Head Neck and Skull base Department

More specifically the department is undertaking the whole range of Ear Surgery Procedures. All types of Tympanoplasties and the treatment of cholesteatomas, even of the most expanded ones and of their complications. The treatment of congenital deformities (atresias of the external meatus, protruding ears, congenital cholesteatomas etc), the surgical treatment of Otosclerosis as well as the placement of cochlear implants and of implantable middle ear hearing devices, are also within the activities of the Department.

Another highly specialized field is skull base surgery (acoustic neuromas, paragaggliomas, neuromas of the trigeminal nerve, cholesteatomas of the apex of the petrous bone, etc).

Regarding the nose and paranasal sinuses the Department treats all benign and malignant cases using endoscopic surgery of the latest technology and the support of a navigation system when required. The range of pathology treated endoscopically includes nasal polyps, recurrent and chronic cases of rhinosinusitis or pansinusitis, mucoceles, as well as benign and malignant tumors of the area according to their size and location. Cases of epistaxis, post-traumatic or spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea and diseases of the dacryocystic apparatus (dacryocysticrhinostomy) are also treated endoscopically.

Endoscopic decompression of the orbit, as well as of the optic nerve is accomplished along with a specialized surgeon of the orbit, while the endoscopic trans-sphenoidal excision of pituitary gland adenomas is done with the co-operation of an experienced neurosurgeon.

In specific cases of extensive tumors of the area, beyond the limits of endoscopic approach, external approaches of the nose and paranasal sinuses are practiced such as: fronto-spheino-ethmoidectomy, frontal sinus osteoplasty, lateral rhinotomy, midfacial degloving, maxillectomy.

Laser beam is widely used in the area the head and neck, especially for the excision of benign and malignant tumors of the larynx and hypopharynx. So using LASER beam we are able to remove the tumors of that region, while maintaining a functional larynx and preserving laryngectomies for salvage cases.

We would like to highlight the Department’s in treating cases of malignant tumours of the head and neck. With the co-operation of Plastic and Maxillofacial surgeons we proceed to the functional and cosmetic reconstruction of the area, followed by the augmentation of highly specialized Ongologists and Radiotherapists, in order to accomplish higher rates of cure.

Among the specialized activities of the Department one must mention thyroidectomies and parathyroidectomies with the intraoperative use of neuromonitoring of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Also of great importance is the treatment of the complications of these operations which are also referred to our department.

So in cases of unilateral vocal cord paralysis causing dysphonia and most probably aspiration, we proceed to thyreoplasty, while in cases of bilateral vocal cord palsy we elaborate partial cordectomy with the use of CO2 Laser.

Finally we should refer to the surgery of salivary glands. Particularly in cases of parotid tumors, in which the dissection and preservation of the facial nerve is augmented with the use of special devices of intraoperative neuromonitoring. Also with the use of the finest endoscopes we are capable of examining the excretory duct of the parotid gland for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes (removal of salivary calculi).

Our department is always open to any co-operation in order to attain the optimal care for every head and neck patient.