Dr. Robert T. Sataloff, MD, TMA

Expert Publications

• Recurrent invasive papilloma of the vocal fold.
• Phonomicrosurgical resection of glottal papillomatosis.
• Complex bilateral arytenoid dislocation.
• Endolaryngeal burns from lye ingestion.
• Post-intubation granuloma and vocal fold erosion.
• Laryngeal sarcoidosis presenting as an isolated submucosal vocal fold mass.
• Autologous fat injection: the intraoperative endpoint.
• Vocal fold polyps: assessing the vertical dimension.
• Small vocal fold mass causing dysphonia in a professional soprano.
• Education in laryngology: rising to old challenges.
• Hemorrhagic vocal fold polyp and varicosities.
• Medial margin evaluation in large, overlapping vocal fold lesions.
• Reactive swelling and cyst of the vocal fold.
• Vocal fold cyst, hemorrhage, and scar in a professional singer.

Media Releases

Get to know Otolaryngologist Dr. Robert Thayer Sataloff, who serves patients in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and surrounding areas.

Dr. Sataloff is an internationally renowned otolaryngologist who, since 1980, has been serving as Chair of Philadelphia Ear, Nose and Throat Associates, LLC. His medical practice is limited to laryngology/care of the professional voice and to otology/neurotology/skull base surgery. 

He has developed numerous novel surgical procedures including total temporal bone resection for formerly untreatable skull base malignancy, laryngeal microflap and mini-microflap procedures, vocal fold lipoinjection, vocal fold lipo implantation, and others.  

Philadelphia Ear, Nose and Throat Associates, LLC is composed of otolaryngologists and related professionals who have sub-specialty interests and expertise in a variety of disorders that affect the head and neck. The physicians hold and have held faculty positions at several medical schools throughout the country, including Drexel University College of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Temple University, University of Pennsylvania, Harvard University, and Georgetown University. They form the core faculty of the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery for Drexel University College of Medicine and work in collaboration with several other practices that comprise the faculty department. 

Dr. Sataloff is Professor and Chairman of the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery & the Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Academic Specialties at Drexel University College of Medicine. He also holds Adjunct Professorships in the Departments of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University, Temple University, and the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine; and he is on the faculty of the Academy of Vocal Arts. 

As a professional singer and singing teacher, Dr. Sataloff serves as Conductor of the Thomas Jefferson University Choir. He also is Chair of the Boards of Directors of the Voice Foundation and of the American Institute for Voice and Ear Research.  

Licensed to practice medicine in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the doctor is affiliated with Lankenau Medical Center, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Pennsylvania Hospital, Magee Rehabilitation Hospital, and St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children.

In regard to his educational background, Dr. Sataloff graduated with his Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Theory/Composition from Haverford College in 1971, and his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College in 1975. He then went on to complete his residency in otolaryngology and his fellowship in otology, neurotology and skull base surgery within the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at University of Michigan in 1980 and 1981, respectively. A year later, in 1982, he earned his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Combs College.

A Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS), he is board-certified in otolaryngology by the American Board of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. It serves the public by assuring that diplomates meet high standards of training, knowledge and professionalism through initial and continuing certification.

Throughout his extensive career, Dr. Sataloff has served as Chairman of the Board of Governors of Graduate Hospital; President of the American Laryngological Association, the International Association of Phonosurgery, the Pennsylvania Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, and the American Society of Geriatric Otolaryngology; and in numerous other leadership positions.  

He is Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Voice; Editor Emeritus of Ear, Nose and Throat Journal; Associate Editor of the Journal of Singing; on the Editorial Board of Medical Problems of Performing Artists, and an editorial reviewer for numerous otolaryngology journals. He has written over 1,000 publications, including 67 books, and has been awarded more than $5 million in research funding. 

As of October 2020, his H-index is 41. He has invented more than 75 laryngeal microsurgical instruments distributed currently by Integra Medical, ossicular replacement prostheses produced by Grace Medical, and a novel laryngeal prosthesis. He holds the patent on a unique thyroplasty implant. 

Otolaryngology is the oldest medical specialty in the United States. Otolaryngologists, also known as ear, nose, and throat doctors, specialize in disorders of the head and neck, ranging from hearing loss to cancer. 

Recognized as one of the founders of the field of voice, Dr. Sataloff has written the first modern comprehensive article on care of singers, the first chapter and book on care of the professional voice in an otolaryngology textbook, and the first book on the topic. He has influenced the evolution of the field through his own efforts and through the Voice Foundation for nearly 4 decades.  

As a testament to his success, Dr. Sataloff has been recognized by Best Doctors in America (Woodward White Athens) every year since 1992, Philadelphia Magazine since 1997, and Castle Connolly’s “America’s Top Doctors” since 2002.

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