Congenital aural atresia is the failure of development of the external auditory canal. It usually occurs in conjunction with microtia, which is the malformation of the auricle due to a failure of development of the external ear. Aural atresia, with or without microtia, may significantly affect the hearing and social life of the patients. It is important for every medical practitioner to be aware of the possible treatment options for hearing rehabilitation in this group of patients. In the era of modern technology, new choices, including Bone-Anchored Hearing Aid (BAHA) (Cochlear Ltd. and Oticon Medical), Vibrant Soundbridge (VSB) (MED-EL, Innsbruck, Austria), and Bonebridge system (BB) (MED-EL, Innsbruck, Austria), provide high-end alternatives to traditional Bone Conduction Hearing Aid and Auditory Canal Reconstruction. All these options have advantages and disadvantages, and they are appropriate for different patients and/or at different ages. This paper aims to provide an overview of the management of hearing rehabilitation in congenital aural atresia patients and a discussion of each treatment option.

The 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic originated in Wuhan, China and spread rapidly worldwide, leading the World Health Organization to declare an official global COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020. In Hong Kong, clinicians and other healthcare personnel collaborated closely to combat the outbreak of COVID-19 and minimize the cross-transmission of disease among hospital staff members. In the field of otorhinolaryngologyhead and neck surgery (OHNS) and its various subspecialties, contingency plans were required for patient bookings in outpatient clinics, surgeries in operating rooms, protocols in wards and other services. Infected patients may shed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) particles into their environments via body secretions. Therefore, otolaryngologists and other healthcare personnel in this specialty face a high risk of contracting COVID-19 and must remain vigilant when performing examinations and procedures involving the nose and throat. In this article, we share our experiences of the planning and logistics undertaken to provide safe and efficient OHNS practices over the last 2 months, during the COVID-19 pandemic. We hope that our experiences will serve as pearls for otolaryngologists and other healthcare personnel working in institutes that serve large numbers of patients every day, particularly with regard to the sharing of clinical and administrative tasks during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Purpose of review This article reviewed studies that support the use of implants for nasal valve surgery and augmentation rhinoplasty. Recent findings For nasal valve collapse, there is a trend for rhinoplasty surgeons to use Monarch nasal implant, absorbable valve implant and titanium butterfly implant rather than traditional cartilaginous grafts. For augmentation rhinoplasty, it is still a gold standard to use autologous cartilage. However, alloplastic implants are still very popular for Asian rhinoplasty. A combination of implant materials for augmentation rhinoplasty can improve outcomes while minimizing complications. Summary Application of implants and newer techniques in nasal valve surgery and augmentation rhinoplasty are important to enhance the outcome in rhinoplasty.

Objectives/Hypothesis: To evaluate the long-term swallowing outcomes after surgical treatment for chronic aspiration in patients treated with radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. Study Design: This was a retrospective study. Methods: The data of patients who underwent radiotherapy for head and neck cancer and who subsequently required a laryngectomy or a tubed supraglottic laryngeal closure (TSLC) for recurrent aspiration pneumonia between 2004 and 2017 were retrieved from a tertiary referral hospital dysphagia clinic. The Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) and the Swallowing Performance and Status Scale (SPSS) were used to assess swallowing function. Results: Of the 17 patients who required surgery for chronic aspiration secondary to radiotherapy for head and neck cancer, two underwent a laryngectomy and 15 a TSLC. During a mean follow-up of 77 months, the FOIS and SPSS scores significantly improved at 12, 24, and 36 months after laryngectomy and TSLC relative to the baseline (P < .05). Both patients who underwent laryngectomy and 11 of the 15 (73.3%) who underwent a TSLC resumed oral feeding. Both laryngectomy patients had episodes of recurrent aspiration pneumonia after surgery due to leakage through the tracheoesophageal puncture or prosthesis, whereas none of the TSLC patients had these episodes. Conclusion: A tubed supraglottic laryngeal closure, which is a reversible procedure that preserves the larynx and allows for natural phonation, should be considered an alternative to laryngectomy for the control of chronic aspiration.