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.

A multicenter study analyzing the impact of pre-existing comorbidities on laryngotracheal reconstruction (LTR) outcomes.

Introduction: Comorbidities such as chronic lung disease and gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), prematurity, and numerous other conditions may impact the success of LTR. Single-center studies are limited in terms of patient numbers and may be underpowered.

Objectives: To analyze the impact of specific comorbidities on the operation-specific and overall surgical success of LTR in a large multicenter cohort and validate a predictive model for surgical success.

Pediatric Aerodigestive Medicine: Advancing Collaborative Care for Children With Oropharyngeal Dysphagia.

Objectives: Aerodigestive disorders encompass various pathological conditions affecting the lungs, upper airway, and gastrointestinal tract in children. While advanced care has primarily occurred in specialty centers, many children first present to general pediatric gastroenterologists with aerodigestive symptoms necessitating awareness of these conditions. At the 2021 Annual North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition meeting, the aerodigestive Special Interest Group held a full-day symposium entitled, Pediatric Aerodigestive Medicine: Advancing Collaborative Care of Children with Aerodigestive Disorders.

The Fungal Pathogen Induces Damaging Cankers in Multiple Domestic Species.

is internationally recognized as a destructive pathogen of chestnut species. Primarily associated with nut rot, it has also been associated with branch and stem cankers of chestnut and as an endophyte of multiple additional hardwood species. The present study evaluated implications of the recently reported United States presence of the pathogen for domestic species.

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.

International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group (IPOG) consensus recommendations: Evaluation and management of congenital tracheal stenosis.

Objectives: To outline an expert-based consensus of recommendations for the diagnosis and management of pediatric patients with congenital tracheal stenosis.

Methods: Expert opinions were sought from members of the International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group (IPOG) via completion of an 18-item survey utilizing an iterative Delphi method and review of the literature.

Results: Forty-three members completed the survey providing recommendations regarding the initial history, clinical evaluation, diagnostic evaluation, temporizing measures, definitive repair, and post-repair care of children with congenital tracheal stenosis.

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.

Does the History of Tracheoesophageal Fistula Repair Alter Outcomes of Laryngeal Cleft Repair?

Objective: Tracheoesophageal fistula and esophageal atresia (TEA) and laryngeal cleft (LC) can coexist in some patients. The surgery-specific success rate of LC repair in children with associated TEA has not been well described. The aim of the study is to determine if the history of TEA alters the LC repair outcomes.

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.

Severe deprivation in early childhood leads to permanent growth stunting: Longitudinal analysis of height trajectories from childhood-to-adulthood.

Background: Childhood institutional deprivation is associated with growth stunting in childhood but long-term effects in adulthood remain uncertain.

Objective: To examine the impact of global institutional deprivation experienced in early childhood on subsequent growth with a special focus on final adult height and puberty timing.

Participants & Setting: The study was originally set in the UK, though some adoptive families lived abroad by the time of the adult follow up.

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.