Reviewer, Dr Divyansh Tiwari,

Intern, Baba Raghav Das Medical College, Gorakhpur

Medical textbooks rarely manage to be both exhaustive and easy to follow. But the new edition of Textbookof Ear, Nose, Throat & Head–Neck Surgery: Clinical & Practical  by Dr. P. Hazarika, Dr. D.R. Nayak and Dr. R. Balakrishnan strikes that balance beautifully. Published by CBS Publishers & Distributors, the fifth edition carries forward a legacy that began in 2007 and has steadily grown into one of the most trusted ENT references for Indian medical students.

What makes this book stand out immediately is how comfortably it fits into the current Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) curriculum. Each chapter is aligned with defined competencies, something students and teachers will appreciate, since it reduces the guesswork about what is “important.” But the value of this text goes beyond MBBS. It has also been thoughtfully designed to serve students preparing for INICET, NEET-PG, and the upcoming NExT exam. That dual purpose—being both an undergraduate guide and a postgraduate stepping stone—is what gives the book its real strength.

Breadth of Topics Without Overload

The book is laid out in 106 chapters, spread across eleven sections. It begins in the expected place—basic anatomy and physiology of the ear, nose, and throat—but quickly expands into a detailed discussion of diseases, surgical procedures, complications, and advances in technology.

ENT can sometimes feel fragmented for students: ear conditions are very different from laryngeal tumors, which in turn are different from thyroid surgery. Yet, the way the sections flow gives a sense of unity. The chapters on pharynx and esophagus, for instance, build naturally into those on the larynx and trachea, while the head and neck surgery section ties everything together in terms of clinical relevance.

For those worried about information overload, the authors manage a good balance. The content is thorough, but not intimidating. Every page reflects the teacher’s awareness of how much detail a student can realistically absorb.

New Additions That Feel Practical

Three new chapters have been added in this edition. At first glance, they may look like minor inclusions, but they are indeed crucial.

- Minor procedures and techniques of instilling topical medications in ENT: a very hands-on chapter that MBBS students will find directly useful during postings.
- National program for prevention and control of ENT diseases: brings in the public health dimension, something often neglected but increasingly tested in exams.
- Clinical ENT examination—workstation: an especially welcome chapter, since practical and viva exams are where many students struggle.

Along with these, the updates on robotic surgery, lasers, cryotherapy, skull base approaches, and narrow-band imaging make the book feel current and future-ready. These topics are also favorites in postgraduate exams, where a single line about a new technology can fetch a mark.

Visual Appeal and Exam Readiness

Another highlight is the sheer number of visuals:

·         650+ clinical photographs

·         Almost 400 line diagrams, and

·         Plenty of flowcharts.

·         In an age where exams (especially NEET-PG and INICET) often include image-based questions, this is not just decorative—it is functional. Students can flip through the images before an exam and revise large sections quickly.

The language is simple and conversational. Concepts like hearing pathways, stridor causes, or neck dissections are notoriously tricky, but the authors explain them in a way that feels like a teacher guiding you in the ward, rather than a dry encyclopedia entry. This clarity is exactly why the earlier editions became so popular.

Why PG Aspirants Should Care

Although it is marketed primarily as an MBBS text, I would argue this book is equally a PG entrance ally.

- For INICET, the integrated explanations and case-based discussions echo the pattern of questions .
- For NEET-PG, the flowcharts and summary points are lifesavers during last-minute revision.
- For NEXT, which promises to be case-based and competency-focused, the chapter on workstation examination and national programs could not have come at a better time.

It is rare to find a single book that a student can use during MBBS and then continue to rely on while preparing for PG exams. This text manages to be both.

The Human Touch Behind the Pages

Books often carry the personality of their authors, and this one is no exception. Dr. P. Hazarika’s pioneering work in cochlear implantation and voice prosthesis, Dr. Nayak’s extensive teaching in head and neck oncology, and Dr. Balakrishnan’s award-winning teaching career come together here. Their decades of experience show not just in the accuracy of the information but in the clarity of explanation—it feels written by teachers who genuinely know where students struggle.

The endorsements the book has received—from AIIMS professors to leading ENT surgeons—only reinforce its credibility. Yet, as a student reading through, what struck me most was not the big names attached, but the small touches: the clinical pearls, the clear diagrams, the “this is important” summaries. Those are the signs of teachers who understand learners.

A Book That Serves Many Purposes

Different readers will approach this book differently. For MBBS students, it is the core textbook that covers the syllabus without drowning them in detail. For exam aspirants, it is a revision tool and confidence booster. For practitioners, it doubles up as a quick reference, with updated techniques and technologies at their fingertips.

That versatility is perhaps the book’s greatest achievement. Instead of trying to be everything to everyone, it succeeds by being exactly what each reader needs at their stage of training.

Final Word

The fifthedition of Textbook of Ear, Nose, Throat & Head–Neck Surgery: Clinical& Practical  deserves its place on every medical student’s shelf. It is structured, current, easy to read, and above all, relevant—to the MBBS curriculum, to postgraduate exams like INICET and NEET-PG, and to the NEXT exam that will soon shape medical careers in India.

In a world full of bulky references and scattered resources, this book feels like a reliable companion that grows with you—from your first ENT posting to the day you sit for your postgraduate entrance exam.

Book Details
- Title: Textbook of Ear, Nose, Throat & Head–Neck Surgery: Clinical & Practical
- Edition: 5th (2022)
- Authors: P. Hazarika, D.R. Nayak, R. Balakrishnan
- Publisher: CBS Publishers & Distributors Pvt Ltd
- ISBN: 978-93-54660-19-1
- Pages: 729+

If you’re looking for a book that doesn’t just help you pass, but helps you understand and apply, this is it.

From the Desk of CBS Publishers

This book is now available for purchase on our website www.cbspd.com. It is also widely available across the country with all the CBS dealers and on e-commerce portals like Amazon and Flipkart. For any further information/queries about the book, we are happy to assist you via call/WhatsApp on 9599779677.