Article by: Jorge Montes

Otolaryngology is a cultivation of many breakthroughs in medicine.  Some procedures used in present day otolaryngology date back to 3600 B.C., such as the tracheotomy.  Of course, many of the procedures have been refined to today’s high-tech way of life!  Nevertheless, the field was shaped into what it is today through many trials and tribulations.

The medical specialty of Otolaryngology started drastically growing in the U.S. around the early 1800’s with Dr. Phillip Physick’s tonsillotome.  A metal wire had to be worn around the tonsil until it fell off.  This procedure was done without anesthesia and patients went through a very painful experience. 

In 1858, Dr. Ernst Krackowiczer introduced the laryngoscope.  With his new tool, he could now visualize patients’ larynx.  It was a breakthrough in the field of otolaryngology and it led to more accurate diagnosis of several diseases.  The laryngoscope was widely accepted and eventually led to the development of the field of laryngology.

Dr. Solis-Cohen, now considered father of laryngology, was a surgeon during the civil war from 1861-1864.  He took advantage of the influx of patients with wounds to the head and neck to master his skills in laryngology.  It is during this time that he developed a new technique, the complete removal of the larynx or total laryngectomy.

Several decades later in 1885, Dr. Joseph O'Dwyer performed the first intubation of the larynx.  He developed this procedure because he no longer wanted to see children suffocate during an exacerbation of diphtheria.  During this time, before the advent of the intubation, children either suffered through the disease or had a tracheotomy performed.  Intubation became a life-saving procedure.  Then in the late 1890’s, an anti-toxin to diphtheria was made, making the treatment list for diphtheria even longer.

By 1903, Otolaryngologist grew in numbers along with the Ophthalmologists.  They eventually formed the American Academy of Otolaryngology and Ophthalmology.  Membership throughout the years grew, but as the fields specialized, the organization had to split.  This organization eventually became known as the American Academy of Otolaryngology and a separate organization called the American Academy of Ophthalmology.  Throughout time, these organizations have merged and changed their names many times.

In 1904, Dr. Chevalier Jackson invented the bronchoscope.  It was a great invention because now doctors could remove objects lodged in the trachea.  Along with the bronchoscope, he invented many other useful tools, such as the esophagoscope.  This opened the door to the treatment options available to patients.  It is these inventions, and many others, that made Dr. Jackson the world’s leading laryngologist.

In 1930, Dr. Sterling Brunnell performed the first facial nerve graft.  This procedure allowed restoration of facial expression in many patients and joy to all the patients’ families.  This was shortly after the end of World War I when the confidence of the nation was barely on the up rise.  Many medical advances, including this one, helped re-establish optimism in the medical community.

Shortly after, in 1938, another grand physician, Dr. Julius Lempert developed the fenestration operation.  This allowed advanced treatment of otosclerosis.  Several times over, he redefined his own techniques to master the operation.  He shined new light into the field of otology.

In 1952, Dr. Samuel Rosen and again in 1955 Dr. John Shea, Jr. redefined Dr. Lampert’s fenestration operation.  Dr. Shea took the procedure a step further and improved the procedure until it ultimately became a procedure known as stapedectomy.  The stapes was removed and replaced with a Teflon prosthesis.  Hearing problems due to otosclerosis was now something that could potentially be treated with superior results.

The next major step in treating hearing problems was led by Dr. William F. House.  Starting in the 1960’s, he research on the French idea of Cochlear implants.  It wasn’t until 1984 that Dr. House eventually marketed the first cochlear implant.

As you can see, the field of otolaryngology was shaped into what it was today by many physicians trying to make a difference in the lives of needy patients.  Otolaryngology is a result of physicians stepping out onto the ledge and pushing their minds and imaginations to the limit.

Reference:
AAO-HNS. "Great Contributions:  Otolaryngology and American Medicine.” Online
posting. Cited 17 November 2006.
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