Financial Compensation of Academic Otolaryngologists in the United States: Trends and Distribution.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess recent trends in financial compensation in the field of academic otolaryngology, and distribution based on rank, sex, race/ethnicity, and geographical regions in academic medical centers.

Methods: The AAMC Faculty Salary Survey was used, which collects information for full-time faculty at US academic centers. Financial compensation data for otolaryngology faculty with MD or equivalent degree were collected from 2017 to 2023, stratified by rank, gender, race/ethnicity, and geographical region.

Detection, Patterns, and Outcomes of Recurrent HPV-Positive Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Importance: Recurrent human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is a relatively rare but serious disease with little empirical data. Previous works have studied patterns of recurrence in HPV-positive OPSCC, but only one has studied truly recurrent disease as opposed to persistent disease, and no work systematically analyzed posttreatment surveillance imaging strategies and how recurrences were detected.

Objective: To refine the understanding of HPV-positive OPSCC recurrence and inform optimal imaging surveillance strategies.

Impacts of resident physician unionization on house staff compensation.

Background: Physicians-in-training in the United States work long hours for relatively low wages. In response to increased economic burden, the popularity of unionization in residency training programs has increased dramatically. In this study, we conducted a cross-sectional investigation of the association between unionization status and Internal Medicine PGY-1 compensation and benefits.

Safety Profile Comparison of 2 Smooth Tissue Expander Types: Artoura and CPX4.

Introduction: With the recent transition to smooth tissue expanders (TEs), functional differences between TE subtypes have not been fully elucidated. This study evaluated the differences in TE characteristics and complications between 2 commonly used Mentor smooth TE models, Artoura and CPX4.

Methods: A retrospective review of patients who received either smooth Mentor Artoura or CPX4 TE from 2012 to 2022 was conducted.

Over-The-Counter Hearing Aids: Are They Safe and Effective?

Objective: In 2022, the Food and Drug Administration established a new regulatory category for over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids for mild to moderate hearing loss. Herein, we aim to better compare the safety and efficacy of these devices to that of prescription hearing aids.

Study Design: Comparative-effectiveness model.

Smooth versus Textured Tissue Expanders: Comparison of Outcomes and Complications in 536 Implants.

 Increasing concerns regarding the safety of textured surface implants have resulted in surgeons transitioning from textured tissue expanders (TEs) to smooth TEs. Given this change has only recently occurred, this study evaluated outcomes between smooth and textured TEs.  Women who underwent two-stage breast reconstruction using TEs from 2013 to 2022 were included.

The Impact of Four Smoking Metrics on Survival After Diagnosis with HPV+ Oropharyngeal Cancer.

Objective: While tobacco use is understood to negatively impact HPV+ oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) outcomes, debate remains as to how this impact differs between cohorts. Multiple smoking metrics have been identified as having the greatest prognostic significance, and some recent works have found smoking to have no significant impact. Herein, we show through an analysis of four common smoking metrics that while smoking impacts overall survival (OS), it has a limited impact on recurrence-free survival (RFS) in our cohort.

Assessing National Trends and Perceived Safety of Off-Label Ciprofloxacin-Dexamethasone Use by Pediatric Otolaryngologists.

Objectives: Off-label use of Ciprodex® (ciprofloxacin-dexamethasone: CPD), an antibiotic-steroid combination solution, in the airway has been reported by pediatric otolaryngologists with anecdotal success. We examined national trends regarding off-label CPD use including prevalence, common indications, prescriber patterns, adverse events, and accessibility.

Methods: 15-item cross-sectional survey was distributed to American Society of Pediatric Otolaryngology members from January-April 2022.

Automated AJCC Restaging for Oropharyngeal Cancer Research.

With the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) 8th edition staging guidelines update, human papillomavirus-positive (HPV+) oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is now staged separately from its HPV-negative counterpart, preventing meaningful comparison of cases staged with the 7th versus 8th edition criteria. Manual restaging is time-consuming and error-prone, hindering multiyear analyses for HPV+ OPSCC. We developed an automated computational tool for re-classifying HPV+ OPSCC pathological and clinical tumor staging from AJCC 7th to 8th edition.

A Novel Saliva and Serum miRNA Panel as a Potential Useful Index for Oral Cancer and the Association of miR-21 with Smoking History: a Pilot Study.

Unlabelled: Tobacco use is implicated in the carcinogenesis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), which is associated with poor survival if not diagnosed early. Identification of novel noninvasive, highly sensitive, and cost-effective diagnostic and risk assessment methods for OSCC would improve early detection. Here, we report a pilot study assessing salivary and serum miRNAs associated with OSCC and stratified by smoking status.

Prognostic value of absolute lymphocyte count in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma.

Objectives: Absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) has been shown to be a prognostic indicator in other solid tumors. Given this, we aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of ALC in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Methods: Using our institutional tumor registry data, we identified patients ≥18 years old who were diagnosed with OSCC between 2012 and 2018.

The Representation of Surgery in Oncology Clinical Trials: 2001 to 2022.

Background: Surgery is a mainstay of cancer care. Since the advancement of cancer treatment occurs through clinical trials, it is critical to investigate the degree and nature of representation of surgery in oncological clinical trials.

Methods: This observational analysis used publicly available data from clinicaltrials.

Hydroxyapatite Use in Repair of Lateral Skull Base CSF Leaks Via Transmastoid Approach: When Does It Work?

Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and outcomes of using a transmastoid approach with hydroxyapatite cement to repair lateral skull base cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Tertiary-level care hospital.

Over-The-Counter Hearing Aids: Trends in Information-Seeking Behavior.

Recent Food and Drug Administration approval of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids has changed the policy landscape surrounding hearing-assistive technology. Our objective was to characterize trends in information-seeking behavior in the era of OTC hearing aids. Using Google Trends, we extracted the relative search volume (RSV) for hearing health-related topics.

Comparing nationally reported adverse events associated with coblation vs. PlasmaBlade for tonsillectomy.

Objective(s): Coblation, or radiofrequency ablation, and pulsed-electron avalanche knife (PEAK) plasmablade are newer approaches for tonsillectomy that reduce exposure to thermal heat. This study aims to describe and compare adverse events related to these devices for tonsillectomy.

Study Design: Retrospective cross-sectional study.

Evaluation of Complication Rates of Free Flap Reconstruction in Pediatric Patients.

Introduction: While there is extensive literature investigating surgical outcomes in free flaps for adults, there is a dearth of information on the efficacy of flap use in the pediatric population. This study is the first to measure complication rates following pediatric free flap reconstruction on a national level.

Methods: All pediatric free flap cases between 2012 and 2018 were identified and stratified by type of flap using current procedural terminology codes assigned to the primary procedure in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database.

Prophylactic Intraoperative Antibiotic Dosing in Head and Neck Surgery: Opportunities for Improvement and Future Study.

Objectives: To investigate rates of Surgical Care Improvement Project (SCIP) guideline adherence with regard to intraoperative antibiotic prophylaxis in head and neck surgery with free tissue transfer.

Study Design: Retrospective case series.

Setting: A single academic center.

Predictors for Prolonged Drain Use Following Autologous Breast Reconstruction.

Background:  Surgical drains are routinely used following autologous reconstruction, but are often cited as the leading cause of peri-operative discomfort. This study defined routine drain use duration and assessed the risk factors for prolonged breast and abdominal drain use during microvascular breast reconstruction, measures which have never previously been defined.

Methods:  Patients who underwent an abdominal microvascular free flap were included.

Abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness as a substitute for BMI in predicting complications in abdominally-based autologous breast reconstruction.

Introduction: Patient selection for autologous tissue transfer for postmastectomy breast reconstruction often utilizes body mass index (BMI) to risk stratify patients, though it only estimates fat content and does not address fat distribution. This study aims to identify a measurement of abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness (ASFT) from preoperative computed tomography (CT) angiography imaging to better predict complications.

Methods: A retrospective review of patients who underwent an abdominal microvascular free flap breast reconstruction was performed.