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What is the evidence for duration of antibiotic prophylaxis in head and neck free-flap cases?
The topic of this systematic review is one which is commonly heard in discussions between microbiologists and head and neck surgeons – what is the evidence for antibiotic prophylaxis in clean-contaminated free-flap cases, and crucially, how long should antibiotics be...
Hearing aids in children for language development
This article summarises the current evidence and a recent study examining the factors influencing language development in children fitted with hearing aids in order to aid clinical decision making. The aims were to examine amplification factors that could be targeted...
Using cVEMPs to distinguish between vestibular migraine and from Ménière’s
Vestibular migraine (VM) and Ménière’s disease (MD) could overlap or mimic each other. Since the use of cVEMPs became routine, attempts have been made by researchers to explore its clinical utility in these two conditions. In this prospective study, the...
Outcome of TORS to tongue base and epiglottis in patients with OSA intolerant of conventional treatment
The use of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) in ENT is rather controversial, but the use of robotic surgery for obstructive sleep apneoa (OSA), makes it doubly so. Previous studies on TORS in OSA have been performed with other types of...
Type 2 diabetes and BPPV
Previous research has shown an association between BPPV and certain medical conditions such as hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and type 1 diabetes. The authors in this retrospective observational study investigated the interaction between BPPV and type 2 diabetes by examining the ‘role...
Sialendoscopy assisted excision of parotid stones
This is a retrospective paper from China that looks to assess the efficacy and safety of sialendoscopy with a combined transoral or transcutaneous approach for the removal of parotid stones. Sialolithiasis is known to be a cause for obstructive parotid...
Can laryngeal sensitivity testing predict aspiration and pneumonia in dysphagic patients?
The laryngeal adductor reflex (LAR) is characterised by brief vocal cord closure in response to laryngeal stimulation. It is important in swallowing physiology as it represents a mechanism for airway protection. The authors of this study examined whether the absence...
Help or hinder: how and why do SLTs make clinical decisions around swallowing?
Dysphagia is a relatively common consequence of stroke, with estimates between 50% and 60% of people presenting with swallowing dysfunction following stroke. It is associated with pneumonia, malnutrition and dehydration which in turn lead to increased length of hospital admission,...
The right kit matters… How important is video recording in FEES?
As a portable alternative to videofluoroscopy, fibreoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) is often carried out at the patient’s bedside. The authors of this paper have chosen to examine the reliability of the penetration-aspiration ratings (Rosenbek scale) of FEES examinations...
Role of potassium channel opener in salicylate induced tinnitus
The exact mechanism in the origin of tinnitus is not known. Many pharmacological agents have been tried to to treat tinnitus without great success. Aspirin is a commonly used medicine in the elderly population to reduce the risk of stroke...
Hearing loss and QOL
This article evaluates the impact of hearing loss and its rehabilitation on the quality of life (QoL) of adults. The authors suggest that the currently used scale, Aphab, is long, complicated and does not take into account minor changes. The...
