To measure the thermal properties of operative endoscopes used in otorhinolaryngological practice.

A series of endoscopes of varying diameters and angulations were attached to a light source and temperature measurements taken of their shaft and tip; a measurement was also taken 5 mm in front of the endoscope tip.

Temperature changes took place rapidly. The amount of heat produced by the endoscopes was maximal at the tip, with larger diameter endoscopes attaining a higher temperature. Temperatures on the shaft and in front of the tip reached relatively constant temperatures independent of the type of endoscope. The maximum temperature achieved was 104.6°C for the 4 mm, 0° endoscope. Cooling occurred rapidly after the light source was switched off.

The heat produced by some endoscopes is sufficiently great to cause thermal injury to tissues. Awareness of the temperatures produced by these endoscopes should prompt clinicians to actively cool their endoscopes during a procedure, before any thermal injury is caused.

The nasopharyngeal airway is a simple airway adjunct used by various healthcare professionals. It is the least invasive method of safely managing upper airway obstruction. The objective of this report was to describe a rapid and very simple method of securing a nasopharyngeal airway in an agitated patient.

We describe a simple method of securing a nasopharyngeal airway, using safety pins and tapes.

This technique has been used by the authors in several emergency situations and has been found to be quick and effective.

The nasopharyngeal airway is a simple piece of equipment that is cheap and easy to use. The technique described in this article is a simple, practical and effective method of securing a nasopharyngeal airway in an emergency situation.

Foregut duplication cysts are heterotrophic rests of foregut-derived epithelium which are usually found in the abdomen and thorax; rarely are they found in the head and neck.

We describe the case of a pharyngeal foregut duplication cyst presenting with airway obstruction in a neonate. We also review the pathology, investigation and management of this rare condition.

The occurrence of a foregut duplication cyst in the head and neck region mandates vigilance with respect to the airway. Magnetic resonance imaging is a useful part of pre-operative evaluation but cannot be relied upon for definitive diagnosis. Although foregut duplication cysts are benign lesions, definitive cure ultimately requires surgical excision, and this is often the means by which a definitive diagnosis is made. The prognosis for these lesions is excellent, with no reports in the literature of recurrence following excision.

We aimed to highlight a rare anatomical variation involving the recurrent laryngeal nerve, and to emphasise its implications for thyroid surgery.

Over a period of 13 years, 993 patients underwent thyroid surgery; 1557 recurrent laryngeal nerves (887 on the right side) were exposed.

Three non-recurrent laryngeal nerves were found on the right side, associated with a retro-oesophageal subclavian artery. One case was suspected before surgery.

Several variations in the path and branches of the recurrent laryngeal nerve have been reported in the literature. The frequency of occurrence of a non-recurrent laryngeal nerve is about 1 per cent, for patients undergoing thyroid surgery. Other surgically relevant anatomical variations of the recurrent laryngeal nerve include associations with the inferior thyroid artery and the presence of nerve branches.

The recurrent laryngeal nerve must be carefully dissected and totally exposed during thyroid surgery in order to best preserve its function. Moreover, the thyroid surgeon must be aware of the existence of anatomical variations, which are not as rare as one may think.