Clinical practice guidelines in the management of pediatric foreign body aspiration and ingestion: a systematic evaluation using the AGREE II instrument.

PURPOSE: Several clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) have been produced to optimize the diagnosis and management of pediatric foreign body aspiration and ingestion. However, to date there have been no critical evaluations of their methodological rigor or quality. Herein, we address this need via the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) instrument. METHODS: A literature search of Embase, MEDLINE via PubMed, and Scopus was performed up until February 25, 2021. Identified CPGs were then assessed by four independent reviewers trained in AGREE II. A scaled domain score of >60% was indicated as satisfactory quality. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated to assess inter-reviewer agreement. RESULTS: 11 guidelines were assessed with only one being classified as high quality and others being either average (two) or low quality (eight). Domain 4 (clarity of presentation) achieved the highest mean score (66.41 ± 13.33%), while domain 5 (applicability) achieved the lowest score (10.80 ± 10.37%). ICC analysis revealed generally strong agreement between reviewers with a range of 0.60-0.98. CONCLUSION: Quality appraisal using the AGREE II instrument suggests that the methodologic rigor and quality of current guidelines for the diagnosis and management of pediatric foreign body aspiration and ingestion need significant improvement.

Gender analysis of the top classic papers in otolaryngology head and neck surgery.

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify and analyze the gender breakdown of first authorship contributing to the most-cited papers in the field of otolaryngology, with a goal of identifying trends in gender representation in publishing. Methods: The top 150 most-cited papers were identified using the Science Citation Index of the Institute for Scientific Information. Among the first authors, gender, h-index, percentage of first, last, and corresponding authorship positions, total publications, and citations were analyzed. Results: The majority of papers were in the English language, from the United States, of clinical nature, and on otologic topics. Eighty-one percent of papers (n = 122) had men who were first authors, although there was no difference in h-index score, authorship position, number of publications, citations, and average citations/year between men and women first authors. Upon subgroup analysis by decade (1950s-2010s), there was no difference in the number of articles by women first authors (P = 0.11); however, there was a statistically significant increase in the percentage of women authors (P = 0.001) in papers published later compared to those published earlier. Conclusions: While a promising number of women otolaryngologists are publishing high-powered articles, future initiatives to promote academic inclusivity of women should be considered.

A quiet place: The impact of the word "quiet" on clinical workload.

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the impact of uttering the word "quiet" on clinical workload during the overnight otolaryngology call shift and understand the factors contributing to resident busyness. Materials and Methods: A multicenter, single-blind, randomized-controlled trial was conducted. A total of 80 overnight call shifts covered by a pool of 10 residents were randomized to the quiet or to the control group. At the start of shift, residents were asked to state aloud, "Today will be a quiet night" (quiet group) or "Today will be a good night" (control group). Clinical workload, as measured by number of consults, was the primary outcome. Secondary measures included number of sign-out tasks, unplanned inpatient and operating room visits, number of phone calls and hours of sleep, and self-perceived busyness. Results: There was no difference in the number of total (P = 0.23), nonurgent (P = 0.18), and urgent (P = 0.18) consults. Tasks at signout, total phone calls, unplanned inpatient visits, and unplanned operating room visits did not differ between the control and quiet groups. While there were more unplanned operating room visits in the quiet group (29, 80.6%) compared to the control group (34, 94.4%), this was not found to be significant (P = 0.07). The majority of residents reported feeling "not busy" during control nights (18, 50.0%) compared to feeling "somewhat busy" during quiet nights (17, 47.2%; P = 0.42). Conclusion: Contrary to popular belief, there is no clear evidence that uttering the word "quiet" significantly increases clinical workload.

Optimizing Perioperative Care in Transsphenoidal Pituitary Surgery: Considerations for Enhanced Recovery After Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To identify key recommendations for maximizing the efficiency and efficacy of perioperative care in transsphenoidal pituitary surgery. METHODS: The authors performed a comprehensive literature search of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocols implemented for patients undergoing transsphenoidal adenomectomy (TSA); individual recommendations were abstracted, and the evidence base thoroughly reviewed. RESULTS: The authors identified 19 individual recommendations pertinent to the care of patients undergoing TSA, which were subdivided into preoperative (n=6), intraoperative (n=6), and postoperative (n=7) interventions. Key factors recommended for minimizing length of stay, preventing readmission, and improving patient outcomes included comprehensive patient education, multidisciplinary evaluation, avoidance of routine lumbar drain placement and nasal packing, and rigorous postoperative monitoring of pituitary function and salt-water imbalances. The overall level of evidence for 7/19 (37%) implemented recommendations was found to be low, suggesting a need for continued research in this patient population. CONCLUSION: Several key interventions should be considered in the development of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery protocols for TSA, which may aid in further decreasing length of stay and promoting positive patient outcomes.

Use of the O-Z flap as an alternative to free tissue transfer for reconstruction of large scalp defects.

Objective: The reconstruction of large scalp defects poses both functional and cosmetic challenges. While free tissue transfer remains the standard for defects larger than 30 cm2, prolonged anesthesia and postoperative complications remain significant limitations. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the use of O-Z flaps for the reconstruction of large scalp defects and to describe the techniques employed. Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of ten patients who underwent reconstructive surgery using an O-Z flap approach for large scalp defects between July 2017 and June 2019. The parameters included in this study were patient demographics, tumor characteristics, and postoperative management, collected for at least a year after surgery. Results: In this cohort, the mean age was 76.1 years and 90% were male. All patients were treated for neoplastic skin lesions, with 70% located on the vertex and 30% located on the temporoparietal region. The mean size of defect was 52.0 cm2 (range: 38.6 to 63.8 cm2). The maximum hospital stay was two days, and no patients were readmitted within 30 days of surgery. There were no cases of wound infection or flap necrosis. All patients reported pain control with acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Four patients received adjuvant radiation, and there was no delay to receiving treatment following surgery. Conclusions: The O-Z flap is a reliable alternative for the reconstruction of non-irradiated scalp defects in the vertex and temporoparietal regions up to 63 cm2. This technique provides advantages for patients, including hairline preservation, shorter hospital stays, and decreased postoperative complications.

Characterizing critical predictors of an academic career following head and neck fellowship in otolaryngology.

BACKGROUND: Historically, graduating head and neck (HN) fellows outpace available academic HN positions, resulting in a highly competitive job market. We identified factors that associate with full-time academic HN positions post-HN fellowship. METHODS: Graduates of American Head and Neck Society (AHNS)-accredited fellowships from 2005 to 2017 (n = 356) were extracted from the AHNS website. RESULTS: From 2015 to 2017, the supply-demand mismatch for academic HN jobs improved. Of the 57.3% (n = 204) of graduating HN fellows who entered academia, 64% (n = 130) trained at just 10 fellowship institutions, 47% (n = 94) attended OHNS residency at an NIH top 40 funded institution, and 54% (n = 111) attended OHNS residency at an AHNS-accredited institution offering HN fellowship. After multivariate regression, number of manuscripts (OR = 1.14; p = 0.01) was significantly associated with initial academic job post-fellowship. CONCLUSION: The recent improvement in supply-demand mismatch for academic jobs is promising for future HN fellows interested in academia.

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery for Pediatric Cleft Repair: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Perform a systematic review assessing the efficacy of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols for cleft palate repair. Primary outcomes included hospital length of stay, readmission rates, and postoperative narcotic use. Secondary outcomes included complications, time to initial postoperative oral intake, and pain scores. DATA SOURCES: Cohort and randomized studies of ERAS protocols pertaining to cleft palate repair were identified by systematic review of Medline, Scopus, Embase, and grey literature. REVIEW METHODS: Data extracted included patient demographics, clinical care protocols, complication rates, postoperative narcotic use, time to initial postoperative oral intake, hospital length of stay, family satisfaction, and 30-day readmission. Meta-analysis was used to compare outcomes between patients enrolled in ERAS protocols versus those in conventional care pathways. RESULTS: Eight hundred sixty-five articles were screened, and 5 studies met full inclusion criteria. A total of 425 patients were included. Patients in ERAS protocols saw a mean reduction of - 23.96 hours in length of stay compared to controls (95% confidence interval [CI]: - 26.4, - 20.6). Patients in ERAS protocols also had decreased total morphine consumption (mean difference [MD]: - 3.88 mg; CI: - 4.31, - 3.45), and decreased time to first initial feed compared to controls (MD: - 3.88 hours; CI: - 4.3, - 3.5). There was no difference in readmission rates or complication rates between ERAS and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: ERAS protocols have seen limited use in pediatric patients. The present study sought to assess the impact of ERAS protocols following primary palatoplasty. Our results indicate decreased hospital length of stay, postoperative opioid consumption, and time to feeding, without increasing readmission rates or complication rates.

Critical review of clinical practice guidelines for evaluation of neck mass in adults / Revisão crítica das diretrizes de prática clínica para avaliação de massas cervicais em adultos

Abstract Objective: Several clinical practice guidelines have been produced and disseminated for the evaluation of a neck mass. However, to date, the quality and methodologic rigor of these clinical practice guidelines have not been appraised. Therefore, this study set out to identify and assess the methodologic quality of national and international guidelines for the evaluation and management of neck masses in adults. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of EMBASE, MEDLINE/PubMed, SCOPUS and grey literature sources until September 2020. The quality of these guidelines was assessed by four reviewers using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation, 2nd edition (AGREE II). Domain scores were considered acceptable quality if they scored >60%, and Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC) were calculated to assess agreement among the appraisers. Results: Seven guidelines were assessed for evaluation. Among these, only the American Academy of Otolaryngology (AAO), Cancer Care Manitoba (CCMB), and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) achieved an overall rating of ‟high". The remaining four guidelines achieved ratings of either ‟average" or ‟low". The ‟Scope and Purpose" domain achieved the highest mean score (94.4%±5.0%), and lowest was ‟Applicability" (51.5%±29.2%). ICC analysis showed substantial to very good agreement across all domains (0.75-0.98). Conclusion: These findings highlight the variability in methodologic quality of guidelines for the evaluation and management of adult neck mass. The results from this analysis highlight the need to improve guidelines development process for this topic and may guide the selection and use of these guidelines in clinical practice.

Resumo Introdução: Várias diretrizes de práticas clínicas foram produzidas e divulgadas para a avaliação de massa cervical. Porém, até o momento, a qualidade e o rigor metodológico dessas diretrizes de práticas clínicas não foram avaliados. Objetivo: Identificar e avaliar a qualidade metodológica das diretrizes nacionais e internacionais para a avaliação e tratamento de massas cervicais em adultos. Método: Fizemos uma pesquisa abrangente das fontes de dados Embase, Medline/PubMed, Scopus e literatura cinza até setembro de 2020. A qualidade dessas diretrizes foi avaliada por quatro revisores com a 2a edição do Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II). Os escores dos domínios foram considerados de qualidade aceitável se pontuassem >60% e os coeficientes de correlação intraclasse (Intraclass correlation coefficient - ICC) foram calculados para avaliar a concordância entre os avaliadores. Resultados: Sete diretrizes foram investigadas para avaliação. Entre elas, apenas a American Academy of Otolaryngology (AAO), o Cancer Care Manitoba (CCMB) e a American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) obtiveram uma classificação geral ‟alta". As quatro diretrizes restantes obtiveram classificações ‟media" ou ‟baixa". O domínio ‟Escopo e objetivo'" obteve o maior escore médio (94,4% ± 5,0%) e o domínio ‟Aplicabilidade" obteve o menor escore (51,5%±29,2%). A análise ICC mostrou concordância substancial a muito boa em todos os domínios (0,75-0,98). Conclusão: Esses achados destacam a variabilidade na qualidade metodológica das diretrizes para avaliação e tratamento de massa cervical em adultos. Os resultados dessa análise destacam a necessidade de melhorar o processo de desenvolvimento de diretrizes para esse tópico e podem orientar a seleção e o uso dessas diretrizes na prática clínica.

Enhanced recovery after surgery protocols for outpatient operations in otolaryngology: Review of literature.

Objective: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols are patient-centered, evidence-based pathways designed to reduce complications, promote recovery, and improve outcomes following surgery. These protocols have been successfully applied for the management of head and neck cancer, but relatively few studies have investigated the applicability of these pathways for other outpatient procedures in otolaryngology. Our goal was to perform a systematic review of available evidence reporting the utility of ERAS protocols for the management of patients undergoing outpatient otolaryngology operations. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted using MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCOPUS, and gray literature. We identified studies that evaluated ERAS protocols among patients undergoing otologic, laryngeal, nasal/sinus, pediatric, and general otolaryngology operations. We assessed the outcomes and ERAS components across protocols as well as the study design and limitations. Results: A total of eight studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. Types of procedures evaluated with ERAS protocols included tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, functional endoscopic sinus surgery, tympanoplasty and mastoidectomy, and septoplasty. A reduction in postoperative length of stay and hospital costs was reported in two and three studies, respectively. Comparative studies between ERAS and control groups showed persistent improvement in pre- and postoperative anxiety and pain levels, without an increase in postoperative complications and readmission rates. Conclusions: A limited number of studies discuss implementation of ERAS protocols for outpatient operations in otolaryngology. These clinical pathways appear promising for these procedures as they may reduce length of stay, decrease costs, and improve pain and anxiety postoperatively.

Nonopioid perioperative analgesia in head and neck cancer surgery: A systematic review.

Objective: Management of postoperative pain after head and neck cancer surgery is a complex issue, requiring a careful balance of analgesic properties and side effects. The objective of this review is to discuss the efficacy and safety of multimodal analgesia (MMA) for these patients. Methods: Pubmed, Cochrane, Embase, Scopus, and clinicaltrials.gov were systematically searched for all comparative studies of patients receiving MMA (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), acetaminophen, anticonvulsants, local anesthetics, and corticosteroids) for head and neck cancer surgeries. The primary outcome was additional postoperative opioid usage, and secondary outcomes included subjective pain scores, complications, adverse effects, and 30-day outcomes. Results: A total of five studies representing 592 patients (MMA, n = 275; non-MMA, n = 317) met inclusion criteria. The most commonly used agents were gabapentin, NSAIDs, and acetaminophen (n = 221), NSAIDs (n = 221), followed by corticosteroids (n = 35), dextromethorphan (n = 40), and local nerve block (n = 19). Four studies described a significant decrease in overall postoperative narcotic usage with two studies reporting a significant decrease in hospital time. Subjective pain scores widely varied with two studies reporting reduced pain at postoperative day 3. There were no differences in surgical outcomes, medical complications, adverse effects, or 30-day mortality and readmission rates. Conclusion: MMA is an increasingly popular strategy that may reduce dependence on opioids for the treatment of postoperative pain. A variety of regimens and protocols are available for providers to utilize in the appropriate head and neck cancer patient.

Implementation of an enhanced recovery after surgery protocol for head and neck cancer patients: Considerations and best practices.

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols have been developed in numerous surgical specialties as a means of systematically improving patient recovery, functional outcomes, cost savings, and resource utilization. Such multidisciplinary initiatives seek to minimize variability in several aspects of perioperative patient care, helping to reduce inpatient length of hospital stay, complications, and the overall resource and financial burden of surgical care. Head and neck oncology patients stand to benefit from the implementation of comprehensive ERAS protocols, as these patients have complex medical needs that may dramatically impact multiple aspects of their recovery, including breathing, eating, nutrition, pain, speech, swallowing, and communication. Implementing ERAS protocols for head and neck cancer patients may present unique challenges, and require significant interdisciplinary coordination and collaboration. We therefore sought to provide a comprehensive guide to the planning and institution of such ERAS systems at institutions undertaking care of head and neck cancer patients. Key elements to consider in the implementation of successful ERAS protocols for this population include organizing a team consisting of frontline leaders such as nursing staff, medical specialists, and associated health professionals; designing interventions based on systematically evaluated, high-quality literature; and instituting a clear methodology for regularly updating protocols and auditing the success or potential limitations of a given intervention. Potential obstacles to the success of ERAS interventions for head and neck cancer patients include challenges in systematically tracking progress of the protocol, as well as resource limitations in a given health system.

Clinical Practice Guidelines in the Management of Breakthrough Cancer Pain: A Systematic Review using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) Instrument.

BACKGROUND: Several clinical practice guidelines (CPGs), consensus statements, and recommendations currently exist for the diagnosis and management of breakthrough cancer pain (BTcP). These documents have considerable variability amongst them, and to date, their quality and methodologic rigor have not been appraised. AIM: We aim to identify and perform a quality appraisal of CPGs for the diagnosis and management of BTcP using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) tool. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was performed in MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE, and SCOPUS databases up until January 1, 2021. Four reviewers independently evaluated each guideline using the AGREE II instrument. Scaled domain scores were generated and the threshold used for satisfactory quality was >60%. Additionally, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated to determine level of agreement between reviewers. RESULTS: Eleven guidelines were selected for final evaluation based on inclusion/exclusion criteria. Only one guideline was classified of "average" quality while the rest were classified as "low" quality. The "Editorial Independence" (70.46 ± 35.7) and "Scope and Purpose" (64.78 ± 12.5) domains received the highest mean scores, while the "Applicability" (32.58 ± 13.5) and "Rigor of Development" (35.04 ± 9.0) domains received the lowest mean scores. ICC statistical analysis showed high magnitude of agreement between reviewers with a range of (0.790-0.988). CONCLUSIONS: Reflecting upon our quality appraisal, it is evident that the quality and methodologic rigor of BTcP guidelines can be improved upon in the future. Our findings also elucidate the existing variability/discrepancies among guidelines in diagnostic criteria and management of BTcP.

Critical review of clinical practice guidelines for evaluation of neck mass in adults.

OBJECTIVE: Several clinical practice guidelines have been produced and disseminated for the evaluation of a neck mass. However, to date, the quality and methodologic rigor of these clinical practice guidelines have not been appraised. Therefore, this study set out to identify and assess the methodologic quality of national and international guidelines for the evaluation and management of neck masses in adults. METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive search of EMBASE, MEDLINE/PubMed, SCOPUS and grey literature sources until September 2020. The quality of these guidelines was assessed by four reviewers using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation, 2nd edition (AGREE II). Domain scores were considered acceptable quality if they scored >60%, and Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC) were calculated to assess agreement among the appraisers. RESULTS: Seven guidelines were assessed for evaluation. Among these, only the American Academy of Otolaryngology (AAO), Cancer Care Manitoba (CCMB), and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) achieved an overall rating of "high". The remaining four guidelines achieved ratings of either "average" or "low". The "Scope and Purpose" domain achieved the highest mean score (94.4%±5.0%), and lowest was "Applicability" (51.5%±29.2%). ICC analysis showed substantial to very good agreement across all domains (0.75-0.98). CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the variability in methodologic quality of guidelines for the evaluation and management of adult neck mass. The results from this analysis highlight the need to improve guidelines development process for this topic and may guide the selection and use of these guidelines in clinical practice.

Multimodal Analgesia in Head and Neck Free Flap Reconstruction: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: Postoperative pain after head and neck cancer surgery is commonly treated with opioids, which are associated with considerable side effects. The objective of this study is to analyze the safety and efficacy of using multimodal analgesia (MMA) for patients undergoing head and neck cancer surgery with free flap reconstruction. DATA SOURCES: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, Scopus, and clinicaltrials.gov. REVIEW METHODS: All studies comparing patients receiving MMA (gabapentin, corticosteroids, local anesthetic, acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs]) vs patients receiving opioids for head and neck cancer surgery with free flap reconstruction were screened. The primary outcome was postoperative opioid usage. Secondary outcomes included length of stay, subjective pain scores, surgical/medical complications, adverse effects, and 30-day outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 10 studies representing 1253 patients (MMA, n = 594; non-MMA, n = 659) met inclusion criteria. Gabapentinoids were the most commonly used intervention (72.9%) followed by NSAIDs (44.6%), acetaminophen (44.3%), corticosteroids (25.1%), ketamine (7.2%), and nerve block (3.4%). Eight studies reported a significant decrease in postoperative opioid usage in the MMA groups. Subjective pain had wider variation, with most studies citing significant pain improvement. There were no differences in surgical outcomes, medical complications, adverse effects, or 30-day mortality and readmission rates. CONCLUSION: With the rise of the opioid epidemic, MMA may play an important role in the treatment of postoperative pain after head and neck cancer surgery. A growing body of literature demonstrates a variety of effective perioperative regimens.

Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Cleft Lip and Palate: A Systematic Quality Appraisal Using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II Instrument.

ABSTRACT: Patients with cleft lip and/or palate require complex and longitudinal care by a multidisciplinary cleft team. Unfortunately, delivery of cleft care is often fragmented, and care practices can vary significantly. Multiple clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) have been proposed to provide a standardized framework for cleft care delivery. As CPGs have gained popularity, there has been increasing demand to maintain the quality of existing guidelines. A comprehensive search of EMBASE, MEDLINE via PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane and grey literature sources published from January 1, 1990 to December 31, 2020 was conducted to identify CPGs for the care of cleft patients. The Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation, 2nd edition II tool was used to assess the quality of selected CPGs. Intraclass coefficients were calculated to assess agreement among appraisers. Eleven guidelines were identified for study inclusion. One guideline was classified as "high" quality by Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II criteria, and the remaining guidelines were classified as "average" or "low" quality. The "Clarity of Presentation" domain achieved the highest mean score (76.9% ± 11.7%) across CPGs, whereas the "Rigor of Development" domain scored the lowest (35.6% ±â€Š21.2%). Intraclass coefficients analysis reflected very good inter-rater reliability across all domains (0.853-0.987). These findings highlight significant variability in the quality of existing CPGs for the global management of patients with cleft lip and/or palate. The "Rigor of Development" domain reflects the greatest opportunity for improvement. Given these findings, future guidelines may prioritize incorporating a systematic review of existing evidence into recommendations.

A systematic quality appraisal of clinical practice guidelines for Ménière's disease using the AGREE II instrument.

PURPOSE: To systematically appraise clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of Ménière's disease using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) instrument. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed to identify guidelines pertaining to the diagnosis and treatment of Ménière's disease. Data were abstracted from guidelines that met inclusion criteria and appraised by four independent reviewers in the six domains of quality defined by the AGREE II. Domain scores reflecting quality in each domain were calculated. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated across domains to qualify interrater reliability. RESULTS: Six guidelines were found to meet inclusion criteria after a systematic literature search. Of the six clinical practice guidelines appraised using the AGREE II, the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) guideline received the highest average score, with a mean of 90.7% spanning six quality domains. The guideline with the lowest average score across all domains was the European Position Statement on diagnosis and treatment of Ménière's disease, receiving an average score across domains of 34.6%. Overall quality scores of clinical practice guidelines for Ménière's disease had a standard deviation of 21.3%. Two guidelines met the quality threshold of > 60% in at least five domains, qualifying as 'high': AAO-HNS and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Average ICC across all six domains was 0.87, suggesting near total agreement between reviewers. CONCLUSION: Ménière's disease remains a challenging entity to diagnose and treat; few existing clinical guidelines meet the standards of quality established by the AGREE II appraisal instrument.

ERAS Protocols for Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols are evidenced-based multidisciplinary programs implemented in the perioperative setting to improve postoperative recovery and attenuate the surgical stress response. However, evidence on their effectiveness in thyroid and parathyroid surgery remains sparse. Therefore, our goal was to investigate the clinical benefits and cost-effectiveness of ERAS protocols for the perioperative management of thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy. DATA SOURCE: A systematic review of Medline, Scopus, Embase, and gray literature was performed to identify studies of ERAS or clinical care protocols for thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy. REVIEW METHODS: Two reviewers screened studies using predetermined inclusion criteria. Our primary outcomes included hospital length of stay and hospital costs. Readmission and postoperative complication rates composed our secondary outcomes. Meta-analysis was performed to compare outcomes for patients enrolled in the ERAS protocol versus standard of care. RESULTS: A total of 450 articles were identified; 7 (1.6%) met inclusion criteria with a total of 3082 patients. Perioperative components in ERAS protocols varied across the studies. Nevertheless, patients enrolled in ERAS protocols had reduced hospital length of stay (mean difference, -0.64 days [95% CI, -0.92 to -0.37]) and hospital costs (in US dollars; mean difference, -307.70 [95% CI, -346.49 to -268.90]), without an increase in readmission (odds ratio, 0.75 [95% CI, 0.29-1.94]) or complication rates (odds ratio, 1.14 [95% CI, 0.82-1.57]). CONCLUSION: There is growing literature supporting the role of ERAS protocols for the perioperative management of thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy. These protocols significantly reduce hospital length of stay and costs without increasing complications or readmission rates.

Outcomes following traumatic inhalational airway injury - Predictors of mortality and effect of procedural intervention.

OBJECTIVE: Study outcomes, predictors of mortality, and effects of procedural interventions on patients following traumatic inhalational airway injury. STUDY: Design: Retrospective study. SETTING: National Trauma Data Bank METHODS: Patients over the age of eighteen admitted between 2008 and 2016 to NTDB-participating sites were included. In-hospital mortality and length of stay were the primary outcomes. RESULTS: The final study cohort included 13,351 patients. History of active smoking was negatively associated with in-house mortality with an OR of 0.33 (0.25-0.44). History of alcohol use, and presence of significant medical co-morbidities were positively associated with in-house mortality with OR of 5.28 (4.32-6.46) 2.74 (19.4-3.86) respectively. There was little to no association between procedural interventions and in-house mortality. Intubation, laryngobronchoscopy, and tracheostomy had OR of 0.90 (0.67-1.20), 1.02 (0.79-1.30), and 0.94 (0.58-1.51), respectively. However, procedural intervention did affect both the median hospital and ICU lengths of stay of patients. Median hospital and ICU length of stay were shorter for patients receiving endotracheal intubation. Median hospital length of stay was longer for patients undergoing bronchoscopy and laryngoscopy, but median ICU length of stay was shorter for patients undergoing bronchoscopy and laryngoscopy. Patients receiving a tracheostomy have both significantly increased median hospital and ICU lengths of stay. CONCLUSIONS: Active smoking was associated with decreased odds of in-hospital mortality, while presence of pre-existing medical comorbidities and history of alcohol use disorder was associated with increased odds of in-hospital mortality. Procedural intervention had little to no association with in-hospital mortality but did affect overall hospital and ICU LOS.

Evaluation and Management of a Neck Mass.

Neck masses are common physical examination findings seen in the outpatient setting but identifying an underlying cause can be challenging. A careful medical history should be obtained, and a thorough physical examination should be performed, which will guide the need for follow-up examination with imaging, biopsies, and specialist referrals. The goal of this article is to provide a working framework to evaluate and manage some of the most common causes of adult neck masses.

Interventions for Trismus in Head and Neck Cancer Patients: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

BACKGROUND: Current treatment for head and neck cancers (HNCs) have led to an improved survival. However, the sequelae of cancer treatment often result in trismus, or reduced mouth opening. The purpose of this report is to identify interventional studies for trismus management in HNC patients. METHODS: A search of PubMed, Embase, Cumulated Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and the Cochrane Library was conducted in March 2020 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving interventions for trismus for head and neck cancer within 10 years. Intervention could involve the use of an exercise regime, jaw rehabilitation device, technological device, medication or massage therapy. The primary outcome was the measurement of mouth opening. RESULTS: Eleven RCTs involving a total of 685 patients with HNC were included. Six RCTs evaluated the effectiveness of a jaw mobilization device with exercises; there was no significant benefit of an exercise regime with a jaw mobilization device either initiated before, during or after treatment compared to no exercise. Two RCTs compared 2 intervention groups that involved exercises only, with 1 study assessing the benefit of weekly supervised physical therapy with gum chewing and another evaluating the benefit of immediate (1-2 days) versus delayed (7-10 days) initiation of exercise post-surgery; there was no significant difference between groups in either study. One RCT that recruited only patients with trismus demonstrated that an exercise regime in combination with low-level laser therapy or low-intensity ultrasound had superior results in mouth opening measurements compared to exercise alone. Two RCTs compared intervention groups with and without follow-up reminders; both studies showed a significant improvement in mouth opening measurements in groups with follow-up reminders. CONCLUSION: This systematic review did not convey a clear consensus as to optimal intervention for trismus in HNC patients. A variety of exercise regimens and jaw rehabilitation devices appear to have comparable effectiveness. However, efforts focused on increasing adherence to a particular intervention protocol may positively impact mouth opening measures in head and neck cancer patients. Also, low-level laser therapy and low-intensity ultrasound coupled with exercise may be beneficial for patients with trismus.