Quality Improvement: Improving Paediatric Airway Emergency Skills through Refresher Training in a District General Hospital
Main Theme: Airway IntroductionPaediatric airway emergencies are high-stakes, infrequent events that generate significant anxiety among ENT surgeons across all grades. [1] Limited exposure during training compounds this, particularly in District General Hospitals (DGHs). A regional face-to-face refresher course was developed and delivered to ENT and anaesthetic colleagues at Walsall Manor Hospital to address technical proficiency […]
Outcomes following mastoid obliteration surgery in 45 paediatric patients: a case series
Introduction: Mastoid obliteration is used in paediatric chronic ear disease to reduce cavity-related morbidity and improve postoperative quality of life. Paediatric outcome data using validated patient-reported measures remain limited. Aims: To evaluate disease-specific quality of life and hearing outcomes after mastoid obliteration surgery in a paediatric cohort. Methods: We report a single-centre case series of […]
Introducing a new service for awake ventilation tube insertion in children
Innovation Introduction Otitis media with effusion is the commonest disease of childhood. The associated hearing loss can affect language, education and socialisation. Ventilation tubes (VTs) normalise hearing but the waiting list in many hospitals is long. Awake outpatient VTs could be a quicker solution for selected children. We present our experience of setting up this […]
Still Standing: Revisiting The ‘One on, One Off’ Paediatric ENT Theatre Model 12 Years Later
Main Theme: Innovation Introduction: Efficient theatre utilisation is increasingly important in addressing growing paediatric ENT waiting lists. In 2014, our department described a novel 'One on, One off' theatre model, utilising two anaesthetists, two operating department practitioners and an ENT surgeon to maximise theatre efficiency. Twelve years later, we evaluated whether this model continues to […]
A Bloody Induction: Diffuse Alveolar Haemorrhage in a Child with Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnoea
Introduction:Diffuse alveolar haemorrhage (DAH) is a rare, life-threatening condition characterised by haemoptysis, hypoxaemia, and respiratory failure. Aetiologies are diverse and include negative-pressure pulmonary oedema secondary to upper airway obstruction. While obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a common cause of intermittent upper airway obstruction in children, DAH associated with OSA is rarely reported. We present a […]
A retrospective audit of paediatric endoscopies in a tertiary centre
INTRODUCTION Paediatric airway endoscopies are a commonly performed diagnostic procedure in tertiary paediatric otolaryngology departments. There is heterogeneity in the literature regarding the indications and findings of these procedures. The aim of this audit was to understand the indications, and outcomes for patients undergoing airway endoscopy, with a particular focus on patients with recurrent croup. […]
Reducing paediatric post-tonsillectomy readmissions: can enhanced analgesia education make a difference?
Introduction Post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage remains the most significant complication following paediatric tonsillectomy and a leading cause of emergency re-attendance and readmission. National benchmarks report post-operative haemorrhage rates of approximately 3.5%. However, a substantial proportion of post-operative complications is also pain-related, contributing to reduced oral intake and dehydration. In addition to surgical factors, post-operative analgesia management may […]
Paediatric Play Specialists role in Reducing Anxiety Before Procedures
Main Theme – General Introduction: Hospitalisation and medical procedures are anxiety-inducing events for children, and this impacts their psychological wellbeing and can worsen the hospital experience. Paediatric play specialists are becoming increasingly recognised in healthcare teams and they use play-based interventions to support children and reduce anxiety. Methods: This literature review explores the role of […]
A retrospective analysis of post-nasal space radiographs.
Background:Adenoid hypertrophy is common in the paediatric population. While endoscopy is the gold standard for diagnosis, lateral post-nasal space (PNS) radiography remains widely used. This study evaluated the clinical utility of PNS radiographs over a 5-year period in the management of paediatric adenoid hypertrophy, with particular attention to their impact on referral pathways and surgical […]
Developing novel materials for paediatric tracheostomy tube design
Background. Paediatric tracheostomy is performed as an adjunct to long-term ventilation or to relieve airway obstruction, particularly in infants. Respiratory complications are common, resulting in morbidity, mortality, and excess healthcare costs. Contributing mechanisms likely include biofilms on PVC, silicone or polyurethane tube surfaces, which are often scaled-down versions of adult designs posing unique challenges due […]