The UCI Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery facilitates the highest volume Head & Neck Cancer institution in Orange County (the sixth most populous county in the United States.). Dr. Tjosan Tjoa and Dr. Yarah Haidar perform over 100 complex reconstructions for head & neck cancer patients annually.

As one example of our state-of-the-art treatment, we offer HPV-related throat cancer treatment using the latest single-port robotic surgical technology. Drs. Tjoa and Haidar perform over 35 transoral robotic surgeries for HPV-related cancers annually.

In addition, the UCI Comprehensive Skull Base Program, which is jointly led by the otolaryngology and neurosurgery departments, manages the highest volume of complex skull base pathologies in Orange County and catches referrals from Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, and San Diego county, as well as from out of state. Dr. Edward Kuan collaborates with the neurosurgery department to perform minimally invasive endoscopic endonasal surgery for skull base pathologies, including diagnosis and treatment of tumors of the nose, sinuses, and brain, as well as repair of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks. Drs. Hamid Djalilian and Harrison Lin, both lateral skull base surgeons, also collaborate with the neurosurgery department to treat complex tumors of the ear and skull base.

As the only tertiary-level care otolaryngology department serving the diverse patient population of Orange County, we take great pride in providing and continually looking for ways to improve the delivery of care for our patients.