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The academic advantage for patient-centered quality health care.

Divisions

ENDOSCOPIC SINUS SURGERY - RHINOLOGY

The Department’s Physicians are experienced in the medical and surgical management of disorders of the nose and paranasal sinuses.

• Endoscopic sinus surgery for medically refractory sinusitis
• Otolaryngic allergy or allergy referral for management of inhalant allergies, as appropriate
• Computer image aided sinus surgery
• Expertise in septoplasty, rhinoplasty and septorhiniplasty techniques
• Turbinate reduction techniques, including in office radiofrequency ablation
• Congenital anatomic problems: cleft nasal deformities, choanal atresia, nasal masses

HEAD AND NECK ONCOLOGY - ENDOCRINE

The Department has an experienced, integrated faculty for the management of patients with varied head and neck diseases.

• Surgical management of thyroid and parathyroid diseases, including minimally invasive radioimage guided parathyroidectomy
• State of the art Microvascular reconstruction team
• Skull base team including fellowship trained skull base surgeon/neurotologist, head and neck surgical oncologist/microvascular surgeon, plastic and reconstructive surgeon, and neurosurgeons
• Surgical management of salivary gland diseases, and lymph nodes including sentinel node biopsy techniques
• Head and neck cutaneous malignancies, including integration of MOHs surgery, as appropriate
• Investigational and innovative protocols
• Multidisciplinary teams including otolaryngology-head and neck surgery faculty, radiation oncology, medical oncology, oral/maxillofacial surgery, dermatology, psychiatry, dental speech/swallowing therapy, head and neck nursing.

VOICE AND SWALLOWING CENTER

John T. Sinacori, M.D.
Laryngology, General Otolaryngology

We often take our voice for granted, but when voice disorders develop they can have a devastating effect on our ability to communicate with friends and family. Mild voice disorders can be an annoying problem, but may also be an early sign of a more significant health problem.

The Voice Center at Eastern Virginia Medical School has been organized to diagnose and treat a wide variety of voice disorders that affect both voice professionals and the general public. The Voice Center also treats patients with swallowing problems. Many ailments that affect the voice can also cause difficulty with swallowing. Diagnostic tools at the Voice and Swallowing Center Include:

• Stroboscopic light sources and high optical quality fiber optic scopes are used to view the vocal folds in motion
• Computerized voice analysis systems to better understand voice disorders
• Videofluoroscopic examinations of swallowing
• Electromyographic studies of the larynx

Treatment for voice disorders varies widely, depending on the diagnosis. Many disorders can be treated with voice therapy alone, others may require medications or even surgery. Voice disorders also may be the first sign of a generalized disease or illness. All of the options are available through the Voice Center.

OTOLOGY-NEUROTOLOGY and HEARING AND BALANCE CENTER

Barry Strasnick, M.D. , F.A.C.S.
Stephanie A. Moody Antonio, M.D.
Otology/Neurotology

The Olotology-Neurotology Division offers diagnosis and treatment of disorders affecting the ear, hearing and balance system, facial nerve and related structures in both children and adults. Its services include:

• Treatment of chronic ear infections, Cholesteatoma and otitis media
• A nationally recognized Hearing and Balance Center dedicated to evaluation and management of hearing loss, dizziness and balance disorders
• A hearing restoration program featuring the latest technological advances including cochlear implantation, digital and semi-implantable hearing aids
• The Tinnitus and Hyperacusis Center which offers a multidisciplinary approach for management of tinnitus and loudness sensitivity
• Associated basic science and applied research focusing on new techniques for hearing restoration and eradication of dizziness/imbalance

The Division has received national and international recognition for its accomplishments in the field of early identification and remediation of hearing loss in newborns. It also offers continuing physician medical education through local seminars and its semi-annual Temporal Bone dissection Course. The division also participates as an FDA investigational site for a variety of medical and surgical protocols dealing with hearing loss and balance disorders.

SLEEP DISORDERS CENTER

John T. Sinacori, M.D.
Laryngology, General Otolaryngology

Catesby Ware, Ph.D.
Sleep Disorders

Daniel W. Karakla, M.D. , F.A.C.S.
Head and Neck, Reconstructive Surgery

The Sleep Disorders Center at Eastern Virginia Medical School diagnoses and treats a wide variety of sleep disorders. The Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery is an active and important component of the sleep Disorders Center. Other participants in the Center include specialists in pulmonology, neurology, psychiatry, dentistry, and oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Common sleep disorders treated within our department include obstructive sleep apnea and snoring. Since sleep disorders often involve some problem with airflow in the upper airway, a good examination of the nose and throat is often the first important step. A wide variety of treatment options are open to patients, though certain measures such as weight loss and sleep hygiene changes are always emphasized. Surgical treatments available at the department include office procedures such as Somnoplasty and Coblation for snoring and mild apnea and more intensive treatment such as palate and tongue base surgery for sever apnea.

SKULL BASE SURGERY

The Skull Base Surgery Division offers a multi-disciplinary team approach for the management of complex disorders involving the skull base. The team is composed of fellowship trained physician specialists in neurotology/skull base surgery, neurosurgery, head and neck oncology, plastic and reconstructive surgery, radiology, radiation therapy, intra-operative neuromonitoring, and anesthesiology. Its services include:

• Treatment of tumors involving the skull base including acoustic Neuromas, Meningiomas, glomus tumors, chordomas, and carcinomas
• Treatment of vascular disorders including aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations

PLASTIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY

Eric Dobratz, MD is the Director of the Division of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in the Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery at Eastern Virginia Medical School. Dr. Dobratz has a highly specialized practice where he focuses exclusively on plastic surgery of the face, head and neck.

Dr. Dobratz performs cosmetic facial procedures including; rhinoplasty, face lift, blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), eyebrow/forehead lift, lip rejuvenation, skin resurfacing, facial implants and injectables (BOTOX, fillers). He performs reconstructive facial procedures including; soft tissue reconstruction after skin cancer resection, repair of congenital deformities (cleft lip/palate and microtia), rehabilitation of facial paralysis and post-trauma reconstruction including scar revision.

More information about the Division of Facial Plastic Surgery can be found on our website; evmsfacialplastics.com

PEDIATRIC OTOLARYNGOLOGY

The Pediatric Otolaryngology Division Provides comprehensive care for the treatment of childhood disorders of the ears, nose, throat, face and neck. Our specialists in pediatric otolaryngology have completed special training focusing on the anatomic, physiologic, and psychological changes that occur as a child matures. While many families seek the expertise for more common conditions, the clinical practice is focused on the care of the children with “special” ENT problems and ENT problems in “special children”. Our physicians are skilled in the management of children with complicated or unusual disorders of the ear, nose, throat and related structures of the head and neck, and understand how underlying pediatric medical conditions may impact on their ENT care.

Children with “special" ENT problems
Cleft lip and palate; deep neck infections: Salivary gland disease; craniofacial anomalies; Head & neck trauma; Temporal bone trauma; Cervical cysts and sinuses; Implantable hearing devices; Aerodigestive tract foreign bodies; Neoplasms of the head and neck; Airway obstruction and sleep apnea; Tracheotomy in neonates and infants; Congenital nasal masses, stenosis atresia; Congenital and acquired anomalies of the airway; Vascular and pigmented lesions of the head and neck; Congenital anomalies of the external, middle, and inner ear; Complications otitis media and Eustachian tube dysfunction.

“Special” children with ENT Problems
Asthma; Cystic fibrosis; premature infants; Immune deficiency; Organ transplants; Developmental delay Disorders of coagulation; Neurologic or neuromuscular impairment; Craniofacial disorders and velopharyngeal insufficiency; Down syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities.

Our pediatric otolaryngologists work closely with their colleagues in general pediatrics to formulate long-term treatment plans for children with chronic illness, and to provide care for children needing urgent ENT intervention. Based at the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters, they consult frequently with pediatric sub specialists in such areas as allergy, pulmonology, dentistry, infectious diseases, and hematology/oncology to provide care for children with complex medical problems. Ancillary services at the hospital as audiology, speech-language pathology, radiology, and blood drawing cater to the special needs of children. Children requiring surgical intervention are cared for by specialist in pediatric anesthesia and nurses specifically trained in the pre-operative and post-operative management of children.

AUDIOLOGY DIVISION - HEARING AND BALANCE CENTER

Nathan Michalak, Au.D., CCC-A (Director of Audiology)
Ashley Wampler, Ph.D., CCC-A (Coordinator of Audiology Personnel)
Melissa Pola, M.S., CCC-A (Coordinator of Education)
Michael LeMay, M.A., CCC-A (Coordinator of Cochlear Implants)
Sara Gill, Au.D., CCC-A
Anne Davis, Au.D., CCC-A
George Whitaker, Au.D. CCC-A

The Division of Audiology provides comprehensive diagnostic and rehabilitative services for patients with hearing loss, tinnitus, and balance abnormalities. A full array of auditory communication, tinnitus, and balance assessment is provided, along with rehabilitative methods to include: hearing aids, cochlear implants, Baha, tinnitus maskers, and aural rehabilitation seminars.

Services

ADULT

HEARING:

• Hearing Tests
• Listening in Background Noise Assessment
• Hearing Aids
• Cochlear Implants
• Aural Rehabilitation Seminar
• Tinnitus Assessment
• Baha Assessment
• Auditory Brainstem Study

BALANCE:

• Video Nystagmography
• Rotational Chair Testing
• Electrocochleography
• Fistula Testing

PEDIATRIC

HEARING:

• Newborn Hearing Screening
• Behavioral Hearing Assessment (6 mos – 18 yrs)
• Electrophysiologic (ABR) Assessment (Neonate – 18 yrs)
• Cochlear Implants
• Hearing Aids
• Oncology Monitoring

Locations:

Norfolk General Hospital
River Pavilion
Hearing and Balance Center
600 Gresham Dr. Ste. 1100
Norfolk, VA 23507

Virginia Beach Office
933 First Colonial Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23454

Children’s Hospital of the Kings Daughters
601 Children’s Lane
Norfolk, VA 23507