A Reproducible Peritonsillar Abscess Incision and Drainage Model for Junior Trainees.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the design and construction of a reproducible, low-cost, peritonsillar abscess (PTA) incision and drainage simulator and assess its impact on trainees' confidence. METHODS: The 2-part simulator we developed consisted of a manikin head with a fixed, partially open mouth and a modular PTA mold. The mold is created by injecting a lotion and water mixture into plastic bubbles, followed by silicone solidification. Neodymium magnets secure the silicone-abscess packet to the manikin's palate. The simulator was utilized during an academic otolaryngology residency training program Annual Otolaryngology Boot Camp. A self-assessment Likert scale questionnaire was used to evaluate participants' confidence before and after simulator training. Fourth-year medical students and junior (first and second year) residents who participated in the boot camp and agreed to complete the evaluation were included. RESULTS: Three medical students, 17 PGY-1, and 10 PGY-2 residents agreed to complete the evaluation. All trainees agreed the model was useful for learning skills. The overall post-training confidence Likert scores of participants, and PGY-1 residents in particular, significantly improved compared to their pre-training scores (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Our model offers an affordable and efficient training opportunity for residents to enhance their competence in managing PTAs. This approach, with its simple yet effective design and low production cost, shows potential for scalability on a broader scale.

Comparing reactive versus empiric cerebrospinal fluid drainage strategies for spinal perfusion pressure optimization in patients with acute traumatic spinal cord injuries.

BACKGROUND: Spinal cord hypoperfusion undermines clinical recovery in acute traumatic spinal cord injuries. New guidelines suggest cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage is an important strategy for preventing spinal cord hypoperfusion in the acute post-injury phase. METHODS: This study included participants presenting to a single level 1 trauma center between 2018 and 2022 with cervical or thoracic traumatic spinal cord injury severity grade A-C, as evaluated by the American spinal injury association impairment scale (AIS). The primary objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of two CSF drainage protocols in preventing spinal cord hypoperfusion; 1) draining CSF only when spinal cord perfusion pressure (SCPP) drops below 65 mmHg (i.e. reactive) versus 2) empiric CSF drainage of 5-10 mL every hour. Intrathecal pressure, spinal cord perfusion pressure (SCPP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and vasopressor utilization were compared using univariate T-test statistical analysis. RESULTS: While there was no difference in the incidence of sub-optimal SCPP (<65 mmHg; p = 0.1658), reactively drained participants were more likely to exhibit critical hypoperfusion (<50 mmHg; p = 0.0030) despite also having lower average intrathecal pressures (p < 0.001). There were no differences in average SCPP, mean arterial pressure (MAP), or vasopressor utilization between the two groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Empiric (vs reactive) CSF drainage resulted in fewer incidences of critical spinal cord hypoperfusion for patients with acute traumatic spinal cord injuries.

Management of Cochlear Implant Electrode Arrays Misplaced in the Internal Auditory Canal: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: Misplacement of electrode arrays in the internal auditory canal (IAC) presents a unique clinical challenge. Speech recognition is limited for cochlear implant (CI) users with misplaced arrays, and there are risks with revision surgery including facial and/or cochlear nerve injury. DATABASES REVIEWED: PubMed, Embase, and Scopus. METHODS: A literature search was performed from inception to September 2023. The search terms were designed to capture articles on misplaced arrays and the management options. Articles written in English that described cases of array misplacement into the IAC for children and adults were included. The level of evidence was assessed using Oxford Center for Evidence Based Medicine guidelines. Descriptive statistical analyses were performed. RESULTS: Twenty-eight cases of arrays misplaced in the IAC were identified. Thirteen (46%) were patients with incomplete partition type 3 (IP3), and 7 (25%) were patients with common cavity (CC) malformations. Most misplaced arrays were identified postoperatively (19 cases; 68%). Of these cases, 11 (58%) were managed with array removal. No facial nerve injuries were reported with revision surgery. Eight cases (42%) were left in place. Several underwent mapping procedures in an attempt improve the sound quality with the CI. CONCLUSION: Electrode array misplacement in the IAC is a rare complication that reportedly occurs predominately in cases with IP3 and CC malformations. Removal of misplaced arrays from the IAC reportedly has not been associated with facial nerve injuries. Cases identified with IAC misplacement postoperatively can potentially be managed with modified mapping techniques before proceeding with revision surgery.