Milan Amin, MD, Guest Editor

Nowadays, the business of Medicine dictates that all that we do be scrutinized on the basis of cost. Many hospitals, including our own, factor these issues into the decision-making process when evaluating new technologies for the operating rooms. With the costs of medical care projected to rise far faster than inflation, government agencies and insurance carriers are focusing more intensely on this area.

With that in mind, the topics covered in this edition all focus on advancements in surgical techniques brought about by improvements in technology. The procedures described have, for the most part, been shown to be safe and effective when used for the proper indications. In addition, by moving such procedures out of the operating room, significant cost benefits can be realized over more “traditional” techniques.

One of the goals of this edition is to cover the topic of laryngeal office procedures in a practical and useful manner. The authors have therefore tried to include step-by-step instructions on how they perform them, including tips that are often not included with standard journal articles. We have also included images and video links that will help readers learn from the experts who perform these procedures on a daily basis. The hope is that there will eventually be a critical mass of individuals who convert to using these techniques regularly, enhancing the care and cost efficiency of treating patients with laryngeal, pharyngeal, and esophageal problems.

In closing, I would just like to thank the many luminous laryngologists who contributed to this issue.