Dr. Babak Larian, MD, FACS, Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery
About Dr. Babak Larian, MD, FACS
BABAK LARIAN, MD, FACS
OTOLARYNGOLOGY, HEAD & NECK SURGERY
Babak Larian is a highly experienced and reputable ear, nose & throat specialist, and head & neck surgeon in Los Angeles. Dr. Larian has extensive experience in treating diseases in the head & neck area including allergies and sinus issues, nasal obstructions, thyroid tumors, parathyroid disorders, and parotid tumors. He obtained his medical degree at UC Irvine School of Medicine, where he graduated with academic and humanitarian distinction. In 2002, he completed a 6-year residency program at UCLA in Ear, Nose, & Throat (otolaryngology), and Head & Neck Surgery.
As a leader in the field, he trains other surgeons, presents at national conferences and performs research. The nature of his practice keeps him at the cutting edge of medical technology, allowing him to be at the leading edge of treatment options that result in improved outcome and less discomfort to his patients. Targeted Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (TESS) is an innovative technique to treat chronic sinus disease that is not responding to medical therapy. TESS targets only the areas of the sinus that need treatment while preserving maximal functioning of the sinus by not interfering with the natural physiology of the sinuses. TESS is combined with image-guided surgery (Fig 1a & 1b) to make sure all sinus components are treated properly while decreasing the risk of the surgery.
Nasal obstruction and reconstruction can be done independently or in combination with sinus surgery. Breathing issues in the nose can be complicated if not diagnosed properly. Dr. Larian takes time to exactly pinpoint the reason for the breathing obstruction, so that the proper surgery is performed. The list of reasons for nasal blockage is extensive and can include common conditions such as septal deviation, turbinate enlargement, nasal polyps, collapse or narrowing of nasal valves, nasal tumors, etc…. All these can be easily treated once the correct diagnosis is made. This may require examination of the nose with an endoscope or even a CT Scan.
Dr. Larian is involved with designing equipment for minimally invasive thyroid and parathyroid surgery. These revolutionary techniques allow access to the thyroid and parathyroid glands, not only through very small incisions (less then an inch), but with much less tissue trauma and therefore much less pain and faster recovery (Fig 2). They are done on an outpatient basis, which means the patient goes home the same day. Intra-operative nerve monitoring is done for thyroid surgery and revision parathyroid surgery to decrease the risk of injury to the nerves to the vocal cords. Rapid intra-operative PTH testing is done for parathyroid surgery to assure the success of surgery at the time of the operation. Expertise in performing these types of surgery is of utmost importance to assure improved outcomes, and a significantly lower risk of complications.
Salivary gland tumors are not common, so surgery to remove these tumors must be performed by a surgeon with vast experience because the major salivary glands are next to important nerves. The parotid gland carries inside of it the nerve that moves the face (facial nerve). Any surgery on the parotid gland (parotidectomy) must take into consideration the anatomy of this nerve and painstaking effort is taken by Dr. Larian to find the nerve and all of its branches to avoid any risk of injury to this very important nerve (Fig 3 below). The use of the facial nerve monitor during surgery decreases the risk of injury as well. Parotid surgery requires extreme finesse and expertise, because in addition to removing the entire tumor, and preserving the facial nerve, the defect that is left behind must be reconstructed immediately to assure the face does not have an indentation. Dr. Larian’s team often includes a reconstructive surgeon (Dr. Babak Azizzadeh) that will perform the reconstructive surgery at the same time.
As the founding member and director of the Cedars-Sinai Head & Neck Cancer Center of Excellence, Dr. Larian has extensive experience in treating the above-mentioned diseases, and is happy to take the time to explain and educate his patients about all their options and the most suitable course of action. He prides himself in forming a bond with patients so that the person is treated and not only a disease.
Academic and Clinical Appointments
As a dedicated ear, nose, and throat surgeon, Dr. Larian is able to serve the entire Southern California area while simultaneously encouraging progress within his field through academic appointments and research.
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Assistant clinical professor of Surgery
Division of Head and Neck Surgery
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Director of Head and Neck Cancer Center
Department of Surgery
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Director of Head and Neck Tumor Board
Department of Surgery
House Ear Clinic
Center for Facial Nerve Function
Los Angeles Nasal & Sinus Institute
Medical Director
HELPS International Medical Mission
Medical Director
Medical Missions for Children
Surgical Team
Licensure and Certificates
Board Certified: Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery 2003
Fellow of American College of Surgeons 2006
Fellow of American Head & Neck Society 2007
Babak Larian, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Assistant Clinical Professor of Surgery, UCLA
Director, Cedars-Sinai Head and Neck Cancer Center
Contact Information
Address: 9401 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 650 Beverly Hills, CA, 90212Office#: (310) 461-0300
Email: support@lapeerhealth.org
Website: http://www.larianmd.com/
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