Otorhinolaryngology Department

1. History

• The Department of Otolaryngology was established shortly after the takeover of Hanoi (October 1954) under the leadership of the late Professor Tran Huu Tuoc. In 1969, the Department was separated into an independent Otolaryngology Department. Later, the Ministry of Health decided to establish the Central Institute of Otolaryngology (now the Central Otolaryngology Hospital). At that time, the Department only had an Otolaryngology examination and treatment unit within the hospital's multi-specialty clinic. In 1976, the hospital decided to establish a combined Department of Dentistry, Maxillofacial Surgery, and Otolaryngology. In 1981, the Ophthalmology department was merged into it and renamed the combined Department of Dentistry, Maxillofacial Surgery, Ophthalmology, and Otolaryngology.

2. Functions and Missions

• Emergency & Clinical Care: Providing emergency services, examinations, inpatient and outpatient treatment, and surgeries for ENT patients from Hanoi and Northern provinces.
• Consultation: Collaborating with other Institutes and Departments within the hospital to manage ENT-related complications in multidisciplinary cases.
• Education: Serving as a practice and training facility for Bach Mai Medical College and Hanoi Medical University.
• Scientific Research: Conducting research projects and applying new techniques and innovations in ENT diagnosis and treatment.
• Direction of Healthcare Activities (Line Support): Training and transferring technology to district and provincial-level doctors and nurses in Northern Vietnam (Project 1816).
• International Cooperation: Expanding partnerships with hospitals and universities in the USA, France, Singapore, etc. Facilitating international exchange programs for professors, students, and departmental doctors.
   

3. Notable Activities and Specialized Techniques

• Emergency Management: Successfully treating life-threatening conditions such as brain abscesses, otogenic meningitis, deep neck abscesses, and airway/digestive tract foreign bodies.
• High-Tech Applications:
  • Endoscopic Sinus and Skull Base Surgery.
  • Tympanoplasty and Mastoidectomy for hearing restoration.
  • Microsurgery of the larynx for voice restoration.
  • Head and neck tumor surgery and reconstruction.
  • Laser applications in ENT treatment.
• Clinical Volume: Performing an average of 60,000 examinations and 1,200 – 1,500 safe surgeries annually.

Patient Care: Implementing a comprehensive, patient-centered care model, focusing on professional expertise and communication skills.
 
4. Awards and Achievements

• Third-Class Labor Order (President of Vietnam, 2015).
• Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister (2009).
• Certificates of Merit from the Minister of Health (Multiple years: 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011...).
• Excellent Collective Titles awarded by the Director of Bach Mai Hospital for consecutive years.
• High rankings in periodic professional assessments and patriotic emulation movements.