Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) in Kiev

Ear, nose, and throat, ENT for short or Otolaryngology, is a medical specialty that focuses on the care and treatment of the ears, nose, and throat. Physicians who specialized in ENT are called otolaryngologists or ENT doctors and are qualified and trained in both the medical and surgical management of the following conditions:

• Conditions of the ear – ENT doctors can help with ear disorders or other issues, such as ear infections, hearing impairment, ear noise (tinnitus), balance disorders, nerve pain, as well as facial and cranial nerve disorders. They can also manage congenital disorders (disorders that are present since birth) of the inner and outer ear. 
• Conditions of the nose – one of the primary skills of ENT doctors in the care of the nose, nasal cavity, and sinuses. They can diagnose, treat, and manage allergies, deviated septum, smell disorders, sinusitis, polyps, and nasal obstruction because of a deviated septum. They can also perform rhinoplasty surgery to correct the appearance of the nose.
• Conditions of the throat – disorders, and conditions that affect the throat, larynx (voice box), and the esophagus or upper aero-digestive tract can be diagnosed and treated by ENT doctors, including voice and swallowing disorders. 
• ENT-related conditions of the head and neck – ENT doctors are trained to treat infectious diseases, tumors, trauma, and deformities of the head, face, and neck. They can also manage problems with the nerves in these areas that control smelling, sight, hearing, and facial movements. In addition, they can perform cosmetic and reconstructive surgery to the head and neck area.

The procedures that ENT doctors perform include, but are not limited to:

• Tympanostomy
• Myringoplasty
• Tympanoplasty
• Stapedectomy
• Tympanomastoidectomy
• Laryngoplasty
• Esophagoscopy
• Laryngoscopy
• Microlaryngoscopy
• Septoplasty
• Nasal valve reconstruction
• Nasal fracture reduction
• Rhinoplasty
• Functional endoscopic sinus surgery
• Parotidectomy
• Neck mass biopsy
• Submandibular gland removal
• Airway reconstruction
• Tonsillectomy
• Adenoidectomy
• Thyroidectomy
• Parathyroidectomy.

How Long Should I Stay in Kiev?

Your length of stay depends on your condition and the type of treatment you underwent. For surgical procedures, you may need to stay in the hospital for a few days or you can leave the hospital immediately. However, it is advisable that you stay in Kiev for at least 2 weeks or until your ENT doctor says it is safe to travel home. This is because the change in the aircraft’s cabin pressure can cause problems with the surgical site. During your stay, you also need to attend a follow-up appointment where your doctor will remove the stitches (if necessary) and monitor your healing progress.

What's the Expected Recovery Time?

Your ENT doctor will give you a specific recovery timeline, including when you can resume your normal activity and return to work. In general, you need to avoid all activities that may increase blood pressure in your head area for at least 3 weeks. You also need to avoid strenuous activity for at least two weeks. 

What Aftercare is Required?

Your ENT doctor will give you instructions on how to protect the health of your ear, nose, and throat, as well as how to prevent your disease from reoccurring or complications. Make sure to follow all the instructions closely. Depending on your specific condition, you may be required to attend regular checkups. In most cases, you have the choice to have regular checkups with your local doctor at home or with your ENT doctor in Kiev.

What's the Success Rate?

The continuous advancement of ENT has increased the success rate of ENT procedures. While there are no general statistics for all ENT procedures, most procedures are proven to be safe and highly successful. For example, the success rate of tympanoplasty is around 90%. Risks and side effects of ENT procedures depend on the specific procedure and the health status of the patient. All surgical procedures generally carry the risk of bleeding, infection, and an adverse reaction to the anesthetic.

Are there Alternatives?

In most cases, there is no alternative to ENT when you have problems with your ear, nose, and throat. However, depending on your condition, your ENT doctor may work with or refer you to a relevant specialist.

Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) in and around Kiev

About Kiev

Kiev or Kyiv is the capital of Ukraine and is one of the oldest cities in Eastern Europe. It is an important educational, cultural, industrial, and scientific center. The city is overflowing with beauty, from religious history, astonishing architecture, vintage cafes, to urban art.

Kiev sees an increasing number of medical tourists each year and the city even hosts an annual medical tourism fair called The Healthcare Travel Expo. The fair gives an opportunity for medical services to present and inform health care. Visitors can get comprehensive information about medical tourism around the world, particularly in Kiev.

The city offers a wide range of medical treatments with almost no waiting list. Affordable treatments that cost significantly less than other European countries are a strong factor in Kiev’s medical tourism. The city also offers experienced doctors, caring staff, as well as world-class clinics and hospitals. One of the best medical facilities in Kiev is Dobro Clinic. Breast Augmentation procedures, dentistry, and laser eye surgery are among the most sought after medical procedures.

Popular Areas in Kiev

Kiev is a magical city. The city is plagued with its history and filled with golden dome churches. It is also known to be a good value. Tourists can dine in restaurants and drink at cocktail bars for a fraction of what they would cost in the West. Kiev is fast becoming a thriving tourist destination.

• Kyiv-Pecherska Lavra, located on a hill overlooking the Dnipro River, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its underground caves, spiritual atmosphere, and mummified monks are what make the historical and sacred site famous and intriguing. The monastery’s gold-domed churches will give you a breathtaking view.
• Maidan Nezalezhnosti literally means the Independence Square. It is the most beautiful square in Kiev and the symbol of Ukraine. The square is the country’s meeting point for celebration and is also locals and tourists favorite walking place.
• Saint Sophia's Cathedral is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with Kyevo-Pecherska Lavra. The cathedral was built to celebrate Prince Yaroslav’s victory in protecting Kiev. The phenomenal architecture and interior is a masterpiece. Tourists should climb the bell tower for panoramic views of Kiev.
• Andriyivsky Uzviz is filled with remnants of the past, from museums, art galleries, to theatres. Tourist will find an array of vendors selling souvenir, arts, and crafts. Local calls Andriyivsky Uzviz as “the most charming street.” A stroll in the street is a refreshing break from the city.

Weather and Climate in Kiev

Kiev has a humid continental climate.  

• Summers starts from June and lasts until September with the average temperature ranging between 18 – 25 °C with occasional rain showers. Summers are the busiest time as the tourists can experience the parks and sidewalk café to the fullest.
• Autumn has a mild temperature and characterized by significant rainfall. The season is relatively short, starting from September to October.
• Winters can be harsh and long. The average temperature is around 1.8 to -3.5 °C. Some days the temperature drops to -30 °C.
• Spring begins with the melting of snow and ice, usually around late March. The average temperature will increase to 15 - 20 °C. Spring months usually have strong and gusty winds.

Getting Around in Kiev

Located 29km east of Kiev, Boryspil International Airport is the largest airport in the city. The airport serves domestic flights connects the city with Europe and several cities in Asia. Boryspil International Airport is the hub for Ukraine International Airlines and serves budget airlines including Lauda, Ryanair, and Sky Up airlines.

Airport taxis are available for tourists who want to go to the city center. The taxis use meters and are relatively cheap. Some taxis accept payment by credit cards. Buses are a more affordable option to get to the city center; Sky Bus departs from Terminal D and Terminal B. The bus will take tourists from Boryspil International Airport and should cost around 60 UAH or 100 UAH depending on the destination.

Taxis are easily available in Kiev but metered taxis are very rare. Make sure to agree on the fare before getting in. A long journey in Kiev should cost around 70 UAH. Shortstops start from 15 to 20 UAH. Taxis can be ordered by phone, and the prices are usually fixed. Uber and Uklon are available in Kiev.

Trolleybuses, trams, and buses are a nice way to get around Kiev while providing a better view of everyday Ukrainian life. Single tickets can be purchased from the street kiosk; 30-day combo-passes are also available. The Kiev Metro is the least expensive and most reliable mode of transport. There are three metro lines that go through the city center. Maps in metro stations are written in both Ukrainian and English.

Tourist Visas in Kiev

Citizens of the European Union, Canada, the United States, and several other nations are granted visa-free entry and can stay in Kiev for up to 90 days. Other countries nationals (including China, India, and Thailand) need to apply and obtain a visa before entering the country. Visa-on-arrival arrangements are available for tourists at major airports and seaports. e-Visa is also available for only 52 specified countries. All visitors need to have a passport valid for at least 3 months after the intended date of departure from Ukraine.

Additional Information

1. Local Currency: The official currency of Ukraine is the hryvnia (UAH). 1 USD converts to 28 UAH.
2. Money & Payments: ATMs are widely available across the city. Currency exchange points are very common, but withdrawing money from ATMs is the easiest and safest option. Credit Cards (Visa and MasterCard) are accepted in most restaurants and hotels. It is wise to always carry cash since many shops and restaurants still accept cash only. Tipping in Ukraine is common but not necessary.
3. Local Language: Ukrainian is the official language. English is not widely spoken. However, hotel staff and tourist guides will speak some English. Plenty of street signs use both Cyrillic and the Latin alphabets.
4. Local Culture and Religion: Orthodox Christianity is the largest religion in Kiev. There are small groups of Jews, Buddhist, Pagan, and Hindus.
5. Public Holidays: As in the rest of Ukraine, Kiev also celebrates major Orthodox holy days. The city also celebrates its birthday every May and the celebration is called ‘Days of Kiev.’ Maslyana is also celebrated annually but the date changes each year.