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Objectives: To investigate the role of patients' personal social networks (SNs) in accessing head and neck cancer (HNC) care through patients' and health care workers' (HCWs) perspectives. Study Design: Qualitative study. Setting: Tertiary HNC centers at 2 academic medical centers, including 1 safety net hospital. Methods: Patients with newly diagnosed HNC, and HCWs caring for HNC patients, aged ≥18 years were recruited between June 2022 and July 2023. Semistructured interviews were conducted with both patients and HCWs. Inductive and deductive thematic analysis was performed with 2 coders (κ = 0.82) to analyze the data. Results: The study included 72 participants: 42 patients (mean age 57 years, 64% female, 81% white), and 30 HCWs (mean age 42 years, 77% female, 83% white). Four themes emerged: (1) Patients' SNs facilitate care through various forms of support, (2) patients may hesitate to seek help from their networks, (3) obligations toward SNs may act as barriers to seeking care, and (4) the SN composition and dedication influence care‐seeking. Conclusion: Personal SNs play a vital role in prompting early care‐seeking among HNC patients. SN‐based interventions could enhance care and improve outcomes for HNC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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. Methods: We performed a cross‐sectional analysis of the Turquoise Health Hospital Rates Data Platform, which extracts prices for facility fees from publicly available hospital chargemasters. We determined the proportion of hospitals serving pediatric patients that published payer‐specific prices for M&T and T&A. We additionally characterized the extent of variation in payer‐specific prices both across and within hospitals. Results: Approximately 40% (n = 909 of 2,266 hospitals) serving pediatric patients disclosed prices for M&T or T&A. Among disclosing hospitals, across‐center ratios (adjusted for Medicare hospital wage indices) ranged from 11.0 (M&T; 10th percentile adjusted median price: $536.80 versus 90th percentile adjusted median price: $5,929.93) to 23.4 (revision adenoidectomy age >12 years; 10th percentile: $393.82 versus 90th percentile: $9,209.88). Median within‐center price ratios for procedures ranged from 2.2 to 2.7, indicating that some private payers reimbursed the same hospital more than twice as much as other payers for the same procedure. Conclusion: The majority of hospitals serving pediatric patients were non‐compliant with federal requirements to disclose prices for M&T and T&A. Among disclosing hospitals, there was wide variation in payer‐specific prices between and within institutions. Further research is necessary to understand whether disclosure of prices will enable families to make more financially informed decisions. Level of Evidence: 3 Laryngoscope, 133:948–955, 2023 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives/hypothesis: Few studies have specifically addressed auditory complaints in patients with nonblast mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Herein, we aimed to investigate auditory symptoms in patients following mTBI using patient-reported outcome measures.Study Design: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data in a tertiary-care hospital.Methods: The patients included those with mTBI (cases) and those without mTBI (controls). Individuals (≥18 years old) with and without mTBI were screened. Exclusion criteria included history of otologic disorders, blast injury, or occupational noise exposure. Primary outcomes included the Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults (HHIA), Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), and Hyperacusis Questionnaire (HQ). Secondary outcomes included subjective auditory complaints.Results: From September 2017 to September 2018, 52 patients with mTBI and 55 controls met inclusion and exclusion criteria. The mean time between mTBI and survey intake was 70.6 months. The mean age and gender were 51.5 years old and 73% female in the mTBI group, and 46.1 years old and 56.3% female in the control group (P = .112 and P = .105, respectively). Patients with mTBI reported hyperacusis (67.3% of all mTBI patients), hearing loss (61.5%), and tinnitus (61.5%), compared to 8.3%, 12.7%, and 16.4%, respectively, for control subjects (P < .0001). The mean HHIA score in the mTBI group was 38.3 versus 8.5 in controls (P = .002). The mean THI score was 27.4 in the mTBI group and 3.1 in controls (P < .0001). The mean HQ score was 26.5 in mTBI group and 7.3 in controls (P = .001).Conclusions: Auditory symptoms and associated handicap were common in patients with nonblast mTBI compared to age-matched controls. Findings have implications for the pathophysiology and management of symptoms in this patient population.Level Of Evidence: 3 Laryngoscope, 130:761-767, 2020. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives/hypothesis: To describe outcomes of a single institution experience with sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) for high-risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.Study Design: Retrospective case series.Methods: Chart review was performed for patients who presented with clinically node negative cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck between December 2007 and May 2018. Patients who met high-risk criteria underwent SLNB and excision, with or without adjuvant therapy. Patients who underwent prior neck dissection were excluded. The main outcomes were SLNB result, lymph node spread, recurrence-free survival, disease-specific survival, and overall survival.Results: Eighty-three patients underwent successful SLNB, and one patient underwent selective neck dissection for intraoperatively identified occult lymph node metastasis. Five patients (6%) had a sentinel node positive for tumor, of whom 4/5 received further treatment (neck dissection, radiation, and/or systemic therapy) with no further recurrence at the time of last follow-up. SLNB had a negative predictive value of 95% to 100%. Recurrent tumor at presentation, tumor arising from an area of chronic inflammation, and immunosuppression were significantly associated with increased risk of subsequent recurrence, with a mean follow-up of 19.9 months.Conclusions: SLNB can be used to identify regional lymph node metastases in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck with a high negative predictive value (95%-100%). Factors associated with recurrence were tumor being locally recurrent at presentation, arising from an area of chronic inflammation, and immunosuppression.Level Of Evidence: 4 Laryngoscope, 130:108-114, 2020. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives/hypothesis: Opioid-related deaths in the United States have increased 200% since 2000, in part due to prescription diversion from patients who had a surgical procedure. The purpose of this study was to characterize provider prescription patterns and assess patient-reported opioid use after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS).Study Design: Retrospective chart review.Methods: Patients who underwent ESS between May 2017 and May 2018 were included. Opioid prescription, operative details, and postoperative opioid use data were extracted. The Massachusetts Prescription Awareness Tool (MassPAT) was queried to determine if patients filled their prescription.Results: One hundred fifty-five patients were included. Nearly all patients received an opioid prescription (94.8%). An average of 15.6 tablets was prescribed per patient. Among 116 patients with MassPAT data, 91.4% filled their prescription. Among 67 patients who reported the number of tablets they had used at the time of first follow-up appointment, 73.1% reported taking no opioids. Mean number of tablets prescribed was significantly greater among patients who underwent primary versus revision surgery (16.5 vs. 13.5, P = .0111) and those who had splints placed (21.5 vs. 15.1, P = .0037). Predictors of opioid use included concurrent turbinate reduction (58.3% vs. 14.3%, P < .0001) and concurrent septoplasty (45.5% vs. 21.6%, P = .039).Conclusions: Nearly all patients who underwent ESS were prescribed an opioid, and nearly all patients filled their prescription. However, the vast majority of patients did not require any opioid medication for postoperative pain control. As the opioid epidemic continues to persist, these findings have immediate relevance to current prescribing patterns and pain management practices.Level Of Evidence: 4 Laryngoscope, 129:1046-1052, 2019. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Preoperative single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) imaging may aid in the localization of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) in cutaneous head and neck malignancy and has been rigorously evaluated for deep cervical lymph nodes. The purpose of this study was to assess the sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value (PPV) of SPECT/CT for preoperative localization of nodal basins superficial to the sternocleidomastoid muscle, with comparison to deep nodal basins of the neck.Study Design: Retrospective review.Setting: Tertiary care center.Subjects and Methods: SPECT/CT images obtained preoperatively for patients undergoing SLN biopsy for cutaneous head and neck malignancy between June 2015 and June 2016 were reviewed by a blinded nuclear medicine physician and head and neck surgeon. SPECT/CT imaging was compared to intraoperatively determined SLN location via gamma probe. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were determined and compared for superficial (external jugular [EJ] and parotid) nodes vs level II nodes.Results: Fifty-three patients were included in the study. Most had cutaneous melanoma (69.8%). The PPV of EJ/parotid node identification by SPECT/CT imaging was 85.7%, specificity was 88.9%, and sensitivity was 69.2%. Comparatively, the PPV for level II nodes was 76.9%, specificity was 50%, and sensitivity was 85.7%. No significant difference in SPECT/CT predictive value was identified between EJ/parotid and level II node identification ( P > .05).Conclusion: SPECT/CT imaging has strong specificity and positive predictability for preoperative localization of SLN superficial to the sternocleidomastoid muscle in cutaneous head and neck malignancy. SPECT/CT imaging may be a useful radiographic aid for preoperative SLN mapping in this patient population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives/hypothesis: Tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) can be performed at the time of laryngectomy (primary) or postoperatively (secondary). Prior studies demonstrate safe and earlier voice acquisition and rehabilitation with primary TEP. The objectives of this study were to assess national trends in primary TEP and identify factors associated with its use.Study Design: Retrospective review.Methods: Retrospective analysis of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) from 2010 to 2014 was performed. The NIS was queried for patients who underwent total laryngectomy (TL) (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification [ICD-9-CM] 30.3-30.4) and primary TEP (ICD-9-CM 31.95). Patient demographics, comorbidities, and factors known to influence the decision to perform TEP were characterized. Factors associated with primary TEP were identified by multivariable regression.Results: A total of 15,410 patients underwent TL during the study period. Of this cohort, 1,124 patients (7.3%) underwent primary TEP. Among patients who underwent primary TEP, 80.9% had laryngeal cancer, 16.4% had pedicled or free-flap reconstruction at the time of TL, 4.2% underwent partial pharyngectomy, and 48.0% underwent cricopharyngeal myotomy (CPM). The majority of primary TEPs were performed at urban teaching hospitals (90.6%). In multivariable regression, patients who underwent CPM were at significantly increased odds of primary TEP (odds ratio: 3.79, P < .0001). Flap reconstruction, partial pharyngectomy, age, gender, history of laryngeal cancer, hospital region, and teaching status were not associated.Conclusions: Primary TEP is associated with earlier voice restoration after TL but is infrequently performed. The majority of primary TEPs are performed in teaching hospitals, and primary TEP is associated with concurrent cricopharyngeal myotomy. Future studies should investigate practice patterns associated with primary TEP.Level Of Evidence: 4. Laryngoscope, 128:2320-2325, 2018. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives/hypothesis: Otolaryngology residents are often responsible for triaging after-hours patient calls. However, residents receive little training on this topic. Data are limited on the clinical content, reporting, and management of otolaryngology patient calls. This study aimed to characterize the patient concerns residents handle by phone and their subsequent management and reporting.Study Design: Retrospective review.Methods: Five hundred consecutive after-hours patient calls in a tertiary pediatric hospital were reviewed. Data collected included patient and caller demographics, clinical concerns, surgical history, recommendations, and subsequent emergency department (ED) visits.Results: On average, 3.7 calls occurred per shift, 2.8 on weekday and 5.9 on weekend shifts. Mean patient age was 6.6 years. Mothers (71%) called most frequently. The majority of calls were postoperative (64.2%). Of postoperative calls, most occurred within 3 days of surgery (52.3%). Most calls were for surgical site bleeding (19.9%). Residents recommended ED evaluation for 17.2% of calls, of which 20.9% returned to the primary institution ED. ED evaluation was recommended more frequently for postoperative patients (P = .040), particularly following adenotonsillectomy (51.2%) or surgical site bleeding (18.6%). With respect to documentation, 32.8% of medical record numbers were absent, 11.8% had name errors, and 2.2% of patients could not be identified.Conclusions: This is the first study to analyze the management and reporting of patient calls by otolaryngology residents. A wide array of clinical concerns are triaged by phone conversations. The study has implications for both resident and patient education.Level Of Evidence: 4. Laryngoscope, 128:E163-E170, 2018. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: There is limited data on epistaxis presentation and management patterns in U.S. emergency departments (EDs). We aim to characterize patients who present to the ED with epistaxis and identify factors associated with nasal-packing use.Study Design: Retrospective review of Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS) from 2009 to 2011.Methods: NEDS was queried for patient visits with a primary diagnosis of epistaxis (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification code 784.7). Patient demographics, comorbidities, and hospital characteristics were obtained. Predictors of nasal packing were determined by multivariable logistic regression.Results: There were 1,234,267 ED visits for epistaxis. The highest proportion of patients were seen in the winter (37.2%) at nontrauma hospitals (76.9%), and were discharged home (95.5%). Fifteen percent of patients were on long-term anticoagulation, 33% had hypertension, and 0.9% had a coagulopathy. Nasal packing was utilized in 243,268 patients (19.7%). Predictors strongly associated with nasal packing included lower socioeconomic quartile (odds ratio [OR] 1.30, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.10-1.53), hospital located in the geographic South (OR 1.62, CI = 1.12-2.34) and Midwest (OR 1.85, P < 0.0001), and nontrauma hospital (OR 1.56, CI = 1.19-2.05). Other factors included long-term anticoagulation (OR 1.21, CI = 1.10-1.33), winter season (OR 1.20, CI = 1.12-1.23), male gender (OR 1.14, CI = 1.10-1.17), and older age (OR 1.01, CI = 1.01-1.02). Mean ED charge was greater for patients who were packed ($1,473 vs. $1,048, P < 0.0001).Conclusion: Several factors, including lower socioeconomic status, geographic location, and nontrauma hospital designation, predict use of nasal packing. These results raise concerns about potential treatment disparities that may result in increased patient morbidity and costs.Level Of Evidence: 2C. Laryngoscope, 128:356-362, 2018. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]