Feeding outcomes in tracheostomy-dependent infants - can we predict future gastrostomy tube use?

OBJECTIVES: To identify characteristics of infants with tracheostomy that require gastrostomy tube insertion versus those likely to orally feed to predict which patients may benefit from insertion of gastrostomy at the time of tracheostomy placement. METHODS: Retrospective review of infants undergoing tracheostomy from birth to 18 months of age. The primary outcome was to identify pre-operative factors predictive of future gastrostomy tube use. Univariate and multivariate analyses evaluated association between pre-operative patient characteristics and feeding outcomes. RESULTS: Of 103 patients identified, 73 met inclusion criteria. Upper airway anomaly was the indication for tracheostomy in 70.4 %. Gastrostomy tube was required in 52 patients (75.4 %), with 7 (13.5 %) placed concurrently with tracheostomy. Infants with birth complications, a neurologic diagnosis, multiple co-morbidities, or identified with aspiration risk were more likely to require a gastrostomy tube (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Most infants who require tracheostomy placement from birth until 18 months of age will require nutritional support. Tracheostomy and gastrostomy are uncommonly placed concurrently. Coordination of placement would theoretically minimize the risk of general anesthetic exposure while potentially reducing hospital length of stay and healthcare related costs.

Changes in operative otolaryngology infections related to the COVID19 pandemic: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric emergency admissions fell significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigated the changes in severe infectious complications managed by otolaryngology between the pre-pandemic period and the first year of the pandemic to determine if COVID-19 or related public health measures influenced the rate or severity of presentations managed in otolaryngology. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted on pediatric patients who presented with severe infectious otolaryngology presentations (acute mastoiditis, deep neck space abscesses, and orbital complications of sinusitis) over the pre-pandemic (March 2018-February 2020) and early pandemic (March 2020-February 2021) periods. Patient characteristics, details of presentation, treatment, and outcomes were extracted from patients' charts. Independent samples t-tests/Mann-Whitney U-tests for continuous variables and Pearson chi-squared tests/Fisher's exact test for categorical variables were conducted to compare the pre vs early pandemic groups. RESULTS: There were 93 pre-pandemic and 28 early pandemic presentations. The monthly case average was significantly lower during the early pandemic period than the 2 years prior [3.58 (2.80) vs 2.00 (2.00), P = .045]. The average monthly frequency of presentations for deep neck space abscess and mastoiditis were significantly higher in the pre-pandemic group when compared to the early pandemic group [1.96 (±0.33) vs 1.33 (±0.48), P = .049; .71 (±0.26) vs 0.17 (±0.41), P = .01, respectively]. The early pandemic group was significantly younger (3.81 vs 6.04 years, P = .005), however there were no differences in gender, length of admission, and days from symptom onset to presentation between the two groups (P > .05). The early pandemic group had significantly elevated inflammatory markers on presentation [CRP, WBC, neutrophils (P = .02, P = .02, P = .04, respectively)] compared to the pre-pandemic group. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic has had an effect on severe infectious complications of ENT pathologies, including decreased average monthly cases during the early pandemic, younger age at presentation, and elevated inflammatory markers.

Management of Congenital Dacryocystocele: A Case Series and Literature Review.

Congenital dacryocystocele presents with a distinct bluish swelling in the medial canthal region in neonates. The authors present four illustrative cases with differing courses and a literature review on dacryocystocele management to raise awareness of the importance of prompt diagnosis, initiation of conservative management, and appropriate referral for surgical assessment. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2023;60(3):e31-e34.].

Management of pediatric aural foreign bodies: Towards a universal Otolaryngology referral algorithm.

OBJECTIVES: Children with aural foreign bodies (AFB) frequently present to the Emergency Department (ED). Our objective was to analyze patterns of pediatric AFB management at our center to characterize children who are commonly referred to Otolaryngology. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of all children (ages 0-18 years) presenting with AFB to the tertiary care Pediatric ED over a three-year period was performed. Demographics, symptoms, type of AFB, retrieval strategy, complications, need for Otolaryngology referral, and, use of sedation, were evaluated with respect to outcomes. Univariable logistic regression models were conducted to determine which patient characteristics were predictive of AFB removal success. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty-nine patients seen at the Pediatric ED met the inclusion criteria. Average age at presentation was 6 years (2-18 years). Otalgia was the most common presenting symptom (18.0%). However, only 27.0% of children were symptomatic. ED physicians primarily flushed AFBs out of the external auditory canal with water, whereas Otolaryngologists exclusively used direct visualization. Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery (OHNS) was consulted for 29.6% of children. Of these, 68.1% had complications associated with prior retrieval attempts. Sedation was administered in 40.4% of referred children, with 21.2% in an operative setting. Patients experiencing multiple retrieval methods by ED, and, age less than 3 years, were more likely to be referred to OHNS. CONCLUSION: Patient's age should be strongly considered as a factor for early OHNS referral. By synthesizing our conclusions with previously published results, we propose a referral algorithm.

Effectiveness of pediatric Crawford tube implants when endoscopically assisted by ENT surgeons.

OBJECTIVE: Epiphora in pediatrics is commonly treated with silicone nasolacrimal stents. The most common treatment duration is 3 months, but tubes are often unintentionally removed earlier and are still effective. There is no consensus on how long tubes need to be in situ and what factors influence treatment success. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of patients who underwent Crawford tube placement over a 10-year period (2009-2019) was conducted. Patients were age <18 years and had Crawford tubes placed in conjunction with an otolaryngologist, who performed nasal endoscopy for direct visualization when retrieving Crawford tubes and infracture of the inferior turbinate. Bicanalicular intubation was attempted in all cases; if not possible, monocanalicular intubation was performed. RESULTS: Forty-two patients were included in this study, representing 50 eyes. Spontaneous extrusion of tubes occurred in 54% of eyes. Tubes remained in situ for an average of 17.1 weeks (0-113 weeks). Symptoms resolved in 86% of patients, similar to procedures without endoscopy. There were no intraoperative complications. There was no association between the rate of persistent symptoms and duration of treatment. CONCLUSION: Nasolacrimal duct intubation using Crawford tubes performed under direct endoscopic visualization is consistently successful for the treatment of epiphora. Although epiphora can be self-resolving, persistent symptoms typically lasting past the first year of birth, warrant treatment. Children who receive Crawford tubes for epiphora commonly have spontaneous tube extrusion before treatment duration is complete. However, treatment success was not related to the length of time the tubes were in situ. Endoscopic visualization can help prevent intraoperative complications.

Documentation in Pediatric Microlaryngoscopy/Bronchoscopy: International Modified Delphi Consensus.

BACKGROUND: Complete and accurate documentation of surgical procedures is essential for optimizing patient care, yet significant variation in operative notes persists within and across institutions. We sought to reach consensus on the most important components of an operative note for pediatric microlaryngoscopy and bronchoscopy. METHODS: A modified Delphi consensus process was used. A checklist for operative documentation, created by fellowship-trained pediatric otolaryngologists-head and neck surgeons, was sent to surgeons identified as experts in pediatric laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy. In the first round, items were rated as "keep" or "remove". In the second round, each item was rated on a 7-point Likert scale for importance. The mean score of each item was calculated to determine if consensus was reached. RESULTS: Overall, 43/74 (58.1%) surgeons responded to our survey. After two rounds of editing, 28 components reached consensus, 24 were near consensus, and 26 did not reach consensus. Items that reached final consensus had mean (SD) ratings of 6.12 (0.94) (range, 5.31-6.72). CONCLUSION: Pediatric otolaryngologists identified as bronchoscopy experts were able to create a checklist of essential components of an operative note for pediatric laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy using a Delphi method. Items reaching consensus included procedure name, description of breathing, grade of airway view, description of normal anatomic structures, grade of subglottic stenosis if present, presence and description of tracheobronchomalacia, presence of fistulae, cleft and rings, and several special cases including foreign body and tracheostomy management, as well as end of procedure disposition and complications. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 5 Laryngoscope, 133:1234-1238, 2023.

Surgical interventions in velopharyngeal dysfunction: comparative perceptual speech and nasometric outcomes for three techniques.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate speech outcomes following surgical intervention for velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD). Perceptual speech outcome data were subsequently analyzed in conjunction with patient factors such as congenital abnormalities, presence of cleft lip and/or palate, and age of repair. We hope to aid in the eventual creation of treatment algorithms for VPD, allowing practitioners to tailor surgical technique selection to patient factors. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed for all patients who underwent surgical correction of VPD at London Health Sciences Centre between the years 2005 and 2018. Two hundred and two consecutive VPD patients (median age 10.6 years) were followed for an average of 20.2 months after having undergone a superiorly based pharyngeal flap (121), Furlow palatoplasty (72), or sphincteroplasty (9). Speech outcomes were measured via the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (ACPA) perceptual speech assessment, and MacKay-Kummer Simplified Nasometric Assessment Procedures Revised (SNAP-R) was used to measure nasalence. Comparisons of mean preoperative and postoperative outcomes were made, as well as analyses regarding surgical procedure, syndrome, cleft status, and age. RESULTS: Mean perceptual scores improved significantly postoperatively (p < .0001), and successful perceptual resonance was identified in 86.1% patients (n = 174). Postoperative perceptual speech scores for three ACPA domains were superior with pharyngeal flap compared to both Furlow palatoplasty and sphincteroplasty ([hypernasality: p < .001, p < .02], [audible nasal emissions: p < .002, p < .05], [velopharyngeal function: p < .001, p < .05]). Success rate was higher in pharyngeal flap (94.2%) than in Furlow palatoplasty (75.0%, p < .001) or sphincter pharyngoplasty (66.7%, p < .001). No significant difference was identified in success rate based on syndrome or cleft status. CONCLUSION: Operative management of VPD is highly effective in improving perceptual speech outcomes. Given proper patient selection, all three procedures are viable treatment options for VPD. For those patients identified as appropriate to undergo a pharyngeal flap, robust improvements in speech outcomes were observed.

Changes to the practice of pediatric otolaryngology as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has shifted medical practice globally. The objective of this study was to examine the changes to the practice of pediatric otolaryngology internationally due to the COVID-19 pandemic and examine potential contributors. METHOD: An online survey was designed to assess practice demographics, patterns of COVID-19 related restrictions in communities, and changes to practice and referrals. This was disseminated via an international Covid-19 WhatsApp™ group of pediatric otolaryngologists. RESULTS: There were 45 respondents of 177 group members (25.4%) from 15 countries. The mean estimated time spent under strictest lockdown measures was 16.2 (±10.7) weeks (range: 1-45 weeks). Operating room time was reduced for 82.9%, with an average reported reduction of 41.5%. Almost all (>75%) of respondents reported reduced referrals for five common conditions: otitis media with effusion (average reported decrease - 56.1%); acute otitis media (average decrease 62.8%); acute mastoiditis (average decrease 66.6%); recurrent pharyngotonsillitis (average decrease 51.0%); and peritonsillar abscess (average decrease 52.1%). COVID-19 cases per million population significantly influenced the acuity of referrals received (p < .05). No conditions were reported as increased in frequency and the acuity of most conditions was reported as unchanged by the majority of respondents. CONCLUSION: The measures taken to reduce the spread of COVID-19 have resulted in many changes to pediatric otolaryngology practice and the referral patterns of common conditions. Some of these changes may have enduring sequelae.

Choosing Wisely Canada - pediatric otolaryngology recommendations.

The Choosing Wisely Canada campaign raises awareness amongst physicians and patients regarding unnecessary or inappropriate tests and treatments. Using an online survey, members of the Pediatric Otolaryngology Subspecialty Group within the Canadian Society of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery developed a list of nine evidence based recommendations to help physicians and patients make treatment decisions regarding common pediatric otolaryngology presentations: (1) Don't routinely order a plain film x-ray in the evaluation of nasal fractures; (2) Don't order imaging to distinguish acute bacterial sinusitis from an upper respiratory infection; (3) Don't place tympanostomy tubes in most children for a single episode of otitis media with effusion of less than 3 months duration; (4) Don't routinely prescribe intranasal/systemic steroids, antihistamines or decongestants for children with uncomplicated otitis media with effusion; (5) Don't prescribe oral antibiotics for children with uncomplicated tympanostomy tube otorrhea or uncomplicated acute otitis externa; (6) Don't prescribe codeine for post-tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy pain relief in children; (7) Don't administer perioperative antibiotics for elective tonsillectomy in children; (8) Don't perform tonsillectomy for children with uncomplicated recurrent throat infections if there have been fewer than 7 episodes in the past year, 5 episodes in each of the past 2 years, or 3 episodes in each of the last 3 years; and (9) Don't perform endoscopic sinus surgery for uncomplicated pediatric chronic rhinosinusitis prior to failure of maximal medical therapy and adenoidectomy.

A national study of choanal atresia in tertiary care centers in Canada - part II: clinical management.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the clinical management of choanal atresia (CA) in tertiary centers across Canada. METHODS: Multi-centre case series involving six tertiary care pediatric hospitals across Canada. Retrospective chart review of patients born between 1980 and 2010 diagnosed with choanal atresia to a participating center. RESULTS: The health charts of 215 patients (59.6% female) with choanal atresia (CA) were reviewed. Mean age of initial surgical repair was 0.8 months for bilateral CA, and 48.6 months for unilateral CA. Approaches of surgical repair consisted of endoscopic transnasal (31.7%), non-endoscopic transnasal (42.6%), and transpalatal (25.2%). Stents were used on 70.7% of patients. Forty-nine percent of patients were brought back to the OR for a planned second look; stent removal being the most common reason (86.4%). Surgical success rate of initial surgeries was 54.1%. Surgical technique was not associated with rate of restenosis [χ2 (2) = 1.6, p = .46]. CONCLUSIONS: The present study is the first national multi-institutional study exploring the surgical outcomes of CA over a 30-year period. The surgical repair of CA presents a challenge to otolaryngologists, as the rate of surgical failure is high. The optimal surgical approach, age at surgical repair, use of stents, surgical adjuncts, and need for planned second look warrant further investigation.

A national study of choanal atresia in tertiary care centers in Canada - part I: clinical presentation.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the clinical presentation of choanal atresia (CA) in tertiary centers across Canada. METHODS: Multi-centre case series involving six tertiary care pediatric hospitals across Canada. Retrospective chart review of patients born between 1980 and 2010 diagnosed with CA at a participating center. RESULTS: The health charts of 215 patients (59.6% female) with CA were reviewed and included in this study. The mean age of patients at time of CA presentation was 0.4 months (range 0.1 to 7.2 months) for bilateral CA and 37.8 months (range 0.1 to 164.1 months) for unilateral cases. The most common presenting symptoms for bilateral CA in decreasing order were respiratory distress (96.4%), feeding difficulties (68.2%), and rhinorrhea (65.5%), and for unilateral cases in decreasing order were rhinorrhea (92.0%), feeding difficulties (24.7%), and respiratory distress (18.0%). For the majority of patients (73.2%), the obstruction comprised mixed bony and membranous tissue, with only 10.5% presenting with a purely membranous obstruction. Familial history of CA was confirmed in only 3.3% of cases. One half of patients with CA presented with one or more associated anomalies and 30.6% had a syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: The present investigation is the first national multi-institutional study evaluating the clinical presentation of CA over three decades. The present cohort of CA patients presented with a breadth of co-morbidities with highly variable presentations, with bilateral cases being more severely affected than unilateral cases. Further investigation into hereditary linkages to CA development is warranted.

Comprehensive metrics for evaluating surgical microscope use during tympanostomy tube placement.

PURPOSE: Learning to use a surgical microscope is a fundamental step in otolaryngology training; however, there is currently no objective method to teach or assess this skill. Tympanostomy tube placement is a common otologic procedure that requires skilled use of a surgical microscope. This study was designed to (1) implement metrics capable of evaluating microscope use and (2) establish construct validity. STUDY DESIGN: This was a prospective cohort study. METHODS: Eight otolaryngology trainees and three otolaryngology experts were asked to use a microscope to insert a tympanostomy tube into a cadaveric myringotomy in a standardized setting. Microscope movements were tracked in a three-dimensional space, and tracking metrics were applied to the data. The procedure was video-recorded and then analyzed by blinded experts using operational metrics. Results from both groups were compared, and discriminatory metrics were determined. RESULTS: The following tracking metrics were identified as discriminatory between the trainee and expert groups: total completion time, operation time, still time, and jitter (movement perturbation). Many operational metrics were found to be discriminatory between the two groups, including several positioning metrics, optical metrics, and procedural metrics. CONCLUSIONS: Performance metrics were implemented, and construct validity was established for a subset of the proposed metrics by discriminating between expert and novice participants. These discriminatory metrics could form the basis of an automated system for providing feedback to residents during training while using a myringotomy surgical simulator. Additionally, these metrics may be useful in guiding a standardized teaching and evaluation methodology for training in the use of surgical microscopes.

Comparison of childhood asthma incidence in 3 neighbouring cities in southwestern Ontario: a 25-year longitudinal cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Air pollution is a known trigger for exacerbations among individuals with asthma, but its role in the development of new-onset asthma is unclear. We compared the rate of new asthma cases in Sarnia, a city with high pollution levels, with the rates in 2 neighbouring regions in southwestern Ontario, Canada. METHODS: Using a population-based birth cohort design and linked health administrative data, we compared the hazard of incident asthma among children 0 to 10 years of age between those born in Lambton (Sarnia) and those born in Windsor and London-Middlesex, for the period Apr. 1, 1993, to Mar. 31, 2009. We used Cox proportional hazards models to adjust for year of birth and exposure to air pollutants (nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide [SO2], ozone and small particulate matter [PM2.5]), as well as maternal, geographic and socioeconomic factors. RESULTS: Among 114 427 children, the highest incidence of asthma was in Lambton, followed by Windsor and London-Middlesex (30.3, 24.4 and 19.8 per 1000 person-years, respectively; p < 0.001). Relative to Lambton, the hazard of asthma, adjusted for socioeconomic and perinatal factors, was lower in Windsor (hazard ratio [HR] 0.72, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.67-0.77) and London-Middlesex (HR 0.65, 95% CI 0.61-0.69). Inclusion of air pollutants attenuated this relative difference in both Windsor (HR 0.79, 95% CI 0.62-1.01) and London-Middlesex (HR 0.89, 95% CI 0.64-1.24). INTERPRETATION: We identified a higher incidence of asthma among children born in Lambton (Sarnia) relative to 2 other regions in southwestern Ontario. Higher levels of air pollution (particularly SO2 and PM2.5) in this region, as experienced by children in their first year of life, may be contributory.

Competency-Based Assessment Tool for Pediatric Esophagoscopy: International Modified Delphi Consensus.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Create a competency-based assessment tool for pediatric esophagoscopy with foreign body removal. STUDY DESIGN: Blinded modified Delphi consensus process. SETTING: Tertiary care center. METHODS: A list of 25 potential items was sent via the Research Electronic Data Capture database to 66 expert surgeons who perform pediatric esophagoscopy. In the first round, items were rated as "keep" or "remove" and comments were incorporated. In the second round, experts rated the importance of each item on a seven-point Likert scale. Consensus was determined with a goal of 7 to 25 final items. RESULTS: The response rate was 38/64 (59.4%) in the first round and returned questionnaires were 100% complete. Experts wanted to "keep" all items and 172 comments were incorporated. Twenty-four task-specific and 7 previously-validated global rating items were distributed in the second round, and the response rate was 53/64 (82.8%) with questionnaires returned 97.5% complete. Of the task-specific items, 9 reached consensus, 7 were near consensus, and 8 did not achieve consensus. For global rating items that were previously validated, 6 reached consensus and 1 was near consensus. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to reach consensus about the important steps involved in rigid esophagoscopy with foreign body removal using a modified Delphi consensus technique. These items can now be considered when evaluating trainees during this procedure. This tool may allow trainees to focus on important steps of the procedure and help training programs standardize how trainees are evaluated. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 5. Laryngoscope, 131:1168-1174, 2021.

Personal protective equipment availability and usage amongst pediatric otorhinolaryngologists during the COVID-19 pandemic: An international survey.

OBJECTIVES: To survey a group of global pediatric otolaryngology specialists to assess their usage and access to personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A survey of 13 questions was created collecting information on: basic demographics of practice, types of PPE used for procedures of varying aerosolization risk, access to positive air-purifying respirator (PAPR) and patient testing for SARS-CoV-2. Pediatric otolaryngologists were invited to complete the survey via Whatsapp™. RESULTS: 96 responses were collected from 17 different countries. N95 was the most commonly utilized PPE when dealing with COVID-19 patients (64.2%-81.9% depending on aerosolization risk of the procedure). Significantly higher use of PAPR was noted in high-risk aerosolization generating medical procedures, when compared to other risks. Face covering was used consistently (91.6%). Most respondents (78.1%, n = 75) had access to PAPR or had at least requested it. The majority of patients (56.2%, n = 54) was being tested for SARS-CoV-2 prior to procedures performed in operating rooms (OR); whereas, only 1.1% (n = 1) of clinic patients were tested for SARS-CoV-2 irrespective of the history or symptomatology. CONCLUSIONS: Most pediatric otolaryngologists used N95 and some form of face covering (eg. goggles, face shields) when dealing with patients with COVID-19 positive status. PAPR was used in situations of high aerosolization risk. Majority of respondents were screening all patients prior to procedures in the operating room.

Characteristics of velopharyngeal dysfunction in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome: a retrospective case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: To identify and describe the dynamic features of velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD) in patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome relative to patients with non-syndromic cleft palates. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case-control study. SETTING: Pediatric tertiary care center. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 30 children (aged 9-16 years) with VPD were included in this study. Fifteen children with a definitive diagnosis of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome requiring surgical VPD repair were included in the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome group. Fifteen age- and sex-matched children with non-syndromic cleft palate requiring surgical VPD repair were included in the non-syndromic cleft palate group for comparison. Velar displacement, lateral pharyngeal wall displacement, and lateral pharyngeal wall motion pattern data were extracted from preoperative Multiview Videofluoroscopy imaging studies of all children and compared across groups. RESULTS: Lateral pharyngeal wall displacement was found to be reduced in the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome group (U = 29.50, p = .001, r = .63). However, measures of velar displacement were not observed to differ between groups. Similarly, lateral pharyngeal wall motion pattern distributions were not found to differ across these two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Velopharyngeal dysfunction in patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome showed differences in dynamic velopharyngeal function when compared to non-syndromic cleft palate patients. The current findings provide initial insights into the unique aspects of velopharyngeal dysfunction for patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. These findings may guide further efforts directed toward understanding the dynamic velopharyngeal characteristics of this population and potentially optimize surgical management and functional outcomes.

How Consistent Is Competent? Examining Variance in Psychomotor Skills Assessment.

PURPOSE: Direct assessment of trainee performance across time is a core tenet of competency-based medical education. Unlike variability of psychomotor skills across levels of expertise, performance variability exhibited by a particular trainee across time remains unexplored. The goal of this study was to document the consistency of individual surgeons' technical skill performance. METHOD: A secondary analysis of assessment data (collected in 2010-2012, originally published in 2015) generated by a prospective cohort of participants at Montreal Children's Hospital with differing levels of expertise was conducted in 2017. Trained raters scored blinded recordings of a myringotomy and tube insertion performed 4 times by junior and senior residents and attending surgeons over a 6-month period using a previously reported assessment tool. Descriptive exploratory analyses and univariate comparison of standard deviations (SDs) were conducted to document variability within individuals across time and across training levels. RESULTS: Thirty-six assessments from 9 participants were analyzed. The SD of scores for junior residents was highly variable (5.8 out of a scale of 30 compared with 1.8 for both senior residents and attendings [F(2,19) = 5.68, P < 0.05]). For a given individual, the range of scores was twice as large for junior residents than for senior residents and attendings. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical residents may display highly variable performances across time, and individual variability appears to decrease with increasing expertise. Operative skill variability could be underrepresented in direct observation assessment; emphasis on an adequate amount of repetitive evaluations for junior residents may be needed to support judgments of competence or entrustment.

Competency-Based Assessment Tool for Pediatric Tracheotomy: International Modified Delphi Consensus.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Create a competency-based assessment tool for pediatric tracheotomy. STUDY DESIGN: Blinded, modified, Delphi consensus process. METHODS: Using the REDCap database, a list of 31 potential items was circulated to 65 expert surgeons who perform pediatric tracheotomy. In the first round, items were rated as "keep" or "remove," and comments were incorporated. In the second round, experts were asked to rate the importance of each item on a seven-point Likert scale. Consensus criteria were determined a priori with a goal of 7 to 25 final items. RESULTS: The first round achieved a response rate of 39/65 (60.0%), and returned questionnaires were 99.5% complete. All items were rated as "keep," and 137 comments were incorporated. In the second round, 30 task-specific and seven previously validated global rating items were distributed, and the response rate was 44/65 (67.7%), with returned questionnaires being 99.3% complete. Of the Task-Specific Items, 13 reached consensus, 10 were near consensus, and 7 did not achieve consensus. For the 7 previously validated global rating items, 5 reached consensus and two were near consensus. CONCLUSIONS: It is feasible to reach consensus on the important steps involved in pediatric tracheotomy using a modified Delphi consensus process. These items can now be considered to create a competency-based assessment tool for pediatric tracheotomy. Such a tool will hopefully allow trainees to focus on the important aspects of this procedure and help teaching programs standardize how they evaluate trainees during this procedure. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 5 Laryngoscope, 130:2700-2707, 2020.

A retrospective study of patients with Robin sequence: Patient characteristics and their impact on clinical outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Robin sequence (RS) is a congenital set of abnormalities of the head and neck, consisting of a hypoplastic mandible (micrognathia), a tongue that is displaced posteriorly (glossoptosis), and obstruction of the airway. A clear set of diagnostic criteria for this complex condition has recently been established, but there is still no consensus in the literature with respect to managing the associated airway, feeding, and hearing difficulties. The objectives of the study are: 1) to describe the management of airway and feeding issues in children with RS; and 2) to evaluate the impact of airway and feeding strategies on important clinical outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted of all pediatric patients diagnosed with RS at London Health Sciences Centre from January 1995 until September 2017. The frequencies of all airway and feeding interventions were collected. Data were collected on several clinical outcomes including initial admission length, enteral feeding duration, tympanostomy tube insertion frequency, and hearing thresholds. Statistical analyses to evaluate the impact of airway and feeding strategies on clinical outcomes were carried out using independent samples t-tests and Chi-square tests, where appropriate. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients were identified. Five patients (20.8%) required airway surgery and 18 patients (75.0%) required enteral feeding. Airway surgery was significantly associated with a longer ICU admission (15.8 vs. 4.3 days, p < 0.05), a longer overall hospital admission (73.0 vs. 25.2 days, p < 0.05), a delay in introducing oral feeds (222.8 vs. 11.5 days, p < 0.05), and a higher frequency of tympanostomy tube insertions (80% vs. 23.5% requiring ≥2 insertions, p < 0.05). Enteral feeding was significantly associated with a longer ICU admission (8.8 vs. 0 days, p < 0.05) and a longer overall hospital admission (43.9 vs. 5.6 days, p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the substantial impact that airway and feeding difficulties have on RS patient morbidity, particularly with respect to length of hospital and ICU admission. This information has prognostic value and may be helpful in generating a management algorithm for this complex patient population.