Air-bone gap closure and patient complications did not vary significantly between endoscopic and non-endoscopic groups in this study of 34 endoscopic procedures. There is a requirement for further studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods to fully gauge the safety and effectiveness of this technique.

Surveys of snails occurring at water contact points used by rural people in Rhodesia show that transmission of Schistosoma haematobium is very high during the spring and early summer seasons. Although infected snails are found in all seasons, fewest occur in winter and during the heavy rains. It is suggested that the bionomics of this parasite depends on pre-rain transmission because destruction of infected snails during winter reduces the reservoir of infection in the area and also the level of parasitaemia in local schoolchildren.

No abstract

Our results confirm that endoscopic middle-ear surgery is safe, and the short-term outcomes are comparable with conventional surgery.