Postoperative Respiratory Complications in SARS-CoV-2 Positive Pediatric Patients Across 20 United States Hospitals: A Cohort Study.

INTRODUCTION: Data examining rates of postoperative complications among SARS-CoV-2 positive children are limited. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of symptomatic and asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 positive status on postoperative respiratory outcomes for children. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included SARS-CoV-2 positive pediatric patients across 20 hospitals who underwent general anesthesia from March to October 2020. The primary outcome was frequency of postoperative respiratory complications, including: high-flow nasal cannula/non invasive ventilation, reintubation, pneumonia, Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), and 30-day respiratory-related readmissions or emergency department (ED) visits. Univariate analyses were used to evaluate associations between patient and procedure characteristics and stratified analyses by symptoms were performed examining incidence of complications. RESULTS: Of 266 SARS-CoV-2 positive patients, 163 (61.7%) were male, and the median age was 10 years (interquartile range 4-14). The majority of procedures were emergent or urgent (n = 214, 80.5%). The most common procedures were appendectomies (n = 78, 29.3%) and fracture repairs (n = 40,15.0%). 13 patients (4.9%) had preoperative symptoms including cough or dyspnea. 26 patients (9.8%) had postoperative respiratory complications, including 15 requiring high-flow oxygen, 8 with pneumonia, 4 requiring non invasive ventilation, 3 respiratory ED visits, and 2 respiratory readmissions. Respiratory complications were more common among symptomatic patients than asymptomatic patients (30.8% vs. 8.7%, p = 0.01). Higher ASA class and comorbidities were also associated with postoperative respiratory complications. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative respiratory complications are less common in asymptomatic versus symptomatic SARS-COV-2 positive children. Relaxation of COVID-19-related restrictions for time-sensitive, non urgent procedures in selected asymptomatic patients may be reasonably considered. Additionally, further research is needed to evaluate the costs and benefits of routine testing for asymptomatic patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Iii, Respiratory complications.

Does perioperative ketorolac increase bleeding risk after intracapsular tonsillectomy?

IMPORTANCE: Conflicting evidence exists regarding the post-tonsillectomy bleed risk associated with perioperative ketorolac use in the pediatric population. Surgical technique for tonsillectomy can further confound this risk. OBJECTIVE: The primary objective was to retrospectively quantify the post-tonsillectomy bleed rate after single-dose administration of ketorolac in pediatric patients following intracapsular tonsillectomy. The secondary objective was to determine if age, sex, body mass index, medical comorbidities, and indication for surgery increased post-tonsillectomy bleed risk. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study of 1920 children who underwent intracapsular tonsillectomies between January 2017 and December 2018. SETTING: This study was completed at a tertiary-care pediatric referral center. PARTICIPANTS: 1920 children who underwent intracapsular tonsillectomies between January 2017 and December 2018 at a single tertiary-care children's hospital. EXPOSURES: Patients were divided into two cohorts: 1458 patients (75.9%) received ketorolac (K+), and 462 (24.1%) did not (NK). Age, sex, body mass index, comorbidities, and indication for surgery also were evaluated for association with post-tonsillectomy bleed risk. MAIN OUTCOME(S) AND MEASURE(S): Primary study outcome for both cohorts was post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage requiring operative intervention. RESULTS: 1920 study participants were included with an average age of 6.5 years; 51.5% of participants were males; and, 63.9% were white. Overall, the postoperative bleeding rate was 1.5%. However, there was no significant difference when comparing bleeding rates for the ketorolac group and the non-keterolac group (1.4%-1.7%; P = .82) Age, chronic tonsillitis, higher body mass index Z-scores, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and behavioral diagnoses were statistically significant risk factors for post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Single-dose postoperative ketorolac does not appear to be associated with increased risk of post-tonsillectomy bleed in pediatric patients undergoing intracapsular tonsillectomy. Providers should not avoid using ketorolac in patients undergoing intracapsular tonsillectomy due to concerns over bleeding risk.

Comparing telehealth with office-based visits for common pediatric otolaryngology complaints.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of telehealth visits and compare office-based visits for pediatric patients undergoing evaluation of recurrent acute otitis media or sleep-disordered breathing. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study compared telehealth patients with matched controls seen in the office. The feasibility of a thorough patient evaluation in a single telehealth visit without a follow-up office visit was assessed. Both groups were also compared for completeness of physical exam, management, follow-up recommendations, and correlation of physical exam findings with intraoperative findings. RESULTS: 100 children [mean age (SD) = 20.7 (15.6) months] with a chief complaint of recurrent acute otitis media and 128 children [5.4 (3.2) years] with a chief complaint of sleep-disordered breathing were evaluated. Recommendations for surgery, additional studies, or routine follow-up were similar between telehealth and office-based groups. Physical exam feasibility was significantly different for the nasal cavity, oropharynx, and middle ear (P < .001). Patients who underwent office-based consultation were much more likely to have findings of middle ear fluid at the time of tympanostomy tube placement (79.3% vs 39.3%, P = .002). There was no significant difference between preoperative and intraoperative tonsil size discrepancies (P = .749). CONCLUSION: Telehealth can be used successfully for the evaluation of pediatric patients with sleep-disordered breathing; however, reliance on history alone may result in unnecessary tympanostomy tube placement in patients with recurrent acute otitis media. Physical examination of the oropharynx, nasal cavity, and middle ear via telehealth presents a unique challenge in pediatric otolaryngology.

Improving Attendance and Patient Experiences During the Expansion of a Telehealth-Based Pediatric Otolaryngology Practice.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the rates and primary causes of missed appointments (MAs) for telehealth visits and present remedies for improvement. METHODS: This cross-sectional survey was conducted at a tertiary care pediatric otolaryngology practice during expansion of telehealth-based visits. A review of questionnaire responses was performed for 103 consecutive patients with MAs over 50 business days from March 20, 2020, to May 29, 2020. Families were asked a brief survey regarding the cause of the MA and assisted with technical support and rescheduling. MA rates and causes were analyzed. RESULTS: The overall MA rate during the initiation of telehealth services was significantly increased at 12.4% as compared with clinic-based visits of a similar duration before COVID of 5.2% (P < .001). Technical issues were the most common causes of MAs (51.3%). Of the caregivers, 23.8% forgot or reported cancellation of the appointment. Five percent of patients were non-English speaking and scheduled without translator support. Minorities and patients with public insurance represented 53.6% and 61.9% of MAs, respectively. DISCUSSION: Technical difficulties were the most commonly reported cause of missed telehealth appointments. Optimization of applications by providing patient reminders, determining need for translator assistance, and reducing required upload/download speeds may significantly reduce rates of MAs and conversions to other communication. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Clear, concise education materials on the technical aspects of telehealth, platform optimization, and robust technical and administrative support may be necessary to reduced missed telehealth appointments and support large-scale telehealth operations. An assessment of institutional capacity is critical when considering telehealth expansion.