<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) has made an imperishable haunting mark worldwide, and has changed in many aspects the way medicine had been practiced till now. This study is intended to highlight the approach that was followed in the department of ear, nose, and throat (ENT) learning from the existing available guidelines to provide safe routine and emergency ENT care to all the patients irrespective of the COVID status. Objectives of the study were to highlight the changes, challenges, triage and safety recommendations associated with patient management during the ongoing pandemic.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> This study conducted between 25th March 2020 to 15th September 2020 constitutes of following points covering various aspects of patient management such as education about personal protective equipment, the 3-station triage system starting from the patient’s entry in the hospital, general working and precautions at the ENT outpatient department (OPD) registration counter, medical consultation with otorhinolaryngologist in OPD or in ER, general precautions in endoscopy room/voice lab, and operation theatre, patient transport, and postoperative care.  </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> A total of 8930 patients were seen from 25th March 2020 to 15th September 2020. 7885 patients were seen in ENT outpatient department, 561 in emergency room, and 484 patients were seen as referrals sent from other departments. 297 patients were advised admission for various surgical procedures whereas 22 patients were admitted for conservative management.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Through this study, we suggest a paradigm consisting of safety and triage recommendations to be followed while dealing with patients in a way to minimise the cross transmission of virus.</p>

No abstract

Background: Conventional surgeries of the nasal septum improve the nasal airway but recent development and advancement of the knowledge about the endoscopic septoplasty has significantly changed the treatment modality and had brought focus over several aspects of possible advantages. This study aims to see the advantages, complications and limitations of endoscopic septoplasty. Methods: It was an observational prospective study conducted over 90 patients of symptomatic deviated nasal septum. It evaluated symptoms, anterior rhinoscopy and nasal endoscopy findings, objective and subjective improvement of symptoms using the nasal obstruction symptom evaluaiton (NOSE) score, post-operative pain using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and complication following the surgery. Results: Deviated nasal septum (DNS) either left or right side was the most common examination finding 97.78%. Post-operatively there was a good symptom relief and significant subjective improvement in NOSE scores with average decline in the score by 96.26%. Objective assessment of all patients showed improved airway. The complication rate was minimum 7.78%. Conclusion: Endoscopic septoplasty (ES) was found to have distinct advantages with good subjective and objective improvement of symptoms and lesser rate of complications. It should be an option offered to all patients requiring septoplasty. We also found that it helps in improving the learning curve and surgical skill of the trainees. Bangladesh J Otorhinolaryngol 2021; 27(2): 170-176

No abstract

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) is a common chronic ear disease causing serious local damage and complications. Irrational use of antibiotics for its management has led to the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains. This study was conducted to find out the microbial profile and their antimicrobial sensitivity patterns in CSOM patients in Garhwal belt.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> A total number of 100 patients of clinically diagnosed CSOM were enrolled over the duration of 1 year. Ear discharge was collected using sterile swabs and processed for the identification of aerobes, anaerobes and fungal isolates. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of the isolates was performed.  </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Maximum incidence of CSOM was observed in patients of 10–20 years age group with female preponderance. Decreased hearing was the main associated symptom. Out of 100 swabs, microbial growth was obtained in 88 samples amongst which 61 had monomicrobial growth while 39 had polymicrobial growth. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most common isolate. Amikacin showed maximum activity to most of the isolates.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Evaluation of microbes and their antibiotic sensitivity pattern in local area becomes helpful in prescribing empirical treatment for successful cure of CSOM.</p>