Mahmut Demirtaş

Topical drug applications to the external auditory canal (EAC) are one of the most important applications in Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) practice. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the histopathological, biochemical, and microbiological effects of oxygen-boric acid drops in the EAC. Eighteen albino Wistar rats were divided into three groups. The left ear was designated as the drop-treated ear, and the right ear was the control ear in each rat. Group 1 rats were treated with Oxygen-boric acid drops, group 2 with ciprofloxacin drops, and group 3 with hydrogen peroxide drops for two weeks. For biochemical evaluation, the pH of the EAC was measured. Microbiological analysis was performed by culturing samples from both EACs. Finally, both EACs underwent histopathological examination. Histopathologically, oxygen-boric acid ear drops had no adverse effect on the EAC mucosa. There was also no statistically significant difference amongst the groups in histopathological findings and bacterial growth. While there was a statistically significant difference in pH was observed between the groups during the first week of treatment, no significant difference was found between the groups during the second week of treatment. Topical oxygen-boric acid, ciprofloxacin, and hydrogen peroxide can be used safely for EAC diseases due to their topical efficacy and fewer side effects. Topical drops should be chosen according to the disease, the patient's comorbidities, and the cost-effectiveness of ear drops.

Objective: Analysis of the otorhinolaryngological problems caused by mask-wearing in the coronavirus disease 2019 era. Methods: A survey with 26 questions was sent by e-mail to 576 individuals. Results: The most frequently worn masks were three-layer surgical ear loop masks ( n = 434, 80.1 per cent), followed by N95 or filtering facepiece code 2 masks ( n = 58, 10.7 per cent), and cloth masks ( n = 50, 9.2 per cent). The most bothersome symptoms caused by mask-wearing were difficulty in nasal breathing ( n = 227, 41.8 per cent), nasal itching and pain ( n = 93, 17.2 per cent), earache ( n = 88, 16.2 per cent), difficulty in expressing oneself ( n = 73, 13.5 per cent), difficulty in understanding speech ( n = 56, 10.3 per cent), and ear itching ( n = 5, 0.9 per cent). Conclusion: The problems associated with mask-wearing may result in avoidance of wearing them. Thus, there is a need for new methods that will reduce the problems related to mask-wearing, to increase their use in the community.

Duyu organları ile yakın ilişkisi olan kulak, burun, boğaz ve baş boyun cerrahisi tıbbın branşlaşmaya başladığı ilk dönemlerde ortaya çıkmış olup klinik pratikte kapsamı genişleyerek zenginleşen bir branş olarak önemini korumaktadır. Günümüzde otoloji, rinoloji, laringoloji, fasiyal plastik ve rekonstruktif cerrahi, baş boyun cerrahisi, pediatrik kulak burun boğaz ve uyku tıbbı başlıkları bu branşın konuları arasında bulunur. İçeriğindeki genişliğin artması yazılı kaynakların pratik kullanıma uygun yazılmasının önemini ortaya çıkarmaktadır. Bu amaçla yazarları uzman hekimlerden oluşturulan ve okuyucularının da uzman hekim olması hedeflenen kitabımızda bilim dili olarak Türkçenin yalın olarak kullanılması, güncel kaynakların ele alınması konu için dönüm noktası olan yayınların ve analizlerin atlanmamasına özen gösterilmesi ve kullanımının kolay olması editörler ve yazarlarımızın amacı olmuştur.