Primary Surgical Repair of Paediatric Unilateral Choanal Atresia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Introduction Unilateral choanal atresia (UCA) is a congenital posterior nasal obstruction with an incidence of 1 in 5,000–8,000 live births. Despite being twice as common as bilateral disease, optimal surgical technique and outcomes remain poorly defined. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness and safety of surgical repair for UCA. Methods A PRISMA-compliant systematic […]
Ultra-low dose CT for suspected paediatric foreign body aspiration: comparison with conventional radiograph
Main Theme: Innovation Introduction: An aspirated foreign body in a child can represent a potentially life-threatening emergency. Methods: This retrospective study, carried out from 2014 to 2024, compares the estimated effective radiation dose children received during ultra-low dose computed tomography (CT) scans with that received with traditional cumulative radiographic investigations. Results: Of the 44 patients […]
A systematic review of the impact of material design and reprocessing on biofilm formation on tracheostomy tubes
Theme. Airway. Introduction. Tracheostomy is a common surgical procedure associated with increased respiratory tract infections, contributing to significant morbidity, mortality, and healthcare utilisation. Biofilm formation on tracheostomy tube surfaces is a likely contributor, as biofilms detach and seed into the airway. There is limited consensus in the literature and clinical guidelines regarding how material design […]
The Paediatric Trojan Horse: Head and neck rhabdomyosarcomas presenting as inconspicuous diagnoses in the paediatric population
Main theme: Head and Neck Background: Rhabdomyosarcomas (RMS) are the most common sarcoma subtype found in the paediatric population; most commonly occurring within the head and neck region. They account for approximately 5% of paediatric malignancies and are found most often in children under five. Prognosis is dependent on the subtype, with embryonal RMS being […]
Systemic Corticosteroid Use in Paediatric Orbital Cellulitis: A Two-Cycle Audit
Main Theme: General Introduction: Orbital cellulitis is an infection of tissues posterior to the orbital septum, most commonly arising from sinusitis in children. If untreated, it can lead to complications including cavernous sinus thrombosis, visual loss, and death. Although intravenous antibiotics remain the mainstay of treatment, the role of systemic corticosteroids is less well established. […]
Intraoperative electrocochleography (ECochG) during paediatric hearing preservation cochlear implantation (HPCI): a single-centre observational cohort study
Main theme: Otology Intraoperative electrocochleography (ECochG) is increasingly used to monitor cochlear function during hearing preservation cochlear implantation (HPCI), yet no agreed framework exists for interpreting trace changes, even in adults. We aimed to characterise intraoperative ECochG trace patterns during paediatric HPCI, and to describe their relationship with short-term hearing preservation outcomes in a population […]
Seasonal variation in paediatric tonsillectomy outcomes: A retrospective analysis of 349,993 tonsillectomies.
Main Theme: General Introduction: Seasonal changes in infection burden, environmental conditions and healthcare utilisation may influence recovery after paediatric tonsillectomy. This study examined whether postoperative outcomes following paediatric tonsillectomy in England varied by season. Methods: A retrospective observational study was performed using national aggregate data derived from Hospital Episode Statistics and Office for National Statistics […]
Nurse-led otolaryngology clinics: a systematic review and cross-sectional survey.
Main Theme: General Background Within otolaryngology, nurse-led clinics have been well established in several countries; however, they remain poorly characterised in the literature. This study aimed to characterise these clinics and explore clinicians’ perceived advantages and disadvantages with this model of care, to inform service development. Methods A systematic review of the literature was conducted […]
Improving the Management Pathway for Paediatric Nasal Fractures
Main Theme: Rhinology Introduction: Paediatric nasal fractures are the most common facial fractures in children and require timely assessment to ensure good cosmetic and functional outcomes. ENT UK recommends specialist review within 3–7 days of injury. In children, fracture healing occurs more rapidly than in adults, making earlier intervention essential to maximise the opportunity for […]
Aortopexy for Innominate artery compression syndrome (IACS): A case series from a Tertiary Paediatric Children’s Hospital
IntroductionIACS is a rare vascular cause of paediatric airway obstruction resulting from anterior compression of the trachea by the innominate artery. Clinical presentation is variable and may include stridor, recurrent respiratory infections and respiratory distress, often making diagnosis challenging. Most cases are managed conservatively, with surgical intervention reserved for severe airway compromise. We present a […]