Rectal perforation secondary to transanal haemorrhoidal dearterialisation.

Haemorrhoidal artery ligation has now been established as a treatment modality for symptomatic haemorrhoids. We report a case of a fit 44-year-old male who underwent the procedure as a day case, who subsequently developed pelvic sepsis due to rectal perforation. This case is the first report of a potentially life-threatening complication resulting from this procedure, which has a previously excellent safety profile.

Short-term weight gain after adenotonsillectomy in children with obstructive sleep apnoea: systematic review.

Background: Children with obstructive sleep apnoea commonly undergo adenotonsillectomy as first-line surgical treatment. This paper aimed to investigate whether this intervention was associated with weight gain after surgery in the paediatric population with obstructive sleep apnoea.

Method: Two independent researchers systematically reviewed the literature from 1995 to 2014 for studies on patients who underwent adenotonsillectomy with weight-based measurements before and after surgery.

Pre-operative serum alkaline phosphatase as a predictive indicator of post-operative hypocalcaemia in patients undergoing total thyroidectomy.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate whether a pre-operative elevated serum alkaline phosphatase level is a potential predictor of post-operative hypocalcaemia after total thyroidectomy.

Methods: Data was retrospectively collected from the case notes of patients who had undergone total thyroidectomy. Patients were divided into Graves' disease and non-Graves' groups.

Human papillomavirus and salivary gland neoplasia: a p16INK4 immunohistochemical and in situ hybridisation study.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the association between human papillomavirus infection and salivary gland tumours in a Scottish cohort.

Methods: Specimens from a range of salivary gland tumours operated on between 1997 and 2012 were studied. A tissue microarray constructed from tissue blocks was subjected to p16INK4 (cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A) immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridisation using probes specific for human papillomavirus, including types 16 and 18.

p16 status and interval neck dissection findings after a 'clinically complete response' to chemoradiotherapy in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Objectives: To evaluate the histopathological findings from post-treatment neck dissection of p16 positive and negative oropharyngeal carcinoma cases, after completion of chemoradiotherapy, and to question the role of neck dissection after a 'clinically complete response' to chemoradiotherapy.

Methods: Data were collected retrospectively from a cohort of patients treated with curative intent using chemoradiotherapy and post-treatment neck dissection. Primary tumours underwent p16 immunohistochemistry.

Management of recurrent acute otitis media in children: systematic review of the effect of different interventions on otitis media recurrence, recurrence frequency and total recurrence time.

Objective: To conduct a systematic review comparing the effect of three interventions (prophylactic antibiotics, tympanostomy tube insertion and adenoidectomy) on otitis media recurrence, recurrence frequency and total recurrence time.

Methods: Literature on recurrent otitis media was identified using the PubMed and Scopus search engines for the period January 1990 to March 2011. A hand search of the reference lists of relevant articles and textbooks was conducted to identify additional studies.

Sudden hearing loss and pregnancy: a review.

Background: Acute hearing loss is a distressing albeit rare occurrence in pregnancy. Due to its infrequent presentation, little is known of its cause, and the best management is unclear.

Objective: To present a summary of current knowledge regarding sudden hearing loss in pregnancy and its management, by reviewing the published literature.

Consultant-based otolaryngology emergency service: a five-year experience.

Objective: To present our experience of running a consultant-based otolaryngology emergency care service for more than five years.

Materials And Methods: In 2003, we developed a system of consultant-based emergency service: consultants spent a week on-call providing a dedicated emergency service, with routine commitments cancelled.

Results: Our new system had advantages over traditional working practices in terms of consultant involvement, trainee education, continuity and efficiency.

Molecular and epidemiological analysis of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus otorrhoea: hospital- or community-acquired?

Objectives: (1) To identify newly diagnosed cases of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ear infection in our local population; (2) to determine the risk factors involved in these patients' clinical courses, and (3) to type the bacterial strains isolated and thus identify whether they were hospital- or community-acquired.

Design And Setting: Retrospective review of case notes, together with laboratory-based molecular studies in the departments of otolaryngology and medical microbiology in a university teaching hospital in Scotland, UK.

Subjects: Over a two-year period, 35 patients were identified with ear swabs positive for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection.