[The story of one invention--the paper about rehabilitation of deafness].

Author described his own patented idea, concerning magnetic induction in transfer signals to receptors of cochlea. This system made possible without touch transfer signals from microcomputer to electrodes implanted surgically to cochlea during rehabilitation of deafness by method cochlear implants.

[Incidence of pharyngocutaneous fistulas after laryngectomy depending on the method of nutritive drain insertion].

In the article incidence of pharyngocutaneous fistulas after total laryngectomy was estimated depending on the method of nutritive drain insertion. The study was performed in 464 patients (64% of all laryngectomized) treated surgically in ENT Department of Medical University in Lodz from 1988 to 1997. It was stated that fistulas developed in 114 cases (24.

[Remarks concerning didactics based on personal experiences].

The author described own experiences concerning didactics in a medical school, particularly elements of practical training in otolaryngology.

[Theories attempting to explain the significance of the paranasal sinuses].

The author presents 12 theories which try to evaluate the significance of paranasal sinuses. A vast amount of references on this subject and additionally this paper do not explain the role of paranasal sinuses in human. In the author's opinion the most probable is the amortizative and constructive theory based on antropometric studies and experimental head traumas.

["Oto" -- the episode in the strange world of Vincent van Gogh].

The author described briefly life of Vincent van Gogh, particularly performed episode of ear's cutting.

[Results of the surgical management of congenital malformations of the external auditory canal and of the middle ear in children with special reference to vein xenografts].

The paper deals with the possibility of surgical reconstruction of congenital malformations of the ear, the choice of a proper surgical method with the utilization of calf-vein xenografts, and with postoperative effects of the employed operative technique modified by the authors. The research material comprised 70 children between 3 and 17 years of age treated in years 1992-1995. Reconstructive surgery was performed in 24 children (29 ears).

[On "Position of Brünings++" during caloric tests].

In common opinion one of the sitting position used during caloric tests is "position V of Brünings". The name of this position is incorrectly applied by a lot of authors (without knowledge of original paper of Brünings [1]. This designation could concern a modification of position V, presented by Barre in 1927 [2].

[My adventure with otosclerosis].

The author presents his own experience in surgical treatment of otosclerosis in 373 patients. He particularly exposes results concerning hearing level after surgical procedures and discusses progress of symptoms which accompany otosclerosis like vertigo or dizziness and tinnitus in the context of bibliography data. He also looks at the complications occurring during procedures and following them.

[On keratomas on the frontal sinus].

Etiopathogenesis of the frontal sinus kertomas has been discussed paying a special attention to the frequency of its occurrence reported in literature. Authors present a rare complication of frontal sinus keratoma involving a bone destruction of nearby lying structures.

[Extrameatal myringoplasty in the treatment of tympanic membrane perforations].

The clinical analysis of the patients after tympanic membrane reconstruction with the temporal muscle fascia has been conducted. The total number of 145 patients, operated at the Otosurgery Department Medical University of Lodz, was divided into 2 Groups. Group 1 (n = 75) patients with chronic otitis media (central perforation and mobile ossicular chain).

[Distant results of putting the feeding tube through wound after laryngectomy].

Authors present their own postoperative results in nourishing the patients after laryngectomy. Their several years' observations, based on the group of 318 patients, were connected with the risk of the postoperative complications. In proposed way of nourishing (introduced by B.

[Complications and failure after partial laryngectomy].

The frequency and type of failures and complications after 259 partial laryngectomies in patients treated for cancer of larynx in Otolaryngology Department of Medical University of Lodz from 1980 to 1996 were evaluated. Among the failures a local and nodal recurrence, a distant metastasis and a second primary malignant tumor were taken into consideration. Furthermore, among the complications disfunction of breathing, swallowing, voice emission and abnormal healing were analyzed.

[Prosper Ménière: unknown and little known facts].

In the article some less known and unknown facts from Prosper Meniere's life are reported. It was emphasized that in foreign bibliography etiology of Meniere's disease isn't connected with labyrinthine's hameorrhagia, as it is often stated in Polish laryngological literature.

[The significance of rotation tests in diagnosis of vestibule and otolith].

The authors describe the most useful tests of rotatory stimulation of vestibular and otolith organs. Estimation of threshold of during the rotative excitatory test, acceleration-deceleration test and reactions post stimulation of otolith organs are represents. Examinations of otolith organs are exactly discussed.

[Radical neck dissection and the possibility of complications: surgical technique].

Based on 15 pictures the technique of radical neck dissection is presented with particular attention to the topography of the neck. Steps by steps the possibility of complications is considered. During the operation the mandible branches of the facial nerve, vagus nerve, hypoglossal nerve, phrenic nerve, accessory nerve, shoulder plexus, cervical plexus, sympathetic trunk can be injured as well as the jugular vein, carotid artery, occipital artery, thoracic duct.

[Regarding patient nourishment after laryngectomy].

Authors remember own method of location of stomach tube in laryngectomy patients and they give a detailed description of technic of this one. Authors discuss advantages and faults of this manner. They also present long-term observations in 54 patients who have undergone total laryngectomy and another way of location of stomach tube.

[Plastic surgery of the trachea after laryngectomy].

Authors present new method of wind-pipe plastic operation post laryngectomy. In this method perpendicular scores of the skin are performed and special external sutures are made which stretch tracheostomy foramen to order to obtain wide inside measurement of wind-pipe. 78% operated patients may be without tracheotomy tube.

[Use of sensitizers and photo laser for diagnosis and treatment of malignant tumors].

The authors present a new and original method of destroying neoplastic tissues with the use of a laser light. Photodynamic therapy (PTD) requires three components: the photosensitizer, oxygen and light. This method is a promising for treatment on a many specialty including head and neck area.

[A new biopsy needle in the laryngological diagnosis].

An own constructed biopsy needle is described. The technique is applied in the deep tissue pathological lesions (neoplastic, mycotical and for bacterial infiltrations). The mean application is of endophitic infiltration diagnosis of the larynx.

Dominant symphalangism and conductive hearing loss.

Dominant symphalangism in three generations is presented in this paper. Conductive hearing loss of a 14 year old male patient with proximal symphalangism was due to fixation of the stapes.

[Postoperative maxillary cyst].

We presented the case report of a postoperative maxillary cyst, which developed 26 years after the radical Caldwel-Luc procedure in the maxillary sinus. This is a rare case in nonoriental population but it has been described well in Japanese literature. Considering the size and damage found in clinical and radiological examination, we suspected a malignance lesion.

[Dominant symphalangism and conductive hearing loss].

Dominant symphalangism in three generations is presented in this paper. Conductive hearing loss of 14 year old male patient with proximal symphalangism was due to fixation of the stapes.

[A different manner of using the nutritive drain in laryngectomized patients].

Authors present own manner of putting of nutritive drain laryngectomy patients during operation. They described good points and faults of this method which they use in their practice after all laryngectomies.