New procedures at the Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic

Several new surgical techniques have been introduced in recent months at the University of Debrecen Clinical Centre for Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery. The use of state-of-the-art procedures allows patients to continue their daily activities and work with the best possible quality of life.

In recent months, the clinic has been using the full spectrum of head and neck cancer surgery. These include laser surgery, partial laryngectomies to preserve function and total laryngectomies. The aim is to provide the widest possible spectrum of care for cancer patients, in close collaboration with the Oncology and Oncoradiology Clinics.

A new centre for the treatment of upper airway strictures has been created. In several cases, a procedure called vocal cord laterofixation to ensure free breathing has been performed to treat bilateral airway obstruction as a possible complication of thyroid surgery. Using the procedure makes tracheotomy, which was formerly used, unnecessary.

Patients in intensive care for long periods of time may develop laryngeal and tracheal constrictions due to prolonged ventilation. New minimally invasive procedures have been successfully performed in addition to "airway dilatation" surgery from open exploration.


- An innovative device, the tracheal dilator balloon, may be a solution to tracheal stenosis. In simpler cases involving a short section, the stenosis can be eliminated by inflating the balloon, thus avoiding more complicated surgery. The procedure has been used for the first time in Debrecen. The advantage of its design is that it allows continuous safe ventilation during the operation," said Balázs Sztanó, Associate Professor and Director of the Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Debrecen Clinical Centre.

A similar device is also used for auricular surgery.


- In many cases, the cause of ear congestion and hearing loss is that the ear trumpet does not work properly and does not equalize air pressure properly. In this case, a dilatation device is inserted into the ear canal through the nose and inflated to open and dilate the cartilaginous ear canal. This can eliminate the cause of ear congestion," explains the clinic director.


Balázs Sztanó added that the clinic has the appropriate professional knowledge and state-of-the-art technical facilities to apply innovative techniques.  

The director also mentioned the plans to develop closer professional cooperation with other subspecialties, including ophthalmology, neurosurgery and paediatrics.  As a result of this joint work, patient care at the University of Debrecen Clinical Centre will be even more efficient and effective in the future.

Press Centre - CzA