Neurotology Fellowship

Why Choose UT Southwestern Neurotology?

The UT Southwestern Neurotology Fellowship offers comprehensive training in advanced otology and lateral skull base surgery within a high-volume academic practice. Fellows gain substantial operative experience, participate in multidisciplinary care for complex otologic and skull base disease, and develop the clinical, academic, and teaching skills necessary for a successful career in academic neurotology. With one of the largest cochlear implant programs in Texas, a dedicated Neurofibromatosis Type 2-related schwannomatosis program, and broad exposure to both microscopic and endoscopic ear surgery, the fellowship provides rigorous and well-rounded preparation for independent practice.

Program Overview

The UT Southwestern Neurotology Fellowship is a two-year, ACGME-accredited program offered every other year. Fellows train alongside five board-certified neurotologists and three fellowship-trained skull base neurosurgeons, gaining comprehensive experience in disorders of the temporal bone and lateral skull base.

Most of the operative experience takes place at William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital, with additional operative exposure at Parkland Hospital and Children’s Health. Fellows also participate in clinic at UT Southwestern and Parkland Hospital.

Fellows do not take call, allowing focused time for operative experience, academic work, and teaching.

Clinical Volume and Operative Experience

UT Southwestern provides high-volume exposure across the full spectrum of otology and lateral skull base surgery. Over the course of the two-year fellowship, fellows typically participate in:

• Skull base procedures: ~125-150 cases
• Vestibular schwannoma surgery: ~80-100 cases .High-volume experience with a predominance of translabyrinthine approaches, with additional exposure to retrosigmoid and middle fossa techniques when clinically indicated.
• Cochlear implantation: ~150 cases
• Chronic ear surgery: ~300 cases
• Stapedectomy/stapedotomy: ~50 cases

These volumes allow fellows to develop technical proficiency while refining surgical judgment across routine, advanced, and complex pathology.

As the fellowship progresses, fellows assume increasing operative responsibility and frequently serve as primary surgeon on appropriate otologic cases under faculty supervision, while also teaching and guiding residents.

Fellows also participate in Gamma Knife radiosurgery as part of the comprehensive management of vestibular schwannoma and other skull base tumors. During fellowship, recent fellows completed formal training and became Gamma Knife certified through UT Southwestern’s dedicated certification course.

Endoscopic and Microscopic Surgical Training

The UT Southwestern Neurotology Fellowship provides extensive training in both basic and advanced endoscopic ear surgery and its application to chronic ear disease and selected lateral skull base pathology. Faculty utilize endoscopic techniques in the management of tympanic membrane perforations, cholesteatoma, otosclerosis, middle ear tumors, and selected petrous apex lesions.

Traditional microscopic approaches remain foundational to training. Fellows graduate with experience in both techniques and a clear understanding of appropriate surgical selection and strategy.

Faculty involved in endoscopic ear surgery are active nationally and internationally as instructors and visiting professors, exposing fellows to evolving surgical techniques and contemporary best practices.

Temporal Bone Laboratory

UT Southwestern maintains a state-of-the-art 16-station temporal bone laboratory equipped with both microscopic and endoscopic stations. The lab is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, allowing fellows to refine surgical technique, rehearse complex cases, and teach residents in a dedicated simulation environment.

Fellows actively participate in the monthly resident temporal bone laboratory and are encouraged to utilize the lab for independent surgical practice and preparation.

Multidisciplinary Programs

Neurofibromatosis Type 2 -related schwannomatosis (NF2) Program

A distinctive feature of the fellowship is participation in a multidisciplinary NF2 program. Fellows are involved in the evaluation and management of complex patients in collaboration with neuro-oncology, neurosurgery, plastic surgery, laryngology, and neuro-ophthalmology.

UT Southwestern is one of the few centers in the United States performing auditory brainstem implantation. Fellows participate in quarterly multidisciplinary NF2 clinics where treatment strategies are developed collaboratively.

Skull Base and Paraganglioma Care

Fellows participate in multidisciplinary management of skull base paragangliomas alongside laryngology, head and neck oncology, neurosurgery, genetics, endocrinology, radiation oncology, and neuroradiology.

A monthly skull base conference reviews complex otologic and lateral skull base cases in a multidisciplinary setting.

Research and Academic Development

Fellows have approximately one day per week dedicated to research and administrative time. Fellows are encouraged to participate in clinical and translational research and publish scholarly work, averaging approximately 10 peer-reviewed manuscripts during fellowship.

During the first year of fellowship, fellows also participate in a structured subspecialty rotation consisting of a half-day per week focused on advanced diagnostic and multidisciplinary training. This rotation provides dedicated exposure to advanced audiology, vestibular testing, cochlear implant evaluation and programming, vestibular rehabilitation, adult and pediatric neuroradiology, neuro-ophthalmology, and neuropathology. This curriculum ensures fellows develop a comprehensive understanding of the diagnostic and multidisciplinary foundations of neurotologic and skull base care.

Fellows are encouraged to present their work at national meetings. A discretionary educational fund is provided to support attendance at major otology and neurotology conferences and courses.

The didactic program includes:

• Monthly multidisciplinary skull base conference
• Annual skull base dissection course
• Dedicated otology and neurotology conference days
• A weekly breakfast journal club with neurotology faculty at a nearby diner, fostering open discussion of recent cases, current literature, and career development in an informal and interactive setting

Fellows have dedicated office space and play an integral role in resident education, including participation in resident didactics and the monthly temporal bone laboratory.

A Typical Week in the Fellowship

A typical week includes:

• Three days in the operating room (Clements University Hospital, Parkland Hospital, and Children’s Health)
• One to two days in clinic, depending on operative case volume for that week

If complex lateral skull base or advanced cases arise, clinic responsibilities are adjusted to allow full participation in those surgical cases.

Fellows also have protected time each week for research, academic work, and administrative responsibilities.

Mentorship and Career Development

A central goal of the fellowship is to help each fellow identify and achieve their ideal career path. Faculty provide close mentorship in clinical development, research productivity, and professional growth.

Fellows receive guidance in manuscript preparation, presentation skills, national networking, and the job search and interview process. Most graduates of the fellowship pursue careers in academic medicine.

Living in Dallas

Dallas offers an excellent quality of life during fellowship training. The cost of living remains relatively affordable compared with many major metropolitan areas, and Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport provides convenient access for domestic and international travel.

UT Southwestern is a rapidly expanding academic medical center with outstanding facilities, including William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital, Parkland Hospital, and modern outpatient clinical space. A new Children’s Medical Center campus is currently under development, further expanding clinical and research opportunities.

The Dallas area offers diverse neighborhoods, strong schools, professional sports, a vibrant arts and cultural scene, and extensive dining and recreational opportunities.