Network Analysis of Women in Otolaryngology and Demographic Trends.

OBJECTIVE: This study analyzes gender disparities between men and women otolaryngology faculty in the top 20 otolaryngology departments ranked by research output and discusses the implications of these disparities. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of all articles published by faculty from January 2020 to December 2021 at the top 20 otolaryngology departments as ranked by Doximity's 2022 research output report. Integrated data from Web of Science, faculty directories, and NIH RePORT were used to collect data on faculty. Social network analysis was performed using ORA-LITE. Student's and Welch's t-tests and Pearson chi-squared tests were used to evaluate gender differences in academic metrics. RESULTS: The findings revealed significant gender disparities, with men holding higher academic positions (men = 3.16, women = 2.69, p < 0.0001), higher H-indices (22.4, 13.8, p < 0.0001), more NIH grants (0.15, 0.07, p = 0.0032), and greater total degree centrality (3.98E-4, 2.4E-4, p < 0.0001) and betweenness centrality (4.47E-3, 3.00E-3, p = 0.0021). Men also had more publications (9.8, 6.8, p < 0.0001) with more distinct co-authors, both within (4, 3.1, p = 0.0074) and across (38.1, 25.8, p < 0.0001) institutions. Disparities persisted after accounting for career length. Notably, total degree centrality differences between men and women were statistically significant from 1991 to 2017 (p < 0.0001), but not from 2018 to 2022 (p = 0.83). CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights gender inequities in otolaryngology, encouraging mentors to foster new collaborations with female peers. Importantly, it identifies a trend toward narrowing the gender gap within the specialty, particularly over the past 5 years, emphasizing the need to sustain these positive changes for enhanced gender equity. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA Laryngoscope, 2024.

Defining the Shape of the Mylohyoid Muscle: A Morphometric Imaging Study.

OBJECTIVES: Implantable hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HNS) therapy is an evolving therapeutic alternative for patients with refractory obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The muscular anatomy of this region has implications for surgical access through this zone as well as positioning and anchoring of hardware in this area. The purpose of this study was to radiologically describe the topography of the mylohyoid muscle and adjacent structures across a wide age spectrum. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated computed tomography scans of the neck in 102 patients who were imaged for reasons unrelated to the floor of mouth or submental space. Patients with prior surgery or pathology in the area of interest were excluded. Fourteen relevant muscle measurements were made on a midline sagittal image and a coronal image positioned at the midpoint between the hyoid bone and the mandible. RESULTS: We included 49 men and 53 women with an average age of 44 years (range 19-70). The average mylohyoid length was 42 mm; the average distance between the anterior digastric bellies was 17 mm. The average angle of the central mylohyoid was 174° in the sagittal plane and 164° in the coronal plane. Several measurements were significantly correlated with patient age, including the angle measurements and the distance between the digastric muscles. Aberrant digastric anatomy was common. CONCLUSIONS: The mylohyoid muscle has multiple radiologically distinct segments with predictable curvatures. An understanding of submental muscular anatomy, along with its variability between patients, may be beneficial to the development of bilateral implantable neurostimulation technology for the treatment of refractory OSA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: N/A Laryngoscope, 134:2970-2975, 2024.

Long-Term Generator Replacement Experience in Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulator Therapy Recipients With CPAP-Intolerant Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

OBJECTIVE: In the last decade, hypoglossal nerve stimulation (HNS) has emerged as a therapeutic alternative for patients with obstructive sleep apnea. The original clinical trial cohorts are entering the phase of expected battery depletion (8-12 years). This study aimed to examine the surgical experience with implantable pulse generator (IPG) replacements and the associated long-term therapy outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of patients from the original clinical trial databases (STAR, German post-market) who were followed in the ongoing ADHERE registry. SETTING: International multicenter HNS registry. METHODS: The ADHERE registry and clinical trial databases were cross-referenced to identify the serial numbers of IPGs that were replaced. Data collection included demographics, apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), therapy use, operative times, and adverse events. RESULTS: Fourteen patients underwent IPG replacement 8.3 ± 1.1 years after their initial implantation. Body mass index was unchanged between the original implant and IPG replacement (29 ± 4 vs 28 ± 2 kg/m2 , p = .50). The mean IPG replacement operative time was shorter than the original implant (63 ± 50 vs 154 ± 58 minutes, p < .002); however, 2 patients required stimulation lead replacement which significantly increased operative time. For patients with available AHI and adherence data, the mean change in AHI from baseline to latest follow-up (8.7 ± 1.1 years after de novo implant) was -50.06%, and the mean therapy use was 7.2 hours/night. CONCLUSION: IPG replacement surgery was associated with low complications and shorter operative time. For patients with available outcomes data, adherence and efficacy remained stable after 9 years of follow-up.

The impact of frailty on mortality in non-surgical head and neck cancer treatment: Shifting the clinical paradigm.

OBJECTIVE: Compare survival of head and neck cancer (HNC) patients treated with surgical or non-surgical management according to frailty, quantify frailty with the Risk Analysis Index (RAI), a validated 14-item instrument. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective cohort study of newly diagnosed HNC patients (≥18 years) who had frailty assessment from April 13, 2016 to September 30, 2016. Primary outcome was overall survival at 1- and 3-years. Cox proportional hazard models were utilized to examine mortality with predictor variables. Adjusted and unadjusted (Kaplan-Meier) survival curves stratified by either RAI scores or treatment modality were plotted. Kruskal-Wallis and likelihood ratio chi-square tests were used for comparing clinicodemographic variables. RESULTS: Of 165 patients, 54 (32.7%) were managed non-surgically, 49 (29.7%) were treated with definitive surgery only, and 62 (37.6%) were treated with multimodality (surgery + adjuvant) therapy. Among the full cohort and subgroup analysis of the frail/very frail (RAI ≥ 37), non-surgical patients had worse or similar 3-year survival than those treated with surgery +/- adjuvant therapy. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models demonstrate that frail patients treated non-surgically experienced worse survival than their counterparts treated with surgery (HR = 2.50, p = 0.015, 95% CI: 1.19, 5.23) or multimodality therapy (HR = 3.91, p < 0.001, 95% CI: 1.94-7.89). CONCLUSION: Across all levels of frailty, long term survival of HNC patients treated without surgery is either worse than or like those treated with surgery. These findings (1) challenge current practices of steering patients "too frail for surgery" towards non-surgical, "non-invasive" therapy, and (2) suggest equipoise warranting randomized trials to clarify treatment of frail patients.

Subjective and Objective Measures in Assessing Neck Disability and Pain in Head and Neck Cancer.

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: The intensification of treatment for head and neck cancers (HNCs) has created a cohort of patients living with short- and long-term comorbidities and functional deficits. This study aimed to determine whether there is a relationship between patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and objective measures of neck function in survivors of HNCs. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: Thirty-one subjects (aged 64 ± 8.7 years; 28 males and three females) were recruited and completed the Neck Disability Index (NDI) and a numeric pain scale. At the same visit, subjects were fitted with two portable motion sensors to collect range of motion (ROM) and velocity data. Differences between ROM, velocity, and PRO subgroups were assessed using a one-tailed t test (*P < .05). The Pearson correlation coefficient (r) was calculated between the NDI values and the ROM and velocity values for each motion. RESULTS: A moderate correlation (r = 0.507) was observed between NDI and neck pain. Patients with no disability according to the NDI had significantly higher ROM and velocity than patients with mild to moderate disability. Velocity in all degrees of freedom (axial rotation, flexion and extension, and lateral bending) was significantly lower for patients who perceived higher levels of neck pain and neck disability. CONCLUSIONS: This study notes that patients who report neck disability and pain have more limited ROM and velocity following HNC treatment. These data may improve treatment planning and care delivery by facilitating an understanding of the experiences of HNC survivors and the pathophysiology that must be targeted to address their psychosocial and functional deficits. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 131:2015-2022, 2021.

Impact of Lymph Node Yield in Patients Undergoing Total Laryngectomy and Neck Dissection.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the impact of lymph node yield (LNY) in patients undergoing neck dissection at the time of total laryngectomy (TL). To determine the impact of radiation therapy (RT) on LNY. METHODS: Retrospective review of LNY and clinical outcomes in 232 patients undergoing primary or salvage total laryngectomy (TL) with ND. RESULTS: Preoperative RT significantly decreased mean LNY from 31.7 to 23.9 nodes (P < .001). In primary TL patients, age (P < .001) and positive margins (P = .044) were associated with decreased OS. In salvage TL patients, only positive margins was associated with poorer OS (P = .009). No LNY cutoff provided significant OS or DFS benefit. CONCLUSIONS: Radiotherapy significantly reduces LNY in patients undergoing TL and ND. Within a single institution cohort, positive margins, but not LNY, is associated with survival in both primary and salvage TL patients.Level of Evidence: 4.

Predictors of Nodal Metastasis in Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma of the Oral Cavity and Oropharynx.

INTRODUCTION: Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) of the upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) is an uncommon malignancy, with limited literature available on its clinical and pathologic characteristics. Here, we describe the behavior of MEC of the UADT including pathologic characteristics and predictors of nodal metastasis. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of patients with MEC of the UADT treated at an academic medical center from January 2008 to May 2018. Data was collected about demographics and tumor characteristics including clinical and histological data. The two-tailed Student t test and χ2 analysis were performed to assess for predictors of nodal metastasis. RESULTS: We identified 44 patients with minor salivary gland MEC of the oral cavity (OC) and oropharynx (OP). All patients were treated with primary site surgery. The primary site was the OC in 25 patients (57%) and OP in 19 (43%). Low-grade histology was seen in 27 specimens (61.4%), intermediate histology in 9 specimens (20.5%), and high-grade histology in 8 specimens (18.2%). Perineural invasion was noted in 10 specimens (22.7%). Neck dissection was performed in 17 patients (39%), with pathologically positive nodes found in 9 (20.5%). Notably, 5 of the 9 positive nodal specimens were found in clinically node-negative necks. Pathologically positive cervical lymph nodes were significantly associated with the OP as the primary site (p = 0.0005), perineural invasion (p = 0.012), lymphovascular invasion (p < 0.001), and high-grade histology (p = 0.004) in the primary specimen. DISCUSSION: MEC of the UADT is an uncommon malignancy. Our findings suggest elective neck dissection should be considered with perineural and lymphovascular invasion, high-grade tumor, and the OP as the primary site.

Safety and efficacy of functional laryngectomy for end-stage dysphagia.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To evaluate functional outcomes and complication rate after total laryngectomy (TL) for dysfunctional larynx with end-stage dysphagia. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. METHODS: Chart review was performed on all patients who underwent TL from January 2008 to July 2016 at a single tertiary academic medical center. Patients who underwent TL for dysfunctional larynx without preoperative evidence of malignancy were included. Main outcome measures were post-TL functional swallowing and speech outcomes, and complication rate. RESULTS: The study included 19 patients from a cohort of 278 consecutive patients. All patients were previously treated with radiotherapy (RT), whereas 13/19 (68%) previously received chemoradiotherapy. The median time from RT to TL was 10.98 years (range, 0.67-23.94 years). Aspiration was evident preoperatively in 17/19 (89%) patients, with 11 experiencing recurrent aspiration pneumonia. Seventeen of 19 (89%) patients were nil per os (NPO) requiring enteral nutrition. Six of 19 (32%) patients had surgical complications, including three (16%) pharyngocutaneous fistulas. At 3-month and 1-year postoperative follow-up, there was significant improvement in mean Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) score and aspiration, recurrent pneumonia, enteral nutrition, and NPO status rates (P < .05). At 1-year follow-up, no patients were NPO, and only one patient required gastrostomy tube supplementation. Mean FOIS score increased from 1.3 to 6.1 (P = .001). Eight of 13 patients (62%) were actively using a tracheoesophageal prosthesis at 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Laryngectomy for dysfunctional larynx eliminates the morbidity of aspiration while improving diet and reducing gastrostomy tube dependence with an acceptable complication rate. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4. Laryngoscope, 128:597-602, 2018.