Cost-analysis of in-office versus operating room sialendoscopy: Comparison of cost burden and outcomes.

PURPOSE: Office-based procedures in otolaryngology are increasingly utilized to increase efficiency, reduce cost, and eliminate risks associated with surgery. Gland-preserving surgical management of sialadenitis and sialolithiasis are often performed in the operating room, although many surgeons are moving this practice to clinic. We aim to determine the difference in patient charges and perioperative outcomes for salivary gland procedures performed in the clinic versus the OR. METHODS: Retrospective series of patients presenting with sialolithiasis, acute or chronic sialadenitis, and stricture between 2010 and 2019. Demographics, perioperative variables, setting, and charge data were collected. RESULTS: 528 patients underwent operative intervention (n = 427 office, n = 101 OR). Cohort demographics were comparable. Sialolithiasis was the most common presenting diagnosis in both cohorts. Both cohorts had similar rates of complete (p = 0.09) and partial (p = 0.97) response to treatment. A higher percentage of patients in the OR group reported no improvement (21.4 vs 12.2%, p = 0.034). Overall complications were similar (p = 0.582). Mean charges were statistically greater in the OR ($5560.35 OR vs $1298.33 office, p < 0.001). Operative time was significantly reduced in the office group (21.8 min vs 60.85 min, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Appropriately selected patients can be successfully treated in outpatient clinic without compromising patient safety or quality while significantly reducing the financial burden to patients and the healthcare system.

Optimization of COVID-19 testing accuracy with nasal anatomy education.

IMPORTANCE: Adequate sampling of the nasopharynx is crucial to performing accurate SARS-CoV-2 (COVID) testing. Formalized education of nasal anatomy may improve provider testing technique and reduce false-negative test results. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of nasal anatomy education on medical providers' comfort level and knowledge base in performing accurate SARS-CoV-2 (COVID) testing. STUDY DESIGN: Pre-post survey. SETTINGS: Tertiary care academic hospital. PARTICIPANTS: 17 nurses performing COVID testing were enrolled. INTERVENTION: An educational session on COVID nasopharyngeal testing technique and nasal anatomy was presented by an otolaryngologist. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: A pre-session survey assessed providers' prior nasal testing training and COVID testing challenges. Provider comfort level with COVID testing was surveyed pre-and post-session. A 6-question nasal anatomy test was administered pre- and post-session. RESULTS: 16 out of 17 nurses performed fewer than 10 COVID tests prior to the educational session (94%). Reported challenges with COVID testing included patient discomfort (79.6%), inability to pass the test swab (23.5%) and nasal bleeding (11.8%). The number of providers comfortable with independently performing COVID testing increased from pre- to post-session (5 and 14, p = 0.013). The average number of correct responses to the 6-question nasal anatomy test increased following the session (3.2 ± 1.2 to 5.1 ± 1.1, p = 0.003). Specifically, the number of providers able to localize the nasopharynx increased from 8 providers pre-session to 14 providers post-session (p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Early implementation of nasal anatomy and nasopharyngeal swab technique education can help improve provider comfort and knowledge in performing accurate COVID testing.

Sequential anastomosis for lymphatic supermicrosurgery: multiple lymphaticovenular anastomoses on 1 venule.

BACKGROUND: Supermicrosurgical lymphaticovenular anastomosis (LVA) is becoming a treatment option for progressive lymphedema. Various types of LVA such as end-to-end, end-to-side, side-to-end, and side-to-side are performed to improve the treatment efficacy. METHODS: We applied sequential anastomosis for LVA surgery, in which 2 lymphatic vessels were anastomosed to 1 venule using side-to-side and side-to-end anastomoses. Six lower extremity lymphedema (LEL) patients who underwent sequential anastomosis were included in this study. Feasibility, anastomosis patency, and treatment effect of the method were evaluated. RESULTS: Six sequential anastomoses were performed on 6 lymphedematous limbs. All sequential anastomoses showed good anastomosis patency after completion of anastomoses. A significant decrease in LEL index was seen postoperatively (244.0 ± 14.6; postoperative LEL index vs 263.5 ± 19.4; preoperative LEL index, P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Sequential anastomosis can divert both normograde and retrograde lymph flows from 2 lymphatic vessels into 1 venule. Sequential LVA is a useful method to increase lymph flow bypasses, when there are fewer venules than lymphatic vessels.

A modified side-to-end lymphaticovenular anastomosis.

BACKGROUND: Lymphaticovenular anastomosis (LVA) is a useful treatment for compression-refractory lymphedema with its effectiveness and minimal invasiveness. However, LVA requires supermicrosurgery, where lymphatic vessels with a diameter of 0.5 mm or smaller are anastomosed using 11-0 or 12-0 suture. To make LVA easier and safer, we adopted a modified side-to-end (S-E) anastomosis in LVA surgery. METHODS: We performed modified S-E LVAs in 14 limbs of female patients with lower extremity lymphedema (LEL). In modified S-E LVA, lateral windows with a length of 1.0 mm or longer were created on a lymphatic vessel and a vein, respectively, and side-to-side (S-S) anastomosis was established with 10-0 continuous suture. After completion of S-S anastomosis, the vein distal to the anastomosis site was ligated to prevent venous backflow and subsequent thrombosis at the anastomosis site. Lymphedematous volume was evaluated preoperatively and at postoperative 6 months using LEL index. RESULTS: All the 24 modified S-E anastomoses could be completed without difficulty or revision for anastomosis, and showed good patency after completion of anastomosis. Postoperatively, LEL indices significantly decreased compared with preoperative LEL index (255.9 ± 14.1 vs. 274.9 ± 22.2, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Modified S-E LVA can efficaciously divert lymph flows into venous circulation without performing supermicrosurgical anastomosis.

Uterine autotransplantation in cynomolgus macaques: the first case of pregnancy and delivery.

BACKGROUND: For women with congenital uterine infertility, or for those who have undergone hysterectomy, uterine transplantation is one of the potential treatments to regain fertility. In this study, we utilized a primate model of uterine transplantation, and evaluated the patency of our microsurgical anastomoses, and the perfusion of the transplanted uterus. METHODS: Two female cynomolgus monkeys underwent surgery. We anastomosed two arteries and one vein in Case 1 and two arteries and two veins in Case 2. The arteries used were the uterine arteries and the anastomosis was done to the external iliac artery. We used one of the ovarian veins in both animals, but resected the ovary from the Fallopian tube. Uterine arterial blood flow and uterine size were determined by intraoperative indocyanine green (ICG) angiography and ultrasonography. The biopsy of the uterine cervix was performed after surgery. RESULTS: ICG angiography showed that the unilateral uterine artery perfused the bilateral uterine bodies and cervix. In Case 1, ICG angiography showed the occlusion of one of the anastomosed arteries during the operation and the uterus appeared atrophied 2 months after operation. In Case 2, the transplanted uterus survived and normal menstruation occurred. The animal achieved a natural pregnancy and was delivered by the Caeserean section due to early separation of the placenta. The newborn suffered fetal distress. CONCLUSIONS: These results show the anastomosis of at least the bilateral uterine arteries and the unilateral ovarian vein is required for uterus transplantation. This is the first report of a natural pregnancy in a primate following uterine autotransplantation.

Malignant Pineal Parenchymal Tumors in Adults: A National Cancer Database Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Limited retrospective data exist on malignant pineal parenchymal tumors (PPTs) in adults, and there are no large previous studies that review clinical outcomes across the 3 treatment arms of surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. As a result, optimal disease management has yet to be defined. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate treatment trends and perform survival analysis in adult PPT. METHODS: The National Cancer Database was queried for histologically confirmed PPT diagnosed from 2007 to 2016. Univariate and multivariate Cox regressions were used to evaluate the prognostic impact of covariates. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were generated for comparative subanalyses. RESULTS: Of the 251 patients who met inclusion criteria, 172 had PPTs of intermediate differentiation (PPTID) and 79 had pineoblastoma. A plurality of patients with pineoblastoma were treated with trimodal therapy (39.1%), whereas patients with PPTID were commonly treated with either surgery alone or surgery and radiation (33.7% each). Factors independently associated with improved overall survival include younger patient age, female sex, lower comorbidity score, lower tumor grade, and treatment with surgery or radiation (each P < .05). Subanalyses confirm the effect of radiation on survival in patients with grade III PPTID with subtotal resection; however, no survival benefit of adjuvant radiation is demonstrated in patients with grade II PPTID with subtotal resection. CONCLUSION: Although radiotherapy and surgery were found to increase survival in all patients with PPT, there was no demonstrable survival benefit of adjuvant radiation in surgically treated patients with grade II PPTID. This suggests that adjuvant radiotherapy may not add significant survival benefit in many adult patients with grade II PPTID.

Impact of COVID-19 on Otolaryngology Literature.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To understand the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the volume, quality, and impact of otolaryngology publications. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. METHODS: Fifteen of the top peer-reviewed otolaryngology journals were queried on PubMed for COVID and non-COVID-related articles from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021 (pandemic period) and pre-COVID articles from the year prior. Information on total number of submissions and rate of acceptance were collected from seven top-ranked journals. RESULTS: Our PubMed query returned 759 COVID articles, 4,885 non-COVID articles, and 4,200 pre-COVID articles, corresponding to a 34% increase in otolaryngology publications during the pandemic period. Meta-analysis/reviews and miscellaneous publication types made up a larger portion of COVID publications than that of non-COVID and pre-COVID publications. Compared to pre-COVID articles, citations per article 120 days after publication and Altmetric Attention Score were higher in both COVID articles (citations/article: 2.75 ± 0.45, P < .001; Altmetric Attention Score: 2.05 ± 0.60, P = .001) and non-COVID articles (citations/article: 0.03 ± 0.01, P = .002; Altmetric Attention Score: 0.67 ± 0.28, P = .016). COVID manuscripts were associated with a 1.65 times higher acceptance rate compared to non-COVID articles (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 was associated with an increase in volume, citations, and attention for both COVID and non-COVID articles compared to pre-COVID articles. However, COVID articles were associated with lower evidence levels than non-COVID and pre-COVID articles. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 132:1364-1373, 2022.

High-Fidelity Surgical Middle Ear Simulator: A Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVES: To assess a middle ear simulator as a surgical training tool among a cohort of novice trainees. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective pilot study. SETTING: The George Washington University Hospital (tertiary care academic hospital). PARTICIPANTS: Twenty one medical students and physician assistant students completed the protocol. Each student produced four recordings over 10 attempts. The two raters were attending surgeons from the George Washington University Hospital. INTERVENTIONS: Stapedotomies performed on a high-fidelity middle ear simulator. Participants were assessed at baseline with a Purdue pegboard test and trained with video and a low fidelity middle ear simulator. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Two experts rated recordings on scales based upon a validated objective skills assessment test (OSAT) format. RESULTS: Inter-rater reliability was strong across all stapedotomy skills scores and global rating scores. Participants demonstrated statistically significant improvement up to the third recording (seventh attempt), but the scores on the fourth recording (tenth attempt) were not significantly different from the third. One participant failed to improve in score over 10 attempts. Pegboard test performance was not correlated with score improvement. Low-fidelity trial time was significantly correlated to stapedotomy and global rating scores. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study serves as the first investigation of this middle ear simulator amongst a cohort of trainees. A high-fidelity middle ear simulator may serve as a measurement tool to select future surgical trainees, customize training pathways, and assess surgical capacity before graduation.

Round window anatomy predicts ease of cochlear implantation in children.

OBJECTIVES: We aim to evaluate the utility of the Round Window Angle (RWA) as a predictor of difficulty and operative time in cochlear implantation. METHODS: A retrospective study of pediatric patients that underwent cochlear implantation and CT temporal bone imaging from January 2008 to November 2019. Correlation, univariate, and multivariate analysis were conducted. RESULTS: 347 implantations met inclusion criteria. We found a difference in RWA for difficult (median: 101°, n = 5) and non-difficult (median: 74, n = 317) implantations (p < 0.0001). There was also a difference in RWA in patients with round windows visualized intra-operatively (p < 0.0197). When controlling for age and intraoperative round window visualization, logistic regression showed RWA was significantly associated with difficult insertion (OR: 1.687; p = 0.0246). Further, there was positive correlation between RWA and operative time (r = 0.1779, p = 0.0013) with patients with acute RWAs having shorter operative times (mean 115.7 ± 32.1 min) than those with obtuse RWA (mean 183.5 ± 97.0 min) (p = 0.0035). When accounting for surgeon and patient age, multivariate linear regression showed round window visualization (ß = 3.456, p = 0.0006) and obtuse RWA (ß = 6.172, p < 0.0001) was associated with an increase in operative time. CONCLUSION: Further research is needed to identify difficult cochlear implantations to increase the success and reduce risks associated with the surgery. Our study reports the possibility that an obtuse RWA both significantly increases difficulty and time of operation due to decreased round window visualization.

Prevalence of Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Pediatric Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: A Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SNHL) attributable to Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) in the global pediatric population and to identify factors contributing to its severity. STUDY DESIGN: Meta-analysis. METHODS: We performed a comprehensive literature search for scientific articles in PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library that reported the incidence of hearing loss in populations under 18 years of age with excluding studies analyzing patients on iron chelation therapy, adults, or those without objective audiological analysis. RESULTS: We identified 138 initial studies with 17 selected for analysis after applying the exclusion criteria. A total of 1,282 SCD patients and 553 controls were included in the meta-analysis. There was a statistically significant increase in the prevalence of SNHL in children with SCD compared to the general population with a cumulative risk ratio of 3.33. CONCLUSION: This is the first systematic investigation of the relationship between SCD and SNHL in pediatric patients across the globe. The increased prevalence of SNHL in the pediatric SCD population warrants future research into the predictors of SNHL severity and merits routine audiometric monitoring of SCD patients to reduce the social and developmental morbidity of hearing loss at a young age. PROSPERO Registration #: CRD42019132601. Laryngoscope, 131:1147-1156, 2021.

Characterization of Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Adult Patients With Sickle Cell Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES AND MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: To determine the prevalence of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) attributable to sickle cell disease (SCD) in the global adult population and to identify factors contributing to its severity. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. METHODS: We performed a comprehensive literature search for scientific articles in PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library that reported the incidence of hearing loss in populations over 18 years of age with SCD. RESULTS: We identified 138 studies from the initial search, 12 of which met inclusion criteria and were utilized for data analysis. A total of 636 SCD patients and 360 controls were included in the Cochrane Review Manager 5.3 meta-analysis. There was a statistically significant increase in the prevalence of SNHL in adults with SCD compared with the general population with a cumulative risk ratio (RR) of 6.03. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first systematic investigation of the relationship between SCD and SNHL in adult patients across the globe. SNHL is more prevalent in patients with SCD, specifically those of the HbSS genotype, than the general population likely due to the pathophysiology of the disease and its effects on labyrinthine microvasculature. The increased prevalence of SNHL in the adult SCD population warrants future research into the predictors of SNHL severity and merits routine audiometric monitoring of adult SCD patients.

Sensorineural Hearing Loss and Tinnitus Characteristics in Patients With Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension.

OBJECTIVES: To characterize patterns of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and tinnitus in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: Adult patients diagnosed with IIH via lumbar puncture (LP) between 2010 and 2020 who had available audiograms. The study included a total of 40 patients; 33 women, and 7 men with a median age of 43. INTERVENTIONS: Diagnostic LP and audiogram. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Otologic symptoms, ophthalmologic signs, hearing thresholds, cerebrospinal fluid opening pressures. RESULTS: The most commonly reported symptoms were tinnitus in 28 (70%, 23 pulsatile and 5 tonal), aural fullness in 11 (28%), and vertigo in 10 (25%). Twenty-nine patients had ophthalmologic examinations and 18 had evidence of papilledema. Twenty-five (63%) patients had hearing loss in at least one ear at one frequency range. Patients presented with both unilateral and bilateral hearing loss across low, middle, and high frequency ranges. No significant association was observed between hearing loss threshold and LP opening pressure except for 250 Hz in the left ear. After stratification by tinnitus group (pulsatile, tonal, and no tinnitus), no significant difference was found between mean hearing loss threshold at different frequencies. In addition, no significant mean age difference was identified in patients within each tinnitus group. CONCLUSIONS: There was no classic pattern or presentation for hearing loss in our IIH patients. They developed sudden, unilateral, or bilateral SNHL in low, middle, or high frequency range. The degree of hearing loss did not correlate with CSF opening pressure.

Head and neck osteosarcomas: Analysis of treatment trends and survival outcomes in the United States (2004-2016).

BACKGROUND: Head and neck osteosarcoma (HNOS) is a rare primary bone tumor with limited data to guide treatment approaches. METHODS: The NCDB was used to identify patients diagnosed with HNOS. Kaplan-Meier and Cox multivariate regression were used to examine the impact of each treatment on overall survival (OS). RESULTS: We identified 821 patients diagnosed with HNOS. Utilization of neoadjuvant chemotherapy + surgery increased from zero cases in 2004 to 24% of cases in 2016. Among surgically treated patients, 5-year OS was 55.8% (CI: 51.7-60.1%). No difference was seen in OS between each treatment cohort on multivariate analysis. However, neoadjuvant chemotherapy + surgery + adjuvant chemotherapy had improved 18-month survival compared to surgery alone (95.8% vs. 78.5%, p = 0.031). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated no survival benefit in perioperative chemotherapy or radiation therapy; however, short-term survival improvement in patients receiving both neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy displays promise and requires further investigation.

Transoral robotic surgery versus nonrobotic resection of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) compared to nonrobotic surgery (NRS) on overall survival in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). We performed a retrospective study of patients with HPV+ and HPV- OPSCC undergoing TORS or NRS with neck dissection using the National Cancer Database from the years 2010-2016. Among patients with OPSCC in our cohort, 3167 (58.1%) patients underwent NRS and 2288 (41.9%) underwent TORS. TORS patients demonstrated better overall survival than NRS patients (HPV+ patients: aHR 0.74, p = 0.02; HPV- patients: aHR 0.58, p < 0.01). Subsite analysis showed TORS was correlated with improved survival in base of tongue (BoT) primaries for both HPV+ (aHR 0.46, p = 0.01) and HPV- (aHR 0.42, p = 0.01) OPSCC. Compared to NRS, TORS is associated with improved overall survival for HPV+ and HPV- OPSCC, as well as greater overall survival for BoT primaries.

Hold the Salt: History of Salt Restriction as a First-line Therapy for Menière's Disease.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the historical origins of the usage of the salt restriction diet as an intervention for Menière's disease (MD). METHODS: Articles on MD and salt restriction were identified using Pubmed and Google scholar. Original manuscripts from 19th and 20th century as well as selected otological textbooks in English, German, and French were also reviewed. RESULTS: The oldest recommendation of salt restriction in the literature was by Dederding (1889-1955) in 1929. She and her mentor, Sydney Holger Mygind (1884-1970), believed MD was caused by dysfunctional water metabolism. In several published manuscripts, they proposed that a reduced salt and fluid diet was an effective treatment for MD. Their contemporaries supported their findings, most notably, Albert C. Furstenberg (1890-1969) who suggested salt restriction alone as treatment for MD. Furstenberg, in his initial study implementing salt restriction in 15 patients with MD and then in a larger study with 150 patients, was the first to produce results that supported salt restriction as therapy for MD. It was not until 1980, when LB Jongkees first published his criticism of this treatment, that salt restriction was questioned. Since then, numerous published articles have been critical of salt restriction therapy and skeptical of its initial adoption into clinical practice. CONCLUSIONS: Since Dederding's and Mygind's publications in 1929 and Furstenberg's trial in 1934, the salt restriction diet has remained a primary first-line treatment for MD. Since the 1950s, various publications have both supported and argued this treatment, and the evidence of its validity remains inconclusive.

Pediatric head and neck rhabdomyosarcoma: An analysis of treatment and survival in the United States (1975-2016).

INTRODUCTION: Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue head and neck sarcoma in children. Stringent analysis of survival data is imperative to optimize treatment. METHODS: The National Cancer Database (NCDB, 2004-2016) and the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER, 1975-2016) were queried for patients ages 0-19 with RMS of the head and neck. Survival trends were analyzed using univariable logistic regression and Chi-square pairwise comparisons. Survival by treatment was analyzed using log-rank tests, Kaplan Meier, and multivariable Cox-proportional hazards regression. RESULTS: 1147 (63.3% age <10 years, 54.3% male) and 459 (71.4% age <10 years, 53.6% male) patients were identified in NCDB and SEER, respectively. In NCDB, embryonal (n = 625, 54.5%) and alveolar (n = 300, 26.2%) were the most common histology and nonparameningeal/non-orbital (n = 634, 55.3%), followed by parameningeal (n = 303, 26.4%) and orbital (n = 210, 18.3%) the most common location. Five-year overall survival (OS) was 70.3% with lower mortality risk for embryonal histology (adjusted HR [aHR] = 0.69, p = 0.0038). Orbital tumors had greatest survival (5-year OS = 92.4%) of all sites, and their mortality risk was higher with chemotherapy and radiation compared to surgery and radiation (aHR = 6.27, p = 0.0302). SEER analysis showed average increased survival by 4% per year (p < 0.0001), but no significant 5-year OS difference when comparing 1976-1980 and 2006-2010 (p = 0.0843). CONCLUSIONS: Major prognostic factors for survival in childhood RMS of the head and neck were embryonal histology, orbital site, extent of disease, and use of SRT for orbital tumors. Larger population studies are required to demonstrate survival differences between treatment modalities for other sites.

Laparoscopic repair of vesicovaginal fistula.

INTRODUCTION: In developed countries, the majority of vesicovaginal fistulas develop after gynaecologic surgery, with abdominal hysterectomy accounting for 90% of cases. Several techniques are available for repairing the fistulas. Abdominal approaches give good results even for difficult posterior located fistulas, but are associated with increased morbidity compared with the transvaginal approach. We performed a laparoscopic repair to minimize the surgical morbidity of the transabdominal approach. METHODS: A 44-year-old female presented with vesicovaginal fistula after abdominal hysterectomy. After a failed trial of conservative treatment with catheter drainage, a transperitoneal laparoscopic repair was performed. Cystoscopy was performed intially to confirm the fistula location and for bilateral ureteric catheterization. A 4-port technique was performed with the patient in the Trendelenburg position with her legs in lithotomy position. Without opening the bladder, the fistula tract was excised with separation of the bladder from the anterior vagina wall. Both the bladder and vagina walls were then closed separately using intracorporeal suturing with an interpositional omentum. RESULTS: The operation was uncomplicated. Total operative time was 260 min. Normal diet was resumed on day 1 and patient was discharged on the same day with an indwelling catheter. A cystogram performed 3 weeks post surgery showed resolution of the fistula. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic repair of vesicovaginal fistula without opening the bladder and using intracorporeal suturing and omentum interpositioning is feasible in selected patients.

Flap salvage following postoperative venous thrombosis diagnosed by blood glucose measurement in the flaps.

OBJECTIVE: This is the first paper to report the measurement of blood glucose in flaps to detect early flap congestion and flap salvage following immediate flap exploration. METHODS: We performed blood glucose measurement in a superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator flap and an anterolateral thigh flap postoperatively using Medisafe-Mini (Terumo, Japan), a regular capillary blood glucose-monitoring device. RESULTS: The blood glucose measurements were low when in early venous thrombosis. Low capillary blood glucose levels were detected early, even before flap discoloration occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Low capillary blood glucose level in congested flaps is an early sign of venous thrombosis. The incorporation of blood glucose measurement in addition to clinical monitoring aids in early detection and possible reduction postoperative complications due to venous thrombosis.