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Objectives:To assess the distance between the bony groove created during subannular tubes placement and the chorda tympani, and examine the depth of the hypotympanum and retrotympanum.Method:Grooves drilled in cadaver temporal bones at two levels were imaged to measure: the distance between the chorda tympani nerve and the tympanic sulcus, and the depth of the hypotympanum and the retrotympanum relative to the annulus.Results:The chorda tympani was between 0 and 5 mm from the groove cut across the annulus. The hypotympanum average depth was 2 mm (0.44–6.40 mm) and the retrotympanum average depth was 1 mm (0–2.53 mm).Conclusion:Grooves drilled across the tympanic sulcus should be placed at a point 20 per cent of the height of the tympanic membrane or lower; this will ensure least risk of injury to the chorda tympani nerve. The depth of the hypotympanum and retrotympanum dictates that the posteroinferior part of a subannular tube flange should be approximately 2 × 1 mm. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objectives: Recent studies have shown an association between ankyloglossia (tongue tie) and upper-lip ties to breastfeeding difficulties. Treatment is commonly multidisciplinary involving lactation consultants and surgical management with tongue tie and upper lip tie release. There is currently limited data looking at posterior ankyloglossia and upper lip ties., Methods: Consecutive patients seen at an ENT outpatient clinic for ankyloglossia and upper-lip ties from May 2014-August 2015 were assessed for an outpatient frenotomy. Breastfeeding outcomes were assessed following the procedure., Results: 43 babies were seen and 34 patients had a procedure carried out. Babies ranged from 2 to 20 weeks old with the median age being 6.6 weeks. The most common presenting complaint was latching issues (85%) with mothers' painful nipples being the second (65%). 21 patients (62%) had a tongue tie release, 10 (29%) had both a tongue tie and upper lip tie divided, whereas 3 (9%) had an upper-lip tie alone divided. 29 (85%) of the patients who had a procedure carried out had an immediate improvement in breastfeeding, while 28 (82%) had a continued improvement at 2 weeks follow up., Conclusions: Frenotomy for posterior ankyloglossia and upper lip ties is a simple procedure that can be carried out in an outpatient setting with apparent immediate benefit. Otolaryngologists are likely to have an increasing role to play in the evaluation and management of ankyloglossia and upper lip ties in babies with breastfeeding difficulties., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)