Position Statement: Medical Use of Cocaine
February 4, 2026The 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. Originally…
Position Statement: Botulinum Toxin Treatment
February 4, 2026I. 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: Surgeon Performed Neck Ultrasound
February 4, 2026The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery strongly endorses the practice of providing patients with timely, effective, efficient, and patient-centered diagnostic imaging studies and interpretation by appropriate qualified specialists. All otolaryngologists receive training in head and neck imaging studies as part of…
Position Statement: The Roles of Flexible Laryngoscopy Videostroboscopy
February 4, 2026The Roles of Flexible Laryngoscopy Videostroboscopy in the Office Evaluation and Management of Patients with Otolaryngologic Disorders. Flexible and rigid diagnostic laryngoscopy (31575) and flexible (31579) and/or rigid videostroboscopy are well-established diagnostic procedures that are medically indicated for the diagnosis and management of…
Position Statement: Point-of-Care Imaging in Otolaryngology
February 4, 2026Over 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
February 4, 2026The American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery endorses the use of laryngeal videostroboscopy as a 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 examiner…
Position Statement: Medical Role in Cerumen Removal
February 4, 2026The American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) states that cerumen removal requires mechanical manipulation of the external auditory canal and such manipulation may result in traumatic and/or inflammatory lesions to the external auditory canal, tympanic membrane, and/or middle ear…
Position Statement: Minimal Test Battery for Cochlear Implants
February 4, 2026The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery endorses the concept of the Hearing in Noise Test (HINT) and Consonant-Noise-Consonant (CNC) Test as minimal research reporting requirements for results of cochlear implantation in adults. The minimum test battery shall apply, at present…
Position Statement: CDC Immunization Recommendations for Cochlear Implant Patients
February 4, 2026The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery endorses the guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommending the importance of age-appropriate immunizations against specific organisms that cause meningitis in patients who have, or will receive a cochlear implant…
Position Statement: Cochlear Implants
February 4, 2026The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery considers unilateral and bilateral cochlear implantation as appropriate treatment for adults and children over 9 months of age with moderate to profound hearing loss who have failed a trial with appropriately fit hearing aids. Originally Published…
Position Statement: Allergy
February 4, 2026The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery states that the management of allergic disorders is an integral part of the specialty of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. Originally Published: October 1982 Reviewed: October 2024 Important Disclaimer Notice (updated 7/31/14) Position statements…
Position Statement: Remote Practice of Allergy
February 4, 2026The decision to test for allergy should be based on first-hand knowledge gained by an individual history and physical examination. The results of allergy testing must be interpreted in light of these findings. The decision to treat with immunotherapy should be based not just…
Position Statement: Debridement
February 4, 2026Debridement of the sinus cavity is a procedure most commonly performed following endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) and other nasal surgeries. It involves transnasal insertion of the endoscope for visualization and parallel insertion of various instruments for the purpose of removal of crusting (postsurgical or otherwise…
Position Statement: Dilation of sinuses, any method (e.g., balloon, etc.)
February 4, 2026Sinus ostial dilation is a therapeutic option for selected patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and recurrent acute rhinosinusitis (RARS) who have failed appropriate medical therapy. Clinical diagnosis of CRS and RARS should be based on symptoms of sinusitis and supported by nasal endoscopy documenting sinonasal…
Position Statement: Intra-Operative Use of Computer Aided Surgery
February 4, 2026The American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery endorses the intraoperative use of computer-aided surgery in appropriately select cases to assist the surgeon in clarifying complex anatomy during sinus and skull base surgery. There is sufficient expert consensus opinion and literature evidence base…
Position Statement: The Use of Biomaterials in Sinonasal Procedures
February 4, 2026The American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery supports the use of FDA-approved biomaterials such as implants, stents, and packing material in sinonasal procedures to improve patient outcomes and reduce complications. The use of biomaterials for Rhinologic applications including hemostasis, maintenance of sinus…
Position Statment: Tonsil and Adenoid Surgery
February 4, 2026Otolaryngologists use a variety of safe and efficacious techniques and instruments to perform tonsil and adenoid surgery. Based on available data, the AAO-HNS does not find that one technique or instrument is clearly superior. The AAO-HNS supports the discretion of surgeons to determine…
Position Statement: Head and Neck Surgery
February 4, 2026To become board certified, an otolaryngologist has to complete a rigorous training program. Five years residency training in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery is required in order to be considered eligible to apply to sit for the specialty board examination in Otolaryngology. Residents in otolaryngology…