Badaoui, Joseph N.

Objective: In-office tympanostomy tube insertion (TTI) is becoming more available in the practice of pediatric otolaryngology. This study evaluated the tolerability of this procedure in young children. Method: Four methods were used to assess tolerability. (1) Standardized video recordings were collected from 30 patients under 24 months who underwent in-office TTI with a single-pass insertion device with topical anesthesia alone. The videos were then reviewed by 3 independent experts in pediatric care and rated at 5 procedural time points using a defined response scale developed with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2) Separately, overall tolerability was subjectively assessed by the same experts. (3) Patient recovery was assessed by the participating otolaryngologist and support staff. (4) Patient caregivers were surveyed for their impressions of the procedure, including whether they would recommend it to other caregivers. Results: In a total of 90 reviews, 100% of children were successfully treated and were rated as having acceptably tolerated the in-office tympanostomy tube procedure. All patients returned to an acceptable baseline without inappropriate crying and were assessed as fully recovered immediately following the procedure or by the time the child was leaving clinic. For caregivers, 93% agreed or strongly agreed that they would recommend the use of in-office TTI to other caregivers. Conclusions: In-office TTI in young children was determined to be universally well tolerated in young children and is a procedure that patient caregivers would recommend to other caregivers for their children. These results should help reassure otolaryngology specialists and caregivers alike that in-office ear tube placement is a viable option for young children with middle ear disease.

BACKGROUND: The MBSAQIP has been used to evaluate risk and create risk models. Previous studies have determined what complications matter most. STUDY DESIGN: This study was a registry-based analysis of patients who underwent laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG) between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2019, at centers participating in MBSAQIP. Cases were identified using Current Procedural Terminology. Patients less than 18 years old were excluded. A chi-square test was used to assess differences in the prevalence of complications and effects across years. Using a multivariable Poisson regression model with a link log and robust estimation, prevalence ratio estimates and 95% CI were obtained. RESULTS: A total of 690,770 observations met the inclusion criteria. Mean (SD) age was 44.5 (±12.0) years, and mean (SD) BMI was 45.2 kg/m2 (±7.9). SG cases accounted for 73.45% of all observations. There was a significant relative reduction in readmissions, end-organ dysfunction, and all-cause mortality from 2015 to 2019 in the SG subgroup. There were also noticeable reductions in 30-day readmission, ICU admission, and end-organ dysfunction in the RYGB subgroup. For complications, bleeding, postoperative pneumonia, and stroke were significantly decreased in the RYGB subgroup, but only bleeding was significantly decreased in the SG subgroup during the 5-year study period. CONCLUSIONS: There has been a continuous improvement in several (but not all) outcomes through the years that the MBSAQIP has been collecting data. Different outcomes were reduced between the SG and RYGB subgroups, and the decrease in all-cause mortality was only noted in the SG subgroup.

Introduction: Patients undergoing bariatric surgery with body mass index (BMI) >50 kg/m2 are at a higher risk of surgical morbidity when compared with less obese patients, however, there is limited data correlating surgical risk and efficacy with increasing BMI in patients with severe obesity. We hypothesize that regardless of the degree above 50 kg/m2 their BMI, patients with severe obesity respond similarly to bariatric surgery. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with BMI >50 kg/m2 who underwent biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, or sleeve gastrectomy at a single institution. Outcomes were compared in patients with a BMI between 50 and 60 kg/m2 to patients with a BMI >60 kg/m2 and included percent total weight loss as well as early and late complications. Statistical analyses were performed using logistic regression, univariate, and multivariate models. Results: There were 571 patients with BMI >50 kg/m2 who underwent bariatric surgery at our center, 170 (29.8%) had a BMI >60 kg/m2. Percent total weight loss was statistically significant between the BMI 50 and 60 kg/m2 and BMI >60 kg/m2 groups at 24 months (P=0.047) but not at 60 months (P=0.54). No significant difference was found in the incidence of early complications in a univariate (P=0.46) or a multivariate (P=0.06) analysis. The BMI >60 subgroup was associated with a higher rate of late complications in univariate analysis (heart rate=2.37; 1.03-5.47, P=0.04), but not in multivariate analysis (P=0.78). Conclusions: Efficacy and complication rates of bariatric surgeries are similar in patients with BMI 50 to 60 kg/m2 and >60 kg/m2, providing evidence supporting similar management of patients despite specific subgroups.

Background: Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for weight loss and obesity-related comorbidity resolution. However, bariatric surgery is not readily offered in specific populations due to the lack of data assessing its feasibility. This study intends to evaluate bariatric surgery in patients with an existing ostomy. Methods: We conducted a retrospective case series to assess the safety of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) or sleeve gastrectomy (SG) in patients with an end ileostomy or colostomy. Patient demographics, including obesity-related comorbidities, overall health status (American Society of Anesthesiologists score), and short-term complications (up to 30 days postoperatively), were analyzed. Results: Six patients were included. The mean age was 58 years, and the mean preoperative body mass index was 41.6. Three patients had a colostomy, and three had an ileostomy. The mean time of ostomy before surgery was 11 years. Two ostomies were due to trauma, two due to inflammatory bowel disease, one due to cancer, and one due to scleroderma. Mean postoperative follow-up was 23 months. No patient had increased ostomy output or infusion center visit. One patient had an ED visit, one had a short-term complication, and one had SG conversion to RYGB. Conclusions: Bariatric surgery is technically feasible in selected patients with ileostomy/colostomy with a reasonable short-term safety profile.

Objectives To identify the differences in sensitivity and accuracy between ultrasound‐guided and palpation‐guided fine needle aspirations (FNA) of suspicious lymph nodes in patients with human papillomavirus (HPV) (+) oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). Additional objectives included identifying patient specific factors affecting biopsy accuracy and evaluating potential differences in accuracy between fine and core needle biopsies. Study Design Retrospective chart review. Materials and Methods A retrospective study of diagnostic sensitivity was completed at a single tertiary care center between 1/1/2006–12/31/2016. Participants included patients who underwent pretreatment FNA biopsy with HPV(+)OPSCC confirmed pathologically following neck dissection or excisional lymph node biopsy. A true positive (TP) on FNA biopsy was defined as an FNA biopsy concerning for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) that was confirmed on excisional biopsy or neck dissection. A false negative (FN) was defined as a negative FNA but metastatic disease identified on excisional biopsy or neck dissection. Sensitivity was calculated as TPs/(TPs + FNs). Sensitivity was compared among techniques using chi‐square and Fisher exact tests. Results A total of 209 FNA biopsies among 198 patients were included in the study, including 31 (15%) palpation‐guided FNAs, 160 (77%) ultrasound‐guided FNAs, and 18 (9%) ultrasound‐guided FNA + core biopsies. Sensitivity was significantly different among palpation‐guided FNA, ultrasound‐guided FNA, and ultrasound‐guided FNA + core biopsies (48% vs. 83% vs. 94%, respectively; P < .001) but there was no significant difference in sensitivity between ultrasound‐guided FNA versus ultrasound‐guided FNA + core biopsies ( P = .31). Conclusion The use of ultrasound guidance in FNA biopsies of nodal metastases in HPV(+)OPSCC improves sensitivity compared to palpation guidance alone. Ultrasound guided biopsies are preferred in patients with suspected nodal metastasis from HPV(+)OPSCC. Level of Evidence 3 Laryngoscope , 132:2396–2402, 2022

Oronasal fistula (ONF) is a common complication encountered after palatoplasty. Repair is indicated when symptoms impact speech and swallowing. In spite of the variety of surgical approaches described to repair these defects, recurrence rates remain high. Traditionally, successful closure is said to be achieved in using a double-layered approach due to the three-dimensional aspect of the defect. The extent of the fistula into the nasal cavity has incited an increased curiosity in using local endonasal flaps. In recent years, endonasal reconstructive procedures have seen increased interest and application, from cranial base defect repairs to orbital reconstruction and beyond. The nasoseptal (NSF) and inferior turbinate flaps (ITF) possess a robust arterial supply and an exceptional reach with excellent results demonstrated in large defect repair. However, the use of these flaps in ONF repair is scarcely discussed in the literature, and their effectiveness is relatively undetermined. In this manuscript, we present a series of three patients who underwent a triple layer ONF closure, with the oral portion incorporating a turn-in mucosal flap plus a local palate rotation flap or greater palatine artery pedicled-rotation flap, and a NSF or an ITF for the nasal portion of the defect.

ObjectiveInvestigate oncologic and functional outcomes associated with transhyoid and lateral pharyngotomy (transpharyngeal) approaches in the treatment of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC).Study DesignRetrospective review.SettingSingle institution (tertiary care center).MethodsThis is a retrospective case series of patients with OPSCC undergoing transpharyngeal resection from 1990 to 2017 at Mayo Clinic. Oncologic outcomes, postoperative complications, objective swallowing data, and rates of tracheostomy and percutaneous gastrostomy tube dependence were recorded.ResultsOf 83 patients meeting inclusion criteria, 56 (68%) were human papillomavirus positive. Overall survival rates at 5 and 10 years following surgery were 85% and 80%, respectively. Cancer‐specific survival rates at these same time points were 90% and 88%. Following treatment, 35 of 49 patients (71%) had a Functional Oral Intake Scale score ≥5, indicating total oral intake of multiple consistencies; 79 of 82 (96%) were without tracheostomy or laryngectomy; and 71 of 81 (88%) were on a full oral diet.ConclusionTranspharyngeal approaches provide adequate functional and oncologic outcomes in the majority of patients with OPSCC. These results may have important implications for patients who are not candidates for, or are unwilling to undergo, nonoperative therapy or for those without access to radiation therapy.