Department of Otolaryngology

The Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai demonstrates excellence in all facets of clinical care, education, and research. Internationally recognized for breakthroughs in the field, our Department continues a steady growth trajectory, expanding our faculty, services, and research activities at the Head and Neck Cancer Research Program. All of our divisions and services embrace a multidisciplinary approach and feature complication reduction programs to improve quality and patient outcomes throughout the Mount Sinai Health System.

Ever since Dr. Emil Gruening performed the first complete mastoidectomy at The Mount Sinai Hospital more than 130 years ago, we have been recognized worldwide for our expertise and innovation in the management of head, neck, and skull-base cancer and in minimally invasive and endoscopic head and neck surgery. Specifically, our Department has made significant strides in the treatment of HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancers and microvascular and reconstructive surgery techniques.

Some recent hallmarks of the Department include:

  • Housing the largest Robotic Surgery Program for head and neck cancers in the country
  • Leading the only HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer vaccine trial in the nation
  • Discovering the ‘master switch’ gene that can program cancer cells to remain dormant
  • Employing the cranial nerve 5 to 7 transfer surgical approach for Bell’s palsy patients
  • Adopting the Inspire Therapy implant device for patients with obstructive sleep apnea
  • Leading the technological frontier for skull base surgery, incorporating intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM), Surgical Theater 3-D navigation, and BrainLab’s IPlan software into patients’ care at the Skull Base Surgery Center
  • Forging the CSF leak diagnostic technique, CT/MRI fusion, which averts the need for invasive localization studies

Our various accomplishments, multidisciplinary programs across all Divisions, and recent recruitment of faculty in the areas of otology and laryngology have positioned the Department for extraordinary growth in the future.

We are committed to our faculty, researchers, and students as we continuously pursue the goal of improving outcomes for our patients.

The Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai upholds a longstanding tradition of excellence in all facets of clinical care, education, and research.

Learn more from our Chair

The Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery has a long and distinguished history highlighted by our commitment to innovation, our dedication to scholarship and education, and the leading role we have played in the advancement of the specialty.

Learn more about our scientific highlights

The Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai is recognized worldwide for its innovative research that has led to various clinical and technological breakthroughs. Our faculty, scientists and researchers, who comprise the Otolaryngology Research Program, are continuously seeking newer and less invasive treatments for numerous conditions affecting the ear, nose and throat. With more than 85 active studies, the breadth of the Otolaryngology Research Program has grown exponentially over the past decade.

Learn more about the Otology Research Program, and our Research and Clinical Trials.

The Department of Otolaryngology offers several educational research opportunities for medical students and residents to enrich their investigational interests and advance their careers. Learn more about our medical student research fellowships.

For patients struggling with a range of ENT conditions—from common allergy symptoms to challenging throat and oral cancers—Mount Sinai otolaryngologists and other specialists provide comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services in a number of areas.

Learn more about our Divisions