Otolaryngologic clinics of North America
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Tonsillectomy is a safe operative procedure today, but hemorrhage remains a continuing problem. Excessive bleeding requires prompt attention by the surgeon and immediate treatment. Should local measures to control bleeding fail, external carotid artery ligation may be a life-saving procedure.
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A total of 512 patients with major salivary gland tumors were treated at our institution between the years 1960 to 1975. The 147 cases of malignant salivary gland tumors were reviewed according to presenting characteristics and stage, histology, and outcome. Treatment for each type is summarized. ⋯ Although cure rates in many categories of high-grade tumors are low, the only hope for survival is an initial aggressive surgical approach. Although radiation was used for recurrent disease only during the years of this study, it is currently being used as adjuvant therapy in almost all malignancies except low-grade mucoepidermoid. Recurrences are almost always fatal.
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Sore throat is a common complaint among patients seeking treatment from primary care physicians and otolaryngologists. This article reviews the clinical syndromes which present with pharyngitis. An emphasis is placed on differential diagnosis and appropriate use of antibiotic therapy. The continued controversy regarding the treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis is also presented.
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There is increasing evidence that hearing conservation programs based on hearing protective devices can be and are effective. Hearing conservation requires effort and all successful programs seem to be based on a mixture of engineering, monitoring, and personal protection.
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Multiple techniques of operative laryngoscopy are currently available. It behooves the otolaryngologist to be knowledgeable about several methods in terms of their relative merits. In this way the anesthetic and lighting technique of choice can be used for the particular lesion and procedure planned.