Overview

Integrated Care for Childhood Ear, Nose and Throat Conditions

Pediatric Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery is now fully integrated between UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals in San Francisco and Oakland, with five pediatric fellowship-trained specialists seeing children at both sites and four additional Bay Area satellite clinics. “The integration expands access to much-needed expertise and family-centered care for a comprehensive range of childhood ear, nose and throat disorders,” says Garani Nadaraja, MD.

Up-to-date Clinical Expertise

Our team combines depth of clinical and surgical experience together with knowledge and engagement in the most up-to-date research and practice guidelines. Surgeons are well-versed in treating the full range of otolaryngological disorders, from sleep apnea to neck masses, sinusitis and airway problems. Minimally invasive surgical techniques, including balloon sinuplasty, salivary gland endoscopy, and endoscopic airway surgery, are combined with advanced technology in safety and precision. As active contributors in their academic field, the team combines their personal experience with that of the international community to help families make decisions that are the best for their children.

Multidisciplinary Approach

"Taking a team approach to the care of children with more complex otolaryngologic conditions leads to improved family understanding, increased patient safety, and better clinical care," says Dylan Chan, MD, PhD. Three unique multidisciplinary programs are available for coordinated care:

  1. Hearing Loss: Children with long-term hearing impairment are jointly evaluated by pediatric otolaryngology, audiology, speech-language pathology, social work, and genetics, to help families understand the nature and cause of their child's hearing impairment and support their communication development through assistive devices and educational services.
  2. Voice and Swallowing: Children with voice, resonance, or swallowing disorders are seen jointly by a pediatric otolaryngologist and a speech-language pathologist who specializes in these conditions, with expertise in in-office endoscopic evaluation.
  3. Complex aerodigestive disorders: Children with complex feeding and airway conditions have coordinated clinic visits and procedures with pediatric otolaryngology, pulmonology, gastroenterology, and speech-language pathology.

Personalized, Accessible, and Family-centered care

Faculty, and seamless access to the broader network of UCSF pediatric specialists, the group exemplifies the team approach to patient care. Ultimately, however, the commitment of the UCSF team is to the individualized needs of the child and family. "Our mission is to provide the best care to children and their families, from a simple visit for recurrent ear infections to a lifelong relationship for a complex airway disorder," says Kristina Rosbe, MD, Division Chief of Pediatric Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.

For more information:
(415) 476-4605; or
(510) 428-3233

When To Refer

Refer patients to UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital for any of the following conditions:

  • Acute and chronic ear disease
  • Airway management and surgery
  • Cochlear implantation and bone conduction devices
  • Congenital and acquired head and neck anomalies
  • Head and neck neoplasm, including thyroid disease
  • Hearing loss
  • Microtia, aural atresia, and otoplasty
  • Obstructive sleep apnea
  • Salivary gland disease
  • Sinonasal disorders
  • Skull base anomalies and neoplasms
  • Stridor
  • Tongue-tie
  • Vascular malformations
  • Velopharyngeal insufficiency and cleft palate
  • Voice disorders