Use of the laryngeal mask airway in preventing airway fires during adenoidectomies in children: a study of 25 patients.

We report the results of our study of 25 children who underwent adenoidectomy under general anesthesia with a laryngeal mask airway to determine their risk of fire in the oropharynx. We explain the distinct advantage that such an anesthetic technique has with respect to minimizing the conditions that may contribute to an airway fire. We also discuss additional advantages of using a laryngeal mask airway during adenoidectomies.

The risk of aspiration of pureed food as determined by flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing with sensory testing.

Objective: This study evaluates the risk of aspiration of pureed foods in patients with dysphagia with increasing sensory deficits of the hypopharynx with intact versus impaired pharyngeal muscular tone (pharyngeal squeeze).

Study Design: Two hundred four dysphagic patients underwent flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing with sensory testing and were prospectively divided into 3 groups, with normal, moderate, and severe sensory deficits. Each group was divided into those with normal and those with impaired pharyngeal squeeze.

A proposed protocol for monitoring ototoxicity in patients who take cochleo- or vestibulotoxic drugs.

No widely accepted protocol or guideline exists for monitoring ototoxicity in patients who take powerful and potentially cochleotoxic and/or vestibulotoxic agents. Many physicians in other specialties who prescribe these drugs do not understand the important role of otolaryngologists and audiologists in pretreatment counseling and evaluation and the need for follow-up assessments of their patients' auditory function. Based on our combined experience of more than 50 years, we have developed a uniform yet flexible approach to monitoring cochlear and vestibular function in these patients.

The prevention of fire during oropharyngeal electrosurgery.

We report the results of our study of 25 children who underwent tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy under endotracheal general anesthesia with respect to their risk of fire in the oropharynx. We also attempt to explain the reasons for the difference between the relatively high incidence of airway explosions and fires that have occurred during tracheostomy with electrosurgery and electrocautery and the low incidence of these events during electrosurgical dissection of the tonsils. Finally, we review the precautions that physicians can take to lower the risk of operating-room fires and explosions.

The association between laryngopharyngeal sensory deficits, pharyngeal motor function, and the prevalence of aspiration with thin liquids.

Objective: The study goal was to evaluate the association among laryngopharyngeal sensory deficits, pharyngeal motor function, and the prevalence of aspiration with thin liquids.

Study Design And Setting: We conducted a prospective study of 204 consecutive patients undergoing flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing with sensory testing and an assessment of pharyngeal motor function (pharyngeal squeeze). Patients were divided into 6 groups depending on the results of sensory and motor testing in the laryngopharynx.