Papers
10
Total Citations
469
H-Index
8
About
Erica R. Thaler is a pioneering otolaryngologist and surgeon-scientist whose research has fundamentally shaped the application of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea and hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS). Her work sits at the intersection of surgical innovation, sleep medicine, and outcomes research, with a particular focus on advancing minimally invasive approaches to complex airway obstruction. Thaler's most influential contributions include landmark multicenter studies establishing clinical benchmarks for TORS in OSAHS—her 2014 outcomes paper has garnered over 100 citations—and prospective trials demonstrating the safety and efficacy of robotic lingual tonsillectomy combined with uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. Her research on multilevel surgical approaches and quantitative airway analysis using drug-induced sleep endoscopy and volumetric MRI has provided the field with rigorous, evidence-based frameworks for patient selection and surgical evaluation. With a body of work accumulating nearly 470 citations, Thaler has also contributed to the broader adoption of TORS through comparative studies against emerging therapies like upper airway stimulation and through innovative educational tools, including stereoscopic 3D surgical teaching videos. Her career exemplifies the translation of emerging robotic technology into meaningful clinical benefit for patients with chronic sleep-disordered breathing.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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- 8History and Acceptance of Transoral Robotic Surgery16 citations · 2020
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- 10Transoral Robotic Surgery for Obstructive Sleep Apnea4 citations · 2017