ENTtoday: May 2015

How the U.S. FDA Approves Medical Devices

Outline of steps in the federal approval route, from idea phase to implementation

Hearing Impaired Physicians Tap Technology to Improve Communication

Instant messaging, texting, oral interpretation, other non-clinical tools have made referrals, surgery easier for deaf, hard of hearing otolaryngologists

Disruptive Behavior by Patients Raises Ethical Concerns for Otolaryngologists

Tips for managing difficult patients, terminating patient relationships

Time-Based Physician Services Require Proper Documentation

Physician billing, coding tips for duration of patient care, office visits, consultations

How Image-Guided Surgery Can Benefit Otolaryngology

Technology combining MRI, computed tomography scans in the operating room give physicians better look at patient anatomy, procedure results

Transoral Robotic-Assisted Surgery Safe for Benign Indications

TORS deemed safe, effective for lingual tonsillectomy, base of tongue resection procedures in benign diseases, including obstructive sleep apnea

Laryngotracheal Stenosis Not Homogenous in Nature

Multiple, distinct etiologies associated with LTS, demonstrating disparate rates of tracheostomy dependence

Cleft Palates Predict Higher Risk for Surgically Treated Cholesteatoma

Research shows patients with nonsyndromic orofacial cleft, but not cleft lip, at 20-fold increased risk for cholesteatoma

Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulation May Be Effective in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

HNS procedure may be considered for patients with OSA who fail medical treatment

Endoscopic Sinus Surgery Rates Increase Since 2000

Geographic, temporal trends show largest increases in frontal sinus surgery for patients in East South Central United States

Change in Cardinal Symptoms of Chronic Rhinosinusitis Observed

Research measures symptom changes for patients with CRS undergoing surgery compared with those on medical therapy management