The Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics is one of the oldest departments in the United States and one of the most comprehensive in the world.
Our institute is among the largest of its kind and is a, world-class facility covering an area of 40,000 square feet and housing 26 exam rooms, a surgicenter, and separate reception areas for different groups of patients. Clinical research centers include: a Balance Disorders Center, a Cochlear Implant Center, and a Voice and Swallowing Center.
Residents and faculty have access to a state-of-the-art Bioskills Lab located in the new UI Hospitals and Clinics Center for Procedural Skills and Simulation (CPSS). The lab features 16 stations with wet sinks, pull-down microscopes, and video monitors. Work done at any station can be projected onto the facilities big monitors to enhance teaching opportunities. The CPSS also includes a mock operating room, four simulation
rooms, two central venous catheter insertion training/certification rooms, and a conference room.
More information about the Bioskills Lab
Each service provides a separate waiting area and consultation rooms that reflect the various subspecialties of otolaryngology. These include:
Otology/Neurotology
The Otology/Neurotology service is equipped with ceiling-mounted microscopes designed to promote the most accurate assessment of patients with diseases and disorders of the ear. The clinic also has nine sound-treated booths that allow audiologists to conduct diagnostic hearing tests, auditory brainstem response testing on children, and cochlear implant programming. For patients with chronic hearing loss, the clinic boasts a Hearing Aid Center, which can provide assistive listening devices. Patients suffering from balance problems can be evaluated in the balance disorder and vestibular rehabilitation clinic, using electronystagmography, rotary chair, and posturography testing.
Oncology/Laryngology
Advanced fiber optic imaging technology allows our oncologists to make the best clinical assessment of patients with tumors in the larynx, oral cavity, or oropharynx. Patients who have undergone laryngeal surgery or have swallowing or voice disorders are seen in state-of-the-art laryngeal imaging rooms in collaboration with the Speech and Swallowing Service. The voice clinic also sees professional voice patients for vocal fold nodules and other disorders affecting speech or voice quality.
Pediatric Otolaryngology
In an effort to alleviate the fear that many children experience when visiting the doctor, each pediatric consultation room is equipped with children’s toys and there is a fish tank in the waiting room.
UI Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Facial Nerve Center
The center is designed as a “clinic within a clinic” in order to streamline the patient experience and offer a more private waiting room. Patients now have access to a broad range of treatment options that include rhinoplasty (reshaping the nose), facial rejuvenation (facelifts, browlifts, eyelid surgery, skin resurfacing), otoplasty (reshaping the ears), Restylane® and Botox®, skin cancer reconstruction, microtia surgery, and facial nerve disorder treatments.
Surgery Center and Minor Room
For most minor cases, or those only requiring local anesthetic, the department has access to its own minor room and surgery center. Biopsies, laser treatments, laceration repair and minor excisions may be performed on an outpatient basis, significantly reducing patient wait times for surgery.
Conference Room
Supporting the mission of education is the 100-seat conference room. This serves the needs of ongoing clinical conferences throughout the year, including the annual Head and Neck Oncology Conference. The conference room is equipped with a full media suite, microscope, and teleconferencing.
