June 2024

This monthly review presents curated summaries of noteworthy ENT research and clinically relevant publications, compiled by Dr. Rohan S. Navelkar to support evidence-based, structured and exam-oriented ENT learning. 

• 1. Endoscopic Ear Surgery — Canalplasty Avoidance Study

Endoscopic ear surgery reduces the need for canalplasty while achieving hearing and graft outcomes comparable to microscopic approaches.

• 2. Chronic Rhinosinusitis — Steroid-Eluting Spacer vs. Standard Care Trial

Steroid-eluting spacers significantly reduce postoperative edema and adhesion formation after ESS compared with standard debridement alone.

• 3. Pediatric OSA — Craniofacial Measurements Predictive Study

Craniofacial narrowing, particularly retrognathia and midface deficiency, strongly predicts residual OSA after adenotonsillectomy.

• 4. Allergic Rhinitis — Intranasal Corticosteroid Once vs. Twice Daily Study

Once-daily intranasal steroids provide symptom control equivalent to twice-daily dosing with better patient adherence.

• 5. Otitis Media — Role of Vitamin D Supplementation Study

Vitamin D supplementation modestly reduces the frequency of recurrent acute otitis media in vitamin-D–deficient children.

• 6. Septoplasty — Outcomes in Post-Traumatic Deviations

Patients with traumatic septal deviations experience more robust symptomatic improvement after septoplasty than those with congenital deviations.

• 7. Laryngopharyngeal Reflux — Nebulized Alkaline Therapy Study

Nebulized alkaline saline leads to significant throat symptom reduction in patients with mild-to-moderate LPR.

• 8. Snoring — Nasal Dilator Strip Efficacy Study

Nasal dilator strips reduce snoring loudness and improve subjective nasal breathing in patients with isolated nasal valve collapse.

• 9. Tympanoplasty — Fat Graft vs. Cartilage Graft in Small Perforations

Fat graft myringoplasty offers similar closure rates to cartilage for small central perforations with shorter operative time.

• 10. Pediatric Sinusitis — Early Imaging vs. Clinical Diagnosis Study

Routine early CT imaging does not improve clinical outcomes in pediatric sinusitis and should be reserved for refractory or complicated cases.