Clinicodemographic Predictors of Tracheotomy Tube Size and Decannulation: A Multiinstitutional Retrospective Cohort Study on Tracheotomy.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to discern clinico-demographic predictors of large (≥8) tracheostomy tube size placement, and, secondarily, to assess the effect of large tracheostomy tube size and other parameters on odds of decannulation before hospital discharge. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Factors determining choice of tracheostomy tube size are not well-characterized in the current literature, despite evidence linking large tracheostomy tube size with posttracheotomy tracheal stenosis. The effect of tracheostomy tube size on timing of decannulation is also unknown, an important consideration given reported associations between endotracheal tube size and probability of failed extubation. METHODS: We collected information pertaining to patients who underwent tracheotomy at 1 of 10 U.S. health care institutions between 2010 and 2019. Tracheostomy tube size was dichotomized (≥8 and <8). Multivariable logistic regression models were fit to identify predictors of (1) large tracheostomy tube size, and (2) decannulation before hospital discharge. RESULTS: The study included 5307 patients, including 2797 (52.7%) in the large tracheostomy cohort. Patient height (odds ratio [OR] = 1.060 per inch; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.041-1.070) and obesity (1.37; 95% CI 1.1891.579) were associated with greater odds of large tracheostomy tube; otolaryngology performing the tracheotomy was associated with significantly lower odds of large tracheostomy tube (OR = 0.155; 95% CI 0.131-0.184). Large tracheostomy tube size (OR = 1.036; 95% CI 0.885-1.213) did not affect odds of decannulation. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity was linked with increased likelihood of large tracheostomy tube size, independent of patient height. Probability of decannulation before hospital discharge is influenced by multiple patient-centric factors, but not by size of tracheostomy tube.

Transoral robotic resection of large intramural, cervical esophageal lipoma-Report of a case and description of technique.

Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) has evolved into a common surgical modality used to treat primarily oropharyngeal malignant and benign pathologies. The single port Intuitive Surgical da Vinci surgical robotics system facilitates access to the hypopharynx and cervical esophagus. We aim to describe our approach and advantages of the technique.

Transoral Laser Microsurgery With Neck Dissection Versus Radiotherapy for T2N0 Supraglottic Cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To compare overall survival outcomes associated with transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) with neck dissection versus definitive radiotherapy in the management of T2N0 supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS: Data were extracted from the National Cancer Database concerning patients with cT2N0M0 supraglottic cancer treated with either TLM and neck dissection with minimum lymph node yield of 10 or definitive radiotherapy. Predictors of overall survival were assessed via Cox proportional hazards regression. RESULTS: Seventy-six cT2N0 supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma patients who underwent TLM with neck dissection (+/- adjuvant therapy) versus 991 patients who underwent radiotherapy. TLM was associated with an overall survival benefit (OR = 0.574; 95% CI 0.383-0.860) compared with radiotherapy. There was no difference in survival between TLM patients receiving adjuvant treatment and those receiving definitive radiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: An up-front, TLM-based surgical approach to cT2N0 supraglottic cancer may offer an overall survival benefit compared with definitive radiotherapy, and should receive more frequent consideration as a primary approach to this disease process. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 133:601-606, 2023.

Factors Associated With Otolaryngologists Performing Tracheotomy.

Importance: Tracheotomies are frequently performed by nonotolaryngology services. The factors that determine which specialty performs the procedure are not defined in the literature but may be influenced by tracheotomy approach (open vs percutaneous) and other clinicodemographic factors. Objective: To evaluate demographic and clinical characteristics associated with tracheotomies performed by otolaryngologists compared with other specialists and to differentiate those factors from factors associated with use of open vs percutaneous tracheotomy. Design, Setting, and Participants: This multicenter, retrospective cohort study included patients aged 18 years or older who underwent a tracheotomy for cardiopulmonary failure at 1 of 8 US academic institutions between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2016. Data were analyzed from September 2022 to July 2023. Exposure: Tracheotomy. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was factors associated with an otolaryngologist performing tracheotomy. The secondary outcome was factors associated with use of the open tracheotomy technique. Results: A total of 2929 patients (mean [SD] age, 57.2 [17.2] years; 1751 [59.8%] male) who received a tracheotomy for cardiopulmonary failure (652 [22.3%] performed by otolaryngologists and 2277 [77.7%] by another service) were analyzed. Although 1664 of all tracheotomies (56.8%) were performed by an open approach, only 602 open tracheotomies (36.2%) were performed by otolaryngologists. Most tracheotomies performed by otolaryngologists (602 of 652 [92.3%]) used the open technique. Multivariable regression analysis revealed that self-reported Black race (odds ratio [OR], 1.89; 95% CI, 1.52-2.35), history of neck surgery (OR, 2.71; 95% CI, 2.06-3.57), antiplatelet and/or anticoagulation therapy (OR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.29-2.36), and morbid obesity (OR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.24-1.92) were associated with greater odds of an otolaryngologist performing tracheotomy. In contrast, history of neck surgery (OR, 1.36; 95% CI, 0.96-1.92), antiplatelet and/or anticoagulation therapy (OR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.56-1.14), and morbid obesity (OR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.74-1.19) were not associated with undergoing open tracheotomy when performed by any service, and Black race (OR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.44-0.71) was associated with lesser odds of an open approach being used. Age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index score greater than 4 was associated with greater odds of both an otolaryngologist performing tracheotomy (OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.03-1.53) and use of the open tracheotomy technique (OR, 1.48, 95% CI, 1.21-1.82). Conclusions and Relevance: In this study, otolaryngologists were significantly more likely than other specialists to perform a tracheotomy for patients with history of neck surgery, morbid obesity, and ongoing anticoagulation therapy. These findings suggest that patients undergoing tracheotomy performed by an otolaryngologist are more likely to present with complex and challenging clinical characteristics.

Changes in treatment trends in the early glottic cancer population after the Affordable Care Act.

BACKGROUND: The clinical impact of Medicaid expansion in otolaryngology is uncertain. Herein, we evaluate the impact of Medicaid expansion on treatment patterns (primary radiotherapy vs surgery) in the early glottic cancer population. METHODS: Data regarding adults with Tis-T2N0M0 glottic cancer that were treated with either surgery or radiotherapy between January 2010 and December 2016 were obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) cancer database. Changes in treatment trends and survival in the Medicaid expansion setting were discerned. RESULTS: The proportion of patients undergoing radiotherapy decreased from 64.8% to 59% after the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) was implemented. State Medicaid expansion status was associated with reduced odds of radiation therapy (odds ratio [OR] = 0.66). Patients were diagnosed more often with earlier stage disease (20.6% vs 17.0% T2 diagnoses) in the Medicaid expansion cohort. CONCLUSION: The implementation of the PPACA was associated with a significant increase in surgical therapy for and earlier diagnosis of glottic cancer.

Critical Care and Postoperative Management of the Head and Neck Patient.

Head and neck surgical patients, at times, can represent a challenging population to manage in the intensive care unit postoperatively. Close interaction between the critical care and surgical teams, awareness of potential surgery-specific complications, and utilization of protocol-driven care can reduce risk of morbidity significantly in this population and enhance outcomes. Given the relative complexity of otolaryngologic surgery and the unique risk that head and neck pathologies can pose to patient airway, breathing, and circulation, these collective circumstances warrant detailed discussion in the interest of minimizing patient morbidity and mortality.