Laser Stapedotomy Video

This video  demonstrates how stapedotomy is performed to treat otosclerosis. Both animation and actual surgery are shown to illustrate this procedure. Otosclerosis is a hereditary ear disorder where the stapes middle ear bone fuses preventing sound transmission. With this procedure, the stapes is replaced with an implant reversing any hearing loss. It is one of the "curable" causes of hearing loss. This video was created in collaboration with  Dr. Ashkan Monfared  who is an Associ…

10/07/2015 0

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Laser vs Scissor Technique for Tongue/Lip Tie Release

One of the most common questions I get is "Do you use a laser or scissor method to perform infant  tongue / lip tie release to help with breastfeeding problems?" My typical response is "both," but depending on several factors, I will be swayed to use one method over another. The key questions in my mind when deciding which method to use is: 1) How thick or deep is the tongue/lip tie? 2) How much bleeding is anticipated? 3) How quickly can the procedure be performed?…

6/09/2015 0

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Sam Smith Cancels Australian Tour Due To Vocal Cord Hemorrhage

Image by marcen27 of Wikipedia Media reported April 28, 2015 that Sam Smith suffered from vocal cord hemorrhage forcing him to cancel his Australian tour on doctor's orders due to potential risk of permanently damaging his voice. This is the same reason that Adele had to cancel her tour back in October 2011. He joins a number of other singers over the past few years who had to cancel their tours due to such vocal cord problems including: • Nathan Sykes - April 2013 • Nicki Mana…

4/29/2015 0

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Does Upper Lip Tie Removal Help Prevent Upper Front Teeth Gap?

It is not uncommon that I see a newborn or young child for upper lip tie with a specific parental concern for development (or existence) of a gap between the two upper front teeth. Also known as maxillary midline diastema , this condition is extremely common being present in up to 50%+ of children between ages 6 and 8. It should be mentioned that upper lip tie frenulectomy  (or frenectomy) is the complete removal of the upper lip tie surgically which is different from upper lip tie release…

8/24/2014 1

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Video on Upper Lip Tie Release

A  new video  has been uploaded to show how  upper lip tie  is treated. Check it out! Unlike  "regular" tongue tie , upper lip tie is when the upper lip is tethered to the gum causing breastfeeding difficulties. For more information, click  here . For related info on tongue tie, click  here .

8/18/2014 0

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Video on POSTERIOR Tongue Tie Treatment

A  new video  has been uploaded to show how posterior tongue tie is treated. Check it out! Unlike "regular" tongue tie , posterior tongue tie is when the tongue tie is hidden under the mucosal surface. Regardless of the type of tongue tie, it limits the mobility of the tongue which may lead to problems with breast-feeding in newborns and speech development in toddlers. Even  adults get tongue tie release  performed due to symptoms felt secondary to an immobile tongue. For m…

8/13/2014 0

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Video on Tongue Tie Treatment

A new video has been uploaded to show how tongue tie is treated. Check it out! For more information on tongue tie, click here . Even  adults get tongue tie release  performed due to symptoms felt secondary to an immobile tongue.

8/04/2014 0

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Lawsuit for Botched Laser Vocal Cord Surgery

In February 2012, an ENT surgeon removed vocal cord polyps using a laser while the patient was asleep with a Medtronic Laser-Shield II endotracheal tube. Unfortunately, the laser perforated the endotracheal tube, ignited the 100% oxygen being used at the time resulting in catastrophic burns to the patient. [ link ] Subsequent lawsuit resulted in favor of the patient who received an award totaling $30 million on 12/5/13. What Happened? Even though an endotracheal tube meant for use with…

12/11/2013 0

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Pop Singer Nathan Sykes Undergoes Vocal Cord Surgery

Nathan Sykes, singer for the boy band The Wanted , underwent vocal cord surgery on April 18, 2013 for a "hemorrhaged nodule" according to media reports . Rather than a nodule, I am suspecting he actually suffered from a hemorrhagic polyp which makes more medical sense. And along with surgery ... he is now on voice rest for an indefinite period of time. This condition is the same reason Adele underwent vocal cord surgery in 2011 which mandated a several month period of voice r…

4/29/2013 0

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Diagnose Cancer with Flash of a Light!

Traditionally, cancer is diagnosed by a surgical biopsy  with pathology results taking days later. Supportive evidence for a cancer is also determined based on visualizing the lesion as well as radiological studies (CT, MRI, Ultrasound, etc). However, there is a very exciting breakthrough technology that may be able to make a cancer determination under 1 second with only a flash of a light... meaning no biopsy with associated pain and scar to go along with it. Called Verisante Aura , a p…

3/15/2013 0

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ENT Uses Laser Resulting in Patient Death

In 2010, an ENT used a Sharplan laser with an Omniguide Sidefire Adapter to address a superficial lip hemangioma. The tip of the laser probe was inserted through a small incision made to one side of the hemangioma and activated. Seconds later, the lip and surrounding tissues immediately swelled up indicating trapped gas. A second incision was made in an attempt to release the buildup of gas (analagous to popping a balloon to release air). A short time later, the patient's vital signs dr…

12/27/2012 2

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R&B Singer Maxwell with Vocal Cord Hemorrhage

At least that's what the  Washington Post  reported on June 22, 2012. This has resulted in cancellation of his summer tour. Per media reports, his vocal cords are swollen with hemorrhage. Some fans may recall that something similar happened to Adele in winter of 2011 which resulted in her also canceling a number of engagements. She ultimately had surgery to correct her problem. Normally, the vocal cords are pearly white without any vasculature. Watch a  video  of how this e…

6/25/2012 0

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Oral Mass Excised From Fetus Still in the Womb!

In a world's first, surgeons removed a 4 cm oral mass (teratoma) in a 4 month old fetus while still in the womb. This was performed at the University of Miami Hospital. A cannula was inserted through the mother's belly and into the womb where it was directed to the mass under ultrasound and endoscopic guidance. Via this cannula, a laser was used to lop the mass off free. A healthy baby was born 5 months later and is now a healthy, normal 20 month old child. A more common varia…

6/22/2012 0

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New Minimally Invasive Technique to Treat Tonsil Stones Developed by Dr. Chang

Dr. Chang developed an innovative minimally invasive technique to treat tonsil stones using coblation technology. His findings have been published in this month's ENT Journal . In fact, his research made the front cover of the journal! Dr. Richard Thrasher of ENT Centers of Texas was a co-author in the study. This technique called coblation tonsil cryptolysis is unique in that it can be performed in adult patients without sedation using only local anesthesia, much like laser tonsi…

6/14/2012 0

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Adele Speaks About her Vocal Cord Surgery on 60 Minutes

When it was first reported that Adele was undergoing vocal cord surgery in October 2011, there was much speculation regarding what exact vocal cord pathology she suffered from (hemorrhage? polyp?) and what type of vocal cord surgery she underwent for correction (laser? cutting?). During her 60 Minutes interview with Anderson Cooper which aired on February 12, 2012, many details regarding her vocal cord problems have clarified. She apparently suffered from a vocal cord polyp with he…

2/12/2012 1

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