Search

Microvascular free flap failures – looking beyond surgical technique

Microvascular free flaps are commonly used in reconstruction for head and neck defects. Failures of these flaps, however, are associated with a significant morbidity and mortality. Flap failures within the first 72 hours are commonly attributed to technical failure of...

Outcomes following endoscopic vs. microscopic ossiculoplasty

Endoscopic ear surgery continues to increase in popularity with an expanding range of applications in otology. The variety of angled scopes allow for superior visualisation of the surgical field and difficult to reach areas. However, use of endoscopes reduce the...

Audiometric outcomes following endoscopic stapes surgery

Adding to the evidence base for endoscopic stapes surgery, this systematic review and analysis of outcomes sought to establish the efficacy and safety of this approach. This review included 14 studies with a pooled sample of 314 adult patients. The...

How does temporomandibular dysfunction affect voice-related quality of life?

Temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) is a group of neuromuscular or musculoskeletal problems that affect the muscles and fascia related to chewing and jaw opening. Patients are often seen in ENT clinics because of symptoms such as trismus, pain and muscle tension,...

Pre-habilitation in head and neck cancer – a literature review to guide best practice

Curative treatment of head and neck cancer (HNC) often requires surgery; however, outcomes are impacted by the complexity of the surgery and the patient population. Increasingly ‘Enhanced Recovery After Surgery’ (ERAS) protocols are being used to maximise patient outcomes and...

In the United States, do people with dysphagia have a higher chance of being dysphonic?

Dysphagia and dysphonia can co-occur due to their shared anatomy and physiology. Previous studies have considered this relationship and determined that certain conditions, such as cancer, laryngeal impairments or neurological disorders, may lead to problems with both swallowing and voice....

Does frailty lead to changes on quantitative measures of videofluoroscopic swallowing assessment?

In recent years, studies have considered the relationship between frailty and swallowing and demonstrated that decreased skeletal muscle mass correlates with decreased swallowing function. This study investigated this relationship by using quantitative measurement of three individual components of swallowing assessed...

How are clinicians assessing suitability for voice feminisation surgery?

Voice is a key aspect of gender transition for many gender diverse individuals. Transfeminine people are offered hormone therapies, such as oestrogen to support their transition, however these do not impact laryngeal anatomy. This means that specific voice interventions are...

Modifying two-week wait protocol for suspected head and neck cancer patients during COVID-19

As healthcare workers, we are committed to ensuring that our patients continue to receive the optimum care that we are set up to deliver. However, the last year has shown that we need to be mindful of balancing this with...