Dr. Sampath Chandra Prasad Rao is a globally acclaimed ENT & Skull Base Surgeon, trained under world leaders like Prof. Mario Sanna in Italy. He has pioneered many novel skull base surgical techniques in India and is deeply involved in integrating Robotics, VR/AR, and cutting-edge technology into surgical training. As the Founder of World Skull Base Foundation, he established India’s first University-recognised fellowship in skull base surgery. With 150+ peer-reviewed publications, 40 textbook chapters, and 3 authored textbooks, he is a thought leader admired for both academic excellence and patient care.

Educational Qualifications:

• MBBS – Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, Manipal University
• MS (ENT) – Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore (Best Outgoing Student, 2006)
• Fellowship in Skull Base Surgery & Hearing Implantology – Gruppo Otologico, Piacenza, Italy
• Fellowship – European Academy of Neurotology (EAONO)
• Joint European Diploma in Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery – Université Paris Diderot, Paris
• Honorary Fellow – American College of Surgeons (FACS)

Professional Memberships:

• Skull Base Surgery from European Academy of Neurotology (EAONO) and Gruppo Otologico (Italy)
• Joint European Diploma in Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery from the Université Paris Diderot, Paris, France
• Fellow of European Board of Examinations and UEMS
• Fellow of the Indian Academy of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery
• Life Member, Pulitzer Society
• Life Member and Fellow, European Academy of Otology & Neurotology
• American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery
• Member, European Rhinological Society (ERS)
• Life Member, Association of Otolaryngologists of India
• Life Member and Honorary Fellow, Indian Academy of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery
• Life Member, Indian Society of Otology (ISO)
• Life Member, Foundation for Head & Neck Oncology (FHNO)
• Life Member, Cochlear Implant Group of India (CIGI)
• Life Member, Neurotology and Equilibriometric Society of India (NES)
• Association of Otolaryngologist of India – Karnataka
• Life Member, Indian Medical Association (IMA)
• Life Member, Karavali Branch of the AOI
• Member, Rotary International (RI)

Awards & Achievements:

• Awards and Distinctions
• Distinction in the MS (Otolaryngology), Manipal University & Borekatte Laxmi Devi Memorial Award for the best outgoing MS (Otorhinolaryngology) student, 2006
• Distinctions in Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Forensic Medicine, Otorhinolaryngology, Ophthalmology examinations in MBBS, 1995-2000
• 73rd rank in the State CET entrance examinations (Level A), 96% in PCMB in 2nd PUC, 1995
• 3rd rank among over 500,000 students appearing for exams in the State SSLC Board examinations
• (Level O), 1993 Felicitated for the same by the then Hon’ble Governor of Karnataka, Mr. Khurshid Alam Khan & Mr. Kota Shivaram Karanth
• National Scholastic Excellence Award, Coal India Scholarship & Smt. Gagamma Charitable Trust Award for securing the 3rd rank in Karnataka SSLC exams, 1993
• Best out-going student in secondary schooling among Canara group of institutions, 1993
• Sathpathi Memorial Prize for academic excellence in primary schooling, MKEHPS, 1986
• Consecutive proficiency prizes between 1987-1993 for best academic student in primary & secondary schooling.
• Honors & Orations
• Honorary Associate Professor, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine
• Invited Oration: at KENTCON Conference, Kerala, 27th to 29th September 2024
• Honored with Health Excellence Award 2023, By Times Group (Vijay Karnataka – Bangalore Mirror) for exceptional medical service in ENT - Head & Neck Onco Surgery
• Dr. Ekanatham M Oration, at the 8th Telangana State Conference 2023, Association of Otolaryngologists of India, 23rd September to 24 September 2023, Telangana, India.
• Dr. JV Desa Oration, at the 52nd Annual Maharashtra State Conference (MENTCON), 2nd December to 4th December 2022, Shirdi, Ahmednagar, India.
• Prof. Alauddin Oration at the 17th National Conference of ORLHNS 2019 of the Society of Otolaryngologists & Head Neck Surgeons of Bangladesh, 30th November to 2nd December 2019, Dhaka, Bangladesh
• Prof. SR Singh Oration at the 37th UPAOICON 2019, Annual State Conference of the UP branch of the Association of Otolaryngologists of India, 8th to 10th November 2019, Lucknow, India
• Karnataka ENT Oration at the AOIKON 2019, 37th Annual State Conference of the Karnataka branch of the Association of Otolaryngologists of India, 27th to 29th September 2019, Madikeri, India
• DS Grewal Oration at the 70th Annual Conference of the Association of Otolaryngologists of India, 4th to 7th January 2018, Indore, India
• Felicitation by the Bangladesh ENT Association and the Bangladesh Society of Otology at the 2nd Advance Temporal Bone and Skull Base Dissection and Surgery workshop, 21st to 24th August 2017, Dhaka, Bangladesh
• Felicitation by the Andhra Branch of the AOI at their 35th Annual AOI Conference, 5th September 2016.
• Honorary Fellowship of the Indian Academy of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, awarded on 26th August 2016 by the President & Secretary of IAOHNS.
• Global Otology Research Forum (GLORF) best paper award: Neurotology & Skull Base Surgery, Politzer Society Meeting, 13th–17th November 2013, Antalya, Turkey
• Best paper award, Neurotology 2013, 11th-12th April, Milan, Italy
• Rameshwardasji Birla Smarak Kosh Fellowship, 2013 for Neurotology & Skull Base Surgery at Gruppo Otologico, Piacenza, Italy
• 14th British Academic Conference in Otolaryngology (BACO) fellowship, 2012, Glasgow, UK
• 13th British Academic Conference in Otolaryngology (BACO) fellowship, 2009, Liverpool, UK
• Certificate of excellence in scientific publications in 2007 & 2008 by Manipal University
• Borekatte Laxmi Devi Memorial Award for the best out-going MS (Otorhinolaryngology) student, Manipal University, 2006
• Prof. MV Venkatesh Murthy Gold medal for the best poster presentation. 22nd Karnataka State Conference of the Karnataka branch of AOI, 16th -19th April 2004, Mysore
• Second prize, Dr. Kishore Chandra Prasad Gold Medal for the best quiz team in the ENT quiz competitions, South Zone Conference of AOI, 25-28th September 2003, Thrissur
• Second prize, Otolaryngology quiz competitions, 23rd Karnataka State Conference of the Karnataka branch of AOI, 27th-29th May 2005, Hubli
• 23. Ten Outstanding Young Indian (TOYI) Award, 2008 by Junior Chamber International (JCI), India Chapter, 53rd National Convention of JCI India, on 27th December 2008 at Pondicherry.
• Fellow, Rotary International Group Study Exchange (GSE) Programme, RI District 3180 (Karnataka, India) to RI District 9910 (North Island, New Zealand), 22nd March to 22nd April 2009

Publications:

• Peer Reviewed (Indexed in PubMed)
• Prasad SC, Laus M, Al-Ghamdi S, Vashishth A, Piazza P, Sanna M. Update in the classification and the role of intra-arterial stenting in the management of carotid body paragangliomas. Head Neck. 2019 May;41(5):1379-1386.doi: 10.1002/hed.25567. [Epub ahead of print] Hn U, Prasad SC, Russo A, Grinblat G, Sanna M. Cholesteatoma of the External Auditory Canal: Review of Staging and Surgical Strategy. Otol Neurotol. 2018 Sep 12. doi: 10.1097/MAO.0000000000001972.
• Prasad SC, Sanna M. Transcanal Transpromontorial Approach to Vestibular Schwannoma: Are We There Yet? Otol Neurotol. 2018 Jun;39(5):661-662. doi: 10.1097/MAO.0000000000001822.
• Grinblat G, Dandinarasaiah M, Prasad SC, Piras G, Piccirillo E, Fulcheri A, Sanna M. Temporal Bone Meningo Encephalic-Herniation: Etiological Categorization and Surgical Strategy. Otol Neurotol. 2018 Mar;39(3):320-332. doi: 10.1097/MAO.0000000000001693.
• Verginelli F, Perconti S, Vespa S, Schiavi F, Prasad SC, Lanuti P, Cama A, Tramontana L, Esposito DL, Guarnieri S, Sheu A, Pantalone MR, Florio R, Morgano A, Rossi C, Bologna G, Marchisio M, D'Argenio A, Taschin E, Visone R, Opocher G, Veronese A, Paties CT, Rajasekhar VK, Söderberg-Nauclér C, Sanna M, Lotti LV, Mariani-Costantini R. Paragangliomas arise through an autonomous vasculo-angio-neurogenic program inhibited by imatinib. Acta Neuropathol. 2018 Jan 5. doi: 10.1007/s00401-017-1799-2.
• Prasad SC, Patnaik U, Grinblat G, Giannuzzi A, Piccirillo E, Taibah A, Sanna M. Decision Making in the Wait-and-Scan Approach for Vestibular Schwannomas: Is There a Price to Pay in Terms of Hearing, Facial Nerve, and Overall Outcomes? Neurosurgery. 2017 Dec 21. doi: 10.1093/neuros/nyx568.
• Prasad SC, Sanna M. The Importance of Using the Modified Fisch Classification and the Determination of the Natural Rate of Growth of Tumor by Wait-and-Scan Approach Before Offering Radiosurgery for Tympanojugular Paragangliomas. Otol Neurotol. 2017 Dec;38(10):1550-1551. doi: 10.1097/MAO.0000000000001618.
• Vashishth A, Fulcheri A, Prasad SC, Bassi M, Rossi G, Caruso A, Sanna M. Cochlear Implantation in Cochlear Ossification: Retrospective Review of Etiologies, Surgical Considerations, and Auditory Outcomes. Otol Neurotol. 2017 Oct 23. doi: 10.1097/MAO.0000000000001613.
• Vashishth A, Fulcheri A, Rossi G, Prasad SC, Caruso A, Sanna M. Cochlear Implantation in Otosclerosis: Surgical and Auditory Outcomes with a Brief on Facial Nerve Stimulation. Otol Neurotol. 2017 Oct;38(9):e345-e353. doi: 10.1097/MAO.0000000000001552.
• Prasad SC, Laus M, Dandinarasaiah M, Piccirillo E, Russo A, Taibah A, Sanna M. Surgical Management of Intrinsic Tumors of the Facial Nerve. Neurosurgery. 2017 Sep 29. doi: 10.1093/neuros/nyx489.
• Dandinarasaiah M, Grinblat G, Prasad SC, Taibah A, Sanna M. Rapidly growing cystic vestibular schwannoma with sudden onset facial palsy, ten years after subtotal excision. Laryngoscope. 2017 Jul 19. doi: 10.1002/lary.26768.
• Florio R, De Lellis L, di Giacomo V, Di Marcantonio MC, Cristiano L, Basile M, Verginelli F, Verzilli D, Ammazzalorso A, Prasad SC, Cataldi A, Sanna M, Cimini A, Mariani-Costantini R, Mincione G, Cama A. Effects of PPARα inhibition in head and neck paraganglioma cells. PLoS One. 2017 Jun 8;12(6):e0178995. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0178995. eCollection 2017
• Prasad SC, Sanna M. The Role of Radiation in Tympanojugular Paragangliomas Needs to be Objectively Re evaluated. Otol Neurotol. 2017 Aug;38(7):1060-1062 doi: 10.1097/MAO.0000000000001471.
• Prasad SC, Balasubramanian K, Piccirillo E, Taibah A, Russo A, He J, Sanna M. Surgical technique and results of cable graft interpositioning of the facial nerve in lateral skull base surgeries: experience with 213 consecutive cases. J Neurosurg. 2017 Apr 7:1-8. doi: 10.3171/2016.9.JNS16997. [Epub ahead of print]
• Prasad SC, Roustan V, Piras G, Caruso A, Lauda L, Sanna M. Subtotal petrosectomy: Surgical technique, indications, outcomes, and comprehensive review of literature. Laryngoscope. 2017 Mar 27. doi: 10.1002/lary.26533.
• Grinblat G, Prasad SC, Sanna M. Transcanal Approach With Osteotomy Versus Retroauricular Approach With Microdrill for Canaplasty in Exostosis and Osteomas. Otol Neurotol. 2017 Mar 22. doi: 10.1097/MAO.0000000000001384. [Epub ahead of print]
• Grinblat G, Prasad SC, Fulcheri A, Laus M, Russo A, Sanna M. Lateral Skull Base Surgery in a Pediatric population: A 25 year experience in a referral skull base center. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2017 Mar;94:70-75. doi: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2017.01.017.
• Sanna M, Medina MD, Macak A, Rossi G, Sozzi V, Prasad SC. Vestibular Schwannoma Resection with Ipsilateral Simultaneous Cochlear Implantation in patients with Normal Contralateral Hearing. Audiol Neurootol. 2016 Nov 5;21(5):286-295.
• Grinblat G, Prasad SC, Piras G, He J, Taibah A, Russo A, Sanna M. Outcomes of Drill Canalplasty in Exostoses and Osteoma: Analysis of 256 Cases and Literature Review. Otol Neurotol. 2016 Dec;37(10):1565-1572.
• Prasad SC, Piras G, Piccirillo E, Taibah A, Russo A, He J, Sanna M. Surgical Strategy and Facial Nerve Outcomes in Petrous Bone Cholesteatoma. Audiol Neurootol. 2016 Oct 7;21(5):275-285.
• Prasad SC, Murthy PSN. Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis. Orissa J Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg. July-Dec 2007:1(1):17-19.
• Authored books
• Surgery for Cochlear and Other Auditory Implants. Stuttgart-New York, 2016, Thieme Publishers
• The Temporal Bone: Anatomical Dissection and Surgical Approaches. Stuttgart-New York, 2018, Thieme Publishers
• Color Atlas of Endo-otoscopy: Examination, Diagnosis, Treatment. Stuttgart-New York, 2018, Thieme Publishers
• Chapters in books
• Prasad KC, Prasad SC, Chakravarthy Y, Rao P, Thada N, Rani S. Scrofula and Other Tuberculous Infections of the Head & Neck. In: Durand M, Deschler DG (eds). Infections of the Ears, Nose, Throat and Sinuses. New York: Springer.
• Prasad SC, Paties CT, Pantalone MR, Mariani-Costantini R, Sanna M. Carotid Body and Vagal Paragangliomas: Epidemiology, Genetics, Clinicopathological Features, Imaging, and Surgical Management. In: Paraganglioma: A Multidisciplinary Approach. Renato Mariani-Costantini (Editor), Codon Publications, Brisbane, Australia. ISBN: 978-0-9944381-7-1; Doi:
• Prasad SC, Paties CT, Schiavi F, Esposito DL, Lotti LV, Mariani-Costantini R, Sanna M. Tympanojugular Paragangliomas: Surgical Management and Clinicopathological Features. In: Paraganglioma: A Multidisciplinary Approach. Renato Mariani-Costantini (Editor), Codon Publications, Brisbane, Australia. ISBN: 978-0-9944381-7-1; Do
• Prasad SC, Mancini F, Russo A, Taibah A, Sanna M. Surgical management of C and D Tympanojugular Paragangliomas including complex cases. In: Wanna GB, Carlson ML, Netterville J. Contemporary Management of Jugular Paraganglioma. New York: Springer Prasad SC, Piazza P, Russo A, Taibah A, Galletti F, Sanna M. Management of Internal Carotid Artery in Skull Base Paragangliomas. In: Wanna GB, Carlson ML, Netterville J. Contemporary Management of Jugular Paraganglioma. New York: Springer
• Sanna M, Prasad SC, Russo A, Taibah A. Auditory Brainstem Implants: Indications and Techniques. In: de Souza C (ed). Implantable Hearing Devices. California: Plural Medical Publishers.
• Prasad SC, Mancini F, Russo A, Taibah A, Galletti F, Sanna M. Interposition nerve graft after resection of acoustic neuroma. In: Carlson ML, Link MJ, Driscoll CL (eds). Comprehensive Management of Acoustic Neuroma. New York: Thieme Publishers
• OSIA: A path breaking novel implantable bone anchored system for hearing loss - Dr. Sampath Chandra Prasad Rao, Ear, Nose & Throat, Skull Base Surgery, Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road.