Head & Neck Surgery

Our head and neck surgeons offer exceptional, results-oriented care.

Surgeons operating on a patient in surgery

Why choose UCLA Health for head and neck surgery?

At UCLA Health, our expert teams consistently rank among the top in the nation. U.S. News & World Report currently lists us as No. 1 in the nation for ear, nose, and throat care.

When you choose us for head and neck surgery, you benefit from:

Targeted care: We provide many subspecialized programs so patients receive personalized care for their head and neck related conditions. For example, in 2005, we established the first Voice Center in the western United States. We are also one of only a handful of centers in Southern California where patients can have surgery for cochlear implants.

Recognized expertise: UCLA otolaryngologists (head and neck specialists) are nationally and internationally known as leaders in their fields. Each year, more than 1,000 patients come from other countries to receive care at UCLA Health. Many of our head and neck surgeons achieve recognition as Southern California Super Doctors, a list voted on by health care professionals and published by Los Angeles Magazine.

Exceptional outcomes: Since we established our program more than 20 years ago, we have performed more than 1,500 microvascular reconstructive surgeries (surgeries that use microscopes). Our patients experience outstanding outcomes — our success rate with these procedures is higher than 99%, exceeding the national average of around 90%.

Our areas of care

We have a wide range of programs and services to connect you with the care you need. If you are unsure what specialty care you need, our staff can help you select a specialist and discuss referrals. Our areas of care include:

Subspecialty programs and centers

Airway Stenosis Program: Through the Airway Stenosis Program, we perform procedures to treat breathing problems due to airway narrowing. We use the latest techniques to improve patient outcomes and quality of life. Our multidisciplinary approach includes the expertise of specialists in head and neck surgery, thoracic surgery, pulmonology and more.

Balance Program: This unique outpatient clinic combines the expertise of UCLA otolaryngologists with physical therapists. We use a true multidisciplinary approach to diagnose and treat dizziness and balance disorders. Our specialists use a range of techniques to create a unique, individualized treatment plan for every patient.

Cochlear Implant Program: Since 1997, we have provided cochlear implants for more than 500 patients of all ages. We are one of the largest cochlear implant centers in Southern California and specialists around the country recognize us as experts.

Endocrine Surgery Program: We use a team approach that includes the expertise of endocrinologists, surgeons, radiologists, and pathologists. Patients from all over the western United States come to us for treatment of thyroid and parathyroid disorders that require surgery. We collaborate with specialists in multiple areas across the hospital to ensure that each patient has access to any necessary specialty care.

Head and Neck Cancer Program: Each year, we complete more than 50,000 patient visits, making us one of the most active head and neck cancer treatment centers in the nation. We use advanced diagnostic tools and treatments for head and neck cancers. Thanks to our active, nationally recognized research program, patients also have access to a range of clinical trials.

Nasal and Sinus Disease Program: We use a comprehensive approach to care that incorporates the expertise of otolaryngologists, allergists, and surgeons. Since 1987, we have been using endoscopic approaches to sinus surgery, meaning many patients can have surgery with no facial incisions. We perform more than 400 operations annually, with more than 90% of our patients experiencing significant symptom relief.

Sleep Surgery Program: We are recognized internationally as experts in the surgical evaluation and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and snoring. Our experience and clinical research trials are based in our commitment to finding the right approach for each patient and delivering the best possible outcomes.

Swallowing Disorders Program: In this program, we use a unique team approach that includes an otolaryngologist and a speech pathologist. At other medical facilities, these specialists work in separate locations, requiring patients to schedule multiple appointments to get the care they need. At UCLA Health, we coordinate your care in one convenient setting and quickly set up specialty referrals, if needed.

Voice Center for Medicine and the Arts: We are at the forefront of clinical research, diagnosis, and treatment of voice disorders. The treatment team includes multiple subspecialists, such as laryngologists, voice scientists and speech pathologists. Many of our patients who have suffered from poor or lost voice have regained vocal skills through our center.

Advanced surgery techniques and specialty areas

Our head and neck specialists are experts in advanced head and neck surgery procedures.

Facial plastic and reconstructive surgery: We take a refined, professional approach to facial plastic and aesthetic surgery. We partner with the plastic surgery team to perform both functional and cosmetic surgeries on the face and neck. For example, we provide treatment for surgical scars, facial paralysis, skin cancer defects and more.

Microvascular and reconstructive surgery: Since 1995, we have been at the forefront of microvascular and reconstructive surgery techniques. Each year, we are among the top centers in the nation by patient volume. This technically-demanding technique involves taking tissue from the arms, legs, abdomen or back to reconstruct the face, mouth, or throat.

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS): Minimally invasive procedures use small incisions and tiny surgical tools. When we use minimally invasive techniques, patients benefit from quicker recovery times, less scarring and less pain. Our head and neck surgeons use MIS whenever appropriate and possible, including for children.

Neurotology: A neurotologist specializes in conditions that affect the nerves between the brain and the ears. With over 30 years of experience, our head and neck surgeons have allowed us to achieve recognition as a neurotology Center of Excellence with the National Institutes of Health (NIH). We provide state-of-the-art care for neurotology disorders, such as tinnitus, balance disorders, Meniere’s disease, or skull base tumors.

Pediatric otolaryngology: Our head and neck surgeons provide comprehensive pediatric otolaryngology care in partnership with UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital. We offer outpatient services in a child-friendly environment. When needed, we perform many procedures in our Ambulatory Surgery Center at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.

Head and neck conditions we treat

Our surgeons treat all types of head and neck pain, and conditions that affect the ear, nose, throat, and neck. Common conditions we treat include:

Allergic rhinitis: Sometimes called hay fever, an allergic response that causes itchy eyes, sneezing and a runny nose.

Chronic sinusitis: When your sinuses (the spaces in your nose and head around your nasal passages) are inflamed for long periods.

Chronic tonsillitis: Repeat infection or inflammation in your tonsils (small lumps of tissue near the back of your mouth).

Dysphagia: Difficulty swallowing, often a symptom of another health condition, such as stroke, dementia, or multiple sclerosis (MS).

Hoarseness: Raspy, strained or breathy voice that is usually a symptom of another condition such as an upper respiratory infection.

Laryngitis: Inflammation in your vocal cords that causes hoarseness, discomfort, or fever.

Nasal polyps: Soft, noncancerous growths that develop in the lining of your nose or sinuses.

Obstructive sleep apnea: Blockage of breathing during sleep.

Snoring: Sound produced by the vibration of tissues inside the mouth and throat during sleep.

Treatments otolaryngologists offer

Our head and neck surgeons use advanced techniques and treatments. Common surgeries we perform include:

Cochlear implant surgery: An operation to place cochlear implants (small electronic devices that stimulate a nerve in your ear to restore hearing).

Otoplasty: Surgery to reshape the outer ear, often to correct a deformity or improve appearance after a trauma.

Rhinoplasty: A procedure to alter the shape of the nose, either to improve breathing, change your nose’s appearance or both.

Septoplasty: Surgery to correct a deviated septum (the space between your nostrils) by straightening bone and cartilage.

Sinus surgery: Procedures that aim to clear sinus blockages or treat chronic sinusitis.

Thyroidectomy: An operation to remove all or part of the thyroid gland (small gland at the base of your neck that produces hormones).

Tonsillectomy: A procedure to remove the tonsils, usually to treat chronic tonsillitis or obstructive sleep apnea.

Our expert team

Our head and neck surgery team is made up of experts in clinical care and research. We use the most advanced diagnostic tools and surgery techniques. Our goal is to offer each patient the best chances for a quick recovery and exceptional outcome.