If you have an earache or sore throat, your primary care doctor might recommend that you see an otolaryngologist. These physicians specialize in the ears, nose, and throat, treating conditions ranging from recurrent ear infections to thyroid concerns to sleep apnea. They can also perform cosmetic plastic surgery of the face and neck. Some otolaryngologists focus on cleft lip and cleft palate repair and cochlear implant surgery. Others may offer reconstructive plastic surgery after facial injury or surgery or perform rhinoplasty (nose jobs) to correct birth defects or other problems.
The otolaryngology specialty dates back to the 19th century when doctors recognized that the head and neck contained interconnected systems. These include the ears, nasal and sinus passages, larynx (voice box), thyroid gland, mouth and jaws, and other structures of the upper respiratory tract and head and neck. Board-certified otolaryngologists have completed medical school and an additional five to seven years of training in accredited residency programs in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery.
Some otolaryngologists are committed to academic medicine and join university faculty after their residency programs. This allows them to conduct research in addition to providing patient care. Other otolaryngologists work in private practice, either alone or as part of large group practices.
An otolaryngologist can diagnose disorders of the ears, nose, and throat with tests like a physical examination and listening to your voice or hearing test. He or she may also recommend a CT scan of the neck to detect tumors and other abnormalities. He or she might also order a swallowing test to check how well you can eat and drink, as well as an allergy test to identify environmental allergies such as pollen or pet dander.
Surgical procedures that are part of otolaryngology include the repair of eardrum perforations and other middle ear bone diseases, thyroid surgeries to remove overactive or underactive thyroid glands, and laryngeal and vocal cord paralysis. Some of these procedures require general anesthesia, while others are performed under local anesthesia and sedation.
The otolaryngologist can also help you find relief from chronic sinusitis and recurrent ear infections by suggesting home remedies or treatments such as prescription medication, drops, or antibiotics. For children with recurrent ear infections, the otolaryngologist can place a special tube called a tympanoplasty, which helps to open up the eardrum and improve hearing by draining fluid from the ear canal.부산코수술
Other otolaryngologists perform reconstructive and cosmetic facial surgery, including rhinoplasty (nose job) and cosmetic eyelid surgery to reduce or eliminate ptosis. 부산이비인후과 These surgeons can also perform a procedure to close or remove deviated septums in the nose, which often causes breathing problems. For patients with permanent loss of hearing, otolaryngologists can perform cochlear implant surgery and fit you for a hearing aid to improve your quality of life. They can also perform tracheostomy, a procedure that creates an opening through the neck into the windpipe to allow for breathing and removal of secretions.
