By Luke Funk, MD, MPH Achalasia is a condition that prevents the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) from properly relaxing. This leads to difficulty swallowing and an inability to comfortably eat and drink. Patients with achalasia …
Education
Division of Otolaryngology hosts annual Clinical Experience for UW PA Program
The Division of Otolaryngology held its annual Otolaryngology Clinical Experience for the UW PA program, hosting 40 PA students. In the course, PA students gained experience in performing, describing, and communicating results from a structured …
The current state of bariatric surgery
By Luke Funk, MD Dr. Luke Funk, Director of MIS Research in the Division of Minimally Invasive, Foregut and Bariatric Surgery, gives an update on the current state of batriatric surgery. Learn more about obesity management …
Submit your abstract for the Upper Airway Microbiome Science Course
We are now accepting abstracts for the 2018 Upper Airway Microbiome conference, hosted by the Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. The overarching goal of this conference is to advance and integrate our fund of …
The Role of Sialendoscopy in Managing Obstruction of Major Salivary Glands
By Greg Hartig, MD Sialendoscopy has emerged as an effective and minimally invasive treatment for management of salivary stones and strictures of the parotid and submandibular salivary glands. Although initial efforts to remove salivary stones …
Improvements in Tracheostomy Care for Pediatric Patients
By Dr. Tony Kille Three years ago, the otolaryngology service noticed some problems with the immediate postoperative cares of pediatric patients undergoing tracheostomy. This came to light after several patients were noted to have problematic skin …
Surgery for Oropharyngeal Carcinoma
By Greg Hartig, MD Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) secondary to high-risk human papilloma virus (HPV) infection is on the rise. This malignancy caused by remote high-risk HPVinfection, usually HPV-16, has changed the way we think about head …
Evolving Trends in Surgery of the Soft Palate for Obstructive Sleep Apnea
By David Upton, MD Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is an increasingly common disease affecting 2-4% of middle aged adults in the United States. Left untreated, it contributes to impaired cognition, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and stroke.1 While positive …
Basal Joint Arthritis: Evaluation, Treatment, and Postop Expectations
Review the clinical presentation of basal joint arthritis, conservative management strategies, when surgery is indicated, and what patients can expect after surgery. The basal (carpometacarpal) joint is the second most common location for osteoarthritis in …
Evaluation of Head and Neck Masses
Understanding the basic evaluation of the neck mass is essential in determining when a mass is insignificant or significant, and potentially malignant. Beginning with an understanding of neck anatomy, a thorough history and physical exam, …