In the pre-vaccination era, diphtheria was a leading cause of childhood mortality. With the introduction of routine childhood immunization, paediatric care and improved hygiene status the disease has been almost completely eradicated in many developed countries. On the contrary developing countries, still account for 80-90% of the global burden. Retrospective analysis of 52 cases of diphtheria over a period of 12 years at a tertiary referral hospital was carried out. They were analyzed for mortality and morbidity trends, immunization status, microbiological confirmation rates and antidiphtheritic serum (ADS) administration. Incidence in those over 5 years was 59.61%. Only 11.54% cases were either partially or fully immunized. The case fatality rate was 36.53%. Culture was performed only in 17 cases whereas ADS was administered in only 16 cases. In conclusion, the occurrence of diphtheria even in those immunized highlights the flaws in the present immunization program. Poor immunization coverage, lack of ADS, antibiotic resistance are the main reasons for re-emergence of diphtheria.

Hearing loss as a side effect in patients with head and neck malignancies with chemoradiation is frequently ignored. Its effects on auditory functions are less studied and there are studies done on animals which are less reliable. The present study was undertaken to identify the type of hearing loss and also to quantify the degree of hearing loss in these patients. A prospective, descriptive study was undertaken in histologically proven head and neck cancer patients treated with cobalt 60 teletherapy who received a dose of 60-66 Grays (Gy) over a period of 6-7 weeks with concurrent Cisplatin 30 mg/m 2 once weekly for 6 weeks. The study included 40 patients (80 ears) undergoing chemoradiation. A baseline pure tone audiometry and impedance audiometry was performed in all the cases prior to the therapy and the same was repeated immediately after the completion of treatment, at 8 and 16 weeks. The changes in pure tone level thresholds and impedance from baseline were correlated with the dose of radiation and chemotherapy. Sensori neural hearing loss (SNHL) and conductive hearing loss was observed in 82.5 and 17.5 % respectively. At the end of 16 weeks, SNHL was found in 27.5, 72.5 and 82.5 % at 2, 4 and 8 kHz respectively. In addition, Eustachian tube dysfunction and Otitis media with effusion was observed in 10 and 7.5 % of patients respectively which lead to conductive hearing loss. Further, it was noted that SNHL in patients with high risk site malignancy (81.8 %) was alarmingly higher compared with low risk site malignancy (18.1 %). The hearing loss at 62, 64 and 66 Gy in comparison to 60 Gy was statistically significant. Hearing loss, specially SNHL was the predominant finding in our study with [80 % of patients showing the inner ear damage due to irradiation of head and neck malignancies. Although, all the frequencies like 2, 4 and 8 kHz were significantly affected, SNHL was more marked in the latter two frequencies. Nearly, 90 % of the patients who had SNHL belonged to high risk site category of head and neck malignancies. Increasing the radiation dosage was directly proportional to the degree of hearing loss with the dose more than 60 Gy causing significant injury to the middle and inner ear.

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Background and Aims:Airway management in anaesthesia for maxillofacial surgical procedures is tricky at times when the nasal/oral routes are contraindicated or are impossible. Tracheostomy as an alternative inherits its own complications. We present a case series of the submandibular route for tracheal intubation as an alternative.Methods:The procedure was performed in ten selected adult patients with maxillofacial/mandibular fractures associated with a fracture of skull base or nasal bone. All of them were medically stable with no need of intensive care or mechanical ventilation in post-operative period.Results:Submandibular intubation in all ten patients of panfacial fractures allowed uninterrupted surgical techniques with a secured airway. All patients were reverted to oro-tracheal tube at the end of surgery as immediate maxillomandibular fixation was not necessary. The patients were extubated after recovery from anaesthesia before they left the operating theatre. One patient in the post-operative period had a superficial infection of incision site that responded well to local treatment. No other complications were encountered in the intra-operative or post-operative period.Conclusion:In complex maxillofacial injuries, when oral or nasal intubation hampers surgeon's field of view, submandibular intubation offers an effective alternative to short-term tracheostomy along with small risk potential. There is a need to emphasise its regular application in such cases so that technique can be mastered by both surgeons and anaesthesiologist.

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