ENT features
Laryngeal transplantation: is it a thing?
Few organs could be said to be more complex than the larynx when it comes to transplantation. Martin Birchall looks at past challenges, current issues and future prospects. I am not clear exactly why I chose to spend a life...
The challenges in the risk stratification of thyroid nodules and cancers: the role of molecular testing
Around the world, molecular testing is becoming more widely used to personalise the management of thyroid nodules. Thyroid nodules are relatively common. They are palpable in ~5% of the population, while high-resolution ultrasound (US) incidentally finds them in 19–68% of...
The emergence of in-office ventilation tubes for the treatment of otitis media in children
In-office tympanostomy tube systems offer a quicker, anaesthesia-free alternative to traditional surgery for children, with promising outcomes and reduced costs. Tympanostomy tube or grommet insertion is the most common surgery performed on children worldwide. Whilst a relatively short and straightforward...
Sustainability guidelines to reduce single-use items in ENT outpatients
ENT surgery generates significant waste, with single-use instruments and packaging as key contributors. This article outlines recommendations on sustainable practice that can be adopted into ENT departments. Climate change is one of the greatest threats to human health in the...
The pioneer of precision: Wolfgang Steiner and the evolution of transoral laser surgery
It is rare that a single clinician entirely changes the course of the management of a particular condition. Steiner was one such clinician. Wolfgang Steiner was to transoral laser microsurgery what Grandmaster Flash was to hip-hop or James Brown was...
On the shoulders of giants: a reflection on Wolfgang Steiner
Professor Wolfgang Steiner. Wolfgang Steiner inspired a whole generation of head and neck surgeons. Terry Jones gives us his own personal perspective. “We are like dwarfs on the shoulders of giants, so that we can see more than they, and...
In conversation with Reza Rahbar
Reza Rahbar is professor of otolaryngology at Harvard Medical School and associate otolaryngologist-in-chief at Boston Children’s Hospital. He initiated and leads IPOG, the International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group. I met up with him to ask more about it. Reza Rahbar DMD,...
ENT in the Balkans
Shining a light on ENT in the Balkans, Metin Önerci explains the population and challenges in this part of the world. There is no universal agreement on what constitutes the Balkans. However, the following countries are usually included: Albania, Bosnia...
Developmental stuttering: a speech-motor impairment with sensory aspects
In treating patients who stutter, understanding the effects of sensory input (i.e. auditory input) can help to direct therapeutic approaches. Sensory processing has been identified as a contributory factor in several diagnoses, notably autism and ADHD [1], however it has...
What has NAIROS taught us about septoplasty?
Septoplasty is a commonly performed procedure worldwide for nasal obstruction associated with a deviated nasal septum. In the UK, with long waiting lists for septoplasty, there is a large and unexplained variation in the incidence of this procedure between individual...
Upper airway endoscopy: achieving a balanced service whilst minimising the conflict of sustainability
Nasal endoscopes present a unique challenge in balancing sustainability and practicality. Both disposable and reusable scopes may have distinct roles in modern practice. Flexible endoscopy of the upper aerodigestive tract is an essential technique that facilitates detailed assessment of the...
Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy / parathyroidectomy – a new approach
Historically, scarless surgery has been popular in certain cultures. But is it gaining traction around the world? A UK team tell us more. Background Alternative, remote access approaches to thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy are increasing in popularity, the newest of these...
