WHAT THE BLEEP?
Ear, Nose and Throat Surgery or Otolaryngology, but more commonly known as ENT is an incredibly interesting and varied speciality. This specialty has transformed the clinical management of oncology of the head and neck. Doctors need both medical and surgical skills, with the ability to manage emergencies and demanding elective surgery.
PERSONALITY
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Excellent fine co-ordination skills
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Interest in medicine and surgery
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Works well in emergencies
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Communication skills with patients of all ages
AVERAGE WEEK
ENT Specialists will spend the majority of their time in outpatient clinics and theatre with additional time for reviewing inpatients, teaching, and administration. ENT On-call duties tend to be lighter than other surgical specialities however can involve very serious emergencies such as airway obstruction and severe epistaxis.
BEST BITS
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Huge range of patients, conditions and procedures.
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Access to some of the best surgical toys.
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You can have a life outside of work.
CHALLENGES
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Heavy demand for services, often very stretched department.
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Highly competitive speciality.
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ENT has some of the largest procedures which can be technically challenging and tiring.
WHAT THE FACT?
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In Japanese comics and anime, a sudden, violent nosebleed indicates that the bleeding person is sexually aroused. This is based on a Japanese folk belief according to which nosebleeds are signs of sexual excitement.
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Although it has been over 2000 years since the first time tonsillectomy procedure was practised, in the 1600s it went out of fashion as it was believed that the tonsil was used to absorb secretions from the nose, so removing the tonsil would lead to excessive secretions and cause a hoarse voice.