunisia

• Tunis, the country’s capital, is overflowing with a history that dates from the 4th Century BC. The city is divided into two parts, the old city known as the medina and the new city (or Ville nouvelle in French). Many tourists visit Tunis to see the Archaeological Site of Carthage which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The beautiful Islamic architecture in medina also attracts many tourists to the city.
• Tozeur is known as a home to an enchanting desert oasis, which was a place to rest and refuel for caravans crossing the Sahara. Another main attraction in the city is the medina, where tourists can find lines of beautiful brick-patterned traditional dessert houses. Chott el Djerid, Sahara’s largest salt pan, is a popular day-trip destination.
• Sousse is located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It offers good beaches with a clear blue sea. The city has been fought over by the Romans, Arabs, and Europeans, giving it a colorful history and culture. Sousse Archeological Museum is one of the most visited sites in the country; it has the second largest collection of mosaics in the world.
• Hammamet is the country’s original tourism resort. The city has beautiful gardens filled with oranges, lemons, and other citrus plants. It also has wonderful sandy beaches with crystal clear water. Just like any other city in Tunisia, this city is also brimming with interesting histories. Sites such as The Gafsa Museum and Bardo Museum will give insights about the Islamic faith and culture.
• Douz, also known as “the gateway to the Sahara.” Tourists who want to experience the Sahara Desert come to this city. Take a camel trip or a 4-wheel-drive into the Sahara or see the Museum of the Sahara that has an interesting collection portraying traditional Saharan life.

Weather and Climate in Tunisia

The North of Tunisia has a subtropical Mediterranean climate with mild rainy winters and hot summers. The South and inland areas have a tropical desert climate.

The weather is relatively comfortable throughout the year. Summer starts in June and lasts until August. The average temperature is between 28 °C to 32 °C with July and August being the hottest months. The heat is not as bad on the coast because of the seaside breeze. Be aware that July to September is the jellyfish season.

The heat decreases in autumn and the weather is somewhat more comfortable. There are occasional rain showers in September. The temperature in October can be like summer during day time, but cold at night. October has more rain than September. The season lasts for three months from September to November with an average temperature of around 19 °C to 29 °C.

The weather in winter can be uncertain. The average temperature is between 16 °C and 18 °C, but it can drop to 7 °C at night and below 0 °C in highlands and deserts and a clear sky is rare during this season.

Spring comes in March and the temperature can rise to 20 °C. Mornings and nights are cold; there is still a high probability of rains and thunderstorms at the end of this season.  

Getting Around in Tunisia

Tunisia has several international airports. The main airport is Tunic-Carthage International Airport. It has international connections with major European countries and the Middle East. The airport is the hub for Tunisair, Tunisair Express, and Nouvelair. Other airports that have international flights are Enfidha-Hammamet, Monastir Habib Bourguiba, Djerba-Zarzis, and Tabarka-Aïn Draham.

Taxis and buses are available to get to the city center from Tunis Airport. The SNT bus line departs every 30 minutes from the airport, the ticket costs less than 1 TND. There is also the TUT bus which departs every 15 minutes and is more luxurious and expensive.

Airport taxis are available at the airport taxi stand and are usually metered. Always make sure that the driver turns the meter on before riding the taxis. A journey to the city should cost around 5 TND. An extra cost will be added if you have baggage.

Getting around in Tunisia can be done by several transportation modes. Tunisair Express provides domestic flights between Tunis, Tozeur, Djerba, and Gabes. The Train is also available and the national train company in the country is SNCFT that runs modern and comfortable trains from Tunis to Sousse, Sfax, and Monastir. There are three classes of service that tourists can choose. The fare from Tunis to Sousse is between 6 to 10 TND. The long-distance bus is an economical option to travel between big cities such as Tunis, Hammamet, and Nabeul. The buses usually depart every 30 minutes.

Tourist Visas in Tunisia

Citizens of 97 countries (including Australia, China Singapore, the United States, and Russia) can visit and stay in Tunisia for up to 90 days without a visa. Other nationalities are advised to check with their local Tunisia embassy. Tunisia provides an online visa application for nationalities that needs a visa to enter. The eVisa will simplify the process of obtaining travel authorization to enter the country.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: the local currency is the Tunisian dinar (TND). 1 USD converts to 2.61 TND.

2. Money & Payments: ATMs can be found in most cities and in all tourist areas. Many ATMs have withdrawal limits of 400 TND. Credit cards (MasterCard and Visa) are accepted in major cities and tourist areas. They can be used for shops, car hire, or top-end accommodation. Always make sure to carry cash if you want to travel outside major cities. Tipping is not necessary but will be appreciated.

3. Local Language: Arabic is the official language of Tunisia. French is very common due to the country’s former status as a French protectorate. English is still very limited except in the tourist areas and expensive hotels.

4. Local Culture and Religion: Islam is the major religion with 98% of the population identified as Muslim. There is a small group of Christian and Jews. Since most of the population is Muslim, always remember that the dress code is important in Tunisia.

5. Public Holidays: Tunisia celebrates major Islam holidays. The country hosts several annual festivals throughout the year such as The International Festival of the Sahara, Yasmine Hammamet Festival, and the International Festival of Carthage.