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Doctor Pham Thi Van Thanh – Specialist In Respiratory Endoscopy And Laryngoscopy

Writer: Phòng khám Khang An
Phòng khám Khang An
3 days ago
7 min read

Profile of Doctor Pham Thi Van Thanh, Md, Msc

  • Full Name: Pham Thi Van Thanh

  • Academic Degree: Master of Medicine (MMed), Medical Doctor (MD)

  • Specialty: Respiratory endoscopy, flexible bronchoscopy, and laryngoscopy

  • Clinical Experience: Over 24 years of experience in respiratory and airway endoscopy

  • Career Highlights: Practiced in endoscopy at Cho Ray Hospital from 2000 to 2024; formerly in charge of the Laryngotracheobronchoscopy Unit.

  • Core Clinical Competencies: Airway endoscopy, flexible bronchoscopy, tracheobronchial foreign body removal, and management of complex respiratory endoscopy cases.

  • Practice Location: Khang An Clinic

Dr. Pham Thi Van Thanh is known as the "golden hands" in respiratory endoscopy.
Doctor Pham Thi Van Thanh is known as the "golden hands" in respiratory endoscopy.

Who Is Doctor Pham Thi Van Thanh?

Pham Thi Van Thanh, MD, MMed, is a specialist with over 24 years of experience in respiratory and airway endoscopy, particularly flexible bronchoscopy. During her time at Cho Ray Hospital from 2000 to 2024, she was involved in the management of numerous complex airway endoscopy cases and was formerly in charge of the Laryngotracheobronchoscopy Unit. In recognition of her experience in managing difficult endoscopic cases, she was informally nicknamed the “Golden Hand” in respiratory endoscopy by her colleagues.


Her clinical experience includes challenging airway interventions such as detecting and removing long-standing tracheobronchial foreign bodies, performing endoscopy in patients with severe respiratory failure, and participating in the management of smoke inhalation injuries.


At Khang An Clinic, Pham Thi Van Thanh, MD, MMed, provides clinical consultations and diagnostic laryngoscopy to evaluate the larynx and vocal folds in patients with symptoms such as persistent hoarseness, voice changes, chronic cough, or a sensation of a lump in the throat.


Professional Experience And Clinical Background

Doctor Pham Thi Van Thanh has over 24 years of experience in respiratory and airway endoscopy.


From 2000 to 2024, Dr. Thanh practiced in endoscopy at Cho Ray Hospital, where she developed extensive experience in flexible bronchoscopy and diagnostic and interventional airway endoscopy.


During her time at Cho Ray Hospital, she was formerly in charge of the Laryngotracheobronchoscopy Unit.


Dr. Pham Thi Van Thanh has 24 years of experience in respiratory and airway endoscopy.
Dr. Pham Thi Van Thanh has 24 years of experience in respiratory and airway endoscopy.

Clinical Highlights In Airway Endoscopy

One of the most notable clinical achievements of Doctor Pham Thi Van Thanh is her extensive experience in the successful retrieval of complex tracheobronchial foreign bodies.


Removal of a Foreign Body Retained in the Bronchus for 20 Years

During her time at Cho Ray Hospital, a 50-year-old male patient was admitted with hemoptysis and a productive cough with purulent sputum. Approximately 20 years earlier, he had aspirated a bone fragment, but the foreign body was not detected on chest X-ray.


Following evaluation at Cho Ray Hospital, Dr. Thanh and the endoscopy team identified and successfully removed a bone fragment lodged in the patient's airway. 


This case underscores how retained airway foreign bodies can remain occult for decades, causing chronic, recurrent pulmonary inflammation and complications if left undiagnosed.


Detection of a Confectionery Wrapper in a Bronchus Causing Intractable Hemoptysis

In another notable case in 2022, a 28-year-old female presented with persistent, unexplained hemoptysis lasting nearly two years.


During a bronchoscopic examination at Cho Ray Hospital, Dr. Pham Thi Van Thanh detected a foreign body localized in the left lower lobe bronchus. 


After removal, the foreign body was identified as a piece of confectionery wrapper that had remained in the airway and caused prolonged local inflammation.


Duck Neck Bone Retained in the Lung for Approximately One Year

Also in 2022, Dr. Thanh participated in the management of a patient with a persistent cough following COVID-19. Endoscopic examination revealed a foreign body in the airway. After its removal, the patient recalled choking on a duck neck bone approximately one year earlier.


Following successful extraction, the patient recalled an acute choking episode involving a duck neck bone approximately one year earlier.


Management of Complex Respiratory Endoscopy Cases

Dr. Pham Thi Van Thanh has also been featured in media reports involving high-risk respiratory endoscopy cases.


In 2018, Dr. Thanh participated in bronchoscopic foreign-body removal for a patient with only one functioning lung who was experiencing respiratory failure. The procedure had to be paused several times for resuscitation when the patient's oxygen level dropped before the team successfully removed the foreign body.


Also in 2018, Dr. Thanh participated in airway endoscopy for victims with smoke inhalation injuries following the Carina Plaza fire, helping clear soot and debris from the airway.


Clinical Scope And Laryngoscopic Procedures At Khang An Clinic

At Khang An Clinic, Doctor Pham Thi Van Thanh provides clinical evaluation and diagnostic laryngoscopy for symptoms and conditions involving the larynx, vocal folds, voice, and upper airway.


Voice Disorders & Mechanical Vocal Cord Lesions

  • Dysphonia, Aphonia, and Vocal Fatigue: Highly prevalent in professional voice users (teachers, singers, broadcast announcers, public speakers, sales professionals).

  • Benign Vocal Fold Lesions: Vocal fold nodules, laryngeal polyps, vocal fold cysts, and Reinke's edema (polypoid corditis).

  • Vocal Fold Paralysis and Vocal Fold Motion Disorders: Endoscopic evaluation to assess vocal cord adduction/abduction and detect neurogenic or mechanical motility impairment.


Chronic Inflammation & Reflux Pathologies

  • Acute and Chronic Laryngitis: Endoscopic evaluation of inflammation and abnormal mucosal changes in the larynx.

  • Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR): May be associated with hoarseness, persistent cough, frequent throat clearing, or a sensation of a lump in the throat.

  • Chronic Cough: Evaluation of possible laryngeal or airway-related causes, with recommendations for additional investigations or specialist referral when appropriate.


Evaluation of Premalignant and Abnormal Laryngeal Lesions

Diagnostic laryngoscopy enables direct visualization of mucosal surfaces and vocal folds to detect suspicious mucosal changes, such as leukoplakia, laryngeal papillomas, and atypical neoplasms warranting histological assessment.


When Should Patients Consider Laryngoscopy?

Patients are recommended to seek specialist evaluation and diagnostic laryngoscopy when experiencing persistent or suspicious symptoms, including:

  • Persistent or recurrent hoarseness (dysphonia).

  • Unexplained vocal quality changes or pitch alterations.

  •  Vocal fatigue, vocal weakness, or breathiness during phonation.

  • Frequent throat clearing or globus pharyngeus sensation.

  • Chronic cough of undetermined etiology.

  • Chronic pharyngeal or laryngeal discomfort/pain.

  • Suspected vocal cord nodules, polyps, or structural lesions.

  • Symptoms indicative of vocal fold mobility impairment.

  •  Need for close surveillance of laryngeal mucosal abnormalities.

  •  Symptoms that fail to resolve despite previous conservative therapy.


Note: Persistent hoarseness should not be managed solely with self-medication or symptomatic treatment. Identifying the underlying cause can help the physician determine the most appropriate next steps.


Where Does Doctor Pham Thi Van Thanh Practice?

Pham Thi Van Thanh, MD, MMed, provides scheduled consultations and diagnostic laryngoscopy at Khang An Clinic. Patients experiencing persistent hoarseness, voice changes, chronic cough, frequent throat clearing, or a sensation of a lump in the throat may contact the clinic to confirm her schedule and arrange an appointment.


Dr. Pham Thi Van Thanh is available for consultation and laryngoscopy at Khang An Clinic.
Doctor Pham Thi Van Thanh is available for consultation and laryngoscopy at Khang An Clinic.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Doctor Pham Thi Van Thanh's clinical specialty?

Dr. Thanh has over 24 years of experience in respiratory and airway endoscopy, particularly flexible bronchoscopy. She was formerly in charge of the Laryngotracheobronchoscopy Unit at Cho Ray Hospital. At Khang An Clinic, she provides clinical consultations and diagnostic laryngoscopy.


Why has Doctor Thanh been nicknamed the “Golden Hand”?

According to media reports, during her time at Cho Ray Hospital, colleagues informally nicknamed her the “Golden Hand” in recognition of her experience in managing difficult respiratory endoscopy cases. This is an informal nickname, not an academic or professional title.


Should patients with persistent hoarseness undergo laryngoscopy?

Hoarseness can have many causes. If it persists, recurs, or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms, patients should seek medical evaluation. Laryngoscopy may be recommended to directly examine the vocal folds and laryngeal structures and help identify the underlying cause.


Can patients with chronic cough consult Doctor Pham Thi Van Thanh?

Yes. Drawing from her extensive expertise in the respiratory tract, Dr. Thanh evaluates chronic cough cases, especially to determine whether symptoms arise from laryngeal disorders, reflux, or lower airway conditions, and guides targeted diagnostics.


How can patients verify Doctor Pham Thi Van Thanh's consultation schedule at Khang An Clinic?

Because consultation hours may vary depending on professional and hospital commitments, patients are advised to contact Khang An Clinic directly prior to their visit to book an appointment.


*Disclaimer: This document is intended for professional reference and informative purposes only and does not substitute for clinical consultation, direct physical examination, endoscopic evaluation, diagnosis, or personalized therapeutic management by a qualified physician.


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