Dinesh K. Chhetri, MD
- Otolaryngology|
- Head and Neck Surgery
About
Dr. Dinesh Chhetri is Professor and Interim Chair of the Department of Head and Neck Surgery at UCLA and a laryngologist specializing in voice, swallowing, and upper airway disorders. He graduated magna cum laude from Brown University with a degree in biochemistry and received his MD from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, where he graduated with distinction for his thesis on vocal fold paralysis and laryngeal reinnervation. He completed his residency in otolaryngology–head and neck surgery and fellowship in laryngology at UCLA.
Dr. Chhetri is internationally recognized as an academic laryngologist and head and neck surgeon. He has authored over 150 peer-reviewed publications on voice, swallowing, and airway disorders. His clinical expertise includes the treatment of vocal cord lesions (benign and malignant), professional voice disorders, vocal cord paralysis, laryngeal and tracheal stenosis, cricopharyngeal dysfunction, and Zenker’s diverticulum. He also performs advanced airway surgeries, including tracheal and cricotracheal resection, as well as minimally invasive endoscopic and laser procedures.
Dr. Chhetri is a recognized authority in swallowing disorders and is the author of the book Dysphagia Evaluation and Management in Otolaryngology. He has delivered numerous invited lectures worldwide on swallowing disorders related to neurologic, structural, and cancer-related conditions. His research, funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), focuses on the neuromuscular control of the larynx and has contributed to advances in restoring voice and airway function. He is also certified in transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for the treatment of head and neck cancer.
At UCLA, Dr. Chhetri serves as Director of the UCLA Voice Center, the Swallowing Disorders Program, the Head and Neck Cancer Survivorship Program, and the Laryngology Fellowship Program. He is a Council Member of the American Laryngological Association and serves as a reviewer for the National Institutes of Health. He is deeply committed to education and mentorship and is passionate about training surgeons globally through international collaboration and outreach.
Academic Staff Appointments
- Professor and Interim Chair, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA
Medical Staff Appointments
- Medical Director, UCLA Department of Head and Neck Surgery
- Director, Fellowship in Laryngology (Disorders of the Voice, Airway, Swallowing)
Professional Memberships
- American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS)
- American College of Surgeons (ACS)
- American Head and Neck Society (AHNS)
- American Laryngological Association (ALA)
- The Triological Society
Contact
Dr. Chhetri provides care through the UCLA Voice Center, which offers three convenient locations across Los Angeles and Beverly Hills. Each facility is equipped with state-of-the-art technology to deliver the highest level of specialized care for voice, airway, and swallowing disorders.
Westwood-UCLA Medical Plaza Office
Voice Center for Medicine and the Arts
200 Medical Plaza Suite # 550
Los Angeles, CA 90095
Tel:310-794-4225 Fax: 310- 825-2810
Westwood-Village Office
Voice Center for Medicine and Arts
924 Westwood Blvd., Suite 515
Los Angeles, CA 90024
Tel:310-794-4225 Fax:310-794-8634
Beverly Hills Office
Voice Center for Medicine and the Arts
9675 Brighton Way, Suite 100
Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Tel:310-205-7310 Fax: 310-275-0020
Languages
Education
Fellowship
Residency
Internship
Degree
Recognitions
- Kamal A. Batniji Chair in Laryngology and Humanitarian Care
- Casselberry Award, American Laryngological Association, 2022, 2023
- Top Doctors, Los Angeles Magazine, 2021-2026
- See More
Locations
Westwood Head & Neck Surgery
Medical Services
Areas of Focus
Videos
Research
Interests
Dr. Chhetri’s research focuses on understanding and restoring the function of the larynx, particularly the neuromuscular control of voice, airway, and swallowing. His work, supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), explores how nerves and muscles of the larynx interact in health and disease, with the goal of developing innovative treatments for conditions such as vocal cord paralysis and airway dysfunction. Through a combination of translational science and clinical application, his research has advanced techniques in laryngeal reinnervation and other therapies that improve voice and breathing outcomes, ultimately enhancing quality of life for patients worldwide.
Publications
- Chhetri DK, Neubauer J, Berry DA. Neuromuscular control of fundamental frequency and glottal posture at phonation onset. J Acoust Soc Am. 2012 Feb;131(2):1401-12.
- Vira D, DeConde A, Chhetri DK. Endoscopic management of supraglottic laryngopharyngeal stenosis. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2012 Apr;146(4):611-3.
- Sidell D, Lai C, Bhuta S, Barnes L, Chhetri DK. Malignant phosphaturic mesenchymal tumor of the larynx. Laryngoscope. 2011 Sep;121(9):1860-3.
- Sidell D, Chhetri DK. CO2 laser ablation and balloon dilation for acquired nasopharyngeal stenosis: a novel technique. Laryngoscope. 2011 Jul;121(7).
- Chhetri DK, Berke GS. Injection of cultured autologous fibroblasts for human vocal fold scars. Laryngoscope. 2011 Apr;121(4):785-92.
- Chhetri DK, Mendelsohn AH. Hyaluronic acid for the treatment of vocal fold scars. Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2010 Dec;18(6):498-502.
- Chhetri DK, Neubauer J, Berry DA. Graded activation of the intrinsic laryngeal muscles for vocal fold posturing. J Acoust Soc Am. 2010 Apr;127(4):EL127-33.
- Long JL, Neubauer J, Zhang Z, Zuk P, Berke GS, Chhetri DK. Functional testing of a tissue-engineered vocal fold cover replacement. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2010 Mar;142(3):438-40.
- Chhetri DK, Zhang Z, Neubauer J. Measurement of Young's modulus of vocal folds by indentation. J Voice. 2011 Jan;25(1):1-7. Epub 2010 Feb 19.
- Sidell D, Shamouelian D, Erman A, Gerratt BR, Chhetri D. Improved tracheoesophageal prosthesis sizing in office-based tracheoesophageal puncture. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2010 Jan;119(1):37-41.
- Sidell D, Ghadiali M, Chhetri DK. nsedated office-based tracheoesophageal puncture using a novel guidewire technique. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2010 Feb;142(2):284-5.
- Long JL, Zuk P, Berke GS, Chhetri DK. Epithelial differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells for laryngeal tissue engineering. Laryngoscope. 2010 Jan;120(1):125-31.
- Joo D, Duarte VM, Ghadiali MT, Chhetri DK. Recovery of vocal fold paralysis after cardiovascular surgery. Laryngoscope. 2009 Jul;119(7):1435-8.
- Lotfizadeh A, Chhetri DK. Viral supraglottitis in an adult. Ear Nose Throat J. 2009 Feb;88(2):768-70.
- Chhetri DK, Berke GS, Lotfizadeh A, Goodyer E. Control of vocal fold cover stiffness by laryngeal muscles: a preliminary study. Laryngoscope. 2009 Jan;119(1):222-7.
- Smith JE, Suh JD, Erman A, Nabili V, Chhetri DK, Blackwell KB. Risk factors predicting aspiration after free flap reconstruction of oral cavity and oropharyngeal defects. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2008 Nov;134(11):1205-8.
- Jahan-Parwar B, Chhetri DK, Ye M, Hart S, Berke GS. Hylan B gel restores structure and function to laser-ablated canine vocal folds. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2008 Sep;117(9):703-7.
- Joo D, Chhetri DK, Wang MB. Endoscopic removal of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas: a video presentation. Laryngoscope. 2008 Jun;118(6):e1-3.
- Cohen M, Nabili V, Chhetri DK. Palatal perforation from cocaine abuse. Ear Nose Throat J. 2008 May;87(5):262.
- Chhetri DK, Merati AL, Blumin JH, Sulica L, Damrose EJ, Tsai VW. Reliability of the perceptual evaluation of adductor spasmodic dysphonia. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2008 Mar;117(3):159-65.
- Berke GS, Neubauer J, Berry DA, Ye M, Chhetri DK. Ex vivo perfused larynx model of phonation: preliminary study. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2007 Nov;116(11):866-70.
- Cohen M, Chhetri DK, Head C. Isolated uvulitis. Ear Nose Throat J. 2007 Aug;86(8):462, 464.
- Tsai V, Celmer A, Berke GS, Chhetri DK. Videostroboscopic findings in unilateral superior laryngeal nerve paralysis and paresis. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2007 Apr;136(4):660-2.
- Luu Q, Tsai V, Mangunta V, Berke GS, Chhetri DK. Safety of percutaneous injection of bovine dermal crosslinked collagen for glottic insufficiency. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2007 Mar;136(3):445-9.
In the News
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Recognitions
- Kamal A. Batniji Chair in Laryngology and Humanitarian Care
- Casselberry Award, American Laryngological Association, 2022, 2023
- Top Doctors, Los Angeles Magazine, 2021-2026
- National Institutes of Health (NIH), NIDCD R01 Grant "Neuromuscular Control of the Larynx"
- Full Time Faculty Teaching Award in the Division of Head and Neck Surgery, 2006, 2013
- Young Faculty or Practitioner Award, American Laryngological Association, 2005