Endoscopic Sinus & Skull-Base Surgery

The TGH and USF Health endoscopic sinus and skull base surgery program at the TGH Ear, Nose & Throat Institute delivers comprehensive care for all complex sinonasal diseases ranging from nasal allergic disease, chronic rhinosinusitis, cerebrospinal leaks, and benign and malignant skull base tumors.

Led by Division Chief Mark Tabor, MD, the TGH and USF Health endoscopic sinus and skull base surgery program features a multidisciplinary team of three fellowship-trained rhinologists with endoscopic skull base training, skull base neurosurgeons, reconstructive head and neck surgeons and neuro-interventional radiologists. The team delivers the latest treatments for pituitary and sinonasal tumors, cerebrospinal fluid leaks, and a range of other benign and malignant skull base disorders.

Specialists perform minimally invasive surgical techniques, complex revision sinus surgeries and endoscopic resections — the most common procedure being combination pituitary surgeries. TGH is one of few medical centers in the region to perform innovative free tissue transfer reconstruction for the most complex skull base defects, including reconstruction in patients who’ve undergone radiation and particularly large tumors.

MULTIDISCIPLINARY NASAL SEPTAL PROGRAM

A multidisciplinary nasal septal program at TGH and USF Health features collaboration between rhinology and facial plastic surgery to repair large nasal septal perforations using a variety of techniques ranging from local flaps to free tissue transfers. TGH is one of few centers in the state to perform free tissue transfer to reconstruct large nasal septal perforations.

PEDIATRIC NASAL RECONSTRUCTIVE CENTER

CLINICAL COLLABORATION WITH ALLERGY AND IMMUNOLOGY DIVISIONS

TGH and USF Health also offer one of the only multi- disciplinary clinics in the region, where endoscopic sinus and skull base surgeons work in conjunction with allergy and immunology specialists to treat patients with complex sinus and allergies that are resistant to traditional care.

CUTTING-EDGE RESEARCH WITH NIH-FUNDED SINUS TISSUE BANK

TGH and USF Health rhinologists, allergists and immunologists have collaborated to initiate one of the nation’s premier sinus tissue biobanks. Tissue removed during sinus surgery is collected along with nasal secretions and used for cutting-edge research into the causes of chronic sinusitis and nasal polyps. Control samples are obtained during endoscopic pituitary and tear duct surgery.

Funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), research at the sinus tissue bank is specifically investigating mitochondrial oxidative stress in nasal polyps and its similarity to changes seen in the normal aging process. Initial results have been promising with the goal of discovering molecular pathways that can be targeted by drugs to prevent oxidative stress and associated chronic sinusitis.
In addition, TGH is one of the only sites in the region that enrolls patients in clinical trials that evaluate the use of biologic drugs for severe sinonasal polyposis. TGH and USF Health also participate in multiple clinical trials researching treatments for allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS).