The Scope of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery

The American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head And Neck Surgery, Inc. agrees with the policy of the American Medical Association that surgeons should be allowed to do all procedures for which they are qualified by training and experience. Otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons are, by training, regional physicians and surgeons of the head and neck. Included within the field are those measures associated with the restoration or improvement of form and function of structures of the head and neck. This may require harvesting of tissues from other anatomical areas.

Surgery performed in an anatomical area outside the head and neck not primarily relating to the treatment of conditions involving the head and neck is considered to be outside the scope of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery.

Important Notice

The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Inc. and Foundation (AAO-HNS/F) Policy Statements are guidelines only. In no sense do they represent a standard of care. The applicability of an indicator for a procedure, and/or of the process or outcome criteria, must be determined by the responsible physician in light of all the circumstances presented by the individual patient. Adherence to these guidelines will not ensure successful treatment in every situation. The AAO-HNS emphasizes that these policies should not be deemed inclusive of all proper treatment decisions or methods of care, nor exclusive of other treatment decisions or methods of care reasonably directed to obtaining the same results.