Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery : official journal of American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
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Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Apr 2015
Review Meta AnalysisMaxillomandibular advancement and tracheostomy for morbidly obese obstructive sleep apnea: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
The objective of this study is to systematically review polysomnography data and sleepiness in morbidly obese (body mass index [BMI] ≥40 kg/m(2)) patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) treated with either a maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) or a tracheostomy and to evaluate the outcomes. ⋯ Data for MMA and tracheostomy as treatment for morbidly obese, adult OSA patients are significantly limited. We caution surgeons about drawing definitive conclusions from these limited studies; higher level studies are needed.
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Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Apr 2015
Hearing preservation after middle fossa vestibular schwannoma removal: are the results durable?
To describe 5-year hearing preservation rates following microsurgical excision of vestibular schwannoma (VS) via the middle cranial fossa (MCF) approach. ⋯ For patients with VS in whom serviceable hearing is preserved following the MCF approach, the long-term hearing outcome remains durable in most patients.
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Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg · Mar 2015
ReviewThe uncertain fate of otolaryngology in sleep medicine.
Since 2011, otolaryngologists have been required to complete a 1-year fellowship in sleep medicine in order to be eligible for the ABOto Sleep Medicine Certification Examination (ASMCE). Resultantly, the number of sleep medicine board-certified otolaryngologists has plunged since that time. This push toward extinction comes at a time when otolaryngologists have been cast into the spotlight for the diagnosis and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea, the prevailing disorder in sleep medicine. To reverse the trajectory of this subspecialty, 2 changes need to occur: increase the exposure to sleep medicine/surgery during residency and improve access to sleep medicine fellowships featuring a strong otolaryngology presence.