Position Statement: Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis and Gardasil Vaccination
September 23, 2021Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) is characterized by recurrent papillomatous lesions that grow primarily on the vocal folds but may involve other parts of the upper airway.(1-2) This disease can affect both children and adults.(1-2) Although it is a benign disease, malignant…
Position Statement: Patient Physician Covenant
September 23, 2021(Modified from the Journal of the American Medical Association, May 17, 1995) Medicine is, at its center, a moral enterprise grounded in a covenant of trust. This covenant obliges physicians to be competent and to use their competence in the patient's best interests…
Position Statement: Industry Representatives in the Operating Room
September 23, 2021When the presence of an industry representative is necessary, helpful, or confers an educational benefit in this setting, the otolaryngologist and industry representative have certain responsibilities to the patient and staff in the Operating Room or Procedure Room (collectively referred to as the “OR” in…
Position Statement: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination for Prevention of HPV-Related Oropharyngeal Cancer
September 23, 2021Over the past three decades, there has been a clear decrease in the prevalence of tobacco use in the United States and an associated decline in tobacco‐related head and neck cancers.1 The incidence of Human Papillomavirus (HPV)‐related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC…
Position Statement: Humanitarian Photography
September 23, 2021The American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery recognizes that photodocumentation of patients and procedures during humanitarian efforts is critical for record-keeping, scholarship, and fund-raising. However, the AAO-HNS also recognizes that the threat to patient privacy by the online publication of…
Position Statement: Choice of Physicians
September 23, 2021The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery strongly supports, as being in the public interest, the establishment of reimbursement plans by third-party payers that promote the patient's freedom of choice of physicians among all appropriately trained physicians (MD, DO) licensed…
Position Statement: Treatment for Microtia and Anotia
September 23, 2021The American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery ("AAO-HNS") recognizes microtia and anotia as congential birth defects. These conditions are associated with appreciable psychological and functional ramifications if left untreated. Reconstructive surgery is appropriate as a primary treatment in both children and adults…
Position Statement: Plastic Surgery
September 23, 2021The American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery recognizes that facial plastic surgery is an integral part of the specialty and is a fundamental area of expertise for otolaryngologistshead and neck surgeons. An otolaryngology resident spends a minimum of four years training exclusively…
Care of Children Infected with Cytomegalovirus
September 23, 2021The risk for transmission of congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV), a common in-utero infection and a leading cause of childhood hearing loss, in healthcare settings, daycare and schools including for pregnant workers is low. In fact, healthcare workers, regardless of the type of patient contact, do…
Position Statement: The Use of Biomaterials in Sinonasal Procedures
September 23, 2021The American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery has determined that the use of FDA-approved biomaterials can be utilized in sinonasal procedures to improve patient outcomes and reduce complications. These items, such as implants, stents, and packing materials, have functions including, but not…
Position Statement: Sinus Endoscopy
September 23, 2021The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery recognizes that endoscopic evaluation and endoscopic surgery are accepted modalities of diagnosis and treatment for sinonasal disorders. Adopted 3/2/1990 Reviewed 9/16/1995 Revised 9/16/1995 Submitted for Review 3/1/1998 Reaffirmed…
Position Statement: Botulinum Toxin Treatment
September 23, 2021I. Treatment of Spasmodic Dysphonia (Laryngeal Dystonia) The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery ("AAO-HNS") considers Botulinum toxin a safe and effective modality for the treatment of spasmodic dysphonia and it may be offered as primary therapy for this disorder.1 II…
Position Statement: Use of Topical Antibiotic Drops
September 23, 2021The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery recognizes the appropriateness of utilizing currently available topical preparations, including those containing aminoglycosides, in the treatment of diseases of the external auditory canal. Aminoglycoside drops can be used as culture directed secondary therapy for middle ear…
Position Statement: Physician Drug Dispensing
September 23, 2021The American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head And Neck Surgery shall work to preserve the historic and traditional physician's privilege of dispensing medications and medical devices when this policy is in the best interest of the patient. Adopted 9/22/1987 Submitted for Review 4…
Position Statement: Medical Use of Cocaine
September 23, 2021The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery considers cocaine to be a valuable anesthetic and vasoconstricting agent when used as part of the treatment of a patient by a physician. No other single drug combines the anesthetic and vasoconstricting properties of cocaine. Adopted…
Position Statement: Point-of-Care Imaging in Otolaryngology
September 23, 2021Over the past several years, point-of-care imaging has grown in response to such factors as improved patient access, the availability of prompt clinical diagnosis and treatment, and low radiation CT imaging equipment suitable for an office setting. The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head…
Position Statement: Performance and Interpretation of Laryngeal Videostroboscopy
September 23, 2021The American Academy of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery endorses the use of laryngeal videostroboscopy as an endoscopic (diagnostic) procedure. Laryngeal videostroboscopy is a term used to describe a video endoscopic procedure with stroboscopic light source for visualization of the vocal folds. This allows the…
Parathyroid Imaging
September 23, 2021Based on comprehensive evidence in the medical literature and expert opinion, the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery affirms that select preoperative imaging can facilitate localization of hyperfunctional parathyroid glands and thus improve outcomes for patients undergoing surgery for hyperparathyroidism. Examples of imaging…