Application of natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) instrumentation to the endolarynx.

Objectives: RealHand instruments are high-dexterity instruments that have been designed for natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery applications. They provide dexterity by offering a full range of motion to endoscopic instruments. We hypothesize that RealHand instruments will resolve some of the limitations encountered in traditional endolaryngeal surgery.

The challenge of protocols for reflux disease: a review and development of a critical pathway.

Objectives: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) are very common and controversial diseases. The authors have previously reviewed clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) on reflux disease, and these major consensus statements differ on what constitutes ideal management. The aim is to critically review existing protocols for reflux based on CPG recommendations and to present a refined protocol that may be further used to develop a critical pathway for reflux in ambulatory medical practice.

A review of clinical practice guidelines for reflux disease: toward creating a clinical protocol for the otolaryngologist.

Objectives: Reflux disease, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), is an extremely common condition that is diagnosed and treated routinely in an otolaryngology practice. There is great variability in the methods of both diagnosis and treatment amongst otolaryngologists. Our aim is to review current clinical practice guidelines on reflux disease, to identify areas of agreement and controversy, and to begin to work toward a clinical protocol for reflux disease for the otolaryngologist.

Pulse dye and other laser treatments for vocal scar.

Purpose Of Review: Vocal fold scar is a challenging clinical problem, resulting in a spectrum of voice-related complaints. While there are a variety of treatment options available, it is rare to obtain outcomes similar to the perfectly normal voice. The pulsed dye and other lasers are an emerging treatment option for cutaneous scar and have shown promise for the treatment of vocal fold scarring.

Emerging therapies for the treatment and prevention of otitis media.

Otitis media is one of the most common disorders occurring in children, and there is growing concern that bacteria are quickly becoming resistant to antimicrobials. As a result, global antibiotic treatment is no longer the standard of care and treatment of otitis media has changed dramatically in the last decade. In addition to new antimicrobials currently in development, the effects of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine are just beginning to be understood.