BACKGROUND:Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is an established surgical option for cystic fibrosis (CF) patients with chronic rhinosinusitis that is refractory to conventional medical management. Objective and subjective evidence of benefit of ESS in this cohort of patients is currently conflicting in the literature. METHODOLOGY:A single center retrospective study was undertaken of all CF patients (transplanted and non-transplanted) over the age of 16 who underwent an ESS over a six-year period from 2015 to 2021. Patients on triple-therapy CFTR modulators were excluded. Data was collected on demographics, clinical management, and outcome measures. The objective outcome measures were lung function (%predicted FEV1), pulmonary exacerbations (total number of days of IV antibiotics- both ambulatory and in hospital). The subjective outcome measure was SNOT-22 scores pre and 6 months post-operatively. A minimally clinical important difference (MCID) in SNOT-22 scores of 9 points was used. RESULTS:55 patients were included in our study, with a median age of 31 and 53% females. Median Lund-Mackay scores for the cohort was 13 (3-24). There was a significant improvement in lung function at 1-year post-surgery, and a significant MCID reduction in SNOT-22 scores at 6 months post-surgery across the cohort. Sub-group analysis revealed a sustained MCID reduction in SNOT-22 scores in both lung-transplanted and native lung groups, and in patients with primary ESS or previous ESS. However, there was no post-operative pulmonary function improvement in lung transplanted patients and patients with previous ESS. There was no impact on the rate of pulmonary exacerbations across the cohort. 2 patients in the cohort died secondary to pulmonary disease. CONCLUSIONS:There was a demonstrated clinical and symptomatic benefit of ESS in CF patients in this study. Stricter guidelines for indications for ESS need to be established with regards to CF patients who will undergo ESS in the future.

BACKGROUND: Length of stay represents a significant cost of Bariatric surgery. Given the finite resources available in the National Health Service, the aim of this study was to determine the factors that influence length of postoperative stay. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of four common factors on length of inpatient stay in two common bariatric procedures.METHODS: A retrospective study analyzed the length of stay in patients undergoing a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and a laparoscopic Roux-En-Y gastric bypass (RNY) between July 2015 and February 2018 by a single surgeon. The significance of BMI, ASA grade, a diagnosis of diabetes and the day of the week the operation occurred, on inpatient stay was evaluated.RESULTS: The median length of stay following a SG was 2(2-3), this was unaffected by: BMI, ASA grade, a diagnosis of diabetes and operation day. The median length of stay following a RNY was 2(2-3), this was unaffected by: ASA grade or the patient being diabetic. However, day of the week significantly increased length of stay with patients who underwent a RNY on Friday staying on average 1 day more (P=0.002). Patient’s with a BMI>60 who underwent a RNY stayed an average of 2 days more (P=0.008).CONCLUSIONS: To optimize NHS resources, procedures such as a RNY should be performed earlier in the week, especially in patients with high BMIs. SG can be performed later in the week without increasing inpatient stay.

A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the occult contralateral nodal metastases (OCM) in patients undergoing bilateral neck dissection for surgically treated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). Following PRISMA guidelines, MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials databases were searched for observational and experimental studies until March 2021. Search yielded 175 articles, of which 13 were included. Overall, OCM were seen in 9.8% of patients (95% CI: [5.7, 16.4], 839 patients, 12 studies, I2 65%). For ipsilateral cN0 necks, the OCM rate was 1.7% (95% CI: [0.1, 22.4], 150 patients, 8 studies, I2 0%) and for cN + necks the OCM rate was 9.8% (95% CI: [4.4, 20.3], 429 patients, 8 studies, I2 72%). Occult contralateral nodal metastases are uncommon in OPSCC patients with clinico-radiologically negative ipsilateral necks. Occult rates are higher in the contralateral neck when the ipsilateral neck is clinico-radiologically node positive.

The data that supports the findings are available on request from the corresponding author.

Background Acute epistaxis can be a life-threatening airway emergency, requiring in-patient admission. The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic placed significant strain on hospital resources, and management has shifted towards an out-patient-centred approach. Methods A five-month single-centre retrospective study was undertaken of all epistaxis patients managed by the ENT department. A pre-coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic group was managed with pre-existing guidelines, compared to new guidelines for the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic group. A telephone survey was performed on out-patients with non-dissolvable packs to assess patient comfort and satisfaction. Results A total of 142 patients were seen. The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic group had significantly more patients aged over 65 years (p = 0.004), an increased use of absorbable dressings and local haemostatic agents (Nasopore and Surgiflo), and fewer admissions (all p < 0.0005). Rates of re-presentation and morbidity, and length of hospital stay were similar. The telephone survey revealed out-patient management to be efficacious and feasible. Conclusion The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has shifted epistaxis management towards local haemostatic agents and out-patient management; this approach is as safe and effective as previously well-established regimens.

BACKGROUND:The impact of coronavirus disease 2019 on healthcare has led to rapid changes in otolaryngology service provisions. As such, new standard operating procedures for the management of suspected tonsillitis or quinsy were implemented in our centre. METHODS:A retrospective audit was performed of acute referrals to ENT of patients with suspected tonsillitis, peritonsillar cellulitis or quinsy, during the 10 weeks before (group 1) and 10 weeks after (group 2) implementation of the new standard operating procedures. RESULTS:Group 2 received fewer referrals. Fewer nasendoscopies were performed and corticosteroid use was reduced. The frequency of quinsy drainage performed under local anaesthetic increased, although the difference was not statistically significant. Hospital admission rates decreased from 56.1 to 20.4 per cent, and mean length of stay increased from 1.13 to 1.5 days. Face-to-face follow up decreased from 15.0 to 8.2 per cent, whilst virtual follow up increased from 4.7 to 16.3 per cent. There were no significant differences in re-presentation or re-admission rates. CONCLUSION:Management of suspected tonsillitis or quinsy using the new standard operating procedures appears to be safe and effective. This management should now be applied to an out-patient setting in otherwise systemically well patients.

The peer review history for this article is available at https://publons.com/publon/10.1111/coa.13896. The data that support this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Objectives: Salivary gland malignancies are an uncommon and heterogeneous group of cancers. We report our experience of clinicopathological variables that affect survival in patients treated by curative intent with surgery at a UK institution over a period of 15 years. Design: Retrospective cohort study Setting: Single centre study Participants We included 108 patients with malignant salivary gland tumours treated by curative intent with surgery from 2004 to 2019. Main outcome measures: The association between clinicopathological factors and their impact on overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Results: 77 (71.3%) presented with early pT classification and 81 (75%) of were node-negative. The parotid was the commonest site of malignancy (86, 79.6%). Perineural invasion (PNI) was present in 40 (37%) and lymphovascular invasion (LVI) was present in 20 (18.5%). 63 (58.3%) underwent adjuvant therapy. Median follow up was 36 months. Five-year OS and DFS were 81.7% and 71%. Age 50, pT classification 3-4, high tumour grade, PNI, and advanced TNM stage were all associated with worse OS and DFS, and LVI with worse DFS. There was no survival difference between a close (1-<5 mm) or negative (≥5 mm) resection margin. Conclusions: Age >50 years, advanced TNM stage, PNI and LVI are predictors of poor DFS. There was no difference in OS or DFS between patients with negative and close resection margins, indicating that close margins may be adequate for maintaining good oncologic outcomes in this group of patients.

Functional rehabilitation of post-laryngectomy patients is a challenging task; this includes achieving optimal speech and swallowing outcomes. Botox injections are utilised to improve pharyngoesophageal segment tonicity to improve speech and swallowing outcomes. We propose a novel and efficacious technique using a portable video-laryngoscope, GlideScope®, to directly visualise the injection of botulinum toxin in total laryngectomy patients with severe radiation-induced changes.