ꜰꜱꜱ ᴇᴠᴇɴᴛ: ᴇɴᴛ ꜱᴘᴇᴄɪᴀʟɪᴛʏ (ᴘɪᴢᴢᴀ ᴡɪᴛʜ ꜱᴜʀɢᴇᴏɴꜱ)

 

FSS EVENT 3: PIZZA WITH SURGEONS

Yes I'm an Otolaryngologist But You Can Call Me an ENT Surgeon.

 As the title suggests the 3rd successful seminar organized by FSS was related to Otorhinolaryngology; abbreviated as ORL and also known as otolaryngology – head and neck surgery (ORL–H&N or OHNS), or ear, nose, and throat (ENT), is a surgical subspecialty within medicine that deals with the surgical and medical management of conditions of the head and neck.

Session was addressed by our respected Orator DR BRIG(R) AMER SABIH, who broke down the components of the field of ENT for us in a highly interesting manner. His way of engaging us in so much information in such a light and fun manner was such a delight to see. We rarely ever come across such doctor professors which make the future and it's hardships seem easier and lighter as compared to the heavy life itself that we see ahead, which is why I feel like whoever attended the session must have had a really inspiring time! 

Sir began his session by enlightening us on how to select a specific field for specialization when the need arises. I found this really helpful being a 2nd year student, because at this stage we are completely vague on how we'll select a specific field. He elaborated that a student might be fascinated by the aura of a specific specialty or inspired by a teacher or any staff member but it is always more practical to go for a field which suits their personality and lifestyle the most, also the important decision should in his opinion be rather based on their favourite subject or the subject in which he/she scores greatest marks.

 As the session proceeded it became more and more engrossing, because Sir shared his personal experience, how he chose ENT as a specialty and all the ups and downs a doctor has to face while making this important decision and how it was contrived. He told how his initial plan was never to become a doctor at the first place and then when he got into this field it was never to become an ENT doctor, but how and why he chose this field gave me so much belief that God works in mysterious ways, and the place he has written for you,  you're bound to be there and your hands are bound to perform that job. So no fretting about the future from just now young bees! Work hard and see how life sorts itself out as God wills! 

Being a military doctor sir captured the attention of students in the audience who aspire to go in armed forces, he further shared all the pros and cons of being a doctor as a gazetted officer in army. The thrilling experience in remote areas of Pakistan performing his duty as a doctor with limited resources, and how he saved lives of many people in those areas. Listening to all his experiences inspired me a lot personally, I ferreted out how much action-packed a life of an army doctor can be! It definitely made me think about it as one of my future options. 

 

By elucidating various factors of the field of ENT, Dr. Amer Sabih gave us many reasons so as to why should we ever choose ENT in the future as our specialty.
First reason was that almost every patient visits ENT due to its extensive scope in diseases of the ear, nose, throat, base of the skull, head, and neck including common cold, cough, any nasal allergies. These commonly include functional diseases that affect the senses and activities of eating, drinking, speaking, breathing (nasal assessment ), swallowing, and hearing, which are our most special senses required for survival.
  In addition, ENT surgery encompasses the surgical management and reconstruction of cancers and benign tumors of the head and neck as well as plastic surgery of the face and neck and removal of foreign bodies.
On a lighter note Sir also persuaded us towards the field by telling us that a lot of celebrities more specifically singers visit ENT specialists often due to there excessive use of vocal cords.

I would also like to share with you guys is a saying I found most interesting which Sir shared about VERTIGO disease related to hearing loss: “If you can't diagnose vertigo in history you won't be able to diagnose it ever" Which reflected the importance and graveness of history taking for medical students.

Sir described the scope of the field, how it fits more with the modern times, and how with evolving times the field also grows rather than getting obsolete.
the furtherance in technology with time in surgical operations introducing Laser, Endoscopic nasal surgery, salivagram, ballon rhinoplasty, maxillofacial surgery procedures and such preciseness in surgical operations that enables a doctor to use forceps and scissors on the endoscope go in small salivary duct and remove a stone ,which wasn't possible in earlier times.
It was rather new for me to know what a wide range ENT encompasses as, the surgical field not only has its own wider range of organs included but it also overlaps with alot of other surgical fields i.e with Endocrinologist for thyroid removal ,with Thoracic surgeons for Esophagectomy, pectoralis major myocutaneous flap in head and neck reconstruction.

 

Dr.Amer Sabih brought another very important point to our consideration that there are many sub specialties in ENT surgery field, the sub specialization fields include trans nasal transcortical sphenoidotomy, head and neck surgery, inner ear middle ear tumor removal, facial surgeries etc. but a not so pro of the field is that sometimes so many options in the field make it rather too much to grasp and gain perfection in, as he said and I quote:

"It's really difficult to master everything in ENT due to its vast scope"

Sir being very honest shared another stumbling block for many doctors i.e being the ability to get nauseated easily, he advised that such people shouldn't come in ENT, because these doctors often clean dirty ear wax and have to peak in dirty nose of patients for examination so it'll be a tough grind for them.

In the end of the session to my astonishment Sir shared a very important point which is often neglected, that doctors must do the counseling of their patients, as alone medicine cannot heal completely!! As someone has well said:

"Passionate About Medicine, Compassionate About People"

 Dr. Amer Sabih said that whenever performing a surgical procedure or even during simple examination of patient the doctor must walk them through the procedure and have friendly behavior with their patients and enjoy the procedure and last but not the least "FOLLOW UP" after treatment is indispensable and can't be stressed enough.

 

The session ended with a question answer session with refreshment of delicious Pizza and drink and a memorable group picture in the end with Dr Amer Sahib.

I must conclude that due to covid co curricular activities are almost close to none and such informative and fun sessions arranged by FSS are great opportunity for students to gain knowledge,which you can't learn from books but only from someone’s experience and also relieve your stress by socializing and having a knowledgeable interaction with extremely talented specialized doctors and your own seniors of FMC at the same time...!

Written by: JAVERIA ABBAS
Edited by: AIZA ANWAR