Obliteration of the persistently discharging mastoid cavity using the middle temporal artery flap.

Objective: To evaluate the surgical outcome of patients undergoing obliteration of a persistently discharging mastoid cavity with specific soft tissue vascular flaps for chronic otitis media or cholesteatoma.

Study Design: A five-year retrospective consecutive case review in a tertiary care referral center. Following mastoidectomy obliteration with a superiorly based middle temporal artery, axial periosteal flap and inferiorly based random pedicled musculoperiosteal flap was performed.

Differing pathways of lower airway colonization and infection according to mode of ventilation (endotracheal vs tracheotomy).

Objectives: To determine whether the pathogenesis of lower airway colonization and infection was endogenous (via the oropharynx) or exogenous (via the endotracheal tube or tracheotomy) during the 2 modes of ventilation in the same subset of children requiring long-term ventilation.

Design: Prospective, observational cohort study.

Setting: A pediatric intensive care unit and a respiratory ward.