Many studies have been reported on the intratympanic ototoxicity of different drugs in animal models. The recovery periods of the animals following intratympanic drug applications varied among these studies. The present study compares the cochlear damage caused by intratympanic kanamycin following short (4 days) and long (30 days) post-injection survival periods, using the guinea pig as the animal model.

The degree of cochlear damage 4 days after kanamycin injection was consistent among the tested animals. The degeneration was mainly confined to the outer hair cells and almost all inner hair were spared. The change 30 days after kanamycin injection was more variable among the animals and both inner and outer hair cells were damaged. This shows that, although the damage to the cochlea after intratympanic aminoglycoside injection is progressive, a short post-injection recovery period is suitable for comparative intratympanic ototoxicity studies.

Ninety-one habitual nose-bleeders were screened for haemostatic disorders. 46 screening results in 38 nose-bleeders were outside the normal range. After extended investigation, it was found that 25 (27 per cent) habitual nose-bleeders had haemostatic disorders, all except one in the primary haemostasis. The disorders found could be classified as mild bleeding disorders (MBD) and compared to the estimated frequency of MBD in the population there was an increased incidence of haemostatic disorders in the habitual nose-bleeders. Abnormal vessels in the nasal mucosa were present in 85 per cent of the investigated nose-bleeders, equaly distributed between nose-bleeders with and without haemostatic disorders. This indicates that abnormal vessels and haemostatic disorders occur independently of each other. When screening for haemostatic disorders in habitual nose-bleeders, it is possible to detect previously unknown but clinically important disorders.

Antroscopy has been shown to have a significant role to play in the management of chronic sinus disease. A technique, performed via the inferior meatus, is described which has been used successfully in 103 patients under local anaesthetic. Particular attention has been paid to the practical problems and pitfalls which may be encountered and how they may be overcome. Vasovagal symptoms were the commonest adverse effect, occurring in 15 patients; otherwise the associated morbidity was encouragingly low. It is concluded that antroscopy performed with a good technique can be a rewarding procedure suitable for use in the outpatient department.

Formaldehyde-induced fluorescence and electron microscopy have been used to show the sympathetic innervation of the vocal cord in the guinea pig. The topographical distribution and morphology of the sympathetic fibres and endings are commented upon.

The use of a specially designed silastic keel endoscopically inserted into the larynx to prevent restenosis after division of anterior commisure webs of the larynx is described. The treatment of such webs is discussed.

Serum adenosine deaminase (ADA) levels were estimated in a group of 40 patients with head and neck cancer. The mean value was significantly higher in patients compared to controls. The increase was higher in cases of ulcerative growths than of proliferative growths, and activity was increased with advancement in the stage of the cancer. After radiotherapy, a gradual and significant decrease in serum ADA activity was observed.

Unilateral hearing loss has been reported as an unusual complication in general anaesthesia, and so far no reports on bilateral hearing loss have been published. In this paper we present a case with bilateral sensorineural hearing impairment immediately following a minor abdominal surgical procedure. The literature is reviewed and the mechanisms causing hearing loss during anaesthesia are discussed.

A case is presented of the successful closure of a colono-cutaneous fistula in the neck, which developed twenty-one years after pharyngo-laryngectomy. A pectoralis major muscle flap and a delto-pectoral skin flap were used.