Biography

William Yao, MD is an associate professor in the Department Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. He is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles and received his medical degree at the University of Colorado Health Science Center School of Medicine. He was inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society in 2008.

He completed his Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery residency at Baylor College of Medicine, where he was recognized with the 2014 Resident Teaching Award. Following that, he completed a fellowship in rhinology and anterior skull base surgery at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary/Harvard Medical School.

Dr. William Yao is co-director of the Texas Sinus Institute Rhinology and Skull Base Fellowship and Residency Program Director for the Department of Otorhinolaryngology. He has a strong interest in surgical technique, residency education, including the development of teaching instruments. Dr. Yao specializes in disorders of the nose, sinus and skull base. He is devoted to delivering cutting edge medical and surgical management for chronic rhinosinusitis, paranasal sinus diseases, as well as advanced endoscopic sinus surgery, revision sinus surgery, skull base and orbital surgery.

Dr. Yao is fluent in English and Japanese and is the author of chapters in many textbooks, as well as numerous articles published in peer-reviewed journals (including The Laryngoscope, International Forum of Allergy and Rhinology, American Journal of Rhinology and Allergy, and Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery).

He has also been awarded the Dean’s Teaching Excellence Award from the McGovern Medical School every year since 2017 and the Faculty of the Year Award on multiple occasions. He has been named a Houstonia Top Doctor, Castle Connolly Top Doctor and a Texas Super Doctor Rising Star.

Education

Medical School
University of Colorado School of Medicine, 2009
Residency
Baylor College of Medicine, 2014
Fellowship
Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary/ Harvard University Rhinology and Anterior Skull Base Surgery, 2015

Areas of Interest

Clinical Interests

His clinical interests are delivering cutting edge medical and surgical management for chronic rhinosinusitis, paranasal sinus diseases, as well as advanced endoscopic sinus surgery, revision sinus surgery, skull base and orbital surgery.

Publications

Journal Publication

Whiting D, Hsieh G, Yun JJ, Banerji A, Yao W, Fishbein MC, Belperio J, Strieter RM, Bonavida B, Ardehali A. Chemokine monokine induced by IFN-gamma/CXC chemokine ligand 9 stimulates T lymphocyte proliferation and effector cytokine production. J Immunol. 2004 Jun 15;172(12):7417-24.

Schnickel GT, Whiting D, Hsieh GR, Yun JJ, Fischbein MP, Fishbein MC, Yao W, Shafizadeh A, Ardehali A. CD8 Lymphocytes are sufficient for the development of chronic rejection. Transplantation 2004;78(11):1634-1639

Ramakrishnan VR, Yao W, Campana J. Improved skin paddle survival in pectoralis major Myocutaneous flap reconstruction of head and neck defects. Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery 2009; 11(5): 306-310

 Yao W, Davidson RS, Durairaj VD, Gelston CD. Dry eye syndrome: an update in office management. Am J Med.  2011 Nov;124(11):1016-8.

Suzuki C, Nakagawa T, Yao W, Sakamoto T, Ito J. The need for intranasal packing in endoscopic sinus surgery. Acta Otolaryngol Suppl. 2010 Nov;(563):39-42.

 Yao WC, Regone R, Huyhn N, Butler EB, Takashima M. 3D image reconstruction of CT scans as an adjunct to assist in medical student/resident education in Spatial Orientation of Paranasal Anatomy.  Laryngoscope. 2014 Mar; 124(3):596-601.

Yao WC, Bleier BS. A Simple, Single Stage Technique to Harvest Optimal Ethmoid Bone Grafts for Caudal Septal Deflections. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2015 Jul;5(7):622-5.

 Yao WC, Bleier BS. Centrifugal Frontal Sinus Dissection Technique: Addressing Type III Anterior and Posterior Frontoethmoidal Air Cells.  Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2015 Aug;5(8):761-3.

 Yao WC, Regone RM, Takashima M. Enhancing the Safety of Sinus Surgery: The Role of Staining Materials.  Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2015 Sep; 5(9):870-4.

 Yao WC, Korkmaz H, Korkmaz M, Bleier BS. Safety and Efficacy of Concentrated Topical Epinephrine Use in Endoscopic Endonasal Surgery. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2015 Dec;5(12):1118-23.

Yao WC, Bleier BS. Endoscopic Management of Orbital Tumors.  Curr Opinion in Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2016 Feb; 24(1) 57-62.

Yao WC, Sedaghat AR, Yadav P, Fay A, Metson RB. Orbital Decompression in the Endoscopic Age: The Modified Inferomedial Orbital Strut (mIOS). Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2016 May;154(5):963-9

Korkmaz H, Yao WC, Korkmaz M, Bleier BS. Benefit of Preoperative Oral Steroids during Sinus Surgery when Utilizing Concentrated Topical Epinephrine. ORL J Otorhinolaryngol Relat Spec. 2016;78(4):216-22

Lam KK, Ho T, Yao WC. Sinocutaneous fistula formation after forehead recontouring surgery for transgender patients. J Craniofac Surg. 2017 May;28(3):e274-e277.

Yao WC, Emerick KS, Kraft S, Holbrook EH. Nasal Melanosis may act as a Harbinger of Melanoma: A Case Report. Allergy Rhinol (Providence). 2016 Jan 1;7(3):164-167.

Lam K, Bigcas JL, Luong A, Yao W, Citardi MJ. Flexible microsensor technology for real-time navigation tracking in balloon sinus ostial dilation. Allergy Rhinology (Providence). 2017 Mar 1;8(1):20-24.

Yao WC, Corbitt CA, Takashima M. Role of Intraoperative Ropivacaine in Adult Post-Tonsillectomy Pain Control: A Randomized Control Trial.  Ear Nose Throat J. 2017 Apr-May;96(4-5):E39-E43

Citardi MJ, Yao W, Luong A. Next-Generation Navigation Systems in Sinus and Skull Base Surgery. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2017 Jun;50(3):617-632.

Marino MJ, Citardi MJ, Yao WC, Luong A.  Image Guidance in Endoscopic Sinus Surgery: Where Are We Heading? Curr Otorhinolaryngol Rep (2017).

Marino MJ, Ling LC, Yao WC, Luong A, Citardi MJ. Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Symptoms in patients treated in a tertiary rhinology clinic. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2017 Dec;7(12):1135-39.

Marino MJ, Luong A, Yao WC, Citardi MJ. Management of Odontogenic Cysts by Endonasal Endoscopic Techniques: A Systematic Review and Case Series. Am J Rhinol Allergy. 2018 Jan 1;32(1):40-45.

Yao WC. Preface to Surgical Techniques of Emergencies in Otolaryngology. Operative Techniques in Otolaryngology. (2017) 28, 197.

Lam KK, Luong A, Yao WC. Endoscopic Management of Anterior and Posterior Epistaxis. Operative Techniques in Otolaryngology. (2017) 28, 198-204.

Tyler MA, Citardi MJ, Yao WC. Management of Retrobulbar Hematoma. Operative Techniques in Otolaryngology. Dec 2017. (2017) 28, 208-213.

Tyler MA, Zhang CC, Saini A, Yao WC. Cutting edge Endonasal Surgical Approaches to Thyroid Ophthalmopathy. Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology. Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngol. 2018 Feb 26;3(2):100-104.

Lam K, Luong AU, Yao WC, Citardi MJ. Use of Autologous Fat Grafts for the Endoscopic Reconstruction of Skull Base Defects: Indications, Outcomes, and Complications. Am J Rhino Allergy. 2018 Jul;32(4):310-317.

Villarreal R, Wrobel BB, Macias-Valle LF, Davis GE, Prihoda TJ, Luong AU, McMains KC, Weitzel EK, Yao WC, Brunworth J, Clark DW, Nair S, Valdés CJ, Halderman A, Jang DW, Sivasubramaniam R, Zhang Z, Chen PG.. International assessment of inter- and intrarater reliability of the International Frontal Sinus Anatomy Classification system. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2019 Jan;9(1):39-45.

Jensen BT, Holbrook EH, Chen PG, Luong A, Marino MJ, Yao WC. The Intraoperative Accuracy of Maxillary Balloon Dilation: A Blinded Trial. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2019 May;9(5):452-457.

Marino MJ, Luong A, Yao WC, Citardi MJ. Nonpharmacological Relaxation Technology for Office-Based Rhinologic Procedures. ORL J Otorhinolaryngol Relat Spec. 2019 Mar 5;81(1):48-54.

Luong AU, Sun H, Yao WC. Contributions of Innate Lymphoid Cells in Chronic Rhinosinusitis. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2019 Mar 22;19(5):28.

Saini AT, Citardi MJ, Yao WC, Luong AU. Office-Based Sinus Surgery. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2019 Jun;52(3):473-483.

Dietz CJ, Sun H, Yao WC, Citardi MJ, Corry DB, Luong AU. Aspergillus fumigatus induction of IL-33 expression in Chronic Rhinosinusitis is PAR2-dependent. Laryngoscope. 2019 Oct;129(10):2230-2235.

Haider AA, Marino MJ, Yao WC, Citardi MJ, Luong AU. The Potential of High-Throughput DNA Sequencing of the Paranasal Sinus Microbiome in Diagnosing Odontogenic Sinusitis. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2019 Dec;161(6):1043-1047.

Vandelaar LJ, Hanson B, Marino M, Yao WC, Luong AU, Arias CA, Ramakrishnan V, Citardi MJ. Analysis of Sinonasal Microbiota in Exacerbations of Chronic Rhinosinusitis Subgroups. OTO Open. 2019 Sep 17;3(3):2473974X19875100.

Vandelaar LJ, Jiang ZY, Saini A, Yao WC, Luong AU, Citardi MJ. PHQ-9 and SNOT-22: Elucidating the Prevalence of Depression in Chronic Rhinosinusitis. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2020 Jan;162(1):142-147.

Local and Regional Presentations

Yao WC. Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.  Nov 2010

 Yao WC. Plexiform Neurofibromatosis, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX. Feb 2011

 Yao WC. Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX. June 2011

 Yao WC. Tympanic Membrane Perforation, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX. Sept 2011

 Yao WC. Aural Atresia, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX. Feb 2012

 Yao WC. Tonsillectomy Management Options, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.  Jun 2012

 Yao WC. Recurrent Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX. Oct 2012

 Yao WC, Paranasal Sinus and Anterior Skull Base 3-D Anatomy Lecture. Baylor Otolaryngology Core Curriculum Course at PLATOs CAVE, Houston Methodist Hospital. 7/2012

 Yao WC. Encephalocele: Postoperative Management When Patients are Utilizing CPAP Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX. Mar 2013

Yao WC. Chronic Rhinosinusitis: The diagnosis and postsurgical management, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX. Nov 2013

Yao WC. Chronic Rhinosinusitis: The diagnosis and postsurgical management, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX. Nov 2013

 Yao WC, Management of Recurrent Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma.  Head and Neck Didactic Conference, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX. Sept 18 2012

Yao WC. Orbital Surgery in the Endoscopic Age. Texas Hill Country ENT Symposium. Lost Pines, TX. 4/2016

Yao WC. Sinonasal Inverted Papilloma – It’s All About the Base. ORL Frontiers. Houston, TX. 6/2016.

 Yao WC. Postop Care after FESS: From Protocol to Personalization. Texas Association of Otolaryngology Annual Meeting. Houston, TX. 5/6/2017 [Panel Member]

Yao WC. Transsphenoidal Hypophysectomy: One Surgeon’s Approach. Texas Hill Country ENT Symposium. Lost Pines, TX. 4/2018

Yao WC. Anatomic Landmarks for Endoscopic Orbital Surgery. BCM Otolaryngology Sinus Course at MITIE, Houston, TX 6/2019.

Yao WC. Orbital Surgery in the Endoscopic Age. ORL Frontiers. Houston, TX. 6/2019.

Yao WC, Chiu AG, Citardi MJ, Luong AU. Rhinology Panel: Maximizing FESS Outcomes. ORL Frontiers. Houston, TX. 6/2019. [Panel Moderator]

 

 NATIONAL PRESENTATIONS

Whiting D, Chun S, Laks H, Gan XH, Yao W, Bonavida B. MIG/CXCL9 neutralization attenuates chronic rejection of transplanted hearts. The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation. 2003 Jan; 22(1 supplemental): s154. 23rd Annual Meeting International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation, 4/03

Whiting D, Banerji A, Laks H, Chun S, Yao W, Gan XH, Bonavida B, Ardehali A. The role of chemokine MIG/CXCL9 in T-lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine stimulation. American Journal of Transplantation. 2003 May; 3(s5): 182. American Transplant Congress, 6/03

Schnickel GT, Hsieh GR, Whiting D, Yun JJ, Yao W, Fishbein MC, Ardehali A.  The Mechanism of CD8 Lymphocyte Function in Chronic Rejection of Heart Transplants. Western Thoracic Surgical Association. Maui, Hawaii, 6/04 Poster Presentation

Hsieh GR, Schnickel GT, Garcia C, Shefizadeh A, Yao W, and Ardehali A.   The Synthetic Peptide D-4F Attenuates Cardiac Allograft Vasculopathy.  The Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation. 2005 Feb; 24(2): S52. International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation, Philadelphia, PA, 4/05

Odim J, Saran M, Yao W, Kobashigawa J, Laks H.  “The Fate of Older Cardiac Allografts in  Adolescents.” American Journal of Transplantation. 2005 May; 5(s11): 285. American Transplant Congress, May 22nd 2005. Oral

Odim J, Yao W, Saran M, Kobashigawa J, Gjertson D, Laks H. The Influence of Adverse Donor Factors on Outcome of Pediatric Heart Transplantation – The Marginal Donor Allograft. American Journal of Transplantation. 2005 May; 5(s11): 220. American Transplant Congress, May 22nd, 2005. Poster.

 Yao WC, Saran M, Laks H, Kobashigawa J, Gjertson D, Odim J. The Influence of Adverse Donor Factors on Outcome of Pediatric Heart Transplantation – The Marginal Donor Allograft. Western Student Medical Research Forum Western Regional Meeting, Carmel, CA, 2/05. Oral Presentation

 Yao WC, Laks H, Gjertson D, Odim J. The Influence of Adverse Donor Factors on Outcome of Pediatric Heart Transplantation – An UCLA study from 1984-2006. American Heart Association Medical Student Regional Roundtable Meeting, Burlingame, CA, 8/06. Oral Presentation

Yao WC, Hu R, Jones T, Hoffman L. The Topographic Distribution of Calretnin Positive Calyces in Otoconia-Deficient Utricles. Association for Research in Otolaryngology Midwinter Research Meeting, Feb 2007. Poster Presentation

Yao WC, Saran M, Laks H, Kobashigawa J, Gjertson D, Odim J. The Influence of Adverse Donor Factors on Outcome of Pediatric Heart Transplantation – The Marginal Donor Allograft 2006 update. Journal of Investigative Medicine, Vol. 55, (1) #370, 2007.  Western Student Medical Research Forum Western Regional Meeting, Carmel, CA, 2/07. Oral Presentation

Ramakrishnan VR, Yao W, Campana J. Skin paddle survival using pectoralis major myocutaneous flap reconstruction of head and neck defects. American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Chicago, IL, 9/08. Oral Presentation

Yao WC, Grohmann NC, Vrabec, JT. VEMP Amplitude Intensity Function. Triologic Society Combined Sections Meeting, Scottsdale, AZ, 1/2013. 1st place in Otology/Neurotology Southern Section. Poster

Yao WC, Takashima M. Reinitiating CPAP after Transnasal Endoscopic Pituitary Surgery. COSM ARS section, Orlando, FL, 4/2013. Poster

Yao WC, Regone R, Huyhn N, Butler EB, Takashima M. 3D image reconstruction of CT scans as an adjunct to assist in medical student/resident education in Spatial Orientation of Paranasal Anatomy.  COSM – Triologic Society, Orlando, FL, 4/2013. Oral Presentation

 Yao WC, Corbitt C, Bender M, Takashima M. Role of Intraoperative Ropivacaine for long term Post-Tonsillectomy Pain Control: A Randomized Control Study.  American Academy of Otolaryngology 9/2013, Vancouver, BC. Oral Presentation

 Yao WC, Regone R, Takashima M. Enhancing the Safety of Sinus Surgery: The Role of Staining Materials.  COSM – ARS section, Las Vegas, NV, 4/2014. Poster

Regone R, Yao WC, Takashima M. Nonfunctional Invasive Pituitary Adenoma without Suprasellar Extension: A Case Report and Review of Literature. Annual Fall Meeting – ARS section, Orlando, FL, 9/2014. Poster

Yao WC, Bleier BS. Centrifugal Frontal Sinus Dissection Technique: Addressing Type III Anterior and Posterior Frontoethmoidal Air Cells.  Annual Fall Meeting – ARS section, Dallas, TX 9/2015. Poster

 Yao WC, Bleier BS. How I Do It: A Simple, Single Stage Technique to Harvest Optimal Ethmoid Bone Grafts for Caudal Septal Deflections. Annual Fall Meeting – ARS section, Dallas, TX 9/2015. Poster

 Lam K, Bigcas JL, Luong A, Yao WC, Citardi M. Balloon Sinus Ostial Dilation with Microsensor Navigation in the Operating Room Setting. Annual Fall Meeting – ARS section, Dallas, TX 9/2015. Poster

 Yao WC, Yadav P, Sedaghat AR, Fay A, Metson RB. Balanced Orbital Decompression: Strategies for Optimizing Outcomes in Patients with Graves’ Orbitopathy. AAO-HNS Annual Meeting Dallas, TX 9/2015. Oral Presentation

 Lam KK, Yao WC. Over-pursuit of Femininity: Frontocutaneous Fistula Formation Following Forehead Recontouring Surgery in a Transgender Patient. Poster at ARS at COSM, Chicago, IL 5/2016. Poster

Lam KK, Yao WC, Citardi MJ. Revisiting Autologous Fat Grafts for the Reconstruction of Skull Base Defects during the Endoscopic Era. Poster at ARS at COSM, Chicago, IL 5/2016. Poster

Dennis S, Caceres K, Yao WC. Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Pseudotumor Masquerading As Invasive Fungal Sinusitis. Poster presentation at Annual ARS meeting, San Diego, CA 9/2016. Poster

Yao WC, Chandra R. Balloon Dilation of the Maxillary and Frontal Ostia: A Comparative Cadaveric Investigation. Poster presentation at Annual ARS meeting, San Diego, CA 9/2016. Poster

Wang BJ, Yao WC. Bilateral Silent Sinus Syndrome: A Case Report. Poster presentation at Annual ARS meeting, San Diego, CA 9/2016. Poster

Marino MJ, Luong A, Yao W, Citardi MJ. Adjunctive Pain and Anxiety Management for Office-Based Rhinology Procedures. Poster presentation at COSM ARS meeting, San Diego, CA 4/2017. Poster

Marino MJ, Luong A, Yao W, Citardi MJ. Management of Odontogenic Cysts by Endonasal Endoscopic Techniques: A Systematic Review and Case Series. Poster presentation at COSM ARS meeting, San Diego, CA 4/2017. Poster

Esianor BI, Yao WC. Combination of Antidepressant and Inhalational Anesthesia: a cautionary tale of increased intraoperative bleeding during endoscopic endonasal surgery. Poster presentation at Annual ARS meeting, Chicago, IL 9/2017. Poster

Marino MJ, Ling LC, Yao WC, Luong A, Citardi MJ. Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Symptoms in patients treated in a tertiary rhinology clinic. Oral presentation at Annual ARS meeting, Chicago, IL 9/2017.

Esianor BI, Yao WC, Roy S. The Role of Steroid Eluting Stents to Decrease Recurrence Risk in Adolescents with Allergic Fungal Rhinosinusitis. Poster presentation at Triologic Society Combined Sections Meeting. Jan 2018. Poster.

Vandelaar LJ, Luong A, Yao WC, Citardi MJ. Analysis of the sinonasal microbiome in exacerbations of chronic rhinosinusitis subgroups. Oral Presentation at COSM ARS meeting. April 2018.

Ting JH, Saini AT, Yao WC. Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma with distant metastasis to clivus. Poster at COSM ARS meeting. April 2018.

Vandelaar LJ, Jiang Z, Saini AT, Yao WC, Luong A, Citardi MJ. Depression and CRS: Relation between PHQ-9 and SNOT-22. Oral Presentation at ARS Annual Meeting. Atlanta, GA, October 2018.

Saini AT, Jiang Z, Yao WC, Luong A, Citardi MJ. Are NSAIDs Effective Enough for Postoperative Pain Control after Sinonasal Surgery? Oral Presentation at ARS Annual Meeting. Atlanta, GA, October 2018.

Jensen BT, Holbrook EH, Chen PG, Luong A, Marino MJ, Yao WC. The Intraoperative Accuracy of Maxillary Balloon Dilation: A Blinded Trial. Oral Presentation at ARS Annual Meeting. Atlanta, GA, October 2018

Villarreal R, Wrobel BB, Macias-Valle LF, Davis GE, Prihoda TJ, Luong AU, McMains KC, Weitzel EK, Yao WC, Brunworth J, Clark DW, Nair S, Valdés CJ, Halderman A, Jang DW, Sivasubramaniam R, Zhang Z, Chen PG.. International assessment of inter- and intrarater reliability of the International Frontal Sinus Anatomy Classification system. Oral Presentation at ARS Annual Meeting. Atlanta, GA, October 2018

Gong SW, Ahmadi S, Blackburn SL, Ulin L, Citardi MJ, Luong AU, Yao WC. Sniffin Sticks to Measure Olfactory Function and Recovery Following Bilateral Superior Turbinate Resection. Oral Presentation at ARS Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA, September 2019.

Yao WC, Ramakrishnan VR, Luong AU, Citardi MJ. VISUALIZE: a 24-week, open-label study using nasal endoscopy video to evaluate the efficacy and safety of EDS-FLU 186 μg twice daily in adults with bilateral nasal polyps. Oral Presentation at ARS Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA, September 2019.

Syed FK, Gong SW, Citardi MJ, Luong AU, Yao WC. Synechiae in patients with primary and revision FESS. Oral Presentation at ARS Spring Meeting, Atlanta, GA, April 2020.