The impact of coronavirus disease 2019 on head and neck cancer services: a UK tertiary centre study.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has necessitated almost exclusive National Health Service focus on emergency work and cancer care. There are concerns that increased hospital and community pressures will lead to decreased referrals and worse outcomes for head and neck cancer patients. METHOD: This is a retrospective review of all cases referred for suspected head and neck cancer to our institution in January and April 2020. RESULTS: There was a 55 per cent decrease in referrals but diagnostic yield rose from 2.9 per cent in January to 8.06 per cent in April. In both months, 100 per cent of patients met the 31- and 62-day targets, with similar 14-day wait time success (97.83 per cent for January vs 98.33 per cent for April). Referrals for laryngopharyngeal reflux rose from 27.5 per cent to 41.9 per cent. Referrals for those aged over 60 years fell from 42 per cent to 26 per cent. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that further research be conducted into the reasons why fewer patients were referred, particularly elderly patients, and why laryngopharyngeal reflux is so prevalent in fast-track referrals.

Day-case re-do varicose vein surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether re-do varicose vein surgery as a day case is feasible and safe. METHODS: Data were collected retrospectively on 70 consecutive patients (77 legs) undergoing re-do sapheno-femoral or sapheno-popliteal ligation by consultant surgeons as day cases. Follow-up was by structured telephone interview. RESULTS: The 70 patients comprised 53 females and 17 males. Median age and body mass index were 47.5 years and 27, respectively. All patients were ASA Grade I or II. Median operating time was 75 min (range 25-140). Of the 70 patients intended to be treated as day cases, four (5.7%) were admitted overnight. There were no were re-admissions nor did any patient develop deep vein thrombosis. Eleven per cent developed wound infection and 4% transient lymphatic leakage. Overall, 91% of patients were pleased with the initial surgical result but this decreased to 81% in the longer term. Eighty-nine per cent would have their surgery performed again as a day case. CONCLUSION: Re-do sapheno-femoral or sapheno-popliteal can be performed safely as a day case.

A patient with dry mouth.

INTRODUCTION: Xerostomia is a common symptom among patients referred to ENT clinics. We present an evidence-based approach in a patient complaining of xerostomia who has not been exposed to radiotherapy. METHOD (search strategy): This review was based on a literature search last performed on 1 July 2008. MEDLINE and EMBASE databases and the Cochrane Library were searched using the subject headings dry mouth, hyposalivation and xerostomia in combination with diagnosis, therapy and surgery. Results were limited to English language articles including clinical trials, randomised controlled trials, meta-analyses, systematic reviews, review articles and human studies. Relevant references from selected articles were reviewed. RESULTS: Xerostomia is not synonymous with hyposalivation. Effective management covers symptomatic relief with selected saliva substitutes, sialogogic agents, addressing underlying dental complications and oral infections, and review of prescribed medication. CONCLUSION: Xerostomia is a common symptom for a wide range of triggering factors, but the treatment is largely palliative and preventative in nature.

The long-term effect of unilateral t-tube insertion in patients undergoing cleft palate repair: 20-year follow-up of a randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: Between July 1984 and March 1987, all children that underwent repair for primary cleft palate at the Queen Victoria Hospital were enrolled in a clinical trial. Those found to have otitis media with effusion at time of surgery had a t-tube inserted into one randomised ear, whilst the other ear received no treatment. The object of the study was to reassess the patients from the original trial to discover the impact of the unilateral t-tube, twenty years later analysed on an intention to treat basis. DESIGN: Children that underwent primary palatal closure during the study dates were identified from the cleft palate database. Patients that were involved in the original trial were identified, contacted and invited to take part in the follow-up study. SETTING: Tertiary referral Specialist unit. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-two patients were identified as potential study participants. Of this group, fourteen were contactable and seven participants agreed to take part in our follow-up study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Persistent symptomatology, otoscopy, pure tone audiometry and tympanometry. RESULTS: Follow-up results were compared within the original treatment groups from the primary study, on an intention to treat basis. Otoscopically the ears were normal in 2 of the 7 treated ears compared with four of the seven non-treated ears. All the other ear ears had various types of chronic otitis media. Four of the seven had hearing of >10 dB in the treated ear compared with the non-treated ear. CONCLUSIONS: These findings would indicate need for caution in the use of t-tubes in the cleft population and raises the question of long-term follow-up to assess for secondary cholesteatoma.