DOKKYO MEDICAL UNIVERSITY

     Our department was established in 1974 as the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Tracheoesophagology. I was honored to assume the role of the department’s fourth chair in April 2024. As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of our founding, we reflect on our history with pride and gratitude. Looking ahead, our team is committed to advancing into new phases of clinical care, research, and education - striving for excellence over the next 50 years and beyond.
     Our mission is to provide excellence in medical care in the field of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, to explore new knowledge through cutting-edge research, and to translate these discoveries into clinical applications. We are also committed to educating the next generation of clinicians and researchers.
     We specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide variety of diseases affecting the ear, nose, throat, and head and neck region. Our team combines clinical expertise with a solid foundation in translational research, establishing our department as a leading center that unites patient care, scientific discovery, and medical education.
     Through the integration of advanced clinical practice and innovative scientific inquiry, we strive to improve patient outcomes and contribute to the future of medicine.

1. Clinical activities
     Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery provides comprehensive medical care across the full spectrum of ear, nose, throat, and head and neck diseases. Our staffs are committed to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care based on the latest clinical evidence and advanced technologies.
     We have particular expertise in the management of sinus and skull base, sleep, and tracheoesophageal disorders. Our team offers a full spectrum of surgical interventions, ranging from minimally invasive endoscopic sinus surgery to complex skull base and airway reconstructions. By integrating precision techniques with multidisciplinary collaboration, we provide safe, effective, and personalized care for patients with both common and highly specialized conditions.

2.  Research activities       
     Our department is actively engaged in both clinical and translational research aimed at advancing diagnosis, treatment, and understanding of diseases in the field of Otorhinolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery. Current research themes include:
・Omics analysis for refractory chronic rhinosinusitis
・Biomarkers for biologics selection in eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis
・Surgical technique and pathological analysis of sinonasal inverted papilloma
・Elucidation of the pathophysiology of sensorineural olfactory dysfunction
・Development of an AI model of olfactory mucosa imaging
・Imaging-based analysis of anatomical structure and clinical symptoms
・Optimization of drug-induced sleep endoscopy for indication of hypoglossal nerve stimulation
・Clinical and diagnostic research on pediatric obstructive sleep apnea

3. Education
School of Medicine:

Lectures for Medical Students
     Our program offers comprehensive lectures covering the anatomy, physiology, and diagnosis of diseases in the field of Otorhinolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery. The curriculum also includes an introduction to common surgical techniques and physical examination skills.

Clinical Clerkships
     The Department’s clinical practicum provides hands-on experience in outpatient care, inpatient management, and surgical procedures.
・One-week clinical clerkships are part of the standard medical curriculum, offering students a well-rounded overview of the department’s clinical activities.
・One-month advance clerkships are available for students who select our department as an elective, enabling deeper engagement in clinical decision-making and the development of procedural skills.

Surgeons
      We are committed to supporting the continued education and technical advancement of surgeons in the field of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery. Each year in December, we host a Cadaver Surgical Training course to deepen understanding of surgical anatomy and help participants master essential surgical techniques. The course includes endoscopic sinus and skull base surgery and recruits surgeons from across Japan to participate. In addition, we performed the first hypoglossal nerve stimulator implantation in Japan and continue to offer hands-on training courses on the procedure on an irregular basis.

Department Chair, Professor  Tsuguhisa Nakayama, MD, PhD (Rhinology/Skull Base Surgery)
Special Appointed Professor  Hideki Hirabayashi, MD, PhD  (Head & Neck Surgery / Tracheoesophageal diseases)
Professor  Satoru Fukami, MD, PhD (Ear Surgery)
Associate Professor  Itsuo Nakajima, MD, PhD (Sleep Surgery)
Senior Assistant Professor Wataru Konno, MD, PhD  (Head & Neck Surgery)
Senior Assistant Professor  Takashi Kashiwagi, MD, PhD (Rhinology / Skull Base Surgery)

Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery

Dokkyo Medical University

Kitakobayashi 880, Mibu, Shimotsuga, Tochigi, 321-0293 Japan