Sounding out Dysphagia: Using a Digital Stethoscope to Assess Audiometric Differences in Swallowing.

Objectives: A clinical swallow evaluation (CSE) is a subjective exam with limited diagnostic accuracy. We hypothesize that audiometric data collected superficially can enhance the detection of swallowing dysfunction. This study examines audiometric differences between normal and dysfunctional swallows on Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) using a digital stethoscope.

The San Diego Consensus for Laryngopharyngeal Symptoms and Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Disease.

Introduction: The term laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is frequently applied to aerodigestive symptoms despite lack of objective reflux evidence. The aim of this initiative was to develop a modern care paradigm for LPR supported by otolaryngology and gastroenterology disciplines.

Methods: A 28-member international interdisciplinary working group developed practical statements within the following domains: definition/terminology, initial diagnostic evaluation, reflux monitoring, therapeutic trials, behavioral factors and therapy, and risk stratification.

Validation of a 3D-Printed Silicone-Based Laryngeal Model for Resident Education.

Objective: We sought to validate a laryngeal simulation model and subsequently demonstrate its efficacy in improving surgical technique.

Study Design: Pre-post interventional study.

Setting: Otolaryngology Program at a Tertiary Care Center.

Closing the Loop on Concentric Tube Robot Design: A Case Study on Micro-Laryngeal Surgery.

Concentric tube robots (CTRs) are well-suited to address the unique challenges of minimally invasive surgical procedures due to their small size and ability to navigate highly constrained environments. However, uncertainties in the manufacturing process can lead to challenges in the transition from simulated designs to physical robots. In this work, we propose an end-to-end design workflow for CTRs that considers the often-overlooked impact of manufacturing uncertainty, focusing on two primary sources - tube curvature and diameter.

Idiopathic Subglottic Stenosis in Non-Caucasian Women.

Objective: To characterize presentation, disease course, and treatment of idiopathic subglottic stenosis (iSGS) in non-Caucasian women and compare this cohort to the predominantly female, Caucasian patient cohorts identified in the literature.

Study Design: Retrospective review. Results are compared to systematic review of demographics.

COVID-19 Related Tracheal Stenosis Requiring Tracheal Resection: A Case Series.

Objective: To characterize the preoperative and intraoperative findings of symptomatic tracheal stenosis associated with COVID-19 related respiratory failure requiring tracheal resection.

Method: We performed a retrospective review identifying all patients with a history of tracheal stenosis secondary to COVID-19 related respiratory failure who subsequently received a tracheal resection at our institution between January 2020 and June 2023. Clinical, radiological, pathological, and surgical characteristics were recorded to describe and characterize pre-operative and intraoperative findings associated with tracheal stenosis in the setting of a previous COVID-19 infection.

Impact of Obesity on Timing of Tracheotomy: A Multi-institutional Retrospective Study.

Objective: To examine the impact of increased body mass index (BMI) on (1) tracheotomy timing and (2) short-term surgical complications requiring a return to the operating room and 30-day mortality utilizing data from the Multi-Institutional Study on Tracheotomy (MIST).

Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients from the MIST database who underwent surgical or percutaneous tracheotomy between 2013 and 2016 at eight institutions was completed. Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression analyses were used to assess the impact of obesity on tracheotomy timing and complications.

Transitions of care: An aerodigestive provider assessment survey.

Objective: To create, validate, and apply an aerodigestive provider assessment survey.

Methods: A survey assessing provider knowledge and current practice in the transition of patients with chronic aerodigestive disorders from pediatric to adult care was drafted by a multidisciplinary expert panel. Once agreement of the initial survey items was obtained, the survey was distributed to a national multidisciplinary panel of aerodigestive experts for review.

Upper Esophageal Sphincter and Esophageal Motility Pathology on Manometry in Retrograde Cricopharyngeal Dysfunction.

Objective: There exists a paucity of data regarding the mechanism and manometric findings in retrograde cricopharyngeal dysfunction (RCPD). In this study, we aimed to compare esophageal physiologic findings between patients with RCPD compared to an asymptomatic cohort.

Study Design: Case-control study.

New Medical Device and Therapeutic Approvals in Otolaryngology: State of the Art Review of 2022.

Objective: To review new drugs and devices relevant to otolaryngology approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2022.

Data Sources: Publicly available FDA data on drugs and devices approved in 2022.

Review Methods: A preliminary screen was conducted to identify drugs and devices relevant to otolaryngology.

Tracheal Transection After Prolonged Intubation and Tracheostomy: A Case Report.

Tracheal transection is a rare, life-threatening complication after tracheal injury. Most commonly, tracheal transection presents after blunt trauma, but iatrogenic tracheal transection after tracheotomy has not been well described. Here, we present a case without a history of trauma that presented with signs of symptoms of tracheal stenosis.

Developing a Tracheal Rendezvous Procedure for Complete High Subglottic Stenosis.

Complete subglottic stenosis is often managed with surgical resection. However, involvement of the high subglottis can limit candidacy for open resection, and there are few treatment options for these patients. We refined an endoscopic approach that evolved into a tracheal rendezvous technique with T-tube placement as an alternative to open surgical resection.

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.

Differentiation of Bolus Texture During Deglutition via High-Density Surface Electromyography: A Pilot Study.

Objective: Swallowing is a complex neuromuscular task. There is limited spatiotemporal data on normative surface electromyographic signal during swallow, particularly across standard textures. We hypothesize the pattern of electromyographic signal of the anterior neck varies cranio-caudally, that laterality can be evaluated, and categorization of bolus texture can be differentiated by high-density surface electromyography (HDsEMG) through signal analysis.

New Medical Device and Therapeutic Approvals in Otolaryngology: State of the Art Review of 2021.

Objective: To evaluate new medical devices and drugs pertinent to otolaryngology-head and neck surgery that were approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2021.

Data Sources: Publicly available FDA device and drug approvals from ENT (ear, nose, and throat), anesthesia, neurosurgery, plastic surgery, and general surgery FDA committees.

Review Methods: FDA device and therapeutic approvals were identified and reviewed by members of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery's Medical Devices and Drugs Committee.

Necrotizing Tracheitis Complicated by Tracheal Wall Perforation.

Necrotizing tracheitis is a rare condition, mainly seen in immunocompromised patients, that may lead to pseudomembrane formation, airway obstruction and in severe cases, tracheal perforation. We present a case of a 32-year-old male with poorly controlled diabetes who presented with productive cough, dysphagia, and respiratory distress. Bronchoscopy revealed extensive tracheal necrosis along a 4-5 cm segment of cartilaginous trachea and was complicated by tracheal perforation with false passage into the anterior mediastinum.

Surgical wound classification in otolaryngology: A state-of-the-art review.

Objective: To describe the issues related to the assignment of surgical wound classification as it pertains to Otolaryngology-Head & Neck surgery, and to present a simple framework by which providers can assign wound classification.

Data Sources: Literature review.

Conclusion: Surgical wound classification in its current state is limited in its utility.

Transoral Laser Microsurgery With Neck Dissection Versus Radiotherapy for T2N0 Supraglottic Cancer.

Objectives: To compare overall survival outcomes associated with transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) with neck dissection versus definitive radiotherapy in the management of T2N0 supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma.

Methods: Data were extracted from the National Cancer Database concerning patients with cT2N0M0 supraglottic cancer treated with either TLM and neck dissection with minimum lymph node yield of 10 or definitive radiotherapy. Predictors of overall survival were assessed via Cox proportional hazards regression.