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Dr. Justin Brent Rufener, MD

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Specializes in: Otolaryngology (Ear, Nose, and Throat)

Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine (2003)

Professional interests include: thyroid surgery, endoscopic sinus surgery, parathyroid surgery, and more.

5050 Ne Hoyt Street Suite 655
Portland, OR 97213

(503) 488-2400

Dr. Justin Brent Rufener, MD is an otolaryngologist in Portland, OR specializing in otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat). He graduated from Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine in 2003 and has 22 years of experience. Dr. Justin Brent Rufener, MD is affiliated with The Oregon Clinic, Providence Portland Medical Center and Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center.

Office Locations

Address:

5050 Ne Hoyt Street Suite 655
Portland, OR 97213

Some issues Dr. Justin Brent Rufener, MD can help you with:

Parathyroid Surgery

Parathyroid surgery is a procedure done to identify and remove diseased parathyroid glands. These tiny glands in the neck regulate calcium levels in the body. Occasionally, one or more of the parathyroid glands can become hyperactive, swelling and causing too much calcium to be moved from the bones to the bloodstream. This is called hyperparathyroidism, and it can cause problems including weakness, nervous system disorders, and kidney problems. To treat hyperparathyroidism, overactive parathyroid glands are removed.

One kind of parathyroid surgery is called bilateral neck exploration. The surgeon finds and looks at all of the parathyroid glands on both sides of the neck, visually identifying any that are diseased and removing them. Minimally invasive, or focused, parathyroidectomy is done to remove a single diseased gland. The gland causing problems is identified before surgery using localization techniques such as hormonal or radiology testing. Since in most cases only one gland is causing problems, focused parathyroidectomy is a common alternative to bilateral neck exploration. Both procedures are safe and effective.

In the rare case that all four glands are diseased, the surgeon will either remove three and a half glands and leave one half in place, or all four will be removed and part of one gland will be transplanted into the forearm. This is done to keep calcium levels where they should be.

After surgery, patients will have a bandage on their neck and a sore throat. Patients may only want liquids or very soft food for the first day, and thy may be asked to take calcium supplements for a while until their remaining parathyroid glands begin functioning well again. Recovery is fairly quick, and within a few days patients should be feeling like themselves again.

Thyroid Surgery

Thyroid surgery is a procedure to remove all or part of the thyroid gland. The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland in the lower neck that regulates the hormones that manage metabolism. Thyroid surgery, also known as thyroidectomy, treats thyroid disorders such as hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), goiters (noncancerous thyroid inflammation), and thyroid cancer. It may also be used to remove thyroid nodules or cysts that have a risk of becoming cancerous.

Both hypothyroidism and goiters are caused by an autoimmune reaction where the body produces antibodies that attack the thyroid cells for unknown reasons. The thyroid reacts by releasing too little or too much T3 and T4 thyroid hormones, impairing thyroid function and causing irregular metabolism. Goiters develop from the autoimmune reaction causing continued antibody damage to the thyroid over time. Thyroid goiters are large, swollen lumps that can be felt near the base of the neck. Obstructive goiters can cause pain, coughing, and abnormal breathing. Hypothyroidism may also be caused by iodine deficiency, as iodine is needed to produce thyroid hormones.

The exact cause of thyroid cancer and thyroid nodules or cysts is unknown. While thyroid cancer and thyroid nodules or cysts can occur in individuals with thyroid disorders, they are not associated with a malfunctioning thyroid.

Physicians may prescribe thyroid surgery if blood tests reveal patients' thyroid stimulating hormones (TSA) are outside of the acceptable range, indicating a malfunctioning thyroid. Thyroid biopsies (tissue samples) and tests for thyroid-attacking antibodies are also criteria for surgery.

An ENT or general surgeon performs thyroid surgery. While a patient is placed under anesthesia, the surgeon makes an incision at the center of the neck and removes the thyroid gland. Two alternative methods of thyroid surgery are transoral (incision through the mouth) and endoscopic, where a surgeon operates a video camera for live footage to help guide the removal process.

Thyroid surgery requires minimal aftercare. Most patients recover quickly and resume normal activities within a few days of surgery. However, thyroid surgery patients must take daily synthetic thyroid medication (levothyroxine) for life to replace their removed thyroid.

In The News

"https://www.oregonclinic.com/our-team/justin-rufener/The%20Oregon%20Clinic%27s%20ENT%20Plaza%20Now%20Offers%20Allergy%20Testing%20and%20Injections", The Oregon Clinic

doctor visit	219
ear procedures	16
laryngeal (voice box) procedures	27
minimally invasive procedures	27

**Gender**
Male	83
Female	90

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	142
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	11
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	73
From 75 to 84	50
85 and over	28
Less than 65	22

Hypertension	55
High Cholesterol	46
Stroke	6
Ischemic Heart Disease	29
Depression	21
Chronic Kidney Disease	22
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	16
Heart Failure	21
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	13
Diabetes	25
Dementia	8
Cancer	9

doctor visit	184
ear procedures	12
laryngeal (voice box) procedures	24
minimally invasive procedures	24

**Gender**
Male	71
Female	84

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	134
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	75
From 75 to 84	36
85 and over	20
Less than 65	24

Hypertension	46
High Cholesterol	35
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	23
Depression	19
Chronic Kidney Disease	18
Asthma	10
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	11
Heart Failure	15
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	11
Diabetes	23
Dementia	8
Cancer	10

doctor visit	197
laryngeal (voice box) procedures	22
minimally invasive procedures	22

**Gender**
Male	118
Female	180

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	248
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	118
From 75 to 84	80
85 and over	46
Less than 65	54

Hypertension	48
High Cholesterol	37
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	27
Depression	17
Chronic Kidney Disease	17
Asthma	12
Osteoperosis	8
Atrial Fibrilation	9
Heart Failure	13
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	9
Diabetes	22
Dementia	0
Cancer	10

doctor visit	180
laryngeal (voice box) procedures	42
minimally invasive procedures	42

**Gender**
Male	74
Female	82

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	131
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	71
From 75 to 84	42
85 and over	25
Less than 65	18

Hypertension	48
High Cholesterol	37
Stroke	7
Ischemic Heart Disease	25
Depression	23
Chronic Kidney Disease	19
Asthma	13
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	9
Heart Failure	19
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	10
Diabetes	25
Dementia	7
Cancer	8

doctor visit	217
laryngeal (voice box) procedures	46
minimally invasive procedures	46

**Gender**
Male	87
Female	107

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	167
Black	13
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	92
From 75 to 84	53
85 and over	21
Less than 65	28

Hypertension	47
High Cholesterol	30
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	18
Depression	25
Chronic Kidney Disease	18
Asthma	7
Osteoperosis	6
Atrial Fibrilation	8
Heart Failure	9
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	12
Diabetes	20
Dementia	7
Cancer	11

doctor visit	177
laryngeal (voice box) procedures	44
minimally invasive procedures	44

**Gender**
Male	67
Female	88

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	130
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	82
From 75 to 84	37
85 and over	18
Less than 65	18

Hypertension	45
High Cholesterol	35
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	15
Depression	20
Chronic Kidney Disease	21
Asthma	7
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	8
Heart Failure	13
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	12
Diabetes	21
Dementia	0
Cancer	11

doctor visit	190
ear procedures	17
laryngeal (voice box) procedures	44
minimally invasive procedures	44

**Gender**
Male	82
Female	89

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	146
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	92
From 75 to 84	43
85 and over	19
Less than 65	17

Hypertension	46
High Cholesterol	33
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	16
Depression	26
Chronic Kidney Disease	21
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	8
Atrial Fibrilation	11
Heart Failure	13
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	8
Diabetes	17
Dementia	8
Cancer	9

doctor visit	162
ear procedures	21
laryngeal (voice box) procedures	28
minimally invasive procedures	28

**Gender**
Male	69
Female	88

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	125
Black	15
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	79
From 75 to 84	38
85 and over	19
Less than 65	21

Hypertension	48
High Cholesterol	36
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	17
Depression	32
Chronic Kidney Disease	27
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	10
Heart Failure	12
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	11
Diabetes	19
Dementia	8
Cancer	15

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2013 - 2021

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Justin Brent Rufener, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Justin Brent Rufener, MD treated as an otolaryngologist in Portland, OR were minimally invasive procedures, laryngeal (voice box) procedures, ear procedures and diagnostic procedures.

diagnostic procedures	23
doctor visit	220
ear procedures	26
laryngeal (voice box) procedures	37
minimally invasive procedures	37

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2013 - 2021

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Justin Brent Rufener, MD.

**Gender**
Female	80
Male	65

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	2
Asian / Pacific Islander	1
Non-Hispanic White	122
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	0
Other	0

**Age**
85 and over	19
75 to 84	37
Less than 65	20
65 to 74	68

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Justin Brent Rufener, MD From 2013 - 2021

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Justin Brent Rufener, MD treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, depression and diabetes.

Hypertension	38
High Cholesterol	28
Stroke	1
Ischemic Heart Disease	17
Depression	18
Chronic Kidney Disease	16
Asthma	6
Osteoporosis	3
Heart Failure	11
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	8
Diabetes	17
Atrial Fibrillation	8
Dementia	4
Cancer	8

Education & Training

Dr. Justin Brent Rufener, MD graduated from Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine in 2003. He completed residency at Henry Ford Health System. He is certified by the Otolaryngology and has a state license in Oregon.

Medical School: Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine (2003)

Residency: Henry Ford Health System (2008)

Board Certification: Otolaryngology

Licensed In: Oregon

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Justin Brent Rufener, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

The Oregon Clinic

Providence Portland Medical Center

Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center

Ratings & Reviews

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General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Justin Brent Rufener, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Stryker Corporation	$143 ENTELLUS - XPRESS ENT DILATION SYSTEM $143
E.R. Squibb & Sons, L.L.C.	$81 ERBITUX $81

**Types of Payments**
Food and Beverage	$224

Biography

Dr. Justin Rufener specializes in otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat) and practices in Portland, OR. Areas of particular interest for Dr. Rufener include endoscopic sinus surgery, laryngology, and thyroid surgery. Before completing his residency at Henry Ford Health System, Dr. Rufener attended medical school at Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine. His distinctions include: Alpha Omega Alpha Magna Cum Laude, University of Oregon; Magna Cum Laude, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU); and Richard D. Nichols Research Award. He is affiliated with Providence Portland Medical Center, The Oregon Clinic, and Legacy Mount Hood Medical Center.