Acute mastoiditis in children remains an otological problem. Although the widespread use of antibiotics has reduced the need for surgical intervention, surgery is frequently used in the treatment of acute mastoiditis and its complications. The charts of 44 patients hospitalized with signs of acute mastoiditis were reviewed. In 43.2 per cent of all patients, acute mastoiditis was the presenting sign of acute middle-ear infection. Post-auricular erythema and protrusion of the auricle were the most frequent signs at presentation. All four signs (post-auricular erythema, oedema, tenderness, and protrusion of the auricle) were present in 40.9 per cent of patients. No bacterial pathogen was isolated in 45.5 per cent of ear cultures. Complicated acute mastoiditis was diagnosed in 13.7 per cent of the patients. Eighty-seven per cent of patients responded well to intravenous antibiotics and myringotomy, and in 11.4 per cent mastoidectomy or abscess drainage were performed. We conclude that nearly all patients with uncomplicated mastoiditis recover following intravenous antibiotics and myringotomy. Mastoidectomy should be perfonned in selected cases, such as cases of complicated acute mastoiditis.

Surgeons using the operating microscope are able to make use of numerous landmarks described for the lateral limits of dissection to preserve hearing in acoustic neuroma surgery via the retrosigmoid approach. Similar landmarks for hearing preservation described specifically for the endoscopic-assisted technique, are lacking. By analysing computed tomography (CT) scans of temporal bones, it was observed that to reach within 3 mm of the lateral end of the internal auditory meatus (IAM) via a 3 cm retrosigmoid craniotomy, drilling should be up to about 3 mm medial to the opening of the vestibular aqueduct. It was hypothesized that in surgery, by keeping 3 mm medial to the opening of the vestibular aqueduct, the integrity of inner ear structures would be preserved. This hypothesis was tested in 30 temporal bones and was found to be true. In addition, the lateral end of the IAM up to the transverse crest could be viewed by the 30-degree rigid angled endoscope. This landmark could, therefore, be utilized in the endoscopicassisted technique to predict the optimal amount of bone to be removed at a stage before the internal auditory meatal dura is opened when the intact dura affords added protection to the meatal contents during drilling. Well designed dural flaps on the posterior petrous bone could be created by making a longitudinal incision not more than 7 mm from the superior border of petrous bone and a transverse incision at least 17 mm from sigmoid. These flaps minimize injury to the endolymphatic sac and protect the cochlear nerve and vasculature that when damaged, may result in hearing loss.

Three vestibular nerve specimens removed at transmeatal neurectomy were studied in order to understand better retrograde degeneration and regeneration after vestibular neurectomy in the posterior cranial fossa. In two cases this procedure followed retrolabyrinthine retrosigmoid posterior fossa vestibular neurectomy. The subjects, three patients with Menière's disease, were compared with one another and two autopsy controls with no known otological problem. The specimens were obtained at the distal end of the internal auditory canal and transversely sectioned. Many collapsed Schwann cell basement membranes were observed. The ratio of small-diameter nerve fibres increased significantly after neurectomy. Onion bulb formation around myelinated nerve fibres with small diameters and Schwann cell proliferation around the soma of vestibular ganglion cells reflected remyelination. We conclude that peripheral processes of vestibular nerve fibres can undergo retrograde degeneration and subsequent regeneration after transection of the central process.

Viral reactivation is thought to be an important cause of post-operative facial palsy of delayed onset. We present an unusual case of Ramsay-Hunt syndrome that occurred as a consequence of middle-ear surgery by triggering varicella-zoster virus reactivation. As a pathognomonic auricular eruption was not seen, the patient was initially misdiagnosed as iatrogenic facial palsy. Clinical features, diagnosis and management are discussed.

The midfacial degloving approach has been available for twenty five years and is slowly increasing in popularity in the management of extensive benign lesions of the sinonasal region, for selected malignancy in this area and to afford access to the nasopharynx and infra-temporal fossa. The advantages, applications and low complication rate are presented in a cohort of 86 patients, ranging from three to 79 years of age with a mean follow-up of 5.5 years. Seventy-seven per cent of the group had benign pathology of which juvenile angiofibroma was the commonest (40 cases). The 20 cases of malignant disease were a heterogeneous group histopathologically including adenoid cystic carcinoma (four cases), malignant schwannoma (two cases), rhabdomyosarcoma (two cases) and squamous cell carcinoma (two cases). Five underwent bilateral radical maxillectomies combined with orbital clearance in one patient. Complications include oro-antral fistula (three cases) and epiphora (three cases) all of which were successfully treated.

Primary mucosal malignant melanoma (PMML) of the larynx continues to be a rare entity. To date, there are few cases reported in the world literature consisting of mainly isolated case reports and literature reviews.

Traditionally believed to be radioresistant, we present a case of PMML of the right vocal fold managed with right cordectomy and adjuvant radiotherapy. The patient is well without any evidence of local recurrence or metastasis three years and four months from presentation.

The use of the buccal fat (BFP) and palatal rotating flaps for the closure of oro-antral communication and reconstruction of palatal defects was compared clinically. The BFP proved to be consistently successful in closing oro-antral fistulae and palatal defects resulting from tumour resection, preserving the normal anatomical architecture of the oral mucosa. No denuded area requiring secondary granulation was required as in the case of palatal flaps. In addition, no facial disfigurement was observed on the operated side.

BFP is considered a reliable, convenient method for closure of palatal defects and closure of oro-antral communication. It can also be considered as a reliable back-up procedure in the event of failure of other techniques.

This audit report details early post-operative complications following surgery for chronic otitis media. One hundred and forty-five cases were assessed. There were no facial nerve palsies, a bone conduction threshold elevation occurred in 4.6 per cent of cases. A wound infection occurred in six per cent of cases as did BIPP allergy. Twenty-six per cent of patients reported symptoms consistent with chorda tympani trauma. Short-lived symptoms of jaw discomfort were reported by 46 per cent of patients and imbalance or vertigo by 10 per cent of patients. The findings are compared with other published reports of complications following ear surgery.

A case is reported in which an inhaled sewing needle, stuck fast in the trachea, became displaced through the tracheal wall during attempted removal via flexible bronchoscopy. The inherent risks and pitfalls of this procedure are highlighted.

A combined septal perforation repair and rhinoplasty was performed in 20 patients (12 males, eight females; age range 16–36, mean age 29.6) presenting with septal perforations (size 1–4 cm) and external nasal deformities. The external rhinoplasty approach was used for all cases and the perforation was repaired using bilateral intranasal mucosal advancement flaps with a connective tissue interposition graft in between. The perforation was totally closed in 18 cases (90 per cent) with complete resolution of the pre-operative symptoms occurring in 16 (80 per cent). Cosmetically, 19 cases (95 per cent) were very satisfied with their aesthetic result. The exposure provided by the external approach proved to be very helpful in the process of septal perforation repair. Our results show that septal perforation repair could safely be combined with rhinoplasty and that some of the rhinoplasty manoeuvres used could even facilitate the process of septal perforation repair.

This work describes the exposure of the intrapetrous internal carotid artery (ICA) through the subtemporal approach. The anatomical details of 25 fresh temporal bones were studied and provided the initial background for this procedure. Bone drilling in the meatal plane anterior to the internal auditory canal could create a four-sided quadrangular area. The exposure of the ICA through this area was applied on three occasions. It proved safe as regards the surrounding structures and also provided an ample working space for the extirpation of tumours surrounding the artery.

A study was carried out to compare the effectiveness of nasal splints (in preventing intranasal adhesions) with the morbidity associated with their use in nasal surgery. One hundred and ten patients undergoing a routine nasal operation were randomly allocated into two equal groups, one with splints and the other without. Post-operative pain and discomfort was assessed by a visual analogue scale at 48 hours and a week following surgery when either nasal suction (non-splinted group) or removal of splints was carried out. All patients were examined after six weeks for development of adhesions.

Results showed that there was no significant difference in the incidence of adhesions between the splinted and non-splinted patient groups. However, the patients with splints had significantly more pain and nasal discomfort when assessed one week after surgery.

It is concluded that the morbidity associated with nasal splints does not justify their use in routine nasal surgery if the aim is to prevent nasal adhesions, but they may still be indicated for enhancing the stability of the septum following septoplasty.

Patients who, despite treatment, suffer persistent chronic otitis media (COM), a radical cavity and a hearing loss of more than 55 decibels for more than five years, can be classified as having an ‘endstage’ COM. It is generally agreed that retained infected residual cell tracts or a too small meatus are common causes for failure of surgery for COM. Radical revision mastoidectomy (RRM) aims to remove all residual cell tracts in the mastoid, in the middle-ear cleft, around the labyrinth and around the Eustachian tube. The mastoid cavity is obliterated with a pedicled muscle flap. Thus the mastoid cavity is reduced and selfcleansing is improved. The first 16 consecutive patients who underwent a RRM for ‘endstage’ COM were included in this study. In about 80 per cent the treatment resulted in a dry ear. We, therefore, conclude that RRM is an effective and safe method for treating ‘endstage’ COM.

The Westaby T-Y tracheobronchial silicone stent can be used for the relief of upper airway obstruction beyond the limit of a standard tracheostomy tube. We report on our experience in the use of the Westaby tube in 10 patients over a five-year period. The general features of the tube, indications for its use, and its method of insertion are described. The versatility and advantages over other stents are discussed. Two cases reports are described and the clinical course and outcomes of the individual patients are outlined.

Hypertrophy of the inferior turbinates is a common cause of nasal obstruction. Many cases respond to medical treatment with topical steroids or antihistamines. In some patients, however, this therapy is not sufficient and through the years many surgical procedures have been used to reduce the size of the inferior turbinates, but without any satisfactory long-term results. Furthermore, these procedures have often been painful to the patient and post-operative complications such as bleeding and crusting have not been uncommon. However, instead of conventional surgery of the turbinates, laser-surgery can be used to reduce their size. In order to investigate the long-term effect of such gross reduction of the turbinates we investigated the post-operative condition of 78 patients who had undergone CO2-laser-turbinectomy due to symptoms of nasal obstruction. Twenty-four to 36 months post-operatively three quarters of all the patients reported a marked decrease in nasal obstruction as well as a reduced frequency of nasal and sinus infections. No complications were reported and the procedure was without any discomfort to the patient. Thus, laser-turbinectomy seems to be an effective, simple and painless method for treatment of nasal obstruction due to hypertrophy of the inferior turbinates.

This paper presents the long-term effect of restricted surgery for snoring and sleep apnoea. Patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSAS) (19) or heavy snoring (HS) (36) were studied prospectively for five to seven years after uvulopalatopharyngoplasty without tonsillectomy performed by regular surgical technique using local anaesthesia (LUPP). Five years after surgery, 90 per cent answered a questionnaire. All OSAS patients were offered a polysomnography, and the HS patients were offered a sleep study. Eighty per cent still showed a positive effect on daytime somnolence, and 77 per cent on snoring. Sideeffects were reported by 40 per cent; most common was choking (20 per cent) the first year. Eighteen per cent had local problems such as globus sensation. The polysomnography showed that 80 per cent were still ‘responders’ with an apnoea index (AI) reduction of >50 per cent. None of the HS patients had developed OSAS. In conclusion, LUPP in selected patients with OSAS or HS has a good long-term effect. Sideeffects are common, but diminish with time.

Development of vocal fold paralysis in the presence of thyroid disease is strongly indicative of thyroid cancer, and requires surgical exploration. At the same time, vocal fold paralysis does not relieve the surgeon of his obligation to identify and preserve the recurrent laryngeal nerves, since the cause of the paralysis may be a benign disease, with a fair chance of functional recovery after surgery. We hereby report a case of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy secondary to a multinodular goitre.

Thirty-four ears with conductive hearing loss due to otosclerosis were operated upon using the laser stapedotomy technique. Audiological results were compared with the results of 316 non-laser stapedotomies. The post-operative air-bone gap, calculated as the difference between the postoperative air and bone conduction levels, was smaller with the laser stapedotomy group. Also, the bone conduction showed significant improvement with the use of laser.

Significant sensorineural hearing loss was not found in any of the laser-treated patients. According to our results, we concluded that laser is of benefit in stapes surgery for improving the hearing results and minimizing the inner ear trauma.

This paper reports the presentation and management of an extra-cranial internal carotid artery aneurysm in a 15-year-old male. To our knowledge there is no previous report of a similar case in childhood.