In early March 2024, the ENT Association of Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam Southern Provinces hosted its annual conference in Buon Ma Thuot City, Dak Lak Province. The gathering was a great success with notable participation of many leading experts from both domestic and international organisations. Representing FVH, Vo Cong Minh, MD, PhD; Nguyen Huu Dung, MD, PhD; Le Nguyen Uyen Chi, MD, PhD, Specialist Level II; and Nguyen Viet Quynh Thu, MD, MSc, presented outstanding, highly relevant reports.

New Techniques In Treating Ear-Related Disorders

This year, the event was jointly organised by the Dak Lak Otolaryngology Association and the Otolaryngology Department of the Central Highlands General Hospital. The conference focused on discussing and sharing the latest diagnostic and treatment methods related to ear, nose, and throat disorders, audiology, and head and neck surgery. The conference attracted 1,600 participants online and in-person and featured 74 presentations by 50 experts. Notably, Patrice Tran Ba Huy, MD, PhD, the Director of the National Academy of Medicine of France who has made significant contributions to fostering cross-border friendship between France and Vietnam by organising international Otolaryngology conferences, was also in attendance.

In the session titled “Advancements in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Ear and Nerve Disorders,” Vo Cong Minh, MD, PhD, Head of the Otorhinolaryngology (ORL or ENT) Department at FV Hospital, shared updates on the treatment of functional disorders of the Eustachian tube, including Eustachian tube blockage and Eustachian tube patency. The Eustachian tube is a canal connecting the ear to the nose, and disorders such as sinusitis, pharyngitis, and tonsillitis are often the root causes of Eustachian tube blockage, leading to middle ear inflammation. Conversely, underlying conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, muscle atrophy and muscle aging or rapid weight loss can be causes of Eustachian tube patency issues.

Dr Minh emphasised, “This condition is easily overlooked or misdiagnosed between Eustachian tube obstruction and patency issues. Therefore, accurately identifying the root causes, as well as the correct type of disorder, is crucial.” Most cases of Eustachian tube dysfunction can be treated internally, while a smaller percentage may require intervention through external methods such as balloon dilation or tube placement to correct obstruction; and cartilage grafting, valve suturing, shim placement, and filler injections to treat patency disorders. Eustachian tube disorders not only cause middle ear inflammation and chronic ear-nose-throat infections but also lead to various inconveniences, significantly affecting patients’ daily lives.

Continuing the theme of non-surgical disciplines, Nguyen Huu Dung, MD, PhD, a high-level treating physician in the Otorhinolaryngology (ORL or ENT) Department at FV Hospital, presented on the endoscopic outer ear canal approach to treat Cholesteatoma tumors localised in the attic region. Cholesteatoma is an abnormal accumulation of dead skin cells forming a horn-like mass that commonly occurs in the middle ear or the mastoid bone of the ear. With the endoscopic approach, the method is less invasive compared to traditional techniques used previously. “This surgery requires the surgeon to have a clear understanding of the anatomy of the attic, as well as well-prepared instruments and surgical equipment,” Dr Dung shared.

In the same session, Le Nguyen Uyen Chi, MD, PhD, a senior specialist at the ORL/ENT Department at FV Hospital, presented on advanced surgical techniques. Her presentation focused on the method of filling the mastoidectomy cavity and reconstructing the external auditory canal, highlighting the role of the temporalis fascia flap and the posterior auricular artery bone flap. “This method can be performed concurrently with the mastoid drilling procedure, aiding in rapid patient recovery, restoring normal auditory physiology, and reducing the impact on quality of life,” Dr Chi explained.

The surgical technique of filling the mastoidectomy cavity and reconstructing the external auditory canal as presented by Dr Chi aims to improve the patient’s hearing function post-mastoidectomy, facilitating self-cleaning of the ear or easier ear hygiene when the cavity is small. This approach can help alleviate issues such as inflammation, ear discharge, and reduce long-term treatment costs for patients.

Solutions To Protect and Improve Health via Ear, Nose, and Throat Treatment

Continuing with the topic of “Protecting and Improving Hearing Health,” the second presentation by Le Nguyen Uyen Chi, MD, PhD, provided detailed guidance on the method of conducting tympanometry and brainstem auditory potential testing, offering a clearer insight into the measurement and evaluation of hearing function.

Making noise in the ear during hearing testing is a technique used to prevent “listening assistance” from that ear while testing the other ear. This helps to determine the hearing threshold of each ear more accurately, especially when there is a difference in hearing thresholds between the two ears. According to Dr Chi, this is a relatively simple technique in terms of equipment investment, but quite complex in setting up sound parameters and measurement procedures, requiring doctors to have a lot of practical experience to help patients achieve the most accurate test results.

Addressing the topic of care for patients undergoing ear, nose, and throat treatment through surgical methods, Nguyen Viet Quynh Thu, MD, MSc, Specialist Level II, Head of the Dietetics & Nutrition Department at FV Hospital, presented a report on “Nutrition for postoperative gastric patients with obesity and obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome.” Obesity is the primary cause of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSA), with up to 70 per cent of OSA patients being obese.

Currently, vertical sleeve gastrectomy surgery is proving to be an effective treatment for obesity, also assisting in the treatment of OSA. Research has shown that the rate of reduction or improvement in OSA for patients undergoing sleeve gastrectomy surgery is 86 per cent.

Dr Thu stated, “However, to achieve desired outcomes and limit complications, maintaining an appropriate diet after surgery is essential.” Dr Thu’s report also delved into the details of meal planning for postoperative weight loss patients, the process of applying these protocols in practice at FV Hospital and achieving high effectiveness in many patients.

The 2024 annual conference is not only a professional forum but also an opportunity for experts and doctors to exchange, bond, and learn from each other, contributing to the development of the Ear-Nose-Throat field. In addition to sharing professional knowledge and experience, the active participation of doctors from FV Hospital also emphasises the goal of collaborative development of treatment techniques with other hospitals, as well as a commitment to continue contributing to the development of healthcare in Vietnam.