Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery最新文献

Purpose of review: Various factors affect otolaryngology - head and neck surgery (OHNS) services in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs); including inadequate infrastructure, limited academic positions, unfavorable hospital research policies, and traditional misconceptions about gender and surgery, among others. Although gender inequalities exist globally, they are particularly pronounced in LMICs, especially in Africa.

Recent findings: A comparative narrative literature review for relevant manuscripts from January 1, 2017 to through January 10th, 2024, using PubMed, Embase and Google Scholar for articles from the United States/Canada and Africa was done. 195 relevant articles were from the United States/Canada, while only 5 were from Africa and only 1 manuscript was relevant to OHNS. The reviewed articles reported that gender disparities exist in medical training, authorship, and career advancement. We highlight possible solutions to some of these disparities to promote a more gender-diversified workforce in OHNS in Africa as well as all over the world.

Summary: Additional studies on gender disparities in Africa, are needed. These studies will highlight need for inclusive policies, structured and accessible mentorship programs; through which these disparities can be highlighted and addressed. This will in the long run ensure sustainability of OHNS care in LMICs.

Purpose of review: The purpose of this review is to explore the evidence around children and young people who require a tracheostomy and transition into adult services, reflecting on the challenges and considerations for clinical practice as these needs increase.

Recent findings: There are a lack of data on the incidence and prevalence of children and young people with a tracheostomy transitioning to adult services for ongoing care. There are significant variations in care needs, technology and previous experiences that demand more than a simple handover process. Examples of service models that support the transition of care exist, however these lack specificity for children and young people with a tracheostomy.

Summary: Further exploration of the needs of children and young people requiring airway technology is indicated, particularly considering the short and long-term education, health, and social care needs.

Purpose of review: This review addresses the challenges faced by transgender women in achieving congruence between gender identity and voice characteristics and emphasizes the importance of a multidisciplinary approach involving therapeutic and surgical interventions.

Recent findings: Recent literature on gender-affirming vocal care emphasizes key themes such as assessment, voice feminization therapy, and various surgical techniques, including glottoplasty and its modifications. Recent publications focused on outcomes, duration, and impact on vocal quality and scrutinized complications associated with surgical interventions.

Summary: Most publications in the last 18 months advocate for the integration of voice therapy and surgery for optimal outcomes. Utilising a combined approach is significantly more effective in terms of fundamental frequency gain compared to therapy alone. Modified Wendler's glottoplasty remains the preferred and most reliable surgical intervention. However, surgery is not without its complications and vocal trade-offs, in particular, its impact on vocal projection and the risk of long-term dysphonia. Postsurgery rehabilitation improves long-term outcomes. Recent publications on alternative surgical approaches, namely laser reduction glottoplasty and feminization laryngoplasty, show promise but the results are more difficult to generalise.

Future direction: Prospective multicentre studies with standardized protocols are needed to establish best evidence-based practices.

Purpose of review: The purpose of this review is to update the reader with recent advances and current opinion on the assessment and management of paediatric voice disorders.

Recent findings: Access to advanced multidisciplinary paediatric voice clinics has increased over the last decade. Often the assessment is combined between speech therapy/pathology and ENT surgery. Vocal fold nodules remain the most prevalent diagnosis at a paediatric voice clinic, but significant diseases will also present, for example laryngeal papilloma. Recently, more consideration of the psychosocial aspect of voice disorders and evaluation of auditory processing disorders have shown how these can have a negative impact. There also appears to be a lack of parental and teacher awareness of paediatric voice disorders and their significance.

Summary: We would recommend multiparametric assessment and analysis of all children with a voice disorder. Most paediatric voice conditions will respond to skilled voice therapy. However, the exact techniques and dosage requires further evaluation and research. Paediatric voice conditions are common and should not be dismissed, as they may represent significant disease, for example papilloma, vagal palsy or have a significant psychosocial impact on the child.

Purpose of review: The purpose of this review is to examine current practices in surgical equipment donation to lower- and middle-income countries (LMICs) with a particular focus on otolaryngology-head and neck surgery (OHNS). This is designed as a pragmatic review to guide potential donor communities to implement sustainable OHNS equipment donation in LMICs.

Recent findings: LMICs are increasingly reliant on international equipment donation. In terms of OHNS services, global OHNS have compiled a list of essential equipment for baseline care in LMICs. Especially in terms of audiology, OHNS equipment donation has the potential to have a significant impact on populational health. However, there is a scarcity of research on donated equipment in OHNS. A suggested blueprint for sustainable equipment donation follows these steps: establish partnerships, assess needs, source equipment, and follow-up and evaluate the intervention. Key further considerations for sustainability include remanufacturing and repurposing methods, maintenance, and contextual understanding.

Summary: Sustainable equipment donation in otolaryngology is an important part of global health equity and healthcare delivery in low-resource settings. Despite the good intentions behind medical equipment donations, there are many challenges; donors and recipients should engage in collaborative, needs-based planning processes that result in long-term sustainability, local capacity building, and community participation.

Purpose of review: To propose a pathway for expanding the understanding of potential mechanisms of action with laryngeal-based manual therapy (LMT) for muscle tension dysphonia (MTD). This review may help determine if current LMT literature has kept up with advances in the more general manual therapy (MT) findings.

Recent findings: Studies over the past thirty years, including recently published articles, have confirmed the efficacy of various manual therapy interventions in treating MTD. However, gaps exist between current LMT literature and that being presented in the more general MT field. Instead of viewing peripheral manipulation's influences as a local cause/effect process, the MT literature paints a richer tapestry of centrally mediated impacts.

Summary: Evidence from outside the LMT field has introduced a broad tapestry of factors that may contribute to the efficacy of MT, extending beyond the local effects reported in LMT literature. To better understand the effect and mechanism of action touch-based interventions have on a patient's voice and to potentially improve outcomes, it is necessary to broaden investigations to include a broader range of perspectives.

Purpose of review: The purpose of this review is to summarize current evidence regarding management of head and neck lymphoedema (HNL) to improve dysphagia outcomes following head and neck cancer (HNC) treatment. This review aims to support complete decongestive therapy (CDT) comprising compression, manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), exercises and skincare as an adjunct of dysphagia rehabilitation.

Recent findings: Research in the limbs supports the use of CDT to improve lymphoedema outcomes. Emerging evidence supports the use of CDT for the head and neck, though, there is no consensus on optimal treatment required to improve dysphagia outcomes. Current evidence is limited due to a paucity of randomized controlled trials, case series or cohort studies with small participant numbers, and a lack of functional and instrumental dysphagia outcome measures. This provides a foundation to design and test an individually tailored programme of HNL intervention to evaluate swallowing outcomes post CDT.

Summary: As the incidence of HNC is increasing with HPV, with patients living for longer with late effects of HNC treatment, it is vital to understand how the presence of HNL impacts on the swallow, and if functional dysphagia outcomes improve following treatment of HNL. Prospective, longitudinal research with objective and functional outcome measures are required to help determine optimal management of HNL and its impact on the swallow.