Otology/Neurotology
The Division of Otology/Neurotology presently offers complete service to the John L. McClellan Memorial Veterans Hospital, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, and the UAMS Medical Center. This division is growing rapidly and currently handles 200 to 250 major cases a year.
The academic goal of this division is to provide comprehensive teaching in medical and surgical management of diseases of the ear through one-on-one participation with a fellowship-trained otologist/neurotologist.
The division is supported by audiology personnel at each hospital. A state-of-the-art Hearing and Balance Center equipped with the latest electrodiagnostic equipment is available, including auditory brainstem response monitoring, electroneuronography, electrocochleography, electronystagmography, and otoacoustic emission monitoring. A cochlear implant team has been established at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Vestibular rehabilitation, including platform testing and therapy, is available for the evaluation and treatment of the dizzy patient.
An otology rotation is provided to PGY-4 and PGY-5 residents, which emphasizes pre- and post-operative management of ear diseases as well as supervised surgery. All aspects of otology and neurotology are encompassed including pediatric, skull base, and vestibular pathology.
Training is emphasized with a state-of-the-art temporal bone lab, which is equipped with a total of 12 stations, including microscopes, drills, and video monitoring. An organized temporal bone lab session is held once a month, with additional or individual sessions held by request.
Research is encouraged and equal emphasis is placed on clinical and basic science research. An ongoing computerized otologic surgery database facilitates clinical research, and an animal sound booth and ABR are available for basic science work.
Pediatric Otolaryngology
Continuing excellence in pediatric otolaryngology in clinical care, teaching, and research-based on one of the most complete programs in the country is the goal of our division at Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH).
The division of pediatric otolaryngology handles all aspects of pediatric otolaryngology including tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, otitis media, craniofacial anomalies, facial plastic surgery, allergy, voice and swallowing, reconstructive surgery, sinus surgery, head and neck surgery, cleft lip and palate, vascular anomalies, and airway procedures. Junior residents spend approximately half their time in the clinic and half in the operating room. The chief resident predominantly operates on upper-level cases.
The division is supported by comprehensive services in audiology, pediatric dentistry, speech and language pathology, and all other pediatric specialties.
Head and Neck Surgery
The Department of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery at UAMS takes pride in its long-standing tradition of excellence in head and neck oncologic surgery. Three full-time fellowship-trained faculty devote their time to the management of head and neck tumors. There is a large referral base from not only the entire state of Arkansas, but also from adjacent states as well as international referrals. All aspects of oncologic resection, including skull base resections and various reconstructive techniques, such as microvascular free-flaps, are well represented. The residents are actively involved in the comprehensive management of patients with head and neck tumors throughout their residency training. A multidisciplinary approach to the management of head and neck tumors is modeled by excellent collaboration with other departments including plastic and reconstructive surgery, neurosurgery, radiation oncology, and medical oncology.
Laser Therapy and Vascular Malformation Surgery
Arkansas has become world-renowned in vascular malformation surgery. Lasers are utilized in all aspects of otolaryngic surgery, but our program has grown far beyond standard academic laser surgery. Cutting-edge work, primarily by our physicians at ACH, has set new standards for treatment of vascular lesions, vascular anomalies, and hemangiomas. We have a comprehensive team for management of these difficult cases, and we treat lesions other physicians in the world would not consider treating. We are also among the world leaders in research to find the cause and cure of hemangiomas.
We offer a full range treatment of elective procedures with lasers including skin resurfacing, treatment of proliferative and non-proliferative vascular lesions, telangiectasia, and other cosmetic facial procedures.
Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Due to the extensive amount of trauma and oncologic work done at UAMS, we perform a great deal of reconstructive work. This is coordinated closely with several specialties, including ophthalmology, dermatology, general surgery, plastic surgery, and emergency facilities at all three locations (ACH, UAMS Medical Center and VA). In addition, the Moh’s chemosurgery service at UAMS provides a large population requiring reconstruction and flaps.
An area of expertise developed at ACH provides comprehensive reconstruction in conjunction with the cleft program to include full-cleft lip, cleft palate, and nasal repair. Microtia repair for ear abnormalities is also of special interest in children.
Voice and Swallowing Center
The Voice and Swallowing Center at UAMS is dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of voice and swallowing disorders. The Center also strives to advance knowledge and investigate new treatments of these disorders through research and education. The Voice and Swallowing team includes fellowship-trained doctors, speech pathologists, nurses, state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment technology and the resources of the UAMS Medical Center to offer comprehensive and complete care of the voice and swallowing systems.