Benjamin Shields

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Benjamin Shields is a pioneering pediatric otolaryngologist whose work centers on minimally invasive surgical techniques for complex upper airway conditions in children. His major contribution lies in advancing transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for pediatric patients, a field where he has demonstrated its safety and efficacy for treating obstructive sleep apnea, lingual tonsil hypertrophy, and other airway pathologies. His landmark 2024 study, "Transoral robotic surgery for pediatric upper airway pathology: An institutional update," with 5 citations, provides critical long-term outcome data that has helped establish TORS as a viable alternative to traditional open surgeries in children. Shields’ work is notable for its focus on reducing surgical morbidity and improving recovery times in a vulnerable population, bridging the gap between adult robotic surgery protocols and pediatric-specific needs. His research has been instrumental in refining patient selection criteria and surgical techniques, earning him recognition as a key opinion leader in pediatric robotic surgery. Through his institutional updates and clinical series, Shields continues to shape the standard of care for young patients with complex airway disorders, making his contributions essential reading for surgeons and trainees in pediatric otolaryngology.