Role of the Pectoralis Major Muscle Flap in the Multidisciplinary Treatment of Esophageal Cancer.

Background: Management of esophageal cancer is complex. Esophagectomy is associated with risk of significant complications. In this case series, we share the experience of our multidisciplinary team of thoracic surgeons and otolaryngologists in managing complications arising in the surgical treatment of esophageal cancer with the assistance of regional tissue transfer in the form of the pectoralis major flap.

Patient-Initiated Communication After Parotidectomy.

Objectives: We sought to study the incidence of patient-initiated communication after parotidectomy, identify patient and surgical factors associated with patient-initiated communication, and evaluate trends and possible areas for improvement.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent parotidectomy without combined procedures from 2018 to 2022 in a single tertiary-care institution was performed. We reviewed all patient communications documented within the electronic medical record within 30 days of discharge.

Influence of stage and age on survival of patients with vulvar cancer in Germany: a retrospective study.

Objectives: To evaluate the 5-year survival rate of patients with vulvar cancer, taking into account prognostic factors (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage and age) and the influence of lymph node involvement and tumour size as well as the correlation between FIGO stage and age at onset.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: German cancer registries.

Rationale for the Development of a Novel Clinical Grading Scale for Postoperative Facial Nerve Function: Results of a Multidisciplinary International Working Group.

Objective: The objective of the current study was to present the results of an international working group survey identifying perceived limitations of existing facial nerve grading scales to inform the development of a novel grading scale for assessing early postoperative facial paralysis that incorporates regional scoring and is anchored in recovery prognosis and risk of associated complications.

Study Design: Survey.

Setting: A working group of 48 multidisciplinary clinicians with expertise in skull base, cerebellopontine angle, temporal bone, or parotid gland surgery.

Need for Tympanostomy Tubes in Children With Recurrent Acute Otitis Media Without Middle Ear Effusion.

Objective: Children with recurrent acute otitis media (RAOM) presenting without middle ear effusion (MEE) do not meet indications for surgical intervention as outlined by Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs). The objective of this study was to determine which patients presenting with RAOM without MEE ultimately received tympanostomy tubes.

Study Design: Case series.

Gaps in Depression Symptom Management for Patients With Head and Neck Cancer.

Objective: To understand practice patterns and identify care gaps within a large-scale depression screening program for patients with head and neck cancer (HNC).

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Methods: This was a population-based study of adults diagnosed with a HNC between January 2007 and October 2020.

Association of Household Income at Diagnosis With Financial Toxicity, Health Utility, and Survival in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer.

Importance: While several studies have documented a link between socioeconomic status and survival in head and neck cancer, nearly all have used ecologic, community-based measures. Studies using more granular patient-level data are lacking.

Objective: To determine the association of baseline annual household income with financial toxicity, health utility, and survival.

Evaluating the Rising Incidence of Thyroid Cancer and Thyroid Nodule Detection Modes: A Multinational, Multi-institutional Analysis.

Importance: There is epidemiologic evidence that the increasing incidence of thyroid cancer is associated with subclinical disease detection. Evidence for a true increase in thyroid cancer incidence has also been identified. However, a true increase in disease would likely be heralded by an increased incidence of thyroid-referable symptoms in patients presenting with disease.

Development and Validation of a Machine Learning Algorithm Predicting Emergency Department Use and Unplanned Hospitalization in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer.

Importance: Patient-reported symptom burden was recently found to be associated with emergency department use and unplanned hospitalization (ED/Hosp) in patients with head and neck cancer. It was hypothesized that symptom scores could be combined with administrative health data to accurately risk stratify patients.

Objective: To develop and validate a machine learning approach to predict future ED/Hosp in patients with head and neck cancer.

Volume-outcome relationships in laryngeal trauma processes of care: a retrospective cohort study.

Purpose: The extent to which patients with laryngeal trauma undergo investigation and intervention is largely unknown. The objective of this study was to therefore determine the association between hospital volume and processes of care in patients sustaining laryngeal trauma.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study used the American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program database.

Characteristics and survival of primary vaginal malignancy: an analysis of the German nationwide cancer registry data.

Background: Vaginal neoplasms are rare. To study the survival of patients depending on tumour characteristics and age, the data from the national cancer registries in Germany were analysed.

Methods: In a retrospective analysis, data from 2006 to 2015 on disease stage, survival, and factors that might affect prognosis were analysed.

Enhancing Outpatient Symptom Management in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer: A Qualitative Analysis.

Importance: Patients with head and neck cancer manage a variety of symptoms at home on an outpatient basis. Clinician review alone often leaves patient symptoms undetected and untreated. Standardized symptom assessment using patient-reported outcomes (PROs) has been shown in randomized clinical trials to improve symptom detection and overall survival, although translation into real-world settings remains a challenge.

Oncological and functional outcomes following treatment of T1a glottic squamous cell carcinoma with transoral laser microsurgery.

Background: Laryngeal cancers of glottic origin comprise a large proportion of head and neck malignancies. Transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) and radiation therapy are mainstays in the treatment of early stage glottic cancer, but debate persists as to which modality is functionally superior. Furthermore, there is a paucity of North American data related to functional and oncological outcomes in T1a glottic cancer.

Psychosocial Distress in Parents with Children Awaiting Surgery during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Due to resource restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, many pediatric patients are facing substantial delays for surgery, potentially resulting in additional distress for caregivers. We aimed to assess the experiences and psychosocial distress of parents during COVID-19 as they relate to the pandemic, waiting for surgery, and the combined effects of both events. The was a cross-sectional qualitative study.

Prevalence of abnormal Pap smear results in inflammatory bowel disease: a prospective study.

Purpose: Development of malignancy is a pending threat for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Aim of this study was to analyze cervical dysplasia and infection with human papilloma virus (HPV) in patients with IBD.

Methods: This was a prospective, single center cohort study in Germany.

The Edmonton Symptom Assessment System: A narrative review of a standardized symptom assessment tool in head and neck oncology.

Objective: Symptom burden is common in head and neck cancer patients though it frequently remains undetected and untreated. The Edmonton Symptom Assessment System - revised version (ESAS-r) is a generic symptom scale deployed in many outpatient settings worldwide. The ESAS-r is meant to improve symptom detection and management.

Advance care planning in adults with oral cancer: Multi-institutional cross-sectional study.

Purpose: Patients undergoing head and neck surgery are often elderly and frail with significant comorbidities. Discussion and documentation of what patients would desire for end-of-life care and decision-making is, therefore, essential for delivering patient-centered care.

Materials And Methods: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study of patients undergoing surgery for head and neck cancer at two large, academic, tertiary care centers in Canada.

Functional and Oncologic Outcomes of Octogenarians Undergoing Transoral Laser Microsurgery for Laryngeal Cancer.

Objective: To evaluate the oncologic and functional outcomes of transoral laser microsurgery (TLM) for glottic cancers in patients ≥80 years.

Study Design: Prospectively collected case series.

Setting: QEII Health Sciences Centre, Halifax, Canada.

Management of Peritonsillar Abscesses in Adults: Survey of Otolaryngologists in Canada and the United States.

Objective: The management of peritonsillar abscess (PTA) has evolved over time. We sought to define contemporary practice patterns for the diagnosis and treatment of PTA.

Study Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Ultrasonography and Fine-Needle Aspiration in Indeterminate Thyroid Nodules: A Systematic Review of Diagnostic Test Accuracy.

Objectives/hypothesis: Sonographic risk criteria may assist in further prognostication of indeterminate thyroid nodules (ITNs). Our aim was to determine whether sonographic criteria could further delineate the post-test probability of malignancy in ITNs.

Study Design: Meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy.

Readability of the American, Canadian, and British Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Societies' Patient Materials.

Objective: Patient education materials across 3 national English otolaryngology-head and neck surgery (OHNS) societies: the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS), the Canadian Society of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (CSOHNS), and Ear, Nose, and Throat United Kingdom (ENT UK) were examined to determine whether they are written at a level suitable for patient comprehension.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Online patient materials presented through OHNS national societies.