Center for Ophthalmology, Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery
The Center for Ophthalmology, Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at Tianjin Huanhu Hospital was established on May 31, 2022, integrating the specialties of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery and Ophthalmology.
The Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery currently has six chief physicians and six associate chief physicians, including five physicians with doctoral degrees and 11 with master’s degrees, as well as four master’s supervisors. The clinical team has expertise across otolaryngology, rhinology and endoscopic skull base surgery, vertigo and vestibular disorders, head and neck surgery, and oral and maxillofacial surgery.
The department is home to the Tianjin Center for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Nasal Diseases, the Rhinology Endoscopy Training Center of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association, and the Tianjin Huanhu Hospital Vertigo Center. It also serves as a core collaborative unit of the National Clinical Research Center for Otolaryngologic Diseases and participates in the hospital’s multidisciplinary Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery Center.
Rhinology and Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery
Endoscopic nasal and skull base surgery represents one of the Center’s longstanding areas of expertise.
With the approval of the Tianjin Municipal Health Bureau, the Tianjin Center for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Nasal Diseases was formally established within the Department of Otolaryngology at Tianjin Huanhu Hospital in April 2001.
The development of the Center has been closely associated with pioneers in Chinese rhinology. Professor Chuoran Zhao, a pioneer of nasal endoscopic surgery in China, provided long-term professional guidance to the Center. In 1985, Professor Zhao was among the earliest specialists in China to introduce and promote endoscopic surgery of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses.
In 1995, Professor Gang Liu, a nationally recognized rhinologist, pioneered the endoscopic endonasal repair of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea in China, contributing to the development of endoscopic skull base surgery and establishing a strong academic reputation in the field.
Building upon this foundation, the Center has expanded the application of endoscopic endonasal approaches to a broad spectrum of complex skull base lesions. Surgical procedures are performed for appropriately selected lesions involving the suprasellar and parasellar regions, petrous apex, pterygopalatine fossa, infratemporal fossa, as well as tumors extending across the sinonasal–intracranial and sinonasal–orbital compartments.
Through close collaboration among otolaryngology, neurosurgery, medical imaging, pathology, and other disciplines, the Center has established an integrated approach to the management of complex sinonasal and skull base diseases.
The department has also been among the earlier centers in China to systematically introduce olfactory function testing, providing additional diagnostic tools for patients with olfactory disorders and supporting the clinical assessment of olfactory dysfunction associated with selected neurological and neurodegenerative diseases.
Vertigo and Vestibular Disorders
The diagnosis and treatment of vertigo and vestibular disorders represent another major clinical focus of the Center.
Leveraging the combined strengths of otolaryngology and clinical neuroscience at Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, the Vertigo Center has established a comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic platform equipped with specialized vestibular and audiological assessment systems.
Dedicated outpatient services and inpatient facilities are available for patients with peripheral and central vertigo, enabling comprehensive assessment of patients presenting with dizziness, vertigo, imbalance, and related vestibular symptoms.
Through multidisciplinary collaboration, the Center has developed an integrated pathway encompassing etiological assessment, vestibular and audiological testing, differential diagnosis, individualized treatment, vestibular rehabilitation, and long-term follow-up.
Special emphasis is laid on distinguishing peripheral vestibular disorders from central neurological vertigo etiologies, enabling timely identification and proper intervention for potentially severe neurological conditions.
Head and Neck Surgery
The Center has also developed specialized expertise in head and neck surgery, supported by a clinical team with professional training in both surgical oncology and head and neck diseases.
Over the years, the department has established close clinical and academic collaboration with Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, with regular professional exchange in the diagnosis and treatment of head and neck tumors.
Major areas of clinical collaboration include malignant tumors of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, lateral skull base tumors, recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and oral and maxillofacial tumors.
Through multidisciplinary collaboration with neurosurgery, oncology, radiotherapy, pathology, medical imaging, and other specialties, the Center provides comprehensive and individualized treatment for patients with complex tumors involving the head, neck, sinonasal region, and skull base.
Clinical Research and Academic Development
In recent years, the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery has published approximately 150 academic papers, submitted 26 patent applications, and participated in the preparation and publication of multiple professional books and academic works in otolaryngology.
The Center places strong emphasis on professional education, talent development, academic exchange, and multidisciplinary collaboration. Through professional recruitment, advanced training, interinstitutional collaboration, and domestic and international academic exchange, the department continues to strengthen its clinical and research capabilities.
With a well-developed specialty structure, an experienced professional team, distinctive areas of expertise, and extensive experience in the management of complex diseases, the Center continues to advance high-quality care in rhinology, endoscopic skull base surgery, vestibular medicine, head and neck surgery, and ophthalmology.
Nasal Diseases Center
The Tianjin Center for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Nasal Diseases was formally established at Tianjin Huanhu Hospital in April 2001, with the approval of the Tianjin Municipal Health Bureau. Since its establishment, rhinology and endoscopic nasal and skull base surgery have remained the Center’s principal areas of clinical expertise.
The Center has a longstanding academic tradition in nasal endoscopic surgery. Professor Chuoran Zhao, a pioneer of nasal endoscopy in China, provided long-term professional guidance for the development of the Center and was among the earliest specialists in China to introduce and promote endoscopic nasal and paranasal sinus surgery in 1985.
In 1995, Professor Gang Liu, a nationally recognized rhinologist, pioneered endoscopic endonasal repair of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea in China, further advancing the development of minimally invasive endoscopic skull base surgery.
Clinical and Technical Expertise
Supported by an experienced clinical team, the Center provides comprehensive diagnosis and treatment for a broad spectrum of nasal, paranasal sinus, and skull base diseases.
Advanced endoscopic endonasal approaches are used for appropriately selected lesions involving the suprasellar region, parasellar region, petrous apex, pterygopalatine fossa, infratemporal fossa, and tumors extending between the sinonasal cavity and the intracranial or orbital compartments.
The Center also performs specialized olfactory function assessments, providing objective evaluation for patients with olfactory dysfunction and supporting the early clinical assessment and management of olfactory disorders associated with nasal, neurological, and selected neurodegenerative diseases.
Academic Development and Professional Training
In recent years, the Center and the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery have published approximately 150 academic papers, including more than 40 SCI-indexed publications, submitted 26 patent applications, and contributed to the preparation and publication of multiple professional works in otolaryngology.
Professional training and team development remain important priorities. Through specialist recruitment, advanced professional training, interinstitutional collaboration, and academic exchange, the Center has developed a multidisciplinary team with a balanced professional structure and expertise spanning rhinology, endoscopic surgery, skull base surgery, and related disciplines.
Building upon more than two decades of specialized development, the Nasal Diseases Center remains committed to advancing standardized, minimally invasive, precise, and multidisciplinary diagnosis and treatment, while promoting continued innovation in rhinology and endoscopic skull base surgery.