I am privileged to stand amongst giants. Throughout my surgical training I’ve been mentored and taught by surgeons who are truly great. I’ve talked with, rounded with and operated with highly respected, gifted surgeons. These are the people I look up to and read about in books.… Read more
Category: ENT & Surgery
What is an Otolaryngologist? What does an ENT surgeon do? Part 5: Facial Plastics
Did you think that the practice of medicine and surgery was a science? Not exactly. Although it is founded on strong scientific basis, like the science of the primary colours, it’s actual practice is more of an art rather than science (some doctors would even go as far as saying medicine is neither art or science, it is business.… Read more
What is an Otolaryngologist? What does an ENT surgeon do? Part 4: Paediatric ENT
I still remember vividly the day I sliced open the trachea of a neonate who weighed less than my Apple Mac computer. Such tiny creatures with no necks. Such soft and delicate beings. Such a narrow airway. All my instruments were small.… Read more
What is an Otolaryngologist? What does an ENT surgeon do? Part 3: Laryngology
The finesse of the ear surgeon and the precision of the nose surgeon is matched by the throat surgeon’s light-handedness. Tremor can be hidden in most other surgeries, but not in laryngology. This one needs a real steady hand. A good laryngologist has a set of steady hands, a calm demeanor, an approach matching that of a psychologist, and an artistic, cultured manner.… Read more
What is an Otolaryngologist? What does an ENT surgeon do? Part 2: Rhinology
Otology involves mastery of sound physics, acoustic coupling, tympano-ossicular impedance and a lot of ‘vestibulology’ that is dizzying and still all fuzzy wuzzy to me. Rhinology requires understanding of the science of nasal aerodynamics, olfaction and immunology. The skills required to be a great sinonasal surgeon is different to that of the ear surgeon.… Read more
What is an Otolaryngologist? What does an ENT surgeon do? Part 1: Otology
It is no secret that I have found gold in ENT. It is by far the best medical specialty in all of Medicine and Surgery. A few people who do not know us well enough are curious at what we do.… Read more
Doctors, Money and Pride
Have a good read of this Medscape Report.
Its about Doctors and their paychecks. As usual, and same as last year’s results, the top-earning doctors are Radiologists, Orthopaedic Surgeons, Cardiologists, Anaesthetists and Urologists. That’s American data from almost 25,000 doctors, and the Australian data will probably be quite similar.… Read more
On the getting of wisdom
Every medical and surgical specialty is exploding with knowledge. There are so many wonderful things going on in the amazing world of ENT. The future for our patients is bright, that is, if we can translate and materialise what we have learned into our day to day practice as surgeons.… Read more
Robots
Boys and their toys. We just can’t help it. We love to play. And we love to score. Put a group of surgeons together around a million-dollar robotic surgery console, and we start competing and comparing skills and trying to get the highest score.… Read more
Otorhinolaryngological Christmas Carols
Merry Christmas! No doubt you have been singing a few carols this holiday season. What many do not realise is the fact that many of these carols are based on very sound ENT basic sciences and principles. The anatomy, pathology and the expertise around ENT surgery is well displayed and sung in these carols.… Read more