Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery

The Division of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery is a world leader in reconstruction surgery

Division of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery’s surgeons, clinicians and scientists work in world-renowned facilities and research institutes. The divisional members are global leaders in innovative clinical care, research excellence, teaching and global health. They have been rewarded and recognized on many occasions for their clinical and scholarly excellence in the local, national, and international spheres. The Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery clinicians treat more than 70,000 patients a year across all subspecialties including, head and neck surgery, head and neck reconstruction, skull base surgery, rhinology, laryngology, otology, neurotology, pediatric otolaryngology, facial plastic surgery, sleep medicine, and general otolaryngology.

 

Our vision: Creating the future of care.

Our mission: The best minds, personalizing care.

Meet the Team
Fellowship
Residency
Research

Research

We are global research leaders

in Head and neck cancer treatment, cancer genetics, cancer proteomics, microvascular reconstruction, surgical design and simulation for mandible and maxillary reconstruction, occlusal rehabilitation of head and neck cancer patients, submandibular gland transfer, thyroid gland transfer, sleep disordered breathing in children, laryngeal paralysis, impaired salivary control, bone anchored hearing aids, middle ear implants, reactive upper airway diseases, facial nerve regeneration and nasal cartilage regeneration.

The Division of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery has an impressive international record of innovation and research discoveries. The research program was established with the recruitment of Dr. Hadi Seikaly in 1996 and had been guided by Dr. Hadi Seikaly, Dr. Jeffrey Harris, Dr. Hamdy Elhakim, Dr. Vincent Biron and most recently Dr. Daniel O’Connell as dry and wet lab research directors. The research program is highly collaborative with other divisions, departments, faculties, international partners, and the Institute of Reconstructive Sciences in Medicine (iRSM). The most notable discoveries of the division are: 

  • The development of the surgical procedure of submandibular gland transfer for prevention of xerostomia after radiation in head and neck cancer patients. Divisional investigators: Dr. Hadi Seikaly, Dr. Jeffrey Harris, Dr. Dan O’Connell, Dr. Kal Ansari, Dr. Vince Biron and in collaboration with Dr. Naresh Jha, Dr. Rufus Scrimger and Dr. Brock Debenham at the Cross Cancer Institute.
  • The development of the Alberta Reconstructive Technique for the occlusal reconstruction of patients undergoing jaw reconstruction. Divisional investigators: Dr. Hadi Seikaly, Dr. John Wolfaardt, Dr. Martin Osswald, and Dr. Suresh Nayar, Dr. Dan O’Connell, Dr. Jeffrey Harris, Dr. Kal Ansari, Dr. Vince Biron in collaboration with the iRSM.
  • Pioneering evidence-based trans oral robotic and endoscopic surgery in Canada for head and neck cancer. Divisional investigators: Dr. Vince Biron, Dr. Dan O’Connell, and Dr. Hadi Seikaly.
  • The development of the surgical procedure of thyroid gland transfer for prevention of hypothyroidism after radiation in head and neck cancer patients. Divisional investigator: Dr. Jeffrey Harris.
  • The development and validation of a patient reported outcome for head and neck reconstruction: The Edmonton 33. Divisional investigator: Dr. Hadi Seikaly, in collaboration with Dr. Adrian Mendez from the University of Western Ontario.
  • The discovery of microvascular reconstructive techniques that improved the life and function of head and neck cancer patients. Divisional investigators: Dr. Hadi Seikaly, Dr. Caroline Jeffrey, Dr. Jeffrey Harris, Dr. Dan O’Connell, Dr. Kal Ansari, Dr. Vince Biron in collaboration with Dr. Jana Rieger, Dr. Gabi Constantinescu and iRSM.
  • The development of engineered nasal cartilage for head and neck cancer reconstruction. Divisional investigators: Dr. Adetola Adesida, Dr. Martin Osswald, Dr. Kal Ansari, and Dr. Hadi Seikaly.
  • Bone-anchored hearing aids enhancement, calibration and development. Divisional investigators: Dr. Bill Hodgetts, Dr. John Ditoppa, and Dr. Allan Ho in collaboration with iRSM.
  • The use of ddPCR techniques in diagnosis and treatment of head and neck cancer and endocrine malignancies. Divisional investigators: Dr. Vince Biron, Dr. Hadi Seikaly, Dr. Jeffrey Harris, and Dr. Dan O’Connell.
  • Classification and clinical control of chronic sinusitis and epistaxis. Divisional investigators: Dr. Erin Wright and Dr. David Cote.
  • Facial nerve regeneration: Divisional investigator: Dr. David Cote.
  • Global health research. Divisional investigators: Dr. Andre Isaac, Dr. Yaser Alraghi, Dr. David Cote, Dr. John Ditoppa, and Dr. Vince Biron.
  • Quality control in Otolaryngology. Divisional investigator: Dr. Nahla Gomaa.
  • The incorporation of sleep endoscopy for guiding management in sleep disordered breathing in children. Divisional investigator: Dr. Hamdy El-Hakim, in collaboration with Manisha Witmans, and Dr. Dominic Cave. 
  • Salivary gland duct lipping for Saliva control in children. Divisional investigator: Dr. Hamdy El-Hakim.
  • The innovative use of botulinum toxin in treatment of laryngeal paralysis in children. Divisional investigator: Dr. Hamdy El-Hakim.
  • The description of novel classification of laryngeal electromyographic findings in laryngeal mobility disorders in children. Divisional investigator: Dr. Hamdy El-Hakim in collaboration with Jonathan Norton, Aleksandra King.
  • The discovery of a parent-reported outcome for pediatric swallowing dysfunction. Divisional investigator: Dr. Hamdy El-Hakim in collaboration with Wendy Johannsen, and Abdulsalam Baqays.

We have a long tradition of integrating academic medicine into clinical practice and contributing to the development of new Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery knowledge. Our residents and fellows are major contributors to the research program and are mentored in all aspects of research methodology, design, data collection and research interpretation. Their work is showcased in the yearly resident and divisional research day, and at local, national and international research meetings. We are proud of the research accomplishments of our residents and fellows and they are often the recipients of major local and national research awards.  

Research Highlights

Microvascular Reconstruction • Surgical Design and Simulation • Gland Transfer • Breathing Disorder • Laryngeal Paralysis • Salivary Control • Hearing Aids • Ear Implants • Airway Diseases • Nerve and Cartilage Regeneration

Facilities and Technology

We have state-of-the-art clinical facilities including the University of Alberta Hospital, where we perform all the advanced head and neck oncology, skull base, robotic and laser surgery. We perform all subspeciality and most outpatient procedures at The Royal Alexandra, Grey Nuns, Misericordia, and Leduc hospitals.

The Institute for Reconstructive Sciences in Medicine (iRSM) is academically within the division of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery. iRSM is a clinical and research centre of excellence that is internationally recognized and is dedicated to reconstruction and rehabilitation of the head and neck. iRSM provides an exciting and rapidly evolving interdisciplinary environment. Clinical care encompasses both congenital and acquired conditions. Research is broadly based involving discovery and translational activity for both basic and applied research.  iRSM provides patient-centred care and research through an interdisciplinary teamwork structure that is a quality driven system.

The interdisciplinary team provides expertise in surgery, dentistry, rehabilitation medicine, engineering and computing science for head and neck reconstructive treatments and rehabilitative care. iRSM provides complete head, neck and occlusal reconstruction which includes surgery, osteointegrated implants, dental protheses, facial prostheses and complex specialized osteointegration technologies to patients with head and neck defects resulting from cancer, trauma and congenital conditions. iRSM is a center for bone-anchored hearing aids research and clinical care. It houses the laboratories of bone-anchored audiology, head and neck surgery functional assessment (HNSFAL), medical modeling, and additive manufacturing.

Our research and teaching facilities are extensive and contribute significant to the teaching, research and clinical care mission of the division.

Research Facilities

  • Otolaryngology Research Laboratory (ORLA)
  • Nasal Cartilage Regeneration
  • Medical Modeling and Research Laboratory (MMRL)
  • Head and Neck Surgery Functional Assessment Laboratory (HNSFAL)
  • Bone-Anchored Audiology Laboratory
  • Tempora Bone Laboratory
  • Anatomy Laboratory
  • Facial Nerve Laboratory
  • Ray Rajotte Surgical and Medical Reseach Institute (SMRI)
  • Surgical Simulation Research Laboratory

Teaching

Our award-winning teaching faculty are dedicated to educating students, residents and fellows. The training programs prepare our residents and fellows for independent clinical care and provides them with the tools needed to thrive in academic and scholarly institutions. Our residency and fellowship programs are nationally and globally renowned and our trainees are highly sought-after in academic and clinical centers.

Global Surgery

The division is a leader in world health and surgery. A three-month global fellowship in head and neck oncology is supported by the division and offers advanced training to established surgeons from under- serviced countries. The division has a research collaboration in Kenya and has three yearly medical missions in Ecuador, Bolivia and Kenya.

 

Contact Us

Division of Otolaryngology
Room 1E4
WMC, University of Alberta Hospital
8440-112 Street
Edmonton, AB T6G 2B7