OTO Open: 2025 Must-Read Articles

AAO-HNSF

OTO Open is the official open access journal of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation. The mission of OTO Open is to offer rapid online publication of clinically relevant information in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery to facilitate the dissemination of research and to share clinically focused manuscripts and digital materials that enhance patient care.

Radiotherapy Treatment of Warthin's Tumor (Cystadenolymphoma)
Authors: Angela Besserer, MD, Sally Mutiara, MD, Markus Jungehülsing, MD, PhD, Stefan Höcht, MD, PhD

This case report describes the successful treatment of a large, long-standing Warthin's tumor with radiotherapy in a senior patient for whom surgery was not a viable option.

Coblation Versus Radiofrequency for Tongue Base Reduction in Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Meta-analysis
Authors: Salman Hussain, MB, BCh, BAO, Jafar Hayat, MBChB, Raisa Chowdhury, MSc, Mahmoud Ebrahim, MD, FRCSC, Abdulmohsen Alterki, MD, FRCSC, Ahmed Bahgat, MD, Ahmed A. Al-Sayed, MBBS, FRCSC, Vikram Padhye, PhD, FRACS, Robson Capasso, MD, FAASM

The objective of this study is to determine the effectiveness and safety profile of coblation tongue base reduction (CBTR) compared to radiofrequency base of tongue (RFBOT) reduction on sleep-related outcomes in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Enhancing AI Chatbot Responses in Health Care: The SMART Prompt Structure in Head and Neck Surgery
Authors: Luigi Angelo Vaira, MD, PhD, Jerome R. Lechien, MD, PhD, Vincenzo Abbate, MD, Guido Gabriele, MD, Andrea Frosolini, MD, Andrea De Vito, MD, Antonino Maniaci, MD, PhD, Miguel Mayo-Yáñez, MD, PhD, Paolo Boscolo-Rizzo, MD, Alberto Maria Saibene, MD, MA, Fabio Maglitto, MD, Giovanni Salzano, MD, Gianluigi Califano, MD, Stefania Troise, MD, Carlos Miguel Chiesa-Estomba, MD, PhD, Giacomo De Riu, MD

This study aims to evaluate the impact of prompt construction on the quality of artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot responses in the context of head and neck surgery.

Augmented Reality Navigation in Craniomaxillofacial/Head and Neck Surgery
Authors: E. Brandon Strong, MS, Anuj Patel, MD, MS, Alexander P. Marston, MD, Cameron Sadegh, MD, PhD, Jeffrey Potts, PhD, Darin Johnston, DMD, David Ahn, DMD, Shae Bryant, DMD, Michael Li, MD, Osama Raslan, MD, Steven A. Lucero, BS, Marc J. Fischer, Marike Zwienenberg, MD, Neha Sharma, MDS, DMD, PhD, Florian Thieringer, MD, DDS, MHBA, Christian El Amm, MD, Kiarash Shahlaie, MD, PhD, Marc Metzger, MD, DMD, PhD, E. Bradley Strong, MD

This study aims to (1) develop an augmented reality (AR) navigation platform for craniomaxillofacial (CMF) and head and neck surgery; (2) apply it to a range of surgical cases; and (3) evaluate the advantages, disadvantages, and clinical opportunities for AR navigation.

Postnasal Drip and Nasal Endoscopy: Localization and Association With Clinical Features
Authors: Jenilkumar H. Patel, MS, Nicholas Mankowski, MD, Robbie A. Beyl, PhD, Manal S. Malik, BS, Andrew Parker, BS, Edward D. McCoul, MD, MPH

Postnasal drip (PND) is a common symptom that is difficult to verify with a traditional examination. Nasal endoscopy has the potential to improve diagnostic accuracy by confirming the presence and location of mucus. This study sought to describe the association of specific features of PND on nasal endoscopy with other clinical features.

Trends in Private Equity Owned Otolaryngology Practice Clinician Distribution
Authors: Shravan Asthana, BS, Daron Excel, MD, Hemali Shah, MD, Abhinav Talwar, MD, Stephanie Smith, MD

This article investigates how private equity (PE) acquisitions shape the otolaryngology workforce.

Coblator-Assisted Barbed Relocation Pharyngoplasty (Co-BRP) in Obstructive Sleep Apnea Surgical Treatment
Authors: Ahmed Bahgat, MD, Claudio Vicini, MD, Yassin Bahgat, MD, Giuseppe Magliulo, MD, Antonio Greco, MD, Armando De Virgilio, MD, PhD, Annalisa Pace, MD, PhD, Antonino Maniaci, MD, PhD, Jerome Lechien, MD, PhD, Andrea De Vito, MD, PhD, Giovanni Cammaroto, MD, PhD, Alberto Caranti, MD, Manuele Casale, MD, Antonio Moffa, MD, PhD, Salvatore Cocuzza, MD, Ewa Olszewska, MD, Tiziano Perrone, MD, Giannicola Iannella, MD, PhD

Barbed reposition pharyngoplasty (BRP) is a new technique to manage velo-pharyngeal obstruction and collapse in OSA patients. Tonsillectomy is a preliminary step of BRP surgery.

Reducing Glove Overuse in Outpatient Specialty Clinics: Cost Reduction and Environmental Benefit
Authors: M. Lauren Lalakea, MD, Julia E. Noel, MD, Duncan A. Meiklejohn, MD

Gloves are the highest-volume single-use disposable product used in healthcare. Minimizing unnecessary glove use is relevant to mitigating healthcare waste and greenhouse gas emissions.

Intracapsular Tonsillectomy With Monopolar Cautery—A Cost-Effective Surgical Technique
Authors: Rebecca Sinard Arch, MD, MPH, Sanjeet Rangarajan, MD, MEng, Kris Jatana, MD, Evan Tobin, MD

This article seeks to illustrate improved posttonsillectomy hemorrhage rates with a novel cost-effective monopolar intracapsular tonsillectomy (ICT) technique.

The Effect of Tongue Volume and Adipose Content on Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Meta-analysis & Systematic Review
Authors: Emily Baker, BS, Meghana Chanamolu, MD, Chad Nieri, MD, Stephen F. White Jr., MD, Josiah Brandt, MD, Marion Boyd Gillespie, MD, MSc

Macroglossia is a risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and has been linked to an elevated apnea-hypopnea index (AHI). Obesity may contribute to macroglossia, but its exact relationship is unknown and likely multifactorial; the degree to which increased adiposity of the tongue affects the development of OSA is not understood.

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The OTO Journals podcast series highlights research published in the AAO-HNSF official peer-reviewed publications. Each podcast, moderated by Editor in Chief Cecelia E. Schmalbach, MD, MSc, and featuring the Associate Editor and the author of the paper, offers an in-depth discussion of its significance to the global otolaryngology community and to quality patient care. Listen and subscribe today!

Become a Peer Reviewer
Peer reviewing for OTO Open offers the opportunity to advance research in otolaryngology while earning up to 15 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ of CME per year. Reviewers help ensure the best research reaches clinicians, stay current with the latest advances, and connect with the broader otolaryngology community. Whether you're an established otolaryngologist or have completed your residency with reviewing experience, we welcome your expertise. To apply, download and complete the Reviewer Application Form and email it with your CV to otomanager@entnet.org.

Publish Your Research With AAO-HNSF Journals
AAO-HNS members receive a 20% discount on article processing charges (APCs) for publishing in OTO Open and OTO Journal. Additional discounts and waivers may be available based on your country or institution's agreement with Wiley, the publisher of both AAO-HNSF journals. Authors from low- and lower-middle-income countries may be eligible for automatic waivers or 50% discounts through Wiley's partnership with Research4Life. To learn more about APC discounts and eligibility, contact the journals' production team at OTO-HNS@wiley.com or visit Wiley's waivers and discounts page.