Dr Mashudu Tshifularo
MBChB, FCS(SA), South African otolaryngologist
Dr Mashudu Tshifularo, MBChB, FCS(SA), PhD, is a globally renowned South African otolaryngologist, medical innovator, and professor, celebrated for his groundbreaking achievements in ear, nose, and throat (ENT) surgery.
As head of the Department of ENT and Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Pretoria and Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Dr Tshifularo made history in 2019 by leading the world’s first successful middleear transplant using 3D-printed ossicle implants. This revolutionary procedure offers a permanent, affordable solution for conductive hearing loss caused by trauma, infection, or birth defects, making hearing restoration more accessible—especially for underserved communities—and inspiring global research into 3D printing for medical applications.
Previously, he pioneered the world’s first bloodless endoscope-assisted tonsillectomy, now a standard technique for reducing surgical risk, particularly among HIV-positive patients. As South Africa’s first Black full professor of ENT, Dr Tshifularo is deeply committed to mentoring future medical professionals and advancing healthcare equity across Africa.
