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Ear, Nose & Throat: Pediatric Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery

We provide care for children with disorders of the ears, nose and throat.
Our program

The Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology provides care for children with disorders of the ears, nose and throat. These disorders can be congenital or acquired. The otolaryngologists care for a vast area of disorders, including:

  • ear infections
  • hearing loss
  • airway obstruction
  • obstructive sleep apnea
  • tonsillitis 
  • nosebleeds
  • sinus infection
  • voice disorders
  • velopharyngeal insufficiency 
  • salivary gland diseases
  • thyroid lumps
  • abnormally-shaped ears
  • congenital cysts
  • sinuses and fistulae of the head and neck
  • foreign bodies
  • tumours of the ear, nose, sinuses, neck, salivary glands, thyroid, larynx, trachea, and skull base.

Surgery ranges from relatively minor, such as myringotomy and tympanostomy tube insertion, adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy, to complex major procedures of the head and neck, such as cochlear implantation, mastoidectomy, bronchoscopy using balloons and lasers, open laryngeal reconstruction, neck or thyroid tumour removals, and endoscopic skull base surgery.

Every year, many thousands of children are assessed and treated through the Pediatric Otolaryngology (Ear, Nose and Throat) Clinic, including children referred from across British Columbia, the Yukon, and beyond. In addition, the team members participate in a number of multi-disciplinary clinics with other colleagues from across the campus, for example, cleft lip and palate, craniofacial, vascular anomalies, home ventilation and tracheostomy, complex aerodigestive disorders, esophageal atresia, thyroid, cochlear implantation, bone conduction implantation, velopharyngeal insufficiency and voice clinic. 

You can find more information and resources in the Family Resource Library and about choking prevention and safe feeding through the Safe Start Program.

Your visit

What to bring

It is important to your child to make this visit as informative as possible, so the adult(s) who come with her/him should have the best knowledge of the history. Please bring the following to each clinic visit:

  • BC CareCard/Services Card
  • List of medications your child takes
  • Medical or personal records, such as x-rays or lab tests. If you are unsure about what to bring, please call the clinic office.
  • If you have a number of questions, most parents find it handy to make a list to bring with them.

For more information on planning your visit, please see here: http://www.bcchildrens.ca/our-services/your-visit/planning-your-visit

If you need to cancel

If you need to cancel your appointment, please contact us as soon as possible (at least 48 hours ahead of time, if you can) so that your appointment time can be used by another patient.

If your child has an infection

If your child has been in contact with any infectious diseases (such as chicken pox or measles) during the three weeks before your appointment, please let us know immediately. We may need to reschedule your appointment.

If you need an interpreter

If an interpreter would be helpful for you, please phone us as soon as possible and we will arrange for this.


Our team

Our dedicated and highly experienced team of healthcare professionals work diligently to create a safe, compassionate and healing environment for you and your child.

Administrative staff

There are many administrative staff who are also involved in the care of your child.

  • Abigail N
  • Aisa M.
  • Aury L.
  • Dolores M.
  • Kristy S.
  • Jaymeeli F.
  • Jennifer S.
  • Paris A.
  • Rachel A.
  • Tracy L.

Nursing staff

  • Elisa N.
  • Rachel S.
  • Valerie Y.

Other team members

  • Clinical fellows, otolaryngology residents, and medical students

Physicians

 

Portrait of Neil ChadhaDr. Neil K. Chadha, MBChB(Hons), MPHe, BSc(Hons), FRCS, completed his medical and otolaryngology training in the United Kingdom and his pediatric otolaryngology fellowship at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Ontario.


Dr. Chadha joined the Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat surgery) at BC Children’s Hospital in July 2010. He has been division head since September 2018. Dr. Chadha is also director of the Pediatric Otolaryngology Fellowship Program, director of pediatric otolaryngology research and a clinical professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia.

 

His practice is exclusively pediatric, with special interests in open and minimally invasive surgery of the airway, pediatric congenital neck, salivary and thyroid surgery, and endoscopic sinus surgery.

 

Dr. Chadha has a master’s degree in public health and epidemiology and has published over 100 research articles and seven book chapters. In his spare time, he loves playing and coaching soccer, running, skiing, and, more recently, woodworking—and he is making sure to be extremely careful with his fingers.


Phone: 604-875-3730

 

Portrait of Mark FeltonDr. Mark Felton, MD, MBChB, MSc, FCRS, is a consultant pediatric otolaryngologist at BC Children’s Hospital and a clinical assistant professor at the University of British Columbia. Originally from the United Kingdom, Dr. Felton studied at the University of Leeds in England, graduating with an honours degree in anatomy before completing his medical degree.


Dr. Felton carried out his specialist ENT (ears, nose and throat) training at the University of Manchester. Following this, he undertook a subspecialist pediatric ENT fellowship at BC Children’s Hospital in 2015/2016. After this, he spent over three years at the Evelina London Children’s Hospital, United Kingdom as a consultant otolaryngologist with a subspecialist interest in children’s ear disorders. He rejoined the Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology at BC Children’s Hospital as a consultant in 2019.

 

Dr. Felton is active in medical teaching having completed a master's degree in medical education. He regularly enjoys teaching trainees, students and allied specialists. He is also active in research and has completed a postgraduate research degree as well as numerous international presentations and peer reviewed publications. His research focuses on ear disorders and outcomes from implantable hearing aids.


Phone: 604-875-2113

Fax: 604-875-2498

 

Portrait of Fred KozakDr. Fred Kozak, MD, FRCSC, is the senior pediatric otolaryngologist in the division. He is a graduate of McMaster University Medical School. After completing a rotating internship in Toronto, he undertook residency at the University of British Columbia. Following a fellowship in pediatric otolaryngology head and neck surgery at Seattle Children’s Hospital in 1991-1992, he joined the staff at BC Children’s Hospital.


Dr. Kozak’s surgical practice has covered the entire field of pediatric otolaryngology, however over the past 20 years he has focused on the ear as a pediatric otologist and pediatric cochlear implant surgeon.


Over the past 30 years, Dr. Kozak has served on numerous committees at BC Children's Hospital including chair of the medical advisory committee and surgical physician admitting officer. He was the division head from 1996-2018. His research area of interest covers the entire field. He has presented his work locally, nationally and internationally and has over 75 publications.


Dr. Kozak is a UBC clinical professor in the Department of Surgery and has been the UBC Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery Residency (OTL-HNS) program director since 2012. He started the BC Children's Hospital OTL-HNS Fellowship Program in 2002. Dr. Kozak teaches medical students, residents and fellows. He is involved with the Doctors of B.C. and the B.C. Ministry of Health.


In his spare time, he is known to be an on again off again guitar player, a fine baritone singer and a weekend road bike rider. He is also co-founder of a custom colourful sock company: drsox.ca.

 

Portrait of Jeffrey LudemannDr. Jeffrey Ludemann, MDCM, FRCSC, joined the Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology at BC Children's Hospital in 1999. He is a clinical professor of otolaryngology at the University of British Columbia and is the quality of care lead for the Division of Otolaryngology at BC Children's Hospital.


Dr. Ludemann is the principal founder of dontchoke.ubc.ca (evidence-based injury prevention education, in eight languages). Dr. Ludemann was the founder and former chair of the Canadian Society of Otolaryngology Pediatric Study Group. He conceptualized the Storz Vancouver Forceps which have been used since 2006 by Pediatric Otolaryngologists around the world for the safe removal of small bronchial foreign bodies.


Dr. Ludemann's hobbies include tai chi and kung fu, playing guitar, hiking and skiing. He also enjoys biking, especially to fundraise money via the Vancouver Rotary Club for hearing loss research. Dr. Ludemann is married with three amazing children.


Website:dontchoke.ubc.ca

 

Portrait of Amjad TobiaDr. Amjad Tobia completed his medical education with the highest honours at the Technion Israel Institute of Technology in Israel. He completed his specialty training in otolaryngology at Bnai Zion Medical Center, Haifa, Israel. Dr. Tobia subsequently relocated with his family to Vancouver to pursue a 2-year clinical and research pediatric otolaryngology fellowship at BC Children's Hospital in 2021-2023.


Dr. Tobia joined the Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat surgery) as a consultant at BC Children's Hospital in August 2023. He is a clinical assistant professor at the University of British Columbia. Within his role, he is committed to patient care and academic teaching and research. His practice focuses on pediatric otolaryngology with a special interest in endoscopic airway procedures, chronic ear diseases and cochlear implants. He also has a keen interest in the field of obstructive sleep disordered breathing in children. He has a strong passion for working with colleagues in multidisciplinary teams.

 

Dr. Tobia has a strong enthusiasm for medical teaching and passing on his knowledge and expertise to the next generation of medical professionals. He received multiple teaching awards before coming to Vancouver. Dr. Tobia is actively involved in research, with numerous international presentations and peer-reviewed publications, as well as ongoing research projects. His research focuses on endoscopic airway procedures in children, ears and obstructive sleep related disorders.

 

Outside of his professional life, Dr. Tobia enjoys outdoor activities like hiking and skiing with his family. He also actively engages in competitive ping pong training.

 

Dr. Kiersten D. Pianosi, MD, FRCS, completed her medical degree in Halifax, Nova Scotia at Dalhousie University, followed by her Otolaryngology residency in London, Ontario at Western University. She then moved to London, UK for a fellowship in pediatric otolaryngology at Great Ormond Street Hospital. She continued to work at Great Ormond Street Hospital for a few months as a locum consultant before ultimately returning home to Canada.

 

Dr. Pianosi joined the Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology (ear, nose and throat surgery) at BC Children's Hospital in August 2023, and is a Clinical Instructor within the UBC Division of Otolaryngology.

 

Her clinical practice covers the breadth of pediatric otolaryngology, with a keen interest in head and neck pathology and open airway surgery. She has an interest in resident education and teaching, acting as the rotation lead for otolaryngology residents at BC Children's Hospital. Her current research interests relate to tracheostomy procedures and standardizing care, sleep surgery, and quality improvement.

 

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family and taking in the outdoors, going to parks, and playing field hockey. 



Patient information

Preparing for surgery

Preparing your child for surgery can help make things run more smoothly. Please see BC Children's Hospital Procedures and Surgical Services for more information. You may also find this handout helpful which includes the general fasting guidelines: Anesthetic Care Unit (PDF).

Learn more: BC Children’s Hospital: Anesthetic Care Unit.

Procedures

 

An adenoidectomy is a surgery performed to remove the adenoids. Adenoids are pads of tissue located high in the throat at the back of your child’s nose. Adenoidectomy may be considered if it impacts your child’s breathing, or if there are repeated infections.


For information on how to care for your child after the surgery, please see the following handout:Adenoidectomy (PDF)


Learn more:




A bone conduction hearing aid works by sending sound to the inner ear using sound vibrations through the bone. Bone conduction hearing aids may be considered for children with conductive hearing loss, or if a regular hearing aid does not work for your child.


There are several types of bone conduction hearing aids.


For information on how to care for your child after Bone Conduction Hearing Implant surgery, please see the following handout: Bone Conduction Hearing Implant (PDF)


Learn more:

  • BC Children’s Hospital: Hearing Problems (scroll to the ‘Hearing aids’ section, and open the ‘Bone conduction hearing aids’ button)
  • BC Family Hearing Resource Society: Support for BC families

 

Children born with choanal atresia have a blocked opening at the back of their nose. There are two types of choanal atresia: bilateral and unilateral. Bilateral choanal atresia affects both sides of the nose. Unilateral choanal atresia affects only one side of the nose.

 

Bilateral choanal atresia can cause serious breathing problems as newborns normally breathe through their nose. A newborn with both nasal passages blocked will need surgery before going home.

Unilateral choanal atresia may present later in life. For more information, please see the handout and links below.

For information on how to care for your child after unilateral choanal atresia surgery, please see the following handout: Unilateral choanal atresia repair (PDF)

 

Learn more:

 

Sports, injuries, or falls can cause a nasal fracture, also called a broken nose. A closed nasal fracture reduction is a procedure that moves your child’s nose back to its original position. It’s important to do this procedure in a timely manner, waiting too long can cause the bones to set irregularly.


Learn more:

 

A cochlear (KO-klee-er) implant is a device that directly stimulates the hearing nerve. It can provide sound for children who have severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss and/or who receive little or no help from regular hearing aids.

 

The cochlear implant has a tiny electrode or wire that is surgically inserted into the cochlea (inner ear), and a receiver-stimulator that is implanted behind the ear.


For more information on how to care for your child after the surgery, please see the following handout:Cochlear implant (PDF)


Learn more:

 

Ear tube surgery is also known as a myringotomy and tympanostomy tubes surgery. The doctor makes a small opening in the eardrum, then ear tubes are placed to let fluid drain out of the middle ear. An ear tube is like a tiny straw. It is usually 2-3 mm long and can only be seen in the ear with special equipment. The ENT doctor may suggest tubes if your child has had a number of ear infections, or if the build-up of fluid appears to impact their hearing.

 

For information on how to care for your child after the surgery, please see the following handout: Ear tubes (PDF)


Learn more:

 

A functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) is a surgery done to unblock the sinus openings into the nose. This may ease the pressure and pain from blocked sinuses. Surgery is sometimes considered after patients have tried other treatments. During the surgery, the ENT doctor will place a telescope with a special light system that allows them to zoom in and see the sinus openings.


For information on how to care for your child after the surgery, please see the following handout: FESS handout (PDF)


Learn more:

 

A laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy are examinations that use a scope to look at parts of the airway. During this procedure, the doctor examines your child’s mouth, throat, voice box (larynx), windpipe (trachea) and finally the passages that lead to each lung (bronchial tubes). Your child will be under anesthesia for this procedure.


For information on how to care for your child after the procedure, please see the following handout: Laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy (PDF)


Learn more:

 

Otoplasty is a surgery performed to reshape the ears. It may be considered if the child is born with prominent ears. Your child will have a bandage around their head for 7-10 days.

 

For information on how to care for your child after the surgery, please see the following handout: Otoplasty (PDF)

 

Some babies are born with small skin tunnels that open in front of, or inside, the ear. These are called "preauricular sinuses". These tunnels result when tissues forming the ear do not fuse completely. No one knows why this happens or why it happens more often in girls than boys. No treatment is needed unless these tunnels become infected. If they do, the doctor may recommend surgery to remove them.

 

For information on how to care for your child after the surgery, please see the following handout: Preauricular sinus removal (PDF)

 

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) is a rare disease in which benign (non-cancerous), wart-like tumours grow inside the larynx (voice box), vocal cords, and in a few cases, inside the windpipe. The first sign is a hoarse voice. New papillomas tend to keep growing, unless they are removed. Most people with this problem need to have the growths removed each time they grow larger; if left, they may block the airway and make it impossible to breathe. The surgeon removes the growths while the child is under an anesthetic.

 

For information on how to care for your child after the surgery, please see the following handout: RRP (PDF)

 

Learn more:

 

A salivary gland duct ligation is offered mostly for patients who have tried other therapies and have not been successful in decreasing the amount of drooling. This surgery involves tying-off of the two submandibular and the two parotid gland ducts through the mouth. If effective, this stops saliva getting from these four glands into the mouth, causing the glands to shrink which significantly decreases drooling. Other smaller salivary glands in the mouth will continue to produce saliva so your child's mouth will not become overly dry.

 

For information on how to care for your child after the surgery, please see the following handout: Salivary duct ligation (PDF)

 

The septum is the wall of bone and cartilage between the nostrils. If the septum is bent or causes a blockage, your child can have trouble breathing. During a septoplasty (also called septal surgery), a doctor straightens your child's septum.


For information on how to care for your child after the surgery, please see the following handout: Septoplasty (PDF)


Learn more:

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Saliva comes from salivary duct glands. These glands can become inflamed when the glands are too narrow. They can also become inflamed when debris or stones block the gland openings.

 

A sialendoscopy is a procedure where a doctor examines the openings of your child's salivary glands, using a small camera. During the procedure, the doctor will also remove any stones or debris blocking the glands.

 

Learn more:

 

 

When a baby develops inside the uterus, different parts of the body form and grow into place. The thyroid gland forms behind the tongue and then moves along a channel (called a duct) into its position over the trachea (windpipe). The duct disappears as part of the normal development. Sometimes, this duct, called the thyroglossal duct, remains. Surgery may be suggested because infections can occur, or if the cyst presses on throat passages making it hard to breathe or swallow.

 

For information on how to care for your child after the surgery, please see the following handout: Thyroglossal duct cyst removal (PDF)

 

Learn more:

 

 

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped organ at the front of the neck. It produces hormones that affect metabolism, body temperature, heart function, mood, and other body systems.

 

A thyroidectomy is surgery where a doctor removes your child's thyroid. Your child may need this surgery because of thyroid nodules, autoimmune disease, thyroid cancer, or another reason.

 

Learn more:

 

 

A tongue tie is when the tissue that connects the bottom of the tongue to the floor of the mouth (frenulum) is too short and tight causing the movement of the tongue to be restricted. A tongue tie release surgery, also known as a frenotomy, is a procedure done to release the tissue that attaches the tongue to the floor of the mouth. This is most commonly done when it is affecting feeding or speech.

 

For information on how to care for your child after the surgery, please see the following handout: Tongue tie release (PDF)

 

 

The tonsils and adenoids are small masses of spongy tissue. The tonsils are in the back of the throat on both sides of the tongue. The adenoids are at the back of the nose where the passages of the nose and throat meet. The doctor may recommend a tonsillectomy with or without an adenoidectomy if they feel that your child has large tonsils or adenoids that make breathing difficult, or for other reasons.

 

For information on how to care for your child after the surgery, please see the following handout:Tonsillectomy (PDF)

 

Learn more:

 

 

The trachea, also called a windpipe, is part of the airway. It helps to move air into the lungs.

 

A tracheostomy is a surgery where a doctor puts a tube in your child's trachea. Your child may need this surgery to help with breathing, or another reason.

 

Learn more:

 

 

The mastoid bone is a part of the skull and lies behind the ear lobe. Sometimes, the cells of the mastoid bone, and/or the small bones (ossicles) inside the ear, are destroyed by chronic infection or a growth known as a cholesteatoma. When this happens, the affected mastoid cells may need to be removed which is known as a mastoidectomy.

 

For information on how to care for your child after the surgery, please see the following handout: Tympanoplasty and mastoidectomy (PDF)


Learn more:

 
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SOURCE: Ear, Nose & Throat: Pediatric Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery ( )
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