Low pediatric cochlear implant failure rate: contributing factors in large-volume practice.

Objective: To evaluate the rate of cochlear implant (CI) failure and CI reimplantation (CIri) in our population of children receiving implants by means of a technique that includes device fixation with suture to cortical bone.

Design: Retrospective analysis from January 1990 to June 2010.

Setting: Tertiary pediatric hospital.

Colour Doppler and volume changes-anterolateral thigh flap: the sunnybrook experience.

This paper summarizes two recent ALT studies from our institution focusing on the utility of colour flow Doppler's ultrasonography and volumetric changes with radiation. Lastly, we will discuss recommended changes to practice due to the aforementioned studies. Our findings suggest that special care should be made to identify patients at high risk for peripheral arterial disease, and, if the reconstructive surgeon has any concerns, preoperative colour flow Doppler's ultrasonography should be undertaken to better characterize the perforator anatomy and avoid inappropriate flap elevation in patients with silent claudication.

BODE index and quality of life in advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease before and after lung transplantation.

Background: The BODE index (Body mass index, Obstruction, Dyspnea, Exercise), predicts the risk of death in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and is used to identify candidates for lung transplantation. We hypothesized that a higher BODE index would be associated with worse health-related quality of life (HRQL) in advanced COPD, and with larger improvements in HRQL after transplantation.

Methods: In this cohort study (n = 112), we administered the St.

Current practices in the management of adductor spasmodic dysphonia.

Introduction: Adductor spasmodic dysphonia (ADSD) is a focal dystonia treated most commonly by chemodenervation of the thyroarytenoid (TA) muscles with botulinum toxin. Currently, there are no consensus guidelines regarding this treatment and the management of ADSD. The objective of this study was to assess current practice patterns among physicians who treat ADSD.

Delayed facial nerve paresis after using the KTP laser in the treatment of cholesteatoma despite inter-operative facial nerve monitoring.

To describe an unforeseen complication that occurred in three patients following the use of the KTP laser. We present a case series including three consecutive patients (two boys and one girl, mean age 11.7 years) who underwent tympanomastoidectomy using a KTP laser and standard intra-operative facial nerve monitoring, and in whom a post-operative facial nerve injury was identified.

Response rates for mailout survey-driven studies in patients with head and neck cancer.

Background: Mailout survey studies are becoming more prevalent in the head and neck literature. The objective of this paper is to summarize response rates in patients with head and neck cancer, and to provide recommendations surrounding methodology used to design and implement mailout survey questionnaires.

Methods: The results of this paper are from a study assessing the measurement properties of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire (DASH) in head and neck cancer patients.