Clinical Divisions Within Otolaryngology

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
• An ACGME accredited two-year otology/neurotology fellowship
• Research on the vestibular system, brainstem evoked response audiometry, and mechanisms of tinnitus

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 – A robust multidisciplinary aerodigestive program to investigate 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 the breadth of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

• Facial aesthetic procedures including in-office treatments (botox, filler, skin resurfacing) and surgical treatments (face and necklift, blepharoplasty, brow lift, fat augmentation and facial implants),
• Facial reconstruction including extensive experience in local flap reconstruction following Mohs excision of skin cancers on the face including complex nasal reconstruction.
• Facial reanimation of all ages and causes of paralysis including microvascular gracilis reconstruction, nerve transfer and grafting, selective neurectomy and comprehensive periocular rehabilitation. Treatment is often coordinated with specially training Physical Therapists focusing on facial retraining.
• Rhinoplasty including both cosmetic surgeries to improve the nasal appearance and functional surgeries with improve nasal breathing.
• Facial trauma treatment at a Level I trauma center rotating on a weekly basis with plastic surgery.
• Congenital defects such as microtia, infant ear molding, vascular anomalies and other deformities of the face.
• Scar revision, keloid scar treatment and skin lesion removal with an emphasis on excellent aesthetic results.

This Division provides comprehensive care for all three aspects of laryngology (airway, voice, and swallowing) 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 evaluation of hearing and balance function, including:

• Comprehensive Hearing Evaluation – Adult and Pediatric
• Cochlear Implant Evaluation and Programming
• Evaluation of Dizziness, Vertigo, Balance Disorders
• Tinnitus (ringing in ears) Evaluation and Management
• Auditory Processing Evaluation
• Electrophysiology Testing (Auditory and Facial Nerve)