<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> To investigate whether endoscopic stapes surgery is safer and less invasive than conventional stapes surgery using an operating microscope.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> The subjects were 60 patients who were divided consecutively into group A undergoing microscopic stapedotomy and group B undergoing endoscopic stapedotomy. The procedures for endoscopic surgery were fundamentally the same as those for microscopic surgery, except for post aural incision used in some patients in microscopic group. The two surgical techniques were compared with respect to the operating time, approach, drilling of posterosuperior canal, manipulation of chorda tympani, visualisation of anterior crus, postoperative hearing, postoperative pain, and complications.  </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> There were no differences of operating time or postoperative hearing between the endoscopic and microscopic groups. There was very little postoperative pain in the endoscopic group. Drilling at the posterosuperior part of the external auditory canal was less extensive in the endoscopic group than in the microscopic group. Visualisation of anterior crus of stapes was good in endoscopic group.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Endoscopic stapes surgeries are technically feasible, safe and promising. The main advantages were: easy access, virtually no trauma to the chorda tympani nerve and excellent vision. The disadvantages were the lack of stereoscopic vision, having to work with one hand only and the learning curve. </p>

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> <span lang="EN-IN">The objective of the study was to study the etiology, clinical presentation, bacteriology and management options in 38 cases of Ludwig’s angina. </span></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> <span lang="EN-IN">38 patients of Ludwig’s angina admitted in ENT Department of Saveetha Medical College, between March 2012 to April 2017, were included in the study. Various parameters like etiological agents, clinical features and management options were analysed.  </span></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> <span lang="EN-IN">Ludwig’s angina was found to be more prevalent between age group of 41 to 70 years with a mean age group of (60.3yrs). Males were found to be more commonly affected (71%) as compared to females (29%). Odontogenic infections still accounted for majority (81%) of causes with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus emerging as the main associated comorbidity. Patients mainly presented with symptoms like submental and submandibular swelling (100%), dysphagia (67%), odynophagia (55%), and stridor (42%). Almost all the patients required intravenous antibiotics, analgesics and steroids (100%) with (82%) requiring tooth extraction and (74%) requiring incision and drainage. Among the patients who presented with stridor (29%) underwent tracheostomy for airway management. The culture of the discharge obtained after incision and drainage found pseudomonas (71%), staphylococcus aureus (34%) and beta hemolytic streptococcus (42%) as common microbial agents. </span></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> <span lang="EN-IN">Ludwig’s angina is a serious and life threatening condition which can have fatal outcome if not treated aggressively, therefore a thorough understanding of the clinical presentation, common etiological factors, microbial agents and treatment methods is needed to manage these patients.</span></p><p> </p>