Nick Hanscom has had a large tumor removed from his neck
Otolaryngology (Also known as otorhinolaryngology or ENT - Ears, Nose, and Throat) is the surgical specialty that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of ear, nose, throat (larynx and pharynx), head, and neck disorders.
Notable Otolaryngologists[]
- Dr. Mark Sloan (former Attending ENT & Head of Plastic Surgery at Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital)
- Dr. Jackson Avery (former Attending ENT & Head of Plastic Surgery at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital)
- Dr. Coleson (Attending ENT at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital)
- Dr. Michelle Lin (Attending ENT & Head of Plastic Surgery at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital)
Notable Cases[]
- Radical neck tumor and lymph node resection: Mark Sloan introduced the residents and interns to Nick Hanscom, a young man who had a large tumor removed from his neck accompanied by a substantial proportion of the neighboring lymph nodes and tissue. As a result, he was left with only a thin layer of skin covering his carotid artery. Mark ordered the residents and interns to be extra vigilant with Nick. Sadly while under the care of Lexie Grey, his artery blew, causing Nick to bleed to death despite Lexie's best efforts.
- Larynx construction: Mark, assisted by Miranda Bailey and Lexie Grey, successfully constructed a new larynx for Kathleen Patterson, a patient left unable to speak following surgery to remove her diseased original larynx.
Notes and Trivia[]
- Although in all likelihood there is a Head of Otolaryngology at Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital, the officeholder has never been formally introduced. It is possible that Mark Sloan may have held this position at Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital alongside being head of plastics, however, this was never confirmed by dialogue, props, or official promotional material.
- It is also likely that Jackson held the position since Bailey was left scrambling to find a replacement after his sudden departure, which would not be as big of a priority for her of there was a department head for ENT in place.
- After discovering she was pregnant with Burke's baby, Cristina was on ENT when she scheduled her abortion.
- The specialties of ENT and General Surgery overlap at certain points. For example, both ENT and General surgeons can conduct procedures concerning the thyroid gland. When undertaking their board exams, the first case Meredith, Cristina, April, and Jackson face concerns hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland) and all state they would offer their patient a thyroidectomy (surgical removal of all or part of the thyroid gland). In Season 12, Meredith (a general surgeon) is seen teaching the anatomy class how to partially remove a larynx.
- Despite having no formal training via a residency or fellowship, Jackson holds attending status in this specialty. Additionally, per the show's Twitter account, Jackson is also board-certified in this specialty.
- In real life, it is possible for a surgeon to sub-specialize in otolaryngology by doing a fellowship (e.g. head and neck surgery).