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Non-absorbable synthetic material for middle fossa repair using a combined transmastoid/middle fossa approach

Repair of CSF leaks can be a challenging technical undertaking. In this article, the authors describe their use of a synthetic material to help with the successful repair of these leaks from the middle cranial fossa. Erosion of the middle...

Mastoid fistula closure

This article describes a clear and useful technique for the repair of a troublesome mastoid fistula. The clear instructions make this easy to apply in daily practice. Mastoid fistula is a rare condition whereby an abnormal connection develops between a...

Transnasal oesophagoscopy (TNO)-guided secondary tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) under local anaesthesia

Here, the authors describe a convenient use of the transnasal oesophagoscope to create a new tracheoesophageal puncture in the outpatient clinic setting. Tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) with voice prosthesis insertion is a reliable and effective technique for surgical voice restoration (SVR)...

Ultrasonic bone aspirators for internal auditory meatus ‘drilling’ in retrosigmoid vestibular schwannoma resection

In this article, the authors describe the retrosigmoid approach to a vestibular schwannoma, using an ultrasonic bone aspirator as an alternative to the standard drill. Vestibular schwannomas (VS) are benign, usually slow-growing tumours of the vestibular nerve. Management of VS...

Subjective tinnitus – adding mutebutton™ to your tinnitus toolbox

Neurophysiologic tinnitus or subjective tinnitus is typically a sound or a number of sounds that originate from the auditory nervous system. They are unwanted sounds that do not exist in the external environment. They can be heard in one or...

In conversation with De Wet Swanepoel

A revolutionary new otoscope is using artificial intelligence to dramatically improve access to ear and hearing care in South African outreach communities. Carolina Leal, spoke to Professor De Wet Swanepoel of the University of Pretoria about how his team developed...

An idiot’s guide to the Ministry of Health

Neville Chamberlain on an ill-judged charm offensive. Now I like to consider myself a well brought up sort of chap, and was always taught never to bring up religion, politics or (heaven forfend!) a lady’s name at the dinner table....

Nature or nurture in surgical training

It’s Thursday in the UK, so that means time for another root and branch reform of medical training. If you’re not keen on the Greenaway Report (Shape of Training review) [1], don’t fret there’ll be another one along well before...

Human factors, theatre ethnographics and Girls Aloud

The issue of ambient music in the operating theatre is frequently controversial and has been known to cause ‘Bluetooth wars’, as different team members vie for control of the speakers. Our own Chris Potter gives his personal slant on this...

Bishop Berkeley and the Freireich experimental hypothesis

Our resident reporter at large tells us about two of his heroes, both of whom have quite clear merits and foibles. My patients just keep on getting better. You may well point out that under the care of a clinician...