TECHNOLOGY
Whenever possible, the latest advances in medical technology are employed in
the diagnosis and treatment of our patients. For example, lasers are now common
place in the treatment of tumors of the larynx and the oral cavity. The carbon
dioxide and YAG lasers are utilized in the treatment of snoring and obstructive sleep
apnea. Radiofrequency surgery is the newest technology that we currently use to
treat snoring as well as to do delicate facial and neck surgery.
The most recent advancement in laser technology is the OtoLAM or laser assisted
myringotomy. OtoLAM uses the Carbon Dioxide laser to produce a painless opening
in the ear drum. This revolutionary procedure can now be used to relieve the
discomfort of otitis media, Eustachian tube dysfunction and fluid in the middle
ear. In many cases OtoLAM may make insertion of
ventilating tubes in ears unnecessary.
We now offer the latest technology to evaluate voice
disturbances. Stroboscopic laryngoscopy enables our doctors to
diagnose and treat most disorders of the human voice for both the lay person as
well as the professional voice user. Also We can now perform evaluations of the esophagus in the office with the use of the
Transnasal Esophagoscope. Patients will no longer have to go to the
hospital or the surgicenter to have this evaluation as it requires no general
anesthesia or sedation. This technology will also greatly reduce the
number of x-rays that are currently being ordered to evaluate esophageal
disorders such are gastric reflux.
Computers have found their place in the practice of medicine and in
otolaryngology and head and neck surgery. Computers are not only being used in
the day to day operation of a busy medical practice for scheduling and billing,
but are now being used for electronic record keeping and data processing.
Computers enable us to search medical data bases for the latest information on
an unlimited number of diseases and conditions. Medical data can now be
transmitted to and from our affiliated hospitals.
The world wide web is at our fingertips. This ability to access data from the
internet as well as from office to office and hospitals enables us to be able to
practice our specialty more efficiently.
Computers are now being utilized in the operating room as guidance systems for
highly delicate and refined sinus surgery. New endoscopic instruments and micro
debriders allow us to operate less invasively and with less blood loss.
For our hearing impaired patients, the HearMD offers the latest advances in hearing aids
and assisted listening devices. Today, digital and programmable hearings aids
are improving the quality of life for many hearing impaired persons.
The professional staff of POA is committed to keep up with advances in medical
technology in order to provide the best medical care to our patients.