Head and Neck Surgery
What is Head and Neck Surgery?
Head and neck surgery is a branch of medicine within the field of ear, nose, and throat medicine (otolaryngology) that focuses on surgically treating head and neck disorders. It is used to treat conditions affecting the mouth, head, throat, glands, and sinuses, as well as both benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous) tumors in the head and neck area. Head and neck surgery may also include reconstructive surgery, which is done to restore function or appearance after a medical condition or an injury. Head and neck surgery is also called otolaryngology-head and neck surgery because specialists are trained in both medicine and surgery. An otolaryngologist is often called an Ear, Nose, and Throat [ENT] specialist. Otolaryngologists differ from many other doctors in that they are qualified to carry out several types of surgical interventions on the complex and delicate tissues of the head and neck.
How are Head and Neck Surgeons Trained?
An otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon is ready to start practicing after completion of up to 15 years of college and post-graduate training. To receive certification from the American Board of Otolaryngology, individuals should first finish college, medical school, and at least 5 years of specialty training. Following this, the physician should pass the American Board of Otolaryngology examination. Some physicians then pursue a 1- or 2-year fellowship for more training in a subspecialty area.
What Do Head and Neck Surgeons Treat?
Otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons can treat a wide variety of disorders affecting the head and neck, including but not limited to:
- Thyroid disorders
- Tumors of the thyroid gland
- Conditions of the function of the thyroid gland
- Sarcomas of the head or neck
- Benign and malignant tumors
- Benign and malignant tumors of the salivary glands
- Meningiomas (benign tumors of the coverings of the brain)
- Tumors of the nasopharynx
- Tumors of the pituitary gland
- Head and neck cancers
- Pinched nerves
- Motion sickness and intense dizziness
- Severe chronic pain in the throat or face (Neuralgia)
- Skull bone defects
- Head and neck injuries
- Congenital deformities of the head, neck, face, or ears
- Facial spasms or tics
- Pressure on the spinal cord
- Upper spinal issues
- Jaw issues
- Tonsil issues
- Sinus issues
- Parathyroid disorders
- Tumors of the parathyroid gland
- Disorders of the function of the parathyroid gland
- Vocal cord disorders
Diagnosis and Treatment of Head and Neck Disorders
Proper diagnosis and treatment of head and neck disorders is a difficult process as it involves a diverse team of specialists, including other surgeons, radiologists, pathologists, and endocrinologists to offer the best clinical management (evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment) for head and neck disorders.
For instance, comprehensive diagnostic services for head and neck tumors may include computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), laryngeal videostroboscopy, and endoscopy. A biopsy may also be needed for a definitive diagnosis.
While treatment approaches vary depending upon the cause of the head and neck disorder, conservative treatment, such as medications, is typically the first line of treatment. If they do not provide effective results, other treatments such as surgical interventions are explored. Some of the list of head and neck surgeries employed as a treatment for head and neck disorders include:
- Parotidectomy - Removal of the parotid gland (the major and largest of the salivary glands)
- Thyroidectomy – Minimally invasive thyroid surgery
- Parathyroidectomy – Minimally invasive surgery
- Thyroglossal Duct Cyst Removal
- Bronchoscopy and Laryngoscopy – Voice disorders
- Head & Neck Cancer Surgery
- Neck Dissection – Head and Neck Cancer
- Lymph Node Biopsy – Head and Neck Cancer
- Laryngoscopies
- Bronchoscopy
- Sinus surgery
- Tracheostomy
- Reconstructive surgery of the head and neck after trauma or tumors
- Removal and reconstruction of facial skin malignancies
- Removal of vocal cord nodules, cysts, polyps, or tumors
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