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This article describes a technique called robotic thyroidectomy via posterior neck approach (RT-PNA) using the Da Vinci single port (Sp) robotic system. The authors report their initial experience using this technique in a Western patient population. The RT-PNA approach allows for thyroid surgery without an anterior neck scar and appears to be safe and feasible. The authors suggest that this technique has potential advantages over other approaches, such as improved visualization and maneuverability, and may be suitable for patients who wish to avoid a visible scar. Further studies will explore the feasibility of performing total thyroidectomy using this approach. [Extracted from the article]

Objective: To identify the most frequently asked questions regarding "laryngectomy" through an assessment of online search data. Methods: Google Search data based on the search term "laryngectomy" were analyzed using Google Trends and Search Response. The most common People Also Ask (PAA) questions were identified and classified by the concept. Each website linked to its respective PAA question was rated for understandability, ease of reading, and reading grade level. Results: Search popularity for the term "laryngectomy" remained stable between 2017 and 2022. The most popular PAA themes were post‐laryngectomy speech, laryngectomy comparison to tracheostomy, stoma and stoma care, survival/recurrence, and post‐laryngectomy eating. Of the 32 websites linked to the top 50 PAA's, eleven (34%) were at or below an 8th grade reading level. Conclusion: Post‐laryngectomy speech, eating, survival, the stoma, and the difference between laryngectomy and tracheostomy are the most common topics searched online in relation to "laryngectomy." These are important areas for both patient and healthcare provider education. Level of Evidence: N/A Laryngoscope, 133:2971–2976, 2023 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives/Hypothesis: Determine if antibiotic prescribing patterns differ for in‐person versus virtual clinic visits for acute rhinosinusitis (ARS). Study Design: Cross sectional study. Methods: All adult virtual clinical encounters from March to May 2020 with a principal diagnosis of ARS were reviewed for demographic data and the presence or absence of an antibiotic prescription during the coronavirus shut down in Massachusetts. In‐person clinical encounters from March to May 2019 were similarly examined as a control. The rate of antibiotic prescription was compared between virtual (2020) and in‐person (2019) visits for ARS diagnoses. Results: There were 2,075 patients in March to May 2020 and 3,654 patients March to May 2019 who received an ARS principal diagnosis at their virtual and in‐person outpatient visits, respectively. There was a statistically significant lower rate of antibiotic prescriptions for ARS in 2020 (72.1%) versus 2019 (76.7%).The odds ratio for an antibiotic prescription for ARS was 0.783 (95% confidence interval, 0.693–0.86; P <.001) for patients seen in the 2020 cohort versus the 2019 cohort. The compared rates for antibiotic prescribing for 2020 versus 2019 were not different in individual month‐to‐month comparisons. When stratified by otolaryngology providers there was no statistically significant difference of antibiotic prescriptions between the 2019 and 2020 cohort (P =.781). Conclusions: During the massive transition to virtual visits for March to May 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic shut down in Massachusetts, the total rate of outpatient antibiotic prescribing for ARS was lower in the virtual visit environment compared to the traditional in‐person visit. In this scenario, telemedicine did not result in an increase in antibiotic prescribing despite the lack of an in‐person physical exam. Level of Evidence: IV Laryngoscope, 131:E2121–E2124, 2021 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives/Hypothesis: To report key characteristics of the landscape of malpractice litigation with associated court proceedings in otolaryngology over the previous decade. Study Design: Retrospective database review. Methods: The LexisNexis database was queried to identify otolaryngology‐related malpractices cases that yielded court opinions, jury verdicts, and settlements from federal and state courts across the United States from 2010 to 2019. Cases settled outside of court were not identifiable. Provider subspecialty, procedures, error type, legal allegations, and case outcomes were recorded. Frequency of error type was compared between otolaryngology subspecialties using Fisher exact tests. Results: Ninety‐four medical malpractice cases related to otolaryngology with evidence of court proceedings were identified for the period between 2010 and 2019. An otolaryngologist was named as the sole defendant in 39 cases (41%). Rhinology was the most frequently implicated subspecialty (28% of all cases), followed by head and neck surgery (17%) and facial plastics (7%). Improper surgical performance was cited in nearly half of the identified cases (49%), followed by failure to diagnose/refer/treat (32%). Outcome and liability data were available for 56 cases (60%). Of these 56 cases, 50 (89%) were ruled in favor of the defendant otolaryngologist. Of the cases ruled in favor of the plaintiff, the average indemnity was $4.24 M (range, $150,000 M–$10.25 M). Fisher exact tests demonstrated statistically significant differences in consent issues (P =.040), failure to diagnose/refer/treat (P =.024), and improper surgical performance (P =.026) between subspecialties. Conclusions: In a limited, database‐derived sample of medical malpractice cases involving otolaryngologists, trends in error type by subspecialty may warrant further investigation to identify specialty‐wide and subspecialty‐specific areas of practice improvement and education. Level of Evidence: N/A Laryngoscope, 131:E1081–E1085, 2021 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Systemic disease is an uncommon cause of subglottic stenosis (SGS). We report a case of severe SGS due to underlying eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) in a child presenting with isolated stridor. EGPA is a rare systemic vasculitis with very limited cases reported in the pediatric population. While surgical intervention was required given the degree of stenosis in this case, medical management of the underlying systemic disease process is critical when there is clinical suspicion of SGS in the context of systemic vasculitis. Laryngoscope, 131:656–659, 2021 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]