Editors\' Speak

There has been a recent interest in pathologies of the head and neck.Whilst most otolaryngologists are trained to diagnose and treat pathologies in the head and neck region, very few have taken it up as their primary area of expertise.If one were to review the number of training and advanced specialization courses offered across the globe, less than a fifth of these pertain to the head and neck.There are many reasons that can explain this trend; primarily, the multiple specialties that treat these pathologies including otolaryngologists, maxillofacial surgeons, oncologists, plastic surgeons, general surgeons, etc.Secondly, the fact that advanced optics have allowed for a rapid progress in other areas of otolaryngology namely sinus and skull base surgery and otoendoscopy.Lastly, the fact that newer machines and technology are associated with aggressive marketing forces that compel all to jump on the bandwagon.Having said that, head and neck surgery is now seeing a resurgence with the advent of robotics, the increasing burden of malignancies across the globe as well as the fact that the limitations of minimally invasive surgeries are increasingly being recognized.