Karthik Rajasekaran, MD, FACS
Otorhinolaryngology
Accepting new patients
Sees patients age 12 and up
Penn Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Washington Square
Schedule onlineCall 800-789-7366
Penn Medicine Provider

About me

  • Head and Neck Oncologic & Microvascular Reconstructive Surgeon
  • Co-Director, Head and Neck Oncology and Microvascular Reconstruction Fellowship
  • Director, Facial Trauma
  • Director, Quality Improvement
  • Associate Professor of Otorhinolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
  • Associate Professor of Dermatology

Dr. Karthik Rajasekaran is a renowned head and neck oncologic and reconstructive surgeon who has dedicated his career to providing personalized treatment plans for patients with benign and malignant tumors. With his unwavering commitment to ensuring the best possible care, Dr. Raj brings unparalleled expertise to the treatment of a wide range of head and neck cancers.

Dr. Raj's impressive skill set covers everything from endoscopic to minimally invasive and traditional surgical techniques, making him a sought-after surgeon in the field. He has a particular proficiency in transoral robotic surgery (TORS), endoscopic approaches for skull base and nasal tumors, advanced oncologic surgery, and state-of-the-art reconstructive options following cancer surgery, injury from radiation therapy, and trauma.

Dr. Raj believes in treating his patients with the same level of care and attention that he would offer to his own family. This philosophy is reflected in his accessibility to his patients, as he provides them with the support they need to navigate their treatment with confidence.

In addition to his dedication to patient care, Dr. Raj is also a highly respected researcher, with over 150 scientific publications and textbook chapters to his name. His research interests include areas such as outcomes for patients treated with advanced head and neck cancer, reducing opioid use in head and neck cancer patients, and optimizing perioperative care. His work has earned him numerous national awards, research grants, and invitations to speak at national and international conferences, highlighting his unwavering commitment to advancing the field of head and neck cancer treatment.

Dr. Raj's compassionate, patient-centric approach is at the heart of his practice, as he centers on understanding and meeting the goals and values of his patients and their caregivers. If you're looking for a highly skilled and compassionate head and neck surgeon, Dr. Karthik Rajasekaran is the right choice for you.

Education and training

  • Medical School: Rosalind Franklin University
  • Residency: Cleveland Clinic Foundation
  • Fellowship: University of Pennsylvania Health System

What my patients think about me

Average Rating

1230 reviews

Comments are submitted by patients and reflect their views and opinions. The comments are not endorsed by and do not necessarily reflect the views of Penn Medicine.

January 2026
very compassionate
January 2026
he is the best!!!
December 2025
very knowledgeable and friendly
December 2025
the best

Insurance accepted

My Locations

Penn Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Washington Square

Penn Medicine hospital privileges

  • Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania: Has privileges to treat patients in the hospital.
  • Pennsylvania Hospital: Has privileges to treat patients in the hospital.
  • Penn Presbyterian Medical Center: Has privileges to treat patients in the hospital.
Dr. Rajasekaran is a Penn Medicine physician.

Qualifications and experience

Treatments and Conditions

My research

Park SL, Painter MM, Manne S, Alcalde V, McLaughlin M, Sullivan MA, Mathew D, Torres L, Huang YJ, Reeg DB, Douek NR, Campos T, Klapholz M, Cardenas MA, Fang V, Ngiow SF, Kc W, Goel RR, Baxter AE, Wu JE, Tan M, Berry CT, Ellebrecht CT, Alexander HC, Papazian E, Liu Y, Rajasekaran K, Brody RM, Thaler ER, Basu D, Diab A, Giles JR, Wherry EJ Tissue-resident exhausted and memory CD8+ T cells have distinct ontogeny, function and role in disease , Nat Immunol, 27(1): 2026,110-125

Moss W, Muralidhar A, Girela M, Rajasekaran K, Moreira A Pediatric laryngeal trauma: An epidemiological study using the National Trauma Data Bank , Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol: 2025

Fu BJ, Potter AL, Pipkorn P, Kraimer KL, Chen MM, Rajasekaran K, Yang CJ, Lee JJ Differences in Survival Following Surgery Versus Chemoradiotherapy for Clinical Stage T4a Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis , Head Neck: 2025

Barrette LX, Gentile M, Rajasekaran K. Contralateral Tonsil in p16-Positive Tonsil Squamous Cell Carcinoma Contralateral Tonsil in p16-Positive Tonsil Squamous Cell Carcinoma , JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg, 151(12): 2025,1115-1116

Halle TR, Cao AC, Naik AG, Weinstein GS, Lee JJ, Gobillot TA, Kaye ER, Brody RM, Basu D, O'Malley BW Jr, Farwell DG, Cannady SB, Lin A, Lukens J, Gentile M, Newman JG, Chalian AA, Rasskeh CH, Rajasekaran K Risk of Occult Contralateral Neck Metastasis in Early-Stage HPV-Related Lateralized Cancer of the Base of the Tongue , Head Neck: 2025

Trifoi MD, Morales KV, Frankel D, Lin SK, Deitermann AM, Haynes D, Lubeck M, Etzkorn JR, Sobanko JF, Giordano CN, Walker JL, Zhang J, Lewis DJ, Higgins HW 2nd, Miura JT, Karakousis GC, Rajasekaran K, Cannady SB, Brody RM, Mitchell TC, Amaravadi RK, Lukens JN, Miller CJ. Compliance with guidelines and timeliness of sentinel lymph node biopsy for Merkel cell carcinoma treated with Mohs micrographic surgery versus conventional excision at a tertiary academic center , J Am Acad Dermatol: 2025

Lam D, Herpin L, Campe L, Brody RM, Rajasekaran K, Mirza N Medialization Thyroplasty with Tensor Fascia Lata for Immunocompromised or Irradiated Patients , J Voice: 2025

Kaki P, Lam D, Sangal NR, Carey RM, Rajasekaran K, Chalian A, Brody RM, Weinstein GS, Cannady SB Comparing Functional Outcomes Following TORS With Free Flap Reconstruction Using a Radial Forearm vs. Anterolateral Thigh Flap , Head Neck: 2025

Veerabagu SA, Nugent ST, Geng Z, Yanes AF, Fischer JP, Kovell R, Kuntz AF, Rajasekaran K, VanderBeek BL, Miller CJ, Etzkorn JR, Sobanko JF, Higgins HW 2nd, Walker J, Zhang J, Giordano CN National opioid prescription decline across outpatient specialty surgeries: a claims database study , J Am Acad Dermatol, 93(3): 2025,733-741

Deng J, Murphy BA, Andersen LP, McMenamin E, Lukens JN, Cohn JC, Rajasekaran K, Quinn RJ, Spinelli BA, Lin A Feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a lymphedema and fibrosis self-management program for head and neck cancer survivors: a pilot randomized controlled trial , Oral Oncol: 2025

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