Otorhinolaryngology Ear Surgery Workshop

UKZN’s Discipline of Otorhinolaryngology partnered with the world’s leading hearing implant company – MED-EL – to host a high-tech ear surgery workshop at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital in Durban.

Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) is a discipline that involves the assessment, diagnosis and management of diseases and conditions of the ears, nose and throat. It encompasses tumours of the head and neck, airway (voice box), balance and hearing as well as nose and sinus problems.

The Durban event upskilled surgeons within the profession to adequately assist patients with hearing issues, especially those surgeons wanting to super specialise in Otology – the branch of Medicine which studies normal, pathological anatomy and physiology of the ear.

Workshop facilitator, ENT Specialist at Ngwelezane Hospital Dr Lungile Setoaba, said hearing loss was an increasing problem in South Africa and in some cases hearing aids were not sufficient to assist.

The workshop equipped junior consultants, senior registrars and surgeons in private practice with cutting-edge surgical skills, and also raised awareness about modern-day hearing implants, especially bone conduction implants and vibrant sound bridge, which is a middle-ear implant.

Setoaba said assisting patients with their hearing was one of an ENT surgeon’s primary specialities, and the workshop would hopefully assist in helping prevent hearing loss across the country.

Words and photographs: Lunga Memela