Researcher | Research Overview
Dr. Rahbar has three main areas of research: Aero-digestive disorders, Minimally invasive endoscopic airway surgery, and pediatric head and neck tumors. He is the Principal Investigator and/or Co-Investigator for multiple investigational studies of pediatric aero-digestive tract disorders which emphasize novel and/or minimally invasive approaches to treatment. A major research theme has been characterizing the role of anti-scar formation and anti-angiogenic therapy in the prevention and treatment of upper aero-digestive tract disease. His work has included studying of the application of Mitomycin as adjuvant treatment for airway stenosis, and the role of angiogenic growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors in both recurrent respiratory papillomatosis and airway stenosis. He has established one of the largest pediatric head and neck tumor databases. Investigative work involving this database has led to a deeper understanding of these diseases and the promulgation of guidelines and protocols for their clinical management.
Researcher | Research Background
Dr. Rahbar received his medical degree from Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston. He completed his residency in Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery from Tufts Medical Center and fellowships in Pediatric Otolaryngology from Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School.
Since 1998, Dr. Rahbar has practiced pediatric otolaryngology at Boston Children’s Hospital, caring for children with wide a range of problems, from common to the most complex. As Associate Chief of the Department of Otolaryngology, he steers the department’s clinical operations committee and education-fellowship program. He has also been involved with research efforts, as well as maintaining financial viability.
He is the first recipient of McGill Chair in Pediatric Otolaryngology. As Director of the Center for Airway Disorders and Co-Director of the Center for Head, Neck and Skull Base Surgery, Dr. Rahbar champions innovative and collaborative initiatives that cross many divisions and/or departments at Boston Children’s Hospital. Specifically, he is spearheading a minimally invasive/endoscopic approach to manage airway disorders. He is recognized as a leader in laryngeal cleft surgery.
Dr. Rahbar directs the Pediatric Otolaryngology Education and Fellowship Program, the largest pediatric ORL fellowship program in the country that is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. He regularly treats a myriad of rare otolaryngeal disorders and head-neck tumors. With that experience, he has published treatment guidelines that now serve as a resource for many physicians. He is the section editor and/or co-editor of three books in the field of Otolaryngology; editor of a book in Pediatric Head and Neck Tumor; and editor of a book in pediatric airway surgery. He has published over 120 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters.
He is a member of numerous national and international organizations and has been a invited speaker and/or Visiting Professor at more than 70 conferences and sites in the U.S., Europe and the Middle East to report on his clinical and research experiences.
Researcher | Media
Caregiver Profile
Meet Dr. Reza Rahbar