The Interdisciplinary Approach and New Technologies in the Scientific and Clinical Development of Otorhinolaryngology

The experience of the FMBA NMRCO of Russia in implementing the concept of an interdisciplinary approach and the use of new technologies in the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of diseases of the ENT organs is discussed. It is noted that otorhinolaryngology is closely associated with a number of basic medical sciences and related clinical disciplines, which is reflected in the structure of the center: in addition to otorhinolaryngological departments, in which high-tech surgical interventions on ENT organs are performed, there are scientific and clinical departments: maxillofacial and plastic surgery, ophthalmology and neurosurgery, as well as the country’s only center for professional pathology of ENT organs. Thus, in the general structure of the NMRCO’s medical services, the share of medical care in specialties related to otorhinolaryngology is about 40%. Several departments deal with oncological diseases of the head and neck organs. Complex high-tech surgeries of cancer patients are performed by interdisciplinary teams of maxillofacial surgeons, oncologists, otosurgeons, and neurosurgeons, and interaction with the departments of phoniatrics and physiotherapy and medical rehabilitation provides them with full-fledged postoperative rehabilitation. The NMRCO’s experience shows that the widespread introduction of an interdisciplinary approach into clinical practice makes it possible to increase the efficiency of diagnostics, treatment, and rehabilitation of patients with otorhinolaryngological pathology.