The sternocleidomastoid can be used as a pedicled flap in head and neck reconstruction. It has previously been associated with high complication rates, likely due in part to the variable nature of its blood supply.

To provide clinicians with an up-to-date review of clinical outcomes of sternocleidomastoid flap surgery in head and neck reconstruction, integrated with a review of vascular anatomical studies of the sternocleidomastoid.

A literature search of the Medline and Web of Science databases was conducted. Complications were analysed for each study. The trend in success rates was analysed by date of the study.

Reported complication rates have improved over time. The preservation of two vascular pedicles rather than one may have contributed to improved outcomes.

The sternocleidomastoid flap is a versatile option for patients where prolonged free flap surgery is inappropriate. Modern vascular imaging techniques could optimise pre-operative planning.

To assess the effect of tranexamic acid in head and neck surgical procedures.

A prospective, double-blind and randomised, parallel group, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted. Ninety-two patients undergoing various head and neck surgical procedures were randomised. Subjects received seven infusions of coded drugs (tranexamic acid or normal saline) starting at the time of skin closure. Haematological, biochemical, blood loss and other parameters were observed by the staff, who were blinded to patients’ group allocation (case or control).

Patients were analysed on the basis of type of surgery. Fifty patients who had undergone surgical procedures, including total thyroidectomy, total parotidectomy, and various neck dissections with or without primary tumour excision, were included in the first group. The second group comprised 41 patients who had undergone hemithyroidectomy, lobectomy or superficial parotidectomy. There was no statistical difference in blood parameters between both groups. There was a reduction in post-operative drain volume, but this was not significant.

Although this prospective, randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial found a reduction in post-operative drain volume in tranexamic acid groups, the difference was not statistically significant between the various head and neck surgical procedure groups.

Obstructive sleep apnoea is a common chronic sleep disorder characterised by collapse of the upper airway during sleep. The nasal airway forms a significant part of the upper airway and any obstruction is thought to have an impact on obstructive sleep apnoea. A systematic review was performed to determine the role of rhinological surgical interventions in the management of obstructive sleep apnoea.

A systematic review of current literature was undertaken; studies were included if they involved comparison of a non-surgical and/or non-rhinological surgical intervention with a rhinological surgical intervention for treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea.

Sixteen studies met the selection criteria. The pooled data suggest that there are reductions in the apnoea/hypopnea index and respiratory disturbance index following nasal surgery. However, the current body of studies is too heterogeneous for statistically significant meta-analysis to be conducted.

Nasal surgery may have limited benefit for a subset of patients based on current evidence.

At the heart of surgical care needs to be the education and training of staff, particularly in the low-income and/or resource-poor setting. This is the primary means by which self-sufficiency and sustainability will ultimately be achieved. As such, training and education should be integrated into any surgical programme that is undertaken. Numerous resources are available to help provide such a goal, and an open approach to novel, inexpensive training methods is likely to be helpful in this type of setting.

The need for appropriately trained audiologists in low-income countries is well recognised and clearly goes beyond providing support for ear surgery. However, where ear surgery is being undertaken, it is vital to have audiology services established in order to correctly assess patients requiring surgery, and to be able to assess and manage outcomes of surgery. The training requirements of the two specialties are therefore intimately linked.

This article highlights various methods, resources and considerations, for both otolaryngology and audiology training, which should prove a useful resource to those undertaking and organising such education, and to those staff members receiving it.

Hearing loss is a leading contributor to the global burden of disease, with more than 80 per cent of affected persons residing in low- and middle-income countries, typically where hearing health services are unavailable.

This article discusses the challenges to hearing care in remote and resource-limited settings, and describes recommended service delivery models, taking personnel and equipment requirements into consideration. The paper also considers the novel roles of telemedicine approaches in these contexts for improving access to preventative care. Finally, two case studies illustrate the challenges and strategies for service provision in remote and underserved settings.

ENT is highly under-represented in the saturated UK medical school curriculum, comprising less than 1 per cent of the curriculum. A 1-day course was implemented in order to raise awareness of ENT among medical students, educate them in the specialty and teach a basic skill.

The skills day comprised lectures by consultants followed by a consultant-led workshop teaching tracheostomy. Pre- and post-course questionnaires assessed perceptions of ENT, confidence performing tracheostomy and interest in ENT as a career.

Perceptions of ENT as a specialty were improved by up to 80 per cent (p < 0.01). There was improved understanding of and confidence in performing tracheostomies. Interest in a career in ENT was increased by 77 per cent (p < 0.01).

A 1-day course run by a student body can be a powerful adjunct to the medical school curriculum, in terms of educating undergraduates in ENT and inspiring the pursuit of ENT as a career.

Manubrio-incudo-stapedioplasty functional outcomes were compared to those of other methods for reconstructing Austin–Kartush type B ossicular defects.

Forty-two patients underwent Austin–Kartush type B ossicular defect reconstruction using: manubrio-incudo-stapedioplasty (13 patients), an autologous incus (19 patients) or a titanium ossicular replacement prosthesis (10 patients). For manubrio-incudo-stapedioplasty reconstruction, the malleus head was removed, the manubrium was relocated posteriorly and the incus short process was placed on the mobile footplate. The manubrium was placed on the incus body groove and bone cement was applied to stabilise the manubrium–incus junction. Pre- and post-operative hearing thresholds were assessed.

The air–bone gap decreased from 25.9 ± 6.0 dB to 12.3 ± 5.0 dB (p < 0.05) in the manubrio-incudo-stapedioplasty group. The hearing gain was 13.6 ± 5.2 dB for manubrio-incudo-stapedioplasty, 3.4 ± 14.2 dB with the autologous incus, and 3.3 ± 11.07 dB with the titanium ossicular replacement prosthesis. Hearing improvement was greater for manubrio-incudo-stapedioplasty compared to the other reconstruction methods (p < 0.05).

Manubrio-incudo-stapedioplasty resulted in satisfactory hearing outcomes in patients with Austin–Kartush type B ossicular defects. This technique can be considered a stable, inexpensive and effective method to reconstruct Austin–Kartush type B ossicular defects.

This study aimed to determine the relationship between laryngopharyngeal reflux and dietary modification.

A systematic review was conducted. The data sources for the study were PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science. Articles were independently extracted by two authors according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. The outcome focus was laryngopharyngeal reflux improvement through diet or dietary behaviour.

Of the 372 studies identified, 7 met our inclusion criteria. In these seven studies, laryngopharyngeal reflux symptoms improved following dietary modifications. However, the studies did not present the independent effect of each dietary factor on laryngopharyngeal reflux. Moreover, only one of the seven studies had a randomised controlled study design.

The reference studies of dietary modification for laryngopharyngeal reflux patients are not sufficient to provide recommendations.

To determine whether central findings from vestibular tests predict abnormal findings on magnetic resonance imaging.

This study was a retrospective case series at a tertiary referral centre. The main outcome measure of this diagnostic intervention study was the positive predictive value of central vestibular findings in relation to magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities.

Central vestibular findings had a 50.9 per cent positive predictive value for magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities across all age groups although they varied according to age group. Optokinetic nystagmus (p < 0.05) and abnormal findings on videonystagmography tests (p < 0.05) were the main predictors of magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities. White matter lesions constituted the bulk of the central lesions on magnetic resonance imaging followed by cortical and cerebellar atrophy.

Central vestibular findings had a 50.9 per cent positive predictive value for magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities across all age groups. Magnetic resonance imaging is medically justified to further evaluate patients with central findings on vestibular studies. Therefore, it is reasonable to request magnetic resonance imaging in these patients.

This study aimed to highlight the key studies that have led to the current understanding and treatment of head and neck cancer.

The Thomson Reuters Web of Science database was used to identify relevant manuscripts. The results were ranked according to the number of citations. The 100 most cited papers were analysed.

A total of 63 538 eligible papers were returned. The median number of citations was 626. The most cited paper compared radiotherapy with and without cetuximab (3205 citations). The New England Journal of Medicine had the most citations (23 514), and the USA had the greatest number of publications (n = 66). The most common topics of publication were the treatment (n = 45) and basic science (n = 19) of head and neck cancer, followed by the role of human papillomavirus (n = 16).

This analysis highlighted key articles that influenced head and neck cancer research and treatment. It serves as a guide as to what makes a ‘citable’ paper in this field.

Concurrent chemotherapy with radiotherapy is the standard treatment for locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal cancer. Cetuximab can be used in the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. However, the randomised studies that led to approval for its use in this setting excluded nasopharyngeal cancer. In the context of limited data for the use of cetuximab in nasopharyngeal cancer in the medical literature, this review aimed to summarise the current evidence for its use in both primary and recurrent or metastatic disease.

A literature search was performed using the keywords ‘nasopharyngeal neoplasm’, ‘cetuximab’ and ‘Erbitux’.

Twenty studies were included. There were no randomised phase III trials, but there were nine phase II trials. The use of cetuximab in the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma has been tested in various settings, including in combination with induction chemotherapy and concurrent chemoradiotherapy, and in the palliative setting.

There is no evidence of benefit from the addition of cetuximab to standard management protocols, and there is some evidence of increased toxicity. There is more promise for its use in metastatic or locally recurrent settings. This review draws together the existing evidence and could provide a focus for future studies.

It is recognised that a limited cohort of patients receive open partial laryngeal surgery in specific centres within the UK, so sharing information around key clinical issues and recommendations for practice is necessary to improve outcomes.

This position statement provides practice recommendations based on a synthesis of the available evidence presented at the 12th Evidence Based Management day on ‘Laryngeal Cancer’ and the ensuing discussions. Literature searches and critical analysis of available evidence were undertaken and triangulated with the clinical experience of the authors to develop these recommendations.

This paper presents a comprehensive overview of challenges that the multidisciplinary team may encounter. It provides recommendations for swallow and speech rehabilitation after open partial laryngectomy, and suggests practical ways that these issues may be addressed pre- and post-operatively.

This study aimed to compare the diagnostic reliabilities of transient evoked otoacoustic emissions, automated auditory brainstem responses and brainstem auditory evoked responses for detecting hearing loss, and to use the information regarding hearing level of automated auditory brainstem responses for planning rehabilitation.

A total of 144 high-risk infants (288 ears) completed the 3 hearing tests. The sensitivity and specificity of otoacoustic emissions and automated auditory brainstem responses were compared using the chi-square test.

Automated auditory brainstem response was the most reliable test of hearing levels, with a sensitivity of 91.7 per cent and specificity of 92.1 per cent; the sensitivity of otoacoustic emissions was 78.7 per cent and the specificity was 88.8 per cent.

Automated auditory brainstem responses have acceptably high sensitivity and specificity. Additionally, the hearing level from automated auditory brainstem responses can help the screeners explain to the parents the importance of further diagnosis and rehabilitation.

The field of otology is increasingly at the forefront of innovation in science and medicine. The inner ear, one of the most challenging systems to study, has been rendered much more open to inquiry by recent developments in research methodology. Promising advances of potential clinical impact have occurred in recent years in biological fields such as auditory genetics, ototoxic chemoprevention and organ of Corti regeneration. The interface of the ear with digital technology to remediate hearing loss, or as a consumer device within an intelligent ecosystem of connected devices, is receiving enormous creative energy. Automation and artificial intelligence can enhance otological medical and surgical practice. Otology is poised to enter a new renaissance period, in which many previously untreatable ear diseases will yield to newly introduced therapies.

This paper speculates on the direction otology will take in the coming decades.

Making predictions about the future of otology is a risky endeavour. If the predictions are found wanting, it will likely be because of unforeseen revolutionary methods.

To assess the effect of tranexamic acid on intra-operative bleeding and surgical field visualisation.

Fifty patients undergoing various endoscopic ear surgical procedures, including endoscopic tympanoplasty, endoscopic atticotomy or mastoidectomy, endoscopic ossiculoplasty, and endoscopic stapedotomy, were randomly assigned to: a study group that received tranexamic acid or a control group which received normal saline. The intra-operative bleeding and operative field visualisation was graded using the Das and Mitra endoscopic ear surgery bleeding and field visibility score, which was separately analysed for the external auditory canal and the middle ear.

The Das and Mitra score was better (p < 0.05) in the group that received tranexamic acid as a haemostat when working in the external auditory canal; with respect to the middle ear, no statistically significant difference was found between the two agents. Mean values for mean arterial pressure, heart rate and surgical time were comparable in both groups, with no statistically significant differences.

Tranexamic acid appears to be an effective haemostat in endoscopic ear surgery, thus improving surgical field visualisation, especially during manipulation of the external auditory canal soft tissues.

This review summarises the current literature on the role of microRNAs in presbyacusis (age-related hearing loss) and sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Medline, PubMed, Web of Science and Embase databases were searched for primary English-language studies, published between 2000 and 2017, which investigated the role of microRNAs in the pathogenesis of presbyacusis or sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Quality of evidence was assessed using the National Institutes of Health quality assessment tool.

Nine of 207 identified articles, 6 of good quality, satisfied the review's inclusion criteria. In presbyacusis, microRNAs in pro-apoptotic and autophagy pathways are upregulated, while microRNAs in proliferative and differentiation pathways are downregulated. Evidence for microRNAs having an aetiological role in sudden hearing loss is limited.

A shift in microRNA expression, leading to reduced cellular activity and impaired inner-ear homeostasis, may contribute to the pathogenesis of presbyacusis.

To examine when cochlear fibrosis occurs following a translabyrinthine approach for vestibular schwannoma resection, and to determine the safest time window for potential cochlear implantation in cases with a preserved cochlear nerve.

This study retrospectively reviewed the post-operative magnetic resonance imaging scans of patients undergoing a translabyrinthine approach for vestibular schwannoma resection, assessing the fluid signal within the cochlea. Cochleae were graded based on the Isaacson et al. system (from grade 0 – no obstruction, to grade 4 – complete obliteration).

Thirty-nine patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The cochleae showed no evidence of obliteration in: 75 per cent of patients at six months, 38.5 per cent at one year and 27 per cent beyond one year. Most changes happened between 6 and 12 months after vestibular schwannoma resection, with cases of an unobstructed cochlear decreasing dramatically, from 75 per cent to 38.5 per cent, within this time.

The progress of cochlear obliteration that occurred between 6 and 12 months following vestibular schwannoma resection indicates that the first 6 months provides a safer time window for cochlear patency.

This study was undertaken to determine the accuracy of the surgeon's assessment in detecting epithelial remnants over the malleus after de-epithelisation in tympanoplasty.

Intra-operatively, the umbo was assessed for epithelial remnants with the microscope. The umbo was then resected and sent for histopathological examination to detect epithelial remnants.

Out of 42 cases, microscopic examination findings for epithelium were positive in 16 cases and negative in 26 cases. Histopathology findings were positive in 13 cases. The surgeons’ assessment was accurate only in two cases.

Residents, with their limited experience, are more likely to leave residual epithelium. When the chance of residual epithelium over the umbo is significant, the surgeon has two choices: to place the graft medial to the umbo or to resect the umbo. It is our opinion that the malleus exteriorisation should be incorporated into tympanoplasty training, with the aim of preventing epithelial entrapment in the middle ear.

To investigate the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor in the matrix of human acquired cholesteatoma compared to the deep meatal skin. This topic does not appear to have been fully investigated before.

An immunochemical study was conducted. Cholesteatoma tissues from adult patients were collected during surgery (n = 19). Control specimens were taken from the deep meatal skin (n = 8) and compared.

A highly significant difference in basic fibroblast growth factor expression was identified between cholesteatoma and skin (mean ± standard error = 58.53 ± 3.6 per cent in cholesteatoma vs 40.6 ± 3.5 per cent in skin; p = 0.005). Both basal and parabasal keratinocytes were stained positive with basic fibroblast growth factor. Additionally, there was specific staining in the basal columnar middle-ear epithelium and mast cell membrane.

Basic fibroblast growth factor plays an active role in proliferative activity of cholesteatoma through its overexpression in basal and parabasal layers of cholesteatoma matrix. Moreover, its expression in the mast cell membrane supports its role in bone resorption activity.

This study aimed to evaluate the long-term results of ossiculoplasty using bone cement.

Forty patients (24 females and 16 males; mean age: 34.1 ± 11.8 years; range, 9–54 years) with chronic otitis media with perforation but without cholesteatoma who had undergone incudostapedial rebridging ossiculoplasty using bone cement were evaluated retrospectively. Pre-operative and post-operative audiograms were evaluated. Bone conduction, air conduction and air–bone gaps were calculated according to international guidelines.

There was a mean reduction in pre-operative and post-operative air conduction (12.30 ± 11.98 dB), and this result was significant (p = 0.0001). There was a mean reduction in pre-operative and post-operative bone conduction (4.30 ± 6.69 dB), and this result was significant (p < 0.0001). The pre-operative air–bone gap was 27.65 dB and decreased to 19.65 dB during follow-up (p = 0.0001). No adverse reactions or complications were observed.

Bone cement is reliable for the repair of incudostapedial-joint defects.