Bacterial biofilms and increased bacterial counts are associated with airway stenosis.

Objectives: Most airway stenoses are acquired secondary to the use of prolonged endotracheal intubation. Antibiotics have been shown to decrease local inflammation and granulation tissue formation in the trachea. However, antibiotic therapy is not 100% effective in preventing or treating granulation tissue formation.

Use of the supraclavicular artery island flap for reconstruction of cervicofacial defects.

Objective: To describe the supraclavicular artery island (SAI) flap as an alternative flap for reconstruction of cervicofacial defects.

Study Design: Case series with chart review.

Setting: Academic, tertiary referral center.

The supraclavicular artery island flap in head and neck reconstruction: applications and limitations.

Importance: The supraclavicular artery island (SAI) rotational flap may have advantages compared with free-tissue transfer in head and neck reconstruction. Because this flap has not been extensively described for head and neck reconstruction of oncologic defects, guidelines for its indications would benefit the reconstructive surgeon.

Objective: To describe the applications and limitations of the SAI flap as an alternative to free-tissue transfer in reconstruction of head and neck defects.

Relationship of eosinophils and plasma cells to biofilm in chronic rhinosinusitis.

Background: This study investigates the relationship of eosinophils and plasma cells to biofilm in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). A prospective observational study was performed at the Keck Hospital, University of Southern California, Department of Otolaryngology, Los Angeles, CA.

Methods: A total of 29 patients, 20 undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery for CRS and 9 control patients undergoing septoplasty for nasal obstruction without history or evidence of CRS, were included in this study.

Accuracy of preoperative computer imaging in rhinoplasty.

Objective: To quantitatively measure the accuracy of preoperative computer imaging (PCI) as a reflection of postoperative rhinoplasty results.

Methods: Thirty-eight patients underwent primary and revision rhinoplasty. Six-month postoperative photographs and "morphed" PCI images were graded on a 5-point Likert scale by 2 panels of judges, one composed of surgeons and the other of nonsurgeons.

Severity of diabetic retinopathy and health-related quality of life: the Los Angeles Latino Eye Study.

Objective: To assess the impact of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and its severity on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in a population-based sample of Latinos with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).

Design: Cross-sectional population-based study, the Los Angeles Latino Eye Study (LALES).

Participants: We included 1064 LALES participants with DM.

Self-reported use of eye care among Latinos: the Los Angeles Latino Eye Study.

Purpose: To identify the prevalence and determinants of self-reported eye care use in Latinos.

Design: Population-based ocular epidemiologic study in Latinos aged 40+ years living in La Puente, California.

Participants: A total of 5455 participants.

Visual acuity outcomes after cataract extraction in adult latinos. The Los Angeles Latino Eye Study.

Purpose: To determine prevalence, primary causes, and risk indicators of visual impairment in cataract-operated eyes.

Design: Population-based cross-sectional study of adult Latinos.

Participants: Two hundred sixty-one participants with cataract extraction.

The association between elevated EphB4 expression, smoking status, and advanced-stage disease in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Objective: To examine the expression of EphB4 in tumor tissue, surrounding normal tissue, and metastatic lymph node in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and to evaluate its association with disease stage and smoking.

Design: A retrospective study.

Setting: University of Southern California-University Hospital, University of Southern California and Los Angeles County Medical Center, and Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Southern California, Los Angeles.