Donor site morbidity of upper extremity flaps in head and neck reconstruction.

Objective: This retrospective cohort study aims to compare donor site morbidity of three commonly used upper extremity flaps used in head and neck reconstructive surgery: scapular tip free flap (STFF), radial forearm free flap (RFFF), and pectoralis major pedicled flap (PMPF).

Methods: The billing database of an urban, academic, tertiary otolaryngology practice was queried to identify patients who underwent STFF, RFFF, and PMPF from 2020 to 2023. The primary outcome was identification of donor site pain and need for physical therapy (PT) referral after undergoing reconstruction.

Cost transparency in otolaryngology: Outpatient procedures cost information at New England hospitals.

Purpose: Healthcare costs have dramatically increased, resulting in barriers to care for many Americans. To address this, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services implemented a price transparency mandate, requiring hospitals to provide cost-estimate tools. This study evaluates the accessibility and usability of these tools for common otolaryngology outpatient procedures.

Nationwide Hearing Loss Trends Over Two Decades.

Objectives: Hearing loss (HL) is one of the most common chronic health conditions in the United States (US). This study aims to evaluate trends in HL prevalence among US adults over the past two decades.

Methods: Audiometric data of adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2018 were analyzed in 2-year intervals to evaluate changes in HL (defined as pure tone average greater than 25 dB in at least one ear) over time in using odds ratios (ORs).

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.

Relationship between otolaryngology interest groups and residency match results.

Background: Many students have limited exposure to otolaryngology-head and neck surgery (OTOHNS) throughout medical school, limiting recruitment of medical students early in their medical careers.

Objective: To assess the association between otolaryngology interest groups (OIGs) at medical schools and percentage of students matching into OTOHNS residency programs. To characterize specific aspects of OIGs that may impact the percentage of students matching into OTOHNS residency programs from a given medical school.

Incidence of Neoplasm in Patients Referred for Epistaxis.

The primary objective was to identify the incidence of neoplastic disease in patients referred for epistaxis. Secondary objectives included identification of any mass lesion, and the need for further workup with imaging and/or biopsy as well as risk factors associated with identification of a mass lesion. Retrospective cohort study.

Analysis of the Clinical Course of Children With Initial Negative Polysomnography.

Objectives: To determine the clinical course of children with initial negative polysomnography (PSG) tests.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on pediatric patients seen by an otolaryngologist who underwent a PSG between October 2012 and March 2019 for obstructive sleep apnea at a single, academic, tertiary-care center. Data including demographics, follow-up PSG tests, and surgeries were collected.

Social Determinants of Health and Hearing Loss in U.S. Adults.

Objectives: Social determinants of health (SDH) are nonmedical, societal factors that influence health. There is limited information on the current relationship between SDH and hearing loss (HL) in the United States. This study aims to compare the odds of HL among US adults by race/ethnicity, education level, income-to-poverty level ratio, health insurance coverage, and health care access.

Racial Disparity in Tympanostomy Tube Placement in Inpatient Pediatric Admissions.

This study aims to evaluate if race and ethnicity affect rates of tympanostomy tube (TT) placement during inpatient pediatric admissions in children with otologic conditions. A review of the 2016 Kids' Inpatient Database was conducted based on the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) codes for common otologic conditions. Among 85 827 weighted pediatric inpatient discharges with ICD-10-CM codes for common otologic conditions, 213 underwent TT placement.

Association Between Neonates With Laryngomalacia and Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome.

Objective: Laryngomalacia (LM) is the most common congenital anomaly of the larynx. The cause of LM is still largely unknown, but a neurological mechanism has gained the most acceptance. There have not been any studies examining the prevalence of LM in infants with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS).

The Relationship Between Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Pediatric Obesity: A Nationwide Analysis.

Objective: Pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can have both acute and chronic consequences when untreated. We hypothesize that a link exists between childhood obesity and OSA at nationwide level, with race, gender, and socioeconomic status conferring their own risk for pediatric OSA.

Methods: This study examined nationwide discharges in 2016 using the Kids' Inpatient Database (KID).

Effects of COVID-19 on telemedicine practice patterns in outpatient otolaryngology.

Objective: Otolaryngology is considered high risk for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) exposure and spread. This has led to a transition to telemedicine and directly impacts patient volume, evaluation and management practices. The objective of this study is to determine the impact of COVID-19 on patient characteristics in relation to outpatient attendance, ancillary testing, medical therapy, and surgical decision making.

Does Prematurity Play a Role in Newborn Microtia-Anotia?

Objective: Microtia-anotia (MA) describes a range of external ear anomalies which is commonly associated with various syndromes and malformations of the head and neck. Previous studies have suggested a strong association between MA and male sex, maternal diabetes, and Hispanic race/ethnicity. This study seeks to evaluate the associations between MA and preterm newborns in the United States.

Cleft Palate in Newborns Diagnosed With Prematurity.

Objective: Cleft lip and/or palate (CLP) is the most common major congenital malformation of the head and neck. Although numerous genetic features, syndromes, nutritional deficiencies, and maternal exposures have been implicated in the etiology of CLP, the impact of prematurity on the pathogenesis remains incompletely understood. This study seeks to evaluate the associations between prematurity and the development of CLP in the United States.

The otolaryngologic manifestations of Sotos syndrome 1: A systematic review.

Objectives: Sotos syndrome 1 (SOTOS1; MIM:117550) is rare genetic disorder characterized by excessive physical growth before and after birth, distinctive facial features, a large and elongated head, and intellectual disability (Sotos et al., 1964; Tatton-Brown et al., 1993).

Medical Student Participation in Otolaryngology Telemedicine Clinic During COVID-19: A Hidden Opportunity.

The undergraduate medical student educational experience was greatly altered this year due to coronavirus disease 2019. Many otolaryngology departments increased use of telemedicine technologies to avoid the need for in-person contact. Medical student incorporation into telemedicine clinics is important to increase their comfort with this format of patient care and to continue student exposure to the field of otolaryngology.

Cleft Lip and Palate in Newborns Diagnosed With Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome.

Objective: Cleft lip and/or cleft palate (CLP) is the most common major congenital malformation of the head and neck. Previous studies suggested an association between fetal opioid exposure and CLP. This study seeks to evaluate the associations between CLP and neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) in the United States.