The Department of ENT - Head & Neck surgery was in conception stage at the time when Government Medical College came into existence in 1991. It has grown out of its infancy from 1994 into a full fledged super specialty centre, and now is ready to cater to the expectations and needs of the general public in the new millennium. By the end of December 2006 a total of 25654 patients have been examined in OPD. The inpatient services, in the form of admission started in June, 1996. Surgery and post surgery management has been extended to a total of 9375 patients.

SERVICES

The Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery provides diagnosis and treatment for problems of the ear, nose and throat, and other problems of the head and neck area. Facilities include microsurgery of the ear, treatment of hearing loss, rehabilitation of the hearing-impaired, rhinology and sinus diseases, surgery for tumors of the head and neck, facial-plastic and reconstructive surgery, laryngology and management of vocal and speech disorders.

• MICROSURGERY OF THE EAR

Microsurgery of the ear is provided to restore hearing loss due to otosclerosis, trauma, chronic otitis media and secretary otitis media. Cosmetic ear surgery especially atresioplasty, pinna plasty are also done.

• ENDOSCOPIC SINUS SURGERY AND RHINOLOGY

The department has a strong interest and expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of sinus diseases and is recognized as the leading center for this problem. Endoscopic diagnosis and Endoscopic Sinus Surgery for chronic sinusitis, nasal polyposis, orbital decompression, endonasal DCR, endoscopic hypophysectomy, endoscopic medial maxillectomy is being done regularly and all leading edge technology are all available.

• LARYNGOLOGY

Surgical and medical services are provided to patients having oral cavity, oropharynx, laryngopharynx and laryngeal pathologies. Surgical procedures include tonsillectomy, microlaryngeal surgery, palatoplasty and sleep apnoea surgery.

• NEUROTOLOGY

Neurotology services include diagnosis and treatment of patients with balance problems, facial nerve disorders and hearing loss caused by inner ear damage, nerve problems or tumors of the ear and related structures.

• LASER SURGERY

The department is equipped with a Co₂ Laser machine. The Patients requiring Laser surgery, specially  cases of Laryngotracheal trauma are regularly  operated.

• HEAD & NECK CANCER

This center   caters to the patients with the cancer of the head and neck particularly carcinoma of the upper    respiratory  and alimentary tracts, salivary glands and thyroid glands. A multidisciplinary approach to these problems is adopted.   Surgical procedures performed are laryngectomy, maxillectomy, radical neck dissections, commando-operation etc. Rehabilitation through surgical reconstruction and speech and voice therapy is also provided.

• FACIAL PLASTIC & RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY

Facial plastic and reconstructive surgery is provided for patients with facial deformities resulting from trauma, extirpation of neoplasms and congenital malformations. Facial cosmetic surgery is available for improving the appearance of the nose, cheeks and ears.

• CRANIAL BASE SURGERY

In this centre, a multidisciplinary team performs surgery for tumors of the skull base. The utilization of innovative approaches enables the resection of otherwise difficult to approach lesions.

• AUDIOLOGY & SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY

Evaluation and treatment services are provided for adults with speech, language, swallowing, balance, tinnitus and hearing problems. Services offered include, but are not limited to basic audiologic testing, hearing aid recommendations and fittings, speech/language assessments and therapy, dysphagia testing with therapy and augmentative alternate communication therapies for those who cannot speak.

• SPEECH & AUDIOLOGICAL REHABILITATION OF MENTALLY RETARDED CHILDREN

Government Institute of Mentally Retarded is attached with the Govt. Medical College, Chandigarh. The audiology and speech rehabilitation services are provided alongwith ENT OPD services at the centre.

• OTOLOGY CLINIC

This is being run once a week (every Tuesday)for better assessment and management planning of Ear cases.

• TUMOR CLINIC

Once in a Week on Thursday for detailed work up of patients of Neck & Head Tumors

• EMERGENCY SERVICES

Life saving procedures on tracheobronchial tree, foreign bodies removal, trauma and epistaxis are some of the services provided in emergency 24 hrs.

• BRAIN STEM EVOKED RESPONSE AUDIOMETERY  

The most objective test to detect hearing loss as early as three months of age.   

OTOACOUSTIC EMISSION ANALYSIS

Otoacoustic emission analysis is a non-invasive and objective test to detect hearing loss even in newly born babies besides assessment of auditory system of patients in other age groups.

HEARING AID ANALYZER

Hearing aid analyzer and computer based instrument helps in analyzing the functioning of hearing aid by performing electrocoustic measurements and real-ear measurement.

RESEARCH & TRAINING

We have a very comprehensive schedule for training undergraduate students and residents in the field of ENT- Head and Neck surgery. The training include theoretical teaching with main thrust on bedside clinical and surgical training. Besides, there is a healthy academic atmosphere for free discussion on clinical cases among faculty and resident staff.

RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS IN LAST ONE YEAR

1. Arnold Chiari Malformation presenting as Bilateral Cord Palsy. Chawla C, Arora V. Indian Journals of Laryngo Otology and Head and Neck Surgery. Nov. 2008 

2. Local Anesthesia for Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery : How I do it? Surinder K. Singhal. Association of Otolaryngologists of India, Haryana State. Vol. 5, No.2 2008. 

3. Local Anaesthesia in ENT – optimizing the outcome. Vipin Arora, Arjun Dass. Association of Otolaryngologists of India, Haryana state. Vol.2, no. 5, 2008. 

4. Cellular Neurofibroma of Nasal Septum. Singhal S K, Dass A, Punia R S. clin Rhinol 1(1) : Sept. 2008

5. Massive Allergic fungal Sinusitis. Vipin Arora, Arjun Dass (Abstract). ICSROCK CON, October 2008

6. Rhinophyoma : An unusual presentation. Vipin Arora, Arjun Dass, Nitin M Nagarkar, Surinder K Singhal.  Gujarat Journal of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery. Accepted for publication (2008). 

7. Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Resistant Hypertension compared to that in Controlled Hypertension. Anup K Singh, A K Janmeja, Sarabmeet S Lehl, Arjun Dass, N K Goel, Prasanta R Mohapatra, Sushant Khanduri. Chest Journal of American College of Chest Physicians. 134/4/p71002, Nov. 2008.

CME PROGRAMMES, CONFERENCES AND ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES

·          The Central Council Committee of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, has started the Pilot project ‘National Programme for Prevention and Control of Deafness’. The Dept. of ENT, GMCH has been chosen to launch the pilot project of the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Deafness.

·         National Programme for Prevention and Control of Deafness was held w.e.f. 19.03.07 to 23.03.07 in the department of ENT at Government Medical College & Hospital, Sector-32, Chandigarh.   

·         The training programme for Obstetricians and Paediatricians was held on 22.11.2007 in the Department of ENT at Government Medical College & Hospital, Sector-32, Chandigarh. 

AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS 

• The Medical Council of India inspected the department of ENT, GMCH for starting of Postgraduate course in ENT, GMCH under the guidance of Dr. Arjun Dass and was approved in year 2008. 

• Dr. Arjun Dass delivered a guest lecture on “Surgical Tips for Surgeons in Temporal Bone Surgery” at Temporal Bone cum Neuro Otology Workshop held w.e.f 12-13 April, 2008 at PGIMER, Chandigarh . 

• Dr. Arjun Dass delivered a guest lecture on “Surgical Tips for Surgeons in Temporal Bone Surgery” at surgical workshop during Annual conference of AOI, Haryana State, Karnal on 27-28 September, 2008. 

• Dr. Arjun Dass chaired a scientific session at Annual conference of AOI, Haryana State, Karnal on 27-28 September, 2008. 

• Award of honour to Dr. Arjun Dass at 13^th Annual conference and 6^th Live Surgery Workshop at Karnal, September 2008. 

• Dr. Nitin M. Nagarkar delivered a guest lecture on “Thyroid Diseases” at M.P. Shah Medical College, Jamnagar, Gujarat on 28 Aug-03 Sept., 2008. 

• Dr. Arjun Dass chaired a session in Annual conference of All India Rhinology Society (RHINOCON) 2008 held  on 19-21 September, 2008 at PGIMER, Chandigarh. 

• Award of honour to Dr. Nitin M. Nagarkar at 13^th Annual conference and 6^th Live Surgery Workshop at Karnal, September 2008 

• Dr. Nitin M. Nagarkar presented a paper on “Mucor Mycosis” in Annual conference of All India Rhinology Society (RHINOCON) 2008 held  on 19-21 September, 2008 at PGIMER, Chandigarh

• Dr. Nitin M. Nagarkar was awarded a fellowship of International Medical Sciences Academy at their annual conference (IMSACON-2008) at Dubai on 12-13 Oct., 2008 

• Dr. Nitin M. Nagarkar chaired a session on inaugural session and presented a paper on “Role of Laser in ENT Diseases” at annual conference (IMSACON-2008) at Dubai on 12-13 Oct., 2008. 

• Dr. Nitin M. Nagarkar was panelist on PG Teaching, Jaipur at National conference of AOI on 22-25 January, 2009. 

• Award of honour to Dr. Surinder K. Singhal at 13^th Annual conference and 6^th Live Surgery Workshop at Karnal, September 2008. 

• Dr. Surinder K. Singhal was panelist on complication of Endoscopic Sinus Surgery – remedies and pitfalls in 13^th Annual conference and 6^th Live Surgery Workshop at Karnal, September 2008. 

• Dr. Surinder K. Singhal chaired a session on Endoscopic Sinus Surgery at Association of Otolaryngologists of India, North West Zone, Rohtak in 2008. 

• Dr. Surinder K. Singhal chaired a session at Annual conference of All India Rhinology Society (RHINOCON) 2008 held  on 19-21 September, 2008 at PGIMER, Chandigarh. 

• Dr. Surinder K. Singhal was panelist on fungal granuloma in Annual conference of All India Rhinology Society (RHINOCON) 2008 held   on 19-21 September, 2008 at PGIMER, Chandigarh. 

• Dr. Vipin Arora, Asstt. Prof. was awarded Fellowship of International College of Surgeons (FICS). 

• Dr. Vipin Arora was awarded best faculty paper Award at Association of Otolaryngologists of India, North West Zone in 2008. 

• Dr. Vipin Arora was awarded for Outstanding paper at International College of Surgeons at ICSROCK conference 2008. 

• Research project entitled “Non-compliance in hearing aid users” carried out by Dr. Surinder K. Singhal has been completed and submitted to UT, DST.  

• Research project entitled “Early detection of deafness in Children” carried out by Dr. Vipin Arora has been completed and submitted to UT, DST.

TEMPORAL BONE LABORATORY 

Residents have started performing temporal bone dissection and laboratory is regularly being used for training of Residents 

TEACHING SCHEDULE

FUTURE PLANS

• The department has planned many outreach projects for the benefit of the public.

• To start post-graduation in ENT, DNB in ENT

• To start earmold fabrication lab.