This paper reviews the progress in the rapidly expanding scientific discipline of tissue engineering, which may have an integral role in the future of otorhinolaryngology. This article seeks to inform on the current concepts and principles of tissue engineering, and describe the state of the art research and developments in this exciting field as applied to ENT and head and neck surgery.

In order to carry out a comprehensive review of the literature spanning the past 30 years, a search of relevant publications was performed using the Web of Knowledge, Medline and PubMed databases.

This search identified 85 scholarly articles, which were utilised as the basis of this review.

Given the current rate of development of tissue engineering research, it is likely that tissue-engineered implants will be widely used in surgical practice, including ENT and head and neck surgery.

This study aimed to compare the hearing results of incus interposition and bone cement ossiculoplasty in patients with incus long process defects.

Ninety-nine patients with incus long process defects were included. Incus interposition was performed in 49 patients (group 1) and bone cement ossiculoplasty was performed in 50 patients (group 2). Group 1 included 29 female and 20 male patients, with a mean age ± standard deviation of 29.43 ± 12.5 years (range, 8–58 years). Group 2 comprised 32 female and 18 male patients, with a mean age ± standard deviation of 29.1 ± 14.89 years (range, 8–67 years).

The mean hearing gain ± standard deviation was 15.2 ± 9.01 dB in group 1 and 19.36 ± 9.08 dB in group 2. Hearing gain was significantly greater in the bone cement group than in the incus interposition group (p = 0.0186). Successful hearing results (i.e. air–bone gap < 20 dB) were achieved by 63.2 per cent of group 1 patients and 78 per cent of group 2 patients.

Incus interposition and bone cement ossiculoplasty are safe and reliable methods with which to manage incus long process defects. Bone cement ossiculoplasty gives a greater hearing gain in appropriate cases.

Tympanic middle ears have evolved multiple times independently among vertebrates, and share common features. We review flexibility within tympanic middle ears and consider its physiological and clinical implications.

The chain of conducting elements is flexible: even the ‘single ossicle’ ears of most non-mammalian tetrapods are functionally ‘double ossicle’ ears due to mobile articulations between the stapes and extrastapes; there may also be bending within individual elements.

Simple models suggest that flexibility will generally reduce the transmission of sound energy through the middle ear, although in certain theoretical situations flexibility within or between conducting elements might improve transmission. The most obvious role of middle-ear flexibility is to protect the inner ear from high-amplitude displacements.

Inter-ossicular joint dysfunction is associated with a number of pathologies in humans. We examine attempts to improve prosthesis design by incorporating flexible components.

From an evolutionary standpoint, olfaction is one of the oldest senses, and one that affects all aspects of life. This review discusses the influence of olfaction and pheromones on life.

A literature search was conducted using MEDLINE (1966–2012), Embase (1988–2012), The Cochrane Library (1993–2013) and Ovid (1966–2012).

Olfaction plays an important role in life, from infancy through to adulthood and declining health in old age. Culture, memories and emotions, which add to life's complexity and overall enjoyment, are also influenced by olfaction.

Olfaction has a chronological influence on life, affecting all aspects from the cradle to the grave; it plays a role in the quality of life as a key ingredient of human evolution, survival and enjoyment.

Cisplatin is an effective chemotherapeutic agent commonly used in the treatment of malignant tumours, but ototoxicity is a significant side effect.

To discuss the mechanisms of cisplatin ototoxicity and subsequent cell death, and to present the results of experimental studies.

We conducted a systematic search for data published in national and international journals and books, using the Medline, SciELO, Bireme, LILACS and PubMed databases.

The nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 3 isoform (also termed NOX3) seems to be the main source of reactive oxygen species in the cochlea. These reactive oxygen species react with other molecules and trigger processes such as lipid peroxidation of the plasma membrane and increases in expression of the transient vanilloid receptor potential 1 ion channel.

Cisplatin ototoxicity proceeds via the formation of reactive oxygen species in cochlear tissue, with apoptotic cell death as a consequence.