Robotic versus conventional neck dissection: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this systematic review is to compare the perioperative outcomes of robotic versus conventional neck dissection in patients with head and neck malignancy. METHODS: An electronic search of PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases was conducted. We included studies with direct comparisons of robotic and open neck dissections and performed dual, independent data extraction for primary outcomes of nodal yield, recurrence rate, subjective cosmetic assessment, operative time, length of stay, and rates of perioperative complications. Data were pooled using random effects meta-analysis to determine the standardized mean difference (SMD), absolute risk difference (RD), and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: Eleven comparative studies comprising 225 robotic and 430 open neck dissections met the final selection criteria. All studies had low to moderate risk of bias. Robotic surgery improved cosmesis (SMD 1.15, 95% CI 0.73 to 1.56) but also increased operative time (SMD 1.94, 95% CI 1.25 to 2.63). Total nodal yield, pathological nodal yield, recurrence rate, rates of perioperative complications, and length of stay were not significantly different between the two groups, and the 95% CIs suggested that false negative results were unlikely. The results remained consistent after stratification by pathology and robotic technique. CONCLUSION: Although robotic neck dissection may offer similar perioperative outcomes compared to conventional neck dissection, it requires significantly more operative time. Whereas cosmesis was found to be superior among the robotic cohort, this must be viewed cautiously given the nonvalidated measurement tool that was used and the inherent reporting bias associated with it. Laryngoscope, 129:1587-1596, 2019.

Systematic Review of Voice Outcomes for Injection Laryngoplasty Performed under Local vs General Anesthesia.

Objective To assist otolaryngologists in counseling patients with hoarseness who would benefit from injection laryngoplasty on whether or not to perform the procedure in the office vs the operating room. Data Sources Cochrane library, CINAHL, PubMed, and EMBASE. Review Methods Systematic review using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) reporting standards of English-language articles that compared voice outcomes for in-office and in the operating room injection laryngoplasty. Two independent investigators assessed study eligibility, rated the quality using Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS), and abstracted data for comparative analysis. Results Of 689 initial studies, 4 observational, comparative studies met inclusion criteria, with follow-up of 2 weeks to 12 months postinjection. Laryngoplasty was most commonly performed for vocal fold immobility with varied injectable materials (micronized dermis, hyaluronic acid, and calcium hydroxyapatite). Follow-up ranged from 2 weeks to 12 months. Voice outcomes improved in all studies, with comparable improvement for patients injected in the office vs the operating room ( P = .42 to P = .88). Meta-analysis of 3 studies showed no difference in Voice Handicap Index-10 voice outcomes by treatment setting (standardized mean difference -0.11, P = .441), with the 95% confidence interval (-0.405 to 0.176), making it unlikely that anything larger than a small or trivial difference was missed. Conclusion Our systematic review makes it unlikely that meaningful clinical differences exist in postprocedure voice outcomes for injection laryngoplasty in the office vs the operating room.

Endoscopic Sinus Surgery Improves Sleep Quality in Chronic Rhinosinusitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Objective Up to 75% of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) suffer with poor sleep quality and reduced quality of life. Endoscopic sinus surgery has demonstrated encouraging results in improving sleep function. The aim of this systematic review is to assess the change in sleep quality after surgery for CRS. Data Sources PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE. Review Methods An electronic search was conducted with the keywords "sinusitis" or "rhinosinusitis" and "sleep." Studies were included only when adults underwent endoscopic sinus surgery and were evaluated pre- and postoperatively by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI), the sleep domain of Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-22, or the sleep domain of Rhinosinusitis Disability Index. Results The database search yielded 1939 studies, of which 7 remained after dual-investigator screening. The standardized mean differences (95% CI) for the ESS, PSQI, and AHI were -0.94 (-1.63 to -0.26), -0.80 (-1.46 to -0.14), and -0.20 (-0.32 to -0.07), indicating large, moderate to large, and small improvements, respectively. All analyses displayed high heterogeneity ( I2 = 95%-99%). Conclusion Sleep quality, as measured by the ESS and PSQI surveys, shows substantial improvement after surgery for CRS, with smaller improvement seen for AHI. Generalizability of our results is limited by high heterogeneity among studies and by broad confidence intervals that cannot exclude small to trivial changes. The findings of this meta-analysis provide insight into the effect of CRS-related endoscopic sinus surgery on sleep quality, which should guide future research direction and counseling of patients in the clinical setting.

Adverse Event Reporting for Proton Pump Inhibitor Therapy: An Overview of Systematic Reviews.

OBJECTIVE: To assist clinicians in counseling patients regarding the risk of adverse events from proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), by synthesizing evidence from published systematic reviews of antireflux therapy. DATA SOURCES: Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PubMed, Web of Knowledge. REVIEW METHODS: Overview based on PRISMA reporting standards (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses) of English-language meta-analyses and systematic reviews of PPI therapy for reflux disease through December 2014. Two independent investigators assessed study eligibility, rated the review quality with AMSTAR criteria (assessing the methodological quality of systematic reviews), and abstracted data for adverse events. RESULTS: Thirty-three systematic reviews met inclusion criteria. The most commonly reported adverse events were community-acquired pneumonia (odds ratios, 1.04-1.92), with a greater association noted with shorter duration of therapy and higher doses. Hip fractures were also associated with PPI use (odds ratios, 1.16-1.50), especially with long-term therapy. Last, enteric infection with Clostridium difficile was more common with PPI therapy (odds ratios, 1.69-1.33). Other less commonly reported adverse events included electrolyte and vitamin deficiency. Risk factors for adverse events are reported in the text. CONCLUSION: Our overview shows that PPI therapy is associated with significant and potentially serious adverse events that should be discussed with patients. The effect sizes and risk factors provided should facilitate this discussion and promote shared decision making.

The prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing in children with asthma and its behavioral effects.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in children with asthma compared to non-asthmatic children and to determine if behavior problems are associated with asthma and SDB. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-Sectional. METHODS: Parents of 263 children with asthma and 266 controls ages 2 to 15 years attending routine pediatric office visits completed the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ) and the Child Behavior Checklist. Asthma severity was classified based on NIH guidelines. RESULTS: The prevalence of snoring was significantly higher in asthmatic children (35.5%) than controls (15.7%) and the prevalence of a positive PSQ was significantly higher in asthmatic children (25.9%) than controls (10.6%) (P < 0.001 for both). The effect of asthma was "dose-dependent" as children with more severe asthma had increased odds ratios for snoring and a positive PSQ. On multivariate analysis, there were significant interactions of gender with asthma and age with gender. A positive modified PSQ along with measures of socioeconomic status and age were the only independent predictors of abnormal Child Behavior Checklist scores and score classifications. CONCLUSIONS: There was a higher prevalence of SDB in asthmatic children compared to non-asthmatic children and the prevalence of SDB increased with increasing asthma severity. In multivariate analysis the role of asthma was much less clear as it predicted a positive PSQ in girls but not boys. SDB, but not asthma, was an independent predictor of behavioral problems.

Mandibular osteotomies and distraction osteogenesis: evolution and current advances.

IMPORTANCE: Although a number of mandibular and occlusal problems may be addressed by orthodontic treatment alone, dentofacial osteotomies are often needed to achieve desired functional or cosmetic results. With the increased popularity of mandibular distraction osteogenesis in recent years, the role of the facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon is crucial in the multidisciplinary care of patients with such problems. OBJECTIVE: To review the history and evolution of mandibular osteotomies and distraction osteogenesis and to discuss indications, advantages, disadvantages, and recent advances of these techniques. EVIDENCE REVIEW: Medline and PubMed searches without date limits, confined to publications in English, German, and French languages were used to search for terms mandibular advancement, mandibular osteotomy, orthognathic surgery, mandibular distraction osteogenesis, prognathism, and retrognathism in the respective languages. References not found on the sources noted were found in print form in the New York Medical College Library when needed. Particular techniques, as originally described or relating to mandibular osteotomies and mandibular distraction osteogenesis, were critically reviewed. FINDINGS: The goal of surgical mandibular modification procedures is to correct a variety of craniofacial abnormalities for both functional and aesthetic purposes. Multiple techniques of both mandibular osteotomy and distraction osteogenesis have been shown to be effective. Their effectiveness and utility is primarily determined by the specific craniofacial defect and desired outcome, as well as surgeon preference and patient compliance. CONCLUSIONS: While mandibular osteotomy has evolved tremendously, distraction osteogenesis continues to grow as a leading method of surgical correction for a variety of craniofacial defects. Current research shows significant strides in making distraction more effective and efficient to use for both the surgeon and the patient. With the growing popularity of these procedures, the up-to-date knowledge of the facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon in these advances is of utmost importance.

Organization of myelin in the mouse somatosensory barrel cortex and the effects of sensory deprivation.

In rodents, the barrel cortex is a specialized area within the somatosensory cortex that processes signals from the mystacial whiskers. We investigated the normal development of myelination in the barrel cortex of mice, as well as the effects of sensory deprivation on this pattern. Deprivation was achieved by trimming the whiskers on one side of the face every other day from birth. In control mice, myelin was not present until postnatal day 14 and did not show prominence until postnatal day 30; adult levels of myelination were reached by the end of the second postnatal month. Unbiased stereology was used to estimate axon density in the interbarrel septal region and barrel walls as well as the barrel centers. Myelin was significantly more concentrated in the interbarrel septa/barrel walls than in the barrel centers in both control and sensory-deprived conditions. Sensory deprivation did not impact the onset of myelination but resulted in a significant decrease in myelinated axons in the barrel region and decreased the amount of myelin ensheathing each axon. Visualization of the oligodendrocyte nuclear marker Olig2 revealed a similar pattern of myelin as seen using histochemistry, but with no significant changes in Olig2+ nuclei following sensory deprivation. Consistent with the anatomical results showing less myelination, local field potentials revealed slower rise times following trimming. Our results suggest that myelination develops relatively late and can be influenced by sensory experience.