Risk of post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage among COVID-19 positive pediatric patients.

OBJECTIVE: COVID-19 infection has been demonstrated to increase risk for post-operative bleeding. This study investigated the impact of COVID-19 infection on post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage in pediatric patients, a potentially devastating complication. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: The TriNetX database was queried for pediatric patients who underwent tonsillectomy and evaluated for outcomes of primary and secondary post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage. RESULTS: Among subjects 18 years and younger, 1226 were COVID-19 positive and 38,241 were COVID-19 negative in the perioperative period. There was statistically significant increased risk of bleeding with perioperative COVID-19 infection at postoperative days 1, 5, and 10. Additionally, when assessing the role of COVID-19 infection before or after surgery, the risk of bleeding remained statistically significant at all three time points, however these results did not suggest that infection before surgery confers more/less risk compared to infection after. CONCLUSION: The results of this investigation suggest that the presence of COVID-19 in the perioperative period may pose an increased risk for acute or delayed post tonsillectomy hemorrhage. This study employed a large, diverse population and is the first to address this clinical question.

Head and Neck Merkel Cell Carcinoma: Therapeutic Benefit of Adjuvant Radiotherapy for Nodal Disease.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of post-operative radiotherapy (PORT) with respect to nodal status among patients with head and neck Merkel cell carcinoma (HNMCC). METHODS: In this retrospective study, we queried Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) dataset from 2000 through 2019. We included all adult patients who received primary surgical resection for histologically confirmed treatment naive HNMCC. Entropy balancing was used to reweight observations such that there was covariate balance between patients who received PORT and patients who received surgical resection alone. Doubly robust estimation was achieved by incorporating weights into a multivariable cox proportional hazards model. Planned post hoc subgroup analysis was performed to evaluate the impact of PORT by pathological node status. RESULTS: Among 752 patients (mean age, 73.3 years [SD 10.8]; 64.2% male; 91.2% White; 41.9% node-positive), 60.4% received PORT. Among node-positive patients, we found that PORT was associated with improved overall survival (OS) (aHR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.37-0.81; p = 0.003) and improved disease-specific survival (DSS) (aHR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.35-0.92; p = 0.022). Among node-negative patients, we found that PORT was not associated with OS and was associated with worse DSS (aHR, 2.34; 95% CI, 1.30-4.23; p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: We found that PORT was associated with improved OS and DSS for node-positive patients and worse DSS for node-negative patients. For HNMCC treated with primary surgical resection, these data confirm the value of PORT for pathologically node-positive patients and support the use of single modality surgical therapy for pathologically node-negative patients without other adverse risk factors. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 4 Laryngoscope, 2024.

Targeting safety: Exploring trends and risk factors in pediatric head and neck BB gun injuries and hospitalization.

OBJECTIVE: To examine head and neck injuries caused by BB (Ball Bearing) guns treated in US emergency departments among children under 18 to identify trends in injury frequency over time and risk factors associated with severe injuries leading to hospital admission. METHODS: This retrospective study utilized data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS), a single database, to analyze head and neck injuries caused by BB guns between 1993 and 2019. The analysis explored demographic characteristics and injury patterns, including sex, age, incidence, injury location, hospital type, and disposition. Linear regression was employed to assess trends in the yearly frequency of injuries, while univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratios associated with hospitalization. RESULTS: A total of 4041 cases of pediatric head and neck injuries caused by BB guns and treated in US emergency departments were identified. Most patients were male (84 %), with the highest proportion of injuries occurring in the 10-14 age group (49.7 %). The face (35.8 %) and eye (27.4 %) were the most affected injury sites, and 7.5 % of patients required hospital admission. No significant linear trend was observed in injury frequency over the study period. However, children aged four and under had higher odds of hospitalization (OR 2.77, 95 % CI 1.61-4.75) despite a lower incidence of injuries. Injuries to the eye (OR 12.37, 95 % CI 8.31-18.43) and neck (OR 7.58, 95 % CI 4.76-12.06) were strong predictors of hospital admission. CONCLUSION: Pediatric BB gun-related head and neck injuries remain a source of emergency room visits nationally. Younger children are at increased risk of admission to the hospital. Eye and neck injuries were the strongest predictors of hospital admission. Implementing safety precautions for younger children is crucial, as injuries might be more severe in this age group.

Pediatric Airway Balloon Dilation: Urge for Safety Redesign.

Airway balloons are widely used by otolaryngologists to treat laryngotracheal stenosis. We review an adverse event and interventions that may prevent similar occurrences. There are no other reports of similar incidents in the Food and Drug Administration Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience. We implore Acclarent to redesign their airway balloon device to prevent accidental airway irrigation.

Quantitative Ergonomic Comparison of Traditional Versus Endoscopic-Assisted Tonsillectomies: A Prospective Case-Control Study.

Objective: Quantitatively compare the ergonomics of traditional tonsillectomy versus an endoscopic-assisted tonsillectomy. Methods: The physical positioning of the senior author was studied during a simulation of two different operative approaches to tonsillectomy: one using an endoscope and one using direct visualization without the aid of an endoscope. Whole-body postural data was collected and analyzed using the validated Rapid Upper Limb Assessments (RULA) tool to calculate the risk of musculoskeletal injuries. Results: Severe neck and trunk flexion are high-risk postures unique to the traditional approach. The RULA score for the traditional, non-endoscopic approach was 5, with a Neck, Trunk, and Leg Score of 6 and a Wrist/Arm score of 1. The RULA score for the endoscopic-assisted approach was 3, with a Neck, Trunk, and Leg score of 4 and a Wrist/Arm score of 1. The difference between the two approaches narrowed down to the effect on neck positioning (angle decreased from > 20 degrees with traditional to nearly 0 degrees with endoscopic) and trunk positioning (angle decreased from 20 to 60 degrees with traditional to 0 degrees with endoscopic). Conclusion: An endoscopic-assisted approach to tonsillectomy allowed for a lower RULA score compared to the traditional tonsillectomy. This study suggests that an endoscopic approach may decrease the potential for musculoskeletal strain and reduce occupational-related pain and injury seen in practicing otolaryngologists.

Retropharyngeal Abscess With Mediastinal Extension: A Case Series and Review of the Literature.

Deep neck infections are common in infants and occur in several anatomic subsites including the retropharyngeal space. Retropharyngeal abscesses are significant given their propensity for mediastinal extension and can have life-threatening sequelae. We present 3 cases of retropharyngeal abscess with mediastinal extension in infants. In one case, an incompletely vaccinated 10-month-old boy presented with cough, rhinorrhea, and fever. Despite antibiotic treatment, he developed Horner's syndrome and hypoxia. A computed tomography (CT) scan showed a C1-T7 retropharyngeal abscess. He underwent transoral incision and drainage and recovered fully. In another case, a 12-month old infant presented with 8 days of fever and neck pain. A CT scan showed a retropharyngeal collection extending to the mediastinum and right hemithorax. Transoral incision and drainage and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery thoracotomy were performed for abscess drainage. He recovered fully with antibiotics. In the third case, an 8-month-old boy presented to the emergency room following several days of fever, lethargy, and decreased neck range of motion. A CT scan showed a large retropharyngeal abscess that required both transoral and transcervical drainage. His case was complicated by septic shock, yet the patient eventually made a full recovery.

Complications associated with costal cartilage harvest in pediatric laryngotracheal reconstruction.

Objective: We aimed to determine the rate of complications associated with autologous costal cartilage graft harvest for pediatric laryngotracheal reconstruction (LTR). Secondarily, we sought to identify risk factors associated with the harvest of autologous costal cartilage, as well as evaluate management strategies. Data Sources: An electronic database search of Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, and PubMed was completed for articles pertaining to complications in autologous costal cartilage harvest for pediatric LTR. Review Methods: This systematic review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guidelines. The study characteristics, operative information, and patient demographics were collected. The data concerning postoperative complications, risk factors, and management strategies were collected and analyzed for patterns. Results: A total of 31 manuscripts representing 745 patients were included for analysis. The reported donor site complications included pneumothorax (n = 13, 1.74%), pleural tear (n = 5, 0.67%), infection (n = 8, 1.07%), and scar-related problems (n = 2, 0.26%). There were no reported cases of seroma, persistent pain, or chest wall deformity. Only five studies discussed the management of donor site complications, with intervention in 11 (39.28%) patients including chest tube drainage and steroid injection. Conclusion: There is significant variability in the literature regarding complication rates in autologous costal cartilage harvest for pediatric LTR. The incidence of major postoperative complications is low and supports the use of autologous costal cartilage as graft material for pediatric LTR. Level of Evidence: NA.

The pediatric indications for tonsillectomy and adenotonsillectomy: Race/ethnicity, age, and gender.

Objective: To evaluate how pediatric indications for tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy relate to gender, race/ethnicity, and age. Methods: Included consecutive pediatric patients who underwent tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy from a single tertiary academic institution between 2012 and 2019. Logistic regression analysis was used to measure association between the indication for tonsillectomy and the demographic variables gender, race/ethnicity, and age. Results: Of the 1106 children included in this study, 53% were male and 47% were female. Half of the children were White, 40% were African American, 6% were Hispanic and 4% were other. The most common indication for surgery was upper airway obstruction alone (66%), followed by obstruction and infection (22%), and recurrent infections (12%). We found that male gender (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.24-2.04), African American race (OR 2.76, 95% CI 2.08-3.65), and younger age were associated with greater odds of presenting with upper airway obstruction as the indication for tonsillectomy. Conversely, male gender (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.44-0.92), African American race (OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.26-0.61), and younger age were associated with lower odds of presenting with recurrent infection as the indication for tonsillectomy. Conclusions: Male gender, African American race, and young age are risk factors for tonsillar surgery due to airway obstruction. Female gender, White race, and older age are risk factors for tonsillar surgery due to recurrent throat infections. Level of Evidence: 3.

Analyzing Diversity Elements on Otolaryngology Residency Program Websites.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate how the internet presence of Otolaryngology residency programs influences recruitment of diverse applicants. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Website, Instagram, and AAMC Residency Explorer data from all US, non-military, allopathic otolaryngology residency programs. METHODS: We identified 10 common ways in which residency programs communicate their commitment to diversity through web-based platforms. We then analyzed program websites and Instagram pages for the presence of these 10 diversity elements. Univariate and multivariate linear regression were used to evaluate the association between presence of a diversity elements and the proportion of underrepresented minority residents in the program. RESULTS: Review of 106 Otolaryngology residency program websites and Instagram pages was completed from February to May 2021. Most programs (69.8%) satisfied at least one diversity element. Of the programs reviewed, 83 had demographic information available for comparison. After adjusting for Doximity ranking, multivariate linear regression demonstrated that several elements were positive predictors of program diversity. Diversity and inclusion message (p < 0.0001), statement encouraging URM applicants (p < 0.0001), dedicated diversity chair/committee (p = 0.005), and diversity related articles/blog posts (p = 0.006) were independently associated with a greater proportion of URM residents in a given program. CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate that providing diversity related information on residency program websites may play a role in improving program diversity. The large percentage of programs that lack the presence of any diversity element (30.2%) demonstrates that there is significant room for improvement. This study presents a promising strategy through which programs can improve recruitment of diverse residents.

Citations and Author Characteristics in Open-Access and Subscription-Based Otolaryngology Journals.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the academic impact and author characteristics of open-access journals in otolaryngology. METHODS: Original articles from three open-access (OTO Open, Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology, and World Journal of Otorhinolaryngology) and three conventional subscription-based otolaryngology specific journals (Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, The Laryngoscope, JAMA Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery) were assessed. Publication dates of articles from January 2017 to July 2020 were included. Google Scholar and Web of Science citation counts were recorded. H-indexes of first and last authors were included according to Google Scholar and Web of Science and analyzed. RESULTS: This analysis included 3284 articles. Articles published in open-access otolaryngology-specific journals had significantly fewer citations on average (6.8) than articles published in subscription-based journals (12.4, p < 0.0001). The last authors of articles published in subscription-based journals had significantly higher h-indexes (23.50) compared with the last authors of articles published in open-access journals (19.53, p < 0.0001). The first authors of articles published in open-access journals had similar h-indexes (10.26) as the first authors of articles published in subscription-based journals (10.33). CONCLUSIONS: Articles published in open-access journals in otolaryngology were cited significantly less than those published in subscription-based journals. The h-index of the last authors was significantly lower in open-access journals; however, the h-index of the first authors was similar between open-access and subscription-based journals. As measured by citations, open-access publications do not yet appear to have the impact of subscription-based publications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA Laryngoscope, 133:79-82, 2023.

Eagle syndrome in the pediatric population: A case report.

OBJECTIVES: To present a rare case of Eagle Syndrome in a pediatric patient, reminding the medical community to keep this diagnosis on their differential.

A Retrospective Cohort Study of the Impact of Upper Lip Tie Release on Breastfeeding in Infants.

Objectives: Lingual frenotomies for the purpose of improving infant breastfeeding remain controversial, whereas maxillary frenotomies are even more so given the scant data and differing opinions on the matter. This study aimed at further elucidating the effect that maxillary frenula have on breastfeeding difficulties in infants. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on infants approximately aged 0-3 months who presented to a tongue tie/breastfeeding clinic from January to December of 2019. All analyzed infants had both lip and tongue ties classified by a clinician. Data on pre-frenotomy pain scores, lingual Coryllos classification, maxillary Kotlow classification, post-frenotomy complications, and breastfeeding success were captured. Results: Of the 316 infants, 224 underwent their first procedure at the tongue tie/breastfeeding clinic. Two hundred eleven out of 224 infants received a lingual frenotomy only, whereas the remaining 13 (5.8%) underwent both lingual and maxillary frenotomy procedures. Of the group of 211, 207 (98.1%) had successful feeding after 1 procedure; the remaining 4 underwent revision procedures to achieve successful feeding. All maxillary frenulum releases (n = 13) led to successful feeding without the need for revision procedures. Coryllos and Kotlow classification scores were significantly higher in the infants receiving both a maxillary and lingual frenulum release as compared with those receiving solely a lingual frenulum release. Conclusions: The majority (98.1%) of infants receiving a lingual frenulum release alone had successful feeding after only one procedure, and only 5.8% of all infants receiving any intervention required a maxillary frenulum release for successful feeding, calling into question the relative necessity of performing maxillary frenulum releases for breastfeeding difficulties.

Hurdles in Diversifying Otolaryngology: A Survey of Medical Students.

The field of otolaryngology has one of the lowest rates of racial and ethnic diversity. An anonymous survey was distributed to members of the Student National Medical Association at different medical schools to identify factors that may contribute to this disparity. Responses were received from 104 students at 36 allopathic medical schools. Most respondents identified as black (86.5%). One-third of students (34.6%) noted that they were discouraged from pursuing otolaryngology due to lack of mentorship, and among these students, most noted that they lack mentors of the same race (75%). One-fourth of respondents (25%) indicated that they lack a home otolaryngology program. The most common reasons for participants' disinterest in otolaryngology included competitiveness, inadequate exposure, research, and the high board scores needed to match. This hypothesis-generating, proof-of-concept study highlights potential barriers that may discourage underrepresented medical students from pursuing a career in otolaryngology.

Downward Trend in Resident Myringotomy and Tympanostomy Tube Experience.

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVE: Historically, myringotomy, and the insertion of tympanostomy tubes has served as one of the initial surgical training experiences for residents. Resident experience with this procedure since the introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines has not been well described in the literature. The objective of this study was to identify trends in resident training experience with chronic otitis media-related surgeries, such as myringotomy and tympanostomy tube placement. While multiple factors influence resident experience, we hypothesize that resident experience has decreased since the introduction of the pneumococcal 13-valent conjugate vaccine (PCV13). METHODS AND MATERIALS: In a retrospective review of Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) National Data Reports, mean number of myringotomy and tympanostomy tube cases logged in the Resident Case Log System from 2006 to 2019 were collated and plotted against years to identify monotonic trends. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare pre-PCV13 era and post-PCV13 era data. RESULTS: Since the introduction of PCV13, there is a national decreasing trend in the myringotomy and tympanostomy tube placement by otolaryngology residents (P = .001). CONCLUSIONS: Otologic surgeries are an important part of resident education and historically have served as one of the initial surgical training experiences for residents. There has been a significant reduction in the number of myringotomy and tympanostomy procedures performed by otolaryngology residents in the past decade. While multiple factors influence resident experience, it is possible that introduction of PCV13 has impacted resident exposure to myringotomy and tympanostomy tube placement. Resident proficiency with this procedure has likely not been affected by introduction of PCV13. Data should be reassessed in 5 years to determine if an impact of the PCV13 vaccine on resident training is evident.

Fireworks Injuries to the Head and Neck: A Retrospective Analysis Between 2008 and 2017.

This study examines firework-associated head and neck injuries in the United States from 2008 to 2017 obtained from a single epidemiology source. The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) was used to collect epidemiologic data and retrospectively analyze firework-associated injuries from 2008 to 2017. Injury types included burns, concussions, contusions, foreign bodies, hematomas, internal organ injury, lacerations, and puncture wounds. Four hundred and thirty-one individuals were originally included; however, 14 participants were excluded due to inadequate injury information. Chi-squared analyses were performed between the following categorical variables: gender vs body part injured, patient age vs injury type, and patient age vs body part injured. About 417 injuries to the head and neck (67.4% male, 32.6% female) were treated in NEISS-reporting emergency departments during the 10-year period. Sixty-nine percent of the injuries occurred in July. Body parts injured included the ear (10.6%), face (61.6%), head (13.0%), mouth (4.8%), and neck (10.0%). Chi-squared analysis demonstrated an association between gender and body part injured (P = .0001). Patient age (P = .066) was independent of injury type. Children aged 0 to 12 years had the highest probability of being injured (40.2%), then adults 22 and older (33.1%) and adolescents 13 to 21 years (26.9%). Given that the preponderance of injuries caused by fireworks occurred primarily in minors, pediatricians should screen for any household firework use during the anticipatory guidance portion of well-child checks, which we believe would improve patient safety and decrease injury rates.

Frenotomy Revision Rate in Breastfeeding Infants: The Impact of Early Versus Late Follow-Up.

Purpose: The protocol for postoperative follow-up time after lingual frenotomy in breastfeeding infants with ankyloglossia was changed from 2 weeks to 1 week at our institution. This study examined the impact of this change in practice on frenotomy revision rate. Materials and Methods: A retrospective chart review of breastfeeding infants who underwent lingual frenotomy for ankyloglossia from January 2016 to December 2017 was performed. Subjects were divided into 1-week (1-9 days) and 2-week (10-20 days) follow-up groups. Statistical analyses were performed to investigate the relationship between revision rate and postoperative follow-up time, as well as additional patient characteristics. Results: Of the 369 patients included in the study, 34 (9.2%) underwent frenotomy revision. The individual revision rates of the 1- and 2-week follow-up cohorts were 5.2% and 12.7%, respectively. The difference in revision rate was statistically significant (p = 0.022), and logistic regression revealed the odds of revision for the 2-week cohort to be 2.67 times (95% confidence interval: 1.207-5.918) greater than the 1-week cohort (p = 0.015). Conclusion: This study demonstrates a significant association between a shorter postoperative follow-up time and decreased frenotomy revision rate. With earlier follow-up, manual adjustment can be performed sooner in the postoperative period as needed, which may prevent scarring or healing complications that usually necessitate full revision. Our findings support a shift to a shorter postoperative follow-up time as a means of improving frenotomy outcomes.

Role of tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy in parental satisfaction of treatments for PANDAS.

OBJECTIVE: To examine caregiver satisfaction with treatments for pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococcus (PANDAS) and how symptom frequency changes over time. METHODS: A list was created for PANDAS subjects seen at the Georgetown Pediatric Otolaryngology clinic from 2015 to 2018. Questionnaires were distributed to caregivers able to be contacted; 62% responded (n = 60). Subjects were placed in groups based on treatments reported: tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy (T&A, n = 28), T&A and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG, n = 22), or nonsurgical treatment(s) (n = 10). Caregivers reported frequencies for each of 10 associated symptoms from time of treatment to 12 months and also expressed their satisfaction with treatment. RESULTS: Patients were treated with antibiotics (n = 60, 100%), T&A (83.3%), IVIG (40%), Rituximab (15%), steroids (20%), and/or plasma exchange (10%). Caregivers for 66% (n = 33) of surgical patients identified T&A as the most effective treatment, and 80% would choose the operation again. No difference in median caregiver satisfaction level was found among the groups (n = 0.196). There was no significant difference in frequency for any of the symptoms (all p > 0.05) except choreiform movement (p = 0.0296). CONCLUSION: Caregivers reported a decreasing frequency of symptoms over time regardless of treatment and had no difference in satisfaction. T&A was the most preferred treatment and the most impactful on symptoms for surgical patients. Given the challenges of immunologic therapies, T&A in combination with antibiotics should be considered as an early intervention for PANDAS.

The aural foreign body space: A review of pediatric ear foreign bodies and a management paradigm.

PURPOSE: We aim to describe and review the management of pediatric aural foreign bodies (FBs). METHODS: We performed an observational study and retrospective chart review with statistical analysis of management for patients presenting with aural FBs to the Emergency Department (ED) with or without ENT consultation, or presenting directly to the ENT clinic. RESULTS: There were 166 objects in the ears of 155 children. Paper and beads were the most common objects. Micro-alligator forceps and small right-angle hooks were the most commonly used instruments for removal. 60% of patients had attempted removal prior to referral to Otolaryngology, who removed 72% of the FBs in the outpatient setting, 23% in the operating room, and 2.5% in the ED. CONCLUSION: Taking into account certain characteristics of the object reflects an efficient manner in which to determine referral of difficult removals to Otolaryngology. Providers should determine if the FB is very hard or very soft and spherical or cylindrical with secondary consideration of cost to the patient and hospital in order to properly navigate treatment. Soft and irregular objects may be extracted without need for referral to Otolaryngology. Patients with aural FBs that are hard or round, in instances which previous attempts have failed, and/or where there is trauma to the ear should be referred to Otolaryngology to avoid worsening the position of the FB and increasing the chances of requiring removal in the operating room.

Analysis of Electronic Cigarette-Related Injury Presenting to U.S. Emergency Departments, 2008-2017.

BACKGROUND: Several types of injuries associated with electronic cigarette malfunction have been reported in the literature since their introduction to the U.S. market in 2007. The traumatic consequences of electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) malfunction remain an under-researched topic. OBJECTIVES: Using information from a national database of emergency department (ED) visits, we sought to characterize the nature and frequency of ENDS injuries over a 10-year study period. METHODS: Archived information from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System was accessed for the years 2008 to 2017. Incidents related to ENDS-related trauma were manually identified. Data extracted included patient demographics, injury type and location, and patient disposition. RESULTS: A total of 49 incidents were recorded during the years 2008 to 2017, including 18 cases in 2017, 25 cases in 2016, five cases in 2015, and one case in 2013. There were no identified ED visits for an e-cigarette-related burn or explosion prior to 2013. Using statistical weights, the estimated annual national incidence is 835 cases. Most of the injuries were thermal burns. The primary location of injury was in the lower extremity, followed by the upper extremity and hand. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates a significant increase in the number of ENDS-related injuries over the study period, particularly in males under the age of 45 years. This rise mirrors the growth of the ENDS market and this trend can be expected to continue. As the use of ENDS is expected to increase, physicians should become familiar with the nature of associated injuries.