Clinical Divisions

Head and neck surgery at UVA has a long tradition of clinical excellence. The Division is active in all areas of head and neck care, including:

• Upper aerodigestive tumors
• Salivary conditions
• Thyroid and parathyroid disorders
• Sinonasal and skull base tumors
• Melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers
• Advanced reconstruction with pedicled flaps and free tissue transfers

Novel technology is also employed, including transoral robotic surgery and sialendoscopy.  Multidisciplinary care is centered in the Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center and is highly collaborative with a range of other physician and supportive care specialists.  The Division is active in basic, translational and clinical research.

The Division is involved in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the temporal bone, related structures and the auditory system. Highlights of this division include:

• Internationally recognized expertise in congenital aural atresia;
• Removal of complex skull base tumors;
• A successful cochlear implant program;
• A two-year otology/neurotology fellowship;
• Research on the vestibular system, brainstem evoked response audiometry, and mechanisms of tinnitus;
• Research on the utilization of BSER as a prognostic indicator by the Division of Communicative Disorders interacts with the head trauma service studying the utilization of BSER as a prognostic indicator.

The Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology offers special expertise in pediatric airway disease, sinusitis, all types of pediatric otologic conditions, obstructive sleep apnea, and tumors (both benign and malignant) of the head and neck:

• Laryngology – laryngomalacia, subglottic hemangiomas, subglottic stenosis, vocal cord paralysis, laryngeal webs, laryngeal cysts, and recurrent respiratory papillomatosis; croup, stridor, chronic cough, hoarseness.
• Bronchoesophagology – gastroesophageal reflux, treatment of other breathing and swallowing disorders, and foreign body removal.
• Rhinology – medical and surgical management of allergic rhinitis, chronic and recurrent sinusitis.
• Otology/Neurotology – congenital and acquired hearing loss, cholesteatoma, tympanic membrane perforations, otosclerosis, congenital aural atresia, balance disorders, facial paralysis, and cochlear implantation.
• Communication Disorders: speech and language problems, velopharyngeal insufficiency.

The Division of Rhinology is clinically active in serving patients with all degrees and various manifestations of rhinological disorders.

• Chronic sinusitis has the highest rate of incidence for chronic illnesses in the United States, and is a major activity within the department.
• Clinical and basic research in various aspects of sinus disease is ongoing.
• The service is recognized as offering expert care for patients from the immediate and surrounding areas, as well as distant geographic areas.
• The Division works very closely with the ophthalmology and neurosurgery departments to provide care to those patients with disorders that either affect or are accessible through the nose and paranasal sinuses

This Division covers four aspects of facial plastic surgery:

• Facial cosmetic surgery (facelifts, rhinoplasty, laser resurfacing, etc..),
• Facial reconstruction (primarily following Mohs’ surgery for cutaneous malignancies),
• Facial trauma (rotating on a weekly basis with plastic surgery),
• Congenital defects (primarily microtia, cleft lip, and cleft palate repair). provides facial reconstruction for Mohs micrographic surgery defects and maxillofacial trauma, and has an active cosmetic practice.

This Division provides comprehensive care for all three aspects of laryngology with a strong emphasis on office-based procedures:

• Interdisciplinary care of voice disorders (high-definition laryngeal videostroboscopy, in-office vocal fold injection, singing voice care, and “in-house” SLP evaluation and treatment)
• Complex endoscopic and open repair of laryngotracheal stenosis (including innovative open surgical techniques and clinical trials)
• Interdisciplinary care of swallowing disorders (trans-nasal esophagoscopy, flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES), and “in-house” SLP evaluation and treatment)

This Division provides screening and comprehensive evaluation of hearing and hearing disorders, including:

• The study of the acoustic reflex and its alterations in neuromuscular diseases;
• Computerized audiologic testing;
• Neonatal and pediatric audiologic screenings, and
• Distribution and fitting of hearing aid devices.

This Division provides a full range of diagnostic and treatment modalities, including both singing and speaking voice therapy, swallowing therapy, and head and neck cancer therapy.

The Vestibular and Balance Center provides a clinical research setting for study of vestibular, oculomotor and postural disorders using on and off axis rotary chair, dynamic posturography, infrared oculography and computerized electronystagmography.