Observe advanced otology and hearing surgery in London

Prof. Bhav Patel welcomes selected ENT surgeons and otologists from the UK and internationally to undertake clinical observerships within his otology practice in London.

Observerships provide an opportunity to spend time within a high-volume specialist ear practice, observing contemporary approaches to hearing restoration, minimally invasive ear surgery and complex otological disease.

The programme is particularly suited to practising ENT surgeons, otologists and senior trainees wishing to develop their understanding of advanced otological techniques and exchange ideas about surgical practice.

The programme is tailored wherever possible to the clinical and surgical interests of each visitor and to the cases taking place during their stay.

Areas of particular interest may include:

● Endoscopic ear surgery

● Stapes surgery and complex revision stapes surgery

● Ossiculoplasty and hearing reconstruction

● Cholesteatoma and tympanomastoid surgery

● Tympanoplasty

● Awake ear surgery under local anaesthesia

● Office-based and outpatient ear surgery

● Intra-operative and on-table audiometry

● Bone-conduction hearing implants

● Contemporary imaging and surgical planning

● Three-dimensional and augmented-reality approaches to surgical education

Visitors are encouraged not simply to observe operations, but to discuss surgical decision-making, alternative techniques, challenging cases and differences in practice between institutions and healthcare systems.

Otological surgery varies considerably between surgeons, institutions and countries.

An important part of the observership is therefore the opportunity for two-way professional exchange.

Visiting surgeons are encouraged to share their own techniques and experience while exploring alternative approaches to surgical access, disease management, hearing reconstruction and postoperative care.

The aim is not to teach a single “correct” way of operating, but to provide an environment in which experienced surgeons can critically examine different approaches and take useful ideas back to their own practice.

A particular feature of Prof. Patel’s practice is the use of local anaesthesia and minimally invasive endoscopic techniques to perform selected ear procedures with patients awake.

Depending on the clinical programme during their visit, observers may have the opportunity to see procedures traditionally undertaken under general anaesthesia performed in an outpatient or ambulatory setting.

This can include the use of intra-operative audiometry, allowing hearing to be assessed during selected procedures and providing immediate functional information alongside the anatomical reconstruction.

For many international visitors, seeing these approaches in routine clinical practice provides a different perspective on how ear surgery can be delivered.

International consultant otologists have spent extended periods observing Prof. Patel’s practice, including surgeons with specialist interests in endoscopic ear surgery and auditory implantation.

Observerships are primarily intended for:

● Consultant / attending ENT surgeons

● Otologists and neurotologists

● Otological fellows

● Senior ENT trainees with a defined interest in ear surgery

Applications from international surgeons are particularly welcomed.

Places are deliberately limited so that visiting surgeons can have meaningful exposure to the clinical practice and opportunities for discussion and teaching.

Observerships can range from short focused visits to extended placements of several weeks or months, depending on the visitor’s objectives and the necessary institutional approvals.

A programme can be tailored around particular interests where possible.

Longer placements provide opportunities to follow a broader range of cases and gain a deeper understanding of the principles underlying the surgical practice.

Surgeons interested in visiting Prof. Patel’s practice are invited to submit an expression of interest.

Please include:

● Your current position and institution

● Country of practice

● Your area of specialist interest

● Your current experience in otology

● What you would particularly like to observe or learn

● Preferred dates and duration of visit

● A brief CV

Please send the above via email to - admin@londonentsurgery.com