Stapes surgery: a National Survey of British Otologists.

To investigate individual stapes surgery practice in the UK, a retrospective study was conducted by postal questionnaire to all 'assumed' stapes-performing otologists. 225 questionnaires were sent out to practicing otologists in the UK. 184 replies (81.8 %) indicated that 134 (72.9 %) otologists perform stapes surgery [stapedectomy (8.2 %), stapedotomy (91.0 %) or other (0.8 %)]. The '6-10 stapes operation per year' category is the most common, with most using general anaesthetic (GA) (78.3 %). Unilateral surgery is advised in 89.6 %, and 96.3 % perform second-side surgery, with all advising the option of a hearing aid prior to surgery. The majority (88.1 %) would fit the prosthesis after removing the stapes, with the top three prostheses being Causse, Smart and Teflon (as described by respondents). 42.5 % always use a vein graft or fat to cover the fenestration, 9.3 % use a laser and 48.5 % carry out the surgery as a day case. For an overhanging facial nerve (less than 50 % of the footplate obscured), the majority stated that it would depend whether they would abandon surgery. 25.4 % have encountered a 'gusher' and 83.6 % would recommend revision surgery. 82.8 % have a registrar present when carrying out stapes operations, but 69.4 % only offer training to trainees with an otological interest. In the UK, stapedotomy is the preferred technique. Most prefer the Causse prosthesis, general anaesthesia and an inpatient stay. Hearing aids are advised prior to surgery. Day-case and inpatient practice is about equal. 'Gushers' are encountered rarely. Revision surgery is advised if a conductive loss returns. Flying is recommended from 6 weeks. Most otologists are willing to teach trainees with an otological interest.

Laterality and otorhinolaryngology: a review.

BACKGROUND: Laterality of paired organs involves the function of the eyes, ears, hands and feet. Whilst most people have a right-handed preference, about 10 per cent are left-handed. Similarly, the right eye is usually preferred to the left. Medicine is both taught and practised for those with right hand and eye preference, and left-handed medical students and doctors must negotiate the right-handed world. OBJECTIVE: This brief review looks at society's attitudes, medical training and the practice of otolaryngology in the UK towards laterality and handedness. METHOD: Literature review. RESULTS: Studies suggest that left-handers are more versatile and so are more ambidextrous. Conversely, this may result in problems when a right-hander tries to undertake a procedure with the non-dominant hand. CONCLUSION: Cultures and attitudes are changing towards those who are left-handed. Left-handed surgeons may encounter difficulties in the clinical environment throughout their training.

Our experience and modification of the Antia-Buch flap for pinna reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE: The Antia-Buch flap technique is used for the reconstruction of pinna helical defects. We present our modification of this flap to reconstruct large defects (greater than 20 mm) with good outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted on all modified Antia-Buch flaps performed in a single unit from January 2011 to April 2019. All adult patients (greater than 16 years of age) who underwent this method of reconstruction after surgical excision of a pinna lesion were included. Measurements of the excision specimens from the final histological reports were used to determine the defect size. The helical lengths of the defect were used for analysis. Medical records were reviewed to identify postoperative complications from the reconstruction. RESULTS: A total of 103 patients underwent the modified Antia-Buch flap reconstruction. All cases were performed by a single surgeon (senior author SA). Patients were 51-96 years of age (mean 76 years, SD±8.6), including 92 males and 11 females. The helical length of defects closed was between 12 and 42 mm (mean 26.7 mm, SD±6.46), and defect widths were 6-37 mm (average 14.5 mm, SD±5.28). There were 5 complications in our series (4.8% complication rate), with a revision rate of 2.9% (n = 3). CONCLUSIONS: Our case series is the largest in the literature. Our modification demonstrates that large pinna defects can be reliably repaired with modification of the Antia-Buch flap that gives patients the option of a single-stage reconstruction without added morbidity and a good cosmetic outcomes.

Three-Dimensional Endoscopic Endonasal Surgery: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVES: To compare participant performance and preference in the use of three-dimensional (3D) endoscopy compared to traditional two-dimensional (2D) endoscopy. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Medline, ClinicalKey, BMJ Case Reports, and the Cochrane library were systematically searched for English-language articles published between 2005 and 2020. Studies reporting comparisons of outcomes between 3D and 2D endoscopes were identified. Data relating to performance-related outcomes, as well as the participants' preferred endoscope were extracted, and pooled using meta-analysis models. RESULTS: Ten studies were included in the qualitative synthesis. Six studies reported results of participants completing simulated tasks with endoscopes, while four reported full procedures. Peg transfer tasks (n = 4 cohorts) were found to be completed significantly faster with the 3D versus 2D endoscope (pooled mean difference 6.8 seconds, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.3-11.3), while no significant difference in times taken was observed for touch tasks (n = 4; pooled mean difference 3.7 seconds, 95% CI: -1.9 to 9.2). The secondary outcome of participant preference was reported by five studies, in which a significant preference for the 3D endoscope was observed (P = .010), with a pooled total of 72% (95% CI: 59-83) of participants preferring this to the 2D endoscope. CONCLUSIONS: There is a growing body of evidence in support of 3D visualization in endoscopy. We have demonstrated 3D endoscopy to be associated with a significantly shorter time to performing simulated, reproducible and controlled tasks, and to be the preference of participants. This study provides grounds for further evaluation of the technology, and the potential for a greater widespread use. Laryngoscope, 132:1895-1903, 2022.

Experience of the 'Ear Glove' in children with microtia.

INTRODUCTION: Microtia is a congenital condition which can be found in isolation or as part of a syndrome. The key factors to consider when treating a child with microtia are hearing, speech and language development, cosmesis, and the psychological impact on the patient as well as the family. As children age and become more self-aware, the anxiety about transition from primary to secondary school can often be a trigger for carers and child to want a cosmetic solution at a younger age. Any form of cosmetic surgery ideally requires a child with an understanding of what is involved, as well as sufficient growth and anatomy to provide soft tissue resources for surgery. An additional issue for some children with microtia is the concern about adding to their already 'different' appearance by using a bone conduction solution/hearing implant. We present the outcomes of a novel non-surgical prosthesis 'Ear Glove' offered to pediatric patients with microtia. METHODS: Children with microtia are seen in the multidisciplinary outpatient clinic and reviewed by the team which includes an Otolaryngologist, Audiologist, Plastic surgeon and Maxillofacial prosthetist. When discussing cosmesis, all reconstruction options are explored. These include a 'no treatment' option, both adhesive and implant-retained prosthetic ears, and autologous and/or MedporⓇ ear reconstruction (age appropriate). All children who chose to undergo the adhesive non-surgical prosthetic option 'Ear Glove' for microtia were identified by our prosthetic department (n = 9), and their outcomes reviewed. RESULTS: Nine children have been fitted with the 'Ear Glove', with all 9 achieving excellent symmetry and aesthetics. Seven patients continue to successfully use their prostheses either daily or for special occasions. Two of these patients also decided to undergo bone anchored hearing implant surgery. One patient opted to change his treatment plans and chose 'no treatment' after feeling he preferred his 'little' ears. Finally, one patient reported the daily use of adhesive to be a deterrent. No skin reactions to the adhesive were reported in any patient. CONCLUSIONS: The 'Ear Glove' is increasingly being used by microtia patients in our department to good effect. This non-surgical alternative allows young patients to appreciate the cosmetic results of the surgical options before committing to an invasive procedure.

Acute otitis externa: Consensus definition, diagnostic criteria and core outcome set development.

OBJECTIVE: Evidence for the management of acute otitis externa (AOE) is limited, with unclear diagnostic criteria and variably reported outcome measures that may not reflect key stakeholder priorities. We aimed to develop 1) a definition, 2) diagnostic criteria and 3) a core outcome set (COS) for AOE. STUDY DESIGN: COS development according to Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials (COMET) methodology and parallel consensus selection of diagnostic criteria/definition. SETTING: Stakeholders from the United Kingdom. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Comprehensive literature review identified candidate items for the COS, definition and diagnostic criteria. Nine individuals with past AOE generated further patient-centred candidate items. Candidate items were rated for importance by patient and professional (ENT doctors, general practitioners, microbiologists, nurses, audiologists) stakeholders in a three-round online Delphi exercise. Consensus items were grouped to form the COS, diagnostic criteria, and definition. RESULTS: Candidate COS items from patients (n = 28) and literature (n = 25) were deduplicated and amalgamated to a final candidate list (n = 46). Patients emphasised quality-of-life and the impact on daily activities/work. Via the Delphi process, stakeholders agreed on 31 candidate items. The final COS covered six outcomes: pain; disease severity; impact on quality-of-life and daily activities; patient satisfaction; treatment-related outcome; and microbiology. 14 candidate diagnostic criteria were identified, 8 reaching inclusion consensus. The final definition for AOE was 'diffuse inflammation of the ear canal skin of less than 6 weeks duration'. CONCLUSION: The development and adoption of a consensus definition, diagnostic criteria and a COS will help to standardise future research in AOE, facilitating meta-analysis. Consulting former patients throughout development highlighted deficiencies in the outcomes adopted previously, in particular concerning the impact of AOE on daily life.

Growth and Late Detection of Post-Operative Cholesteatoma on Long Term Follow-Up With Diffusion Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging (DWI MRI): A Retrospective Analysis From a Single UK Centre.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the growth rate and late detection of residual cholesteatoma on long-term follow-up with diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI MRI) in clinically stable ears following definitive surgery, in order to define surveillance imaging protocols. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case review. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Patients who underwent DWI MRI at our institution between February 2007 and May 2013 for postoperative cholesteatoma follow-up. INTERVENTION: Non-echo planar imaging (non-EPI) Half-Fourier Acquisition Single-shot Turbo spin Echo (HASTE) DWI MRI. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Intervals between the definitive surgery and the first and subsequent DWI MRI, the maximum coronal dimension of the lesion on DWI and length of follow-up. RESULTS: The study evaluated 152 postoperative DWI studies performed for 88 patients. In 12 cases, DWI was initially negative but became positive on repeat imaging after a mean interval of 3.8 years from the initial cholesteatoma surgery (median 3.7 years, range 1.6-7.9). Of these, 3/12 had more than one negative/indeterminate DWI before disease was eventually detected on imaging; in this subgroup, the mean interval between surgery and positive DWI was 3.2 years (median 2.6 years, range 2.3-4.2). 39 DWI positive foci with serial imaging demonstrated a mean growth rate of 4 mm/year (median 2 mm, range 0-18). CONCLUSIONS: After negative initial DWI, it is proposed that interval imaging should be considered for a minimum of 5 years in stable ears following definitive cholesteatoma surgery. In view of the marked variability in growth rate, an additional interval scan between 2 and 3 years postoperatively is indicated.

Bilateral Neck of Femur Fractures in a Bilateral Below-Knee Amputee: A Unique Case.

According to the National Hip Fracture Database, over 64,000 patients were admitted with a hip fracture across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland in 2013, but very few are bilateral, and there are no current cases in the literature of bilateral neck of femur fractures in a patient with bilateral below-knee amputations. We present a case of a 69-year-old bilateral below-knee amputee male admitted to the emergency department with bilateral hip pain and radiological evidence of bilateral displaced neck of femur fractures. The patient subsequently underwent synchronous bilateral total hip replacements under general anaesthetic and an epidural and then went on to make a full recovery. He was discharged 27 days after arrival in hospital. Outpatient follow-up at 3 months has shown that the patient has returned to a similar level of preinjury function and is still able to carry out his daily activities with walking aids and bilateral leg prostheses.