Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery

Clinical Elective Program for International Medical Students

November 2015

Introduction:

The department contains 3 divisions: Otology, Rhinology-Head and Neck Surgery, Laryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.

The Otology Division provides specialized surgery in many aspects such as Tailor-made mastoidectomy with cartilage reconstruction for treatment of cholesteatoma, the minimally invasive transcanal middle ear microsurgery for chronic otitis media, laser assisted minimally invasive surgical technique for otosclerosis, Cochlear implant for the moderate to severe hearing handicapped, and the use of translabyrinthine approach in cooperate with neurosurgeon to remove cerebellopontine angle tumors. For outpatient

services we have Hearing Scale Test to quickly screen the patient's hearing status, laboratory examinations such as nystagmography, vestibular function test, posturography, caloric stimulation and VEMP to explore the cause

of vertigo and the balance; and the specialized services of tinnitus and aural rehabilitation to promotes desensitization therapy to achieve the best therapeutic effect.

The Rhinology-Head and Neck Surgery Division works to develop various kinds of skull base and craniofacial surgeries and to adopt compound therapy to enhance survival and quality of life for patients with head and neck cancer. We renovate endocrine paranasal sinus surgery for resection of tumors in nasal cavity, paranasal sinus and skull base, orbital decompression, dacryocystorhinostomy and cerebrospinal fluid leakage repair by using microdebrider and navigation system to make it more exquisite and safer. Radiofrequency surgery is performed to treat allergic rhinitis, chronic hypertrophic rhinitis, and hypertrophy of tongue base related obstructive sleep apnea syndrome more effectively.

The Laryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Division has accomplished the following achievements: 1. wide use of CO2 laser microsurgery for the treatment of early and moderately advanced pharyngeal cancer, laryngeal cancer and oral cavity cancer to keep speech and swallowing functions of the pharynx and larynx; 2. establishment of multi-disciplinary head and neck cancer therapeutic team to treat advanced stage head and neck cancer (including oral cancer) with chemotherapy and radiotherapy and to participate international clinical trials; 3. identification of small tumor with narrow band imaging for early diagnosis and therapy of head and neck cancers; 4. developing endoscopic fiberscopic surgery for the benign vocal fold lesions under local anesthesia in outpatient basis.

Learning Objectives:   

1. Symptoms and signs: hearing impairment, vertigo, tinnitus, otorrhea, otalgia, nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, sneezing, nasal bleeding, cranial nerve palsy, neck mass, horseness, et al
2. Diseases: sudden hearing loss, otitis media, otitis externa, allergic rhinitis, acute sinusitis, chronic rhinosinusitis. nasopharyngeal carcinoma, inverted papilloma, sinunasal cancer, laryngeal cancer, oral cancer, hypopharyngeal cancer, laryngeal reflux, sleep disorder
3. Clinical skill: hearing test, rhinomanometry, olfactory test, sinus echo, speech evaluation, swallowing evaluation

Available Supervisors:

Ching-Yin Ho, Shyh-Kuan Tai, Pen-Yuan Chu, Tzong-Yang Tu, An-Suey Shiao, Chih-Hung Shu, Yi-Fen Wang, Mao-Che Wang, Kee-Tak Chan, Chii-Yuan Huang, Wen-Huei Liao,  Ming-Ying Lan, Yen-Bin Hsu, Chia-Huei Chu, Tsung-Lun Lee, Chia-Fan Chang, Rayleigh Ping-Ying Chiang

Tentative Schedule:     

1. Outpatient clinic: 4 times/week with visiting staff
2. Ward training: every day with resident and visiting staff
3. Teaching outpatient clinic: once a week
4. Teaching round: 3 times/week
5. Journal meeting: 3 times/week at 7:30 AM