Hiatal Hernia and Zenker's Diverticulotomy Outcomes.

Objective: To compare reflux symptoms, Zenker's diverticulum recurrence, and clinical outcomes in patients with and without a history of hiatal hernia who underwent Zenker's diverticulotomy (ZD).

Study Design: Single institution retrospective review.

Setting: Tertiary care academic hospital.

Age and Menopausal Status in Idiopathic Subglottic Stenosis.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of age on disease recurrence in idiopathic subglottic stenosis (iSGS) patients.

Methods: This was a retrospective chart review of iSGS patients treated with laser wedge excision. Patients did not have prior surgery.

Methotrexate and Rituximab Use in Highly Recurrent Idiopathic Subglottic Stenosis.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of methotrexate and rituximab therapy on highly recurrent idiopathic subglottic stenosis (iSGS) patients with a negative antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody titer cANCA(-).

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of highly recurrent iSGS patients who recurred within 1 year or less and were treated with methotrexate (MTX), and rituximab (RTX), or a combination of both at different time points (MTX/RTX). Average surgical durations before and after drug treatment were summarized, and the differences were calculated.

Creating an Undergraduate Research Program in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (Oto-HNS) for Students Underrepresented in Medicine.

Objectives: To report implementation and outcomes associated with a novel paid Summer Undergraduate Research Education Program (SREP) over the first 2 years in an academic otolaryngology program recruiting students underrepresented in medicine (URiM).

Methods: A 10-week program including a research bootcamp, curriculum, mentoring, and clinical shadowing was created. Grant funding to provide salary and support for transportation, conference attendance, and graduate school preparation or applications was procured.

Symptom-Free Intervals Following Laser Wedge Excision for Recurrent Idiopathic Subglottic Stenosis.

Objective: Analyze the duration of symptom-free intervals following laser wedge excision (LWE) for recurrent idiopathic subglottic stenosis (iSGS). Secondary aim includes evaluating the influence of patient-related or disease factors.

Study Design: Retrospective review.

Vocal Effort and Acoustic Analysis of Gargle Phonation Versus Water Swallow in Patients With Muscle Tension Dysphonia: A Clinical Trial.

Purpose: To determine the effects of gargle phonation (GP) on self-perceived vocal improvement, vocal effort, acoustic parameters, and speech rate in patients with muscle tension dysphonia (MTD). We hypothesized that GP would improve voice, reduce phonatory effort, and alter acoustic and speech measures.

Study Design: Prospective randomized, single-blind cross-over clinical trial METHODS: Thirty-four participants (26 females, 8 males; average age 53 years) who were diagnosed with MTD completed the Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10) and were assigned three study conditions: Baseline (B), GP, and Water Swallow (WS; sham), presented in one of two counterbalanced orders B-WS-GP (WS) or B-GP-WS (GP).

Medical Maintenance Therapy Following Laser Excision in Patients With Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis (GPA)-Associated Subglottic Stenosis.

Objective: To report on a series of patients with cANCA/PR3-positive, granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA)-associated subglottic stenosis (SGS) and evaluate response to medical maintenance therapy with rituximab versus other immunosuppressants following initial endoscopic laser excision.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review.

Setting: Tertiary academic center.

Postoperative Care of Zenker Diverticula: Contemporary Perspective from the Prospective OUtcomes Cricopharyngeaus Hypertonicity (POUCH) Collaborative.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to identify trends in postoperative management of persons undergoing surgery for Zenker diverticula (ZD) by evaluating length of stay (LOS), diet on discharge, and imaging with or without surgical complication.

Methods: Prospectively enrolled adult patients with cricopharyngeal muscle dysfunction with diverticula undergoing surgery from August 1, 2017 to February 1, 2023 were included. Data were extracted from a multi-institutional REDCap database, summarizing means, medians, percentages, and frequencies.

Life-Threatening Subglottic Thrombus Formation after Administration of Nebulized Tranexamic Acid.

We present a case of subglottic thrombus formation after administration of nebulized tranexamic acid (TXA) for postoperative hemoptysis following CO laser wedge excision of subglottic stenosis. Although other factors certainly could have resulted in postoperative bleeding and subsequent thrombus formation, the patient's rapid decompensation following administration of nebulized TXA suggests a direct effect. We recommend implementing an airway action plan regarding TXA use for patients presenting to the emergency department with postoperative hemorrhage following otolaryngology procedures.

Underrepresented in Medicine Student Perspectives on the Selection of a Summer Research Program.

Objectives: Many summer research programs (SRPs) for URiM students exist; however, only a few have been established by otolaryngology programs, who have a unique opportunity to provide a diverse experience. We sought to assess URiM undergraduate student perspectives on the most valuable program features that influence decision-making and how this might be useful to otolaryngology programs seeking to establish pathway programs.

Materials And Methods: An externally facing REDCap survey composed of 37 questions in scaled, multiple-choice, and open-ended form.

Visual Gaze Patterns in the Analysis of Glottic Lesions: Does Experience Increase Diagnostic Accuracy?

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate visual gaze patterns and the ability to correctly identify cancer among participants of different experience levels when viewing benign and malignant vocal cord lesions.

Methods: Thirty-one participants were divided into groups based on level of experience. These included novice (medical students, PGY1-2 otolaryngology residents), intermediate (PGY3-5 otolaryngology residents, gastroenterology fellow), advanced practice providers (physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and speech language pathologists), and experts (board-certified otolaryngologists).

Visual Interpretation of Vocal Fold Paralysis in Flexible Laryngoscopy Using Eye Tracking Technology.

Objectives: Interpretation of laryngoscopy is an important diagnostic skill in otolaryngology. There is, however, limited understanding of the specific visual strategies used while assessing flexible laryngoscopy video. Eye-tracking technology allows for objective study of eye movements during dynamic tasks.

Flexible endoscopic Zenker's diverticulotomy - A retrospective review of outcomes in 75 patients.

Objective: Flexible endoscopic Zenker's diverticulotomy (FEZD) is a procedure performed primarily by gastroenterologists for treatment of symptomatic Zenker's diverticulum (ZD). Given the lack of prior investigations with large sample sizes, we report on one of the largest series of patients who underwent FEZD.

Methods: A review of patients who underwent FEZD at our institution from 2006 to 2021 was performed.

Comparing Open Versus Rigid Endoscopic and Flexible Endoscopic Techniques for the Treatment of Zenker's Diverticulum.

Objective: To describe the outcomes of patients undergoing open stapler versus transoral rigid and flexible endoscopic therapies for symptomatic Zenker's diverticulum.

Study Design: Single institution retrospective review.

Setting: Tertiary care academic hospital.

Singing Voice Concern in Tertiary Laryngology Practice.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and characteristics of patients who identify singing voice as a primary concern when presenting with general voice complaints to a voice clinic.

Methods: Data were collected from medical records on demographics, medical history, laryngoscopy exam, diagnosis, and subsequent treatments; and from self-report questionnaires including the Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10) and clinical voice questionnaire.

Results: A total of 17% of patients presenting to a voice clinic with general voice problems who completed a VHI-10 identified singing voice as a primary concern.

Killian Jamieson Diverticulum, the Great Mimicker: A Case Series and Contemporary Review.

Objective: To assess barium esophagram (BAS) as a diagnostic marker for patients with Killian Jamieson diverticula (KJD).

Methods: Prospective, multicenter cohort study of individuals enrolled in the Prospective OUtcomes of Cricopharyngeus Hypertonicity (POUCH) Collaborative. Patient demographics, comorbidities, radiographic imaging reports, laryngoscopy findings, patient-reported outcome measures (PROM), and operative reporting were abstracted from a REDCap database and summarized using means, medians, percentages, frequencies.

Real-Time Dual Video Conferencing of Simulated Tracheostoma Maturation During Residency Interviews.

Background: There are few reports of dexterity tests being done in a distance telecommunication setting for residency applicant evaluation.

Objective: To report the feasibility and suitability of a virtual suturing skills assessment during residency interviews when added to the standard assessment process.

Methods: A suturing simulation was developed and implemented during otolaryngology-head and neck surgery (OHNS) residency interviews for the 2020-2021 cycle at one program.

Complications following laser wedge excision for idiopathic subglottic stenosis.

Objectives: Endoscopic laser wedge excision (LWE) is an effective treatment option for idiopathic subglottic stenosis (iSGS); however, data regarding complications following LWE are limited. The aim of the following analysis was to provide a review of frequency and type of complications that occur with LWE in patients with iSGS.

Study Design: Retrospective review.

Cricopharyngeus Muscle Dysfunction and Hypopharyngeal Diverticula (e.g., Zenker): A Multicenter Study.

Objective: To describe demographics and imaging and compare findings and symptoms at presentation in a large cohort of persons with cricopharyngeus muscle dysfunction (CPMD) with and without hypopharyngeal diverticula.

Methodology: Prospective, multicenter cohort study of all individuals enrolled in the Prospective OUtcomes of Cricopharyngeal Hypertonicity (POUCH) Collaborative. Patient survey, comorbidities, radiography, laryngoscopy findings, and patient-reported outcome measures (e.

RNA Sequencing of Idiopathic Subglottic Stenosis Tissues Uncovers Putative Profibrotic Mechanisms and Identifies a Prognostic Biomarker.

Idiopathic subglottic stenosis (iSGS) is a localized airway disease that almost exclusively affects females. Understanding the molecular mechanisms involved may provide insights leading to therapeutic interventions. Next-generation sequencing was performed on tissue sections from patients with iSGS (n = 22), antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV; n = 5), and matched controls (n = 9) to explore candidate genes and mechanisms of disease.

Proximal Scar Progression in Idiopathic Subglottic Stenosis After Wedge Excision: Does it Happen?

Objective: To compare the incidence of glottic stenosis in idiopathic subglottic stenosis (iSGS) patients with no prior surgical intervention to those with a history of endoscopic dilation and characterize the incidence of glottic involvement, changes in scar length, and progression of scar toward glottis following laser wedge excision (LWE).

Methods: A retrospective review of iSGS patients who underwent LWE between 2002 and 2021 was performed. Patients without prior airway surgery were labeled LWE primary (LWEP) and operative findings for LWEP patients were reviewed for glottic involvement, scar length (D ), and distance from the glottis to superior-most aspect of scar (D ).