The post-operative tonsillectomy (POPT) study: A multi-centre prospective paediatric cohort study.

Objectives: Tonsillectomy is the most common operation performed by otolaryngologists in the UK, despite this we have a poor understanding of the post-operative recovery. We aimed to investigate post-operative bleeding and pain following paediatric tonsillectomy using a patient diary.

Design: Prospective observational cohort study.

Lateral cystic neck masses in adults: a ten-year series and comparative analysis of diagnostic modalities.

Background: In adults, the solitary lateral cystic neck mass remains a diagnostic challenge with little solid material to target for cytology and few clues on imaging modalities to suggest underlying malignancy.

Method: This study was a retrospective review of patients presenting with a lateral cystic neck mass to a tertiary academic head and neck centre over a 10-year period.

Results: A total of 25 of 157 cystic lesions were subsequently malignant on paraffin section histopathology, with the youngest patient being 42 years.

A prospective multicentre external validation study of the Liverpool Peritonsillar abscess Score (LPS) with a no-examination COVID-19 modification.

Objectives: Our primary aim was to validate the Liverpool Peritonsillar abscess Score (LPS) externally in a new patient cohort. Our secondary aim was to modify the LPS in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic to produce a no-examination variant for use in this instance.

Design: Prospective multicentre external validation study.

Outcomes and prognosticators in regionally recurrent cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Introduction: Data regarding regionally metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (cSCCHN) is limited and derived almost exclusively from Australian and United States (US) institutions. We report the first United Kingdom perspective, with the aims of benchmarking survival outcomes and identifying clinically relevant prognosticators.

Materials And Methods: Ninety-one patients with regionally recurrent cSCCHN treated with curative intent over a ten-year period (2009-2018) were studied retrospectively.

The effect of fibrin sealant tissue glue in reducing post-operative collections following parotidectomy.

Purpose: Seroma/sialocele and haematoma formations following parotidectomy are common complications. Fibrin-sealant tissue glue (FSTG) applied to the surgical bed prior to closure has been used widely to reduce such complications at other surgical sites. We sought to evaluate a potential role in parotidectomy, examining outcomes before and after the use of FSTG was introduced in our department.

Canal wall down mastoidectomy with obliteration versus canal wall up mastoidectomy in primary cholesteatoma surgery.

Objective: This study sought to compare disease recidivism rates between canal wall up mastoidectomy and a canal wall down with obliteration technique.

Methods: Patients undergoing primary cholesteatoma surgery at our institution over a five-year period (2013-2017) using the aforementioned techniques were eligible for inclusion in the study. Rates of discharge and disease recidivism were analysed using chi-square statistics.