Complications, Mortality, and Functional Decline in Patients 80 Years or Older Undergoing Major Head and Neck Ablation and Reconstruction.

Importance: Data regarding outcomes after major head and neck ablation and reconstruction in the growing geriatric population (specifically ≥80 years of age) are limited. Such information would be extremely valuable in preoperative discussions with elderly patients about their surgical risks and expected functional outcomes.

Objectives: To identify patient and surgical factors associated with 30-day postoperative complications, 90-day mortality, and 90-day functional decline; to explore whether an association exists between the type of reconstructive procedure and outcome; and to create a preoperative risk stratification system for these outcomes.

Fibrin sealant and parotidectomy wound complications in 100 patients.

Purpose: To determine whether the use of fibrin sealant impacted the rate of postoperative wound complications following parotidectomy.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 100 consecutive parotidectomies with and without fibrin sealant. Primary outcomes were development of seroma, sialocele, abscess, or hematoma within the first 30 days as well as length of hospital stay for drain output if one was placed.

Dorsal scapular artery as a recipient vessel in the vessel-depleted neck during free tissue transfer in head and neck reconstruction.

Background: The vessel-depleted neck poses a unique challenge to the microvascular surgeon. Using 3D modeling and cadaveric dissection, we describe the approach and advantages of a known but less frequently used recipient vessel, the dorsal scapular artery, during free tissue transfer.

Methods: Three patients with vessel-depleted necks required reconstruction with free tissue transfer.

Otolaryngology Residency Program Research Resources and Scholarly Productivity.

Objective To delineate research resources available to otolaryngology residents and their impact on scholarly productivity. Study Design Survey of current otolaryngology program directors. Setting Otolaryngology residency programs.

The Role of the Away Rotation in Otolaryngology Residency.

Objective To determine the availability and purpose of away rotations during otolaryngology residency. Study Design Cross-sectional survey. Setting Otolaryngology residency programs.

Otogenic lateral sinus thrombosis in children: A review of 7 cases.

Otogenic lateral sinus thrombosis (LST) is a rare but serious intracranial complication of acute or chronic otitis media. Reported mortality rates have ranged from 8 to 25%; the pediatric mortality rate might be as low as 5%. Controversy still exists over the medical and surgical management of this condition.

Primacy of surgery in the management of mucoepidermoid carcinoma in children.

Background: Epithelial salivary gland neoplasms are rare in children. Malignant tumors account for 30% to 50% of cases in the pediatric age group, with mucoepidermoid carcinoma as the most common histology.

Methods: A retrospective medical record review was conducted from 1953 to 2007 to identify patients with mucoepidermoid carcinoma at the age of 18 years or younger at the time of diagnosis.

Management of pediatric orbital cellulitis in patients with radiographic findings of subperiosteal abscess.

Objective: Controversies remain regarding the management of orbital cellulitis (OC). The objective of this study was to examine the outcomes of patients admitted to our institution for orbital cellulitis during a 7-year period.

Study Design: Case series with chart review.