Namou Kim, M.D.
Namou Kim, M.D.
Specialty
Head and Neck Surgery, Otolaryngology, Reconstructive Surgery, Robotic Surgery
Clinical Interests / Special Procedures Performed
da Vinci (Robot-Assisted Surgery), Endoscopic Surgery, Facial Reconstruction, Free Tissue Transfers, Head and Neck Surgery, Laser Surgery, Maxillofacial Reconstruction, Microvascular Surgery, Otolaryngology, Reconstructive Surgery, Swedish Cancer Institute, Throat & Oropharyngeal Cancer, Thyroid Surgery, TransOral Surgery (Robotic)
- Accepting Children: No
- Accepting New Patients: Yes
- Accepting Medicare: Yes
- Accepting Medicaid/DSHS: Yes
Payment Methods Accepted:
Medicare, Medicaid/DSHS, Bill Insurance, VISA, Master Card, Cash, Check, Payment Plan, American Express, Billing Service, Discover Card, Money Order, Purchase Order, Sliding Fee Scale
Insurance Accepted:
Contact this office for accepted insurance plans.
Additional Information:
Appointments
Clinical Program Leader, Swedish Cancer Institute Head & Neck Program (present)
Director, Head & Neck and Reconstructive Surgery, Swedish Medical Center (present)
Clinical Instructor, General Surgery Residency Program Swedish Medical Center (present)
Consultant and Surgeon, Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Mayo Clinic Arizona, (2004-2009)
Funding, Award, Honor
Conference Co-Chair. Pacific Northwest Head, Neck, and Thyroid Cancer Symposium. University of Washington School of Medicine and Swedish Medical Center. Seattle, WA. April 1st, (2011)
Teacher of the Year Award 2010-2011. Swedish Medical Center General Surgery Residency (2011)
Conference Chair. Swedish Cancer Institute Annual Oncology Symposium: Head & Neck. Seattle, WA. May 7th, (2010)
Mayo Clinic Foundation Grant “Comparison of Anti-Thrombotic Effects of Aspirin, Ketorolac, and Low Molecular Weight Heparin in Rats Set Up for Microvascular Failure” (2008)
Videos
Patient Story - Bill Garber with Laryngeal Cancer
Head and Neck Surgery Overview Video
News
Head & Neck Surgery Newsletters
Conferences
Annual Northwest Pacific Head, Neck and Thyroid Cancer Symposium (2010, 2011)
Annualy Oncology Symposium - Head and Neck Cancer (Swedish Cancer Institute) (2010)
Medical School
Case Western Reserve University (1994-1998)
Residency
Case Western Reserve University (1998-2003)
Fellowship(s)
Mayo Clinic (Head & Neck Oncologic and Microvascular Surgery 2003-2004)
Board Certifications
Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery
Languages:
Korean, French
Awards:
Teacher of the Year, 2010-2011, Swedish Medical Center General Surgery Residency Program
Additional Information:
Appointments
Clinical Program Leader, Swedish Cancer Institute Head & Neck Program (present)
Director, Head & Neck and Reconstructive Surgery, Swedish Medical Center (present)
Clinical Instructor, General Surgery Residency Program Swedish Medical Center (present)
Consultant and Surgeon, Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Mayo Clinic Arizona, (2004-2009)
Funding, Award, Honor
Conference Co-Chair. Pacific Northwest Head, Neck, and Thyroid Cancer Symposium. University of Washington School of Medicine and Swedish Medical Center. Seattle, WA. April 1st, (2011)
Teacher of the Year Award 2010-2011. Swedish Medical Center General Surgery Residency (2011)
Conference Chair. Swedish Cancer Institute Annual Oncology Symposium: Head & Neck. Seattle, WA. May 7th, (2010)
Mayo Clinic Foundation Grant “Comparison of Anti-Thrombotic Effects of Aspirin, Ketorolac, and Low Molecular Weight Heparin in Rats Set Up for Microvascular Failure” (2008)
Videos
Patient Story - Bill Garber with Laryngeal Cancer
Head and Neck Surgery Overview Video
News
Head & Neck Surgery Newsletters
Conferences
Annual Northwest Pacific Head, Neck and Thyroid Cancer Symposium (2010, 2011)
Annualy Oncology Symposium - Head and Neck Cancer (Swedish Cancer Institute) (2010)
PUBLICATION
Oda D, Kim N, Mollen D. Diffuse and Deep Ulceration of Tongue. The Washington State Dental News 2011;8:37.
Harsha W, Kau R, Kim N, Hayden R. Comparison of Anti-Thrombotic Effects of Aspirin, Ketorolac, and Low Molecular Weight Heparin in Rats Set Up for Microvascular Failure. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2011;137:170-174.
Makowski R, Kim N. Rib and Costal Cartilage Necrosis Following Pec Major Flap Harvest. Submitted for review in Head & Neck in December 2011.
Kau R, Kim N, Patel N, Hinni M. Repair of Esophageal Perforation Due to Anterior Cervical Spine Instrumentation. Laryngoscope 2010;120(4):739-742.
Wise S, Harsha W, Kim N, Hayden R. Free Flap Survival Despite Early Loss of the Vascular Pedicle. Head Neck, n/a. doi: 10.1002/hed.21354 (e-pub ahead of publication).
Yoo M, Kim N, Houser S. Natural Draining Osteum of an Agger Nasi Cell. Ear Nose Throat J 2004;83:399-403.
Kim N, Lavertu P. Evaluation of a Thyroid Nodule. Otolaryngol Clin N Am 2003;36:17-33.
PRESENTATION
Management of Tongue Cancers. N. Kim. Oral Cancer Foundation. Seattle, WA. September 2011.
Contemporary Reconstruction of Laryngopharyngeal Defects. N. Kim. 25th Annual Madigan Head & Neck Surgery Seminar. Tacoma, WA. August 2011. Cat I CME.
Side Effects of Modern Chemoradiation in Head & Neck Cancer. N. Kim. 25th Annual Madigan Head & Neck Surgery Seminar. Tacoma, WA. August 2011. Cat I CME.
Management of Osteoradionecrosis. N. Kim. Pacific Northwest Head, Neck, and Thyroid Cancer Symposium. Seattle, WA. April 2011. Cat I CME.
Complications of Chemo and Radiation Therapy. N. Kim. Northwest Academy of Otolaryngology and Washington State Medical Association Winter 2011 Conference. Seattle, WA. January 2011. Cat I CME.
Reconstruction of Orbitomaxillary Defects. N. Kim. Swedish Neurosciences Institute ENT Exploratorium. Seattle, WA. October 2010. Cat II CME.
Cancers of the tongue, tonsil, and throat are being diagnosed at an increasing rate, even in the non-smoking population. Transoral Laser Microsurgery (TLM) and Trans Oral Robotic Surgery (TORS) are some of the newest intervention available for patients with these cancers.
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During my first 3 years of medical school in Cleveland, I frankly did not know anything about cancers of the mouth and throat (otherwise called "Head & Neck Cancer"). Really, I did not know you could get cancer in the tongue or tonsil! It wasn't until the final year of medical school that I was exposed to the field of Head & Neck Surgery, that I realize the impact of these cancers on the quality of life of patients.
Those cancers are generally not featured in the media, and I would argue that most of us will live a lifetime without meeting more than a handful of patients who have this type of cancer. There is no marathon, 10K walk, or charity gala on behalf of Head & Neck Cancer... right? Well, we did have some high-profile patients in the past few years. We all remember Michael Douglas (actor), George Karl (former coah of the now defunct Supersonics...moment of silence), and Roger Ebert (movie critic)...
Well, this type of cancer is now being diagnosed at an increasing rate. And not just in the smoking population! We are now seeing many young patients, who have never smoked, who get diagnosed with Head & Neck cancer. I mean, we are talking about patients in their 20's and 30's! This is possibly due to generational lifestyle changes, as there is now strong scientific evidence that certain types of HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) are causing this cancer. Yes... It's the same virus that causes cervical cancer in women. This topic probably warrants its own separate blog, and I'll get on it next time!
The symptoms, diagnosis, and pathophysiology of this cancer is beyond the scope of this blog. If you want to know more about symptoms, diagnosis, etc..., just leave a comment, and I'll try to answer your questions and comments as promptly as possible.
The goal of this blog is to highlight some of the new treatment paradigm for this type of cancer. More specifically, new minimally invasive surgical procedures called Transoral Laser Microsurgery (TLM) and Trans Oral Robotic Surgery (TORS).
Traditionally, Head & Neck cancers require either major surgery or intense chemo-radiation, or sometimes even a combination of surgery and chemo-radiation. Surgery will often result in difficulty swallowing and speaking. Chemo-radiation has improved results in swallow and speech, but even the non-surgical treatment protocol will often leave the patient with significant deficit.
So what are the new options? What if we could remove the cancers through the mouth? What if we didn't have to break open the lip and jaw to get to the throat? What if we could excise the cancer and still allow the patient to swallow and talk normally? What if we could decrease the amount of radiation and chemo? Well, many innovators have asked themselves these questions, and we have now some answers to these questions. Evolving answers, obviously, as new technology will continuously allow us to push the cutting edge even further.
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Offices
Swedish Head and Neck Surgery
1221 Madison, Suite 1523
Seattle, WA 98104
Phone: (206) 292-6464
Fax: (206) 292-6498
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