ENTtoday: September 2026

Should I Take It?

How to deal with gifts from patients

Remember Blockbuster Late Fees? It’s Time for Accountability in Prior Authorization

Prior authorization by insurance companies often causes delays and cancellations of medically necessary care, resulting in wasted resources and negative impacts on patients and healthcare providers.

Facial Nerve Paralysis: Protecting the Eye and Restoring Function

Facial nerve paralysis presents significant challenges, primarily requiring protection of the eye and restoration of facial function through multidisciplinary management. Advances in both conservative and surgical treatments have improved outcomes and quality of life for affected patients.

Multi-Institutional Validation of the Interarytenoid Assessment Protocol for Pediatric Laryngeal Cleft

The authors report a multi-institutional validation study of the Interarytenoid Assessment Protocol designed to standardize the evaluation of interarytenoid mucosal height in pediatric patients suspected of having laryngeal clefts.

DB-OTO Gene Therapy for Inherited Deafness

Can intracochlear DB-OTO gene therapy restore natural acoustic hearing in children with profound congenital deafness caused by biallelic OTOF variants?

Wearable AR for Nystagmus Examination in Patients with Vertigo: Randomized Crossover Usability Study

Can a wearable augmented reality (AR)–based system feasibly perform standardized oculomotor/nystagmus testing in patients with vertigo compared with conventional video-oculography?

Increased Prevalence of Hearing Loss and Tinnitus in Patients with Retinal Vein Occlusion

Is retinal vein occlusion associated with a higher prevalence of tinnitus, hearing loss, vertigo, or sudden deafness?

Post-Operative Pain Management in Rhinoplasty: A Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial

Do non-opioid pain medications offer adequate pain control compared to opioids, following rhinoplasty?

Airway Management in Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery: A Narrative Review of Current Techniques and Considerations

Which contemporary airway techniques and planning principles are most relevant to routine and emergency otolaryngology and head and neck surgery?

Impact of Proposed Medicare Policy Changes for Botulinum Toxin Coverage on Hemifacial Spasm and Facial Dystonia

How might proposed Medicare coverage restrictions on botulinum toxin injections affect patients with hemifacial spasm, facial dystonia, and nonflaccid facial paralysis?

Redefining Research Productivity: Rethinking Applicant Evaluation with the Arms Race Control Score

Does the Arms Race Control Score (ARCS) provide a more effort-sensitive assessment of research productivity than raw publication counts among matched otolaryngology residency applicants?

Long-Term BPPV: Recurrence, Residual Symptoms, and Risk of Falls

What are the long-term rates of recurrence, residual dizziness, falls, and quality-of-life impairment after successful treatment of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)?

Sleep Chart of Biological Aging Clocks in Middle and Late Life

How is self-reported sleep duration associated with biological aging across organs and omics platforms, subsequent systemic disease, all-cause mortality, and late-life depression?

Don’t Miss the 2026 SUO/AADO/OPDO Meeting in Phoenix

The 2026 combined annual meeting of the Society of University Otolaryngologists, Association of Academic Departments of Otolaryngology, and Otolaryngology Program Directors Organization will be held in Phoenix, featuring keynotes, panels, and a pre-conference symposium focused on surgical ergonomics and academic challenges in otolaryngology.

The Example We Set: Thoughts on the End of Residency Training

Dr. Allen S. Zhou discusses the profound impact of interpersonal interactions during medical residency, emphasizing how moments of kindness or frustration can shape a resident’s professional development.

How GLP-1s Are Changing Otolaryngology Practice

GLP-1 receptor agonists are increasingly relevant in otolaryngology due to their effects on conditions like OSA and chronic rhinosinusitis. This article explores their benefits, side effects, and implications for ENT practice.

From Genes to Hearing: What Otolaryngologists Need to Know About Gene Therapy for Hearing Loss

Gene therapy has entered a new era with the FDA approval of Otarmeni, the first gene therapy targeting a genetic form of hearing loss caused by OTOF gene variants. This treatment offers a promising alternative to cochlear implants by potentially restoring natural hearing for affected children and adults.

Is Ophthalmology Consult Needed for Acute Orbital Fractures?

All patients who present with acute orbital fractures should have an initial ophthalmologic examination by the emergency department physicians.

Clinical Best Practice in Perioperative Calcium Management After Pediatric Total Thyroidectomy

The evidence suggests that for pediatric patients undergoing total thyroidectomy, postoperative admission for serial calcium monitoring and supplementation based on institutional protocol remains best practice.

When Are Surgical Drains Indicated in Head and Neck Surgery?

Drain placement after thyroidectomy does not reduce complication rates and may increase infection risk and hospital length of stay, although their use may still be appropriate in high-risk cases.