Patterns of Opioid Usage and Predictors of Utilization Following Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Pain control is an important topic that has not been extensively studied in patients undergoing endoscopic skull base surgery (ESBS). The purpose of this study is to identify opioid requirements after ESBS and the risk factors predictive of increased use. METHODS: This study was a retrospective review of all patients undergoing ESBS at a tertiary academic skull base surgery program between July 2018 and August 2020. The primary outcome variable was total morphine equivalent dose (MED) requirements after surgery, calculated as the sum of all morphine milligram equivalents over a 24-h period, and summated across the duration of each participant's hospital course. RESULTS: 94 patients were included in this review. Average daily MED requirements were 14.00 ± 6.79 mg. Average total MED requirements were 83.78 ± 92.99 mg during hospitalization. Average length of stay (LOS) was 5.71 ± 4.42 days, with 22 (23.4%) patients not requiring opioid use upon discharge. On multivariate analysis, female sex (ß = 49.62; 95% CI [13.53, 85.71], p = 0.008), nasoseptal flap (NSF) reconstruction (ß = 49.56; 95% CI [13.51, 85.61], p = 0.008) and LOS (ß = 4.02; 95% CI [0.001, 8.04], p = 0.050) were independently associated with higher total MED requirements. CONCLUSIONS: We report average total MED requirements of 83.78 mg after ESBS, with female sex, intraoperative use of an NSF, and increased LOS as predictors of higher MED use. This data indicates a subset of patients who may benefit from more aggressive pain control strategies upfront, including consideration of non-opioid, multimodal pain regimens. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 132:1939-1945, 2022.

Initial outcomes at a nascent tertiary pediatric thyroid surgical center.

OBJECTIVES: Previous studies on pediatric thyroid surgical complications suggest that high-volume centers achieve improved outcomes. We hypothesize that initial outcomes from a nascent pediatric surgical practice may be comparable to higher volume centers. Furthermore, we determine whether a low-volume center can safely transition to an intermediate or high-volume center. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed for all pediatric patients undergoing thyroid surgery at a single institution from 2014 to 2020. Surgeries were performed by two pediatric otolaryngologists. All patients were managed postoperatively by a multidisciplinary team of physicians that included pediatric otolaryngologists and endocrinologists. Data collection focused on patient demographics and postoperative complications, including rates of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury and permanent hypoparathyroidism. RESULTS: From 2014 to 2020, a total of 31 patients underwent thyroid surgery at our pediatric thyroid surgery center, 9 of whom underwent neck dissection. The mean age of our cohort was 14.4 ± 3.9 years (range 8 months-20 years). Postoperative pathology results revealed that 15 patients (46.9%) were diagnosed with PTC, 6 (18.8%) with follicular adenoma, and 4 (15.6%) with benign thyroid tissue. One (2.0%) patient had permanent unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis and one patient experienced permanent hypoparathyroidism (2.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Our initial low complication rate as a nascent pediatric thyroid surgery center suggests that favorable outcomes can be achieved at lower volume surgery centers. In order to increase patient access to high-volume pediatric thyroid surgery centers, new centers must start with lower volumes before ultimately becoming high-volume centers. Our study shows that this can be safely achieved. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Exhalation Delivery Systems for Application of Intranasal Corticosteroids.

BACKGROUND: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a common sinonasal disorder which results in significant inflammation in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. Topical nasal steroids play an important role in the treatment of CRS. Exhalation delivery system with fluticasone (EDS-FLU) utilizes a patient's forced exhalation to power the delivery of topical steroids to deeper areas of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses most affected by CRS. This review focuses on evidence surrounding the safety and efficacy of the EDS-FLU system. METHODS: Literature search was conducted of articles investigating the safety and efficacy of EDS-FLU. Relevant efficacy and safety data were examined and summarized from the studies. RESULTS: The efficacy and safety of EDS-FLU in CRS, both with and without polyps, has been established in open-label and placebo-controlled phase 3 trials. There was significant improvement in the cardinal symptoms of CRS and subjective patient-reported outcomes scores. Additionally, there was objective improvement in sinonasal inflammation as measured by polyp grade. Recent studies have also established significant improvement in health status and general quality of life following treatment using EDS-FLU. Emerging data have also examined patients who have previously had endoscopic sinus surgery and on appropriate medical therapy and noted improvement in polyp burden and overall Lund-Kennedy scores after using EDS-FLU. CONCLUSION: Exhalation delivery system with fluticasone demonstrates significant results in both patient-oriented outcomes and objective measures of sinonasal inflammation in patients with CRS with and without polyps. Further research is needed to investigate the long-term outcomes of EDS-FLU and to compare the effects of EDS-FLU with ESS. Exhalation delivery system with fluticasone provides an additional effective treatment modality for patients suffering from CRS.

What is the evidence for fluticasone exhalation delivery system in chronic rhinosinusitis?

PURPOSE FOR REVIEW: The aim of this article is to review the current literature regarding a novel method of topically delivering nasal steroids, namely exhalation delivery system-fluticasone (EDS-FLU), for the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). RECENT FINDINGS: Recent Food and Drug Administration approval of EDS-FLU and increasing evidence surrounding its efficacy and safety has led to an additional tool for the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis. Compared with placebo, EDS-FLU has demonstrated significant improvements in patients' sinonasal symptoms and overall inflammatory control as well as quality of life measures. Additionally, using EDS-FLU can lead to polyp grade improvement and polyp elimination in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with polyps. Furthermore, compared with controls, patients who received EDS-FLU were less likely to meet predefined surgical criteria at the conclusion of the study. SUMMARY: EDS-FLU has demonstrated significant improvement in managing symptoms and polyps in CRS. Receiving EDS-FLU was associated with a significant reduction in the proportion of patients meeting surgical criteria. Further studies are warranted to evaluate the long-term outcomes of EDS-FLU, especially as compared with steroid sprays and topical steroid irrigations, in management of CRS.

Efficacy of fluticasone exhalation delivery system in the management of chronic rhinosinusitis: what is the evidence?

BACKGROUND: Intranasal steroids have become part of the mainstay in the long-term management of chronic rhinosinusitis. A long-standing problem remains in efficient and easy-to-use delivery of topical corticosteroids to the nasal mucosa. Currently available means of intranasal steroid delivery include sprays, which are generally limited to treating the anterior nasal cavity, and rinses, which are not FDA-approved for this indication. The exhalation delivery system is a novel method of delivering fluticasone to the deeper areas within the nasal cavities, including the posterior nasal cavity and middle and superior meatuses. METHODS: Comprehensive literature review. RESULTS: Recent large scale studies have suggested its efficacy and safety in the use of patients with both chronic sinusitis with polyposis and without polyps. Specifically, studies have demonstrated decreased Sinonasal Outcome Test scores of 20 points following treatment, as well as improvement of polyp grade by 1 or more point in more than 60% of patients. Furthermore, among patients with nasal polyps, there was approximately 60-70% decreased indication for surgery following EDS-FLU use. CONCLUSION: EDS-FLU is an important adjunct therapy for sinonasal inflammatory disease.