Awake Rhinology Surgery in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic in Europe.

Background: European health-care systems are faced with a backlog of surgical procedures following the suspension of routine surgery during the COVID-19 crisis. Routine rhinology surgery under general anaesthetic (GA) is now faced with significant challenges which include limited theatre capacity, the negative ramifications of surgical prioritization, reduced patient throughput in secondary care, and additional personal protective equipment requirements. Delayed surgery in rhinology, particularly with regards to chronic rhinosinusitis, has previously been shown to have poorer surgical outcomes, a detrimental effect on quality of life and long-term negative health socio-economic effects.

Bacterial colonization of airway stents: a promoter of granulation tissue formation following laryngotracheal reconstruction.

Objective: To investigate whether airway granulation, a common occurrence during laryngotracheal reconstructive surgery and a common cause of delays in definitive treatment and treatment failure, is associated with a microbial etiology.

Design: Prospective case-control study.

Setting: Tertiary referral airway reconstruction unit.