On August 6, 2023, a conference titled Updated Diagnosis and Treatment of Otorhinolaryngology and Audiology—Head and Neck Surgery 2023-II was hosted by the Ho Chi Minh City Otorhinolaryngology Society at 272 Conference Centre in Ho Chi Minh City. This significant event provided an opportunity for the exchange of knowledge and experience in the field of otorhinolaryngology, attracting more than 500 attendees, including professors, doctors, experts, pharmacists, and healthcare professionals from Vietnam.

Speakers delivered many interesting topics that address social realities

FV Hospital contributed to four presentations in four discrete sessions. Overall, talks focused largely on diseases closely related to social realities, which are often overlooked by patients for prevention and proper treatment.

Vo Cong Minh, MD, PhD, Head of Otorhinolaryngology (ORL or ENT), FV Hospital, spoke on “Updates on Nasal Obstruction Treatments.” Le Nguyen Uyen Chi, Senior Specialist at the Otorhinolaryngology Department, FV Hospital, contributed to two presentations: “Anterior Septal Deviation: Classification & Treatment” and “Noise-Induced Deafness: Symptoms and Preventive Measures.”

Nguyen Viet Quynh Thu, MD, MSc, Specialist Level II, Head of Dietetics & Nutrition, shared her insights in the session “Recent Advances in Nutrition & Functional Recovery in Aesthetic Surgery: Internal Medicine of the Ear-Nose-Throat and Head and Neck.”

Dr Vo Cong Minh explained that causes of nasal congestion include mechanical obstruction and other factors such as hormones, climate, medication use, and enlarged adenoids. Dr Minh also discussed diagnostic methods for this condition, ranging from simple clinical techniques to more advanced approaches like nasal endoscopy, imaging studies, and sophisticated tests.

Nasal congestion is a common condition, but often is not treated properly by patients. Dr Minh shared, “The key point is accurately determining the underlying cause of the condition in order to choose the appropriate medical or surgical approach, or a combination of methods to achieve optimal treatment results.” Of the treatment methods for nasal congestion he shared, Dr Minh highlighted the use of high-frequency wave cauterisation to shrink nasal tissue—a technique applied at FV Hospital. This modern, minimally invasive procedure is performed during a very short session, making it a comfortable and convenient treatment option for patients.

In the first session, Le Nguyen Uyen Chi, MD, PhD, provided a detailed overview of the treatment methods for a deviated septum. Dr Chi classified its different forms, explaining causes, symptoms, diagnostic methods, and treatment options for this condition. However, Dr Chi’s focus in the presentation was on surgical treatment methods, emphasizing the structural support framework of the nose.

Dr Chi’s second presentation attracted significant interest from the professional community as the topic is a pressing concern in Vietnam: the causes and mechanisms leading to changes in hearing thresholds due to noise. Temporary changes in hearing thresholds may recover, but many cases can result in the destruction of the cochlear structure, damage to the auditory nerve, and permanent deafness in one or both ears. Drawing from her experience treating numerous cases, Dr Chi proposed diagnostic methods, highlighted harmful factors, and presented treatment options. “It is crucial to disseminate knowledge about hearing preservation programmes to the public, emphasising the importance of avoiding prolonged exposure to loud noise, which can lead to auditory damage,” shares Dr Chi.

FV Hospital is working towards a comprehensive treatment process for otorhinolaryngology disorders.

In her presentation, Nguyen Viet Quynh Thu, MD, MSc, Specialist Level II, addressed nutritional concerns for obese individuals with sleep apnoea. This report garnered significant attention, with Dr Thu emphasising, “Obesity is a global alarm. Weight-related sleep apnoea can occur with many other dangerous health conditions.”

Dr Thu’s presentation covered the importance of providing tailored nutrition management for obese patients and the effective strategies being implemented at FV. These strategies include surgical support, personalised exercise programmes, and psychological and physical therapies. “A comprehensive approach can help patients not only lose weight effectively, but also adopt a positive lifestyle change and improve their quality of life,” comments Dr Thu.

Organised by the Ho Chi Minh City Otorhinolaryngology Society, this conference showcased new knowledge and learning opportunities, and enabled participants to interact with leading experts in the ear, nose, and throat field in Vietnam. It also fostered interaction between top pharmaceutical providers, medical equipment suppliers, and companies in healthcare services, both nationally and internationally, allowing them to share and access the latest technologies.

FV Hospital is committed to collaborating with the medical community to share how modern treatment methods are applied at the hospital to enhance professional knowledge throughout Vietnam. FV’s goal is to leverage educational conferences and programmes to collectively improve the effectiveness of treatment and provide enhanced, comprehensive healthcare for the people of Vietnam.