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Pioneering in simulation surgery

Plastic temporal bones transformed ear surgery training, letting trainees practise complex procedures safely before operating on patients. I attended the Stell and Maran’s surgical course in the early 70s. It was superb but, with the confidence of naivety, I thought...

Video-augmented consent in thyroid surgery

Short, procedure-specific thyroid surgery videos improve patient understanding, standardise risk discussions and support informed consent. Background Informed consent is an important principle which underpins modern surgical practice. Patients are given information regarding their medical condition, discussion of the proposed treatment,...

Task shifting in public hospital rhinology new patient assessment

Nurse-led rhinology clinics and CBCT imaging streamline assessment, improve equity and expand capacity in a resource-constrained public hospital setting. In the ENT department at Waikato Hospital, New Zealand, we have faced problems that are no doubt well known to many...

Thoughts on war: von Clausewitz revisited

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he to-day that sheds his blood with me Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile, This day shall gentle his condition: And gentlemen in England now a-bed Shall...

The power of mentoring

What is a mentor, and what are the benefits for mentee and mentor? Emma Stapleton and Rohma Abrar, mentor and mentee respectively, explain. The term ‘mentor’ is derived from Homer’s Odyssey, in which the goddess Athena, disguised as Mentor, guides...

St Blaise - patron saint of the throat

In a previous article, we looked at some interesting legends surrounding patron saints of the ear and hearing [1]. As we celebrate the Feast Day of St Blaise of Sebastia on 3 February, we hear some fascinating tales and myths...

Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy / parathyroidectomy – a new approach

Historically, scarless surgery has been popular in certain cultures. But is it gaining traction around the world? A UK team tell us more. Background Alternative, remote access approaches to thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy are increasing in popularity, the newest of these...

The emergence of in-office ventilation tubes for the treatment of otitis media in children

In-office tympanostomy tube systems offer a quicker, anaesthesia-free alternative to traditional surgery for children, with promising outcomes and reduced costs. Tympanostomy tube or grommet insertion is the most common surgery performed on children worldwide. Whilst a relatively short and straightforward...

From surgeon to scholar: the remarkable life of Philip Stell

Professor Philip Stell was an extraordinary man: following an astonishingly illustrious career in ENT, he excelled as a medieval historian. With the Philip Stell Prize due to be awarded in May, his friend Pat Bradley looks back at his remarkable...

Nasal sidewall reconstruction

Expert reconstruction of nasal sidewall defects requires careful selection of techniques across nasal layers, balancing aesthetics, structural support and patient needs. When reconstructing a nasal skin defect, a variety of factors should be taken into account in order to achieve...