The analysis of ossification points plays a considerable role in forensic age estimation. Although traditional methods are still in use, researchers are working on different age estimation procedures especially within the development of radiologic methods. One of these methods is to define spheno-occipital synchondrosis fusion degree. Spheno-occipital synchondrosis, an important growth point on cranial base, provides noteworthy information about age estimation through its late stage ossification nature. This study aimed to investigate spheno-occipital synchondrosis fusion degree for age estimation in the Turkish population. In our study, 1-mm-sectioned computed tomography images of 638 (399 men and 139 women) subjects within the age of 10 to 25 years were retrospectively examined. It is stated in our study that spheno-occipital syncondrosis fusion begins superiorly and progresses inferiorly until it is completed. Spheno-occipital syncondrosis is known to be totally open at the mean (SD) age of 11.5 (1.5) years in men and 10.7 (0.8) years in women. In addition, fusion degree is known to be increased with age. Fusion starts approximately 2 years earlier in women than in men, and the process of fusion completes at the age of 17 years in both sexes. An analysis of fusion degree between sex groups showed significance at the age of 11 to 15 years, and Spearman rank correlations indicate a significant positive relationship between age and degree of spheno-occipital fusion (P < 0.001; men, ρ = 0.714; women, ρ = 0.698). Consequently, 5-staged analysis of spheno-occipital synchondrosis fusion degree in use with 1-mm computed tomography images will be helpful for age estimation between 11 and 17 years.

Transoral robotic cordectomy with the da Vinci Surgical System was found to be feasible, relatively safe, and effective. The lower morbidity rate was an advantage of this method. Transoral robotic surgery provides better exposure, visualization, and access than does transoral laser microsurgery. Cordectomy with transoral robotic surgery should be an alternative to external-approach cordectomy and transoral laser microsurgery.

The objective was to compare the outcomes of spontaneous closure and hyaluronic acid (HA) ester patching (Epifilm®) in subjects with traumatic tympanic membrane (TM) perforation. This was a prospective, controlled study performed at a tertiary teaching and research hospital. During 6-month period, subjects were divided into spontaneous closure (group A) and HA ester patch-Epifilm® (group B) group. Demographic data, presenting symptoms, closure rate, closure time and audiometric data were evaluated and compared between groups. In total, 155 subjects were evaluated. Group A consisted of 62.6 % (n = 97) of the subjects, whereas group B consisted of 37.4 % (n = 58) of the subjects. Group B had significantly shorter closure times when compared with group A (6.61 ± 4.59 vs. 10.60 ± 5.23 weeks, p = 0.001). When the closure time was evaluated according to perforation size both grade 1 and 2 perforations have significantly shorter closure times when compared with group A (6.33 ± 4.54 vs. 10.80 ± 5.69 weeks, for grade 1 and 6.650 ± 2.07 vs. 10.30 ± 4.32 weeks for grade 2 perforations). Closure rates were not significant between groups (85.6 % for group A and 94.8 % for group B). When the closure rate was evaluated according to perforation size no significant difference exists for grade 1, 2 and 3 perforations between groups. Both air conduction and air-bone gap were significantly improved in both groups. HA ester patch (Epifilm®) is a non-toxic material that can be used in traumatic tympanic membrane perforations. In this study, use of HA ester patching was resulted with earlier closure time but not resulted with higher closure rates.

Transoral robotic supraglottic laryngectomy with the da Vinci robotic system can be regarded as a feasible, safe, and effective technique. Although short-term results seem discouraging, long-term results are needed to evaluate the oncologic safety.

We suggest that DISE has several advantages including safety, ease of use, and reliability, which outweigh MM in terms of the ability to diagnose sites of obstruction and the pattern of upper airway collapse. Also, MM can provide some knowledge of the pattern of pharyngeal collapse. Furthermore, we also recommend using the VOTE classification in combination with DISE.

TORS BOT, epiglottoplasty, and multilevel procedures in patients with obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome can be regarded as feasible, safe, and effective technique.

The feasibility and effectiveness of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) in children with tongue base masses (TBMs) were evaluated. Eight pediatric patients who were treated with TORS for TBMs between January 2010 and January 2016 at a tertiary hospital included in the study. All pathologies were congenital lesions: four were lingual thyroglossal ductus cysts (LTGDCs), one was a minor salivary gland tumor, one was a vallecular cyst, one was a bronchogenic cyst, and one was an ectopic thyroid tissue. TORS was performed successfully in all cases. The mean robotic set-up and exposure time was 13.0 ± 2.1 min (range 10-16 min) and the mean robotic surgery time was 8.8 ± 6.9 min (range 4-25 min). Estimated blood loss was lower than 5 ml for one patient and lower than 50 ml for another one. The remaining patients' estimated blood loss was lower than 10 ml. No patient required tracheostomy intra- or post-operatively. Only one minor complication occurred on day 10 after surgery (minor bleeding), which was resolved without intervention. No major complications or recurrence were observed. Better visualization and small, flexible arms allow surgeons to treat TBM faster and easily using TORS. This leads to decreased morbidity compared to open and transoral endoscopic/microscopic surgical methods. In the future, we believe that TORS may become the gold standard method for the treatment of pediatric TBM with continued development of robotic technology.

Transoral robotic surgery was found superior in safety, technical feasibility and curative effectiveness, when compared with classical methods, especially due to absence of skin incisions. Surgical modalities for laryngocele excision should be directed toward a curative target including cosmetic and functional success, technical achievability, and surgically curative methods. Transoral robotic surgery provided all these features.