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Laurence O’Halloran MD
Timothy Egan MD
Sarah Blank MD

Sarah Blank MD

27 Jul 2015 

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BOARD CERTIFIED: OTOLARYNGOLOGY HEAD AND NECK SURGERY

Dr. Blank joins our practice after relocating from St. Louis, MO.  A native of Memphis, TN, she received her medical degree from the Medical College of Virginia.  Here, she was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society and awarded the Dean’s Award for the highest academic achievement.  Dr. Blank completed her residency training in Otolaryngology at Washington University/Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.  While in residency, she trained extensively in all aspects of head and neck surgery, including pediatrics, oncology, rhinology, otology, and facial plastic surgery.  She enjoys treating patients of all ages and has a special interest in general pediatric otolaryngology.  Additionally, Dr. Blank’s clinical interests include the medical and surgical treatment of sinus disease and allergy, salivary gland disorders, and diseases of the thyroid and parathyroid glands.

Dr. Blank has been selected as Washingtonian Magazine “Top Doc”.

During her free time, Dr. Blank enjoys spending time with her husband and two year old daughter.

Dr O’Halloran’s Blog

16 Apr 2015 

What to expect after Tonsillectomy.

19 Jan 2015 

Q: Why do tonsils & adenoids need to be removed?

A: Tonsils & adenoids are most often removed when they become enlarged and block the airway, restricting breathing. This can lead to loud snoring, restless sleep and gasping.  They are also removed if certain illnesses such as strep throat and tonsil infections cannot be treated with antibiotics.

 

Q: Will I be asleep during the tonsillectomy?

A:  Yes, the procedure is performed under general anesthesia, which means you are asleep, and will not feel a thing.  With young children one parent is allowed in the operating room while the child goes to sleep.  For young children it is often possible to put them too sleep before the IV is placed so the child does not experience any pain.

 

Q: How long will my son or daughter take to recover from a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy?

A: Young patients will typically require 10-14 days of recovery.  Most children will be out of school for 1-2 weeks. We recommend avoiding exercise and strenuous activity for 3 weeks after surgery.

 

Q: Will I need to stay overnight?

A: In most cases, a tonsillectomy is an outpatient procedure.  Patients younger than 2 years of age or those with severe apnea may require an overnight hospital stay.

 

Q: What can I expect when my son or daughter comes home from surgery?

A:   Sometimes, patients  vomit after surgery, but vomiting should cease about 24 hours after surgery. It is not unusual to have a low grade fever. You should call your doctor is the temperature exceeds 101.5°F

Q: Why is my child still snoring after surgery?

A: Many parents become concerned when their child continues to snore after surgery. Especially if the reason for surgery was to correct loud snoring and  obstructive breathing.  Don’t worry it is very normal for your child to continue to snore for several days after surgery because of swelling. When the swelling resolves you will frequently see that your child no longer snores. In fact they are sometimes so quite that parents wonder if they are still breathing.

Q: What is the white spot in my throat after tonsillectomy?

A: Scabs in the area where the tonsils and adenoids were removed will appear white and cause bad breath.  They will often break away in pieces about a week after surgery. While this looks like pus it is not a sign of infection and is not reason for concern.

Q: Is it normal to have ear pain after tonsillectomy?

A: Yes, children will often complain of  ear pain after tonsillectomy. Sometimes the ears actually hurt more than the throat even thought the ears were not operated on. This is because the same nerve provides sensation to the throat and the ear.

 

Q: Is it normal to loose weight after a tonsillectomy?

A: Weight loss is very typical in tonsillectomy. Patents should not worry about calories or nutrition for the first two weeks after surgery.  The most important thing is that your child drinks plenty of liquids and stays well hydrated. This not only prevents dehydration but it helps keep the throat from drying out which.  When the pain resolves your child will begin eating again and are back at the normal weight in no time.

Q: Is it normal to bleed after tonsillectomy?

A: Minor bleeding from the nose or in the mouth is very typical, but if you experience flowing blood from the mouth or nose, contact your physician and go to the emergency room right away.

Q: What is the best way to recover from surgery?

A: It is very important that patients drink plenty of fluids, such as water and apple juice, to recover quickly. It is also important that patients try not to rush to get back to school or work and get plenty of rest.

Q: Why does my son or daughter not feel any pain, even though they had their surgery earlier today?

A: The swelling of the surgical area has not yet happened, therefore no pain is felt. The first few days after surgery there tends to be less pain.  About 3 days after surgery

Claire Wolter PA-C

19 Jan 2015 

Claire is a graduate of the University of Virginia where she received a major in biology with a minor in psychology. She completed her Master of Sciences in Physician Assistant Studies from Midwestern University in Downers Grover, Illinois. She is certified by the National Commission on the Certification of Physician Assistants. 

Originally from northern Virginia, she returned home after graduate school. She is excited to join Fairfax ENT and Facial Plastic Surgery to serve the otolaryngologic needs of patients. She also enjoys addressing patients’ cosmetic concerns through laser hair removal, Broadband Light, and laser resurfacing treatments.  

In her free time, she enjoys traveling, exploring the outdoors, and trying new foods.   

Heinz Scheidemandel MD

19 Jan 2015 

Dr. Scheidemandel was born in Germany and studied medicine at the universities of Erlangen and Munich, Germany. He had his specialty training at the University of Colorado Medical Center in Denver and at Baylor University, in Houston Texas. He is board certified in Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery. From 1962 to 2000 he was on the teaching staff of George Washington University. He has a special interest in problems of the ear.

Timothy Egan MD

19 Jan 2015 

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Pediatric and Adult Otolaryngology
Sleep Medicine

Board Certified: Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery
Board Certified: Sleep Medicine

Dr. Egan is expertly trained and has over 10 years of experience. He received his MD from The George Washington University where he graduated with distinction in 1998. He completed his residency training in otolaryngology at The Boston University Medical Center where he was selected to be Chief Resident in 2003. Dr Egan is one of a few physicians in the area who is board certified in Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery as well as Sleep Medicine. He is the Residency Site Director for the Walter Reed Otolaryngology Residency program at the INOVA Fairfax Hospital. He served as president of the Washington Otolaryngology Society.

Dr Egan enjoys treating children and adults. He received extensive training in pediatric otolaryngology at Boston Children’s Hospital, the premier children’s hospital in the country. He treats children of all ages and routinely performs ear tube placement for chronic and recurrent ear infections as well as tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy.

Dr. Egan is an expert in minimally invasive sinus surgery. He specializes in complex endoscopic sinus surgery including revision sinus surgery, image guidance sinus surgery, nasal polyps, chronic sinusitis and nasal airway obstruction. He also employs the latest techniques including in office balloon sinuplasty. A non invasive treatment for chronic sinusitis that can be performed under local anesthesia in the office. This is a great alternative for many patients.

Since he is also Board Certified in Sleep Medicine Dr. Egan is in a unique position to treat people with snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. He has an expertise in both the medical and surgical management of snoring and sleep apnea. He interprets overnight sleep studies.

Dr. Egan has been selected as Washingtonian Magazine “Top Doc”.

Dr Egan has been married for 16 years and has four children ages 15, 13, 11, and 7. He travels to Bolivia annually where he is a member of a team that performs life changing surgeries on extremely poor patients with no access to health care. His practice philosophy is to listen to the patients and take the time to make the correct diagnosis before proceeding with treatment.

 

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Laurence O’Halloran MD

19 Jan 2015 

Fairfax ENT

Dr. O’Halloran’s practice covers all aspects of General Adult and Pediatric Otolaryngology including surgical management of diseases involving the Ears, Nose, Sinuses, Throat, Airway and Neck such as nasal obstruction, chronic sinusitis, sleep apnea, neck and thyroid masses. Dr. O’Halloran has a strong clinical experience in the surgical treatment of Head and Neck Cancer including Parotid and Thyroid tumors. He has a special interest and additional board certification in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery which involves the treatment of a wide variety of congenital, traumatic and cosmetic problems of the face, head and neck including Facial Skin Cancer, Moh’s Reconstruction, Rhinoplasty, Nasal Reconstruction and Facial Nerve Rehabilitation.

As a double Board Certified Facial Plastic and Head & Neck Surgeon, Dr. O’Halloran is uniquely qualified in surgery of the face.

Dr. O’Halloran served for eight years as Chief of Otolaryngology at Inova Fairfax Hospital where he was elected for two terms.

He holds numerous medical related patents and is the inventor of the leading medical device to treat nasal turbinate hypertrophy, a primary cause of nasal obstruction. The Inferior Turbinate Microdebrider Blade is manufactured and marketed worldwide by Medtronic Inc.

He has been selected as US News & World Report Top Doctor, Castle-Connelly Top Doc as well as Washingtonian Magazine “Top Doc” and Arlington Magazine Top Doctor.

Undergraduate:

University of Michigan

Medical Degree:

University of Michigan

Elected Alpha Omega Alpha

Residency:

Barnes Hospital
Washington University, St. Louis,MO

Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery

Board Certifications:

American Board of Otolaryngology

American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Academic Appointment:

Clinical Assistant Professor,

Georgetown University

Dept. Of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery