ENTtoday: May 2026

Advocacy: Finding Our Voice

Dr. Lindsay reflects on her first experience participating in Advocacy Day, organized by the AAO-HNS, highlighting the importance of physician advocacy beyond clinical care.

Innovations in Otolaryngology: Two Paths to Progress

Otolaryngology is experiencing significant developments from both scientific research and patient-driven recognition of conditions. Two key innovations are gene therapy for hearing loss and the identification and treatment of retrograde cricopharyngeal dysfunction, which illustrate different origins of medical progress.

How to Have Effective Presurgical Discussions

Effective presurgical discussions are essential for helping patients make informed decisions and feel comfortable with their treatment options.

A Royal Family Heritage: The Habsburg Jaw

What is the “Habsburg jaw,” and what does historical and genetic literature suggest about its inheritance and contemporary corrective options?

Inflammatory Markers Stratify Surgical Outcomes in Pediatric Airway Reconstruction

Do serological inflammatory markers and clinical risk factors help predict outcomes in pediatric aerodigestive patients undergoing airway reconstruction?

Efficacy of Local Bupivacaine Injection for Post-Operative Pain in Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

Does general anesthesia in combination with local bupivacaine injection at the SPG and anterior ethmoid nerve reduce post-operative pain after
ESS?

Healthcare Resource Utilization and Cost After TCRF Treatment of Nasal Airway Obstruction: A Real-World Longitudinal Claims Analysis

Does TCRF treatment for NVC-related NAO reduce healthcare utilization and overall costs compared with medical management?

Optimizing Pediatric Sleep-Disordered Breathing Screening: Key Predictive Questions Identified from CHAT and PATS Databases

Can a small set of screening questions accurately predict or rule out severe pediatric OSA?

What Is the Current Management of Osteoradionecrosis of the Temporal Bone Following Head and Neck Cancer Radiotherapy?

Temporal bone ORN is a rare but serious complication of head and neck cancer treatment. Medical management, including topical antimicrobials, debridement, PENTO protocol, HBO therapy, and pain relief, can be effective for localized cases. Surgical intervention is recommended for diffuse disease, severe pain, uncontrolled infections, cholesteatomas, and patients over 60. More research and randomized control trials are needed to determine the best treatment approaches.

Are Prophylactic Post-Operative Antibiotics Indicated for Uncomplicated Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery?

Current evidence indicates that the risk of meningitis and CNS infections after ESBS is low, especially in uncomplicated cases without CSF leaks. Post-operative antibiotics show no clear benefit in these patients and are not recommended. In cases with CSF leaks, the risk of infection is significantly higher, requiring careful management by the surgeon.

Is Prophylactic Peri-Operative Antibiotic Indicated in Cochlear Implantation?

The risk of complications after CI surgery is low, but severity may impact antibiotic prescribing patterns, despite limited evidence. Studies indicate that a single intra-operative dose of antibiotics can prevent post-operative infections in both children and adults, though they have limitations such as retrospective designs and differing surgical practices. Until more randomized controlled trials are conducted, antibiotic use will likely depend on individual provider choice, especially for children who have higher rates of otitis media. Future research should focus on controlled trials at single centers to better understand the role of prophylactic antibiotics in CI surgery.

Allograft Nerve Repair of a Transected Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve with Voice and Singing Recovery

This Case Involves A Transected Left Rln That Was Repaired Using Allograft Nerve Interposition, Resulting In An Excellent Return Of Both Speaking And Singing Voice, As Well As Restored Vocal Cord Function.

Taking Otolaryngology Call in the ED and Hospital: Duty or Burden?

Dr. Holt explores the ethical responsibilities of otolaryngologists when asked to provide emergency care to patients who are uninsured and outside their usual practice, emphasizing the evolving nature of duty in modern medical practice.

Behind the Scenes at TRIO: Meet the Staff

Meet the dedicated staff that manages the operations and initiatives of the Triological Society.

Frontal Sinus Patency After Sinus Surgery Using Triamcinolone-Impregnated Plant-Based Sinus Spacers

This Retrospective Study Describes A Technique Using Triamcinolone‑Impregnated, Plant‑Based Polysaccharide Sinus Spacers Placed In The Frontal Recess After Fess To Maintain Frontal Sinus Ostium Patency In Patients With Chronic Rhinosinusitis.

What Does The Pitt Have Against Otolaryngologists?

Dr. Shapiro discusses “The Pitt,” praising its realistic portrayal of healthcare challenges while highlighting a specific issue with how otolaryngologists are depicted.

Balloon Dilation of the Eustachian Tube—A Pooled Analysis in Pediatric Patients

Is BDET safe and effective for children with COME or RAOM refractory to prior tympanostomy tube placement?