Otolaryngology and Head Neck surgery

Introduction

The Department of ENT since its inception in November 2020, is catering to an increasing number of patients with ear, nose, throat complaints as well as Head & Neck cancer patients on an out-patient basis not only from the state of Himachal Pradesh but also from adjoining areas like Punjab.

Presently, around twenty-one thousand patients are examined annually in the OPD besides emergency cases. In the Minor OT, around 3,960 procedures such as nasal endoscopy, videolaryngoscopy, and biopsies were performed. Around two thousand hearing tests and speech therapy sessions were conducted by the Audiology and Speech Therapy section.

Besides emergency operations, around three hundred major elective surgeries such as head & neck surgeries, thyroidectomy, neck dissection, endoscopic sinus surgeries, and mastoidectomy were performed last year. Around 170 cases were performed under local anesthesia.

Recently, the Department successfully performed its tenth cochlear implant surgery for children with profound congenital hearing loss. In collaboration with the Department of Neurosurgery, advanced endoscopic skull base surgeries such as endoscopic hypophysectomy and endoscopic CSF rhinorrhea repair have also been initiated.

Vision Statement

Our vision is to provide world-class ear, nose, and throat and Head & Neck cancer healthcare by integrating advanced medical research, cutting-edge technology, and compassionate patient care, while fostering a collaborative environment for education, innovation, and excellence in clinical practice.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to deliver comprehensive, high-quality, and compassionate care for patients with ear, nose, and throat conditions and Head & Neck cancers. We aim to improve health outcomes and enhance the well-being of our patients through expert clinical services, research, and training.

Faculty

Faculty
The Department has four dedicated faculty members, all trained from prestigious institutes of the country and having expertise in various subspecialties including Rhinology, Otology, Head & Neck Surgery, and Skull Base Surgery.

The faculty members are actively involved in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, research, innovation, public awareness activities, and administrative responsibilities.

S. No. Photo Name Designation Area of Interest Email ID
1 Dr Sudesh Kumar Dr Sudesh Kumar Additional Professor & Head Rhinology & Head & Neck Surgery
Skull Base Surgery
Otology		 dr.sudesh.ent@aiimsbilaspur.edu.in
2 Dr Sumeet Angral Dr Sumeet Angral Associate Professor Otology
Rhinology
Head & Neck Surgery		 dr.sumeet.ent@aiimsbilaspur.edu.in
3 Dr Neha Chauhan Dr Neha Chauhan Associate Professor Rhinology
Pediatric Otolaryngology
Otology		 dr.neha.ent@aiimsbilaspur.edu.in
4 Dr Nidhin Das Dr Nidhin Das Assistant Professor Neuro-Otology
Skull Base Surgery
Head & Neck Surgery		 dr.nidhin.ent@aiimsbilaspur.edu.in

Services

1. Inpatient Services
The Department has a dedicated 25-bedded ward located on the 2nd Floor, E Block, including 4 beds with continuous monitoring facilities. Patients are admitted for surgical procedures, diagnostic work-up, and related investigations.

2. Outpatient Services

A) OPD Services
Initial evaluation and investigations are conducted in OPD Room Nos. 502, 503, 504, and 506 on the 2nd Floor, B Block, six days a week. A dedicated Minor OT (Room No. B558) is available for procedures such as nasal endoscopy, video-laryngoscopy, and biopsies.

B) Audiology & Speech Therapy
Three dedicated rooms (B527, B512, and B513) are available where the following tests and services are provided:

  • Pure Tone Audiometry
  • Tympanometry
  • BERA (Brainstem Evoked Response Audiometry)
  • OAE (Otoacoustic Emission): All newborns delivered in the hospital undergo OAE as part of universal hearing screening.
  • Speech Therapy

3. OT Services
Four General Anesthesia (GA) and one Local OT per week are dedicated for elective surgeries. During the last year, approximately 300 GA surgeries and 170 local procedures were performed.

4. Emergency OT Services
A total of 96 surgeries were performed in emergency settings.

List of Surgeries Routinely Performed

  • Otology:
    • Mastoidectomy
    • Tympanoplasty
    • Cochlear Implantation
    • Myringotomy
    • Grommet Insertion
    • Facial Nerve Decompression
    • Excision of Glomus Tympanicum
  • Rhinology:
    • Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS)
    • Endoscopic Dacryocystorhinostomy
    • Endoscopic Optic Nerve Decompression
    • Endoscopic Orbital Decompression
    • Endoscopic Hypophysectomy
    • Endoscopic CSF Leak Repair
    • Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery
  • Head & Neck Surgery:
    • Excision of cancers of tongue, floor of mouth, and buccal mucosa
    • Neck Dissection
    • Maxillectomy
    • Thyroidectomy
    • Parotidectomy
    • Laryngectomy
    • Micro-laryngeal Surgery
    • Direct Laryngoscopy
    • Bronchoscopy
    • Parathyroidectomy
    • Carotid Body Tumour Excision

Specialized Services

  • Head & Neck Tumour Clinic: A multispecialty clinic for head and neck cancer patients where Radiation Oncologists, Medical Oncologists, Plastic Surgeons, and Otolaryngologists jointly plan management of complex cases.
  • Brachytherapy Services: Brachytherapy services for early head and neck cancers have been initiated in collaboration with the Department of Radiation Oncology.
  • PET-Guided Biopsy: In collaboration with the Department of Nuclear Medicine, PET-guided biopsy services have been initiated for patients with head and neck cancers.

Statistics Courses & Short Term Trainings

S.No Name of Course Curriculum Duration of Course Present Number of Students Objective / Brief Description of the Course
Data will be updated soon.

Research

S. No. Title of the Project Principal Investigator Co-Investigator Collaboration Funding Agency Status
1 Intraoperative decision making: A comparative analysis of scrape cytology & frozen section in 80 consecutive samples Dr Manupriya Dr Dechen
Dr CD Sharma
Dr Chitresh
Dr Sudesh Kumar		 Department of Pathology Self-funded Completed
2 Prospective comparative study of contrast enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging and 3-Dimensional Double Echo Steady State Magnetic Resonance Imaging in intra-operative localization of facial nerve in parotid gland neoplasm Dr Retika Pandit Dr Sudesh Kumar
Dr Sumeet Angral
Dr Neha Chauhan
Dr Narvir Chauhan		 Department of Radiology Self-funded Ongoing
3 Study to assess efficacy of gloved finger coated nasal packing versus Merocele nasal packing after Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery in chronic rhinosinusitis patients – A prospective observational study Dr Eshu Gupta Dr Sudesh Kumar
Dr Sumeet Angral
Dr Neha Chauhan		 -- Self-funded Ongoing
4 Assessment of clinical outcome and quality of life in chronic rhinosinusitis patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery Dr Shubam Sharma Dr Sudesh Kumar
Dr Sumeet Angral
Dr Neha Chauhan		 -- Self-funded Ongoing
5 Assessing quality of life and symptom relief in allergic rhinitis – A comparison of intranasal steroid spray and steroid nasal irrigation Dr Rahul Dr Sudesh Kumar
Dr Sumeet Angral
Dr Neha Chauhan		 -- Self-funded Ongoing
6 Assessing the efficacy and outcomes of using the crus of helix in ossiculoplasty: A novel prospective study Dr Ravneet Kaur Dr Sumeet Angral
Dr Sudesh Kumar
Dr Neha Chauhan		 -- Self-funded Ongoing

Projects

Sr. No. Title Principal Investigator Co-Investigator Collaboration (if any) Funding Agency Project Status
1 A randomized control trial comparing the efficacy of intravenous methylprednisolone and oral prednisolone in idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss Dr Sudesh Kumar Dr Sumeet Angral
Dr Neha Chauhan
Dr Jagdeep Thakur
Dr Bhushan Lal		 IGMC Shimla
SLBS Medical College Mandi		 Nil Ongoing
2 Clinical profile, severity, and etiology of patients presenting with tinnitus at AIIMS Bilaspur Dr Sumeet Angral Dr Sudesh Kumar
Dr Neha Chauhan		 -- -- Ongoing
3 Clinico-etiological analysis of unilateral vocal cord paralysis and its impact on voice-related quality of life Dr Sumeet Angral Dr Sudesh Kumar
Dr Neha Chauhan		 -- -- Ongoing
4 Morphometric Evaluation of the Crus of Helix Cartilage: A Cadaver-Based Study Dr Sumeet Angral Dr Nidhi Puri Department of Anatomy -- Ongoing
5 Unraveling the Synergistic Effects of Carcinogenic Risk Factors in Head and Neck Cancers Dr Sumeet Angral -- -- -- Ongoing
6 Data will be updated soon.

Publications

  1. Sharma M, Meyes D, Bharti S, Sharma C, Kumar C, Kumar S. Intraoperative Decision-Making: A Comparative Analysis of Scrape Cytology vs. Frozen Section in Eighty Consecutive Samples. J Cytol. 2025 Apr-Jun;42(2):75-81.
  2. Kumar S, Gupta N, Thakur P, Gupta N, Bodh A. High Altitude Head and Neck Paragangliomas: A First Sub-Himalayan Experience. OTO Open. 2024;8(1):e112.
  3. Gupta N, Sareen P, Kumar S, Negi M. Assessment of awareness and knowledge regarding nuclear medicine and appropriate use of Nuclear medicine modalities among medical students and faculty members in North India: A cross-sectional study. Asia Ocean J Nucl Med Biol. 2024;12(1):73-85.
  4. Malhotra M, Priya M, Bhardwaj A, Singh V, Angral S, et al. Development and Validation of a Hindi Questionnaire for Identifying Pre-, Peri-, and Post-natal Risk Factors in Individuals with Severe-to-Profound Congenital Hearing Loss. Indian Journal of Otolaryngology & Head Neck Surgery. 2025.
  5. Kathwal J, Sharma A, Angral S, Sharma K. Addressing Gaps in Tracheostomy Training: A Pathway to Better Patient Outcomes. International Journal of Science, Engineering and Management (IJSEM). 2025;12(05):37-30.
  6. Angral S, Biswas B, Sasanka KK, Bano G. Effect of Ear Health, Care Practices, and Hearing Loss on Academic Performance among Male Adolescents in Residential Schools: A cross-sectional study in Eastern India. Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal. 2025;25:600–610.
  7. Bano G, Raj R, Angral S, Krishna Sasanka KS, Varshney S. Neglected auricular hematoma. IP Indian Journal of Anatomy Surgery Head, Neck and Brain. 2024;10(4):97-100.
  8. Bano G, Angral S, Sasanka K, et al. A Rare Case of Nasal Rhinosporidiosis in the Santhal Pargana Region of Jharkhand: Clinical Presentation and Management. Cureus. 2024;16(10):e72674.
  9. Bano G, Angral S, Sasanka K, et al. Postoperative Delayed Facial Nerve Palsy: A Surgeon's Nightmare. Cureus. 2024;16(4):e58691.
  10. Das NK, Keshri A, Arora K, et al. Validation of a Novel Jugular Bulb Classification in Otology and Lateral Skull Base Surgery: A Neuro-Otologist's Perspective. Journal of Laryngology & Otology. July 2025.
  11. Manogaran R, Das NK, Keshri A, et al. Optimizing Endoscopic Approaches for Sphenoid Lateral Recess Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks: Proposal of a New Algorithm. Operative Neurosurgery. 2025.
  12. Das NK, Sharma V, Manoj S, et al. Quantifying Residual Hearing Loss from Electrode Insertion Trauma in Cochlear Implant Surgery: A Prospective Double-Blind Study. Journal of International Advanced Otology. June 2025.
  13. Hameed N, Keshri A, Manogaran R, et al. The Aftermath of the Battle Between COVID-19 & Invasive Fungal Sinusitis: A Long-Term Prospective Study. Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery. May 2025.
  14. Manogaran R, Das NK, Srivastava AK, et al. Enhancing Endoscopic Repair: The Efficacy of Topical Fluorescein in Detecting Radiologically Challenging CSF Leaks. Neurology India. May 2025.
  15. Chithambaram KS, Keshri A, Preetam C, Das NK, et al. Unmasking Skull Base Phosphaturic Mesenchymal Tumors: A Rare and Treatable Cause of Tumor-Induced Osteomalacia. Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery. April 2025.
  16. Das NK, Sharma V, Soni K, Goyal A. Breaking New Ground: Novel Intralesional Amphotericin B for Mucormycosis. Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery. April 2025.
  17. Das NK, Hameed N, Sinha M, et al. Anterior Skull Base Defect Repair: Utilizing Middle Turbinate Flap in a Pediatric Patient. Neurology India. April 2025.
  18. Das NK, Keshri A, Jain R, et al. Clinico-radiological Predictors of Facial Palsy Incidence After Transcanal Cochlear Implantation: An Ambispective Multicenter Study. European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology. April 2025.
  19. Manogaran R, Shukla, Chithambaram KS, et al. Minimally Invasive Mastery: Transorbital Endoscopic Excision of the Paramedian Epidermoid. Neurosurgical FOCUS. March 2025.
  20. Das NK, Kombathula SH, Sharma V, et al. Long-term Prospective Comparative Analysis of Ototoxic and Survival Outcomes of Sequential Boost and Simultaneous Integrated Boost of Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy for Head-Neck Carcinomas. Turkish Archives of Otorhinolaryngology. January 2025.

Expansion Plan

  1. Specialty Clinics:
    The Department has already initiated a Head & Neck Tumour Clinic and is planning to establish additional specialty clinics such as:

    • Otology & Vertigo Clinic
    • Rhinology Clinic

    These clinics will facilitate detailed evaluation and multidisciplinary discussion of complex and specialized ENT cases.

  2. BSc in Audiology and Speech Therapy:
    The Department plans to initiate an undergraduate programme in Audiology and Speech Therapy to strengthen academic and clinical training in hearing and speech sciences.
  3. Rotatory Internship Programme:
    A rotatory internship in Audiology and Speech Therapy is planned in collaboration with AIISH Mysore to provide advanced practical exposure and specialized clinical training.