Editor in Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, is joined by first author Shiven Sharma, JD, and Associate Editor Michael J. Brenner, MD, to discuss what the specialty can learn about medical malpractice in the field for quality improvement as outlined in the paper “Medical Malpractice in Otolaryngology within the United States: A LexisNexis-Based Demographic Analysis” which published in the January 2025 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. They talk about the database used, how trends were identified, and how the findings can influence change in otolaryngology practices. 

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Editor in Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, is joined by senior author Priyesh N. Patel, MD, and Associate Editor Peter M. Vila, MD, MSPH, to discuss the role of the operating room and its necessity in treating skin cancer defects as outlined in the paper “Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Operating Room and In-Office Reconstruction of Skin Cancer Defects” which published in the December 2024 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. They weigh the effects of operating room on efficiency, patient satisfaction, and procedure success.

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Editor in Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, is joined by author Rohani Omar MRCP, MD(Res) and Associate Editor John P. Dahl, MD, PhD, MBA, to discuss causes, especially genetic causes, of pediatric hearing loss as outlined in the paper “Etiology of Childhood Profound Sensorineural Hearing Loss: The Role of Hearing Loss Gene Panel Testing” which published in the November 2024 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. They discuss the paper's investigation of gene panel testing for hearing loss in children.

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Editor in Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, is joined by senior author Julie E. Strychowsky MD, MAS, FRCSC, and Associate Editor Michael J. Brenner, MD, to discuss methods for improving the efficiency of ORs for surgeons as outlined in the paper “Improving Operating Room Efficiency in Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery: A Scoping Review” which published in the October 2024 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. They discuss the importance of finding ways to save time and cost for operating rooms in order to serve more patients and reduce physician burnout.

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Editor in Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, is joined by author Ahmad R. Sedaghat MD, PhD, and Associate Editor Dana L. Crosby, MD, MPH, to discuss the possibility of chronic rhinosinusitis when allergies are assumed as outlined in the paper “When It's Not Allergic Rhinitis: Clinical Signs to Raise a Patient's Suspicion for Chronic Rhinosinusitis” which published in the September 2024 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. They compare the symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis to those of allergies or related conditions, and where there is overlap. 

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Editor in Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, is joined by author John Pang, MD, and Associate Editor Tristan Tham, MD, to discuss circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) detection as a new technique to identify minimal residual disease in patients with solid tumors as outlined in the paper “ctDNA as an Adjunct to Posttreatment PET for Head and Neck Cancer Recurrence Risk Assessment” which published in the August 2024 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. They compare ctDNA to the traditional PET to assess best methods.

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Editor in Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, is joined by senior author Jonathon O. Russell MD, and Associate Editor Raymond Liu Chai, MD, to discuss the pros and cons of two approaches to thyroidectomy as outlined in the paper “Long-term Quality of Life After Thyroidectomy: Transoral Endoscopic Thyroidectomy Vestibular Approach Versus Transcervical Approach” which published in the July 2024 of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. They compare the quality of life for patients under two methods including scarring and self consciousness.

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Editor in Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, is joined by senior author Diana N. Kirke, MD, MPhil, and Associate Editor Lee M. Akst, MD, to discuss the potential for deep learning models to detect voice disorders as outlined in the paper “The Use of Deep Learning Software in the Detection of Voice Disorders: A Systematic Review” which published in the June 2024 special issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. They compare the accuracy of different models and inputs and ponder the possibility of real-world implementation.

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Editor in Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, is joined by lead authors Heather M. Weinreich, MD, MPH and Carrie L. Nieman, MD, MPH to provide a patient and primary care provider-focused overview of the “Clinical Practice Guideline: Age-Related Hearing Loss” which published in the May 2024 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. They discuss the pearls and pitfalls in screening and treating hearing loss for the patient and non-otolaryngologist providers.

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Editor in Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, is joined by lead authors Betty S. Tsai Do, MD, and Matthew L. Bush MD, PhD, MBA, for a discussion of some key points of the “Clinical Practice Guideline: Age-Related Hearing Loss” which published in the May 2024 issue of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery. They discuss the recommendations for screening of hearing loss and the pros and cons for different treatment options of age-related hearing loss.

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