Long-term efficacy of balloon dilation of the pediatric Eustachian tube: A six-year matched cohort study.

PURPOSE: Balloon dilation of the Eustachian tube (BDET) has not been evaluated extensively in children outside of retrospective case series. The purpose of this study is to report the long-term safety and efficacy of this procedure in children with matched controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a two-center retrospective matched cohort study. Children having undergone tympanostomy tube (TT) placement and adenoidectomy with recurrence of symptoms underwent BDET at an academic affiliated multi-specialty practice. Comparison was made with children receiving TT at a tertiary medical center, matching for number of prior TT, prior adenoidectomy, age, and sex. Outcome measures were risk of failure and the need for additional surgery. Kaplan-Meier survival plots were used to compare risk of failure. RESULTS: Thirty-three Eustachian tubes were dilated in 20 patients, aged 14 months-14 years. All patients had previously undergone TT insertion and adenoidectomy. Patients undergoing BDET had normal post-operative tympanograms in 80 % of cases. Mean follow up was 6.7 years with 2 patients failing in the BDET group and 8 in the TT insertion group. Dilated patients had a significantly lower risk of failure than those who underwent TT insertion (adjusted HR: 0.18; 95 % CI: 0.04, 0.81; p = 0.03). The probability of being failure free at six years was 88 % (95 % CI: 71, 95 %) in the BDET cohort and 53 % (95 % CI: 33, 70 %) in the TT insertion cohort. There were no complications. CONCLUSIONS: BDET appears to be safe and possibly superior to TT placement in children with refractory Eustachian tube dysfunction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2b.

Juvenile Nasopharyngeal Angiofibroma: Outcomes Analysis Based Upon Hospital Volume.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the management of juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma (JNA) from a national perspective with outcomes comparison based on hospital volume. STUDY DESIGN: Ten-year Pediatric Health Information Systems (PHIS) data analysis. METHODS: The PHIS database was queried for the diagnosis of JNA. Data regarding demographics, surgical approach, embolization, length of stay, charges, readmission, and revision surgery was collected and analyzed. Hospitals were classified as low volume if fewer than 10 cases and high volume if greater than or equal to 10 cases during the study period. A random effects model compared outcomes based on hospital volume. RESULTS: A total of 287 JNA patients were identified with a mean age of 13.8 (± 2.7) years. Nine hospitals were classified as high volume, accounting for a total of 121 patients. The mean length of hospitalization, blood transfusion rate, and 30-day readmissions did not differ significantly by hospital volume. Patients cared for at high-volume institutions were less likely to require postoperative mechanical ventilation (8.3% vs. 25.0%; adjusted RR = 0.32; 95% CI 0.14-0.73; p < 0.01) or return to the operating room for residual disease than patients admitted to low-volume hospitals (7.4% vs. 20.5%; adjusted RR = 0.38; 95% CI 0.18-0.79; p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The management of JNA is complex from both an operative and perioperative management standpoint. Over the past decade, nearly half (42.2%) of JNA patients have been managed at nine institutions in the United States. These centers have significantly lower rates of postoperative mechanical ventilation and the need for revision surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 133:3216-3220, 2023.

Barriers to Voice Therapy in Dysphonic Children.

BACKGROUND: The most common etiologies of dysphonia in the pediatric population are vocal fold nodules and muscle tension dysphonia. Vocal therapy is the first line treatment for these disorders in children. Despite this, not all children undergo therapy. The goal of this study is to examine how factors such as patient demographics and parental perceptions differ between children that choose to undergo or not to undergo voice therapy. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of all pediatric patients seen at a tertiary voice clinic between January 2014 and December 2017. Patients were included if diagnosed with vocal fold nodules and/or muscle tension dysphonia. Patients were divided into groups of children that received voice therapy at our institution and those that did not. Data include demographics, Consensus Auditory-Perceptual Evaluation of Voice (CAPE-V) scores and pediatric Voice Handicap Index (pVHI) scores. Distance to therapy site was approximated using patient zip codes. RESULTS: Three hundred and forty-six children were included, 224 (65%) boys and 122 (35%) girls. In the 2 years following initial diagnosis, 74 (21%) children participated in voice therapy at our institution. Patients who underwent voice therapy were older than those who did not (mean age: 9.1 [SD 3.5] vs 7.6 [SD 3.8] years; P = 0.004). Patients who received voice therapy were more likely to live closer to the therapy site (mean distance: 15.5 [SD 13.0] vs 24.3 [SD 23.9] miles; P< 0.001). Likelihood of receiving voice therapy did not differ by gender or health insurance status (private vs public). Patients who underwent voice therapy had significantly greater CAPE-V Overall Severity scores than those who did not (mean score: 44.6 [SD 19.4] vs 37.4 [SD 18.0]; P = 0.003). Higher CAPE-V Strain scores were associated with increased likelihood of voice therapy. pVHI scores did not differ between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Older age, shorter distance to therapy site, and increased CAPE-V Overall Severity and Strain scores were associated with higher likelihood of receiving voice therapy. Gender, insurance status, and pVHI scores did not affect likelihood of receiving voice therapy. Patients may primarily consider ease of access and necessity of treatment when considering voice therapy.

Management of Intracranial Sinusitis Complications in Children and Adolescents: Similarities and Differences Among Otolaryngology Subspecialists.

The purpose of this study was to compare the management of intracranial sinusitis complications in pediatric patients between members of the American Rhinologic Society (ARS) and the American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology (ASPO). A cross-sectional web-based survey was distributed twice to the ASPO and ARS membership over an 8-month period. The overall survey response rate was 12.1% (7.5% of ARS members and 17.3% of ASPO members). Recommended management was similar with respect to the use of intravenous antibiotics, nasal saline irrigations, topical decongestants, and nasal steroid sprays. Recommendations diverged with regards to systemic steroid use and urgent/emergent endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). ARS members were more likely to recommend systemic corticosteroids. ASPO members were more likely to recommend immediate ESS. Based on survey responses, we found differences in practice patterns among subspecialists, which indicates additional collaborative research between societies is necessary to develop and disseminate evidence-based guidelines for these patients. Level of Evidence: 4.

Hearing Stability in Patients With Unilateral Hearing Loss Due to Congenital CMV.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence and severity of progressive hearing loss in both ears in a population of longitudinally-tracked patients with unilateral hearing loss due to congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV). By determining the natural history of unilateral hearing loss due to cCMV infection, we aim to facilitate therapeutic recommendations. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: Two tertiary care hospitals. METHODS: Pure-tone averages (PTAs) based on yearly audiograms were calculated for each patient for both ears, and changes were assessed using a linear mixed-effects model. RESULTS: A total of 32 patients with cCMV with congenital, unilateral hearing loss were enrolled. Of these, 4 (12.5%) had progressive losses ≥10 dB by PTA in the initially normal-hearing ear. For the hearing-impaired side, the mean (SD) PTA at initial presentation was 67.9 (29.2) dB. Eight patients initially in this cohort had profound hearing impairment, and of the other 24 patients, 17 (70.8%) had hearing loss progression. Hearing levels stabilized in the initially normal-hearing and hearing-impaired ear when patients were approximately 10 and 2 years old, respectively. CONCLUSION: In 32 patients with unilateral hearing loss related to cCMV, 4 (12.5%) exhibited a shift in hearing levels in the normal-hearing ear that progressively stabilized by age 10 years. For ears with congenital hearing loss, progressive stabilization of hearing occurred by age 2 years.

Improvement of Pulmonary Function in Cystic Fibrosis Patients following Endoscopic Sinus Surgery.

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: To compare pre-and post-operative pulmonary function relative to disease severity in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients following endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. METHODS: Patients with CF who underwent ESS between January 1996 and July 2018 were identified, with subsequent study exclusions based upon surgical indications or incomplete records. CF disease severity was based upon percentage predicted of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (%FEV1) with <40% considered severe disease, 40% to 70% as moderate disease, and >70% as mild disease. The changes in %FEV1 before and after ESS were examined using multivariable mixed-effects models controlling for age, gender, genotype, medications, nutritional status, diabetes status, microbiology results, extent of surgery, and number of surgeries. RESULTS: A total of 427 surgeries were performed in 188 patients during the study period. Mean age at first ESS was 12.7 years (SD 6.0 years, range 4-38) and 54.8% were females. The effect of ESS varied by severity of lung disease. After surgery, %FEV1 increased by 8.1% (95% CI: 2.3, 13.9%) among patients with severe lung disease and by 3.0% (95% CI: 0.7, 5.2%) among patients with moderate disease. %FEV1 also increased by 7.3% (95% CI: 4.2, 10.5%) among patients with mild disease whose %FEV1 value was 70% to 80% at baseline. No improvement was observed in patients with a baseline %FEV1 >80%. CONCLUSIONS: When controlling for important confounding factors, lung function improved following ESS among CF patients with severe and moderate disease and in select patients with mild disease. This improvement was sustained at 12 months following surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 131:1930-1938, 2021.

Validation of the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation Scale in Pediatric Patients.

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: The Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) is a disease specific quality of life instrument developed and validated in adults. The objective of this study is to evaluate the validity of the NOSE scale for pediatric nasal obstruction. We also examined the effect of septoplasty with bilateral inferior turbinate reduction in this population. STUDY DESIGN: A validation study at a tertiary care children's hospital. METHODS: Thirty-eight pediatric patients who underwent septoplasty and bilateral inferior turbinate reduction between 2014 and 2018 were included. Patients were administered the NOSE instrument on the day of their clinic evaluation, the day of surgery, and at their 6 to 8-week post-operative appointment. A sample of 40 pediatric patients with non-rhinologic complaints was also included. Confirmatory factor analysis was performed to evaluate the factorial validity of the NOSE instrument. RESULTS: Of the 78 patients included, the mean age was 15.4 years (SD 3.4). In the confirmatory factor analysis, factor loadings were all significant and ranged from 0.95 to 0.99. Internal consistency reliability using Omega and maximal reliability H indices were well above recommended standards (Omega = 0.983 and maximal H = 0.988). Test-retest reliability was also adequate. Mean NOSE scores significantly improved following surgery (from 96.7 [SD 6.2] to 8.8 [SD 7.8]; mean difference = -87.9; 95% CI: -84.5, -91.3; P < .001). Similar improvements were observed across age groups. CONCLUSIONS: The NOSE scale is a valid and reliable quality of life instrument for pediatric patients with nasal obstruction. Nasal septoplasty with bilateral turbinate reduction substantially improved symptoms of nasal obstruction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 131:E2594-E2598, 2021.

Postoperative Disposition Following Pediatric Sistrunk Procedures: A National Database Query.

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: Variability exists in the postoperative disposition of children following Sistrunk procedures. Management options include discharge home versus overnight observation, with the latter allowing monitoring for immediate postoperative complications, presumably reducing the need for subsequent readmission. This study investigates the association between overnight observation and ambulatory management of children undergoing Sistrunk procedures and relevant postoperative complication and revisit rates to clarify best practice for these patients. METHODS: This was a retrospective database review using the Pediatric Health Information System database from 2007 to 2016. RESULTS: The cited dataset identified 6,434 qualifying patients, categorized into ambulatory versus overnight observation cohorts. The overall 30-day revisit rate was 4.9%; the revisit rate with overnight observation (6.1%) was higher than for ambulatory patients (3.8%, adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.60; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.21, 2.12). Revisit rates were significantly higher in patients 2 years of age or younger compared to older patients (6.7% vs. 4.3%). The rates of return to the operating room for the observation versus ambulatory groups were 1.8% and 0.5%, respectively. Cervical fluid collection and neck swelling were among the most common revisit indications in both groups, with a mean time to presentation of 9 days. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that ambulatory management following a Sistrunk procedure is not associated with increased rates of common postoperative complications, readmission, or need for secondary surgical intervention. A Sistrunk procedure may be safely performed on an ambulatory basis in select cases. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV Laryngoscope, 131:E2352-E2355, 2021.

Role of Surgery in Rhabdomyosarcoma of the Head and Neck in Children.

OBJECTIVES: Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in children. The goal of this research is to analyze the role of surgery in the management of pediatric parameningeal (PM) and non-PM head and neck RMS (HNRMS). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of patients <20 years of age treated for HNRMS between 1970 and 2015. Clinical presentation, tumor characteristics, treatment, recurrence, follow-up, and outcome data were collected. RESULTS: Of 97 patients with HNRMS, 56% were male. Overall median (IQR: interquartile range) age at diagnosis was 5.8 (3.3-9.8) years. Sixty-five patients (67%) had PM tumors. Of 75 patients with histologic subtype identified, 51 (53%) had embryonal and 20 (21%) alveolar RMS. Almost all patients received chemotherapy (99%) and radiotherapy (95%). Forty-four patients (45%) underwent surgery. Surgery was more likely to be conducted in patients with lesions of a non-PM site. Median follow-up time was 3.4 years (IQR: 1.1-10.8). In 5 years of follow-up, 20% (17 of 85) died and 29% (20 of 70) had recurrence. The estimated 5-year survival rate was 72% (95% CI, 57.8, 81.5%). Surgery was associated with a reduced risk of mortality after accounting for TNM stage 4 and tumor site (adjusted HR 0.24; 95% CI, 0.07, 0.79; P = .02). The association between surgery and risk of mortality was similar in PM and non-PM tumors. CONCLUSION: A multimodal protocol for treatment including chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy is the mainstay for management of children with HNRMS. While surgery is more commonly used to treat non-PM HNRMS, patients who are able to undergo surgery have significantly higher 5-year survival. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 131:E984-E992, 2021.

Incidence, Time Course, and Implications of Electrode Abnormalities in Pediatric Cochlear Implant Recipients.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the incidence of specific abnormal impedance patterns or electrode faults, and determine their implication and significance, in a pediatric population of cochlear implant recipients. DESIGN: Nine hundred fifty-six cochlear implant devices (621 recipients) were included in this retrospective study. Devices were included if the implantation surgery was performed at our tertiary care hospital, and the recipient was 21 years of age or younger at the time the device was implanted. Device models incapable of producing impedance measures by telemetry were excluded from the study. Individual devices with abnormal impedance measures indicating an open circuit (OC), short circuit (SC), or partial short circuit (partial SC) were included in the study, unless these abnormalities occurred only in the OR and not postoperatively. Device and patient characteristics were examined to determine their relationship to increased incidence of electrode faults or atypical patterns. RESULTS: The incidence of software-identified electrode faults in our exclusively pediatric population was similar to that reported in the literature containing mixed-age cohorts. Nine percent of devices experienced at least one OC or one pair of SCs. Although higher incidence of these faults was seen in some specific device models, the long-term average of these faults was equivalent across manufacturers. No factors examined in this study increased the likelihood of experiencing a software-identified electrode fault. Within the study period under examination (October 1997 to March 2018), partial SCs (presenting as zig-zag or low-flat impedance patterns) were only observed in Cochlear devices. While the incidence of these partial SC abnormalities (non-software-identified faults) was 6% across all models of Cochlear devices, the CI24RCS experienced the highest incidence of partial SCs. The incidence of this pattern was lower in models manufactured after CI24RCS. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides incidence of various cochlear implant electrode impedance abnormalities across a large cohort of pediatric recipients. The incidence of all electrode abnormalities was relatively low, particularly partial SCs, which are less well recognized and not currently identified by clinician-accessible software. Incidence of software-identified electrode faults (i.e., SCs and OCs) in our pediatric-only study is similar to the incidence reported in other mixed-population and adult-only studies. These common electrode faults generally are not associated with device failure, and clinicians should feel comfortable reassuring families that an individual electrode fault does not imply an impending device failure. Conversely, those atypical impedance patterns not currently flagged by the programming software as abnormal, but visible to the clinician's eye (i.e., partial SCs in zig-zag or low-flat patterns), have a higher likelihood of device damage and failure. Performance in patients with electrode arrays exhibiting these atypical patterns should be closely monitored for any functional decrement, and proactively managed to maintain performance whenever possible.

Women in Otolaryngology: Experiences of Being Female in the Specialty.

OBJECTIVES: A broad survey of women otolaryngologists on the current state of the field, including opportunities for advancement, support of family leave, and prevalence of harassment, has not been performed since 1998. An update on the experiences of female otolaryngologists is vital to continue to advance the specialty. STUDY DESIGN: Anonymous web-based survey. METHODS: Survey of members of the Women in Otolaryngology (WIO) section of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (all members of the AAO-HNS that identify as female are automatically members of this section). Distributed via AAO-HNS. RESULTS: Five hundred thirty-five responses out of 2303 total WIO members (response rate of 23.2%). Respondents ranged in age from 25 to >65 years. Respondents reported that in the residency programs they attended, 29% of residents, 13% of faculty, and 7% of department leaders were women. Forty-four percent disagreed that their department leaders and 39% disagreed that their male co-residents were supportive of women starting families in training. Younger respondents were more likely to feel that their department leaders were supportive of female residents, maternity leave, etc. Harassment in the current work environment did not differ by age; 53% reported harassment-free, 31% subtle undertones, 8% noticeable tones, 2% significant harassment. Harassment in the workplace varied by region; the greatest level of harassment was in the Midwest. CONCLUSIONS: Women otolaryngologists continue to experience harassment in the workplace. It is encouraging that younger otolaryngologists feel more supported by their departments in both their careers and their personal lives. This survey highlights critical areas for continued growth within our specialty. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV Laryngoscope, 131:E380-E387, 2021.

Does Ibuprofen Increase Bleed Risk for Pediatric Tonsillectomy?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate risk factors for pediatric posttonsillectomy hemorrhage (PTH) and the need for transfusion using a national database. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: The study was conducted using the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) database. METHODS: Children ≤18 years who underwent tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy (T±A) between 2004 and 2015 were included. We evaluated the risk of PTH requiring cauterization according to patient demographics, comorbidities, indication for surgery, medications, year of surgery, and geographic region. RESULTS: Of the 551,137 PHIS patients who underwent T±A, 8735 patients (1.58%) experienced a PTH. The risk of PTH increased from 1.33% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15%, 1.53%) in 2010 to 1.91% (95% CI: 1.64%, 2.24%) in 2015 (P < .001). Older age (≥12 vs <5 years old: adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 3.17; 95% CI: 2.86, 3.52), male sex (aOR 1.11; 95% CI: 1.05, 1.17), medical comorbidities (aOR 1.18; 95% CI: 1.08, 1.29), recurrent tonsillitis (aOR 1.15; 95% CI: 1.07, 1.24), and intensive care unit admission (aOR 1.74; 95% CI: 1.55, 1.95) were significantly associated with an increased risk of PTH. Use of ibuprofen (aOR 1.36; 95% CI: 1.22, 1.52), ketorolac (aOR 1.39; 95% CI: 1.14, 1.69), anticonvulsant (aOR 1.23; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.76), and antidepressants (aOR 1.35; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.76) were also associated with an increased risk of PTH. The need for blood transfusion was 2.1% (181/8735). CONCLUSION: The incidence of PTH increased significantly between 2011 and 2015, and ibuprofen appears to be one contributing factor. Given the benefits of ibuprofen, it is unclear whether this increased risk warrants a change in practice.

A 10-year Retrospective Review of Botulinum Toxin Injections and Surgical Management of Sialorrhea.

Background Sialorrhea is a common comorbidity among children with neurologic disorders. Botulinum toxin injections and surgical procedures are recommended for the management of pathological sialorrhea in patients who fail conservative management or with concerns for salivary aspiration. The following review evaluates outcomes following botulinum toxin injections and surgical interventions for sialorrhea over a 10-year period with a focus on treatment options and outcomes for patients with anterior and posterior drooling. Methods The study included all patients less than 25 years of age who underwent a procedure for drooling (Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes 42440, 42450, 42509, 42510, 64611 matched with the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-9 and ICD-10 codes 527.7 and K11.7) from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2015. A chart review collected demographics, drooling medication use, and type of drooling (anterior, posterior, both). Outcome variables included pre- and post-procedure number of bibs, parent-reported outcomes, post-intervention drooling medication requirement, post-procedure length of stay, and complications. Results Seventy-one patients were included in our analysis, with 88 total procedures performed. The average age at first intervention was 8.9 years; 43 patients were male and 40 patients had cerebral palsy. Thirty-one patients experienced posterior drooling or anterior/posterior drooling. These patients were more likely to undergo surgery as the first invasive intervention. The most commonly performed interventions were botulinum toxin injections (28 patients, 39%) and sublingual gland excision (SLGE) with submandibular duct ligation (SMDL) (36 patients, 51%). Improvement following injections was noted in 56% of patients versus 73% of patients following any surgical intervention. Conclusion Management of drooling is complex with 18 different procedures performed over 10 years. Surgical interventions, specifically SLGE with SMDL and submandibular gland excision (SMGE), result in substantial improvement; these are commonly performed as the first intervention in patients with posterior drooling. By reviewing our experience, we hope to guide management decisions and help manage patient and caregiver expectations.

Pediatric Subperiosteal Abscess Secondary to Acute Sinusitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The surgical versus medical management of subperiosteal abscess can be controversial. The purpose of this study was to summarize current literature and provide pooled analyses to help direct management decisions. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: Patients <18 years old with subperiosteal abscess secondary to acute sinusitis were reviewed, and a meta-analysis was conducted. Studies including five or more patients written in English were the primary search focus. RESULTS: Thirty-eight studies met inclusion criteria for the systematic review, and seven studies contained sufficient data for the meta-analysis. A total of 1,167 patients between the ages of 10 days and 18 years were included. Eleven sign/symptom categories were identified, with restricted ocular motility (n = 289, 45.9%), proptosis (n = 277, 44%), and fever (n = 223, 35.4%) being most frequent. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common pathogen isolated from cultures. Patients with abscess volume greater than the threshold specified in each individual study were over three times more likely to require surgical intervention compared to those with smaller abscess volume (pooled risk ratio [RR] = 3.61, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.40-5.44). Proptosis and gaze restriction also significantly predicted surgical intervention (pooled RR = 1.65: 95% CI: 1.29-2.12 for proptosis/pooled RR = 1.90; 95% CI: 1.20-3.00 for gaze restriction). CONCLUSIONS: Approximately half of patients with a subperiosteal abscess undergo surgical drainage. Abscess volume appears to be the most significant predictive risk factor. Detailed data from future studies regarding radiologic and ophthalmologic parameters are needed to provide more definitive values predictive of which patients are likely to fail medical therapy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2a Laryngoscope, 2020.

Carbon dioxide laser versus cold-steel supraglottoplasty: A comparison of post-operative outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: Supraglottoplasty is the mainstay of surgical treatment for laryngomalacia, and is commonly performed via two methods: cold steel or carbon dioxide (CO2) laser. The degree of post-operative monitoring following supraglottoplasty varies, both within and between institutions. The aim of this study was to compare the post-operative monitoring and interventions required by patients undergoing cold-steel versus CO2 laser supraglottoplasty. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort of pediatric patients (age < 18 years) undergoing supraglottoplasty at a tertiary care pediatric hospital. The primary exposure was the surgical instrument(s) used during supraglottoplasty. The primary outcome was prolonged intensive care unit (ICU)-stay (defined as >24 h). RESULTS: 155 cases were eligible for inclusion. Fifty-eight (37.4%) patients had a comorbid condition. Common indications for surgery included feeding difficulty (56.1%), severe respiratory distress (33.5%), and obstructive sleep apnea (25.2%). CO2 laser was employed in 49 cases and cold-steel in 106 cases. Prolonged ICU-stay (>24 h) was observed in 14 CO2 laser cases (28.6%) and 11 cold-steel cases (10.4%) (adjusted OR 3.42; 95% CI 1.43, 8.33). CO2 laser cases were more likely to require post-operative intubation, non-invasive positive pressure ventilation, and nebulized racemic epinephrine. Concomitant neurological condition was associated with an increased risk of prolonged ICU-stay, while extent of surgery and age were not. CONCLUSIONS: CO2 laser supraglottoplasty is associated with an increased risk of prolonged ICU-stay and need for ICU-level airway intervention, compared to the cold-steel technique. While this association should not be misconstrued as a causal relationship, the current study demonstrates that specific surgical factors may influence the patient monitoring requirements following supraglottoplasty, particularly the choice of instrument and the extent of surgery.

Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure and the Risk of Herpes Zoster in Three Prospective Cohort Studies.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure and the risk of herpes zoster (HZ) in 3 prospective cohorts. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We included 205,756 participants from the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS; 1986-2008), Nurses' Health Study (NHS; 1996-2012), and Nurses' Health Study II (NHS II; 1991-2013). Ambient UVR exposure was based on updated geocoded address histories linked with a high-resolution spatiotemporal ultraviolet model. Incident HZ cases were identified by self-reported clinician diagnosis. Sunburn history and medical, lifestyle, and dietary factors were assessed using biennial questionnaires. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used. RESULTS: A total of 24,201 cases of HZ occurred during 3,626,131 person-years. Ambient UVR exposure was associated with a higher risk of HZ in men (HPFS: multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio [MVHR] comparing highest vs lowest quintiles, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.02-1.29; P=.03 for trend) but not in women (NHS: MVHR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.93-1.05; NHS II: MVHR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.90-1.03). A higher lifetime number of severe sunburns was associated with a higher risk of HZ in all cohorts (HPFS: MVHR for ≥10 sunburns vs none, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.96-1.20; P=.02 for trend; NHS: MVHR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.05-1.22; P=.01 for trend; NHS II: MVHR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.00-1.28; P<.001 for trend). CONCLUSION: Ambient UVR exposure was associated with a higher risk of HZ in men but not in women. A history of severe sunburn was associated with a modest increased risk of HZ in men and women, possibly because of immunosuppression from overexposure to the sun.

To drain or not to drain following a Sistrunk procedure: A dual institutional experience.

INTRODUCTION: A Sistrunk procedure is the standard operative management of patients with thyroglossal duct cysts. Drain placement is commonly employed with the goal of reducing postoperative complications. This study investigates the association between drain use and relevant postoperative complications following pediatric Sistrunk procedures. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study evaluating 295 pediatric patients treated between 2007 and 2016 at two tertiary care children's hospitals. RESULTS: The mean age of the study population was 5.6 years (SD 4.0). A drain was utilized in 234 cases (79.3%). The mean procedural duration was 108 min (SD 48), and significantly longer in patients receiving a drain. Early postoperative complications included seroma (5.8%), secondary infection (3.4%), wound breakdown (2.0%) and hematoma (0.3%). The risk of such complications did not significantly differ between patients without drain placement (9.8%) versus those who underwent surgical drain placement (12.0%) after accounting for age and history of preoperative infection (adjusted RR = 0.86; 95% CI: 0.37, 1.98; p = 0.72). In the subgroup analysis, findings were consistent across institutions, age category, history of infection, and primary versus secondary procedure. CONCLUSION: This dual institutional study found drain placement during a Sistrunk procedure may not reduce rates of common postoperative complications, even in longer duration cases in which a drain is more frequently placed. This data suggests a Sistrunk procedure may be safely performed without drain placement in select cases.

Balloon Sinuplasty Utilization in the Pediatric Population: A National Database Perspective.

OBJECTIVE: Balloon sinuplasty (BS) is a surgical management option in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis. The purpose of this study was to examine BS utilization among children with a national database. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review. SETTING: National pediatric database. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: All cases of children aged ≤18 years who underwent BS or traditional endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) 5 years before and after the introduction of BS billing codes were studied with the Pediatric Health Information System database. We evaluated overall trends, demographics, performing physicians, readmissions, and cost data. RESULTS: A total of 14,079 patients met inclusion criteria: 13,555 underwent traditional ESS and 524 had a BS procedure. There was no significant increase in BS rates between 2011 and 2016. BS was more commonly performed among younger children than ESS (median age [interquartile range], 6 years [4-10] vs 9 years [6-13]; P < .001). There were 23 (4.4%) readmissions within 30 days in the balloon cohort versus 474 (3.5%) in the ESS cohort. The median cost of balloon maxillary antrostomy (US $6560 [$5420-$8250]) was higher than that of traditional maxillary antrostomy (US $5630 [$4130-$7700], P < .001). Physicians who performed BS had a larger volume of ESS procedures when compared with those who did not perform BS. CONCLUSION: Rates of BS performance in the pediatric population have not increased over time. Results showed no difference in readmission rates between BS and ESS. BS was associated with higher costs as compared with ESS. The role of BS in the pediatric chronic rhinosinusitis population remains unclear.

Readmissions following ambulatory pediatric endoscopic sinus surgery.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is indicated in select pediatric patients with medically refractory sinus disease. Our objectives were to examine indications and rates of readmission following ambulatory pediatric ESS and identify specific subgroups that may benefit from inpatient admission. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective database review. METHODS: The Pediatric Health Information Systems (PHIS) 2004-2016 database was retrospectively reviewed for patients age <18 years who underwent ambulatory ESS between January 2011 and December 2016 and were readmitted within 30 days postoperatively. Data regarding demographics, extent of surgery, comorbidities, adjunctive procedures, and cost were collected. A multivariable mixed-effects logistic regression model was employed for analysis. RESULTS: We identified 3,669 unique pediatric ESS cases with 128 readmissions within 30 days (3.5%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.9%-4.1%). Median cost of readmission was $980 (mean, $5,890; standard deviation, $13,421). The most common indication for readmission was epistaxis (17.2%), followed by nausea/abdominal pain (14.1%). Respiratory infection (13.3%) and sinusitis (10.2%) presented a combined readmission rate exceeding that of epistaxis alone. Multivariable analysis indicated age <3 years (odds ratio [OR]: 3.41, 95% CI: 1.96-5.93) and a prior diagnosis of asthma (OR: 2.88, 95% CI: 1.99-4.18) or cystic fibrosis (OR: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.00-2.44) significantly increased the risk of readmission. Extent of ESS and simultaneous adenoidectomy, septoplasty, or turbinate reduction had no significant impact on readmission rates. CONCLUSIONS: ESS is a relatively safe outpatient surgical procedure in pediatric patients, with an overall readmission rate of 3.5%. Clinicians should consider careful preoperative evaluation of very young patients and those with cystic fibrosis or asthma to optimize perioperative management and determine if postoperative admission is warranted, given their significantly higher readmission rates. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA Laryngoscope, 129:2681-2686, 2019.

d-amino acid oxidase promotes cellular senescence via the production of reactive oxygen species.

d-amino acid oxidase (DAO) is a flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD)-dependent oxidase metabolizing neutral and polar d-amino acids. Unlike l-amino acids, the amounts of d-amino acids in mammalian tissues are extremely low, and therefore, little has been investigated regarding the physiological role of DAO. We have recently identified DAO to be up-regulated in cellular senescence, a permanent cell cycle arrest induced by various stresses, such as persistent DNA damage and oxidative stress. Because DAO produces reactive oxygen species (ROS) as byproducts of substrate oxidation and the accumulation of ROS mediates the senescence induction, we explored the relationship between DAO and senescence. We found that inhibition of DAO impaired senescence induced by DNA damage, and ectopic expression of wild-type DAO, but not enzymatically inactive mutant, enhanced it in an ROS-dependent manner. Furthermore, addition of d-amino acids and riboflavin, a metabolic precursor of FAD, to the medium potentiated the senescence-promoting effect of DAO. These results indicate that DAO promotes senescence through the enzymatic ROS generation, and its activity is regulated by the availability of its substrate and coenzyme.