Is there a specialty called reconstructive otolaryngology?
Dr. Wax: It’s not a recognized sub-specialty. It’s certainly part of the field of otolaryngology. Ninety-eight percent of otolaryngologists operate. We do a lot of facial, plastic and reconstructive surgery. How many physicians in the country who would do this type of surgery? Dr. Wax: There are probably 40 or 50 otolaryngologists that do this. Plastic surgeons are the other doctors that do this. Sometimes you might have the first surgery done by someone else and then go to see the plastic surgeon to fix the cavity? Dr. Wax: No. I think most places now try to do the procedure all at once to save the patient the inconvenience of having a big hole and also of having to get two operations. But in some places ENT does the reconstruction, and in some places plastic surgery does the reconstruction. Compared with other medical advances, how would you categorize this type of surgery for the patient? What does it usually mean? Dr. Wax: I think it has revolutionized care for patients. Beforehand
