Clinical Services – Centers of Excellence
This section provides detailed, SEO-rich content for the “Services” section of the website. Each sub-section is written as an educational resource, establishing Dr. Panicker’s authority.
Head & Neck Surgery: Precision Meets Preservation
Dr. Panicker is a renowned authority in Head & Neck Surgery, a field that demands a balance of radical clearance of disease and the preservation of vital functions like speech, swallowing, and appearance.
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Thyroidectomy & Parathyroid Surgery: The thyroid gland, located at the base of the neck, regulates metabolism. Dr. Panicker specializes in the surgical management of goiters (enlarged thyroids), thyroid nodules, and thyroid cancer. He is an expert in minimizing complications such as voice change (recurrent laryngeal nerve injury) and calcium deficiency (hypoparathyroidism), topics on which he lectures fellow surgeons. His technique emphasizes cosmetic closure to minimize neck scarring.
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Salivary Gland Disorders: Management of the parotid and submandibular glands, including the removal of stones (sialolithiasis) and tumors. This surgery requires meticulous dissection to protect the facial nerve, which controls facial expression—a skill Dr. Panicker has honed over thousands of procedures.
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Neck Dissections: For malignancies of the head and neck, Dr. Panicker performs comprehensive neck dissections to remove lymph nodes that harbor metastatic cancer, often working in conjunction with oncologists to ensure holistic cancer care.
Otology and Neuro-Otology: Restoring the Sense of Sound
As a specialist in the ear, Dr. Panicker offers hope to those living in silence or suffering from balance disorders.
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Cochlear Implantation: Dr. Panicker is a leading figure in the field of Cochlear Implantation, a “bionic ear” surgery for severe to profound deafness. He serves on the government’s technical committee for this life-changing procedure, helping children born deaf to hear and speak. The surgery involves placing an electrode array into the inner ear to bypass damaged hair cells and directly stimulate the hearing nerve.
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Myringotomy and Grommet Insertion: A common procedure for “Glue Ear” (Otitis Media with Effusion), particularly in children. Dr. Panicker inserts a tiny tube (grommet) into the eardrum to ventilate the middle ear, preventing long-term hearing loss and speech delay.
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Vertigo and Balance Clinic: Dizziness and vertigo can be debilitating. The clinic offers comprehensive evaluation for conditions like Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) and Meniere’s disease, utilizing advanced diagnostic tools and rehabilitation maneuvers.
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Tinnitus Management: For patients suffering from “ringing in the ears,” Dr. Panicker provides thorough evaluation to rule out retrocochlear pathology and offers management strategies to improve quality of life.
Rhinology and Allergy: The Breath of Life
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Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS): Utilizing high-definition endoscopes, Dr. Panicker performs minimally invasive surgery to clear blocked sinuses, remove nasal polyps, and treat chronic sinusitis. This “functional” approach preserves normal anatomy while restoring ventilation.
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Allergy Management: Santhwana Hospital provides comprehensive testing and treatment for allergic rhinitis. Dr. Panicker’s approach is holistic, combining medical management (immunotherapy) with lifestyle counseling to manage triggers.
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Septoplasty: Correction of the Deviated Nasal Septum (DNS) to improve airflow and relieve nasal obstruction, a common cause of headaches and sleep issues.
Laryngology and Sleep Medicine
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Microlaryngeal Surgery: Precision surgery for voice disorders caused by vocal cord nodules, polyps, or cysts. This is crucial for professionals who rely on their voice, such as teachers and singers.
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Snoring and Sleep Apnea: Dr. Panicker addresses Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA), a condition linked to hypertension and heart disease. Treatment options range from lifestyle modification and CPAP therapy to surgical procedures like Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) to widen the airway.