Injection medialisation laryngoplasty: an alternative approach for challenging cases.

OBJECTIVE: Conventional injection medialisation laryngoplasty techniques may be compromised by patient-specific factors such as marked kyphosis, an anteriorly positioned larynx or intolerance to nasendoscopy. This paper describes a technique for successful injection medialisation laryngoplasty where conventional methods are precluded, in an 88-year-old man with presbyphonia on a background of Parkinson's disease. METHODS: After induction of general anaesthesia, a transoral introducing needle, shaped by tactile manipulation to match the curvature of a 'C-MAC' intubating video-laryngoscope 'D-blade' attachment, was introduced until visible above the glottis. The implant material was then injected into the paraglottic space as normal until satisfactory medialisation of the vocal fold was achieved. RESULTS: When reviewed in the out-patient clinic four weeks later, the patient's post-operative Voice Handicap Index score fell to 6, from a pre-operative score of 21. CONCLUSION: By utilising commonly available equipment and anaesthetic support to recreate the views and access conventional nasendoscopy and laryngoscopy facilitate, this novel procedure provides a viable and proven alternative in uncommon but challenging cases.

Subglottic cysts: The Great Ormond Street experience in 105 patients.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to assess the contemporary presentation and management of subglottic cysts and make recommendations on the treatment of these patients. METHODS: Retrospective case series of 105 patients between October 1999 and November 2017 from a paediatric teaching hospital. RESULTS: Ninety-one percentage (n = 96) had a history of prematurity, with a mean gestation of 27.2 weeks (SD ± 4.1). A history of intubation was found in 99% (n = 104) of cases [median 18 days (range = 1-176)]. Presenting symptoms were: Stridor 57.1%, (n = 60), difficult intubation 14% (n = 15), recurrent croup 11.4% (n = 12), failed extubation 7.6%, (n = 8), hoarseness/weak cry 10.5% (n = 10). Ninety percentage (n = 94) underwent intervention for management of SGCs with 86% (n = 81) treated with cold steel marsupialisation and 14% (n = 13) with CO 2 laser. Recurrent cysts occurred in 56% (n = 53) of cases. Treatment modality did not affect recurrence (p = 0.594 Δ). Sixty-six percentage (n = 69/105) of patients had one or more concurrent airway pathology at MLB. Most frequent was subglottic stenosis 47% (n = 49), with 16% (n = 8) subsequently requiring open reconstructive airway surgery. Mean duration of follow-up was 47.6 months (SD ± 38.3). CONCLUSION: SGC are an uncommon, reversible cause of upper airway obstruction and should be considered in the list of differential diagnoses in patients with a history of prematurity and perinatal intubation, presenting with stridor. While concurrent SGS is common, adequate symptom improvement in such cases may be achieved with SGC removal alone. Management is by surgical marsupialisation. Recurrence and additional airway pathologies are common and may necessitate longer-term treatment in centres with paediatric airway expertise.

An alternative approach to primary rhinoplasty using Walsham forceps.

BACKGROUND: The successful execution of lateral osteotomies in rhinoplasty is an important step that can influence the functional and aesthetic outcome of the procedure. OBJECTIVE: This paper describes an alternative method for achieving mobilisation of the nasal bones by careful application of Walsham forceps during primary rhinoplasty.

A validation study on the use of intra-operative video recording as an objective assessment tool for core ENT surgery.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the reliability and validity of remote scoring a video assessment of a core ENT surgical procedure (myringotomy and grommet insertion) and its suitability as an objective tool for assessing the technical skills of ENT surgeons. DESIGN: Single-blinded (raters) video assessment. SETTING: Tertiary Care University Hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Consultant and trainee [Specialty Registrar (StR) and Core Trainee (CT)] ENT surgeons performing a total of 30 consecutive index procedures. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: To determine the construct validity and the reliability of video assessment scoring of myringotomy and grommet insertion by two raters at ENT Consultant level with a subspecialty interest in Otology. To measure the performance (by rating) of participants compared to operative time. RESULTS: A strong correlation between scores by the two blinded raters was demonstrated (ρ = 0.748; P < 0.001). Median scores (/45) for each group were as follows: CT 25.5 (IQR 21.13-31.25), StR 33 (IQR 24.88-35) and Consultant 40 (IQR 35.38-42.63). Kruskal-Wallis test analysis showed statistically significant mean rank scores between the three different levels of experience (H = 12.77, P = 0.002). Multiple group comparisons indicated a significant difference between CT and Consultant groups (P < 0.001) and StR and Consultant groups (P = 0.007). Analysis of the time taken between the experience groups demonstrated a difference (H = 8.689, P = 0.013) although individual intergroup comparisons indicated this was only significant between CT and Consultant groups (P = 0.004). There was a significant negative correlation (ρ = -0.842; P < 0.001) between time taken for procedure and score achieved. CONCLUSIONS: Video assessment of myringotomy and ventilation tube insertion may represent a valid, feasible tool for use in summative and formative assessments of trainee ENT surgeons. Remote scoring of assessment procedures minimises bias and enables blinding of raters. ENT is well positioned to benefit from video assessment due to the high number of surgical procedures within the specialty that are performed utilising digital technology.