Laura Matrka, MD

Physician, Professor

Otolaryngology

Laura Matrka 4.9 out of 5

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Conditions and expertise

  • Tracheal Stenosis
  • Otolaryngology
  • Laryngeal Cancers
  • Hoarseness
  • Cough
  • Airway Obstruction

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Locations

  • Martha Morehouse Outpatient Care
  • Ear, Nose and Throat / Allergy

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Academics and research

Department: Otolaryngology

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About

Gender
Female
Additional languages
Spanish

Biography

My focus is in ear, nose and throat surgery. I specialize in voice and airway disorders. I completed additional training in the field of laryngology, giving me expertise in treating voice and airway problems. I treat patients who speak or sing professionally, as well as those with narrowing of the airway.

I am passionate about helping people live as full a life as possible. Part of this passion comes from recognizing the fundamental role that the voice and airway play in our lives.

Part of my role as a physician is to teach patients as much as I can. I give them the information they need to feel good about making their own decisions about their health care. Our multidisciplinary team of experts works one-on-one with our patients to create a targeted treatment plan specific to their disease.

I love working at Ohio State because it's an environment of constant improvement. Everyone around me is always trying to make things better for our patients. It inspires me to work harder for my patients every day.

In my free time I enjoy the outdoors, Ohio State football games, reading, traveling and time with family. People are sometimes surprised to learn that I used to be a piano teacher and a Spanish teacher.
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Highlights

  • Member, the American Laryngological Association and the Triological Society
  • Author of several book chapters on voice and airway problems
  • Rated in the top 10 percent of physicians in the nation for patient satisfaction, 2016, 2018
  • Named to Castle Connolly's Regional Top Doctors list

Conditions and expertise

  • Airway Obstruction
  • Cough
  • Hoarseness
  • Laryngeal Cancers
  • Otolaryngology
  • Swallowing Disorders
  • Tonsillitis
  • Tracheal Diseases
  • Tracheal Stenosis
  • Vocal Cord Paralysis
  • Voice Disorders

Locations

Please note: Not all physicians schedule patients at each listed location.

Credentials

Education

Fellowship - Otolaryngology
University Hospital, San Antonio, TX, United States
7/1/2011 - 3/9/2012
Residency - Otolaryngology
Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, United States
7/1/2007 - 6/30/2011
Internship - Surgery (General Surgery)
Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, United States
7/1/2006 - 6/30/2007
Doctor of Medicine (MD)
University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH
8/19/2002 - 6/10/2006

Certification

  • American Board of Otolaryngology
    6/1/2013

Academics and research

My current research includes:

  • A Prospective, Non-randomized Study to Evaluate Dysphagia Outcome Following Complex Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion Surgery Necessitating ENT Assistance
    This study will examine outcomes and risk factors for postoperative dysphagia in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) patients whose cases required ENT surgical assistance due to complexity.
  • Prospective Analysis of Superior Laryngeal Nerve Block for SLN Neuropathy
    The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the superior laryngeal nerve block in improving cough symptoms and to identify predictors of which patients are most likely to benefit from the injection.
  • Investigating Demographic Contributors to Spasmodic Dysphonia
    This study will examine how demographic factors, including ethnicity, occupation, and socioeconomic status, relate to the development of spasmodic dysphonia in adults.
  • Retrospective Investigation of Stroboscopy Findings among Patients Seeking Gender-Affirming Voice Care
    This project aims to assess baseline nasopharyngolaryngoscopy and stroboscopy findings among patients seeking gender-affirming voice care.
  • Opioid-Sparing Pain Management Protocol Following Outpatient Otolaryngology Surgery
    This study will evaluate whether an opioid-sparing pain regimen implemented in 2020 at The Ohio State Department of Otolaryngology reduced postoperative opioid prescribing for outpatient surgeries.
  • Atypical Presentations of Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis in the Oropharynx and Nasopharynx
    Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis (RRP), caused by HPV types 6 and 11, usually affects the larynx, but some patients present only with oral or oropharyngeal lesions. This study will review charts to compare these groups and identify differences in disease course and care needs.
  • Retrospective Review on the use of Computational Fluid Dynamics as a tool for the evaluation of laryngotracheal stenosis
    This study will use computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to evaluate how the shape and conformation of laryngotracheal stenosis affect airflow and symptoms, with the goal of improving understanding and management of this disease.
  • Air Quality Metrics and Subglottic Stenosis Recurrence
    This study aims to assess whether air pollutant levels are linked to disease severity in idiopathic subglottic stenosis, with the hypothesis that higher pollutant exposure correlates with greater severity.
  • Is there an ancestral link to idiopathic subglottic stenosis
    This study aims to investigate genetic predispositions and ancestral factors in idiopathic subglottic stenosis (iSGS) using 23andMe data to better understand disease risk and inform prevention and treatment strategies.
  • Understanding Dysplasia Grading in Patients referred from the Community to a Tertiary Institution
    Despite switching from a four-tiered to a two-tiered system in 2017, grading head and neck dysplasia still shows variability among pathologists due to differing interpretations and prior experience.
  • Retrospective review of vocal fold paresis and paralysis to find trends in etiology, prognosis, management, and outcomes
    This study aims to evaluate the causes, management, and outcomes of vocal fold paresis/paralysis (VFP). By reviewing cases, we will assess risk factors for complications and disease progression, with the goal of improving clinical decision-making and patient counseling.
  • Diet and Symptoms of Idiopathic Subglottic Stenosis
    This pilot study will survey adults with iSGS to assess dietary habits and beliefs and explore potential links between pro-inflammatory foods and disease severity to inform future dietary interventions.
  • Updated practice patterns for adjuvant treatment of recurrent laryngeal papillomatosis
    Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) causes non-cancerous airway lesions that often recur after surgery. Treatments such as cidofovir and bevacizumab are used to reduce recurrence. While past concerns about cidofovir’s cancer risk have not been supported by later research, treatment practices may have shifted. We aim to survey physicians to understand how RRP management has changed over the past 12 years.
  • Cricopharyngeal Dysfunction and Esophageal Diverticulum Prospective, Multi-Institutional Study
    A prospective, multi-institutional surgical dysphagia outcomes for Zenker’s esophageal diverticulum.
  • Voice Outcomes Following Transcutaneous Steroid Injection for Vocal Fold Nodules Combined with Voice Therapy Compared to Voice Therapy Alone
    A prospective, randomized trial investigating whether injection of dexamethasone into the vocal cords at site of nodules leads to improved rates of resolution over voice therapy alone.
  • Customized Tracheostomy Fistula Plug
    A study looking at a customized silicone plug designed to seal a tracheocutaneous fistula by plugging the hole connecting your windpipe to your skin.
  • Predicting Need for Prolonged Ventilation in Hospitalized Patients
    A study comparing the predictive value of the i-TRACH scale vs a modified i-TRACH scale including BMI in predicting length of oral intubation.
  • Prescribing Patterns of Narcotics Following Tonsillectomy and Laryngologic Surgery
    A study evaluating whether physicians over-prescribe narcotics after tonsillectomy. A second study evaluating laryngologic surgeries is underway.
  • Understanding Subglottic Stenosis and the Disease that Cause it
    A collaboration with rheumatology colleagues investigating the diagnosis delay in autoimmune or idiopathic subglottic stenosis.
  • Lupus and Vasculitis Registry and Rheumatology and Immunology Biorepository
    A registry and tissue bank enabling study of autoimmune and idiopathic subglottic stenosis, among many other disorder.
  • Does therapy for PVFMD provide benefit to patients with comorbid COPD?
    A study showing that COPD patients appear to benefit from laryngeal control therapy at similar rates to the broader PVFD population.
  • The utility of computational fluid dynamics in laryngotracheal stenosis
    A pilot study comparing CFD indices among a normal control, an airway stenosis patient, and post-resection airway in same patient.
  • The effect of a multidisciplinary airway conference on management decisions and treatment outcomes
    A study of outcomes associated with surgical management of airway disease after implementation of a multi-disciplinary group.
  • Cricopharyngeal Dysfunction and Esophageal Diverticulum: a Prospective, Multi-Institutional Study Proposal
    Comparison of surgical approaches to CP hypertrophy and Zenker’s diverticulum
  • Botox Use in Refractory Paradoxical Vocal Fold Motion Disorder
    Case series of patients treated with botox injection for dyspnea related to paradoxic vocal fold movement.
  • Histopathology of Vocal Fold Pyogenic Granuloma: A 10-Year Retrospective Review
    Retrospective review of a rare pathology and comparison to other types of granulomas affected the vocal folds.
  • Characteristics of patients undergoing arytenoidectomy with and without tracheostomy for bilateral vocal fold immobility
    Retrospective review assessing the factors that determine whether arytenoidectomy can be done safely without a tracheostomy. Multi-institutional collaboration with U Texas in San Antonio.
  • Jet Ventilation in Airway Surgery. PI: Laura Matrka, MD
    A review of complications and predictors of success in endoscopic airway surgery for tracheal stenosis.
  • Complications of in-office laryngologic procedures in patients on anticoagulation therapy
    A review of safety and outcomes of office procedures performed on patients who are anticoagulated.
  • Use of adjuvant therapy in recurrent respiratory papillomatosis
    A review of RRP cases requiring cidofovir injection and success rates with various treatment regimens.
  • Characterizing Risk Factors Associated with Tracheal Stenosis Following Tracheostomy
    A review of all patients undergoing tracheostomy at OSU in recent years to determine our rate of development of tracheal stenosis and the factors that influence it.
  • Clinical Outcomes of Polypoid Corditis Patients
    A retrospective review of 400 patients with polypoid corditis that examines rates of dysplasia and malignancy, among other clinical factors.
  • Treatment Alternatives in Adult Rare Disease; Assessment of Options in Idiopathic Subglottic Stenosis
    A multi-institutional prospective study collecting comprehensive clinical data on patients with Idiopathic SGS.
  • Laryngeal Injuries in the Intubated ICU Patient
    A prospective trial documenting laryngeal injuries occurring after intubation in ICU patients at various timepoints. IRB approved, accruing patients. Recipient of FAME Short Clinical Project Competition award.

Research interests

  • Breathing Disorders (Airway Stenosis
  • Vocal Cord Dysfunction
  • Use of Jet Ventilation)
  • Smoking-related Vocal Cord Disorders
  • Recurrent Respiratory
  • Papillomatosis and HPV Vaccination
  • Professional Voice Users (Singers
  • Teachers
  • etc)
  • Swallowing Disorders

Additional Research

  • Development of an Adult Laryngeal Papilloma Tissue Cell Line and Mouse Model
    This study will use tissue from laryngeal papilloma patients at OSU to develop cell models, identify genetic alterations, and explore new therapeutic options to reduce recurrence and improve management.
  • Cricopharyngeal Dysfunction and Esophageal Diverticulum: A Prospective, Multi-Institutional Study
    A prospective, multi-institutional surgical dysphagia outcomes for Zenker’s esophageal diverticulum.
  • Customized Tracheostomy Fistula Plug
    A study looking at a customized silicone plug designed to seal a tracheocutaneous fistula by plugging the hole connecting your windpipe to your skin.
  • Prescribing Patterns of Narcotics Following Tonsillectomy and Laryngologic Surgery
    A study evaluating whether physicians over-prescribe narcotics after tonsillectomy. A second study evaluating laryngologic surgeries is underway.
  • Understanding Subglottic Stenosis and the Disease that Cause it
    A collaboration with rheumatology colleagues investigating the diagnosis delay in autoimmune or idiopathic subglottic stenosis.
  • Lupus and Vasculitis Registry and Rheumatology and Immunology Biorepository
    A registry and tissue bank enabling study of autoimmune and idiopathic subglottic stenosis, among many other disorders.
  • The utility of computational fluid dynamics in laryngotracheal stenosis
    A pilot study comparing CFD indices among a normal control, an airway stenosis patient, and post-resection airway in same patient.
  • Clinical Outcomes of Polypoid Corditis Patients
    A retrospective review of 400 patients with polypoid corditis that examines rates of dysplasia and malignancy, among other clinical factors.
  • Expansion of Study: Does Treatment of Paradoxical Vocal Fold Motion Disorder Lead to Decreased Medication Use?
    Collecting additional data on PFT patterns in patients treated for PVFMD in relation to their asthma medication use. Also collecting longer-term follow-up data on these patients, including ER visits and healthcare utilization patterns. This is a follow-up of initial prospective observational study investigating asthma medication use prior to and 6 months after diagnosis and treatment of Paradoxical Vocal Fold Motion Disorder.
  • Nationwide Children’s Hospital Respiratory Tract Biorepository
    To collect and store biospecimens to support current and future basic science and translational research focused on the respiratory tract.
  • Medialization Laryngoplasty in Immunosuppressed Patients
    To evaluate the benefits and complications of medialization laryngoplasty in patients on immunosuppressive therapy, identifying any predictors of poor outcome or increased complication rate.
  • Retrograde Cricopharyngeal Dysfunction: Analysis of Treatment and Outcomes
    This study aims to evaluate the identification, treatment, and outcomes of patients with RCPD at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center to assess current practices and improve future standards of care.
  • Development of an Adult Laryngeal Papilloma Tissue Cell Line and Mouse Model
    Establishment of a tissue bank of papilloma specimens, with plan to expand to pediatric population if successful.
  • Botulinum Toxin Injection for Aphonia after Total Laryngectomy
    A retrospective study of Botox dosages and success rates of office Botox injections used to treat aphonia after total laryngectomy in voice prosthesis users.
  • Association Between Personality Traits and Voice Therapy Compliance and Outcomes in Patients with Benign Voice Pathology and Paradoxical Vocal Fold Dysfunction
    Prospective cohort assessing the association between personality traits as determined by the Big Five Inventory and voice therapy compliance and outcomes in patients with benign voice pathology or paradoxical vocal fold dysfunction.
  • Expanding Otolaryngology Coverage with Use of Telemedicine at a Tertiary Care, Academic Medical Center
    Pilot study to determine feasibility of a telemedicine platform used in the care of Otolaryngology patients.
  • Outcomes of Voice Therapy in Singers with Muscle Tension Dysphonia
    A retrospective review of efficacy of voice therapy for MTD in singers.
  • Expansion of Study: Does Treatment of Paradoxical Vocal Fold Motion Disorder Lead to Decreased Medication Use?
    Collecting additional data on PFT patterns in patients treated for PVFMD in relation to their asthma medication use. Also collecting longer-term follow-up data on these patients, including ER visits and healthcare utilization patterns. This is a follow-up of initial prospective observational study investigating asthma medication use prior to and 6 months after diagnosis and treatment of Paradoxical Vocal Fold Motion Disorder.

Awards and Honors

  • Nominated to speak as an ally on panel, “What Does it Take to be a Racial Ally?”: 2021 Annual Education Symposium “Disrupting Racism in Health Science Education and Research: Enhancing Our Skills as Educators”, Jan 2021
  • Castle Connolly Exceptional Women in Medicine award 2020, Dec 2020
  • Invited Lecturer, Johns Hopkins Grand Rounds, Laryngology Division, Oct 2020
  • Named to Castle Connolly’s Top Doctors 2019, 2020, Oct 2019
  • Invited guest faculty for University of Wisconsin-Madison Laryngeal Dissection Course, May 2019
  • Top Otolaryngologist award, Women in Medicine, Oct 2019
  • Program Planning Committee, Triologic Society, 123rd Annual Meeting, Oct 2019 - Apr 2021
  • Invited Lecturer/Visiting Professorship: Hospital Salvador Bienvenido Gautier departamento de Otorrinolaryngologia Cirugia de Cabeza y Cuello Republica Dominicana, Feb 2019
  • Triological Thesis accepted by Triological Society Council, January 2019
  • Top 10% in Patient Satisfaction 2018 (Press Ganey), December 2018
  • Co-chair of Early Career Laryngologists’ group, 2017-2018
  • Top 10% in Patient Satisfaction 2016 (Press Ganey), December 2016
  • FAME Short Clinical Project Competition awardee, October 2016
  • Exceptional Physician Peer Award, OSU Medical Center, August 2015
  • Member, American Bronchoesophageal Association, June 2015
  • Post-graduate Member, American Laryngologic Association, May 2014
  • Course Faculty: Fall Voice 2016, 2017; Advanced Practices in Voice and Dysphagia 2017, 2018, Oct 2016-Feb 2018

Academic information

Department:
Otolaryngology
Division:
Otolaryngology

More about my research

News and media

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Ratings and reviews

The overall patient satisfaction rating is an average of all patient responses to the six doctor communication related questions shown below from the Clinician and Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey. For additional information about the patient satisfaction survey, please visit our Patient Satisfaction Survey page.

The comments are submitted by patients and reflect their view and opinions. The comments are not endorsed by and do not necessarily reflect the views of Ohio State Wexner Medical Center.

376 Patient Satisfaction Reviews

4.9 out of 5 overall
  • Explains Things Carefully
    4.9 / 5
  • Listens Carefully
    4.9 / 5
  • Gives Understandable Instructions
    4.9 / 5
  • Knows My Medical History
    4.8 / 5
  • Shows Respect
    4.9 / 5
  • Time Spent Together
    4.9 / 5

Patient Comments

  • Reviewed on Dec 17, 2025

    Excellent

  • Reviewed on Dec 13, 2025

    They were very good

  • Reviewed on Dec 13, 2025

    Exceeded my expectations. Felt very comfortable with the doctor. Will recommend and visit again.

  • Reviewed on Nov 24, 2025

    All was good.

  • Reviewed on Nov 18, 2025

    Absolutely excellent

Consulting and Related Relationships

At The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, we support a faculty member’s research and consulting in collaboration with medical device, research and/or drug companies because a faculty member’s expertise can guide important advancements in the practice of medicine and improve patient care. In order to provide effective management of these relationships, the University requires annual disclosures from all faculty members with external interests related to their University responsibilities.

As of 11/3/2025, Dr. Matrka has reported no relationships with companies or entities.

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