Ever since Dr. Emil Gruening performed the first complete mastoidectomy at The Mount Sinai Hospital more than 130 years ago, the Department has served as a hub of innovation and expertise. Today we continue to make significant strides in the management of head, neck, and skull-base cancer, as well as minimally invasive and endoscopic head and neck surgery. Currently our growth trajectory includes expanding faculty, services, and investigative initiatives within the Otolaryngology Research Program and Head and Neck Cancer Research Program.

As we relentlessly pursue better outcomes for our patients, we remain dedicated to our faculty, researchers, and students.

A Legacy of Excellence in Research and Clinical Care

Our investigative accomplishments, multidisciplinary programs, and recent recruitment of new faculty have all positioned the Department for transformational growth.

We currently house the largest robotic surgery program for head and neck cancers in the country. At our Skull Base Surgery Center, we employ intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring, Surgical Theater 3-D navigation, and Brainlab’s iPlan® software to optimize patient care. For Bell’s palsy patients, we employ the cranial nerve 5-to-7 transfer approach, and for those with obstructive sleep apnea, our sleep surgeons were early adopters of the Inspire® therapy implant device, designed for those who cannot adhere to the CPAP regimen.

Both within and beyond the Mount Sinai Health System, the Department’s research contributions have resulted in improved patient outcomes. Our researchers identified the “master switch” gene that can program cancer cells to remain dormant. More recently, our investigations in the treatment of HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancers and microvascular and reconstructive surgery techniques include developing a specialized “liquid biopsy” blood test that identifies tumor cells in their earliest possible stage. We are also investigating the de-escalation of radiotherapy post transoral robotic surgery, and the role of the microbiome in HPV-related oral cancers.

Educational Opportunities

The Department embraces its duty to train future leaders of otolaryngology. We offer several opportunities for medical students and residents to advance their careers and enrich their investigational interests. The Department’s research and fellowship training opportunities are designed to maximize mentorship and preparation across a broad range of otolaryngological focus areas.