Position Statement: Scope of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery
The American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head And Neck Surgery 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 normally considered to be outside the scope of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery.
Important Disclaimer Notice (Updated 7/31/14)
Position statements are approved by the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery or Foundation (AAO-HNS/F) Boards of Directors and are typically generated from AAO-HNS/F committees. Once approved by the Academy or Foundation Board of Directors, they become official position statements and are added to the existing position statement library. In no sense do they represent a standard of care. The applicability of position statements, as guidance for a procedure, must be determined by the responsible physician in light of all the circumstances presented by the individual patient. Adherence to these clinical position statements will not ensure successful treatment in every situation. As with all AAO-HNS/F guidance, this position statement 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. Position statements are not intended to and should not be treated as legal, medical, or business advice.