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To determine whether annual surgeon volume of lateral neck dissections for squamous cell carcinoma is associated with complication rates.Retrospective review.Two US databases spanning 2000 to 2014.Neck dissections for squamous cell carcinoma from the National Inpatient Sample and State Inpatient Databases were analyzed. The primary outcome was any in-hospital complication common to neck dissection. The principal independent variable was surgeon volume. A multivariable logistic generalized estimating equation with a piecewise linear spline for surgeon volume was fit to assess its association with complication.The National Inpatient Sample had 3517 discharges fitting criteria, a median surgeon volume of 12, and an 11.1% complication rate. A 1-unit increase in surgeon volume was associated with a 7% increase in the odds of complication when volume ranged between 4 and 19 (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.07; 95% CI, 1.04-1.11) and with a 3% decrease in the odds of complication when volume ranged between 19 and 51 (AOR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.96-0.99). The State Inpatient Databases had 2876 discharges fitting criteria, a median surgeon volume of 30, and a 13.5% complication rate. Surgeon volume was not associated with complication when27 (AOR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.99-1.02), but a 5-unit increase in volume was associated with a 7% decrease in the odds of complication with volume ≥27 (AOR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.88-0.98).Surgeon volume was associated with complications for most volume ranges and with lower odds of complication for high-volume surgeons.

This cohort study examines the association of the lymph node ratio with overall survival in patients with papillary thyroid cancer.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted medical training. Here we assess its effect on head and neck surgical education. METHODS: Surveys were sent to current accredited program directors and trainees to assess the impact of COVID-19 on the fellow's experience and employment search. Current fellows' operative logs were compared with those of the 2018 to 2019 graduates. RESULTS: Despite reduction in operative volume, 82% of current American Head and Neck Society fellows have reached the number of major surgical operations to support certification. When surveyed, 86% of program directors deemed their fellow ready to enter practice. The majority of fellows felt prepared to practice ablative (96%), and microvascular surgery (73%), and 57% have secured employment to follow graduation. Five (10%) had a pending job position put on hold due to the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, current accredited trainees remain well-positioned to obtain proficiency and enter the work-force.

Purpose To determine the complication profile for total thyroidectomy with and without concomitant lateral neck dissection using a large administrative database. Materials and methods The IBM MarketScan® Commercial Database (2010–2014) analytic cohort was queried for patients ≥18 years or older undergoing total thyroidectomy (or equivalent procedures) from January 1, 2010 to June 30, 2014. Subgroup analysis was performed for patients undergoing concomitant unilateral and bilateral lateral neck dissection. The complication profiles were described. Results 55,204 patients underwent total thyroidectomy or equivalent procedures. Hypoparathyroidism or hypocalcemia was coded in 20.3% overall, with 4.7% having permanent hypoparathyroidism. Vocal cord paralysis was coded in 3.3% overall with permanent rate of 0.7%. Tracheotomy was performed in 0.3% of patients. 2743 underwent total thyroidectomy with concomitant unilateral lateral neck dissection, and 560 of these patients underwent bilateral lateral neck dissection. In patients undergoing unilateral lateral neck dissection, 30.5% of patients have hypoparathyroidism/hypocalcemia coded, with a permanent rate of 8.8%. Vocal cord paralysis was coded in 8.3% of patients, with a permanent rate of 1.9%. Tracheotomy was performed in 1.2% of patients. In patients undergoing bilateral lateral neck dissection, 39.6% had hypoparathyroidism/hypocalcemia coded, with a permanent rate of 10.9%. These patients had vocal cord paralysis coded in 10.2% of cases, with a permanent rate of 2.1%. Tracheotomy was performed in 2.5% of patients. Conclusion The addition of unilateral and especially bilateral lateral neck dissection increases both overall and permanent complication rates for total thyroidectomy. These data may help to inform preoperative discussions with patients.

Importance Pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) is a serious complication after total laryngectomy. Despite the well-described clinical risk factors for PCF and its association with poor quality of life, there is a paucity of data on the nonclinical factors that may be associated with this complication. Objective To determine whether nonclinical risk factors (eg, age, sex, race and ethnicity) are associated with an increased risk of developing a PCF after total laryngectomy, and whether or not the method of reconstruction explains any differences found. Design, setting, and participants This retrospective multicenter cohort study used data from a nationally validated, risk-adjusted, outcomes-based, surgical quality improvement database (the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program) to examine outcomes in patients who underwent a total laryngectomy from 2005 to 2018. The database was queried from January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2018; data analyses were performed from September 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021. Main outcomes and measures The primary outcome was development of a PCF within 30 days of a total laryngectomy. Patient characteristics, including age, sex, race and ethnicity, comorbidities, and mode of reconstruction, were analyzed. Results A cohort of 1573 adult patients (median age [IQR], 63 [56-71] years; 1280 [81.4%] men; 293 [18.6%] women; 1001 [63.6%] non-Hispanic White individuals) had undergone a total laryngectomy during the study period and were included in the analyses. The overall rate of PCF formation was 4.3% (68 of 1573 patients). Hispanic patients had the highest rate (9.5%; 9 of 95 patients) of PCF formation, which was more than twice the rate among non-Hispanic White patients (3.8%; 38 of 1001) and non-Hispanic Black patients (4.7%; 11 of 236). After adjusting for clinical and other covariates, women were 1.9 times more likely to develop a PCF compared with men (adjusted odds ratio, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.08-3.35). We also found that the odds of developing a PCF were 3-fold higher among Hispanic patients compared with non-Hispanic White patients (adjusted odds ratio, 2.96; 95% CI, 1.36-6.47). The type of reconstruction did not differ across age or race and ethnicity after controlling for clinical risk factors. Conclusions and relevance This multicenter cohort study found that 2 nonclinical risk factors-Hispanic ethnicity and female sex-were associated with an increased risk of PCF formation. Knowledge of these risk factors should be included in patient-physician decision-making as well as future interventions to decrease the rate of PCF formation after laryngectomy.

Little is known about what patients and physicians value in end-of-life care, or how these groups would craft a health plan for those with advanced cancer.The study objective was to assess how otolaryngology, head and neck surgery (OHNS) physicians would structure a Medicare benefit plan for patients with advanced cancer, and to compare this with cancer patient and cancer patient caregiver preferences.OHNS physicians used an online version of a validated tool for assessing preferences for health plans in the setting of limited resources. These data were compared to cancer patient and caregiver preferences.OHNS physicians nationwide were assessed with comparison to similar data obtained in a separate study of cancer patients and their caregivers treated at Duke University Medical Center.Otolaryngology physicians (n=767) completed the online assessment and this was compared with data from 146 patients and 114 caregivers. OHNS physician allocations differed significantly in 14 of the 15 benefit categories when compared with patients and caregivers. Physicians elected more coverage in the Advice, Emotional Care, Palliative Care, and Treatment for Cancer benefit categories. Patients and their caregivers elected more coverage in the Cash, Complementary Care, Cosmetic Care, Dental and Vision, Drug Coverage, Home Improvement, House Calls, Nursing Facility, Other Medical Care, and Primary Care benefit categories.Otolaryngology physicians have significantly different values in end-of-life care than cancer patients and their caregivers. This information is important for efficient allocation of scarce Medicare resources and for effective end-of-life discussions, both of which are key for developing appropriate health policy.

Purpose 1) Evaluate the effectiveness of a postoperative disposition protocol for upper airway surgery in patients with sleep apnea. 2) Compare the cost-effectiveness of outpatient and overnight observational sleep apnea surgery versus surgical intensive care admission determined by preoperative screening criteria. Materials and methods A new preoperative protocol for sleep apnea surgery was instituted at the Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center in 2008 to triage patients undergoing sleep apnea surgery to one of three postoperative dispositions: intensive care, routine ward bed, or discharge home. An Institutional Review Board approved retrospective chart review of patients undergoing sleep apnea surgery between May 2008 and January 2012 was performed. Postoperative complications and cost comparisons were assessed between each of the three postoperative disposition groups. Results 115 patients underwent sleep apnea surgery between July 2008 and January 2012. 11 patients were excluded leaving 104 patients in the final analysis. Median follow-up was 1.25 months. Overall complication rate was 12.5%. Eight complications occurred in the group triaged to intensive care, and 5 occurred in those triaged to lesser levels of postoperative care. All serious complications occurred during the immediate postoperative period. Based on only room charges, $125,275 was saved over the 3.6 years of this study. Conclusion A post operative disposition protocol can be effectively used to triage patients to less than intensive postoperative care. In institutions like the Durham VA, where sleep apnea patients were routinely triaged to intensive care, postoperative resources will be more efficiently utilized.

As the U.S. population ages and life expectancy increases, the number of elderly patients seeking trauma care and treatment for facial fractures will increase. Understanding age-related differences in the pattern, cause, and management of these fractures is essential for improving care.A retrospective review of adults presenting to a Level I trauma center was performed to evaluate age-related differences in facial fractures. Descriptive statistics were used to compare fracture number, type, cause of injury, management, and adverse events between elderly (older than 64 years) and younger cohorts (aged 18 to 64 years). Logistic regression was used to evaluate the effect of age on fracture type while controlling for potential confounding variables.Two thousand twenty-three adult patients sustained a facial fracture from 2001 to 2011. Two hundred nine patients were elderly and 1814 were younger. Regarding cause of injury, older patients were more likely to fall and younger patients were more likely to be injured through assaults, motor vehicle collisions, or sports (p0.0001). Elderly patients sustained a higher incidence of maxillary (16.3 percent versus 11.4 percent; p = 0.0401), nasal (54.1 percent versus 45.3 percent; p = 0.0156), and orbital floor fractures (28.2 percent versus 18.1 percent; p = 0.004) and a lower incidence of mandible fractures (10.1 percent versus 21.3 percent; p = 0.0001). The elderly had significantly less operative intervention (24.9 percent versus 43 percent; p0.0001) and were less likely to experience complications (5.3 percent versus 10.5 percent; p = 0.0162).Elderly patients tend to suffer from less severe facial fractures, requiring less need for operative intervention, likely secondary to low-energy mechanisms of injury.Risk, II.

Background As multidisciplinary cancer treatment evolves, strategies to identify patients needing early resection/salvage are necessary. Some have suggested that vocal cord function after organ-preservation treatment may be an indicator. Methods A retrospective review was performed of patients presenting with fixed or impaired vocal cord function at a tertiary center. Local recurrence rates were examined in patients with and without improved/normal mobilization after treatment. Results Sixty-nine patients met the inclusion criteria, with 35 patients having vocal cord fixation and 34 patients with impaired mobility. After treatment, 44 patients had normalization of vocal cord function, while 25 patients did not, with 2-year local control rates of 70% and 77%, p = .23, respectively. No difference in local control was found between patients with normalized/improved cord function (n = 53) and those who remained the same/worsened (n = 16; p = .81). Conclusion Therapy-induced changes in vocal cord mobility did not correlate with local recurrence. Other criteria are needed to identify patients most likely to benefit from early surgical resection/salvage after organ preservation. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2011

Investigate the use of optical reflectance spectroscopy to differentiate malignant and nonmalignant tissues in head and neck lesions and characterize corresponding oxygen tissue biomarkers that are associated with pathologic diagnosis.Cross-sectional study.Tertiary Veterans Administration Medical Center.All patients undergoing panendoscopy with biopsy for suspected head and neck cancer were eligible. Prior to taking tissue samples, the optical probe was placed at 3 locations to collect diffuse reflectance data. These locations were labeled "tumor," "immediately adjacent," and "distant normal tissue." Biopsies were taken of each of these respective sites. The diffuse reflectance spectra were analyzed, and biomarker-specific absorption data were extracted using an inverse Monte Carlo algorithm for malignant and nonmalignant tissues. Histopathological analysis was performed and used as the gold standard to analyze the optical biomarker data.Twenty-one patients with mucosal squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck were identified and selected to participate in the study. Statistically significant differences in oxygen saturation (P = .001) and oxygenated hemoglobin (P = .019) were identified between malignant and nonmalignant tissues.This study established proof of principle that optical spectroscopy can be used in the head and neck areas to detect malignant tissue. Furthermore, tissue biomarkers were correlated with a diagnosis of malignancy.

To evaluate criteria used by residency applicants in ranking otolaryngology residency programs and to compare applicant criteria with program expectations of ranking otolaryngology residency programs.Cross-sectional survey.2009 and 2010 match cycles.Program applicants and otolaryngology program directors.Applicants were asked to rank the importance of 10 criteria in choosing a residency program (1 = criterion was of the utmost importance and 20 = not important at all). Program directors were asked to express expectations of how applicants should rank programs using those same criteria. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to analyze responses between groups.Comprehensiveness of subspecialties and resident satisfaction were the most important criteria for both groups; salary, call schedule, and likelihood to rank the resident highly were least valued. Four criteria were significantly different between groups. Applicants significantly valued location (4.36 vs 8.9, P.0001) and call schedule (9.85 vs 12.73, P = .002) more than program directors did. Program directors valued didactic schedule (6.1 vs 9.18, P.0001) and comprehensiveness of subspecialties (2.53 vs 3.02, P = .007) more than applicants did. Forty-one of 105 (39%) program directors completed the survey.While applicants and program directors agree on the most and least important criteria for ranking residency programs, there are several significant differences in these criteria. This study provides insight on ranking criteria that may improve the resident match process and subsequent training experience. However, the ability to generalize the results is limited by the low response rate.

Importance The consultation patterns of an otolaryngology–head and neck surgery service have not previously been reported. The time, resources, and attention required to operate such a consultation service are unknown. Objective To assess trends in otolaryngology–head and neck surgery consultations conducted in emergency departments (EDs) and inpatient services. Design, Setting, and Participants A retrospective analysis was conducted of the medical records of patients at a quaternary care center receiving inpatient otolaryngology consultations from January 1 to December 31, 2014. Exposure Clinical evaluation and bedside and operative procedures performed by the otolaryngology–head and neck surgery service. Main Outcomes and Measures Demographics, reason for consultation, diagnosis, bedside procedures, operative interventions, and admission variables. Results A total of 1491 consultations were completed for adult (1091 [73.2%]; 854 men and 637 women; mean [SD] age 50.3 [19.3] years) and pediatric (400 [26.8%]; 232 boys and 168 girls; mean [SD] age, 4.0 [5.2] years) patients. Of the 1491 consultations, 766 (51.4%) originated from inpatient teams vs 725 (48.6%) from the ED. A total of 995 of all consultations (66.7%) resulted in a bedside procedure, and 243 (16.3%) required operative intervention. Consultations regarding airway evaluation (362 [47.3%] vs 143 [19.7%]), management of epistaxis (78 [10.2%] vs 33 [4.6%]), and rhinologic evaluation (79 [10.3%] vs 18 [2.5%]) were more frequent from inpatient teams than from the ED. Consultations regarding management of head and neck infections (162 [22.3%] vs 32 [4.2%]), facial trauma (235 [32.4%] vs 16 [2.1%]), and postoperative complications (73 [10.1%] vs 2 [0.3%]) were more frequent in the ED. Of the 725 consultations performed in the ED, 212 patients (29.2%) required hospitalization. Conclusions and Relevance The consultation volume of an otolaryngology–head and neck surgery service requires significant time and resources. Consultations are most often for rhinologic or laryngologic issues and are reflective of the clinical setting in which the patient is evaluated. Cost savings may be realized by increasing health care access points for nonurgent concerns that can be evaluated in an outpatient setting.

Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy induces native tissue oxygenation. The hypothesis was patients with mandibular osteoradionecrosis (ORN) and a history of HBO therapy would have less free flap reconstruction complications than patients without HBO therapy.We conducted a multisite retrospective review involving radical debridement and free flap reconstruction for ORN between January 1, 1995 and June 30, 2011. Patients were stratified based on receiving prior HBO therapy or not.Thirty-nine of 89 patients (43.8%) had HBO therapy whereas 50 of 89 (56.2%) did not. The HBO therapy group had significantly less patients with diabetes. There was no statistical difference in overall complication in patients between groups (p = .5478). However, there was marginal significance of increased infections in the patients with a history of HBO therapy (p = .0545).Although no significant differences in free flap reconstruction complication rates were observed between these 2 patient cohorts, there was marginal significance of increased infections in the patients with a history of HBO therapy. A prospective multi-institutional randomized study examining issues of infection would address issues inherent in this retrospective study.

To evaluate the criteria used by otolaryngology programs in ranking residency candidates and to compare residency candidate ranking criteria among otolaryngology programs and applicant expectations.Cross-sectional, anonymous survey administered during the 2009 and 2010 match cycles.Otolaryngology residency programs.Otolaryngology residency program applicants (PAs) and otolaryngology program directors (PDs).The PDs were asked to rank the importance of 10 criteria in choosing a residency candidate on a 20-point scale (with 1 indicating utmost importance; 20, not important at all). The PAs were asked to express their expectations of how candidates should be ranked using those same criteria.The interview and personal knowledge of the applicant (mean rank, 3.63) were the most important criteria to PDs, whereas the interview and letters of recommendation (mean rank, 3.65) were the most important criteria among PAs. Likelihood to rank program highly and ethnicity/sex were the least valued by PDs and PAs.Although PDs and PAs agree on the least important criteria for ranking otolaryngology residency candidates, they disagree on the most important criteria. This information provides insight into how programs select residency candidates and how this compares with applicant expectations. Furthermore, this information will assist applicants in understanding how they might be evaluated by programs. Improved understanding of the match process may increase the likelihood of having a good fit between otolaryngology programs and matched applicants.

To review the accuracy and effectiveness of current technology available for computer-aided maxillofacial surgery.New developments in computer technology can help surgeons with preoperative planning and intraoperative navigation in the management of maxillofacial injuries.Computer-aided surgery is improving the surgical outcomes in maxillofacial reconstruction, particularly in complex cases. Several recent articles are presented that explore the clinical outcomes using computer-aided surgery, investigate the precision of various intraoperative optical navigation systems, compare several registration strategies and examine the impact of natural facial asymmetry on planning and reconstruction. In all cases, preoperative computed tomography (CT) data are imported to computer modeling programs in which virtual reconstructions can be performed. These reconstructions are then used by intraoperative navigation systems to guide the surgeon and increase the precision of surgical outcomes. Evaluation of various registration strategies used to orient navigation systems to patient anatomical markers demonstrates that the optimum strategy is dependent on injury type. Some degree of error when repairing maxillofacial injuries is negated by the fact that people have naturally asymmetrical craniofacial skeletons.

Introduction : Surgical Training and Education in Promoting Professionalism (STEPP) was developed in 2011 to train tomorrow's leaders during residency. It is based on virtue ethics and takes an approach similar to West Point military academy. The purpose of this research was: (i) to compare the virtue profiles of our residents with that of the military cohort using a standardized virtue assessment tool; and (ii) to assess the value of virtue education on residents. Methods : As part of STEPP, otolaryngology residents participated in a virtue-based validated assessment tool called Virtue in Action (VIA) Inventory. This was completed at the initiation of STEPP in July 2011 as well as 1 year later in June 2012. Comparison of the VIA to a military cohort was performed. Leadership ‘Basic Training’ is a series of forums focused on virtues of initiative, integrity, responsibility, self-discipline, and accountability. A pre- and post-test was administered assessing resident perceptions of the value of this ‘Basic Training’. Results : Virtues are shared between otolaryngology residents ( n =9) and military personnel ( n =2,433) as there were no significant differences in strength scores between two military comparison groups and otolaryngology-head and neck surgery (OHNS) residents. There was a significant improvement ( p