Analyzing Factors and Reasons Behind NonAttendance of ENT Patients: Clinical Audit.

This study analyzed the frequency of follow-up patients at the ENT clinic and identified different factors that are associated with nonattendance at follow-up appointments since nonattendance imposes significant stress on the system of healthcare. This study was an ambidirectional cohort study and conducted a telephonic survey with 104 ENT patients who missed their appointments. The findings of the study revealed that patients missed their scheduled appointments because of transportation problems (46%), professional engagement (46%), family problems (44%), and financial problems (32.

Does a junior doctor focused 'Bootcamp' improve the confidence and preparedness of newly appointed ENT registrars to perform their job roles?

Background: To assess changes in confidence and preparedness after conducting a 2-day induction bootcamp for novice Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) first year specialty trainee registrars (ST3s) in the United Kingdom (UK). The bootcamp covered common ENT presentations on the ward, and in the elective and emergency settings.

Methods: A total of 32 trainees (ST3 or research fellow) voluntarily registered via an online application form to the Southern ST3 accelerated learning course bootcamp through ENT UK.

A 2023 study of ENT undergraduate training in the UK. Has this improved?

Objectives: Otolaryngology (ENT) plays a crucial role in healthcare, yet undergraduate education in the United Kingdom has historically not reflected this. This study aimed to assess the delivery of ENT education, focusing on teaching methods, clinical placements, and assessment practices.

Methods: An online questionnaire was distributed to medical students.

Human robotic surgery with intraoperative tissue identification using rapid evaporation ionisation mass spectrometry.

Instantaneous, continuous, and reliable information on the molecular biology of surgical target tissue could significantly contribute to the precision, safety, and speed of the intervention. In this work, we introduced a methodology for chemical tissue identification in robotic surgery using rapid evaporative ionisation mass spectrometry. We developed a surgical aerosol evacuation system that is compatible with a robotic platform enabling consistent intraoperative sample collection and assessed the feasibility of this platform during head and neck surgical cases, using two different surgical energy devices.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of laryngeal reinnervation techniques in adults with unilateral and bilateral vocal fold palsies.

Objective: To evaluate the outcomes of reinnervation techniques for the treatment of adult unilateral vocal fold paralysis and bilateral vocal fold paralysis.

Methods: A literature review was conducted in the Embase and Medline databases in English, with no limitations on the publication date. The outcome parameters of interest included visual, subjective perceptual, acoustic, aerodynamic analysis and electromyography.

Virtual reality in simulation-based emergency skills training: A systematic review with a narrative synthesis.

Objective: An important role is predicted for virtual reality (VR) in the future of medical education. We performed a systematic review of the literature with a narrative synthesis, to examine the current evidence for VR in simulation-based emergency skills training. We broadly define emergency skills as any clinical skill used in the emergency care of patients across all clinical settings.

Autofluorescence of Parathyroid Glands: A Review of Methods of Parathyroid Gland Identification and Parathyroid Vascular Assessment.

Postoperative hypoparathyroidism may cause significant patient morbidity and even mortality. Emerging technologies centered on autofluorescent properties of parathyroid glands when exposed to near-infrared light hold promise to improve surgical parathyroid gland identification and preservation. Two systems (probe-based and camera-based) are commercially available currently; however, neither system alone provides indication of vascular viability or postoperative parathyroid gland function.

Litigation in thyroid surgery: a pan-specialty review of National Health Service (UK) data.

Objective: Thyroid surgery carries risks that significantly impact patients. This paper describes the landscape of thyroid surgery related litigation claims in the National Health Service from April 2015 to April 2020, to establish learning points in order to improve patient care and minimise litigation risk.

Methods: Data were requested from National Health Service Resolution and Hospital Episode Statistics.

Preoperative Evaluation of Thyroid Cancer: A Review of Current Best Practices.

Objective: The incidence of thyroid cancer has significantly increased in recent decades. Although most thyroid cancers are small and carry an excellent prognosis, a subset of patients present with advanced thyroid cancer, which is associated with increased rates of morbidity and mortality. The management of thyroid cancer requires a thoughtful individualized approach to optimize oncologic outcomes and minimize morbidity associated with treatment.

Emerging Imaging Technologies for Parathyroid Gland Identification and Vascular Assessment in Thyroid Surgery: A Review From the American Head and Neck Society Endocrine Surgery Section.

Importance: Identification and preservation of parathyroid glands (PGs) remain challenging despite advances in surgical techniques. Considerable morbidity and even mortality result from hypoparathyroidism caused by devascularization or inadvertent removal of PGs. Emerging imaging technologies hold promise to improve identification and preservation of PGs during thyroid surgery.

A Pilot Study of Augmented Intelligence Risk-Based Stratification for Endocrine Surgical Waiting List Prioritisation.

Introduction The New Deal for Surgery report encouraged using new technology in healthcare to address the 377,689 patients in England awaiting National Health Service (NHS) hospital treatment in July 2022. During the pandemic's second wave, this pilot study investigated the utility of COMPASS Surgical List Triage (COMPASS SLT; C2-Ai, Cambridge, England), an augmented intelligence-based system, in assisting surgical decision-making on patient prioritisation. Data generated from COMPASS SLT was compared to data from the British Association of Endocrine and Thyroid Surgeons' (BAETS) and Federation of Surgical Specialties Associations' (FSSA) prioritisation guidance.

Mixed Reality Enhanced Otolaryngology Case-Based Learning: A Randomized Educational Study.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented disruptions to medical education. Education in medical specialties, such as otolaryngology faces multiple challenges, including reduced bedside and "hands-on" training opportunities at all levels. Educators are turning to technological advancements to deliver effective remote medical education.

Pediatric intraoperative nerve monitoring during thyroid surgery: A review from the American Head and Neck Society Endocrine Surgery Section and the International Neural Monitoring Study Group.

Children are more likely to experience recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury during thyroid surgery. Intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM) may assist in nerve identification and surgical decision making. A literature review of pediatric IONM was performed and used to inform a monitoring technique guide and expert opinion statements.

Clarifying optimal outcome measures in intermittent and continuous laryngeal neuromonitoring.

Background: Intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) techniques have evolved over the past decade into intermittent IONM (I-IONM) and continuous IONM (C-IONM) modes of application. Despite many prior publications on both types of IONM, there remains uncertainty about what outcomes should be measured for each form of IONM. The primary objective of this paper is to define categories of benefit for I-IONM/C-IONM and to clarify and standardize their reporting outcomes.

The volume and outcome relationship for thyroidectomy in England.

Purpose: The delivery of surgical care in England has seen a momentum towards centralisation within larger volume hospitals and surgical teams. The aim of this study was to investigate outcomes in England in relationship to hospital and surgeon annual volumes for total thyroidectomy.

Methods: Data were extracted from the Hospital Episodes Statistics (HES) database for England.

Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: A Health Economic Review.

The incidence of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is rising, mainly because of an increased detection of asymptomatic thyroid nodularity revealed by the liberal use of thyroid ultrasound. This review aims to reflect on the health economic considerations associated with the increasing diagnosis and treatment of DTC. Overdiagnosis and the resulting overtreatment have led to more surgical procedures, increasing health care and patients' costs, and a large pool of community-dwelling thyroid cancer follow-up patients.

Medullary Thyroid Cancer Patient's Assessment of Quality of Life Tools: Results from the QaLM Study.

Background: Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) is a neuroendocrine tumour and a rare variant of thyroid cancer with different aetiology, presentation and treatment to differentiated thyroid cancer. Currently available thyroid cancer-specific quality of life (QoL) tools focus on issues and treatments more relevant to patients with differentiated thyroid cancer and therefore may not address issues specific to a MTC diagnosis and cancer journey.

Method: This prospective multicentre randomised study involved 204 MTC patients completing four quality of life questionnaires (QOLQ) and stating their most and least preferred.