Eric Levi

Finishing prep for a talk to medical students interested in surgery. Anything I should share with these future doctors? #surgery #surgeon

Here, the rib has been harvested and I’m sitting on a side table carving the rib to shape as my assistant surgeon closes the rib wound. Do you know anyone who has had this procedure done? 2/2

Carving a rib graft. In #ENT Head & Neck #surgery we use the rib as a source of bone and cartilage that we can use to reconstruct the nose, the larynx or the ear. I love to do this as it truly is a creative craftsmanship. 1/2

Parotid #cancer. This is a rendered image from a real photograph of a patient of mine. There are over 40 tumours that can arise from the parotid gland. My youngest parotid tumour patient was less than 1 year of age. The oldest was over 90. #Headandneck cancer affects any age. #ENTsurgery #surgeon

I did my Advanced Head & Neck, Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery training in #Canada. I love #Canadians. They lead the world in many things, especially in decency. We need kindness and decency in this world to resist the orange curse. May good people of this world stand up for truth & decency.

On a medical mission trip to West Timor many years ago. I remember vividly teaching a young doctor how to do a few operations knowing that when our team is gone, she’s the only doctor left to manage every kind of ailment in her region. What a huge responsibility. What would you do if that were you?

Note the speech valve between the trachea and upper oesophagus/pharynx. How do you think this person vocalises? #headandneck #ENTsecrets #headandneckcancer #surgeon #surgery

Have a look at the scan. And look again. You might think this is a tracheostomy patient, but it’s not. This is a sideway (saggital) view of the airway of a patient who has had a total laryngectomy. Direct airway into the trachea. No voicebox. #headandneck #ENTsecrets #headandneckcancer #surgeon

Yes!

Big submandibular salivary stone extracted. Depending on size & location, this can be accessed through the mouth or through the neck. Sialendoscopy also works in smaller stones. #headandneck #saliva #ENT #surgery #surgeon

Indeed. You get chest infections. Your computer and paperwork soiled with saliva. People don’t want to come close to you…

I started the morning with a 6am zoom call with UK, US & Netherlands to collaborate on a guideline for management of severe drooling (sialorrhea). Drooling is a modifiable condition that has medical, social, psychological & practical complications. Can you think of these complications?

It is finished.

Just a little anaesthetic bleed…

Surgeon with bloodied face.

I pray that you too will find rest this season. Good night. Take care. Hope to see you next year. #ENT #ENTsecrets #headandneck #surgery #surgeon

Surgeons with bloodied face

The message of Christmas is joy, peace and rest entering a weary world. As a human being, I too, need to rest from all the major head and neck tumours, complex airway conditions, vascular anomalies & congenital malignancies that have kept our team occupied this year.

One of the harder things that I had to do this year was to write a letter with kindness and generosity when my raw emotion was anger and hurt. I wonder if you had to ever do a similar thing? How did it go?

Thanks, Ian. I have not seen any fireman lately and I don’t think I will be operating on any fireman in the near future.

It’s not our routine practice to scan patients after surgery if they have acceptable outcome. It would be a scan that would not change anything. The measure of success is patient experience rather than a perfect scan. At least in our field.

You too An! Have a good break!

The Team at Melbourne Ear Nose Throat & Airway Clinic says goodnight to 2025. It has been our privilege to serve you this year. Our office will open again on Wednesday 7th January 2026. May you have a restful holiday season.

Every anatomical obstruction differs, and the treatment differs too. This patient required an open reconstructive septorhinoplasty. Others might need a targeted sinus surgery or endoscopic septoplasty. Be assessed by an appropriate specialist. #ENT #surgery #surgeon

Here’s an axial cross-sectional CT scan of a blocked nose. The septum and nasal bones are extremely twisted. Every blocked nose has a different cause: anatomical, allergic, sinugenic, tumour, etc. #ENT #surgery #surgeon

With 6 fingers and 6 degrees, the surgeon wields their scalpel. That’s not a knife. THIS is a knife.

Microscopic view of the vocal cords.

Microscopic view of the vocal cords. Hoarseness/hoarse voice/dysphonia that is persisting could be a sign of something sinister. There are many lesions that can arise out of the vocal cords, from benign to malignant conditions. Get your dysphonia checked by a qualified expert. #ENT #surgery #surgeon

He will not pay a single cent for all the care he is currently receiving because the Australian Medicare system will pay for his hospital stay.

In the aftermath of the mass shooting at Bondi Beach, 50,000 Australians lined up to donate blood. Aussies literally went beyond thoughts and prayers and bled for the victims. Some of this blood donated voluntarily will go to the shooter in critical care.

My life was changed by a Jewish carpenter who would have celebrated Hanukkah with his community in the Middle East. I sit in the rubble & I stand with solidarity with my Jewish friends and colleagues here in Australia. Today the hospital paused to light the menorah in a beautiful ceremony of unity.

Thoughts & Prayers. And Actions: Donate blood, tighten gun laws, crowd fund, attend memorial services, light candles. Australia shows that you can retaliate with courage & kindness.

I know people who will walk into this Christmas season not with peace and joy but with pain and suffering.

Quotes, abstract theology & applied science do not bring answers.

Hope and healing need to be tangible through a person. We are wired for human kindness and connection.