PEANUTS: a national survey on the management of pediatric tracheobronchial foreign bodies.

To assess the different types of management of pediatric foreign body aspirations in order to help define guidelines, depending on clinical presentation. A national survey in France was emailed to all 30 university-affiliated departments of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery and pediatric pulmonologists in France. Data concerning the center and the experience of each participant were collected in order to define an "senior expert" group with experience of extracting more than 10 foreign bodies and a "junior/non-expert" group. Both groups answered questions concerning five clinical cases of foreign body aspiration of different severities. Ninety-eight participants answered this survey (75 otolaryngologists and 23 pulmonologists), representing 28 of the 30 university-affiliated departments in France with a completion rate of 89%. Responses of the senior expert group were similar for clear-cut situations, such as an asymptomatic child with a low probability of foreign body aspiration and for a symptomatic child with respiratory distress. However, for intermediate situations, management varied significantly according to the physician when considering clinical, radiological, and surgical management. In comparison to the senior expert group, the junior non-expert group seemed more precautious in the management of foreign body aspiration for intermediate cases, in particular, concerning the time at which extraction was performed.  Conclusion: The management of foreign body aspiration depends on the physician's experience and the center's habits. In order to optimize patient care for foreign body aspiration, we suggested a management algorithm based on the senior expert group responses. What is Known: • Foreign body aspirations (FBA) are dreaded by pediatricians, pediatric otolaryngologists, and pulmonologists particularly because of the potential fatal outcome. • However, consensus concerning their management is not clearly defined in the literature. What is New: • This study is the first to evaluate the management of foreign body aspirations (FBA) from the clinical assessment by the emergency medicine physician to the extraction of the foreign body. • A management algorithm was designed and secondarily validated by the SE group to help to emergency medicine physician and specialist to manage FBA.

Is CMV PCR of inner ear fluid during cochlear implantation a way to diagnose CMV-related hearing loss?

To evaluate the diagnostic performance of cytomegalovirus (CMV) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on inner ear fluid collected during cochlear implantation and to assess its interest in current practice. This monocentric prospective study included consecutive children presenting with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) who were candidates for unilateral and/or bilateral cochlear implantation. The etiology of the SNHL was determined before cochlear implantation when possible. During the surgery, drop-like samples of inner ear fluid and blood were collected. CMV PCR was then performed on both samples. Between January 2017 and September 2021, 113 children with severe to profound SNHL underwent cochlear implantation with inner ear fluid collection. Among these children, 77 of them presented with a known cause of SNHL (68%) and 36 of them had an unknown cause of SNHL at the time of surgery (32%). Sensitivity and specificity of the CMV PCR on inner ear fluid were 60% (95% CI: [49-71]) and 98% (95% CI: [96-100]), respectively. Positive and negative predictive values were 90% (95% CI: [83-97]) and 92% (95% CI: [86-98]), respectively. A sensitivity analysis according to age at cochlear implantation showed a decrease with age. CONCLUSION: Sampling of inner ear fluid during cochlear implant surgery is an interesting, simple and safe way to diagnose CMV-related hearing loss, especially when the diagnosis of congenital infection can no longer be confirmed. However, the sensitivity decreases with age. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT04724265 What is Known: • Congenital cytomegalovirus infection is the leading infectious cause of neurological disabilities and sensorineural hearing loss in children. In the absence of systematic screening at birth, many cCMV infections go undetected and are often undiagnosed despite the development of sensorineural sequelae.  • Nearly 40% of indications for cochlear implantation are of unknown etiology. WHAT IS NEW: • Performing CMV PCR on inner ear fluid at the time of cochlear implantation is a safe way with high diagnostic performance (PPV = 90%, NPV = 92%) to detect a CMV-related hearing loss. • This sample may be interesting in cases of unknown cause of hearing loss in order to identify undiagnosed cCMV infections.

New surgical frontiers for 4K 3D-exoscope in paediatric head and neck surgery.

PURPOSE: To define the interest, advantages, and disadvantages of the use of a 3D-exoscope in paediatric ENT surgery. METHODS: Four surgeons with experience in paediatric surgery completed a questionnaire following each surgery performed under 3D-exoscope to evaluate the contribution of the tool compared to the usual practice (microscope or magnifying loupes). Surgeries were separated into three groups: otology, transoral and cleft palate surgery, and open head and neck surgery. RESULTS: Between June 2021 and June 2022, 151 paediatric surgeries were included in this study. Among them, 93 (62%) otologic surgeries, 35 (23%) transoral surgeries, and 23 (15%) head and neck surgeries were performed. The median age at surgery was 68 months (interquartile range 19-135 months). For otologic surgeries, the mean scores (/100) for the contribution of the exoscope compared to the microscope were 68.4(± 23.2). For transoral and cleft palate surgery, the mean score (/100) for the contribution of the use of the exoscope compared to the magnifying loupes was 92.9 (± 8.6), whereas for open head and neck surgeries, the mean score (/100) was 89.5 (± 7.2). CONCLUSION: 3D-exoscopy appears to be a relevant tool for paediatric head and neck surgery, applicable in otologic, transoral, and cervical fields. It presents educational and ergonomic advantages and improves surgical team communication.

Impact of mobilization of residents in otolaryngology-head-neck surgery in COVID-19 units on mental health status.

BACKGROUND: To investigate mental health, sleep, and addiction features of young otolaryngologists (YO) according to the mobilization in COVID-19 units at the end of the third European wave of infections. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was sent to 220 YO of 6 European University hospitals. The following outcomes were evaluated: postgraduate year; age; management of COVID-19 patients; workload; nights on call; stress; Beck depression inventory; Insomnia severity index; sleep and mental health status evolutions throughout pandemic; consumption of alcohol, tobacco, and drugs before and during pandemic. RESULTS: A total of 128 YO completed the evaluations (58.2%). Twenty responders (15.6%) did not manage COVID-19 patients, while 65 (50.8%), 20 (15.6%), and 23 (18%) managed rarely, frequently or daily COVID-19 patients during the pandemic, respectively. The management of COVID-19 patients was associated with increases of workload (p = 0.023) and number of nights on-call (p < 0.001). At the end of the third wave, the depression rates were 34% (N = 31/68) and 57% (N = 34/60) in YO who worked less and more than 50 h weekly, respectively. Sleep disturbance concerned 39% (N = 26/66) and 55% (N = 27/60) of YO who worked less and more than 50 h weekly, respectively. Mobilized YO reported a significant increase of alcohol consumption compared with control group (p = 0.002). Tobacco and drugs consumptions did not evolve. The consumption of alcohol was positively correlated with the number of nights on-call (p = 0.036) and the total hours of work (p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Young otolaryngologists (YO) mobilized in COVID-19 units reported higher hours worked, nights on call, and alcohol consumption compared with others. Future large cohort-studies are needed to confirm our observations.

Audiovestibular Consequences of Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection: Greater Vulnerability of the Vestibular Part of the Inner Ear.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the impact of congenital cytomegalovirus infection on cochlear and vestibular function. DESIGN: This retrospective study conducted between March 2014 and March 2020 included children with confirmed congenital cytomegalovirus infection who underwent a complete audio-vestibular evaluation. It included a bithermal caloric test, a video head impulse test and a cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential associated with a complete hearing assessment. RESULTS: The cohort of 130 children included in the study had a median age of 21 months (interquartile range: 12 to 37 months). Eighty-three children (64%) showed an inner ear impairment (both cochlear and vestibular). The vestibular part of the inner ear was significantly more frequently impaired than the cochlear part (ρ = 0.003). Sixty-two children (48%) showed confirmed hearing impairment. The severity of hearing loss was variable, with a high proportion of profound hearing loss (30/62, 48%), which was often bilateral (47/62, 76%). The vestibular assessment showed a canal function disorder in 67 children (88%) and an otolith function disorder in 63 children (83%; ρ = 0.36). The video head impulse test was significantly less altered (64%) compared with the bithermal caloric test (80%; ρ = 0.02) and the cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potential (83%; ρ = 0.009). Only seven out of 83 children (8%) showed hearing loss without vestibular dysfunction, of which only one had a normal hearing screening test at birth. For the children who passed the hearing screening test at birth and presented an inner ear impairment [n = 36, median age: 16 (11 to 34) months], vestibular disorders were later found in 35 children (97%) and 17 of them (47%) developed hearing loss secondarily. This underlines the importance of assessing both vestibular and auditory parts of the inner ear. When comparing the agreement of cochlear and vestibular impairment, the severity and the laterality of the impairment were low [Cohen's kappa 0.31 (0.22 to 0.40) and 0.43 (0.32 to 0.55), respectively]. CONCLUSION: In our study, we demonstrated that although both cochlear and vestibular parts of the inner ear can be impaired by congenital cytomegalovirus infection, the vestibular part seems more often impaired compared with the cochlear part. This underlines the importance of vestibular evaluation in the follow-up of cytomegalovirus-infected children associated with hearing assessment.

Predictors of cochleovestibular dysfunction in children with congenital cytomegalovirus infection.

The purpose of this study is to assess the predictive factors of both hearing and vestibular impairment in congenitally cytomegalovirus-infected children (cCMV) through a multivariate analysis of clinical and imaging characteristics collected during pregnancy and at birth. This retrospective study was conducted between March 2014 and March 2020, including confirmed congenitally CMV-infected children with a complete vestibular and hearing assessment. Data concerning pregnancy, date of infection, clinical characteristics, and symptomatology at birth were collected. In total, 130 children were included, with a median age of 21 months. Eighty-three children (64%) presented with an inner ear impairment (both cochlear and vestibular impairment). Sex, modality of maternal infection (seroconversion or reactivation), pregnancy term, weight and head circumference at birth, neonatal clinical signs of infection, and treatment were not significantly correlated with inner ear impairment. However, multivariate analysis confirmed that there are two independent predictive factors of inner ear impairment: antenatal imaging lesions (ORa = 8.02 [1.74; 60.27], p-value = 0.01) and infection during the first trimester (ORa = 4.47 [1.21; 19.22], p-value = 0.03). Conversely, infections occurring during the second trimester were rarely associated with inner ear impairment: 4/13 (31%) in our series, with vestibular impairment alone (4/4) and no hearing loss. None of the children infected during the third trimester developed inner ear dysfunction. CONCLUSION: Besides the symptomatic status of the CMV infection at birth, we found that antenatal imaging brain damage and early infection (mainly during the first trimester) constitute the two best independent predictive factors of inner ear involvement in congenitally CMV-infected children. WHAT IS KNOWN: • Congenital cytomegalovirus infection is the leading infectious cause of neurological disabilities and sensorineural hearing loss in children and responsible of vestibular disorders, which are probably underestimated. • No articles have yet defined the predictive factors of the entire inner ear impairment (vestibule and cochlea). WHAT IS NEW: • The timing of the infection during pregnancy (first and second trimester, ORa=4.47) and antenatal imaging lesions (ORa=8.02) are independently predictive (in a multivariate analysis) of inner ear involvement. • The symptomatic status at birth is a poor predictor of inner ear impairment.

Child-TRACH: Management of tracheostomy in children, a Yo-IFOS survey.

OBJECTIVES: The number of tracheostomies in children has increased the last twenty years thanks to neonatal and pediatric intensive care improvement. As it is often a difficult situation to deal with for children and their caregivers, we wished to draw up the inventory of the management protocols of pediatric tracheostomies around the world. METHODS: We performed an online international survey for ENTs managing children with tracheostomies. The survey was in English and diffused through ENT national and international societies (International Federation of Otorhinolaryngologists Societies, IFOS and French Society of Otorhinolaryngologists, SFORL). Answers were anonymized and collected online between September 2021 and January 2022. All data were analyzed as a whole and according to the continent. RESULTS: 119 ENTs from the different continents responded to the survey: Europe (45.4 %), Asia (16 %), North America (14.3 %), South America (10.9 %), Africa (6.7 %) and Oceania (6.7 %). The most common indication for tracheostomy was laryngeal obstruction (77.3 %). Once initial management and surgical procedure performed, the majority of children returned home with their tracheostomy; tracheostomy was a contraindication for only 1.7 % of the responders. Concerning patient autonomy on daily care of the cannula at home, it was acquired in only 27.7 % of the cases, no difference was observed between countries (p = 0.22). Therapeutic patient education (TPE) was offered for 86.9 % of the patients taken care by the responders: it was dedicated to training the parents (96.8 %), with no differences between countries; however, in some countries, TPE for could also be offered to other caregivers. The mean delay between surgery and first change of cannula was 27.3 days (1-100) but varied depending on the country (4 days in Nigeria, 20 days in north America, 40 days in Europe, Asia and south America). CONCLUSION: Although tracheostomies in children can encompass several indications, practices across the world are similar and aim to offer a life as normal as possible for these children.

Oncological, Surgical and Functional Outcomes of Transoral Robotic Cordectomy for Early Glottic Carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate oncological, surgical and functional outcomes of transoral robotic surgery cordectomy (TORS-Co). METHODS: A retrospective chart review of patients benefiting from TORS-Co for a cT1a vocal fold squamous cell carcinoma was conducted at a single academic medical center. TORS-Co was performed through da Vinci robot. The following outcomes were studied: preoperative and operative exposures; feasibility; conversion rate; average robotic set-up and operative times; margin status; postoperative complications; tracheotomy and feeding tube requirement. RESULTS: The medical record data of 12 patients were collected. Among them, two patients were excluded because the laryngeal exposition was not adequate. From the 10 included patients, TORS-Co was not performed in three patients. The tumor was not exposable regarding anatomical conditions in two patients, while the size of the robot arms did not allow an adequate exposure in another patient. TORS-Co was performed in the remaining seven patients without transient tracheotomy or feeding tube. The mean estimated blood loss was 20 mL. The average robotic set-up and operative times were 26 minutes and 30 minutes, respectively. The mean hospital stay was 2 days. The margins were not analyzable regarding the use of the monopolar. Two patients reported postoperative complications, while five required class 2 analgesics for postoperative pain. The mean duration of follow-up was 44 months (minimum duration of 36 months). One recurrence occurred 2 years post-surgery. The recurrence was successfully treated by transoral laser CO2 microsurgery. CONCLUSION: The exposure of the laryngeal surgical field is the primary limitation of TORS-Co. TORS-Co may not report better oncological and functional outcomes than transoral laser CO2 microsurgery, which remains the gold standard surgical approach for early glottic squamous cell carcinoma.

Transoral Robotic Surgery for Cancer of the Soft Palate Posterior Surface.

The surgical treatment of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has undergone a considerable evolution, with, among others, transoral robotic surgery (TORS). However, TORS is rarely used for the surgery of soft palate. A 73-year-old man presented a human papilloma virus OSCC of the posterior soft palate. The tumor was resected using TORS. This report describes the surgical technique step by step of the tumor resection. The resection of early stage OSCC of the posterior surface of soft palate is possible through TORS. The procedure is noninvasive, rapid, and seems to be associated with excellent functional outcomes.

Step-by-step development and evaluation of a 3D printed home-made low-cost pediatric tracheobronchial tree for foreign body aspiration extractions.

OBJECTIVES: The management of foreign body aspirations (FBA) is dreaded by pediatric physicians due to the high risk of respiratory distress and a potential fatal outcome, favored by a lack of experience of young specialists. Furthermore, there has been an increasing requirement for low-cost simulation. The aim was to describe the step-by-step manufacturing process and to validate a low-cost, easily home-made training model of pediatric tracheo-bronchial tree (pTBT) for simulation-based training in order to teach young physicians to practice foreign body (FBA) extractions. METHODS: A simulator was designed in order to reproduce the physical and esthetic properties of a pTBT. The production cost of a single simulator was estimated. The simulator was then tested by experienced physicians using a rigid bronchoscope. A manufacturing manual of the simulator is hereby presented. A group of 7 experienced pediatric otolaryngologists performed a FBA extraction in the conditions of installation of an operating room. RESULTS: The result of the survey showed a high fidelity of the simulator in mimicking the biological esthetics and physical properties of a pTBT during a FBA extraction (mean 4.3 ± 0.8). The total cost of the custom-made simulator is about 20.5 € ($23.4) for the production of the first simulator. CONCLUSIONS: A highly realistic and easily reproducible pediatric tracheo-bronchial tree simulator is presented and can therefore be used during simulation-based training.

Assessment of Sleep Features, Mental Health Outcomes, and Alcohol and Tobacco Consumption in Residents and Fellows in Otolaryngology Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Importance: The workload of many residents and fellows in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery has particularly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, outcomes associated with mental health status and sleep remain unclear. Objective: To assess the sleep, mental status, and alcohol and tobacco consumption habits of residents and fellows before the COVID-19 pandemic (before March 10, 2020) and during the pandemic period (after March 10, 2020). Design, Setting, and Participants: This cohort study included residents and fellows of 6 university hospitals of European regions with a high prevalence of COVID-19 cases. Survey development, data collection, and analyses were performed from March 10, 2020, to June 30, 2021. Main Outcomes and Measures: Residents and fellows were invited to respond to a survey assessing management of treatment in patients with COVID-19 and related work features; stress and mental health status (Beck Depression Inventory); sleep features (Insomnia Severity Index); and alcohol and tobacco consumption. Results: Of 220 potential participants, 128 residents and fellows (58.2%) completed the evaluations. No demographic data on mean (SD) age and sex or gender were collected. The prepandemic mean (SD) score of the Beck Depression Inventory (3.1 [2.8]) significantly increased after the start of the pandemic (mean [SD] score, 4.2 [4.1]; difference, -1.1; 95% CI, -1.96 to -0.24; d = 0.31), and the prepandemic mean (SD) score of the Insomnia Severity Index (4.9 [4.1) significantly increased after the start of the pandemic (mean [SD] score, 6.0 [4.9]; difference, 1.1; 95% CI, 0.00-2.2; d = 0.25). Insomnia concerned 46% of participants (51 of 112), and depression concerned 47% of participants (55 of 116) during the pandemic. The mean (SD) prepandemic alcohol consumption (1.7 [2.3] IU per week) significantly increased after the start of the pandemic (mean [SD], 2.9 [4.0] IU per week; difference, 1.2; 95% CI, 0.40-2.00; d = 0.37). Residents and fellows who were mobilized in COVID-19 units reported significant increases of workload (r = 0.2; 95% CI, 0.1-0.3), stress level (r = 0.2; 95% CI, 0.1-0.3), and alcohol consumption (for 5-10 IU per week: mean [SD] prepandemic, 11 [8] IU per week vs postpandemic, 20 [16] IU per week; d = 0.37) and a worsening of sleep status (for moderate insomnia: mean [SD] prepandemic Insomnia Severity Index, 4 [3] vs postpandemic, 15 [12]; d = 0.25). There was a significant association between alcohol consumption and the Beck Depression Inventory score (r = 0.4; 95% CI, 0.2-0.6). The mean (SD) consumption of tobacco decreased from 2.1 (1.3) to 0.9 (1.5) (difference, -1.20; 95% CI, -1.50 to -0.85; d = 0.85). Conclusions and Relevance: Results of this cohort study suggest that the workload of residents and fellows increased during the pandemic, which may be associated with a worsening of mental health and sleep status and an increase of alcohol consumption.

Right Incus Osteoma in a Child: A Differential Diagnosis of Middle Ear Malformations.

Osteomas of the temporal bone, especially those involving the incus, are rare, unilateral, benign osseous tumors. The clinical presentation is usually isolated conductive hearing loss, and the diagnosis is confirmed by a temporal computed tomography scan. Osteomas of the incus represent a differential diagnosis of congenital middle ear malformations in children, which are the most frequent cause of conductive hearing loss with a normal eardrum in the pediatric population. In case of disabling symptomatology, surgery seems to be a safe way to recover normal hearing.

Surgical and oncological outcomes of transoral robotic total laryngectomy: A case series.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the oncological, functional and voice rehabilitation outcomes of transoral robotic surgery for total laryngectomy (TORS-TL). METHODS: A retrospective chart review of patients treated by TORS-TL was conducted at a single academic medical center. The following outcomes were studied: indication; average robotic set-up and operative times; mean estimated blood loss; postoperative complications; re-feeding features; mean hospital stay; need of adjuvant therapy and voice rehabilitation type. RESULTS: TORS-TL was performed in 10 patients for the following indications: nonfunctional larynx (N = 2); low-grade cricoid chondrosarcoma (N = 3) and recurrent laryngeal cancer after (chemo) radiation (N = 5). Two patients were excluded because the larynx was not exposable. Average robotic set-up and operative times were 20 and 278 min, respectively. The mean estimated blood loss was 50 mL. The mean hospital stay was 13.9 days (8-28 days). There was no local recurrence in patients operated for cancer recurrence (N = 5) 5 years after the surgery. Distant metastases occurred in one patient. A patient with laryngeal chondrosarcoma experienced local failure 3 years after TORS-TL. The voice rehabilitation consisted of esophageal voice (N = 2) and tracheoesophageal prosthesis (Provox®, N = 8). The main reasons for prosthesis replacement were transprosthetic (79%) and periprosthetic leaks (21%). The median lifespan of prostheses was 81 days. CONCLUSION: TORS-TL may be a safe and effective surgical approach for selected surgical indications. Future controlled studies are needed to determine additional indications and limitations of this procedure.

High rate of IIA/IIB neck groups involvement supports complete lateral neck dissection in thyroid carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Although therapeutic lateral neck dissection (LND) may be indicated in thyroid carcinoma, the cervical lymph node groups IIA and IIB, according to Robbins classification, are often not removed. The aim of our study was to determine the relevance of complete comprehensive LND in thyroid carcinoma. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study between January 2011 and August 2018 in a university teaching hospital. Histopathological analysis of LND performed during total thyroidectomy in thyroid carcinoma was reviewed according to lymph node level. To demonstrate that neck dissection of upper groups, IIA/IIB, is necessary when therapeutic LND is indicated in thyroid carcinoma, we compared histopathological involvement in complete comprehensive LND of the upper groups IIA/IIB to the lower groups III/IV/V. RESULTS: A total of 30 LND (24 patients) were suitable for analysis. Analysis by neck side revealed that comprehensive LND dissection samples were negative in 3 cases, and positive in 27. In those 27 positive LND, 15 demonstrated involvement of the groups IIA/IIB, and 12 were positive for involvement of the III/IV/V groups only. The combined presence of positive IIA/IIB and positive III/IV/V was observed in 15 of the 27 neck sides. There was no positive IIA/IIB without positive involvement of III/IV/V groups. CONCLUSIONS: The high rate of positive cervical lymph nodes in the upper groups IIA/IIB supports complete comprehensive LND rather than selective III/IV/V LND in thyroid carcinoma surgery. However, impact on survival and whether postoperative radioactive iodine treatment may be modulated remain to be studied.