Department of Clinical · Otorhinolaryngology

Ears, nose, throat, head and neck — diagnosed, reconstructed and rehabilitated. Endoscopic sinus and ear surgery, a dedicated Temporal Bone Dissection Laboratory, an ICMR-funded genetic screening programme and a TN AOI-medal-winning research culture.

10 faculty & residents

24 research projects

6 state-level medals

Department

From the middle ear to the microdebrider.

A multidisciplinary clinical department spanning medicine, surgery, audiology and rehabilitation — serving ear, nose, throat, head and neck disorders.

The Department of Otorhinolaryngology at AVMCH offers comprehensive evaluation and treatment of ear, nose, throat, head and neck conditions — from sinusitis and tonsillitis to hearing loss, voice disorders and complex head-and-neck disease. Services span clinical examination, diagnostic endoscopy, audiological assessment, minor endoscopic procedures, and a full range of routine and advanced surgeries under strict aseptic conditions.

The department is a pioneer in minimally invasive surgery — endoscopic sinus surgery, endoscopic ear surgery, microdebrider-assisted turbinoplasty and voice rehabilitation. Tele-ENT services extend reach to rural and underserved communities. Community outreach emphasises hearing screening, throat-cancer early detection and allergy prevention.

Six TN AOI state medals in three years — Dr. K. K. Ramalingam Otology, Dr. Muthaiah Medal Rhinology (x2), Dr. Aravind Kumar Gold Medal (Head & Neck). Plus the ICMR-Adhoc grant of ₹11.5 lakhs on consanguinity and deafness.

Clinical service, research and teaching are integrated across temporal-bone skills labs, diagnostic endoscopy, tele-ENT outreach, and multidisciplinary head-neck oncology pathways.

Research Focus

Facilities · Temporal Bone Lab · Minor OT + endoscopy · DNE + VDL

Outreach

Collaborations · JIPMER · MERIT · AIMST University Malaysia

MBBS + MS. From audiometry to mastoidectomy.

Academic Programmes

Programme 01150 / 150 ADMITTED

MBBS

Undergraduate · Competency-based

Seats permitted150

Clay-module anatomy, simulation, flipped classroom and hands-on exposure to DNE, otoendoscopy and VDL in the Minor OT.

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Programme 027 / 7 ADMITTED

MS ENT

Postgraduate · 3-year specialty

Seats permitted7

Endoscopic sinus and ear surgery, temporal-bone dissection, head-and-neck reconstruction, voice rehabilitation and research methodology.

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Head of Department

Otology leadership, state-conference chair.

Dr. Atul Mukul Bage — Professor & HOD — Organising Chair of Alaigal 2025 (TN AOI) and conference chair of Parotid Disorders and Close the Care Gap CMEs.

Dr. Atul Mukul Bage

Professor & Head · MBBS, M.S. (E.N.T.)

Co-investigator on eight PG research projects across otology, rhinology and head-and-neck surgery. Organising Chair of the World Hearing Day Screening Camps 2023, 2024 and 2025 and the World Head & Neck Cancer Day CMEs 2024 and 2025. Conference Chair — Parotid Disorders: A Clinical & Surgical Update (23.02.2025) and Alaigal 2025 (22.08.2025). Academic focus — tympanoplasty outcomes, endoscopic sinus surgery, concha-bullosa conchoplasty and temporal-bone teaching.

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Faculty

Ten otolaryngologists.

9 qualified professionals committed to clinical excellence.

Dr. Nishanth Savery

Professor

MBBS, M.S. (E.N.T.), MBA (HM)

Dr. T C Vikram Raj Mohanam

Professor

MBBS, M.S. (E.N.T.)

Dr. Arulmozhi Sakthignanavel

Associate Professor

MBBS, M.S., D.L.O., MBA (HM)

Dr. Sowmya Gajapathy

Assistant Professor

MBBS, D.L.O., D.N.B., MNAMS

Dr. Nisha M.

Assistant Professor

MBBS, M.S. (E.N.T.)

Dr. Ayishwarrya P.

Assistant Professor

MBBS, M.S. (E.N.T.)

Dr. Vignesh M.

Senior Resident

MBBS, M.S. (E.N.T.)

Dr. Usha D.

Senior Resident

MBBS, M.S. (E.N.T.)

Dr. Sakshi Praveena EV

Senior Resident

MBBS, M.S. (E.N.T.)

Thrust Areas

Five pillars of research.

Rhinology

FESS, turbinoplasty, concha-bullosa conchoplasty, topical tranexamic acid and rhinogenic headache.

Otology

Myringoplasty with PRP, composite cartilage vs temporalis fascia, otitis externa management and head-injury otology.

Laryngology & Head-Neck

Tonsillectomy haemostasis, H. pylori in chronic tonsillitis, voice rehabilitation and oncologic head-neck surgery.

Genetics of Deafness

ICMR-funded consanguinity and deafness screening with chromosome-16 microdeletion research.

Medical Education

Clay-module anatomy, simulation, flipped classroom and international KAP surveys with Malaysia and India.

Research

Twenty-four investigations.

ICMR-Adhoc, self-funded and international KAP studies — with many PG dissertations already published in IJOHNS, Bengal JOHNS and Journal of Audiology & Otology.

Research Snapshot

14 projects selected from 24

06 ongoing 08 completed

#	Project	PI	Funding	Focus	Status
01	A Cross Sectional Study of Assessment of Hearing in Infants of Gestational Diabetes Mothers.	Dr. Srinkanth Gopinath	—	Postgraduate	Completed · Published
02	Comparing the Efficacy of Fentanyl Nasal Packing on Postoperative Pain in Patients Undergoing Nasal Surgeries Versus Normal Saline Pack—A Randomized Control Trial	Dr. Vignesh M	Self	Postgraduate	Completed · Published
03	A Comparative Study of the Effectiveness of Antibiotic-Steroid Ointment Wick V/S Antibiotic-Steroid Drops Soaked Gel Foam in Pain Management of Otitis Externa	Dr. Yashoda Baruva	Self	Postgraduate	Completed · Published
04	Persistence of Olfactory Dysfunction in Post CoVid-19 Patients Using Sniffin Sticks-A Prospective Study.	Dr. Priyanka Thangaraj	Self	Postgraduate	Completed · Published
05	Association of Helicobacter pylori in chronic tonsillitis.	Dr. Priyanka Thangaraj	Self	Postgraduate	Completed · Published
06	Otological Manifestations in Head Injury: Experience from a Tertiary Academic Centre	Dr. Arulmozhi Sakthignanavel	Self	Faculty	Completed · published
07	ICMR-Adhoc Faculty Project: “A genetic screening to identify the association between consanguineous marriage and deafness in Puducherry and Tamil Nadu” — ₹11.5 lakhs funded	Dr. Arulmozhi Sakthignanavel	Extramural- ICMR-Adhoc Faculty Project	Faculty	Completed · 2 publications
08	International Study: “Measuring Educational Outcomes in Undergraduate Otolaryngology Using Simulation, Flipped Classroom & Self-learning.”	Dr. Arulmozhi Sakthignanavel	Self	Faculty	Completed · Published and Presented
09	Effectiveness of Clay Module-Based Teaching in Improving ENT Anatomy Comprehension Among Medical Students-A Mixed Methods Study.	Dr. Arulmozhi Sakthignanavel	Self (under guidance of MEU JIPMER)	Faculty	Ongoing
10	International study on knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) survey of primary prevention about non-communicable diseases (NCDS) among students of medicine and related healthcare disciplines in Malaysia and India	Dr. Arulmozhi Sakthignanavel	Self	Faculty	Ongoing
11	Effect of adenotonsillectomy in altering the neutrophil lymphocytes ratio and antistreptolysin O titre in cases of Chronic adenotonsillitis	Dr. Dhileep Sivakumar	Self	Postgraduate	Completed · Published
12	Plugged in and Tuned out: Earphone Usage and Its Impact on Young Adults in a Tertiary Care Hospital.	Dr. Roshan D	Self	Postgraduate	Completed · Published
13	Effectiveness of Topical Tranexamic Acid in Reducing Intraoperative and Postoperative Bleeding Following Nasal Endoscopic Sinus Surgery	Dr. Bhairavi Bhosale	Self	Postgraduate	Ongoing · Presented
14	To Assess The Effectiveness Of Lateral Partial Turbinectomy Versus Submucosal Conchoplasty For Concha Bullosa- A Randomized Controlled Trial	Dr. Dilshada P	Self	Postgraduate	Ongoing · Presented
15	Endoscopic Adenoidectomy versus conventional curettage Adenoidectomy- a Randomized controlled trial	Dr. Priya P	Self	Postgraduate	Ongoing · Presented
16	Assessing the Efficacy of Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma in Comparison to Conventional Myringoplasty Procedure:A Randomized Controlled Trial	Dr. Sharan Prakash	Self	Postgraduate	Ongoing · Presented
17	Study evaluating the effectiveness of composite cartilage grafts vs temporalis fascia graft in tympanoplasty - Randomised controlled trial	Dr. Anirudh Gaekwad	Self	Postgraduate	Ongoing · Presented
18	Effectiveness of Surgical Management in Rhinogenic Contact Point Headaches	Dr. Sowmya Gajapathy	Self	Faculty	Ongoing · Not presented
19	Investigating the Efficacy of Probiotic Supplementation in Allergic Rhinitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial	Dr. Bhairavi Sharma	Self	Postgraduate	Ongoing · Not presented
20	Endoscopic image Analysis of Mucosal Healing using Triamcinolone and Mitomycin C nasal packing in Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery: A Double Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial	Dr. Shalini Ramakrishna	Self	Postgraduate	Ongoing · Not presented
21	Hemostatic Efficacy of Topical Tranexamic Acid versus Normal Saline during Tonsillectomy Surgery: A Double Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial	Dr. B Bharath Chandra	Self	Postgraduate	Ongoing · Not presented
22	A Prospective Observational Study on the Burden and Association of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo in Allergic Rhinitis patient at a Tertiary Care Centre	Dr. Sherley Nikitha Geddam	Self	Postgraduate	Ongoing · Not presented
23	Surgical Outcome of Microdebrider- Assisted Turbinoplasty versus Submucosal Diathermy Turbinoplasty – A Randomized Controlled Trial	Dr. G.L. Rahul	Self	Postgraduate	Ongoing · Not presented
24	Evaluating the Effectiveness of Fat Graft with 30 % Trichloroacetic Acid in comparison to Conventional Tympanic Membrane Closure in Fat Graft Alone in patients undergoing Myringoplasty: A Single Blinded Randomized Controlled Trial	Dr. Sachin Vejella	Self	Postgraduate	Ongoing · Not presented

Publications

Papers in IJOHNS & Bengal JOHNS.

A Cross Sectional Study of Assessment of Hearing in Infants of Gestational Diabetes Mothers.

Bengal Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery. 2023;31(2):74–79.. Available from: https://bjohns.in/journal23/index.php/bjohns/article/view/33 · ISSN No: 0973-7707

Dr. Srikanth Gopinath, Dr. Arulmozhi Sakthignanavel ,Dr. Atul Mukul Bage .

Comparing the Efficacy of Fentanyl Nasal Packing on Postoperative Pain in Patients Undergoing Nasal Surgeries Versus Normal Saline Pack—A Randomized Control Trial

Indian Journal of Otolaryngology & Head Neck Surg. 2025 Jan;77(1):265–270 Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12070-024-05166-w · ISSN No: 0973-7707

Dr. Vignesh Muraganandam, Dr. Nishanth Savery, Dr. Arulmozhi Sakthignanavel

A Comparative Study of the Effectiveness of Antibiotic-Steroid Ointment Wick V/S Antibiotic-Steroid Drops Soaked Gel Foam in Pain Management of Otitis Externa

Indian Journal of Otolaryngology & Head Neck Surg. 2025;77(2):797–802. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12070-024-05252-z · ISSN No: 0973-7707

Dr. Yashoda Baruva, Dr. Arulmozhi Sakthignanvel, Dr. Vikram Raj Mohanam.

Persistence of Olfactory Dysfunction in Post CoVid-19 Patients Using Sniffin Sticks-A Prospective Study.

Bengal Journal of Otolaryngology and Head Neck Surgery https://bjohns.in/journal23/index.php/bjohns/issue/view/4 · ISSN No: 0973-7707

Dr. Priyanka Thangaraj, Dr. Sowmya Gajapathy.

Association of Helicobacter pylori in chronic tonsillitis.

Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head Neck Surgery. 2024. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39130323/ · ISSN No: 0973-7707

Dr. Priyanka Thangaraj , Dr. Arulmozhi Sakthignanavel

Effect of adenotonsillectomy in altering the neutrophil lymphocytes ratio and antistreptolysin O titre in cases of Chronic adenotonsillitis

Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head Neck Surgery. 2025 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12070-025-06044-9 · ISSN No: 0973-7707

Dr. Dhileep Sivakumar, Dr. Atul Mukul Bage, Dr. Sowmya Gajapathy

Otological Manifestations in Head Injury: Experience from a Tertiary Academic Centre

Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head Neck Surgery. · ISSN No: 2231-3796

Dr. Arulmozhi Sakthignaanavel, Dr.Jayita Das Poduval, Dr. Mary Kurien

Effect of Health Education on Knowledge and Behaviour Towards Consanguineous Marriage and Infantile Hearing Loss

Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head Neck Surgery.

Thingujam S, Dr. Arulmozhi Sakthignanavel, Vengadakrishnan J,Dr. Poduval J.

Measuring Educational Outcomes in Undergraduate Otolaryngology Programs in Two Diverse Way of Teaching-A Prospective Study.

Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head Neck Surgery. 2025 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12070-025-05607-0 · ISSN No: 0973-7707

Dr. Jayita Das Poduval, Dr. Arulmozhi Sakthignanavel

A 250-Kb microdeletion identified in Chromosome 16 is associated with Non-Syndromic sensorineural hearing loss in a South Indian consanguineous family.

Journal of Audiology and Otology https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39916398/ · ISSN No: 0973-7707

Dr. Arulmozhi Sakthignanavel

Plugged in and Tuned out: Earphone Usage and Its Impact on Young Adults in a Tertiary Care Hospital.

Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head Neck Surgery. 2025 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12070-025-06018-x · ISSN No: 0973-7707

Dr. Roshan D, Dr. Vikram Raj Mohanam

Specialty Clinics

Four focused clinics.

Vertigo Clinic

Weekly

Voice Disorder Clinic

Weekly

Hearing Aid & Audiology Counselling

Daily

Head & Neck Cancer Clinic

Multidisciplinary

Infrastructure

Minor OT, Temporal Bone Lab, 578-book library.

Temporal Bone Dissection Lab

Otology training

Dedicated dissection unit with high-speed drill system, operating microscope, suction-irrigation and full instrument set for stepwise mastoidectomy training.

Minor OT with Endoscopy

DNE + VDL

Diagnostic Nasal Endoscopy, otoendoscopy, Video Direct Laryngoscopy, 0° + 70° rigid scopes, camera + monitor + light source.

Seminar Hall

AV + Wi-Fi

Fully-equipped AV seminar room with internet connectivity for academic activities, presentations and interactive teaching.

Departmental Library

578 books

578 books (53 new in last 3 years), 1 Indian and 1 foreign journal subscription; Central Library open 08:00-20:00.

Audiology & Diagnostics

PTA + Imp

Pure tone audiometry, impedance audiometry, speech and hearing evaluation and allied radiological investigations.

Operating Theatres

Ear · Sinus · H&N

Routine and advanced ENT surgeries — endoscopic ear, sinus, throat and head-neck procedures under strict aseptic conditions.

Philosophy

ENT · AVMCH

“Hearing, breathing, speaking — the three things that make life human. Our discipline restores all three, across medicine, surgery, audiology and rehabilitation.

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, AVMCH & Hospital

Patient Care

Ear, nose, throat — and everything in between.

Comprehensive ENT OPD, inpatient admissions, endoscopic and reconstructive surgery, audiological diagnostics, emergency airway management and voice rehabilitation — with tele-ENT reach for rural patients and regular World Hearing Day screening camps.

OPD Services

Evaluation, DNE, audiology, minor procedures and counselling.

IPD Services

Admission for trauma, infection, surgery and 24x7 recovery.

OT / Surgical

Endoscopic ear and sinus surgery, head-neck, emergency airway.

Diagnostics

Pure-tone and impedance audiometry, endoscopy, speech eval.

Vertigo & Voice

Dedicated clinics for vertigo and voice-disorder patients.

Hearing Aid Counselling

Hearing-aid trials, counselling and specialist referrals.

Health Camps

Hearing screening and throat-cancer detection in rural outreach.

Tele-ENT

Tele-consultation and remote follow-up for underserved areas.

Awards & Recognition

Six state medals.

Dr. K. K. Ramalingam Best Oral Presentation — Otology

Dr. Arulmozhi S.

TN AOI State Conference · Kodaikanal · 25.11.2023

Research Prize Award

Dr. Arulmozhi S.

AVMCH Pondicherry

Best Temporal Bone Dissector

Dr. Nisha M.

Madras ENT Research Foundation · Chennai · 17.12.2023

Dr. Muthaiah Medal — Rhinology

Dr. Vignesh M.

TN AOI State Conference · Tiruchirapalli · 17.08.2024

Dr. Aravind Kumar Gold Medal — Best Paper Head & Neck Surgery

Dr. Sowmya Gajapathy

TN AOI State Conference · Pondicherry · 23.08.2025

Dr. Muthaiah Medal — Rhinology

Dr. Bhairavi Bhosale

TN AOI State Conference · Pondicherry · 23.08.2025

ICMR-Adhoc Faculty Project — ₹11.5 Lakh

Dr. Arulmozhi Sakthignanavel

Consanguinity & Deafness Screening · 2 publications

International MoU — Research Agreement

Dr. Arulmozhi Sakthignanavel

AIMST University, Malaysia

Events & Observances