A Clear Voice

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In this episode of the podcast, host Natalie Watson explores the comprehensive management of Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis (RRP), bringing together three top experts:  Dr Andile Sibiya from South Africa, Mr Adam Donne from the UK, and Prof Craig Derkay from the USA. The discussion covers various aspects of RRP, including differences in patient presentation and healthcare systems across the three countries, the impact of HPV vaccination, and evolving treatment modalities. 

Dr. Sibiya discusses the challenges in South Africa, highlighting delays in diagnosis and access to specialized ENT services, particularly for pediatric patients. She emphasizes the need for centralizing care for younger children and the limitations posed by a tiered healthcare system. Sibiya also mentions the significant disease burden and the approach of using surgery as a primary treatment, with consideration for adjuvant therapies, despite limited access to certain treatments like Bevacizumab.

Adam Donne outlines the situation in the UK, where the National Health Service facilitates early referral for hoarseness, a red flag symptom. He notes the prevalence of RRP and the transition from primarily surgical treatments to incorporating adjuvant therapies such as the Quadrivalent vaccine, Cidofovir, and Bevacizumab. Donne underscores the importance of specialist centres and the evolving treatment landscape, reflecting a shift towards medical management.

Craig Derkay provides insights from the US, describing the typical presentation of RRP in children and adults and the role of tertiary care centres in managing the disease. He highlights the promising results of intravenous Bevacizumab in reducing the need for repeated surgeries and the psychological burden on patients. Derkay also discusses the potential of new DNA vaccines in phase three trials, which show promise in significantly reducing or even curing RRP.

The episode concludes with a consensus on the need for earlier adoption of adjuvant therapies to minimize long-term damage and improve patient outcomes, alongside excitement about future developments in vaccine research. The experts agree on the importance of a multidisciplinary approach, involving patients and families in treatment decisions and maintaining a focus on innovative solutions to improve the care and prognosis of RRP patients.

Contact Information
Visit www.britishlaryngological.org and our podcast library.

Cutting Edge Laryngology 2026 registration is now open: Register here

Email: [email protected] for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.

This show is brought to you by the BLA; you can follow us on  X, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger, produced  and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd and award-winning producer. 

The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies. 
If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice.

Do you have a question? Send it here

When it comes to exploring the vast field of laryngology, few events promise the depth and breadth of insight as the Cutting Edge Laryngology Conference—coming on 2-4 October 2024, showcasing the latest advances in our field. 

In this special episode of the podcast, Natalie meets with Honorary Treasurer of the BLA, Chadwan Al Yaghchi, to discuss the programme and the topics they are looking forward to hearing about: from Idiopathic subglottic stenosis to vocal cord paralysis, laryngology to AI, Laryngeal dysfunction to dysphagia – Cutting Edge Laryngology has it covered! 

This year, the conference will be held at the Royal Society of Medicine, London.  There will be three keynote speakers: Marc Remacle, '30 years of laryngology, what did I learn?' Anais Rameau, 'AI, is it the future of laryngology?' and Nupur Nerurkar, 'Vocal fold cysts, sulci and mucosal bridges – The difficult family.'

At the conference, there will be six to seven free papers, oral presentations, and poster presentations. Each year, the best oral and poster presentation will be awarded the David Howard Prize. Abstract submissions are open until the 7th of June 2024. 

Cutting Edge Laryngology is a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary meeting and will appeal to any health professionals with an interest in laryngology. 

Contact Information
Visit www.britishlaryngological.org and our podcast library.

Cutting Edge Laryngology 2026 registration is now open: Register here

Email: [email protected] for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.

This show is brought to you by the BLA; you can follow us on  X, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger, produced  and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd and award-winning producer. 

The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies. 
If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice.

Do you have a question? Send it here

In this episode, host Natalie Watson speaks with ENT surgeon Dr Andile Sibiya about laryngology care in South Africa, and the unique challenges facing the population in terms of the size of the area and population, and the huge reliance on limited public health services.

When Dr Sibiya first started in the province, she was tasked with re-strategising the entire ENT service. She spent a lot of time visiting different facilities to determine areas that were being underserved, laryngology being one of them.

In the latter half of the episode, there is a discussion about innovations like the Trachealator that have been transformational to the community as a whole, emphasising the significant role of collaboration and training in improving patient outcomes. As well as discussions around access to training and other development opportunities.

We hope you enjoy this insightful episode.

Contact Information
Visit www.britishlaryngological.org and our podcast library.

Cutting Edge Laryngology 2026 registration is now open: Register here

Email: [email protected] for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.

This show is brought to you by the BLA; you can follow us on  X, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger, produced  and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd and award-winning producer. 

The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies. 
If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice.

Do you have a question? Send it here

In this episode, our host, Natalie Watson, invites  Fiona Gillies, Emma Webber, and Sarah Wallace OBE, to discuss post-COVID effects on the larynx and the long COVID project run by the Royal College of Speech and Language therapists. 

The RCSLT project is led by a dedicated group of professionals working to create patient handbooks, fact sheets, and data collection tools. These resources aim to provide clinicians and patients with a deeper understanding of long COVID and its implications on speech and swallowing, aiding in effectively managing these complications.

The conversation continues, covering a critical care perspective and the trends emerging from patients admitted with COVID to ITU to post-critical care follow-up clinics to outpatient care and the presenting symptoms of long COVID who have not received critical care. What are the treatments available to offer? 

 COVID-19's impact on the larynx and the role of speech therapy in recovery is a complex and rapidly evolving area. More research and data to further understand the long-term effects of COVID-19 on the larynx is required and will be instrumental in guiding future treatment approaches and enhancing patient outcomes.

Input into new long COVID guidance | RCSLT

We hope you enjoy listening. 

Contact Information
Visit www.britishlaryngological.org and our podcast library.

Cutting Edge Laryngology 2026 registration is now open: Register here

Email: [email protected] for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.

This show is brought to you by the BLA; you can follow us on  X, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger, produced  and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd and award-winning producer. 

The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies. 
If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice.

Do you have a question? Send it here

In this episode, host Natalie Watson is joined by Professor Ahmed Geneid,  head of the Phoniatrics Department, Helsinki University Hospital of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, to discuss chronic cough, a common issue in laryngology exploring the leading causes of chronic cough, including factors like asthma, smoking, pollutants, reflux, and ACE inhibitors. 

Professor Geneid shares his treatment approach, emphasising video endoscopy's importance in examining the larynx and trachea. He discusses his encounters with previously undiagnosed trachea cancer, adding complexity to the condition.

The second part of this episode looks into the technical aspects of managing chronic cough. Professor Geneid explains his method for administering local anaesthetic for tracheoscopy. He outlines his strategy for addressing laryngeal hypersensitivity and explores treatment options for chronic neuropathic cough. These include techniques like sipping water and deep swallowing and interventions like amitriptyline, speech and language therapy, and cortisone/lidocaine injections. 

In conclusion, this episode is a comprehensive guide on chronic cough, taking listeners from diagnosis to treatment. The insights provided by Professor Genied are invaluable for those dealing with this common ailment. While the complexities of chronic cough are vast, with the proper knowledge and treatment techniques, it can be effectively managed.

We hope you enjoy listening. 

Contact Information
Visit www.britishlaryngological.org and our podcast library.

Cutting Edge Laryngology 2026 registration is now open: Register here

Email: [email protected] for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.

This show is brought to you by the BLA; you can follow us on  X, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger, produced  and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd and award-winning producer. 

The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies. 
If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice.

Do you have a question? Send it here

Have you ever considered the connection between singing and laryngology? 
 
In this episode, Declan Costello, a celebrated consultant ear, nose, and throat surgeon, ENT and Audiology News editor and current President of the British Laryngological Association, explores this topic with host Natalie Watson. 
 
With a background as a Choral Scholar at St John's College, Cambridge, Declan's passion for singing led him to become a specialist in voice disorders. 
 
We also delve into the intricate world of voice disorders, particularly as they relate to singers—voice disorders in singers versus non-singers, and the evolving views on reflux and persistent throat symptoms. 
 
 We hope you enjoy listening to this episode. 

Contact Information
Visit www.britishlaryngological.org and our podcast library.

Cutting Edge Laryngology 2026 registration is now open: Register here

Email: [email protected] for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.

This show is brought to you by the BLA; you can follow us on  X, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger, produced  and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd and award-winning producer. 

The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies. 
If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice.

Do you have a question? Send it here

In this episode, Natalie chats with the current President and Immediate President of the BLA, Mr Declan Costello and Prof Guri Sandhu.

Prof Sandhu is a founding member of the BLA and immediate past President of the Laryngology & Rhinology section at the RSM. He is a Consultant Otolaryngologist and Head & Neck Surgeon at Imperial College and The Royal Brompton Hospitals in London and an Honorary Senior Lecturer at Imperial College and University College London. He is a pioneering laryngologist with a special interest in laryngotracheal stenosis. In 2016 he received the Isshiki Award for his outstanding contribution to laryngology. Under his leadership, Prof  Sandhu has increased educational events both in-person and remotely, bringing the BLA community together again in person whilst keeping the accessibility online learning offers. Most notably, with a new venture as the BLA and the UEP will join forces to present a one-day meeting on voice-related topics. This inaugural meeting will occur on the 14th of September at the RSM London.

Mr Costello is also a founding member of the BLA. He is a consultant ear, nose and throat surgeon specialising in voice disorders. He studied music at St. John's College, Cambridge, where he was a choral scholar and went on to study medicine at Imperial College. As a singer himself, he has a particular interest in treating voice disorders in performers. He has published a number of books and has written many chapters, including the chapter on Larynx for the 42nd edition of Grey's Anatomy. Declan is on the Presidential Council of the European Laryngological Society and the editor of ENT and Audiology News.

The panellists also look to the future of the BLA, including the upcoming joint meeting with the UEP fostering further international links for the association and further accessibility for all with an interest in laryngology with plans of further study days, workshops, podcasts and webinars. 

Contact Information
Visit www.britishlaryngological.org and our podcast library.

Cutting Edge Laryngology 2026 registration is now open: Register here

Email: [email protected] for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.

This show is brought to you by the BLA; you can follow us on  X, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger, produced  and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd and award-winning producer. 

The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies. 
If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice.

Do you have a question? Send it here

In this episode of BLA Connections: A Clear Voice, host Natalie Watson is joined by Professor Reza Nouraei, Consultant Laryngologist and Tracheal Surgeon at Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham, to discuss how to oxygenate our patients whilst operating on the larynx under general anaesthetic. Prof Nouraei walks us step-by-step through THRIVE and other tubeless ventilation methods. 

“You have all the time in the world to put a scope in, as long as it's less than three minutes.”

This quote from Prof David Howard, a global Laryngology pioneer and a friend and mentor to many UK Laryngologists including Prof Nouraei, was an inspiration to search for methods of increasing apnoea time.

THRIVE is essentially a method of ventilating patients who are under general anaesthesia and under conditions of muscle paralysis (i.e. apnoea), by filling the upper airways with oxygen and by activating a ventilatory exchange process which increases the time to desaturation. 

As well as explaining the functions and indications for THRIVE, Prof Nouraei shares his tips and insights for using the procedure successfully, including which patients and conditions might not be suitable for it. We also discuss other ventilation strategies and new airway management tools for further improving them.

To ensure that patients with acutely compromised airways are managed safely, it is vital to understand the anatomy of laryngoscopy and to appreciate how the sharp angle between the lips and the larynx is converted into a straight line. This enables the laryngologist to create safe access corridors for oxygenation and for shared-airway surgery after the patient has been anaesthetised and has been rendered apnoeic. 

Apnoeic ventilation has been a major game changer for our specialty, as well, more broadly, for the care of patients with complex and compromised airways whom, as laryngologists, we are regularly called upon to support. 

For more expert insight into all things laryngology, please do look back at other episodes in this series, including the management and patient journey of airway stenosis, persistent throat symptoms, and the ageing voice. And if you have a topic you think we should cover next series, do let us know!

*Please note a declaration of interest: Prof. Reza Nouraei declares that he has received research and consultancy support from Fisher and Paykel.

Contact Information
Visit www.britishlaryngological.org and our podcast library.

Cutting Edge Laryngology 2026 registration is now open: Register here

Email: [email protected] for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.

This show is brought to you by the BLA; you can follow us on  X, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger, produced  and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd and award-winning producer. 

The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies. 
If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice.

Do you have a question? Send it here

In this episode of BLA Connections, A Clear Voice, we are joined by Professor Reza Nouraei, Consultant Laryngologist and Tracheal Surgeon at Queens Medical Center, Nottingham, UK, to discuss the exciting subject of artificial intelligence (AI) and its role in the future of laryngology and global healthcare.

AI gives us the ability to classify voice signals, develop imaging programs for stroboscopy and high-speed laryngoscopy and identify regions of interest for further scrutiny. This can all help with areas where we are trying to take activity out of the operating room and into the outpatient setting. It has the potential to impact survival rates and early diagnosis of diseases such as Parkinson’s.

What about ‘big data’? “Big data is the engine of artificial intelligence.” It’s most relevant to laryngology in terms of population science and feeds into personalised medicine. Big data sets can help increase access to healthcare, clear COVID-19 backlogs and, with multi-centre collaborations, it can help reduce health inequalities across the UK and around the world. 

So, what part will this kind of technology play in the future of laryngology? Prof Nouraei believes that technology can extend the reach of subspecialist laryngologists and be a means of supporting allied health colleagues. With AI and big data, we can bridge the healthcare gap and offer more specialised services with less need for supervision. This technology can make specialist knowledge that takes years to acquire more accessible and inclusive.

 “The big driving force in the NHS, and probably healthcare worldwide, is to get the right person in the right place to see the right [clinician] in the shortest possible time.” Artificial Intelligence can go a long way towards making this a reality.

Contact Information
Visit www.britishlaryngological.org and our podcast library.

Cutting Edge Laryngology 2026 registration is now open: Register here

Email: [email protected] for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.

This show is brought to you by the BLA; you can follow us on  X, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger, produced  and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd and award-winning producer. 

The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies. 
If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice.

Do you have a question? Send it here

Cutting Edge Laryngology 2022 is coming on the 22-23 September 2022, showcasing the latest advances in our field. In this special episode of the podcast Natalie meets with Associate Honorary Treasurer of the BLA, Chadwan Al Yaghchi, to discuss the programme and the topics they are looking forward to hearing about: from dysphagia to airway management, speech and language therapy to COVID sequelae, paediatric services to airway management – Cutting Edge Laryngology has it covered! Chad and Natalie are particularly excited about the keynote lectures from President of the Union of the European Phoniatricians and the Finnish Laryngological Society, Ahmed Geneid, on office based laryngology, and President of Dysphagia Research Society, Jacqueline Allen, on negotiating laryngological uncertainty. 

This year the conference will be held virtually, meaning that the panel of experts can be truly global. Alongside Ahmed from Finland and Jacqui from New Zealand will be other international speakers, including Farzaneh Ahmadi from Western Sydney University, presenting her bionic voice prosthesis for the first time in the UK, Craig Derkay, possibly the father of RRP new therapeutics, from Eastern Virginia Medical School, and long-standing friend and supporter of the BLA, Marshall Smith from the University of Utah.

Attendees will be active participants with the chance to ask questions and participate in panel discussions and enjoy live poster sessions featuring slides and a presentation. An added benefit of the virtual format is the opportunity for those who can’t be there on the day to register and watch high quality recordings of the full programme in their own time. 

Cutting Edge Laryngology is a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary meeting and will appeal to any health professionals with an interest in laryngology. To register go to https://www.laryngologyconference.com/

Contact Information
Visit www.britishlaryngological.org and our podcast library.

Cutting Edge Laryngology 2026 registration is now open: Register here

Email: [email protected] for any questions or topic suggestions you may have for future episodes.

This show is brought to you by the BLA; you can follow us on  X, Linkedin and Instagram hosted by Natalie Watson @surgeonsinger, produced  and directed by Heather Pownall of Heather's Media Hub Ltd and award-winning producer. 

The opinions of our host and guests are their own; The BLA does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies. 
If you enjoyed this podcast, please rate, review and subscribe with the podcast provider of your choice.