About

Max M. April, MD, is a pediatric otolaryngologist at NYU Langone Health. He provides efficient care to young patients, striving to make each visit as effective and pleasant as possible by utilizing the latest technology and practices to help children recover and thrive. He specializes in treating sleep-disordered breathing in children, including snoring, restless sleep, and airway obstruction. With extensive experience, Dr. April has embraced innovative approaches and performed complex procedures that others might avoid. His dedication to advancing the field has earned him recognition as a leading pediatric otolaryngologist both locally and internationally. He is the director of the pediatric otolaryngology fellowship program at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Dr. April has been recognized as one of New York Magazine’s “Best Doctors in New York” and has been featured in Castle Connolly’s "America’s Top Doctors" series since 1997, reflecting his long-standing commitment to high-quality patient care. Additionally, he is a host on “The ENT Show” on SiriusXM’s Doctor Radio, where he shares insights on ear, nose, and throat conditions with renowned guests. He has published over 70 peer-reviewed papers in pediatric otolaryngology literature. His medical journey began with a combined undergraduate and medical school program at Boston University, followed by residency in otolaryngology at Boston University and Tufts University, and a pediatric otolaryngology fellowship at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Research topics

• Anatomy
• Surgery
• Medicine

Selected publications

• Corrigendum to “Mal de Debarquement Syndrome in Children: A Case Series” The Journal of Pediatrics 259 (2023):113435

  The Journal of Pediatrics · 2026-02-05

  articleOpen access
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• How Changing Signaling Volume Impacts the Importance of Away Rotations in the Otolaryngology Match

  OTO Open · 2026-01-01

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  Abstract Objective Signaling was introduced to the otolaryngology match in 2021, with 5 signals allotted to applicants in 2021, 4 in 2022, 7 in 2023, and 25 in 2024. This study investigated the modifying effect of signaling volume on the relationship between away rotations and matching in otolaryngology from 2018 to 2024. Study Design Cross‐sectional. Setting National survey of US medical students. Methods We used the Texas Seeking Transparency in Application to Residency (STAR) survey responses of otolaryngology applicants from 2018 to 2024. Using multivariate logistic regression, we determined the odds of matching where away rotations were performed and how these odds varied across the pre‐volume (2018‐2020), low‐volume (2021‐2023), and high‐volume (2024) signaling eras. Results In total, 28.3% (n = 855) of otolaryngology applicants from 2018 to 2024 completed the Texas STAR survey. Using multivariate logistic regression, adjusting for applicant characteristics, and including an interaction term between performing away rotations and signaling time period, applicants in the high‐volume signaling era were found to be significantly less likely to match at programs where away rotations were performed (odds ratio [OR]: 0.56, 95% CI: 0.33‐0.95; P < .05) compared to the pre‐signaling era. The same trend was seen in the low‐volume signaling era, though not statistically significant (OR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.47‐1.22, P = .24). The most impactful factor on matching across all study years was performing an away rotation (OR: 12.1, 95% CI: 9.0‐16.5, P < .001). Conclusion The introduction of signaling and the recent increase in signal number are associated with decreased likelihood of matching at a program where an away rotation was performed compared to the pre‐signaling era. Level of Evidence V.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Managing a Complex Foreign Body: A Case Report of a Fork in the Upper Esophagus

  Annals of Otology Rhinology & Laryngology · 2025-11-11

  articleSenior author

  INTRODUCTION: Foreign bodies in the aerodigestive tract pose a clinical challenge that must be addressed both swiftly and judiciously. Characteristics specific to both individual patients and to individual types of foreign bodies must be taken into consideration when planning for foreign body removal. OBJECTIVE: To discuss a scenario in which multidisciplinary decision-making was employed to remove a foreign body both quickly and safely. CASE SUMMARY: We present a case of an adolescent girl who presented with throat pain and inability to manage her secretions after unintentionally swallowing a fork, which became lodged in her proximal esophagus. The position of the tines of the fork made intubation impossible. The fork was removed using direct laryngoscopy while the patient maintained spontaneous respirations. DISCUSSION: Complex decision-making, involving clinicians with expertise in various specialties, is often necessary to ensure a safe outcome. Careful planning and consideration of various details, specific to both foreign body characteristics and to patients themselves, are necessary to provide safe and efficient care for patients with foreign body ingestion.

  PublisherDOI

• The Use of Tranexamic Acid for Post-tonsillectomy Hemorrhage in Pediatric Patients: A Scoping Review

  Annals of Otology Rhinology & Laryngology · 2025-06-04 · 1 citations

  reviewSenior author

  OBJECTIVE: Post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage is a highly studied outcome of tonsillectomy with serious consequences. The off-label use of tranexamic acid (TXA) is of growing interest to control post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage but has not been incorporated in management guidelines. STUDY DESIGN: Scoping review on the use of tranexamic acid for post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage. SETTING: N/A. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was performed across the following research databases: PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Web of Science. The search was limited to English-language studies and patients without prior diagnosis of bleeding disorders. The articles were screened for relevance based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Our initial search generated 131 articles. RESULTS: A total of 24 articles were identified, published in mostly otolaryngology journals. Over 96 000 tonsillectomy cases were included. There was variability in administration routes: intravenous, nebulized, oral, and topical. Intravenous was most used, particularly as prophylaxis for post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage, and nebulized administration was more common in therapeutic settings. Dosing regimens ranged between 5 and 15 mg/kg. We found mixed results across studies regarding peri-operative and post-operative bleeding outcomes, though multiple studies demonstrated decreased intraoperative bleeding. Many studies concurred that TXA was safe to use for post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage. CONCLUSION: The existing literature indicates TXA shows promising results in safety and reducing intraoperative blood volume loss. Further prospective and randomized controlled trials are needed to ensure the clinical benefits of TXA in tonsillectomy surgery prior to the inclusion in clinical practice guidelines.

  PublisherDOI

• The use of tranexamic acid for post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage: A scoping review protocol

  PLoS ONE · 2025-02-28 · 2 citations

  reviewOpen accessSenior author

  BACKGROUND: Post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage (PTH) is a highly studied outcome of tonsillectomy with serious consequences. Various treatments and interventions have been utilized to decrease post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage. The off-label use of tranexamic acid (TXA) is of growing interest to control PTH but has not been incorporated in management guidelines. This scoping review plans to summarize existing studies from the scientific literature on the use of tranexamic acid for post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage. METHODS: We used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews or Meta-Analysis Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). The review will cover studies including patients undergoing tonsillectomy who were treated with TXA in the peri-operative or post-operative period. We include randomized controlled trials, retrospective, prospective, and case series. A database-specific search strategy will be used to search records across. Two reviewers will independently screen and extract data. Tables and visual representations will be utilized to present the extracted data. REGISTRATION DETAILS: The protocol will be registered in Open Science Framework and published in PLOS One.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Comparison of four ventilation tubes commonly used in the pediatric population: <scp>A</scp> retrospective cohort study

  Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology · 2024-07-27 · 1 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  Objective: To assess differences in otorrhea, tympanic membrane perforation, and time to extrusion in children receiving one of four commonly used, short-term ventilation tubes for the first time. Methods: Retrospective chart review of 2 years of postoperative follow-up to analyze patient outcomes after insertion of either a Paparella type-I Activent, Armstrong Beveled, Modified Armstrong, or Armstrong Microgel ventilation tube. Incidence of complications was determined by reviewing provider notes. Adjusted multivariate logistic regression models were used to determine odds ratios of complications among the four tube types. Results: A total of 387 patients were reviewed. The mean age was 2.4 years and 35.9% were female. Armstrong beveled tubes had the highest odds of otorrhea. Paparella type-I tube had the shortest time to extrusion of about 9 months, while Armstrong Beveled had the longest, at almost 19 months. When evaluating episodes of otorrhea each child experienced on average, per month, Armstrong beveled tubes had the highest monthly rate of otorrhea and Paparella type-I the least. No significant differences were found regarding tympanic membrane perforation. Conclusions: This retrospective chart review showed that no tube was clinically superior across all complications. The findings from this study may give otolaryngologists an opportunity to consider choosing a specific type of tube according to the clinical situation. The large variations in extrusion times should be considered in terms of patient age, seasonality, and desired duration of tube placement. Level of Evidence: 4.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Diagnostic Techniques for Infantile Subglottic Hemangiomas: A Scoping Review

  The Laryngoscope · 2024-11-06 · 3 citations

  reviewSenior author

  OBJECTIVE: Infantile subglottic hemangioma (SGH) poses a risk of airway compromise if untreated. Traditionally, operative endoscopy (OH) diagnoses SGH, but since the discovery of beta-blockers' efficacy in treating infantile hemangiomas (IHs) in 2008, and advances in endoscopic technology, nonoperative methods have emerged. This review identifies endoscopic practices for diagnosing and monitoring infantile SGH during the oral beta-blocker treatment era. DATA SOURCES: A comprehensive literature search in October 2022 and August 2023 covered PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, SCOPUS, and Web of Science. REVIEW METHODS: The search was limited to English-language studies published since 2008, considering this when propranolol was demonstrated as an effective treatment option for IH. The articles were screened for relevance based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. RESULTS: After inclusion and exclusion criteria, sixty final studies were identified, describing 240 cases of infantile SGH. Most children were diagnosed using OE alone (73.3%; n = 176/240), 23.3% (n = 56/240) using office-based laryngoscopy procedures (OBPs) followed by OE, 3.3% using OBP alone (n = 8/240). There were no reported diagnostic endoscopy-related complications. Twenty-nine studies described using endoscopy plus diagnostic imaging to either confirm an SGH lesion, characterize the extent of disease spread, or rule out other causes of presenting symptoms. The proportion of infants diagnosed with OE alone decreased from 2008 to 2023. CONCLUSION: Operative endoscopy remains the SGH diagnostic standard, but OBP adoption is increasing. Further research is needed to determine the optimal SGH diagnosis and management approach. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA Laryngoscope, 135:1287-1294, 2025.

  PublisherDOI

• Isolated External Jugular Thrombophlebitis Secondary to Acute Pharyngitis: A Case Report and a Review of the Literature

  Research Square · 2024-06-13

  reviewOpen accessSenior author
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Relationship Between National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) Rank Order and Otolaryngology Residency Performance

  OTO Open · 2024-04-01 · 3 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  Abstract Objective The process of resident recruitment is costly, and our surgical residency program expends significant time on the resident selection process while balancing general duties and responsibilities. The aim of our study was to explore the relationship between otolaryngology–head and surgery (OHNS) residents' National Residency Matching Program (NRMP) rank‐list position at our institution and their subsequent residency performance. Study Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Single site institution. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 7 consecutive resident classes (2011‐2017) at a single tertiary OHNS residency program. We reviewed each resident's absolute rank order in the NRMP matches. Measures of residency performance included overall faculty evaluation during postgraduate year 5 (PGY5), annual in‐service examination scores (scaled score), and the number of manuscripts published in peer‐reviewed journals. Correlations between NRMP rank order and subsequent residency performance were assessed using Spearman's rho correlation coefficients ( ρ ). Results Twenty‐eight residents entered residency training between 2011 and 2017. The average rank position of the trainees during this study was 9.7 (range: 1‐22). We found no significant correlation between rank order and faculty evaluation during PGY5 ( ρ = 0.097, P = .625) or number of publications ( ρ = −0.256, P = .189). Additionally, when assessing the association between rank order and annual Otolaryngology Training Examination‐scaled scores, no statistically significant relationship was found between the 2 ( P &gt; .05). Conclusion Our results showed that there were no significant correlations between OHNS rank order and various measures of success in residency training, which aligns with existing literature. Further investigation of this relationship should be conducted to ensure the applicability of our findings.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Isolated external jugular thrombophlebitis secondary to acute pharyngitis: a case report and a review of the literature

  ˜The œItalian Journal of Pediatrics/Italian journal of pediatrics · 2024-09-16

  reviewOpen accessSenior author

  BACKGROUND: External Jugular Thrombophlebitis (EJT) is a rare clinical phenomenon with few reports in the literature, especially in the pediatric population. This is a report of an unusual case of right-sided EJT in a pediatric patient secondary to acute pharyngitis with sinusitis most prominent on the left side. CASE PRESENTATION: A 13-year-old presented to the emergency department with worsening upper respiratory infectious (URI) symptoms and facial swelling, cough, throat pain, and emesis. The patient had traveled to Switzerland and received amoxicillin for strep throat 6 weeks before this hospitalization. Physical examination revealed nasal purulence, allodynia over the right side of the face without overlying erythema, and oropharyngeal exudate. CT scan revealed left-sided predominate sinusitis and right external jugular vein thrombosis. Blood cultures confirmed the presence of group A streptococcus infection. Treatment included IV antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), IV steroids, and anticoagulation. Follow-up imaging demonstrated improvement in thrombosis, cellulitis, and sinus disease. The patient was discharged on antibiotics for 6 weeks and anticoagulation for 10 weeks. Follow-up imaging at 6 months revealed no EJT, and medications were discontinued. CONCLUSIONS: EJT is a rare condition, and to our knowledge, no reports of EJT with sinusitis most pronounced on the contralateral side have been published. Physicians will benefit from noting clinical signs of EJT such as facial edema, headache, erythema, and palpable neck mass, especially if these symptoms occur with URI symptoms refractory to treatment. The use of anticoagulation is controversial for internal jugular vein thrombosis, and while no guidelines for EJT exist, anticoagulation is likely not necessary save for severe complications.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Robert F. Ward

  University of Edinburgh

  72 shared

• Annette Hui‐Chi Ang

  KK Women's and Children's Hospital

  21 shared

• Tali Lando

  20 shared

• Roheen Raithatha

  ENT and Allergy

  17 shared

• C. Douglas Phillips

  16 shared

• Alison Maresh

  Cornell University

  16 shared

• John P. Bent

  Albert Einstein College of Medicine

  12 shared

• Vikash K. Modi

  11 shared

Awards & honors

• Recognized as one of New York Magazine’s “Best Doctors in Ne…
• Castle Connolly’s "America’s Top Doctors" series since 1997