Publications by authors named "Michael W Sim"

Objectives: Microvascular free tissue transfer (MVFTT) for head and neck reconstruction is infrequently performed in pediatric patients. There is a paucity of data on perioperative airway management in pediatric MVFTT, such as the need for tracheostomy, which can pose higher morbidity to young patients due to potential long-term effects on the softer, more pliable laryngotracheal cartilage. Our objective was to report airway outcomes on pediatric patients undergoing MVFTT after segmental mandibulectomy with or without tracheostomy.

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Objectives: Large language model (LLM)-based chatbots such as ChatGPT have been publicly available and increasingly utilized by the general public since late 2022. This study sought to investigate ChatGPT responses to common patient questions regarding Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) positive oropharyngeal cancer (OPC).

Methods: This was a prospective, multi-institutional study, with data collected from high volume institutions that perform >50 transoral robotic surgery cases per year.

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Objective: Determine the histopathologic features that correlate with head and neck cancer (HNC) cachexia.

Methods: A single-institution, retrospective study was performed on adults with HPV-negative, mucosal squamous cell carcinoma of the aerodigestive tract undergoing resection and free flap reconstruction from 2014 to 2019. Patients with distant metastases were excluded.

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Purpose: To determine the occult nodal disease rate and whether elective regional lymph node dissection (RLND) confers any 10-year overall survival (OS) in cN0 intermediate-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) of the parotid gland.

Materials & Methods: The National Cancer Database was reviewed from 2004 to 2016 on adults with cT1-4aN0M0 intermediate-grade parotid MEC undergoing resection with/without RLND. Comparisons between patients with and without RLND were made.

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The human papillomavirus (HPV) status of squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) of the head and neck is relevant for therapy planning, staging, and follow-up. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) for p16 is a surrogate marker of HPV status in oropharyngeal SCC, but not at other head and neck sites. We tested if the cobas HPV test was feasible and superior to p16-IHC on fine-needle aspiration (FNA) supernatants and frozen section (FS) scrapings of suspected SCC.

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Background: Cachexia is detrimental for patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). However, postoperative consequences of HNC cachexia remain unknown.

Methods: A 2014-2019 retrospective review was performed of adults undergoing aerodigestive HNC resection with free tissue reconstruction.

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Volume restoration is often required after parotidectomy due to the resultant facial contour deformity. Common procedures include local pedicled flaps, such as the sternocleidomastoid muscle flap, fat grafting, and even autologous free flaps, for more extensive defects. Local pedicled flaps have the advantage of a single surgical site, which spares the patient the added morbidity of a separate fat graft donor site, while simultaneously reducing the operative time.

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Objective: To determine if sarcopenia is a predictor of blood transfusion requirements in head and neck cancer free flap reconstruction (HNCFFR).

Methods: A single-institution, retrospective review was performed of HNCFFR patients with preoperative abdominal imaging from 2014 to 2019. Demographics, comorbidities (modified Charlson Comorbidity Index [mCCI]), skeletal muscle index (cm/m), oncologic history, intraoperative data, and 30-day postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo score [CD]) were collected.

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Objective: Cadaveric simulations have shown endonasal drilling and cautery generate aerosols, which is a significant concern for otolaryngologists during the COVID-19 era. This study quantifies aerosol generation during routine rhinologic surgeries and in-office procedures in live patients.

Methods: Aerosols ranging from 0.

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Transoral Robotic Surgery (TORS) is increasingly used for oropharyngeal neoplasms and obstructive sleep apnea. Post-operative pain and bleeding remain concerns. Ketorolac has proved to be a safe alternative or addition to narcotics in other operations, but has not been thoroughly evaluated in TORS.

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Background: Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of thyroid nodules suspicious for Hürthle cell neoplasms (HCN) have uncertain rate of malignancy. We aim to characterize rate and predictors of malignancy at our institution and compare these findings with established literature to help guide management.

Methods: Single tertiary-referral center, retrospective study of 166 adults who underwent hemithyroidectomy or total thyroidectomy following FNA suspicious for HCN from 1998-2018.

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Objective: To determine the role of skeletal muscle index (SMI) in the assessment of frailty and determination of discharge to post-acute care facilities (PACF) after head and neck cancer free flap reconstruction (HNCFFR).

Study Design: Retrospective cohort.

Setting: Single-institution, academic tertiary referral center.

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Objective: To evaluate the association of weather, seasons, months and holidays on the frequency and pattern of pediatric facial fractures.

Methods: Retrospective review of pediatric patients treated for facial fractures at two Level I trauma centers in a midsize Midwestern US city over a 5-year period. Patients were included only if presentation was within 3 hours of inciting trauma, transfers from other facilities were excluded.

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Objectives: To review the literature on neo-vallecula diagnosis and management and to report our findings regarding 3 patients who developed neo-vallecula in the context of free-flap pharyngeal reconstruction following total laryngectomy.

Methods: This case series reports three patients who developed a neo-vallecula following a laryngectomy and free-flap pharyngeal reconstruction. All three patients were treated with a CO laser endoscopic procedure.

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Patients undergoing head and neck free flap reconstruction should be evaluated for radiation-induced venous stenosis and presence of central venous port as a potential risk for flap failure.

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To provide data on risk of respiratory droplets from common otolaryngologic procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic, a novel simulation of droplet exposure from flexible laryngoscopy was performed. After completion of a nasal symptom questionnaire, topical fluorescein spray was administered into the nasal and oropharynx of 10 healthy volunteers, who then underwent flexible laryngoscopy under 2 conditions: routine without provoked response and with prompted sneeze/cough. After each, droplets on the proceduralist and participant were counted under ultraviolet A light.

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Objective: After significant restrictions initially due to the COVID-19 pandemic, otolaryngologists have begun resuming normal clinical practice. However, the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission to health care workers through aerosolization and airborne transmission during rhinologic surgery remains incompletely characterized. The objective of this study was to quantify the number concentrations of aerosols generated during rhinologic surgery with and without interventions involving 3 passive suction devices.

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Background Stand-up electric scooters (SES) are a popular public transportation method. Numerous safety concerns have arisen since their recent introduction. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed to identify patients presenting to the emergency departments in Indianapolis, who sustained SES-related injuries.

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Background:  Sarcopenia has been implicated as a positive predictor of postsurgical complications. Its role in head and neck (H&N) free flap reconstruction has yet to be examined. Our study aimed to determine the clinical impact of sarcopenia on postoperative outcomes in patients receiving autologous free tissue reconstruction for H&N cancer (HNC).

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Objective: To analyze management, outcomes, and complications of pediatric midface fractures.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study at an urban, single-institution, multispecialty surgical teams, at two level 1 pediatric trauma centers. Query included subjects aged 0-17 diagnosed with midface fractures between 2012 and 2016.

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Importance: Pediatric mandible fractures are the most common pediatric facial fracture requiring hospitalization, but data are lacking on management methods, outcomes, and complications.

Objective: To analyze management methods, outcomes, and complications of pediatric mandible fractures at an urban academic tertiary care center.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Single-institution cohort study conducted at 2 urban level 1 pediatric trauma centers including all patients aged 0 to 17 years diagnosed with mandible fractures between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2016.

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The incidence of oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) related to infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) is rising, making it now the most common HPV-related malignancy in the United States. These tumors present differently than traditional mucosal head and neck cancers, and those affected often lack classic risk factors such as tobacco and alcohol use. Currently, there are no approved approaches for prevention and early detection of disease, thus leading many patients to present with advanced cancers requiring intense surgical or nonsurgical therapies resulting in significant side effects and cost to the health-care system.

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Objective To determine if immediate postoperative uncuffed tracheostomy placement following oral cavity or oropharyngeal head and neck free flap reconstruction is associated with shorter hospital length of stay and higher inpatient decannulation rates without an increase in respiratory complications, as compared with immediate placement of cuffed tracheostomy. Study Design Retrospective cohort. Setting Tertiary referral center.

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