The Scoop Volume 54 May 2026

July 2026 Volume 56

Recognition

Peter Santa Maria, MD, PhD, just published a new peer-reviewed study in the American Journal of Otolaryngology on EarFlo.

As he wrote on Instagram, "89% of children already scheduled for ear tube surgery avoided the operating room. Nearly 13 dB of hearing improvement. 99% compliance tracked by app not parent report.

Every time you swallow, your Eustachian tube briefly opens. EarFlo delivers a gentle puff of air coordinated with that exact moment. Not forcing. Swallow-synchronized. That’s why it works in children as young as 2.

And for adults: same tube. Same mechanism. Ear pressure, muffled hearing after flying, that underwater feeling that won’t clear. Earflo is FDA cleared for you too."

José-Alain Sahel, MD, FARVO, received the prestigious Wolf Prize in Medicine together with his colleague Botond Roska, MD, PhD, of the Institute for Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, for their work to restore sight using optogenetics, a research tool that uses light to control cell activity.

Dr. Sahel also received the Distinguished Innovation Award from Harvard Medical School and Mass Eye and Ear on Friday, June 12th.

Read more about the Wolf Prize

Watch the Wolf Prize award ceremony

Watch his Proctor Medal lecture

Peter Santa Maria, MD, PhD, is a a co-editor of Neurotology, 3rd Edition — alongside two giants in the field, Richard K. Gurgel and Robert K. Jackler.

As he wrote on Instagram, "This textbook has shaped how generations of otologists and neurotologists think, operate, and care for patients. An incredible group of authors who are all leaders in our field.

And the illustrations? Stunning. The incomparable Chris Gralapp brings the anatomy and pathology to life in a way that no photograph ever could — her work is a defining feature of this book and a gift to our specialty.

Whether you’re a resident, fellow, or practicing surgeon, I hope this becomes a trusted resource on your shelf."

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Articles

OTO's First Single-Port Transoral Robotic Surgery Case

The Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery had its first single-port (SP) Transoral Robotic Surgery (TORS) case in early June. The case actually involved some great Departmental teamwork.

New and Improved Patient Registry

While the Department of Ophthalmology has had a patient registry since 2019, it was paused during the transition from Eye & Ear to the Vision Institute. It was recently rebuilt to improve patient accessibility, visibility, and its use as a database.

Rebuilding a Nose with Exceptional Care

In January 2024, Kathy McClelland, now 73, noticed a bump on the right side of her nose. Turns out it was an intranasal mass that was an adenocarcinoma, an aggressive cancer originating from the mucin-producing cells in the nose.

Young Survivor's Message: Anyone Can Get Oral Cancer

Kelly McSorley has been part of the UPMC Head & Neck Cancer Survivorship Program for three years since starting treatment. She truly believes that getting connected before radiation is key.

Marty McGuinn's Legacy Advances RP Research

Marty McGuinn, a longtime Eye & Ear Foundation donor and Pittsburgh dignitary, passed away in May.

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