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Introduction: Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic 2019, quite a few patients became critical and needed ICU admission with ventilator assistance. Tracheostomy, which was initially performed late during the course of patient on ventilator, has now been considered a procedure that can be performed relatively early as this leads to early weaning of patients and overcomes the shortage of critical beds. Objective: This study aims to focus on the outcomes of tracheotomised COVID-19 patients in terms of survival and any tracheostomy related morbidity. Methods: A prospective study was performed on COVID-19 patients undergoing tracheostomy at this tertiary care teaching hospital, which also was a dedicated centre for treating COVID-19 patients. The duration of this study was from April 2020 to September 2021. Following tracheostomy, all patients were followed up regularly and clinical changes were recorded. Points that were specifically noted were timing of the tracheostomy, change in ventilator settings, tracheostomy related complications, requirement of oxygen, days needed to wean the patient, decanulation, and, if death, the cause of death. Results: A total of 136 surgical open tracheostomies were performed on COVID-19 patients over the study period. The mean duration of intubation (timing of tracheostomy) was 12 days. A total of 73 out of 136 (53.6%) patients survived. 51 patients (37.5%) got decannulated during the course of the hospital stay. 9 patients were decanulated during the follow up visits and 13 patients were lost to follow up. 63 out of 136 (46.3%) patients died due to COVID pneumonia. Most of the patients who died had gone into multi-organ failure. Air leak syndromes (pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum) were common findings. 10 patients already had surgical emphysema before taking up for tracheostomy and 6 developed 2–3 days after tracheostomy. The most common complication was bleeding, which was seen in 28 out of 136 patients. The Median weaning of period of patients who survived was 5 days. Conclusion: Performing tracheostomy early in COVID-19 patients helps in early weaning of the patient from the ventilator and makes nursing care easier and increases the availability of ICU beds. The mortality rate was 46% amongst the 136 tracheostomies done in COVID-19 patients. Local site bleeding was the most common complication and surgical emphysema was also seen more than routine tracheostomies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The management of subglottic and tracheal stenosis is challenging for any ENT surgeon. The treatment choice depends on the site, severity of stenosis, patient symptoms, and surgeon preferences. The various options for the management include endoscopic balloon dilatation, various types of laryngotracheoplasty, resection anastomosis, and insertion of a silicon T-tube. Compared to the above, silicon T-tube stenting is a better alternative, as it is a onetime procedure, easy to perform with fewer chances of complications. Shiann Yann lee technique is a form of laryngotracheoplasty with long-term stenting using silicon T-tube. This article analyzed our silicon T-Tube insertion result in patients with subglottic and tracheal stenosis using this technique. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, we included a total of 21 patients with subglottic and tracheal stenosis who underwent silicon T-Tube insertion. Data regarding the site of stenosis, procedure, complications, and outcome were analyzed. Results: Out of 21 patients, nine patients had subglottic stenosis (42.8%), 8 had cervical tracheal stenosis (38.09%), 3 had thoracic tracheal stenosis (14.28%), and 1 (4.7%) had combined subglottic and cervical tracheal stenosis. Out of 21 patients,7 (33.3%) have undergone successful removal of silicon T-Tube so far, one death due to medical reasons, and 13 patients (61.9%) are still on Silicon tube on regular followup. They are comfortable with the tube in situ. Conclusions: Silicon T-Tube for benign acquired laryngotracheal stenosis with Shiann Yann Lee's technique is effective, safe with less complication, and good acceptability and tolerance by the patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: With the introduction of newborn hearing screening, hearing problems are often detected at the neonatal stage and in early infancy, and holistic approach including not only auditory but also vestibular function is needed. This study hopes to establish some corelation between cochlear and vestibular system dysfunction in a patient born with congenital profound hearing loss (CPHL). Materials and Methods: In this observational and descriptive study conducted at a tertiary care hospital, we evaluated eighty patients with bilateral CPHL from 2016 to 2018. After taking a detailed history and thorough ear, nose, and throat examination, the patients underwent vestibular function evaluation by ice cold water caloric test (ICCT) and rotational chair test (RCT) in the outpatient department, and the duration of nystagmus was calculated based on which hypoactive or absent vestibular function was found out. Results: In the present study, out of eighty patients with CPHL, vestibular function of 62 (77.50%) was normal, 9 (11.25%) hypoactive, and 9 (11.25%) with absent vestibular function. Conclusion: In the outpatient department where sophisticated equipment and laboratory facilities are not available, ICCT can be used to determine the vestibular function and also RCT can be used. From the present study, it can be concluded that vestibular dysfunction is present in 22.50% of patients with CPHL with the use of ICCT and RCT. There is a strong possibility of genetic origin etiology for vestibular dysfunction. The present study also concludes that consanguinity may be major etiological factor for vestibular dysfunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To evaluate ET function using impedance audiometry, to visualise its orifices in the nasopharynx and the protympanum of the middle ear, to correlate the findings seen. Setting and design: Prospective study conducted in a tertiary care hospital from September 2015 to August 2017. Materials and Methods: In all cases of COM posted for surgery, nasopharyngoscopy was done to visualise the pharyngeal end of the ET. Impedance audiometry was done for assessing physiological function. Intra operative visualisation of the ET opening in the protympanum was done. Findings were correlated. Statistical Analysis Used: Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value was calculated. Results: On comparison of findings of the pharyngeal orifice of the ET and the ET opening at the protympanum of the middle ear, strong statistical co relation is seen. On comparing mucosal and squamosal COM intra operatively, almost double the cases of obstruction were seen in squamosal type. Conclusion: Nasopharyngoscopy and intra operative findings of patients suffering from COM are important indicators of ETD. Patients of COM with abnormal Eustachian tube opening in the nasopharynx are more likely to have an abnormal opening in the protympanum of the middle ear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A rare case of congenital cholesteatoma of petrous apex with facial nerve palsy and its successful management is reported. 49 year old female presented with progressive vertigo since 2 years. Patient developed tinnitus and hearing loss in the right ear since 7 months and right sided complete facial asymmetry since 6 months. She had normal right tympanic membrane and complete right lower motor neuron facial nerve palsy. She also had profound sensorineural hearing loss with positive Cerebellar signs. Magnetic resonance imaging and High resolution computed tomography with contrast temporal bone showed extensive bony destruction and petrous apex lesion. Facial nerve and vestibular cochlear nerve was compressed by abnormal soft-tissue present in the internal auditory meatus. Transmastoid translabyrinthine exploration was carried out for petrous apex lesion. Intra-operative extensive bony erosion was noted in the temporal bone. Erosion was extending upto Internal Acoustic Meatus compressing VII and VIII nerve bundle. Post-operatively patient was relieved of vertigo and tinnitus. Though hearing didn't improve, but there was an improvement in facial palsy. Congenital petrous apex cholesteatoma is very rare case. With no specific radiological signs congenital cholesteatoma is difficult to diagnose pre-operatively. It was a challenge to treat surgically such a rare case with extensive neurosurgical presentation without any neurological deficit. Patient showed improvement official nerve after the 1½ year of surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this report we present a case of large neck swelling that turned out to be achalasia cardia, not a very common presentation of this disease. An elderly female presented with complain of progressive dysphagia, aspiration and regurgitation of food along with right sided neck swelling measuring 10x5 cm. It was associated with weight loss. X-ray chest depicted an unusually large mass in paramediastinal region parallel to right mediastinal border showing central lucencies. A CT scan of neck revealed a gross dilatation of cervical and thoracic oesophagus. Oesophagus enlargement was enormous to the extent that it could be palpated in the neck compressing airway. This presentation of large neck swelling turning out to be a huge dilatation of esophagus on CT, depicts one of the many interesting variations that this condition can present as. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]