Since its founding on May 30, 1914, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital (under the Thai Red Cross Society) included an Ear Disease Division and a Nose and Throat Disease Division, led by Dr. Luang Kosolvejchasart (Kiew Chanhenchop), the first otologist who also authored Thailand’s first ENT textbook, “Diseases of the Ear, Nose, and Throat” in 1929. This textbook consisted of two parts: ear diseases (based on Professor Ádám Politzer’s work) and nose and throat diseases (adapted from Sir St. Clair Thomson’s work). In 1934, the ENT division was separated from the surgery department and grouped with the ophthalmology department under Lt. Col. Luang Prajak Vejjasi as Head, with Dr. Luang Jarungcharoenvej serving as the ENT specialist.
On October 15, 1967, following a government decree to transfer the Faculty of Medicine, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, to Chulalongkorn University, its name was changed to the “Department of Ophthalmology, Otolaryngology, Laryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University.” This transition marked the integration of the hospital’s medical faculty into the university system, aligning its academic and medical training programs under Chulalongkorn University’s oversight.
Following the National Education Council’s approval in 1970, the ENT department split from ophthalmology, becoming an independent academic department with Dr. Chuchuang Saowatrun as its first head. The department was later renamed “Otolaryngology” and eventually, in 2003, was rebranded as “Department of Otolaryngology,” which it remains today.
The accomplishment and pride of the department of Otolaryngology is shown below.
Services
The Otolaryngology Department at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital has pioneered numerous important surgeries in Thailand. These include the first middle ear surgery using a surgical microscope in 1961 and the first cochlear implantation in 1986. From 1999 to 2003, the department introduced endoscopic nasal and sinus surgeries to address various conditions, such as endoscopic sphenopalatine artery ligation for severe nosebleeds, endoscopic orbital decompression for Graves’ disease, endoscopic optic nerve decompression to alleviate optic nerve pressure, and endoscopic CSF leak repairs at the skull base.
This innovative work led to the department’s recognition as a Center of Excellence by King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital and the Thai Red Cross Society. Additionally, the department has advanced head and neck surgeries using robotic technology and various types of lasers to treat otolaryngological conditions, showcasing their commitment to cutting-edge medical care.
Academic
The Department of Otolaryngology has a high reputation for hosting national and international academic courses, conferences, and workshops. These renowned conferences are such as Chula FESS course, Head and Neck Workshop, Asia-Pacific Otology Neurotology Conference.
Education
- The Otolaryngology Department at King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital is the only training institution in Thailand offering a comprehensive set of specialized programs certified by the Royal College of Otolaryngologists and approved by the Medical Council of Thailand. These programs include the Otolaryngology Board, Subspecialty Boards in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Sleep Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Rhinology and Allergy, and Audiology and Neurotology.
- The department offers master’s and doctoral programs in conjunction with residency and fellowship training, with a unique two-year certificate program in Rhinology and Allergy, the only one of its kind in Thailand, which connects to international postgraduate programs at Chulalongkorn University. This initiative allows for international physician trainees in these specialized fields.
- Furthermore, the department has pioneered tissue engineering research in Thailand, achieving breakthroughs such as human ear cultivation on the back of mice and developing synthetic skin to minimize contracture scars that lead to disabilities. These achievements were made possible through collaboration with the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Engineering, and other faculties, which also led to establishing the country’s first Excellence Center for Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products.
Research
The Department of Otolaryngology is committed to excellence, aiming to be a national and regional leader in otolaryngology through advanced patient care, research, and specialized training.
Obligation
- Produce qualified and quality specialists in ear, neck, and throats.
- Produce valued research works.
- Provide standardized medical services.
Support Activities
Provide specialized care for the following ear, neck and throat conditions:
- Head and neck surgery.
- Facial plastic and reconstructive surgery
- Rhinology and allergy
- Sleep otolaryngology
- Larynx disorders.
- Otology Neurotology, audiology, and speech therapy.
Structure
The Department of Otolaryngology has 6 Divisions.
- Head and Neck Division.
- Otology Neurotology Division
- Rhinology and Allergy Division.
- Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Division.
- Sleep Division
- Laryngology Division.
Services
The services from the 6 Divisions are shown below.
1. Head and Neck Division
This division provides complete services and treatments for tumors related to the Head and Neck area including benign neoplasm and malignant neoplasm. Our services cover a complete range of surgery such as open surgery, endoscopic surgery and robotic surgery.
2. Otology Neurotology Division
This division provides complete services and care for patients who have ear related conditions such as ear infection, benign tumor or cancer of ear and lateral skull base, balance disorder, dizziness and vertigo, hearing speech and communication problems in children and adults. Our up to date technology covers diagnosis, treatment, surgery and rehabilitation with experienced medical staffs.
3. Rhinology and Allergy Division.
This division provides complete services and care for patients with nasal and paranasal sinus disease such as the skin prick allergy test, nasal cytology, acoustic rhinometry, endoscopic ethmoidectomy, sinus surgery, tumor removal from Pituitary surgery etc.
4. Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Division.
This division provides plastic surgery in the head and neck area for patients after cancer surgery, facial reanimation, cosmetic surgery which integrates with the oculoplastic surgeon, plastic surgeon and dematologist.
5. Laryngology Division.
This division provides both out-patient and in-patient laryngeal procedures. The laryngeal surgery can be done with endoscope to avoid visible scarring and open surgery for vocal fold paralysis. For cervical tracheal stenosis, we provide convention surgery and we also are developing artificial trachea using tissue-engineering technology to replace malfunctioning trachea for effective treatment.
6. Sleep Division.
This division provides a full range of innovative health care service for snoring and sleeps disorder patients, in collaboration with Excellence Center for Sleep Disorders, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital. The services include outpatient clinics, confirmatory diagnosis by polysomnography and comprehensive patient evaluations. We also provide wide arrays of treatment selection, which include hi-tech medical devices and novel effective surgical techniques.
