The impact of COVID-19 on head and neck cancer patients: A review of speech valve complications and patient experience during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom.

Purpose: Surgical voice restoration (SVR) is associated with improved patient quality of life following laryngectomy. This study aims to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with SVR and analyse the complications in this cohort of patients.

Method: A retrospective review of all patients with SVR at a single tertiary ear, nose, and throat (ENT) unit in the UK for 12 months during the COVID-19 pandemic, with comparison to the preceding 12 months.

Paediatric quality-of-life following adenotonsillectomy: an evaluation of T14 paediatric throat disorder quality-of-life outcomes according to operative indication.

Introduction: Adenotonsillectomy is the most common surgical intervention for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) or recurrent tonsillitis. The Paediatric Throat Disorder Quality of Life Outcome (T14) questionnaire is a validated tool completed by parents to compare the outcome of surgery by measuring the pre- and postoperative scores. This study was undertaken to evaluate the quality-of-life outcome in children undergoing surgical intervention for recurrent tonsillitis and/or OSA.

Review of endoscopic myringoplasty success: comparisons of intra-operative graft material and post-operative packing in terms of graft failure rate.

Background: Myringoplasty success rate is estimated to be between 60 and 90 per cent. Factors predicting success include the choice of graft and use of auditory canal packing. This study aimed to determine the intra-operative factors associated with endoscopic myringoplasty success.

Twenty-seven years of primary salivary gland carcinoma in Wales: an analysis of histological subtype and associated risk factors.

Objective: Risk factors for salivary gland carcinoma are poorly understood. Although links between background radiation, smoking and obesity have been previously suggested, no studies have so far established any significant results. This study aimed to establish correlations between common environmental and lifestyle risk factors and different subtypes of salivary gland carcinoma.

Rationalising requests for preoperative sleep studies and postoperative HDU beds: a quality improvement project in paediatric ENT patients undergoing elective surgery.

Background: Sleep disordered breathing represents a spectrum of upper airway obstruction including snoring, increased respiratory effort and obstructive sleep apnoea. An increasing demand for paediatric preoperative sleep studies and postoperative high dependency unit (HDU) beds was having a significant impact on service delivery at this ear, nose and throat (ENT) unit.

Methods: Retrospective and prospective review of all paediatric sleep study requests over a 30-month period in a single tertiary ENT department.