The Journal of laryngology and otology
-
The World Health Organization 'Surgical Safety Checklist' has been adopted by UK surgical units following National Patient Safety Agency guidance. Our aim was to assess compliance with our local version of this Checklist. ⋯ Our completed audit cycle demonstrated a significant improvement in Checklist compliance following educational intervention. We discuss barriers to compliance, as well as strategies for quality improvement, and we call for other surgeons to similarly publish their Checklist experience and assess its impact on surgical outcomes.
-
Review Case Reports
Cervical osteophytes causing vocal fold paralysis: case report and literature review.
To increase awareness of cervical osteophytes as an extremely rare cause of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy; to outline the clinical approach to patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis and to provide an update on the current management of osteoarthritis and osteophytes. ⋯ The aetiology of unilateral paralysis of the hemilarynx must be fully investigated, as the innervating system has a protracted course, particularly on the left side. Degenerative cervical spine disease, although rare, should be considered as part of the differential diagnosis.
-
To conduct a systematic review comparing the effect of three interventions (prophylactic antibiotics, tympanostomy tube insertion and adenoidectomy) on otitis media recurrence, recurrence frequency and total recurrence time. ⋯ Prophylactic antibiotics are effective in reducing otitis media recurrence, recurrence frequency and total recurrence time. Tympanostomy tube insertion failed to reduce the prevalence of otitis media recurrence, but reduced the recurrence frequency and total recurrence time. Adenoidectomy reduced otitis media recurrence; results on otitis media recurrence frequency differed but on average there was a reduction; however, the two studies with relevant data on total recurrence time had contradictory results.
-
To examine chronic non-granulomatous supraglottitis, a rare disorder of uncertain aetiology with few reported cases in the literature. ⋯ In patients suffering from chronic inflammation of the supraglottic larynx without evidence of infection, neoplasm or granulomatous disease, many disorders must be ruled out in order to diagnose chronic non-granulomatous supraglottitis, which is a diagnosis of exclusion. We review the literature on this rare entity, discuss current management strategies, and suggest an algorithm for diagnostic investigation.
-
To describe the differential diagnosis of recurrent or bilateral peripheral facial palsy. ⋯ There is an important and extensive differential diagnosis of recurrent or bilateral facial palsy. However, in a large proportion of patients the cause remains unknown.