ENTtoday: February 2023

Leaders in Otolaryngology Are Increasing Racial Diversity

Leaders in otolaryngology are doubling down on diversity to achieve a level that accurately reflects the public it serves.

New Developments Regarding Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

At least two new hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HNS) devices are being evaluated in clinical trials, and more are in development.

Technology Is Advancing, but There Are Still Issues to Consider When Using Telehealth With Pediatric Otolaryngology

Telehealth is seen as favorable for several regular pediatric otolaryngology situations, including taking a history, conducting postoperative evaluations, and reviewing imaging.

What Is the Value of Second Opinion Services to Otolaryngologists and Their Patients?

Second opinion services offer the ability to have medical advice tailored to an individual patient’s medical questions rather than generic advice found through online searches.

Meena Seshamani, MD, PhD, Meets Her Employees in the Trenches and Works Beside Them

Dr. Seshamani believes in listening to everybody—physicians and hospitals, community organizations, people who represent patients—to see opportunities to improve the healthcare system.

How Current Peer-To-Peer Sessions Profoundly Impact Patient Care and Physician Wellbeing

Physicians should advocate for laws where surgeons with high insurance approval rates or documented outcome improvement receive expedited approval.

Highest Turnover Rates in Otolaryngology in Solo Practice and Early-Stage Physicians

Physician turnover can create care interruptions and result in lowered patient satisfaction, decreased quality of care, and worse outcomes.

Persistent Tracheocutaneous Fistula Seen in More Than Half of Decannulated Children

A tracheocutaneous fistula (TCF) commonly persists after pediatric tracheostomy decannulation, potentially preventing tract closure and negatively impacting phonation, swallowing, and cough physiology.

Elective Neck Dissection Does Not Improve Survival Rate but May Have Prognostic Role in Oral Cavity Mucosal Melanoma

Elective Neck Dissection does not improve survival rate but may be useful for staging and identifying candidates for treatment intensification, as well as for offering prognostic information to the patient.

Diclofenac Sodium Not Inferior to Hydrocodone/Acetaminophen for Postoperative Pain After Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

This study provides additional evidence that we may be able to minimize narcotic pain medication use and reserve it for patients who are uncontrolled on NSAIDs alone.

Researchers Develop Consensus Statements on Use of Swallowing Fluoroscopy in Adults Best Practices

Researchers arrived at 40 statements for the comprehensive use of swallowing fluoroscopy in adults to guide best practices and influence policy regarding the procedure.

Is Tranexamic Acid Effective for Hemostasis During Endoscopic Sinus Surgery?

TRIO Best Practice articles are brief, structured reviews designed to provide the busy clinician with a handy outline and reference for day-to-day clinical decision making. The ENTtoday summaries below include […]

Should Injection Laryngoplasty Be Performed for Acute Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis to Improve Swallowing Safety?

Outpatients with voice and swallowing complaints are often referred to otolaryngologists who diagnose UVFP and may perform injection laryngoplasty under local anesthesia in the office setting.

How To: Enhanced Intraoperative Communication of Tumor Margins Using 3D Scanning and Mapping

Given the high rate of positive surgical margins in head and neck cancer, there is a need to improve margin analysis technique and intraoperative communication protocols.

How To: Vomer-Rostrum Mucosal Flap for Exposed Bone Coverage After Sphenoid Sinusotomy

Ansa Cervicalis Stimulation could become a viable ancillary respiratory neurostimulation (RNS) strategy for patients with insufficient responses to hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HNS).

Ansa Cervicalis Stimulation a Viable Ancillary Treatment for Some Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Ansa Cervicalis Stimulation could become a viable ancillary respiratory neurostimulation (RNS) strategy for patients with insufficient responses to hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HNS).