Incidence and Risk Factors of Velopharyngeal Insufficiency Postadenotonsillectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the incidence and risk factors of velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) postadenoidectomy, posttonsillectomy, and postadenotonsillectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: Academic tertiary care center (2007-2014). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of patients who underwent adenoidectomies, tonsillectomies, or adenotonsillectomies by 1 pediatric otolaryngologist. Patient's age, sex, type of surgery, indication for surgery, medical syndromes, tonsil grade, adenoid size, and pre- and postoperative nasal air emissions were obtained. RESULTS: The VPI risk at 3 weeks postoperatively was 13.6% (95% CI: 9.0%, 18.2%) for adenotonsillectomies, 3.2% (95% CI: 1.2%, 7.6%) for adenoidectomies, and 2.2% (95% CI: 2.1%, 6.5%) for tonsillectomies. There was a significantly higher risk of VPI with combined procedures in comparison with adenoidectomies (P = .02) or tonsillectomies alone (P = .03). There was no significant difference in risk of VPI between adenoidectomies and tonsillectomies (P = .78); between surgical indication groups (sleep-disordered breathing vs other; P = .15); or in terms of sex (P = .80), age (P = .11), tonsil grade (P = .96), or adenoid size (P = .15). There was no qualitative difference in postoperative nasal air emissions between patients with and without medical syndromes. CONCLUSION: Our data are consistent with the literature that most VPI after adenotonsillectomy is temporary in nature and resolves by 5 months postoperatively. Combined procedures were shown to have a significantly higher risk of VPI. Our rates of VPI were much higher than that previously cited and may be indicative of subclinical cases of VPI, which were accounted for due to this study's unique methodology.

A general review of the otolaryngologic manifestations of Down Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: Down Syndrome (DS) is the most common chromosome abnormality in liveborn children. Otolaryngologists frequently encounter these patients in their practice; in one survey, 50% of DS patients had been seen by Otolaryngology at least once. As such, it is essential that the practicing Otolaryngologist is aware of the otologic, rhinologic, and laryngologic manifestations of this complex disease and comfortable in the management and treatment of these unique patients. Our goal was to provide this information in a concise and definitive document. METHODS: A comprehensive literature review using PubMed was completed. The terms "Otolaryngology", "Head and neck", "Ear, nose, throat", "Down Syndrome", and "Trisomy 21" were searched in various combinations. Applicable articles that discussed the Otolaryngologic manifestations of Down Syndrome were included. RESULTS: In total, fifty articles were included for review. The Down Syndrome child tends to have smaller external ear canals, have higher rates of chronic ear disease, and may present with conductive, sensorineural, or mixed hearing loss. As such, DS patients should receive behaviouralaudiological testing every 6 monthsand annually after the age of three in addition to closer follow-up by an Otolaryngologist if tympanic membranes cannot be visualized or if the external auditory canals are significantly stenosed. Management should involve close follow-up and a low threshold for PE tube placement to reduce the risks for speech and language delay. Chronic rhinitis in the Down Syndrome patient is common. Retrognathia, hypotonia, and macroglossia can all cause obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in this population and therefore each DS patient should get an overnight polysomnograph. Subglottic stenosis, vocal cord paralysis and laryngomalacia are not infrequently seen in the Down Syndrome patient. To reduce acquired subglottic stenosis, endotracheal tubes that are at least two sizes smaller than what is appropriate for the patient's age should be used. CONCLUSION: Down Syndrome is common and there are many Otolaryngologic manifestations. We recommend that this patient population visit an Otolaryngologist on a regular basis and that the practicing Otolaryngologist is comfortable with the management and treatment of the unique challenges faced with these children.