Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery

Dokkyo Medical University
Chairman, Professor of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery
Shinichi Haruna

Message from the Head of the Office

     I am pleased to welcome you to the website for the Dokkyo Medical University, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery. We provide comprehensive ear, nose and throat (ENT) clinical care, in addition to conducting cutting-edge research and educating and inspiring our students and trainees. Our outstanding otorhinolaryngologists provide a full spectrum of modern care, from pediatrics to geriatrics, including the latest advances in technology and evidence-based practice. To revitalize our system, we also strive to interact with external medical institutions, and in particular, we are constantly transferring doctors from the Jikei University School of Medicine with the aim of improving quality. 

     Especially, we are offering comprehensive medical and surgical care for disorders and complex problems of the nose and paranasal sinuses:

  •  Chronic sinusitis, nasal polyposis, nasal obstruction, and nasal tumors
  •   Computer guided and revision endoscopic sinus surgery for complicated sinus disease
  •  Interdisciplinary minimally invasive surgical approaches to the skull base, orbit, and optic nerve
  •  Research protocols exploring sinus wound healing and novel therapies for chronic sinusitis

      Minimally invasive and computer-assisted surgical techniques are available for patients with refractory or complex nasal and sinus disease. In addition to videoscope diagnostic techniques, we use a stereotaxic surgical navigational system to improve accuracy and efficiency in the operating room.

Clinical Trials

     Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or other treatment. 
      While establishing a system to acquire high-quality techniques as experts in each field, we are also making use of abundant clinical data in order to conduct research from the perspective of clarifying questions that arise in daily medical care. For basic research, we have set up a laboratory next to the doctor's office, striving to enhance research equipment, and creating an "environment where experiments can be conducted immediately after medical care is completed."
 
     In basic research on the treatment of the intractable disease of eosinophil sinusitis, morphological and immunological studies are being energetically conducted, and the mechanism of its onset is being elucidated.
     Specifically, the following research themes are being conducted:

  •  The involvement of active eosinophils in olfactory mucosal disorders
  •  An examination of the therapeutic effect on sinus diseases - Focusing on measurement of nasal exhaled NO (nitric oxide)
  • An examination of the therapeutic effect of a topical administration of Kenacort ® for patients with eosinophil sinusitis

       Some of these research results were summarized by Wataru Konno M.D., Ph.D. in a paper titled "Eosinophil sinusitis (ECRS) postoperative relapse suppression effect by local steroid treatment", and selected for the Paper Award of Japanese Journal of Rhinology.   

     We are also conducting joint research with universities in Japan and overseas. For example, we are working with Kanazawa Medical University Otorhinolaryngology on a research study titled "Comparative study of the therapeutic effects of Tokishakuyakusan and mecobalamine on post-cold olfactory disorders".  Also, we are collaborating on a research study titled "International Sinonasal Disorders and Regeneration" with Stanford University Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery in the United States. Also in terms of collaboration, we have worked with a local company named Manny to develop Septum Stitch®, a septal suturing device, and Manny ENT Knife® for use in nasal sinus surgery.