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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: Facharzt FMH Hals-Nasen-Ohren Exam

EBE-ORL + SGORL

Exam Format

SIWF / SGORL Examination Regulations

100

Written MCQs

EBE-ORL-HNS Examination Standard

5 Years

Postgraduate Training

SIWF Weiterbildungsprogramm

150 min

Written Exam Duration

EBE-ORL-HNS Standard

Lifetime

FMH Title Validity

Swiss Medical Association (FMH)

100

Practice Questions

OpenExamPrep

The Facharzt FMH Oto-Rhino-Laryngologie credential certifies specialist ENT surgeons in Switzerland through SIWF, SGORL, and the European Board of ORL-HNS (EBE-ORL-HNS). Assessment comprises a 100-question written MCQ examination and a 12-station structured oral board covering otology, rhinology, head and neck oncology, laryngology, facial plastics, and pediatric ORL.

Sample Facharzt FMH Hals-Nasen-Ohren Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your Facharzt FMH Hals-Nasen-Ohren exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A 34-year-old female presents with progressive bilateral hearing loss, worse in the right ear, and mild tinnitus over the past 2 years. Her mother underwent ear surgery in her 30s. Otoscopy reveals normal, translucent tympanic membranes with no signs of inflammation or middle ear effusion. Pure-tone audiometry shows bilateral conductive hearing loss with an air-bone gap of 35 dB on the right, along with an apparent elevation of bone-conduction thresholds reaching 15 dB at 2000 Hz ('Carhart notch'). Acoustic reflexes are absent bilaterally. What is the most appropriate definitive surgical management of choice for her right ear?
A.Small-fenestra stapedotomy with placement of a teflon/titanium piston prosthesis
B.Cortical mastoidectomy with posterior tympanotomy and facial recess approach
C.Endoscopic placement of tympanostomy ventilation tubes bilaterally
D.Total stapedectomy with complete footplate excision and wire-tissue graft
Explanation: This patient presents with classic clinical and audiometric findings of clinical otosclerosis (ankylosis of the stapedial footplate). Small-fenestra stapedotomy using a microdrill or laser (CO2 or KTP) to create a calibrated fenestration in the stapes footplate followed by insertion of a piston prosthesis is the modern standard of care, offering superior high-frequency preservation, lower risk of inner ear acoustic trauma, and lower incidence of postoperative vertigo compared to historic total stapedectomy.
2A 42-year-old male with a history of recurrent childhood otitis media presents with persistent, foul-smelling left otorrhea and progressive hearing loss despite multiple courses of topical antibiotic drops. Micro-otoscopy reveals an attic retraction pocket in the pars flaccida containing squameous debris and erosion of the scutum. High-resolution temporal bone CT demonstrates a soft-tissue attenuation mass occupying Prussak's space with erosion of the lateral epitympanic wall and partial erosion of the incus long process, without labyrinthine fistula. What is the standard surgical strategy for this lesion?
A.Conservative observation with periodic microscopic cleaning and topical steroid-antibiotic powders
B.Tympanomastoidectomy (canal wall up or canal wall down) with complete cholesteatoma eradication and ossicular reconstruction
C.Myringotomy with T-tube insertion into the anterior-inferior quadrant
D.Systemic high-dose IV vancomycin for 6 weeks followed by simple myringoplasty
Explanation: An epitympanic cholesteatoma arising from Prussak's space is a destructive, keratinizing squamous epithelial lesion that erodes adjacent bony structures (scutum, ossicles, tegmen, fallopian canal). Surgical eradication via tympanomastoidectomy (either canal wall up or canal wall down, depending on anatomy, disease extent, and Eustachian tube function) combined with ossicular chain reconstruction is the definitive standard of care to prevent intracranial and intratemporal complications.
3A 58-year-old woman presents with slowly progressive left-sided sensorineural hearing loss, reduced word recognition (48% at 70 dB), and unilateral high-pitched tinnitus. Gadolinium-enhanced T1 MRI of the internal auditory canal (IAC) and cerebellopontine angle (CPA) demonstrates an intensely and homogeneously enhancing 1.2 cm lesion centered in the left internal auditory canal with a 4 mm protrusion into the cerebellopontine angle (Koos Grade II vestibular schwannoma), without brainstem compression. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial management approach for this patient?
A.Emergency translabyrinthine craniotomy with radical surgical excision
B.High-dose systemic corticosteroid therapy and immediate hyperbaric oxygen therapy
C.Active surveillance ('wait-and-scan') with repeat volumetric contrast-enhanced MRI at 6 to 12 months
D.Systemic cytotoxic chemotherapy with cisplatin and etoposide
Explanation: For small-to-medium sporadic vestibular schwannomas (Koos Grade I and II, <1.5–2.0 cm) without significant brainstem compression or intractable symptoms, an initial strategy of active surveillance ('wait-and-scan') with serial volumetric MRI at 6 to 12 months is standard evidence-based practice. A substantial proportion of these benign, slow-growing tumors demonstrate no measurable growth over several years, thereby sparing patients the immediate morbidity of microsurgery or stereotactic radiosurgery.
4A 46-year-old male presents with recurrent spontaneous attacks of true rotational vertigo lasting between 2 and 4 hours, accompanied by severe nausea, vomiting, fluctuating low-frequency hearing loss in the right ear, roaring tinnitus, and a sensation of right aural fullness. Physical examination between attacks is normal. Audiometry demonstrates a 40 dB low-frequency sensorineural hearing loss in the right ear. What is the first-line medical maintenance therapy for this condition according to international consensus guidelines?
A.Daily prophylactic oral diazepam and prochlorperazine
B.Immediate chemical labyrinthectomy with intratympanic gentamicin injections
C.Lifetime oral anticoagulation with warfarin targeting an INR of 2.5–3.5
D.Dietary lifestyle modifications (sodium restriction, caffeine/alcohol reduction) combined with oral betahistine or a mild diuretic
Explanation: The patient meets the diagnostic criteria for definite Menière's disease (endolymphatic hydrops). First-line conservative maintenance therapy focuses on reducing endolymphatic pressure through lifestyle modifications (dietary sodium restriction to <1.5–2 g/day, limiting caffeine and alcohol triggers) combined with maintenance pharmacotherapy such as betahistine or mild thiazide/potassium-sparing diuretics.
5A 62-year-old woman experiences brief, severe episodes of spinning vertigo lasting 20–30 seconds triggered whenever she rolls over to the right side in bed or tilts her head backward to look up. There is no hearing loss, tinnitus, or focal neurologic deficit. A right Dix-Hallpike maneuver produces a 5-second latency followed by a 20-second burst of crescendo-decrescendo torsional, geotropic upbeat nystagmus (upper pole beating toward the right ear), associated with marked vertigo. What is the most effective definitive bedside management for this patient?
A.Epley canalith repositioning maneuver for right posterior canal BPPV
B.Lempert 360-degree barbecue roll maneuver for right horizontal canal BPPV
C.Semont-plus maneuver for anterior semicircular canal cupulolithiasis
D.Oral betahistine 24 mg twice daily for 6 months without physical maneuvers
Explanation: The clinical presentation and Dix-Hallpike test findings (latency, transient torsional upbeat nystagmus beating toward the affected dependent ear, with fatigability) are diagnostic of posterior canal canalolithiasis benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). The Epley canalith repositioning maneuver (or the Semont maneuver) successfully clears otoconia from the posterior semicircular canal into the utricle with an initial success rate exceeding 80–90%.
6A 48-year-old male presents to the emergency room with acute, continuous spinning vertigo, severe ataxia, nausea, and vomiting that started abruptly 18 hours ago. He has no headache, focal motor/sensory deficits, or hearing loss. On examination, he has spontaneous horizontal-torsional nystagmus with the fast phase beating exclusively to the left, which suppresses with visual fixation and intensifies when looking to the left. The Head Impulse Test (HIT) shows a corrective catch-up saccade when rotating the head rapidly to the right. The Test of Skew is negative (no vertical misalignment). Which finding is most consistent with acute peripheral vestibular neuritis rather than a central cerebellar stroke?
A.Direction-changing gaze-evoked horizontal nystagmus
B.Abnormal (positive) head impulse test toward the affected ear with unidirectional nystagmus and absence of skew deviation (HINTS examination)
C.Spontaneous pure vertical downbeat nystagmus
D.Vertical ocular misalignment on alternate cover testing (skew deviation)
Explanation: In acute vestibular syndrome, the HINTS examination (Head Impulse, Nystagmus, Test of Skew) is highly sensitive for distinguishing peripheral vestibular neuritis from central stroke (e.g., AICA or PICA infarction). A 3-step 'benign' peripheral profile comprises: 1) Abnormal Head Impulse Test (catch-up saccade toward the affected side), 2) Direction-fixed, unidirectional horizontal-torsional nystagmus that obeys Alexander's law, and 3) Normal test of skew (no vertical skew deviation).
7A 39-year-old man presents with sound-induced dizziness when listening to loud music or when blowing his nose forcefully (Tullio phenomenon and Hennebert sign). He also complains of hearing his own voice unusually loudly (autophony) and hearing his own eye movements. Pure-tone audiometry reveals a low-frequency apparent air-bone gap of 15–20 dB with normal or supranormal bone-conduction thresholds (0 to -5 dB HL). Acoustic reflexes are intact bilaterally. Cervical Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (cVEMP) show pathologically low thresholds (65 dB nHL, normal >85 dB nHL) with abnormally high amplitudes in the symptomatic ear. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A.Stapedial otosclerosis with ossicular fixation
B.Perilymph fistula of the round window membrane
C.Superior semicircular canal dehiscence syndrome (SSCD / Minor's syndrome)
D.Large vestibular aqueduct syndrome (LVAS)
Explanation: Superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD) creates a 'third mobile window' into the inner ear. This shunts acoustic energy, producing autophony, hyperacusis to bone conduction, sound-induced vertigo (Tullio phenomenon), pressure-induced vertigo (Hennebert sign), and an apparent conductive hearing loss with intact acoustic reflexes and pathologically lowered cVEMP/oVEMP thresholds. High-resolution temporal bone CT in the plane of Pöschl confirms the bony dehiscence over the superior semicircular canal.
8A 52-year-old executive wakes up in the morning noticing profound hearing loss in his left ear accompanied by a sensation of fullness and loud roaring tinnitus. There is no preceding trauma, otorrhea, fever, or neurologic deficit. Tuning fork testing reveals a Weber test lateralizing to the right ear and a positive Rinne test bilaterally (AC > BC). Pure-tone audiometry confirms an acute sensorineural hearing loss of 55 dB HL across 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz in the left ear. What is the evidence-based first-line treatment that should be initiated promptly?
A.Oral acyclovir 800 mg 5 times daily for 10 days alone
B.Intravenous vasodilators (pentoxifylline) and plasma expanders (dextran-40)
C.Immediate placement of a middle ear tympanostomy tube and watchful waiting
D.High-dose systemic corticosteroids (e.g., oral prednisone 1 mg/kg/day for 7–14 days with taper) with consideration of intratympanic steroid rescue
Explanation: Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL, defined as sensorineural hearing loss ≥30 dB over at least 3 contiguous frequencies occurring within 72 hours) is an otologic emergency. Standard international guidelines recommend starting high-dose systemic corticosteroids (e.g., oral prednisone 1 mg/kg/day, maximum 60 mg/day for 7–14 days) within 2 weeks of onset to maximize recovery. Intratympanic dexamethasone can be used as concurrent primary or salvage therapy for incomplete recovery.
9A 74-year-old male with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus presents with excruciating, deep left otalgia radiating to the temporomandibular joint and nocturnal worsening, refractory to oral amoxicillin-clavulanate. Otoscopy shows edema of the external auditory canal with granulation tissue at the junction of the bony and cartilaginous canal (fissures of Santorini). The tympanic membrane is partially obscured. On cranial nerve exam, there is an ipsilateral House-Brackmann Grade IV lower motor neuron facial weakness. What is the most likely pathogen and the initial management of choice?
A.Pseudomonas aeruginosa; high-dose antipseudomonal therapy (e.g., IV/oral ciprofloxacin or ceftazidime) for 6–12 weeks combined with strict glycemic control and imaging
B.Staphylococcus aureus; oral clindamycin for 10 days and outpatient follow-up
C.Aspergillus niger; topical clotrimazole ear drops and reassurance
D.Streptococcus pneumoniae; high-dose oral amoxicillin for 14 days
Explanation: The clinical picture is classic for necrotizing (malignant) otitis externa (NOE), an invasive osteomyelitis of the temporal bone and skull base occurring predominantly in elderly diabetic or immunocompromised patients. Over 90–95% of cases are caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Facial nerve involvement indicates disease extension into the stylomastoid foramen/infratemporal fossa. Treatment requires prolonged (6–12 weeks) targeted antipseudomonal antimicrobial therapy (e.g., ciprofloxacin, ceftazidime, cefepime) monitored by ESR/CRP and SPECT-CT/Tc-99m or Gallium-67 scintigraphy.
10A 28-year-old motorcyclist sustains high-energy lateral blunt head trauma. In the trauma bay, he has a GCS of 14, hemotympanum with an intact tympanic membrane, severe vertigo with spontaneous nystagmus, complete sensorineural deafness, and an immediate complete left facial nerve paralysis (House-Brackmann Grade VI). High-resolution temporal bone CT reveals a fracture line perpendicular to the long axis of the petrous pyramid extending through the internal auditory canal and otic capsule. What type of temporal bone fracture is this, and what is the typical underlying facial nerve pathology?
A.Longitudinal (otic capsule-sparing) fracture; temporary neuropraxia due to canalicular edema
B.Transverse (otic capsule-violating) fracture; direct nerve transection or severe crush injury along the labyrinthine segment/IAC
C.Pure mastoid micro-fissure; mild traction on the chorda tympani nerve
D.Isolated zygomatic arch fracture; compression of the extracranial pes anserinus
Explanation: Temporal bone fractures are clinically classified as otic capsule-violating (transverse) vs otic capsule-sparing (longitudinal). Transverse fractures run perpendicular to the petrous ridge, crossing the otic capsule (cochlea/vestibule/IAC). They cause profound sensorineural hearing loss, acute vestibular ablation, and have a very high rate (~50%) of facial nerve injury, often involving direct mechanical transection, intraneural disruption, or bone fragment impingement at the labyrinthine segment or geniculate ganglion.

About the Facharzt FMH Hals-Nasen-Ohren Exam

The Facharzt FMH für Oto-Rhino-Laryngologie (Specialist in Otorhinolaryngology FMH) is the Swiss Federal specialist title granting full independent surgical and clinical practice rights in ENT / head and neck surgery across Switzerland. Governed by the SIWF (Swiss Institute for Postgraduate and Continuous Medical Training) and the SGORL (Swiss Society of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery), board qualification requires passing the written European Board Examination in Otorhinolaryngology (EBE-ORL-HNS) as Part I, followed by the SGORL structured oral-practical board examination as Part II. The syllabus encompasses otology and neurotology, rhinology and paranasal sinuses, anterior and lateral skull base surgery, laryngology and phoniatrics, head and neck surgical oncology, facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, maxillofacial trauma, pediatric otorhinolaryngology, allergy, and sleep medicine. Note on format and language: While the official written EBE-ORL-HNS examination is administered in English and the SGORL oral examination is conducted in Swiss national languages (German/French) or English, this question bank is an English-language multiple-choice study adaptation created by OpenExamPrep—not an official SGORL/EBE-ORL release—specifically designed to train high-yield clinical decision-making, surgical anatomy, and guideline-based management.

Assessment

Two-part qualifying examination: 1) The written Part I examination consisting of 100 Single Best Answer (SBA) MCQs in English administered via EBE-ORL-HNS, and 2) The SGORL Part II oral-practical board examination consisting of 12 standardized clinical vignette stations evaluated by senior Swiss ENT examiners in Swiss national languages (German/French) or English.

Time Limit

150 minutes written examination plus approximately 60–90 minutes structured oral examination

Passing Score

Criterion-referenced standard passing score on the written EBE-ORL-HNS examination (~60% raw score) and a structured passing evaluation across all clinical stations assessed by the SGORL examination board

Exam Fee

EBE-ORL-HNS written fee ~EUR 450–600; SGORL oral examination fee CHF 1,800 (Young ORL members) / CHF 2,300 (non-members); SIWF FMH Title Application fee CHF 1,000–2,500 (Schweizerisches Institut für ärztliche Weiter- und Fortbildung (SIWF / FMH) and Schweizerische Gesellschaft für Oto-Rhino-Laryngologie, Hals- und Gesichtschirurgie (SGORL / SSORL) in partnership with the European Board of ORL-HNS (EBE-ORL-HNS))

Facharzt FMH Hals-Nasen-Ohren Exam Content Outline

20%

Otology, Neurotology & Skull Base Surgery

Pathophysiology, audiometric diagnostics, imaging, and surgical/medical management of otosclerosis, cholesteatoma, chronic suppurative otitis media, tympanic membrane perforations, vestibular schwannoma, BPPV, Meniere's disease, acute vestibular neuritis, sudden sensorineural hearing loss, superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD), cochlear implants, necrotizing otitis externa, temporal bone fractures, and facial nerve palsy (House-Brackmann).

16%

Rhinology, Paranasal Sinuses & Anterior Skull Base

Evaluation and modern treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with and without nasal polyps (EPOS 2020 guidelines, type 2 biologics like dupilumab), functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS anatomy, Keros classification, complications), allergic and acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis, epistaxis (sphenopalatine artery ligation), CSF leaks and vascularized skull base reconstruction (Hadad-Bassagasteguy flap), inverted papilloma, juvenile angiofibroma, and sinonasal malignancies.

15%

Laryngology, Phoniatrics & Airway Management

Diagnostics and surgical/phoniatric management of benign vocal fold lesions (nodules, polyps, cysts, Reinke's edema), unilateral and bilateral vocal fold paralysis (medialization thyroplasty type 1, arytenoidectomy), spasmodic dysphonia (Botox), recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (HPV 6/11), laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), adult subglottic stenosis (Cotton-Myer), acute supraglottitis/epiglottitis, surgical/percutaneous tracheostomy, FEES dysphagia assessments, and Zenker's diverticulum.

19%

Head & Neck Surgical Oncology

Multidisciplinary management, AJCC 8th edition staging (including p16/HPV-positive oropharyngeal SCC and Depth of Invasion for oral cavity SCC), transoral robotic surgery (TORS), transoral laser microsurgery (TLM), radical/modified radical/selective neck dissections (levels I–VI), salivary gland tumors (pleomorphic adenoma, Warthin, mucoepidermoid, adenoid cystic), thyroid nodule workup (Bethesda system) and thyroid carcinomas (papillary, follicular, medullary, anaplastic), unknown primary workup, microvascular free flaps (radial forearm, ALT, fibula), and systemic immunotherapy (KEYNOTE-048).

10%

Facial Plastic, Reconstructive Surgery & Trauma

Local cutaneous flaps (rhomboid, bilobed, paramedian forehead flap), facial reanimation and nerve grafting, maxillofacial fractures (mandibular, zygomaticomaxillary complex, orbital blowout with muscle entrapment, Le Fort I–III), functional and aesthetic rhinoplasty principles, otoplasty techniques (Mustardé, Furnas), scar revision (Z-plasty, W-plasty), auricular hematoma, and soft tissue trauma.

12%

Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology

Congenital stridor (laryngomalacia, vascular rings, subglottic hemangioma/propranolol), recurrent acute otitis media, otitis media with effusion (OME / glue ear), pediatric adenotonsillectomy (indications, Paradise criteria, post-op hemorrhage), congenital neck masses (branchial cleft anomalies, thyroglossal duct cyst / Sistrunk procedure), choanal atresia, airway foreign body aspiration, and genetic/congenital pediatric sensorineural hearing loss (Connexin 26 / GJB2, cCMV, syndromic hearing loss).

8%

Allergy, Sleep Medicine, Deep Neck Infections & General ORL

Diagnostic workup of obstructive sleep apnea (polysomnography, AHI, CPAP, drug-induced sleep endoscopy DISE, UPPP, hypoglossal nerve stimulation), allergic rhinitis (ARIA guidelines, skin prick testing, specific IgE, SCIT/SLIT), deep neck space infections (peritonsillar abscess, retropharyngeal/parapharyngeal abscess, Ludwig's angina), sialolithiasis/sialendoscopy, and non-tuberculous mycobacterial cervical lymphadenitis.

How to Pass the Facharzt FMH Hals-Nasen-Ohren Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Criterion-referenced standard passing score on the written EBE-ORL-HNS examination (~60% raw score) and a structured passing evaluation across all clinical stations assessed by the SGORL examination board
  • Assessment: Two-part qualifying examination: 1) The written Part I examination consisting of 100 Single Best Answer (SBA) MCQs in English administered via EBE-ORL-HNS, and 2) The SGORL Part II oral-practical board examination consisting of 12 standardized clinical vignette stations evaluated by senior Swiss ENT examiners in Swiss national languages (German/French) or English.
  • Time limit: 150 minutes written examination plus approximately 60–90 minutes structured oral examination
  • Exam fee: EBE-ORL-HNS written fee ~EUR 450–600; SGORL oral examination fee CHF 1,800 (Young ORL members) / CHF 2,300 (non-members); SIWF FMH Title Application fee CHF 1,000–2,500

Keys to Passing

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Facharzt FMH Hals-Nasen-Ohren Study Tips from Top Performers

1Master Temporal Bone & Skull Base Anatomy: Be thoroughly familiar with the course of the facial nerve (labyrinthine, tympanic, and mastoid segments), vascular landmarks (jugular bulb, internal carotid artery, sigmoid sinus), and surgical landmarks (Donaldson's line, Macewen's triangle, sinus plate).
2Understand Modern Rhinology & Biologics: Know the precise EPOS 2020 diagnostic criteria for CRSwNP, surgical landmarks for FESS (Keros types I–III, anterior ethmoidal artery, lamina papyracea), and indications for monoclonal antibodies targeting type 2 inflammation (dupilumab, omalizumab, mepolizumab).
3Memorize Head & Neck Oncologic Staging Nuances: Be fluent in AJCC 8th edition staging updates, especially the separation of p16-positive (HPV-mediated) from p16-negative oropharyngeal carcinoma and the incorporation of Depth of Invasion (DOI) into T-staging of oral cavity cancer.
4Review Deep Neck Space Anatomy & Emergencies: Understand the fascial spaces of the neck (submandibular, peritonsillar, parapharyngeal, retropharyngeal, and 'danger space' extending from skull base to posterior mediastinum) and urgent airway management protocols in Ludwig's angina and supraglottitis.
5Interpret Comprehensive Audiometry & Vestibular Testing: Practice analyzing pure tone audiograms (Carhart notch, bone-air gap, high-frequency drop), tympanometry (Types A, As, Ad, B, C), electrocochleography (SP/AP ratio in Meniere's), vHIT (catch-up saccades in vestibular neuritis), and VEMP (thresholds in SSCD).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Facharzt FMH für Oto-Rhino-Laryngologie title?

The Facharzt FMH für Oto-Rhino-Laryngologie (Specialist in Otorhinolaryngology FMH) is the Swiss federally recognized medical specialist title awarded by the SIWF / FMH. It certifies that a physician has completed at least 5 years of accredited postgraduate training in ENT surgery and passed both the written European Board Examination (EBE-ORL-HNS) and the SGORL oral-practical board examination.

How is the Swiss ORL specialist examination structured?

The examination is divided into two distinct parts: 1) Part I: The written European Board Examination in Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (EBE-ORL-HNS), consisting of 100 Single Best Answer multiple-choice questions administered in English; and 2) Part II: The SGORL structured oral-practical examination, consisting of 12 clinical vignette stations evaluated by Swiss specialist examiners.

When are Swiss ENT residents eligible to sit the examinations?

Residents are eligible to sit the written EBE-ORL-HNS examination during their senior residency years (typically year 4 or 5 of training). The SGORL oral board examination is recommended to be taken in the final year of regulatory postgraduate training upon fulfilling core operative and logbook requirements.

What clinical guidelines and classifications are most heavily tested?

Key guidelines include the EPOS 2020 (European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps), AJCC 8th Edition TNM staging (specifically p16-positive vs p16-negative oropharyngeal cancer and oral cavity Depth of Invasion), House-Brackmann facial nerve grading, Cotton-Myer subglottic stenosis staging, Bethesda thyroid cytology criteria, and ERC/PALS airway management guidelines.

Why is this practice bank written in English?

The official written Part I examination for Swiss ENT board certification is the European Board Examination (EBE-ORL-HNS), which is authored and administered entirely in English across Europe. This practice bank provides 100 board-level English multiple-choice questions aligned with SIWF, SGORL, and UEMS training objectives.

What subspecialty qualifications (Schwerpunkte) exist after the FMH ORL title?

Following completion of the core Facharzt FMH title in Otorhinolaryngology, specialists can pursue certified subspecialties recognized by the SIWF: Schwerpunkt Hals- und Gesichtschirurgie (Head and Neck / Facial Plastic Surgery) and Schwerpunkt Phoniatrie (Phoniatrics and Voice Disorders).