About Me
I’m an otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon with many clinical and research interests, including head oncology, swallowing disorders, salivary gland disorders, sialendoscopy, endoscopic sinus surgery, and endoscopic and open skull base surgery. I am a member of The Ohio State University’s Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, which I joined in 2011 as a tenured professor, as well as director of the Comprehensive Skull Base Surgery Program and co-director of the Anatomy Laboratory Toward Visuospatial Innovation in Otolaryngology and Neurosurgery (ALT-VISION), a research and education lab. I was also named to the Castle Connolly list of "America's Top Doctors" from 2014 to 2019.
In 2014, the OSUCCC – James received a five-year, $11 million Specialized Program of Research Excellence grant from the National Cancer Institute to study thyroid cancer. I am co-leading one of the projects being supported by the grant: a study that attempts to identify biomarkers of damage to salivary glands and find new ways of protecting them from damage they can incur during thyroid cancer treatment.
Being part of OSUCCC – James has been a highlight of my career because it represents the cutting edge of treatment and of research. New technologies help us get to tumors that used to be impossible to reach — especially ones in the skull base. They also allow our multidisciplinary teams to perform minimally invasive surgeries with much faster recovery times.
I have been a doctor for over 35 years and served in the Air Force Reserve for five as a major in the medical corps. I’ve published more than 300 peer-reviewed articles, and edited, co-edited, or co-written more than a dozen medical books. I was raised in Puerto Rico and am bilingual in English and Spanish. I also have conversational skills in Portuguese and speak a little Italian and French.
Highlights
- Named to the Castle Connolly list of “America's Top Doctors,” 2014–2019; "American's Top Doctors for Cancer," 2014–2019; "Regional Top Doctors," 2019
- Rated in the top 10 percent of physicians in the nation for patient satisfaction, 2017, 2018
- Best Doctor in America, 2017
Procedures and Conditions I Treat
- Melanoma
- Otolaryngology
- Skin Cancers
- Oropharyngeal Cancers
- Mouth Cancers
- Laryngeal Cancers
- Lip Cancers
- Head and Neck Cancer
- Skull Base Tumors
- Jaw Cancers
- Paraganglioma
- Pituitary Tumor
- Facial Cancers
- Adenoidectomy
- Bell Palsy
- Swallowing Disorders
- Facial Nerve Diseases
- Facial Paralysis
- Glomus Tumor
- Goiter
- Goiter, Endemic
- Goiter, Substernal
- Graves Disease
- Jaw Diseases
- Lichen Planus, Oral
- Lingual Goiter
- Mandibular Diseases
- Mandible Tumors
- Maxillary Diseases
- Maxillofacial Injuries
- Mouth Diseases
- Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1
- Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2a
- Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2b
- Nasal Surgical Procedures
- Natural Orifice Endoscopic Surgery
- Neck Dissection
- Neuroendoscopy
- Nose Diseases
- Nose Cancers
- Parathyroid Cancers
- Parathyroid Diseases
- Pharyngeal Diseases
- Pharyngeal Cancers
- Pituitary Apoplexy
- Reconstructive Surgical Procedures
- Respiratory Tract Diseases
- Salivary Gland Diseases
- Thyroid Cancer
Education and Training
Education History
Medical School
University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, San Juan,
MD
8/8/1977 - 6/5/1981
Internship
San Juan VA Hospital, San Juan, PR
7/1/1981 - 6/30/1982
Residency
University Hospital, San Juan, PR
7/1/1982 - 6/30/1984
Residency
University Hospital, San Juan, PR
7/1/1984 - 6/30/1987
Fellowship
Eye and Ear Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
7/1/1989 - 6/30/1990
Board Certification
American Board of Otolaryngology
10/9/1987
Academic Information
My Department
Otolaryngology
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.
130 Patient Satisfaction Reviews
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Overall
4.8 out of 5
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Kept you informed about your condition and treatment
4.8 out of 5
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Amount of time spent with you
4.7 out of 5
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Concern for your questions and issues
4.8 out of 5
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Skill and knowledge
4.9 out of 5
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Overall quality of care
4.9 out of 5
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 10/25/2021, Dr. Carrau has reported relationships with the companies or entities listed below. If you have questions about the relationships listed below, please ask the faculty member. If you have questions about how these relationships are monitored by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, please contact our Compliance Office.
- North American Skull Base Society
I am blessed to have Dr. Carrau as my physician. He is kind, compassionate & understanding. He spent extra time explaining my health issue and answering my questions. He allayed my fears & instilled confidence in me. He is extremely knowledgeable - the best!
Good
Everyone is kind. I have always received excellent care!
This whole process ran like a Swiss watch, I felt like I was being treated with dignity and respect from the moment I entered the facility.
The doctor took time to explain everything & answer all questions.
Dr. Carrau is the best! Two previous surgeries with him. Great bedside manner and explains the situation and condition so well. Residents and visiting doctors should be honored to work and learn from him.
Very skilled provider, explains things to my understanding, extremely concerned with my issue, and excellent surgeon.
The doctor was very concerned about my well-being and gave me his cell phone number to contact him in important situations
Excellent experience.
Great
Very empathetic, accommodating excellence!!
Very knowledgeable, talented, and patient.
Dr. Carrau is the best in his field. He is kind and caring - I have received excellent care from him and all involved in my care in this department.
I have very high regards for Dr. Carrau and completely trust his judgment.
Very rushed. Spent more time with nurse & resident dr. than the dr. himself.
Excellent
Great surgeon but terrible follow up and care- not thorough at all! Never examined my " bad" nostril or felt my neck for enlarged lymph nodes. A huge disappointment!
Can't write enough good things about Dr Carrau
excellent doctor with excellent bedside manner
Always professional/kind/knowledgeable about care & personal info (Holistic treatment).
Good and informative.
Dr. Carrau is a very knowledgeable, caring, compassionate physician.
awesome
Very courteous - great about ans3wering our questions and explaining procedures.
I was sent to Dr Carrue because of the difficulty of this surgery. For him it was routine, the level of care that I received at the James is far superior than anything that I have ever experienced.
Dr. Carrau is the best! He saved my life.
awesome
Dr. Carrau's team members are all A+++.
Always sensitive to be quick about tasks to reduce waiting time while also spending considerable amount of time to address needs as needed. Always friendly, personal & pleasant.