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Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the nationwide incidence of ear foreign body (FB) presentations to the emergency department (ED) and analyze the most common FB consumer products encountered. Methods: The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) was evaluated for ED visits that included "ear foreign bodies" from 2010 through 2019. The most frequent foreign bodies were identified and organized by demographics. Results: A total of 20,545 ear FB cases were found, with an estimated 608,860 ED visits nationwide. Female patients (56%) were more likely to have jewelry and first aid equipment FBs. Males between the ages of 5 and 15 years were significantly (P < 0.05) more likely to have paper products, pens/pencils, and desk supplies in their ears. Conclusion: Ear FBs represent a substantial proportion of healthcare expenditures. Although children are the most commonly affected individuals, all ages require further education and preventive measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Fireworks are used commonly for celebrations in the United States, but can lead to severe injury to the head and neck. We aim to assess the incidence, types, and mechanisms of head and neck injuries associated with fireworks use from 2010 to 2019. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study, using data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, of individuals presenting to United States Emergency Departments with head and neck injuries caused by fireworks and flares from 2010 to 2019. Incidence, types, and mechanisms of injury related to fireworks use in the US population were assessed. Results: A total of 541 patients (349 [64.5%] male, and 294 [54%] under 18 years of age) presented to emergency departments with fireworks-related head and neck injuries; the estimated national total was 20 584 patients (13 279 male, 9170 white, and 11 186 under 18 years of age). The most common injury diagnoses were burns (44.7% of injuries), laceration/avulsion/penetrating trauma (21.1%), and otologic injury (15.2%), which included hearing loss, otalgia, tinnitus, unspecified acoustic trauma, and tympanic membrane perforation. The remaining 19% of injuries were a mix, including contusion, abrasion, hematoma, fracture, and closed head injury. Associations between fireworks type and injury diagnosis (chi-square P <.001), as well as fireworks type by age group (chi-square P <.001) were found. Similarly, associations were found between age groups and injury diagnoses (chi-square P <.001); these included children 5 years and younger and adults older than 30 years. Conclusions: Fireworks-related head and neck injuries are more likely to occur in young, white, and male individuals. Burns are the most common injury, while otologic injury is a significant contributor. Annual rates of fireworks-related head and neck injuries have not changed or improved significantly in the United States in the past decade, suggesting efforts to identify and prevent these injuries are insufficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Tracheal agenesis (TA) is rare and usually fatal. Few survivors with concomitant tracheoesophageal fistulae (TEF) who underwent ligation of the distal esophagus with creation of a spit-fistula and neo-trachea from the proximal esophagus exist. We report a novel surgical technique whereby the esophagus is divided longitudinally to preserve a functional alimentation tract and a parallel neo-trachea. We review the literature of reported cases, including survivors beyond 12 months. Methods: Case report and literature review. Results: A female infant with prenatal polyhydramnios was born at 35 weeks gestation with immediate respiratory distress and absent cry. Oxygenation was maintained with a laryngeal mask airway. Despite a normal appearing larynx, she could not be intubated and emergent neck exploration disclosed no cervical trachea. The patient was placed on extra corporeal membranous oxygenation (ECMO), and later diagnosed with TA, Floyd Type I. Parental desire for reconstruction but refusal of a spit-fistula necessitated a novel procedure. The esophagus was divided longitudinally via a microstapler to preserve the original alimentary tract and create a parallel neo-trachea originating from the TEF and terminating as a cervical stoma. The healing process was complicated but the baby was ultimately discharged to home where she developed normally neurologically until succumbing one night to accidental decannulation at 16 months of age. Conclusion: We describe a novel surgical approach to manage TA. This includes avoiding creation of a spit fistula and preserving the native esophagus. We then survey the literature, reporting the survivorship duration and operative management of 174 reported cases of TA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Multidisciplinary vascular anomaly clinics (VACs) offer important value to pediatric patients with complex vascular anomalies whose care overlaps specialties. These clinics are labor intensive and costly to operate since providers see fewer patients compared to their individual specialty clinic. Our North American tertiary care institution's VAC specialists include a pediatric otolaryngologist, pediatric surgeon, pediatric plastic surgeon, pediatric dermatologist, and interventional radiologist. To assess financial feasibility, we conducted a cost analysis of our VACs comprised of 2 half-day multidisciplinary physician attended clinics (5 specialists at our main campus and 2 specialists at a satellite clinic) and a half-day nurse practitioner clinic. Method: Assessment of net revenue based on net collections for clinic, professional, operative, hospital setting, and facility charges generated during 12 consecutive monthly VACs beginning July 1, 2015. Expense calculations included provider and staff salaries, benefits, supply costs, and clinic leasing costs. Results: There were 469 clinic visits, of which 202 were new patient evaluations. Sixty-eight patients underwent 93 procedures under general anesthesia, including procedures performed by our interventional radiologist, most commonly sclerotherapy or embolization (n = 37), surgical interventions including endoscopy (n = 36), or laser procedures (n = 20). Three patients were admitted. Fifty-seven patients received a new diagnosis different from that for which they were referred. Gross revenue was $1 810 525, and net revenue was 42.5%, or $783 152. Expenses totaled $453 415 for a net positive revenue of $329 737. Conclusion: When including direct downstream revenue, particularly from operative procedures, our VAC program operates on a net positive margin, making the program financially feasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We read with great interest, "Follow-Up Phone Interviews and Attendance Motivation From A Free Head and Neck Cancer Screening." Having recently hosted a community head and neck cancer screening event and shared these findings with the otolaryngology community, we greatly appreciate this most recent contribution to the ongoing discussion. Identifying the motivational factors for being screened is a valuable addition to the literature, as these are important considerations for institutions seeking to hold their own head and neck cancer screening events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic variation is prevalent among individuals of the same species and yet the potential effects of genetic variation on developmental outcomes are frequently suppressed. Understanding the mechanisms that are responsible for this suppression is an important goal. Previously, we found that the microRNA miR-9a mitigates the impact of natural genetic variants that promote the development of scutellar bristles in adult Drosophila. Here we find that miR-9a does not affect the impact of genetic variants that inhibit the development of scutellar bristles. We show this using both directional and stabilizing selection in the laboratory. This specificity of action suggests that miR-9a does not interact with all functional classes of developmental genetic variants affecting sensory organ development. We also investigate the impact of miR-9a on a fitness trait, which is adult viability. At elevated physiological temperatures, miR-9a contributes to viability through masking genetic variants that hinder adult viability. We conclude that miR-9a activity in different developmental networks contributes to suppression of natural variants from perturbing development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]