Niels C. Kokot, MD

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Title:

  • Assistant Professor

Department:

Locations:

Areas of Treatment:

Specialties:

  • Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery

Sub-specialties:

  • Head and Neck Oncology
  • Microvascular Reconstructive Surgery
  • Transoral Robotic Surgery

Background:

    Dr. Niels Kokot is a board-certified member of the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. He has recently joined the faculty of the Keck School of Medicine of USC as an assistant professor following the completion of a fellowship in head and neck surgical oncology at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Kokot's fellowship focused specifically on the resection of benign and malignant tumors of the head and neck, microvascular reconstruction of complex, post-resection defects, and Transoral Robotic Surgery (TORS). Prior to his fellowship, Dr. Kokot completed his internship in General Surgery and his residency in otolaryngology - head and neck surgery at the Los Angeles County + University of Southern California Medical Center. He obtained his medical degree from the University of Washington, where he was a member of the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha Honors Society, after completing his undergraduate studies at UCLA, where he also graduated with honors.

    While Dr. Kokot is extensively trained in all aspects of head and neck surgery, including the management of tumors in the oral cavity, larynx, pharynx, skull base, salivary glands, and thyroid gland, he is also a skilled microvascular surgeon. This allows him to perform microvascular free tissue transfer, or "free flaps," to aid in restoring function following surgery to remove lesions of the head and neck. He has a particular interest in conservation surgery of the larynx, which is designed to treat cancers of the larynx (voice box) without sacrificing speech or requiring a permanent tracheostomy. Furthermore, Dr. Kokot is trained in the new technique of Transoral Robotic Surgery. TORS is a new, minimally invasive technique which allows the treatment of many head and neck tumors without requiring traditional open approaches and their associated morbidity. Dr. Kokot's extensive skills and training allow him to treat cancer patients in a way that offers them the best chance for cure with the least sacrifice in quality of life.

    As an assistant professor, Dr. Kokot has started clinical trials with Transoral Robotic Surgery, and performs research relating to the expanding indications for TORS and the effects of such minimally invasive techniques on the quality of life of his patients. He is also actively involved in the education of medical students and residents in otolaryngology - head and neck surgery.

Education:

  • UCLA, Bachelor of Science, 1995
  • University of Washington School of Medicine, Doctor of Medicine, 2002

Internships:

  • LAC+USC Medical Center: General Surgery, 2002 - 2003

Residencies:

  • LAC+USC Medical Center: Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery 2003 - 2007

Fellowships:

  • University of Pennsylvania: Head and Neck Oncologic Surgery, Microvascular Reconstructive Surgery, Transoral Robotic Surgery, 2007 - 2008

Board Certification:

  • American Board of Otolaryngology

Professional Society Memberships:

  • American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
  • American Head and Neck Society
  • Society of University Otolaryngologists
  • Los Angeles Society of Otolaryngology
  • Society of Robotic Surgery

Awards:

  • Dr. Kokot was voted a Top Doctor by Pasadena Magazine in 2011.
  • UC Regents Scholar
  • Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Honor Society

Languages:

  • English