Patient reported outcome measures: The impact of environment on VHI-10 responses.

Objective: A key outcome measure in the clinical evaluation of dysphonia is the Voice Handicap Index (VHI-10). The clinical validity of the VHI-10 was established from surveys administered in the physician's office. We aim to understand whether VHI-10 responses remain reliable when the questionnaire is completed in settings other than the physician's office. Methods: This is a prospective observational study conducted over a 3-month period in the outpatient laryngology setting. Thirty-five adult patients presenting with a complaint of dysphonia, which was symptomatically stable for the preceding 3 months, were identified. Each patient completed a VHI-10 survey during the initial office visit, followed by three weekly out-of-office (termed "ambulatory") VHI-10 surveys, over the course of 12 weeks. The specific setting in which the patient completed the survey was recorded (social, home, or work). The Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID) is defined as 6 points based on existing literature. T-tests and a test of one proportion were used for analysis. Results: A total of 553 responses were collected. Of these, 347 ambulatory scores (63%) differed from the Office score by at least the MCID. Specifically, 94 (27%) were higher than the in-office score by 6 or more points while 253 (73%) were lower. Conclusion: The setting in which the VHI-10 is completed affects how the patient answers the questions. The score is dynamic, reflecting effects of the patients' environment during completion. Utilization of VHI-10 scores to measure clinical treatment response is only valid if each response is obtained in the same setting. Level of Evidence: 4.

Postparotidectomy sialocele: 6-year review of underlying factors.

BACKGROUND: Postparotidectomy sialocele is a frustrating challenge. Published rates of postparotidectomy fluid collections range from 6% to 39%. We report our experience of 398 parotidectomies performed over a 6-year period. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of parotidectomies performed over a 6-year period was completed. Drain placement, smoking status, tumor size, and postoperative utilization of scopolamine were analyzed. Binary logistical regression and odds ratio calculations were performed. RESULTS: Postparotidectomy sialocele occurred in 25% of patients. Neither suction drain placement nor usage of immediate postoperative scopolamine (in a 22-patient subset) prevented sialocele formation. Smoking status also did not correlate. Increasing resection size was linearly correlated with the risk of sialocele. CONCLUSION: Drain placement and smoking status do not correlate with sialocele prevention after parotidectomy. Sialocele formation directly correlates with the resection size. These data may guide preoperative counseling; however, additional work is necessary to identify effective prevention mechanisms for postparotidectomy sialocele.

Treatment of the Middle Third and Septal Deformity: A Trizonal Approach.

Genetic, developmental, traumatic factors can produce a wide variety of nasal septal deformities in caudal-cephalic/dorsal-maxillary planes alone or in combination. These can be corrected by an endonasal approach through a transfixion incision by resecting, transposing, or utilizing principles of cartilage biomechanics. The authors are proposing a "Rosetta Stone" based on a trizonal analysis of the deviated nose that considers the contribution of each region to the deformity. Clinical assessment of the deviated nose should be segmental as well as global. Surgical correlation of the nasal bones, perpendicular, and quadrilateral plates, lateral cartilages, and turbinates may be necessary to achieve a satisfactory cosmetic and functional results.

Expanding Our Reach: the Value of Massage Therapists in Melanoma Identification.

Massage therapists are uniquely positioned to identify skin cancer. Seminal work in 2013 revealed that 40% of massage therapists do not receive any training in skin cancer identification (Campbell et al. J Cancer Educ 28:158-164, 2013). Limited work has been published assessing optimal training methodologies to close this educational gap. We present the results of a study in which students were given access to a 30-min self-driven web-based learning module designed to teach the high yield points of melanoma demographics and clinical features. The students completed pre- and post-testing, the results of which indicated improved knowledge levels and improved confidence in detecting suspected melanoma. We conclude that a 30-min learning module may be sufficient to improve massage therapists' ability and comfort level in identifying melanoma. The ease of delivery of web-based modules may make this an important approach in ensuring that massage therapists receive basic training in skin cancer identification.

Modernizing the Otolaryngology Referral Workflow: The Impact of Electronic Consultation.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To determine the impact of electronic consultation on the otolaryngology clinic workflow at our high-volume public hospital. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective Observational Study. METHODS: This is a retrospective observational analysis study. Operational data regarding clinic volume, referral patterns, and scheduling efficiency were assessed over a 9-month period in 2018 prior to implementation of electronic consultation. The same data were collected for the 9-month period immediately following implementation of electronic consultation in 2019. RESULTS: During the pre-implementation (pre-EC) period, 3,243 otolaryngology referrals were made as compared to 4,249 post-implementation (post-EC). 86% of referrals were scheduled for a clinic appointment pre-EC, compared to 61% post-EC (P < .00001) 24.5% of patients were evaluated within 30 days pre-EC compared to 53.6% post-EC (P < .00001). The average time to be seen by an otolaryngology provider declined from 60.8 days pre-EC to 42.8 days post-EC (P = .0029). There was a 50% decline in the percentage of appointments canceled by patients in the post-EC period as compared to pre-EC. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, implementation of electronic consultation significantly reduced both wait times for a clinic appointment and the percentage of no-show or canceled appointments. Electronic consultation may be a valuable tool in improving the efficiency and yield of the modern otolaryngology clinic. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 131:E1792-E1796, 2021.

The Use of Fluids in Sepsis.

Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response to severe infection causing significant morbidity and mortality that costs the health care system $20.3 billion annually within the United States. It is well established that fluid resuscitation is a central component of sepsis management; however, to date there is no consensus as to the ideal composition of fluid used for resuscitation. In this review, we discuss the progression of clinical research comparing various fluids, as well as the historical background behind fluid selection for volume resuscitation. We conclude that the use of balanced fluids, such as Ringer's Lactate, seems very promising but further research is needed to confirm their role.