Quality of Life and Psychosocial Outcomes Among Children With Cleft Differences.

Introduction Velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) and craniofacial differences can lead to diminished speech and swallowing function resulting in communication and social challenges throughout childhood. To monitor changes in patients' psychosocial health and velopharyngeal function, the Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC) and Velopharyngeal Insufficiency Effects on Life Outcomes (VELO) survey tools can be utilized. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between VPI quality-of-life outcomes and psychosocial disturbances through a comparative analysis of PSC and VELO parental surveys among children followed by a craniofacial team.

G-tube placement in patients with robin sequence undergoing mandibular distraction osteogenesis: A multi-institutional review.

The goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between mandibular distraction osteogenesis (MDO) and rates of postoperative gastrostomy tube (G-tube) placement among patients with isolated and syndromic Robin sequence (RS). This study was a multi-institutional retrospective chart review of patients with RS who underwent MDO at one of three different pediatric tertiary medical centers. The primary aim of the study was to compare rates of G-tube placement following MDO among the three institutions.

Regional differences in admissions and surgical management of pediatric nontuberculous mycobacterial cervicofacial lymphadenitis.

Objectives: This study aims to determine the overall incidence of medical and surgical admissions related to non-tuberculous mycobacterial cervicofacial lymphadenitis (NTMCL) and determine if rates vary by geographic region in the US. It also aims to assess if the relative frequency of varying treatment modalities for NTMCL differ among geographic regions.

Study Design: Population-based inpatient registry analysis.

The Role of Preoperative Imaging for Midline Congenital Upper Lip Sinus Tracts.

Objective: To describe 3 cases of midline congenital upper lip sinus (MCULS) and review current literature to inform risk of intracranial involvement in the context of this rare congenital facial anomaly.

Materials And Methods: A limited case series with chart review is presented. A literature search was conducted to review proposed theories of the embryology of MCULS and to determine the relative frequency of cephalic extension.

Decision Considerations and Strategies for Lip Surgery in Patients with Cleft lip/Palate: A Qualitative Study.

Objective: To qualitatively assess surgeons' decision making for lip surgery in patients with cleft lip/palate (CL/P).

Design: Prospective, non-randomized, clinical trial.

Setting: Clinical data institutional laboratory setting.

Choice of suture technique may mitigate figure-of-8 deformity in slide tracheoplasty.

Objectives: To demonstrate varying degrees of immediate postoperative figure of 8 deformity following three different methods of tracheal suturing.

Study Design: Comparative ex-vivo study.

Methods: A fresh, unfixed rabbit trachea was harvested and bisected at its midpoint.

Presentation, Management, and Outcomes of Pathologic Scars Within a Pediatric Otolaryngology Practice.

Objectives: This study aims to review the spectrum of scarring that may present to an urban, pediatric otolaryngology practice and determine if associations exist between race, scar location, treatment modality, and outcomes following interventions for scarring.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study among 115 pediatric patients with 138 unique keloids or hypertrophic scars (HTS), and 141 children presenting for tonsillectomy at Tufts Medical Center. Age at presentation and sex assigned at birth were collected for both populations.

Children's Visual Perception of Facial Scarring and Cleft Lip Deformity Using Eye Tracking Data.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine children's perception of secondary cleft lip deformity (SCLD) using objective eye tracking technology and subjective responses on a survey to understand pediatric perceptions of facial scarring.

Design: Cross-sectional study of participants aged 5-17 years old.

Methods: Participants viewed images of children's faces with an eye tracking device.

Syndromic Craniofacial Disorders.

This article reviews the most common craniofacial syndromes encountered in clinical practice. Key physical features of each condition are highlighted to aid in accurate recognition and diagnosis. Optimal individualized treatment approaches are discussed.

Medical School Factors Associated With Students Entering Otolaryngology.

Objective: To determine medical school characteristics that are associated with medical students entering otolaryngology residency programs.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Publically available data on otolaryngology residents and academic otolaryngology programs.

Decision Considerations and Strategies for Lip Surgery in Patients with Cleft lip/Palate: A Qualitative Study.

Objective: To qualitatively assess surgeons decision making for lip surgery in patients with cleft lip/palate (CL/P).

Design: Prospective, non-randomized, clinical trial.

Setting: Clinical data institutional laboratory setting.

Longitudinal Anatomic Analysis of Primary Cleft Lip Rhinoplasty Outcomes.

The unilateral cleft lip deformity is associated with nasal deformities with secondary functional and aesthetic challenges. Compare the change in nasal symmetry before and incrementally after primary endonasal cleft rhinoplasty concurrent with lip repair. This is a retrospective chart review of infants undergoing unilateral cleft lip repair.

Identification of micrognathia by prenatal ultrasound may improve timely diagnosis and management of infants with Robin sequence.

Objective: Robin sequence (RS) is a craniofacial anomaly characterized by small jaw (micrognathia) with associated tongue base airway obstruction. With advances in fetal imaging, micrognathia may be detected prenatally. This study aims to determine if prenatal recognition of micrognathia offers any advantage over being unaware of the condition until after delivery and to assess if prenatal consultation for micrognathia adds benefits beyond merely noting the presence of the condition.

Unplanned Intensive Care Unit Admission Following Cleft Palate Repair by Head and Neck Surgeons.

Objective: To examine the incidence of pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission following primary repair of cleft palate by otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons at 2 tertiary centers. To identify potential diagnoses associated with admission or unanticipated PICU transfer.

Study Design: Multi-institutional case series with chart review.

Type IA Oromandibular-Limb Hypogenesis Syndrome: A Case Report and A Case Update.

Hypoglossia is a rare congenital anomaly resulting in a small rudimentary tongue. It is classified under the oromandibular-limb hypogenesis syndrome and can be found in isolation (Type IA) but is more often associated with other congenital disorders, such as limb defects. Isolated hypoglossia cases are rare, and while feeding disorders are common, in some cases, neonatal airway obstruction is the most problematic.

Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediators Reduce Scarring After Cleft Lip Repair.

Objective: Residual scarring after cleft lip repair surgery remains a challenge for both surgeons and patients and novel therapeutics are critically needed. The objective of this preclinical experimental study was to evaluate the impact of the methyl-ester of pro-resolving lipid mediator lipoxin A (LXA-ME) on scarring in a novel rabbit model of cleft lip repair.

Methods: A defect of the lip was surgically created and repaired in eight six-week old New Zealand white rabbits to simulate human cleft lip scars.

Symptomatic Lingual Thyroglossal Duct Cyst in Children: A Laryngomalacia Phenotype.

Objectives: Patients with lingual thyroglossal duct cyst (TGDC) can present as symptomatic with obstructive airway and feeding difficulties.

Methods: We present 3 cases of symptomatic lingual TGDC.

Results: All 3 patients were diagnosed with laryngomalacia and underwent further concurrent or delayed airway intervention, in addition to cyst removal.

Pharyngeal wall and soft palate motion after two common speech surgeries.

Purpose: To assess how pharyngeal wall and soft palate motion are affected after two common interventions for velopharyngeal insufficiency.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective observational study was performed. A database of patients who had undergone Furlow palatoplasty or pharyngeal flap surgery between 2011 and 2019 and had video-archived preoperative and postoperative nasopharyngoscopy recordings was created.