Use of high-flow nasal oxygen in spontaneously breathing pediatric patients undergoing tubeless airway surgery: A prospective observational study.

The use of high-flow nasal oxygen is gaining popularity in apneic and spontaneously breathing adult patients during anesthesia. This prospective observational study evaluated the effect of high-flow nasal oxygen in maintaining adequate oxygenation and ventilation in spontaneously breathing pediatric patients with dynamic airway obstruction, undergoing tubeless airway surgery. Oxygenation was provided via an age-appropriate, high-flow nasal cannula at a flow rate of 2 L kg-1 min-1. Propofol and remifentanil were used to maintain anesthesia while preserving spontaneous respiration. We sought to determine the incidence and risk factors of rescue ventilation. Rescue ventilation with a face mask was performed when the pulse oximetry oxygen saturation was <90% or transcutaneous carbon dioxide was >80 mm Hg. In total, 27 patients were included in the final analysis. Median (interquartile range) of pulse oximetry and transcutaneous carbon dioxide were 100% (99%-100%) and 58.4 mm Hg (51.4-70.3 mm Hg), respectively. Altogether, 9 (33.3%) patients needed rescue ventilation during anesthesia. Of these, 7 patients (25.9%) developed oxygen desaturation (<90%) and 2 patients (7.4%) developed hypercarbia. Patients who required rescue ventilation were significantly younger (8.2 vs 28.8 months, P = .02) and required a longer anesthesia time (55.7 vs 41.0 minutes, P = .04) than those who did not. In conclusion, High-flow nasal oxygen is an alternative technique to maintain oxygenation in children undergoing airway surgeries. However, younger age and longer anesthesia time are significant risk factors leading to the requirement of rescue ventilation in these patients. Further studies with large sample size are required for clinical application of these techniques.

Examining the impact of multilevel upper airway surgery on the obstructive sleep apnoea endotypes and their utility in predicting surgical outcomes.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Upper airway surgery for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is an alternative treatment for patients who are intolerant of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). However, upper airway surgery has variable treatment efficacy with no reliable predictors of response. While we now know that there are several endotypes contributing to OSA (i.e., upper airway collapsibility, airway muscle response/compensation, respiratory arousal threshold and loop gain), no study to date has examined: (i) how upper airway surgery affects all four OSA endotypes, (ii) whether knowledge of baseline OSA endotypes predicts response to surgery and (iii) whether there are any differences when OSA endotypes are measured using the CPAP dial-down or clinical polysomnographic (PSG) methods. METHODS: We prospectively studied 23 OSA patients before and ≥3 months after multilevel upper airway surgery. Participants underwent clinical and research PSG to measure OSA severity (apnoea-hypopnoea index [AHI]) and endotypes (measured in supine non-rapid eye movement [NREM]). Values are presented as mean ± SD or median (interquartile range). RESULTS: Surgery reduced the AHITotal (38.7 [23.4 to 79.2] vs. 22.0 [13.3 to 53.5] events/h; p = 0.009). There were no significant changes in OSA endotypes, however, large but variable improvements in collapsibility were observed (CPAP dial-down method: ∆1.9 ± 4.9 L/min, p = 0.09, n = 21; PSG method: ∆3.4 [-2.8 to 49.0]%Veupnoea , p = 0.06, n = 20). Improvement in collapsibility strongly correlated with improvement in AHI (%∆AHISupineNREM vs. ∆collapsibility: p < 0.005; R2  = 0.46-0.48). None of the baseline OSA endotypes predicted response to surgery. CONCLUSION: Surgery unpredictably alters upper airway collapsibility but does not alter the non-anatomical endotypes. There are no baseline predictors of response to surgery.

Quantifying Upper Aerodigestive Sequelae in Esophageal Atresia/Tracheoesophageal Fistula Neonates.

OBJECTIVES: We examined rates of upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) procedures in a multi-institutional cohort of neonates with esophageal atresia/tracheoesophageal fistula (EA/TEF) to estimate secondary UADT pathology. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed using a previously-validated population of patients with EA/TEF within the Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) between 2007 and 2015. ICD-9/10-CM codes for aerodigestive procedures were examined from 2007 to 2020: 1) diagnostic direct laryngoscopy and/or bronchoscopy (DLB), 2) DLB with intervention, 3) tracheostomy, 4) gastrostomy, 5) fundoplication, 6) aortopexy, 7) laryngotracheoplasty, and 8) esophageal dilation. Associations between procedures and demographics, length of gestation, and weight were estimated using generalized linear mixed models. RESULTS: We identified 2,509 patients with EA/TEF from 47 hospitals, 56.7% male and 43.3% female. Median length of stay for the first admission was 24 days (interquartile range: 12-55). Of these patients, 1,943 (77.4%) had at least one aerodigestive procedure within 14 admissions. Specifically, 1,635 (65.2%) underwent diagnostic DLB, 85 (3.4%) DLB with intervention, 167 (6.7%) tracheostomy, 1,043 (41.2%) gastrostomy, 211 (11.0%) fundoplication, 52 (2.1%) aortopexy, 161 (6.4%) laryngotracheoplasty, and 207 (8.3%) esophageal dilation. Preterm gestation increased odds of tracheostomy (adjusted odds ratio (OR) 2.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5-3.7), gastrostomy (OR 2.1, CI 1.7-2.7), fundoplication (OR 1.7, CI 1.1-2.4), aortopexy (OR 5.8, CI 2.1-16.1), and esophageal dilation (OR 2.0, CI 1.4-3.0). Very low birth weight (<1,500 g) increased odds of gastrostomy (OR 2.5, CI 1.6-3.8). CONCLUSION: Patients with EA/TEF frequently have aerodigestive sequelae. This work helps quantify aerodigestive needs in neonates with EA/TEF, suggesting early otolaryngology evaluation in their care. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 132:695-700, 2022.

Extracorporeal life support and cardiopulmonary bypass for central airway surgery: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Major airway surgery can pose a complex problem to perioperative central airway management. Adjuncts to advanced ventilation strategies have included cardiopulmonary bypass, veno-arterial, or veno-venous extracorporeal life support. We performed a systematic review to assess the existing evidence utilizing these strategies. METHODS: An electronic search was conducted to identify studies written in English reporting the use of extracorporeal life support (ECLS) during central airway surgery. Thirty-six articles consisting of 78 patients were selected and patient-level data were analyzed. RESULTS: Median patient age was 47 [IQR: 34-53] and 59.0% (46/78) were male. Indications for surgery included central airway or mediastinal cancer in 57.7% (45/78), lesion or injury in 15.4% (12/78), and stenosis in 12.8% (10/78). Support was initiated pre-operatively in 9.9% (7/71) and at the time of induction in 55.3% (42/76). It was most commonly used at the time of tracheal resection/repair [93.2% (68/73)], intubation of the tracheal stump [94.4% (68/72)], and re-anastomosis [94.2% (65/69)]; 13.7% (10/73) patients were supported post-operatively. The most commonly performed surgery was tracheal repair or resection in 70.3% (52/74). Median hospital stay was 12 [8, 25] days and in-hospital mortality was 7.9% (6/76). There was no significant difference in survival between the three groups (p = .54). CONCLUSIONS: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation offers versatility in timing, surgical approach, and ECLS runtime that makes it a viable addition to the surgical armamentarium for treating complex central airway pathologies.

The mechanical characteristics and performance evaluation of a newly developed silicone airway stent (GINA stent).

Central airway obstruction (CAO) can be attributed to several benign or malignant conditions. Although surgery is the preferred therapeutic option for the management of CAO, bronchoscopic treatment can be performed in scenarios where the surgical procedure is not possible. Recent years have witnessed several improvements in the field of bronchoscopic treatment, especially with regard to airway stents. Current research involves new attempts to overcome the existing shortcomings pertaining to the stents (migration, mucostasis, and granulation tissue formation). The authors have recently developed a new silicone airway stent (GINA stent) with an anti-migration design, dynamic structure that enables the reduction of stent cross-sectional area, and radio-opacity. The present study aimed to evaluate the mechanical characteristics and performance of the novel GINA stent using a porcine tracheal stenosis model. In the current study, all the tests involved the comparison of the GINA stent [outer diameter (OD, mm): 14; length (L, mm): 55] with the Dumon stent (OD: 14; L: 50). The mechanical tests were performed using a digital force gauge, in order to determine the anti-migration force, expansion force, and flexibility. The present study evaluated the short-term (3 weeks) performance of the two stents after implantation [GINA (n = 4) vs. Dumon (n = 3)] in the porcine tracheal stenosis model. The results pertaining to the comparison of the mechanical properties of the GINA and Dumon stents are stated as follows: anti-migration force (18.4 vs. 12.8 N, P = 0.008); expansion force (11.9 vs. 14.5 N, P = 0.008); and flexibility (3.1 vs. 4.5 N, P = 0.008). The results pertaining to the comparison of the short-term performance of the GINA and Dumon stents are stated as follows: mucus retention (0/4 vs. 0/3); granulation tissue formation (0/4 vs. 0/3); and migration (1/4 vs. 2/3). The GINA stent displayed better mechanical properties and comparable short-term performance, compared to the Dumon stent.

A Sustainable and Scalable Multidisciplinary Airway Teaching Mission: The Operation Airway 10-Year Experience.

OBJECTIVE: To address whether a multidisciplinary team of pediatric otolaryngologists, anesthesiologists, pediatric intensivists, speech-language pathologists, and nurses can achieve safe and sustainable surgical outcomes in low-resourced settings when conducting a pediatric airway surgical teaching mission that features a program of progressive autonomy. STUDY DESIGN: Consecutive case series with chart review. SETTING: This study reviews 14 consecutive missions from 2010 to 2019 in Ecuador, El Salvador, and the Dominican Republic. METHODS: Demographic data, diagnostic and operative details, and operative outcomes were collected. A country's program met graduation criteria if its multidisciplinary team developed the ability to autonomously manage the preoperative huddle, operating room discussion and setup, operative procedure, and postoperative multidisciplinary pediatric intensive care unit and floor care decision making. This was assessed by direct observation and assessment of surgical outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 135 procedures were performed on 90 patients in Ecuador (n = 24), the Dominican Republic (n = 51), and El Salvador (n = 39). Five patients required transport to the United States to receive quaternary-level care. Thirty-six laryngotracheal reconstructions were completed: 6 single-stage, 12 one-and-a-half-stage, and 18 double-stage cases. We achieved a decannulation rate of 82%. Two programs (Ecuador and the Dominican Republic) met graduation criteria and have become self-sufficient. No mortalities were recorded. CONCLUSION: This is the largest longitudinal description of an airway reconstruction teaching mission in low- and middle-income countries. Airway reconstruction can be safe and effective in low-resourced settings with a thoughtful multidisciplinary team led by local champions.

Sleep disordered breathing in children with trisomy 13 and trisomy 18.

PURPOSE: While the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is well documented in trisomy 21, there has been little published about the incidence in trisomy 13 (T13) and trisomy 18 (T18). Trisomies 13, 18, and 21 have overlapping clinical features that make patients prone to OSA. Because the literature regarding OSA in T13 and T18 children is limited, we performed a retrospective chart review to investigate the characteristics of these patients. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of children with T13 or T18 seen at seen at a single urban tertiary children's hospital for sleep disordered breathing from 1/1/10 to 5/1/18. Candidates were selected based on ICD-9 diagnosis and procedural codes. RESULTS: We identified 21 T18 patients that had documented symptoms of SDB, of which 3 were diagnosed with OSA, 11 had clinical SDB, and 7 had snoring. Of the T13 patients, 10 had documented symptoms of SDB, of which 1 patient was diagnosed with OSA, 7 with clinical SDB, and 2 with snoring. In both T13 and T18 patients, anatomical features included micrognathia/mandibular hypoplasia, small mouth/small airway, midface hypoplasia, abnormal/difficult airway, glossoptosis, hypotonia, and GERD. Endoscopic findings included laryngomalacia and/or tracheomalacia, adenoid and lingual tonsil hypertrophy, and inferior turbinate hypertrophy. Surgical interventions performed in T13 and T18 patients included adenoidectomy, lingual tonsillectomy, and tracheostomy. Of the 32 T13 and T18 patients, 15 had to be intubated for respiratory insufficiency. CONCLUSION: The results of our study suggest that T13 and T18 patients are at increased risk for OSA due to common features found in this population. These findings indicate a need for otolaryngologist intervention to increase both survival and quality of life in this population.

[Prognostic Risk Factors for Patients Receiving Airway Stent Placement].

BACKGROUND: Airway stents are used to treat central airway stenosis or tracheal fistula caused by a variety of malignant and benign tracheal diseases as well as iatrogenic procedures. Airway stent placement has a satisfying effect in instantly relieving of symptoms, but the long-term survival of patients still depends on the individualized treatment of the primary diseases. Therefore, exploring the prognostic risk factors of patients who received airway stent placement can be beneficial to the optimization of the placement procedure and also the improvement of individualized clinical management of patients. METHODS: Data of a total of 66 patients who underwent airway stent placement at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University from January 2014 to June 2017 were retrospectively collected. Prognostic effects of the clinical characteristics as age, gender, Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) and procedure duration were analyzed. RESULTS: Age and gender had no significant effect on the outcomes of the patients, while higher CCI (P=0.045) and procedure duration over 60 min (P=0.037) were both independent risk factors of poor prognosis. A prognostic nomogram was then constructed, of which the area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the concordance index (C-index) was 0.71 and 0.69, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: For patients receiving airway stent placement, the baseline CCI and the procedure duration had prognostic significance in clinical practice.

[Use of Hybrid Stent in Management of Complex Malignant Airway Stenosisand Fistulas].

BACKGROUND: Airway stents has been widely used in airway stenosis and fistula, yet clinical date of airway stents in reestablishment a complex airway is insufficient. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety to combine the silicon stent and the metal stent in reestablishment a complex malignant airway. METHODS: Patients with non-operable complex malignant airway stenosis and fistula were recruited in this study. Silicon Y stent combined with covered metal stent (Hybrid stent) were inserted to reestablishment the airway. Clinical outcomes and complications were observed over six months. RESULTS: A total of 23 silicon Y stents and 25 covered metal stents were inserted in 23 patients. Nineteen of 23 (19/23, 82.6%) patients felt a immediately relieving of current symptoms. The mean duration of stents placement in patients was (153.43±9.14) days. The modified British Medical Research Council, Karnofsky Performance Status and Performance Status scale were improved significantly after stenting. A total of 12 patients living with stent at 6 months. Others dead of tumor progression. There were no death or immediate complications related to hybrid stenting implication. CONCLUSIONS: Hybrid stenting proved to be useful and was well-tolerated in the management of complex malignant airway stenosis and fistula.

Anesthesia for shared airway surgery in children.

Shared airway surgery in children is a complex, high-risk undertaking that requires continuous communication and cooperation between the anesthetic and surgical teams. Airway abnormalities commonly seen in children, the surgical options, and the anesthetic techniques that can be used to care for this vulnerable population are discussed. Many of these procedures were traditionally carried out using jet ventilation, or intermittent tracheal intubation, but increasingly spontaneously breathing "tubeless" techniques are being used. This review has been written from both the surgical and anesthetic perspective, highlighting the concerns that both specialties have in relation to the maintenance of surgical access and operating conditions, and the need for the provision of anesthesia, oxygenation, and ventilation where the airway is the primary site of operation.

Volatiles or TIVA: Which is the standard of care for pediatric airway procedures? A pro-con discussion.

Anesthesia for pediatric airway procedures constitutes a true art form that requires training and experience. Communication between anesthetist and surgeon to establish procedure goals is essential in determining the most appropriate anesthetic management. But does the mode of anesthesia have an impact? Traditionally, inhalational anesthesia was the most common anesthesia technique used during airway surgery. Introduction of agents used for total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) such as propofol, short-acting opioids, midazolam, and dexmedetomidine has driven change in practice. Ongoing debates abound as to the advantages and disadvantages of volatile-based anesthesia versus TIVA. This pro-con discussion examines both volatiles and TIVA, from the perspective of effectiveness, safety, cost, and environmental impact, in an endeavor to justify which technique is the best specifically for pediatric airway procedures.

High-flow oxygen for children's airway surgery: randomised controlled trial protocol (HAMSTER).

INTRODUCTION: Hypoxaemia during anaesthesia for tubeless upper airway surgery in children with abnormal airways is common due to the complexity of balancing adequate depth of anaesthesia with maintenance of spontaneous breathing and providing an uninterrupted field of view of the upper airway for the surgeon. High-flow nasal oxygenation (HIGH-FLOW) can prolong safe apnoea time and be used in children with abnormal airways but to date has not been compared with the alternative technique of low-flow nasal oxygenation (LOW-FLOW). The aim is to investigate if use of HIGH-FLOW can reduce the number of hypoxaemic events requiring rescue oxygenation compared with LOW-FLOW. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: High-flow oxygen for children's airway surgery: randomised controlled trial (HAMSTER) is a multicentre, unmasked, randomised controlled, parallel group, superiority trial comparing two oxygenation techniques during anaesthesia. Children (n=530) aged >37 weeks to 16 years presenting for elective tubeless upper airway surgery who fulfil inclusion but not exclusion criteria will be randomised prior to surgery to HIGH-FLOW or LOW-FLOW post induction of anaesthesia. Maintenance of anaesthesia with HIGH-FLOW requires Total IntraVenous Anaesthesia (TIVA) and with LOW-FLOW, either inhalational or TIVA at discretion of anaesthetist. The primary outcome is the incidence of hypoxaemic events requiring interruption of procedure for rescue oxygenation by positive pressure ventilation and the secondary outcome includes total hypoxaemia time, adverse cardiorespiratory events and unexpected paediatric intensive care admission admission. Hypoxaemia is defined as Sp02 <90%. Analysis will be conducted on an intention-to-treat basis. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval has been obtained by Children's Health Queensland Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC/18/QRCH/130). The trial commenced recruitment in 2018. The primary manuscript will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: The HAMSTER is registered with the Australia and New Zealand Clinical TrialsRegistry: ACTRN12618000949280.

Functional benefit of smoking cessation in severe COPD patients undergoing bronchial valve implantation.

INTRODUCTION: Tobacco smoke is the leading cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The aim of this study is to highlight the effectiveness of smoking cessation along with bronchial valve implantation in subjects with severe COPD. METHODS: A sample of 25 patients, current smokers, affected by severe COPD and heterogeneous emphysema who quit smoking were compared with a group of 15 patients who did not quit smoking. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Patients performed plethysmography, 6 minute walking test (WT), haemogasanalysis, exhaled CO test (eCO), COPD assessment test (CAT) together with the mMRC test. A clearer improvement of examined parameters was registered in the group of patients who quit smoking by varenicline and counselling. In particular, we observed a significant increase of FEV1 by 350 ml in the abstainers group compared with 100 ml increase in the non-abstainers(p < .05) group. We noticed that the RV% decreased by 30% compared with the 10% in the non-abstainers(p < .001). The CAT value decreased by 20 compared with 10 in current smokers(p < .001) as well as the mMRC score (p < .001) was more improved in abstainers. The total resistances were reduced by 30% versus 10% (p < .01)and notably there was a higher improvement of walking test (30 m versus 5) (p < .001). The eCO was clearly reduced in abstainers, 14 versus 8 (p < .002),. PaO2 increased by 4 mmHg versus 1(p < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: Smoking cessation treatment by varenicline strengthens the effects of bronchial valve implantation and shows up its crucial therapeutic role in severe COPD.

Aerodigestive Programs Enhance Outcomes in Pediatric Patients.

The early efforts of pediatric airway surgeons, gastroenterologists, and pulmonologists to optimize surgical outcomes involved evaluating multiple organ systems for diseases negatively affecting surgery. This resulted in coordinated clinics with multiple services, ancillary testing, and endoscopic procedures, known as aerodigestive programs. These programs have nationally increased the value of care, with multidisciplinary experts delivering organized and efficient care to children with complex needs. This article describes the origin and value of aerodigestive programs within the modern health care landscape, serving as a primer for providers and administrators investigating how to facilitate aerodigestive or similar programs.

Impacts of thoracoscopic surgery and high grade histologic subtypes on spread through air spaces in small stage I lung adenocarcinomas.

OBJECTIVES: Spread through air spaces (STAS) as a pattern of invasion in lung adenocarcinomas had been recognized by WHO in 2015. Moreover, STAS was associated significantly with aggressive micropapillary or solid components when presented predominant pattern in lung adenocarcinomas, which had a poor prognostic significance. Small amounts of micropapillary or solid with components could also reduce overall survival and recurrence-free survival but its impact on STAS is unknown now. Some studies have demonstrated manipulations of surgeons and pathologists could affect STAS but the degree of these impacts is not clear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed resected small (≤ 2 cm) stage I invasive lung adenocarcinomas by thoracoscopic surgery at our institution from January 2017 to October 2018 (n = 277). Micropapillary or solid pattern was considered to be present when the subtype occupied at least 1% of the entire tumor. Lobectomy and segmentectomy were performed using three portals thoracoscopic surgery. Statistical analysis was performed to analyze the correlations of STAS and clinicopathological characteristics. Moreover, we also analyzed the correlated factors of STAS in solid nodules. RESULTS: STAS was found in 59 of 163 (36.2%) lobectomy cases and 27 of 114 (23.7%) limited resection cases. Lobectomy group showed a higher incidence of STAS compared with limited resection group (p = 0.027), but the difference was disappeared in multivariate analysis, which showed that STAS was significantly correlated to solid nodules and presence of high grade histologic subtype (mircopapillary or solid). However, both lobectomy and presence of high grade histologic subtype were significantly correlated with STAS in solid nodules. CONCLUSIONS: The small amounts of high grade histologic subtypes were also associated with STAS. Thoracoscopic surgery could affect STAS to some degree.

Flexible Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy in Pediatric Practice.

Flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy a vital diagnostic and therapeutic procedure for assessing the airway. Its logistics, clinical indications and utility need to be elucidated in pediatric context. Pediatric flexible fibreoptic bronchoscopy is useful for diagnosis of airway anomalies, bronchoalveolar lavage for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, and interventions like foreign body removal. Newer ultra-thin bronchoscopes can be used to perform this procedure in children of all ages. Pediatric flexible bronchoscopy is a valuable diagnostic and therapeutic tool in the hands of skilled personnel when used judiciously.

High-flow nasal oxygenation for anesthetic management.

High-flow nasal oxygenation (HFNO) is a promising new technique for anesthesiologists. The use of HFNO during the induction of anesthesia and during upper airway surgeries has been initiated, and its applications have been rapidly growing ever since. The advantages of this technique include its easy set-up, high tolerability, and its abilities to produce positive airway pressure and a high fraction of inspired oxygen and to influence the clearance of carbon dioxide to some extent. HFNO, via a nasal cannula, can provide oxygen both to patients who can breathe spontaneously and to those who are apneic; further, this technique does not interfere with bag-mask ventilation, attempts at laryngoscopy for tracheal intubation, and surgical procedures conducted in the airway. In this review, we describe the techniques associated with HFNO and the advantages and disadvantages of HFNO based on the current state of knowledge.

Clinical validation and reproducibility of endoscopic airway measurement in pediatric aerodigestive evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic airway measurement (EAM) combines optical endoscopic instruments with open source image processing to accurately obtain airway dimensions. Preclinical models have demonstrated EAM as an accurate technique of airway measurement with the added advantage of characterizing multilevel stenosis, non-circular lesions, and distal obstruction. The aim of this prospective clinical study was to compare EAM to airway measurements obtained from endotracheal tube approximation (ETTA) during pediatric aerodigestive evaluation and to evaluate reproducibility of EAM across practitioners. METHODS: Thirty-seven pediatric patients undergoing routine microlaryngoscopy and bronchoscopy at a single tertiary care children's hospital were prospectively recruited. Patients undergoing emergent procedures were excluded. Two blinded reviewers performed airway measurements using ImageJ (NIH) as previously described and average values were compared to ETTA measurements. Additional EAMs were obtained from an ex vivo airway model by 28 separate clinicians and were analyzed by the same reviewers to evaluate reproducibility. RESULTS: EAM and ETTA measurements were themselves significantly different (p = 0.0003); however, the average absolute difference between the two methods was small (Mean: 0.5 mm, 95%CI: -2.6-1.6 mm). There were notable differences between raters such that estimates of raters with more experience were more similar to ETTA. Despite observed differences between EAM and ETTA, endoscopic airway measurement was highly correlated with ETTA (p = 0.0002, Spearman r = 0.4185), and strong agreement was observed (Bias: -0.4974 ±â€¯1.083 mm, 95% LOA: -2.62-1.625 mm). CONCLUSION: Clinical use of EAM is a valid and precise approach for quantification of airway luminal dimensions. This method may provide advantages over traditional ETTAs for evaluation of asymmetric airway morphology in the pediatric population.

Unusual aspiration of coin in the lower respiratory tract: Two case reports.

RATIONALE: Foreign body (FB) aspiration in adults is occasionally encountered. The aspiration and impaction of a coin in the lower respiratory tract is an unusual accident. This report presents 2 rare adult cases of FB aspiration with coin impaction in larynx and trachea, respectively. PATIENT CONCERNS: Two patients presented to the emergency department separately. Both had a similar history of inadvertent ingestion of a 5-jiao coin that was accidentally enveloped in dumplings. The ingestion was immediately followed by violent cough. DIAGNOSIS: The diagnosis of foreign body aspiration was confirmed by chest x-ray. In the first patient, chest computed tomography (CT) confirmed the shape of the coin and it was located in the laryngeal area, facing C5. In the second patient, CT revealed a metal-density FB located in the tracheal carina. INTERVENTIONS: In the first patient, direct laryngoscopy was performed and the 5-Jiao coin was removed in a direction parallel to the vocal cords. In the second patient, rigid bronchoscopy was used to remove the coin. OUTCOMES: The postoperative period was uneventful in both the patients. LESSONS: During FB removal, the coin should be positioned parallel to the vocal cords during its retrieval through the glottis. Due attention must be paid to avoid asphyxia due to positional changes of the coin in the trachea. Early diagnosis and intervention is the key in such cases as delay can cause catastrophic complications.