Otorhinolaryngology

Otolaryngologist performing an endoscopic sinus surgical procedure
A 40-watt CO2 laser used in otorhinolaryngology
Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital founded in 1874, in London

Otorhinolaryngology /oʊtoʊˌraɪnoʊˌlærənˈɡɒlədʒi/ (also called otolaryngology-head and neck surgery) is a surgical subspecialty within medicine that deals with conditions of the ear, nose, and throat (ENT) and related structures of the head and neck. The specialty is often treated as a unit with surgery of the head and neck (otolaryngology–head and neck surgery, or OHNS). Doctors who specialize in this area are called otorhinolaryngologists, otolaryngologists, ENT doctors, ENT surgeons, or head and neck surgeons. Patients seek treatment from an otorhinolaryngologist for diseases of the ear, nose, throat, base of the skull, and for the surgical management of cancers and benign tumors of the head and neck.

Etymology

The term is a combination of New Latin combining forms (oto- + rhino- + laryngo- + -logy) derived from four Ancient Greek words: οὖς ous (gen.: ὠτός otos), "ear", ῥίς rhis, "nose", λάρυγξ larynx, "larynx" and -λογία logia, "study"[1] (cf. Greek ωτορινολαρυγγολόγος, "otorhinolaryngologist").

Training

Otorhinolaryngologists are physicians (MD, DO, MBBS, MBChB, etc.) who, in the United States, complete at least five years of surgical residency training. This is composed of one year in general surgical training and four years in otorhinolaryngology–head and neck surgery. In Canada, practitioners complete a five-year residency training after medical school.

Following residency training, some otolaryngologist-head & neck surgeons complete an advanced sub-specialty fellowship, where training can be one to two years in duration. In the United States and Canada, otorhinolaryngology is one of the most competitive specialties in medicine in which to obtain a residency position following medical school.

In the United Kingdom entrance to otorhinolaryngology higher surgical training is highly competitive and involves a rigorous national selection process. The training programme consists of 6 years of higher surgical training after which trainees frequently undertake fellowships in an otorhinolaryngology sub-speciality prior to becoming a consultant.

Sub-specialties

Head and Neck Oncologic Surgery Facial plastic and reconstructive surgery* Otology Neurotology* Rhinology and Sinus Surgery Laryngology and Voice Disorders Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology Sleep Medicine*
Surgical oncology Facial cosmetic surgery Ear Middle and inner ear Sinusitis Voice disorders Velopalatine insufficiency sleep disorders
Microvascular

reconstruction

 Maxillofacial surgery Hearing Temporal bone Allergy Phono-surgery Cleft lip and palate sleep apnea surgery
Endocrine surgery Traumatic reconstruction Balance Skull base surgery Anterior skull base Swallowing disorders Airway sleep investigations
Endoscopic Surgery Craniofacial surgery Dizziness Apnea and snoring Vascular malformations
Cochlear implant/BAHA Cochlear implant/BAHA

(* Currently recognized by American Board of Medical Subspecialties)

Topics

Head and neck oncology

Otology and neurotology

Main articles: Otology and Neurotology

Rhinology

Rhinology pertains to sinus diseases and the anterior skull base.

Pediatric otorhinolaryngology

Laryngology

Facial plastic and reconstructive surgery

Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery is a one-year fellowship open to otorhinolaryngologists and plastic surgeons who wish to specialize in the aesthetic and reconstructive surgery of the head, face, and neck.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "otolaryngologist" entry in: Peter Harris, Sue Nagy, Nicholas Vardaxis, Mosby's Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing & Health Professions - Australian & New Zealand Edition, Elsevier Health Sciences, 2009.
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