2025 year in review
breakthroughs in RESEARCH and DISCOVERy


​Northwestern Medicine Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery is committed to training the next generation of leaders in our field, investigating causes and developing innovative treatments to improve the health of our patients. Take a look at some of our top achievements and breakthroughs from the past year.
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CLINICAL UPDATES AND ADVANCES

Northwestern Medicine Cochlear Implant Program: What Sets It Apart
In this episode of Better Edge, Kevin Y. Zhan, MD, director of the Northwestern Medicine Cochlear Implant Program, outlines the program’s multidisciplinary approach and its expanded candidacy criteria. The program now serves people with significant hearing loss who struggle with speech clarity despite using hearing aids. Watch or listen to the podcast.
Clinical Practice Guideline: Surgical Management of Chronic Rhinosinusitis
Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) often requires surgical intervention, notably endoscopic sinus surgery. To help head and neck surgeons optimize patient outcomes, a new specialty-specific clinical practice guideline has been established.​ Learn more.
Insights on New Guidelines for Surgical Management of Chronic Rhinosinusitis
In this episode of Better Edge, Bruce K. Tan, MD, discusses the newest clinical practice guidelines for the surgical management of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Dr. Tan covers how treatment paradigms have evolved over the past 15 years, from antibiotic-centric approaches to multifaceted strategies that recognize CRS as a complex inflammatory condition. Listen now.
​Transforming Patient Care in Otolaryngology: Insights on Sleep Surgery and Holistic Care
​In this episode of Better Edge, Reena Dhanda-Patil, MD discusses her journey into the field and the importance of a holistic approach to patient care. Dr. Dhanda-Patil emphasizes the rapid advances in sleep medicine and surgery, highlighting her commitment to integrating innovative techniques and multidisciplinary strategies to address complex health issues, particularly obstructive sleep apnea. Listen now.

Research and discoveries

Primary Hyperparathyroidism: Modern Strategies for Diagnosis and Surgical Management
In this video, Whitney E. Liddy, MD, examines evidence-based surgical indications for hypercalcemia, including symptomatic disease and guideline-driven criteria for asymptomatic patients. Watch the video.
Yash J. Patil, MD, Discusses Key Insights Into Malignant Sinonasal Cancers
In this video, Yash J. Patil, MD, Northwestern Medicine head and neck surgeon, expands upon his research presented at the AAO-HSNF 2025 Annual Meeting discussing the complexities of malignant sinonasal cancers, including their signs, symptoms and the advanced treatment options available at their referral center. Watch the video.
Innovative Technique in Vocal Fold Surgery: Subepithelial Infusion and Photoangiolysis
A recent study co-led by James A. Burns, MD, highlights a groundbreaking technique in laryngeal microsurgery that combines subepithelial saline infusion with photoangiolysis to enhance patient outcomes during vocal fold surgeries. Learn more.
Non-Tobacco Nicotine Use and Complications In Free Flap Repair In Head and Neck Cancer
A recent study explored how non-tobacco nicotine affects postoperative outcomes for patients undergoing free flap repair in the context of head and neck cancer (HNC). This study used a propensity-matched retrospective cohort design, drawing on data from the TriNetX database for head and neck patients who underwent free flap procedures between 2010 and 2024. Learn more.
Insights on Cochlear Implantation Access and Utilization
​Kevin Y. Zhan, MD, expands on his recent research study analyzing the multifactorial barriers contributing to the underutilization of cochlear implants in the United States. He emphasizes the significant gap between the high rates of audiology diagnostic services and the low referral rates for cochlear implantation. Watch the video.

News, Awards and Program Highlights

Northwestern Medicine Experts at AAO-HNSF 2025 Annual Meeting
The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation hosted their annual meeting in mid-October in Indianapolis, Indiana. At this premier event, renowned head and neck surgeons come together to discuss groundbreaking research, participate in dynamic networking events and get details on the latest advances in the field. Learn more.
Feinberg Faculty Excellence in Clinical Teaching: Kevin Y Zhan, MD
Feinberg Faculty Excellence in Surgical Teaching: Katelyn O. Stepan, MD

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