Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital to upgrade ear, nose, throat care with $1.3 million

SOMERSET, Ky. (WTVQ) – At Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital (LCRH), otolaryngology, more commonly known as ear, nose and throat (ENT) care, will see specialized equipment and facility upgrades following a $1.3 million investment.

Before this service expansion, patients needing otolaryngology, rhinology and certain skull surgeries would have to travel outside of Pulaski County. Now, LCRH is the only facility in a 75-mile radius to offer more specialized head and neck surgeries.

“Expanding access to otolaryngology care allows our patients to remain in Somerset for their care, or travel shorter distances for treatment,” shared LCRH chief executive officer Robert Parker. “These investments directly serve LCRH’s mission of making communities healthier and we are excited to expand on our successful ear, nose and throat program with additional specialization.”

Rhinology relates to medical treatment involving the anatomy, physiology and diseases of the nose and paranasal sinuses. A few of the illnesesses rhinologists typically treat include allergic fungal sinusitis, loss of or reduced ability to smell, cerebral spinal fluid leaks, overflow of tears, a deviated septum, nosebleeds, nasal polyps, pituitary tumors and skull base tumors.

LCRH’s ENT program has given access to general otolaryngology care for patients in the Somerset area since 2009. The million-dollar investment expands that care to include pituitary surgery, subcranial surgery, stapedectomy, nasal valve reconstruction, complex sinus surgery, thyroidectomies and more. Also, many of these procedures can be done through minimally invasive means resulting in less blood loss, less scaring, shorter hospital stays, faster recover and less pain and discomfort for patients.

Dr. Andrew Vaughn joined LCRH’s otolaryngology staff earlier this summer. He is fellowship trained in rhinology along with head and neck surgery and specializes in advanced ENT surgery. Dr. Vaughn is one of only four rhinologists in the Commonwealth. He will work with Dr. Randall Dalton in providing ENT services.

For more information on LCRH’s ENT offerings, visit LakeCumberlandHospital.com/ear-nose-throat.