Delphi Method Consensus on Priority Global Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Conditions and Procedures.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to develop an international expert consensus on priority otolaryngology-head and neck surgery conditions and procedures globally for which national health systems should be capable of caring. STUDY DESIGN: The Delphi method was employed via a multiround online survey administered to attending otolaryngologists in an international research collaborative of >180 otolaryngologists in >40 countries. SETTING: International online survey. METHODS: In round 1, participants listed the top 15 otolaryngologic conditions and top 15 otolaryngology procedures for their World Bank regions. In round 2, participants ranked round 1 responses in order of global importance on a 5-point Likert scale. In round 3, participants reranked conditions and procedures that did not achieve consensus, defined as 50% of the round 2 Likert responses being ranked as "important" or "very important." Descriptive statistics were calculated for each round. RESULTS: The survey was distributed to 53 experts globally, with a response rate of 38% (n = 20). Fifty percent (n = 10) of participants were from low- and middle-income countries, with at least 1 participant from each World Bank region. Ten consensus surgical procedures and 10 consensus conditions were identified. CONCLUSION: This study identified a list of priority otolaryngology-head and neck surgery conditions and surgical procedures for which all national health systems around the world should be capable of managing. Acute and infectious conditions with preventative and emergent procedures were highlighted. These findings can direct future research and guide international collaborations.

Impact of Prior Unilateral Chest Wall Radiotherapy on Outcomes in Bilateral Breast Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of prior unilateral chest wall radiotherapy on reconstructive outcomes among patients undergoing bilateral immediate breast reconstruction. METHODS: A retrospective evaluation of patients with a history of unilateral chest wall radiotherapy was performed. In each patient, the previously irradiated and reconstructed breast was compared to the contralateral nonirradiated side, which served as an internal control. Descriptive and bivariate statistics were computed. Multiple regression statistics were computed to identify adjusted associations between chest wall radiotherapy and complications. RESULTS: Seventy patients were included in the study. The mean follow-up period was 51.8 months (range, 10 to 113 months). Thirty-eight patients underwent implant-based breast reconstruction; 32 patients underwent abdominal autologous flap reconstruction. Previously irradiated breast had a significantly higher rate of overall complications (51 percent versus 27 percent; p < 0.0001), infection (13 percent versus 6 percent; p = 0.026), and major skin necrosis (9 percent versus 3 percent; p = 0.046). After adjusting for age, body mass index, reconstruction method, and medical comorbidities, prior chest wall radiotherapy was a significant risk factor for breast-related complications (OR, 2.98; p < 0.0001), infection (OR, 2.59; p = 0.027), and major skin necrosis (OR, 3.47; p = 0.0266). There were no differences between implant-based and autologous reconstructions with regard to complications (p = 0.76). CONCLUSION: Prior chest wall radiotherapy is associated with a 3-fold increased risk of postoperative complications following immediate breast reconstruction. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, III.