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Otolaryngology (Ear, Nose & Throat) Overview

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The specialty of Otolaryngology is a diverse clinical discipline that deals with disorders involving the Head & Neck region, primarily diseases afflicting the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT). In the past few decades, the specialty has grown in scope and depth, mainly fuelled by the expansion of knowledge and advances in biomedical technology. The introduction and popularisation of operating microscopes and endoscopic techniques from the late 1950s through to 1990s has enabled ENT surgeons to clearly visualise and operate on anatomical areas previously difficult to access.

The ENT surgeon is therefore a doctor who specialises in evaluating and treating patients with ear, nose (including sinuses) and throat (including voice and speech) disorders. In addition, they also manage patients with head and neck cancers as well as surgical treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea.

Otolaryngology or ENT in Singapore had a modest beginning in the late 1920s and it took nearly 30 years before the first full-fledged Department of ENT was established in 1957 in SGH. Since its humble beginnings, the department has grown steadily in size and stature, expanding its scope and depth of services, and has contributed much to better patient care. With the setting up of the SGH ENT Centre in 2000, the department is now able to provide a wide array of services under one roof.

Clinical Services
Centres / Clinics
Our Doctors

Head & Neck Surgery

Surgical treatment of head and neck tumours. These include surgery for benign and malignant diseases of salivary glands, thyroid and parathyroid glands, tumours of the oral cavity, nasopharynx, oropharynx and larynx (throat) and neck lymph nodes. We adopt a multidisciplinary approach, collaborating closely with other related specialties to provide comprehensive patient care for the diagnosis and treatment of head and neck cancers.

Otology and Neuro-otology (Ear)

Treatment and surgery for acute and chronic ear infections (cholesteatoma, mastoiditis, suppurative otitis media) and evaluation for hearing loss and vertigo. Advanced surgical procedures such as middle ear reconstruction, stapes surgery, acoustic neuroma and other skull base surgery. We also provide comprehensive service for cochlear implant and management of tinnitus (see below).

Rhinology and Paranasal Sinuses (Nose)

Diagnosis and surgery for nose and sinus tumours, chronic sinusitis, septoplasty and rhinoplasty. Advanced techniques of functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) and transnasal approaches to pituitary tumours are also available. We also provide diagnostic allergy testing for patients with allergic rhinitis (Allergy Clinic).

Laryngology and Speech (Throat, Voice and Swallowing Disorders)

Evaluation and treatment of voice and speech disorders (Voice Clinic), including video laryngosopy, stroboscopy and speech therapy. Surgical and laser treatment of the larynx (voice box) for voice restoration (phonosurgery) and vocal cord implants (thyroplasty) are also available. Evaluation and treatment of swallowing disorders including video fluoroscopy and functional endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES).

Paediatric Otolaryngology (Children)

Evaluation and surgical treatment of childhood ailments such as chronic or recurrent tonsillitis, otitis media with effusion, congenital deafness and paediatric airway problems. Tonsillectomy, insertion of ear ventilation tubes, microlaryngo-bronchoscopy (MLB) for evaluation and treatment of airway problems are routinely performed.

Snoring and Sleep Apnoea Surgery

Evaluation and treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). Evaluation include clinical assessment and drug-induced sleep endoscopy. Comprehensive range of therapeutic options including nasal surgery, soft palate reduction (uvulopalatopharyngoplasty), tongue base reduction surgery ( transoral robotic surgery using da Vinci robotic system), and genial tubercle advancement surgery, hyoid procedures and maxillomandibular (jaw) advancement surgery are performed. Outpatient-based radiofrequency reduction of nasal turbinates, soft palate, tongue base are also available.

Listen and Talk Programme (including Cochlear Implant)

The programme provides comprehensive services for adults and children with hearing impairment and include: fitting and services of hearing aids, cochlear implantation, auditory-verbal therapy (AVT), speech and language assessment, and parental education and support groups for hearing-impaired children.

Audiology (Hearing and Vertigo)

The audiological services provide essential support to doctors in the evaluation and management of patients with hearing loss, vertigo and balancing problems (due to vestibular dysfunction). They provide comprehensive audiological evaluation and vestibular function tests such as electronystagmography (ENG), rotary chair testing and computerised dynamic posturography. Therapeutic intervention in the form of canalith repositioning manoeuvre and vestibular rehabilitation are also available.

Tinnitus Clinic

The clinic provides treatment and counselling for patients with tinnitus (with or without hearing loss) and hyperacusis (hypersensitivity to sound). Our team of otolaryngologists, audiologists, audiologist technicians and tinnitus counsellor work in collaboration to ensure the best possible outcome. Our tinnitus retraining programme is internationally acclaimed and is recognised by the Tinnitus Retraining Therapy Association (TRTA).

Staff Members	Sub-Specialty
Head & Senior Consultant
Prof. Goh Hood Keng, Christopher MBBS, FRCS (Edin) FRCS (Glasg), FAMS (ORL), Clinical Associate Professor	Head & Neck Surgery - areas of special interest include surgery for benign and malignant diseases of the thyroid & salivary glands, surgery for tumours (including cancer) of the oral cavity, nasopharynx, oropharynx, larynx (throat), sinonasal tract and neck lymph nodes, laryngotracheal reconstruction, and cranial-facial resection.
Senior Consultant
Assoc. Prof. A. Balakrishnan MBBS, FRCS (Edin), FAMS (ORL)	Paediatric Otolaryngology - areas of special interest include assessment and surgical treatment of paediatric airway problems, transnasal correction of choanal atresia, diagnosis & treatment of paediatric sinusitis, and paediatric otolaryngologic allergies.
Dr. Chan Yew Meng MBBS, FRCS (Edin), FAMS (ORL)	Otology/Neuro-otology - areas of special interest include acoustic neuroma surgery, mastoid/middle ear surgery, facial nerve surgery, skull base surgery, and vertigo & tinnitus management.
Dr. Lau Pang Cheng, David BBMedSci(Hons), BMBS, MSc(Surgery), FRCS, FAMS(ORL)	Laryngology - areas of special interest include microlaryngeal phonosurgery, laryngeal laser surgery, vocal cord medialisation and other laryngeal framework surgery, transcutaneous vocal cord injection augmentation, botulinum toxin injection, and multidisciplinary voice and swallowing diagnostic assessment.
Assoc. Prof. Low Wong Kein MBBS, FRCS (Edin) FRCS (Glasg), DLO (Lon), FAMS (ORL), Clinical Associate Professor	Otology/Neuro-otology - areas of special interest include cochlear implants for deafness in children and adults, aural atresia surgery, bone-anchored hearing aids, acoustic neuroma surgery, surgery for vertigo, mastoid/middle ear surgery, facial nerve surgery and skull base surgery.
Assoc. Prof. D S Sethi MBBS, FRCS (Edin), FAMS (ORL)	Rhinology - areas of special interest include advanced endoscopic sinus surgery involving the orbit and skull base, minimally invasive surgery for complex sinus problems involving the frontal sinus, sinonasal tumours and skull base surgery.
Consultant
Dr. Tan Yau Boon Barrie MBBS, MRCS (Edin), MMed (ORL)	Otolaryngology
Dr. Tay Hin Ngan MBBS, MRCS (Edin), MMed (ORL), FAMS (ORL) Dist	Head & Neck Surgery - areas of special interest include minimally invasive thyroid surgery (robotic/endoscopic), minimally invasive skull base surgery, craniofacial resection, surgery for benign and malignant tumours of the head & neck including sinuses, nasopharynx, oral cavity, orophaynx, larnyx, salivary glands, lymph nodes.
Dr. Toh Song Tar MBBS, MRCS(Edin), MMED(ORL), FAMS(ORL)	Sleep Apnoea Surgery and Snoring: Endoscopic assessment of the upper airway, nasal reconstructive surgery, palatal reconstructive surgery, tongue base surgery ( genial tubercle advancement, midline glossectomy, hyoid procedures), upper and lower jaw advancement surgeries. Minimally invasive radiofrequency treatment for turbinates, soft palate and tongue base.
Associate Consultant
Dr Kang Wee Lee	Otolaryngolgy
Dr Ng Yuk Hui MBBS, MRCS (Edin), MMED (ORL), FAMS (ORL)	Rhinology - areas of special interest in Sinus diseases, Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery, Allergy and Immunotherapy.
Dr. Teo Ee Hoon Constance MBBS, MRCS (Edin), MMed (Otorhinolaryngology)	Head & Neck Surgery