• Ear, nose and throat (Otorhinolaryngology) are a separate division in the medical field than the other divisions of health. ENT doctors and ENT surgeons specialize in dealing with three sense organs of our body- the ear (hearing), nose (smelling) and throat (to an extent taste buds).
• Ear pain, nasal obstructions, and tonsillitis are some of the common problems for which patients most often visit an ENT doctor.
• However, various other complications can also shift you to the ENT centres and ENT doctors.
• Have you heard of sinusitis or nasal septum deviation? These are the most typical issues you might have heard needs medical intervention.
• Suppose you have severe issues like pituitary tumor, Ramsay Hunt syndrome, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, Bell's Palsy, mastoiditis and some other such problems, in that case, you might have to consult the ENT doctors and surgeons.
• These are some of the most sensitive organs and thus require utmost care and protection. Whenever you are planning to visit an ENT specialist ensure you do go to the right doctor and visit the right hospitals.
• After all, your sense organs are vital for your survival. Ignoring their welfare can drop you into more serious troubles since these organs are directly connected to your nerves and the neural system.
• Let's find out which all hospitals can bring good facilities and sound care to those suffering from ENT issues. We will also tell you about the different facilities that these hospitals bring to your ENT health. More or less, the hospitals listed below have the same facilities and standard care opportunities, and you must look closely at them before choosing the compatible one for you or your loved ones.

Outstanding ENT centres in India

Here are the names of 10 ENT centres that can bring relief to your ENT problems, if you have any-

1. Medanta - The Medicity, Gurgaon

The doctors here are fully qualified to overcome different problems of the ear, nose and throat which includes but is not restricted to deafness, vocal cord lesion, early cancer of vocal cords, sleep apnea, parotid and thyroid tumors, nasal polyps, sleep apnea and even vertigo.

Some of the commonest surgery techniques performed in the hospital is acoustic neuroma surgery, labyrinthectomy, cyber knife radio surgery, otologic laser procedures, myringotomy, eardrum repair etc.

Address: CH Baktawar Singh Rd, near Olympus, Medicity, Islampur Colony, Sector 38, Gurugram, Haryana 122001

Contact Number: 0124 414 1414

2. Apollo Hospitals, Chennai

The department has some of the latest technologies that are used to manage different problems and diseases centred on ear, nose and throat. High tech equipment and gadgets come handy while treating various ENT diseases and conditions.

Tonsil knife, aural snare, bronchoscopy, oesophagoscopy, functional endoscopic sinus surgery, otologic laser procedures, congenital atresia ear reconstruction are some of the many surgery techniques used by the hospital.

Address: Address: 21, Greams Lane, Off Greams Road, Chennai – 600 006, Tamil Nadu State, India

Contact Number: 044 2829 3333

3. Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore

CMCH is one of the premier organizations that have some of the best instrumentations and technologies to treat all your ENT related issues. Starting from various diagnostic equipment to surgical facilities and aftercare, there is almost no ENT related disorder that is not handled by the hospital.

Address: IDA Scudder Road, Vellore, Tamil Nadu 632004

Contact Number: 0416 228 1000

4. BLK Superspeciality Hospital, Delhi

They perform every surgery including cochlear implantation, brain stem implantation, tympanoplasty, stapedotomy, myringotomy, radical mastoidectomy and many other surgeries for the ear. For nose also they almost do everything. For throat too, you can count on this hospital for your problems.

Address: Pusa Rd, Radha Swami Satsang, Rajendra Place, New Delhi, Delhi 110005

Contact Number: 011 3040 3040

5. Apollo Gleneagles Hospital, Kolkata

The hospital is well equipped to deal with the general, and emergency ENT needs of the patients. The hospital too, can run all required tests for ENT patients and can also help with needed surgeries.

Acoustic neuroma surgery, cochlear implant ear surgery, myringotomy ear drum repair, Osseo integrated bone conducting hearing system, particle repositioning maneuver, stapedectomy, tympanoplasty are some of the regular procedures carried out by the hospital.

Address: 58, Canal Circular Road, Kadapara, Phool Bagan, Kankurgachi, Kolkata, West Bengal 700054

Contact Number: 033 2320 2122

6. Inamdar Multi-specialty Hospital Pune

They offer proper diagnostic equipment like video nasal endoscopy, otoendoscopy, video tele-laryngo-pharyngoscopy, micro ear and micro laryngoscopy, audio vestibular evaluation. Treatment for deafness , and rehabilitation are some of the other benefits of visiting the hospital.

Address: Inamdar Hospital building s No. 15, Fatima Nagar, Pune, Maharashtra 411040

Contact Number: 020 6681 2222

7. Capital Hospital, Bhubaneswar

The hospital has standard provisions when it comes to addressing difficult and hard to treat ear, nose and throat diseases. They are fully equipped for running diagnostic tests, including biopsies for throat cancers.

They conduct numerous critical surgeries, including treatment for deafness through use of cochlear transplants.

Address: Udyan Marg, Unit 6, Ganga Nagar, Bhubaneswar, Odisha 751020

Contact Number: 0674 239 1983

8. SMIMS (Sikkim Manipal Hospital), Gangtok, Sikkim

The hospital is attending to the needs of almost the entire North-East India comprising of 7 states. The state-of-the-art facilities provided by the hospital include catering to the ENT problems of people from the hills. Fungus and ear clogging is a common issue in these regions.

However, not just this much, they can handle complicated cases of deafness, different vestibular and cochlear problems, nasal and throat related issues quite efficiently and effectively.

Address: 5th Mile, NH 31A, Tadong, Gangtok, Sikkim 737102

Contact Number: 03592 270 389

9. Civil Hospital Aizawl, Mizoram

The Civil Hospital of Aizawl too has experienced doctors and staff when it comes to dealing with patients with ENT issues. They work in sync with Sikkim Manipal hospital in assuring appropriate ENT care to the entire seven sisters.

Several types of equipment are also available with the Civil hospital that helps in diagnosing the ENT related problems quickly.

Address: Bazar Bungkawn, Bara Bazar, Dawrpui, Aizawl, Mizoram 796001

Contact Number: 0389 232 2318

10. Amrita Hospital, Kochi, Kerala

They too have doctors with expertise to manage every sphere of ENT health including otolaryngology, deafness, vocal cord lesion, and early cancer of vocal cords, parotid and thyroid tumours, deviated nasal septum and other ENT diseases.

Address: Ponekkara, P. O, Kochi, Kerala 682041

Contact Number: 0484 668 1234

If you follow this list of ENT hospitals in India, you will reach the right hospitals where doctors can give you not only fair treatment but also valuable advice that can help you in your day-to-day living. To maintain a healthy ear, nose and throat environment, you need to follow a healthy regime.

Say no to tobacco leaves, chewing tobacco, cigarettes, excessive drinking habits, and smoking and also avoid putting sharp objects into your ears and nose to stay away from trouble.

In case you need assistance, don't forget to find out more from these hospitals about your condition.

• Oral cancer cases account for 30% of total cancer cases in India. In women, 10.4% of all cancers are usually oral and is the second most common cancer in India. Mouth cancer is more common in rural areas of the country. Almost 14 lakh new oral cancer cases were detected last year in India alone.
  
• Early diagnosis of oral cancer is the only way to ensure a cure.
  
• Oral cancer is determined to be due to the human papillomavirus, alcohol use, betel nut, tobacco smoke components, chewing tobacco, asbestos, stem cell transplantation, and premalignant lesions. There are many other factors that are yet to be found out and could be responsible for it.
  
• Oral cancer management would include surgery/neck management/ radiotherapy/ immunotherapy/targeted drug therapy/ chemotherapy alongwith rehabilitation. The cancer could be in the tongue, roof of the tongue, lips, the inner lining of the cheeks, mouth floor, gums or cancer in the corner of the mouth.

• Oral cancer treatment can easily cost one around 4-5 lakhs.
• White or red speckles in the mouth, throat soreness, ear pain, facial numbness or pain, vocal changes, swallowing/ chewing or speaking problems are some of the warning signs which indicate something is wrong.
• Sarcomas, adenocarcinomas, lymphomas, oral malignant melanomas are some of the types of oral cancer, and the squamous cell carcinoma is the most common type of oral cancer found in people.
• The oral cancer survival rate in early stages is 80%-90% and thus being alert is the only way to detect it early to cure it completely.

Some of the best hospitals where you can get it treated in the best possible way are being listed below for your convenience.

Topmost oral cancer surgery hospitals in India

Standard hospitals against oral cancer are being listed below for your reference.

1. Medanta - The Medicity, Gurgaon

Cyber Knife technology, tomotherapy H-D, Linear accelerators are some of the avant technologies used in the hospital to treat oral cancer patients. Integrated brachytherapy units, Da Vinci surgical techniques, volumetric arc therapy, SBRT/SRS technology, IGRT (image-guided radiotherapy) are some of the advanced therapeutic approaches that can be used based on the requirements of the patient. PET and C.T. scan are some of the standard testing techniques used by the hospital to detect oral cancer patients.

Address: CH Baktawar Singh Road, Sector 38, Gurugram, Haryana 122001

Contact number: 0124 4141414

2. Columbia Asia Referral Hospital, Yeswanthpur, Bangalore

Usually, a proper diagnosis, a clean surgery, prophylaxis, proper radiotherapy and chemotherapy is possible within the hospital. They too have C.T. (computed tomogram) and advanced PET (positron emission tomogram) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) technology. The hospital also has specialized surgical facilities.

Address: 26/4, Brigade Gateway, Beside Metro, Malleswaram West, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560055

Contact number: 080 39898969

3. SL Raheja Hospital, Mumbai

An appropriate tumor board, proper treatment plan, targeted, hormonal, chemo or immunotherapies are some of the facilities available within the hospital. Surgery is an essential part of oral cancer. Once the tumor board fixes the treatment regime for the patient, specialized surgeries are planned using specific modern equipment like Cyberknife technology and so on.

Address: Raheja Rugnalaya Marg, Mahim (West), Mumbai, Maharashtra 400016

Contact number: 022 66529666

4. Aster Medcity, Kochi

The hospital is a quaternary healthcare hospital present in Kochi, a flagship hospital of Aster D.M. Healthcare. The hospital provides medical/surgical/radiation oncology/ palliative care.

Targeted therapy, biotherapy, metronomic chemotherapy and oral or complex chemotherapy agents can be administered into patients comfortably in this hospital as per requirements.

Address: Kuttisahib Road Cheranalloor, South Chittoor, Kochi, Kerala 682027

Contact number: 0484 6699999

5. Apollo Hospitals Chennai

Apollo Hospitals Chennai is one of the premier organizations where every year, thousands of patients get treated for oral cancer from all across the country.

They can comfortably put you through advanced surgical procedures and also help you make appropriate therapeutic choices.

Address: No.46, 7th street, Tansi Nagar, Velachery, Chennai - 600 042

Contact number: +91-44-22432370 / 3370

6. Sarvodaya Hospital, Faridabad

PET CT, Gamma camera, 6D LINAC, and international radiology are some of the specialities one can avail in this hospital. Best surgery techniques & therapeutic options are provided to patients when the tumour board plans treatment.

Address: Sec-19, Gopi Colony Old Faridabad, Faridabad, Haryana 121002

Contact number: 0129 4194444

7. Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon

The hospital can help in getting you the best possible treatment and surgery. PET scan, C.T. scan, other complex diagnostic procedures, and different therapy patterns are possible within the hospital. Brachytherapy, image-guided radiotherapy are some of the best technologies used by the hospital to treat patients.

Address: Sector 51, Gurugram, Haryana 122001

Contact number: 0124 451 1111

8. Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai

The innovation of "extra cut" is a process which has been tried in this hospital alone. India has the highest number of oral cancer patients in the world so far. So patients have to undergo neck dissection to verify if they have oral cancer.

Volumetric arc therapy, SBRT/SRS technology, IGRT (image-guided radiotherapy), MRI, PET, CT and brachytherapy is possible almost free of cost with this hospital.

Address: Dr E Borges Road, Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400012

Contact number: 022 24177000

9. Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore, Tamil Nadu

One of the best cares can be availed with the oncologists and nurses serving and taking care of the patients in this hospital. Brachytherapy, CT, PET scans and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), biopsy, volumetric arc therapy, SBRT/SRS technology, IGRT (image-guided radiotherapy) is possible with the hospital too.

Address: Ida Scudder Road, Vellore, Tamil Nadu 632004

Contact number: 0416 228 2010

10. Indian Cancer Society of Mumbai

The hospital can provide you with good care, can suggest appropriate cancer treatments and surgery facilities and also helps you get back to normal after overcoming the disease.

Address: 74, Jerbai Wadia Road, Bhoiwada, Parel, Mumbai – 400012 (India)

Contact number: 022 23513028

To conclude, we would say that no cancer can be treated entirely. What we can only do is arrest its spread and remove the part that is affected. Sometimes chemotherapy and radiotherapy are used to kill the cancerous cells in a particular area.

Oral cancer is mostly preventable if people can avoid too much alcohol, betel nut, chewing tobacco, or cigarettes. If you have any other questions, you can always reach us through the comments section.

• Suppose you or your loved ones are suffering from any of the debilitating lung diseases, and your doctor has prescribed a lung transplant as the only option. In that case, we offer an expert suggestion on which hospitals can be good for you.
• According to the International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT), around 2000 cases undergo lung transplantation every year. Underlying causes like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD that includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis), idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension or cystic fibrosis often might lead to lung transplant.
• Lung transplant is a procedure done to remove a diseased lung or a particular lobe from the lung to ensure smooth and safe functioning of the organ. The procedure is chosen by doctors only when all other treatment modalities fail. Usually, three types of lung transplants can be performed on the patient- single, bilateral, sequential lung transplant and heart-lung transplant.

But, before lung transplant is even considered, two crucial decisions are made.

1. How long a patient can go without a lung transplant?

2. How long can the patient live after undergoing the lung transplant? Once, the benefits outweigh the risks, lung transplant is advised to the patients.

Lung transplant is a costly procedure and living, or dead donors are used to conduct the transplant of the diseased lung in a patient. The procedure costs approximately 20 to 25 lakhs for either single or double lung transplant in our country. The same amount can go in ICU (intensive care unit), and medicines post-surgery.

Due to aftercare medicines given to lung transplant patients post-surgery several associated risks may arise like blood clots, cancer, diabetes, or stomach problems.

So, here we have jotted down some hospitals that can do well to you when it comes to lung transplantation.

1. Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai

Lung function tests, CT (computed tomogram) scan, and other general tests often come together for determining the condition of the patient. Before, during and after the surgery, various tests are required to maintain the overall health and wellness of the person.

Test facilities, surgical and post-op care are something that is taken care of in an excellent way in the hospital. You can opt for this hospital if you want to undergo a hassle-free lung transplantation process.

Address: Jain Towers, 16th Floor, 17, Mathew Road, Opera House, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400042

Contact number: 022 30973097

2. Amrita Hospital, Kochi

According to the hospital, more than 80% of patients survive the first year of surgery, and almost 50% survive beyond five years. ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation), blood transfusion, pathology, microbiology and other services like radiology and intensive care services are immensely well developed in the hospital.

The lung transplantation service at Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences is a multidisciplinary integrated service which drives it strength from the blessings of Mata Amritanandamayi and the skills and expertise of its core lung transplant team which are fortunate to have trained in internationally reputed lung transplant units in the World. The world class support facilities including an ECMO, blood transfusion, pathology, microbiology, infection control, radiology services, intensivist services allows us to expect the best possible outcomes for our patients.

Address: Ponekkara, P. O, Kochi, Kerala 682041

Contact number: 0484 2851234

3. Manipal Hospital, Bangalore

The hospital is well equipped to handle different forms of organ transplantations. Experienced pulmonologists & thoracic surgeons can help patients in the best possible ways when it comes to undergoing tests, surgery or aftercare. They have highly advanced technological facilities with specialised diagnostic labs, operation theatres, radiation units, robotic technology which makes them one of the largest quaternary care giants in the country with patient comfort.

Address: Old Airport Road, Kodihalli, HAL Airport Road, Near-Diamond District, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560017

Contact number: 080 22221111

4. Wockhardt Hospital, Mumbai

The hospital envisions quality treatment and affordable healthcare for every patient. With the cutting edge technology at hand, the hospital can be the best place if you are seeking lung transplant facilities.

The services offered to a lung transplant patient are at par with the said benchmarks available globally. Thus, if you are looking for a safe lung transplant procedure, you can rely on the hospital’s reputation for the surgery.

Address: 1877, Dr Anand Rao Nair Road, Near Agripada Police Station, Mumbai Central (E), Mumbai, Maharashtra 400011

Contact number: 022 61784444

5. Gleneagles Global Hospitals, Chennai

The first ever lung transplant surgery was performed in this hospital and it has some of the best staffs and surgeons to look after patients who plan to undergo a lung transplant. The wards and surgery segments are well furnished and equipped for the convenience of the patients at best competitive costs.

Address: Ground Floor, Old No.62, New No 56, 4th Main Road, Gandhi Nagar, Adyar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600020

Contact number: 044 33242424

6. Yashoda Hospital, Secunderabad

Yashoda Hospital is one of the best places to undergo lung transplant in India. After the surgery, patients would be kept a few days in the ICU, and if ECMO is not required, they are released for home.

Follow-ups are quite rigorous, and often the 5-year survival rate is outstanding in patients suffering from previous lung disease conditions.

Address: Rajbhavan Road, Somajiguda, Hyderabad, Telangana 500082

Contact number: 040 45674567

7. Medanta Hospital, Gurgaon

Usually, lung transplant, bullectomy and lung volume reduction techniques are frequently performed in this hospital. Hence, the hospital is quite an excellent place to begin treatments for lung disorders.

Various pulmonary diseases at their end-stage might require a lung transplantation process and thus, the hospital is completely equipped for the procedure.

Address: CH Baktawar Singh Road, Sector 38, Gurugram, Haryana 122001

Contact number: 0124 4141414

8. Max Healthcare Hospital, Delhi

The process of transplant assessment is immensely standardized in the hospital. After the evaluations, patients go through a waiting period, and several other tests are often performed to determine the fitness of the patient for the transplant.

Once the transplant is done, the patients are placed on interim check-up visits, and the hospital takes excellent care of every patient who visits it for the procedure. This hospital is also renowned for the 5-year survival window since the watching for signs are quite rigorous for rejection and infection here.

Address: No. 1, 2, Press Enclave Road, Mandir Marg, Saket Institutional Area, Saket, New Delhi, Delhi 110017

Contact number: 011 26515050

Gall stones are firm deposits of the digestive fluid in the gall bladder, the organ attached under the liver. Gall bladder surgery is the only way to remove the gall stones that get formed in the gall bladder. Your doctor might talk about having cholelithiasis, the scientific word for gall bladder stones.

Gall stones are primarily hardened deposits of bile, red blood cells, cholesterol and bilirubin that could not be excreted by any means from the organ. Often high cholesterol or high bilirubin in the bile can cause gall stones in people

Risk factors include women specially over 40 years of age, diabetics, patients with autoimmune disease, people on cholesterol-lowering medicines, and obesity in many cases.

For the last five years in India an annual increase of 15-20% of gall bladder patients is observed.

There are two types of surgeries to choose from-

• Open gall bladder surgery (through a single large incision the doctor creates space enough to remove your entire gall bladder, the surgery can last one to two hours and was the only preferred choice of surgery in the earlier times) and
• Laparoscopic gall bladder surgery (minimally performed invasive gall bladder or gall stone removal surgery done by creating several small incisions instead of one after inflating the abdomen with carbon dioxide or air).

It is a convenient and cheap alternative option and is the best possible choice when faced with emergency situations.

Many good hospitals all over the world now are promoting laparoscopic gall bladder surgery extensively. To facilitate patients suffering from it, we have created a list of ten hospitals that can help you during cholelithiasis.

Quality hospitals helping with gall bladder surgery

Several hospitals can help with gall bladder surgery, and for you, we have picked up seven such good hospitals.

1. Delhi Government Hospitals

If you are economically struggling, getting your laparoscopic cholecystectomy done from one of the government hospitals is a good choice. The surgery is performed free of cost by the government hospitals all across Delhi according to the free surgery list issued by the Delhi government.

You can be released on the same day or the day next to the surgery when visiting one of the government hospitals. Laparoscopic surgical requirements are proper, thus facilitating the surgery.

2. Max Superspeciality Hospital, Saket, Delhi

It is considered a simple procedure worldwide and patients suffering from gallstones find adequate care in the hospital. Usually, after a physical palpation process and check-up, the patients are advised to undergo endoscopic ultrasonography to determine the number of gall stones present in the gall bladder. One can also determine the size and shape of the gall stones post ultrasonography.

The patient has to get a full bladder for such an ultrasound process and post the determination and confirmation; the patient is suggested to undertake the operation.

Max Superspeciality Hospital is capable of handling the entire process and provides all facilities to the patients who come here for the gall bladder surgery.

Address: 1, 2, Press Enclave Marg, Saket Institutional Area, Saket, New Delhi, Delhi 110017

Contact Number: 011 2651 5050

3. Medanta The Medicity Gurgaon

One can opt for lap cholecystectomy procedure, performed in the hospital. The abdomen is inflated with carbon dioxide or air, and then through the help of small incisions, the stones are removed from the gall bladder.

In the hospital, you would be asked to drink prescribed solutions for flushing out stool from the intestine. People need to skip food the night before the surgery.

The hospital takes good care ensuring quicker recovery of the gall bladder. Less pain, no big surgical cut, lesser risk of DVT (deep vein thrombosis), infection of surgical wounds are some of the advantages of undergoing this operation.

Address: CH Baktawar Singh Rd, near Olympus, Medicity, Islampur Colony, Sector 38, Gurugram, Haryana 122001

Contact Number:- 0124 414 1414

4. Wockhardt Hospital, Mumbai

The hospital performs gall stone and gall bladder removal surgeries. The gallbladder is removed using 3 to 6 inches of incision on the right upper abdomen when performing open cholecystectomy. For laparoscopic cholecystectomy, it is done through several small cuts (incisions) in the abdomen and then appropriate measures are taken for quick healing of the patient’s condition.

Appropriate care and measures are taken to prevent unnecessary delays in wound healing.

The hospital also helps in maintaining a strict vigilance and post follow up visits for patients who underwent cholecystectomy or gall bladder removal procedure.

Address: Police Station, 1877 Doctor Anandrao Nair MargNearAgripada, Mumbai Central, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400011

Contact Number: 082911 01001

5. Columbia Asia Hospital, Bangalore

Endoscopic ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT scan), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) are some of the diagnostic procedures used in the detection of gall bladder abnormalities.

Laparoscopic procedures require less time to heal and thus are the most preferred procedure in current times.

Address: Kirloskar Business Park, Bellary Rd, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560024

6. Woodlands Multispecialty Hospital Limited, Kolkata

Laparoscopic surgeries are the only targeted gall bladder surgery preferred in today’s times. If it fails or if there is some reason why the surgery can’t be performed then in those patients, open surgeries for gall bladder needs to be done.

The hospital is equipped with all the modern diagnosing devices and also aftercare for the patients is very well established in the hospital.

Address: 8/5, Alipore Rd, Alipore, Kolkata, West Bengal 700027

Contact Number: 033 2456 7075

7. Gleneagles Global Hospital Chennai

In earlier times, the gall bladder was removed entirely whenever the patient was diagnosed with gallstones. Now, the stones are removed from the gall bladder, leaving the organ intact with the help of laparoscopic surgeries.

Gleneagles is one of the best centres to facilitate cholecystectomy in Chennai.

The hospital has good aftercare, and a standard post follow up regime. After surgeries make sure you consult the doctor as often as you have to, or whenever you feel you need clarification for something related to your condition.

Address: 439, Embassy Residency Rd, Cheran Nagar, Perumbakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600100

Contact Number: 044 4477 7000

Therefore, if you are planning to undergo surgery, make sure you find out which hospital can facilitate it in the best possible way.

About both the cholecystectomy procedure, diagnostic tests, and aftercare along with post-follow-ups should be what you must check before referring someone for cholecystectomy to a particular hospital.