ENTtoday: August 2021

The Latest on Olfactory Dysfunction and COVID-19

It’s too early to know which treatments for post-viral smell loss may specifically benefit COVID-19-related olfactory dysfunction but here are some treatment options currently in use or in research.

Closing the Digital Divide: Ensuring Patients Have Access to Healthcare Technology Is a Priority

There has always been a “digital divide” among certain populations, but COVID-19 has made using healthcare technology a necessity.

Will Virtual Oral Board Exams Remain an Option After the COVID-19 Pandemic?

Looking at the pros and cons of virtual oral board exams, which have been a safe alternative during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dermal Fillers and Vaccine Reactions: How to Prepare Patients for the Rare Possibility

When reports emerged that three patients had experienced facial swelling after receiving the Moderna vaccine some people began expressing hesitancy to receive the vaccine.

Hearing Impairment in Pediatric Population Associated with Higher Prevalence of Loneliness

Most existing studies have found that hearing impairment results in a higher prevalence of social isolation and loneliness in the pediatric population.

Transorbital Endoscopic Repair a Feasible Approach for Select Patients with Frontal Sinus Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks

Transorbital endoscopic approach (TOEA) is a safe, minimally disruptive alternative for definitive management of frontal sinus cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak in well-selected primary or revision cases.

A Promising Approach to Enhance Regeneration in Tracheal Graft

A two-step method using the platysma as an in vivo bioreactor may be a promising approach to achieve long-term survival and enhanced luminal patency of a transplanted tracheal graft.

Superior Laryngeal Nerve Block May Be a Viable Treatment Option for Neurogenic Cough

Procedural therapy, including superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) block, should be considered in the armamentarium of neurogenic cough treatments.

At-Home Postoperative Drain Removal Is Safe and Effective for Many Head and Neck Surgery Patients

Home drain removal is a safe and efficacious option for patients following head and neck surgery, providing cost savings to them and better utilization of providers’ time.

Minority Groups Widely Underrepresented in U.S. Prospective Studies of Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Minority demographic groups are significantly underrepresented in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) clilnical trials.

Should Isotretinoin Be Stopped Prior to Surgery?

Recent prospective clinical studies have not found an increased incidence of facial scarring in patients using isotretinoin in the perioperative period.

When Should Adults with Bilateral Hearing Loss Be Referred for Cochlear Implant Evaluation?

Many patients who would likely benefit from implantation are never referred due to poor regional access, and, perhaps most importantly, lack of established CIE referral guidelines.

Letter from the Editor: Recent Feats of Innovation in Otolaryngology

There’s plenty to look forward to that isn’t COVID-related, and we’re excited to talk about it with you.

How To: Rapid, Effective Cannulation for Salivary Duct Access

We demonstrate a novel, simplistic, and rapid approach to cannulation, dilation, and sialendoscope insertion that can be completed in an outpatient setting with the assistance of viscous lidocaine gel.

How To: Hidden Port Approach to Endoscopic Pericranial Scalp Flap for Anterior Skull Base Reconstruction

Through this endoscopic approach, glabellar incision can be avoided by performing frontal osteotomy endoscopically.