Consensus on intake questionnaire data elements in the development of an aerodigestive registry.

Objective: To define the essential elements of the intake questionnaire that will be a part of a larger multicenter registry for aerodigestive patients.

Methods: A modified Delphi method was utilized to obtain consensus on the data elements that should warrant inclusion in the final research database. Patient questionnaires from the eight participating institutions were reviewed and individual elements were aggregated into 14 categories.

Use of temporary tracheostomy occlusion to reduce the risk of sternal wound infection after sternotomy in congenital cardiac surgery.

Objective: To describe a method of reducing the risk of sternal wound infection after sternotomy in children with a pre-existing tracheostomy. To report our outcomes using this method from 1 January, 2013 to 31 August, 2023.

Methods: We describe a method for temporarily occluding the tracheal stoma with a removable implant with the primary goal of reducing the risk of sternotomy wound infection by preventing soilage due to tracheostomal secretions.

Assessing National Trends and Perceived Safety of Off-Label Ciprofloxacin-Dexamethasone Use by Pediatric Otolaryngologists.

Objectives: Off-label use of Ciprodex® (ciprofloxacin-dexamethasone: CPD), an antibiotic-steroid combination solution, in the airway has been reported by pediatric otolaryngologists with anecdotal success. We examined national trends regarding off-label CPD use including prevalence, common indications, prescriber patterns, adverse events, and accessibility.

Methods: 15-item cross-sectional survey was distributed to American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology members from January-April 2022.

Characteristics and Outcomes of Surgical Treatment for Bronchial Anomalies.

Objectives: Bronchial anomalies are rare but challenging conditions to treat in children, encompassing a variety of structural abnormalities that could compromise airway patency. This includes complete rings, absent cartilage, traumatic avulsions, bronchoesophageal fistulas, and cartilaginous sleeves. The objective of this study is to describe the characteristics and outcomes of a series of pediatric cases of bronchial anomalies that were treated by slide tracheobronchoplasty.

Comparative Treatment Outcomes for Idiopathic Subglottic Stenosis: 5-Year Update.

The North American Airway Collaborative (NoAAC) previously published a 3-year multi-institutional prospective cohort study showing variation in treatment effectiveness between 3 primary surgical techniques for idiopathic subglottic stenosis (iSGS). In this report, we update these findings to include 5 years of data evaluating treatment effectiveness. Patients in the NoAAC cohort were re-enrolled for 2 additional years and followed using the prespecified published protocol.

Revision Endoscopic Posterior Costal Cartilage Grafting: Is It Feasible?

The objective of this work is to examine the feasibility of revision endoscopic posterior costal cartilage graft (EPCCG) placement for posterior glottic stenosis (PGS) and bilateral vocal fold immobility (BVFI). Revision and primary cases were compared with respect to decannulation rates, and it was hypothesized that there would be no difference in outcomes. Twenty-one patients met inclusion criteria (14 primary, 7 revision).

International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group: Consensus guidelines on the diagnosis and management of non-tuberculous mycobacterial cervicofacial lymphadenitis.

Introduction: Non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infection commonly manifests as subacute or chronic cervicofacial lymphadenitis in immunocompetent children. The optimal management of this pathology remains controversial.

Objectives: This international consensus guideline aims to understand the practice patterns for NTM cervicofacial lymphadenitis and to address the primary diagnostic and management challenges.

Compensation Rates for Pediatric Otolaryngology Procedures Under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule in 2021.

Introduction: The Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) is the basis for physician reimbursement by public and private payers. The PFS values physician services according to the estimated time and intensity required to perform them; intensity reflects the summation of technical skill, cognitive load, and risk-related stress. The fee schedule uses relative value units (RVUs) as a metric that permits comparison across procedures.

Laryngotracheal separation through the cricoid ring for management of tracheobronchomegaly.

Tracheobronchomegaly is a rare condition characterized by diffuse dilation of the trachea and main bronchi. In ventilator-dependent neonates with tracheobronchomegaly, a tracheostomy may be hazardous due to the lack of an appropriate tracheostomy tube size that can fit the enlarged trachea. Here, we describe a modification of the laryngotracheal separation procedure to permit ventilation in a child with tracheobronchomegaly and severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Hospital Prices for Pediatric Tympanostomy Tube Placement and Adenotonsillectomy in 2021.

Objectives: Hospital prices vary substantially for myringotomy with tympanostomy tube placement (M&T) and adenotonsillectomy (T&A). The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently implemented hospital price transparency requirements to help families make financially informed decisions about where to seek care. We sought to determine price availability and the extent of price variation for these procedures.

Outcomes in Pediatric Thyroidectomy: Results From a Multinational, Multi-institutional Database.

Objective: Traditionally, data regarding thyroidectomy were extracted from billing databases, but information may be missed. In this study, a multi-institutional pediatric thyroidectomy database was used to evaluate recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury and hypoparathyroidism.

Study Design: Retrospective multi-institutional cohort study.

Factors associated with success following transcervical innominate artery suspension.

Objective: Aortopexy including innominate artery suspension is a well-established treatment of anterior vascular compression and associated tracheomalacia. We report the results of our case series of cervical approach to innominate artery suspension and hypothesize that increased distance from the innominate to the sternum is predictive of superior symptomatic outcome.

Study Design: Retrospective Case Series.

GABA receptor associated protein changes the electrostatic environment around the GABA type A receptor.

We have performed fully atomistic molecular dynamics simulations of the intracellular domain of a model of the GABA receptor with and without the GABA receptor associated protein (GABARAP) bound. We have also calculated the electrostatic potential due to the receptor, in the absence and presence of GABARAP. We find that GABARAP binding changes the electrostatic properties around the GABA receptor and could lead to increased conductivity of chloride ions through the receptor.

Slide Tracheoplasty for Repair of Complex Tracheoesophageal Fistulas.

Objectives/hypothesis: Repair of large, recurrent, and complex tracheoesophageal fistulas (TEFs) is challenging and numerous different surgical approaches exist. These various techniques each carry a set of risks and possible complications such as fistula recurrence, tracheal stenosis or pouches, esophageal stenosis, and recurrent laryngeal nerve injury. Slide tracheoplasty is a reconstructive technique successfully used in many different airway pathologies, including TEF repair.

Endoscopic Repair of Type 1 Laryngeal Clefts and Deep Interarytenoid Notches: Cold Steel Versus Laser.

Objectives/hypothesis: Endoscopic repair is the preferred surgical treatment for type 1 laryngeal clefts (T1LCs) and deep interarytenoid notches (DINs). No studies exist showing differences in repair rates using laser and cold steel. Our objective is to assess overall success and revision rate for endoscopic cleft repair and determine whether there is any difference in surgical outcomes between cold steel and laser techniques.

Laryngeal webs and laryngotracheoesophageal clefts: State of the art.

Laryngeal webs and laryngotracheoesophageal clefts (LTECs) are rare malformations of the larynx. Both can have a wide range of symptoms. While webs typically affect voice and airway and LTECs typically affect swallowing and airway, this is not always the case.

Acquired tracheal stenosis: Cervical slide tracheoplasty.

Acquired tracheal stenosis can result from iatrogenic injury or, less commonly, tracheal tumors. Symptoms can arise insidiously and typically include respiratory distress, sleep disordered breathing, or exercise intolerance. Diagnostic evaluation includes cross-sectional imaging and endoscopy.

Airway and Swallowing Outcomes Following Laryngotracheoplasty With Posterior Grafting in Children.

Objectives/hypothesis: Evaluate swallowing and airway outcomes following laryngotracheoplasty with posterior grafting (LTP PCCG).

Methods: Retrospective review of pediatric patients undergoing LTP PCCG from 2016 to 2019 at a tertiary care pediatric hospital. We included demographics, indications, approach, and revision status.

Demographic Characteristics of Children Diagnosed with Bacterial Tracheitis.

Objectives: Examine the presentation and clinical course of patients with bacterial tracheitis (BT). Identify if socioeconomic differences exist among children who present with BT.

Methods: This was a retrospective case series from a tertiary care pediatric medical center.

Association of Social Determinants of Health with Time to Diagnosis and Treatment Outcomes in Idiopathic Subglottic Stenosis.

Objectives: To examine whether social determinants of health (SDH) factors are associated with time to diagnosis, treatment selection, and time to recurrent surgical intervention in idiopathic subglottic stenosis (iSGS) patients.

Methods: Adult patients with diagnosed iSGS were recruited prospectively (2015-2017) via clinical providers as part of the North American Airway Collaborative (NoAAC) and via an online iSGS support community on Facebook. Patient-specific SDH factors included highest educational attainment (self-reported), median household income (matched from home zip code via U.