Summary: This prospective study investigates the impact of local anesthesia on ciliary function in nasal epithelium. The primary objective was to assess whether lidocaine 2% and naphazoline 0.5% nasal spray alter ciliary beat frequency and pattern in subjects undergoing nasal brushing, aiming to enhance primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) diagnosis. Hypothesis: It was hypothesized that local anesthesia administration would not significantly affect ciliary function in nasal epithelium. Study design: A prospective, simple-blind randomized study was conducted between 2020 and 2023. The study employed digital high-speed videomicroscopy to analyze ciliary beat frequency and pattern. Patient/subject selection: A cohort of 38 participants was recruited, consisting of 25 healthy volunteers and 13 referred individuals (including 7 diagnosed with PCD). Selection criteria ensured absence of chronic respiratory diseases, recent respiratory tract infections, or regular use of nasal medications. Methodology: Participants underwent nasal brushing with administration of lidocaine and naphazoline nasal spray in one nostril and saline in the contralateral nostril. Ciliary beat frequency and pattern were measured using digital high-speed videomicroscopy. Results: Nasal spray administration did not significantly alter ciliary beat frequency or pattern compared to saline (p = 0.841 and p = 0.125, respectively). Subgroup analysis revealed consistent results across healthy volunteers, referred patients, and PCD patients. Conclusion: Local anesthesia with lidocaine and naphazoline spray did not affect ciliary function outcomes. These findings support the safe use of these agents in clinical practice for PCD diagnostic procedures. Further research with larger cohorts is warranted for validation.

Objective: To provide objective data on the impact of COVID-19 crisis on our ENT practice. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Tertiary referral hospital (1038 inpatients beds). Participants: 572 consecutive patients presenting to the ENT clinic and ENT operating theatre from March 16, 2020 to May 3, 2020 were prospectively included. Main outcome measures: Demographic and clinical data, admission time, paraclinic testing, management, outcome and follow’up were recorded. Retrospective search for comparison to past year over the same period of time was carried out. Results: Coronavirus crisis and the strict lockdown rules led to a severe disruption of the ENT service. A drop in overall activity of 91.1% was observed. Mortality rates increased from 0.82% to 4.55%. While some patients in real need may not have been able to be seen, others presented without ground. More than a quarter of admissions (n=157, 27.6%) resulted in no specific ENT treatment. Patient selection improved when patients had a recent ENT history (OR=2.39 [1.50-3.81], p=0.0003) or were referred by a physician (OR=5.30 [3.69-7.61], p<0.0001). Conclusions: Our data suggested impaired healthcare of all ENT patients. Special attention should be paid to non-Covid otolaryngology patients.