Fighting to Breathe and Fighting for Health-Related Quality of Life: Measuring the Impact of Being Dependent on Technology for Breathing on the Child and Their Caregiver.

Background And Objective: Medical advancement has enabled children to survive congenital airway anomalies, rare diseases and critical illnesses with medical technology including tracheostomies and long-term ventilation to support breathing. This study aimed to assess (1) the validity of the EQ-TIPS and EQ-5D-Y-3L in children dependent on technology and (2) the impact of caring for these children on the EQ-5D-5L and CarerQoL.

Methods: Caregivers of children aged 1 month to 18 years completed the EQ-TIPS or EQ-5D-Y-3L, Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) and Paediatric Tracheostomy Health Status Instrument (PTHSI) to reflect the child's health.

Low incidence of pulmonary hypertension in children with suspected obstructive sleep apnea: A prospective observational study.

Objectives: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) secondary to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is an uncommon but serious perioperative risk factor in children undergoing surgery for adenotonsillar hypertrophy. Routine pre-operative echocardiography is commonly requested if severe OSA is suspected. We investigated the incidence of PH in children with suspected OSA and explored the association between PH and OSA severity.

Balamuthia mandrillaris Granulomatous Amoebic Encephalitis: The First African Experience.

We report the first case of Balamuthia mandrillaris granulomatous amoebic encephalitis definitively acquired in Africa. Our case emphasizes initial nonspecific dermatological features, delays in confirmation of the diagnosis, difficulties accessing recommended medication, and uncertainty about optimal treatment of a disease with a frequently fatal outcome.

Prospective Observational Trial of a Nonocclusive Dilatation Balloon in the Management of Tracheal Stenosis.

Objectives: Tracheal stenosis is a debilitating condition that often presents as an emergency and is challenging to treat. Dilatation may avoid tracheostomy or costly tracheal resection and reconstruction. Traditional dilators cause complete occlusion, preventing oxygenation and ventilation, limiting the safe duration of dilatation, and increasing the risk of hypoxic injury or barotrauma.

Clinical correlations to distinguish severe from milder forms of obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome using overnight oximetry for prioritising adenotonsillectomy in a limited-resource setting.

Background: In resource-poor settings with limited surgical services, it is essential to identify and prioritise children with severe and very severe obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) to expedite surgery. McGill's Oximetry Score (MOS) has been validated against polysomnography for OSAS and is affordable and easy to use.

Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the correlation of tonsillar size and clinical symptoms with MOS grade 3 or 4, to identify who requires overnight oximetry and who to prioritise for adenotonsillectomy.

Predicting Maximal Costal Cartilage Graft Size for Laryngotracheal Reconstruction.

Objectives/hypothesis: Current methods of assessing rib cartilage dimensions for laryngotracheal reconstruction (LTR) are inexact, making surgical planning difficult. The purpose of this study was to determine the most appropriate rib for costal cartilage graft LTR to minimize the number of ribs harvested and improve surgical outcomes.

Study Design: Retrospective review.

Systemic Bevacizumab for Treatment of Respiratory Papillomatosis: International Consensus Statement.

Objectives/hypothesis: The purpose of this study is to develop consensus on key points that would support the use of systemic bevacizumab for the treatment of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP), and to provide preliminary guidance surrounding the use of this treatment modality.

Study Design: Delphi method-based survey series.

Methods: A multidisciplinary, multi-institutional panel of physicians with experience using systemic bevacizumab for the treatment of RRP was established.

International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group (IPOG) management recommendations: Pediatric tracheostomy decannulation.

Objectives: To provide recommendations to otolaryngologists, pulmonologists, and allied clinicians for tracheostomy decannulation in pediatric patients.

Methods: An iterative questionnaire was used to establish expert recommendations by the members of the International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group.

Results: Twenty-six members completed the survey.

YO-IFOS Guidelines for Pediatric ENT Surgery during COVID-19: An Overview of Recommendations.

Objective/hypothesis: To review the literature on pediatric ENT COVID-19 guidelines worldwide, in particular, surgical practice during the pandemic, and to establish a comprehensive set of recommendations.

Study Design: Review.

Methods: A comprehensive literature review through an independent electronic search of the COVID-19 pandemic in PubMed, Medline, Google, and Google Scholar was performed on April 26-30, 2020.

IVORY Guidelines (Instructional Videos in Otorhinolaryngology by YO-IFOS): A Consensus on Surgical Videos in Ear, Nose, and Throat.

Objectives/hypothesis: Otolaryngology instructional videos available online are often of poor quality. The objective of this article was to establish international consensus recommendations for the production of educational surgical videos in otolaryngology.

Study Design: DELPHI survey.

The assessment of quality of life in children with tracheostomies and their families in a low to middle income country (LMIC).

Introduction: The Breatheasy© Tracheostomy Program based at the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, Cape Town, manages children mostly from poor socio-economic backgrounds. In our resource-limited setting, it is unclear how these families cope with the demands of a tracheostomised child. We aim to assess the quality of life (QOL) of tracheostomised children and their families as the first study of its kind in a low-resource setting.

International registry of otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons with COVID-19.

Background: It has become clear that healthcare workers are at high risk, and otolaryngology has been theorized to be among the highest risk specialties for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The purpose of this study was to detail the international impact of COVID-19 among otolaryngologists, and to identify instructional cases.

Methods: Country representatives of the Young Otolaryngologists-International Federation of Otolaryngologic Societies (YO-IFOS) surveyed otolaryngologists through various channels.

Reflux and dental disorders in the pediatric population: A systematic review.

Objectives: To investigate the role of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in the development of dental disorders in pediatric population.

Methods: PubMed, Scopus Cochrane database were assessed for subject headings using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses) recommendations. Relevant studies published between January 1990 and January 2020 describing the association between reflux and dental disorders in children were retrieved.

Systematic review of international guidelines for tracheostomy in COVID-19 patients.

At this moment, the world lives under the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak pandemic. As Otolaryngologists - Head & Neck Surgeons, we need to perform and participate in examinations and procedures within the head and neck region and airway that carry a particularly high risk of exposure and infection because of aerosol and droplet contamination. One of those surgical procedures in demand at this moment is tracheostomy due the increasing ICU admissions.

International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group (IPOG): Juvenile-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis consensus recommendations.

Objectives: To develop consensus recommendations for the evaluation and management of juvenile-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (JORRP) in pediatric patients.

Methods: Expert opinion by the members of the International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group (IPOG). The mission of the IPOG is to develop expertise-based consensus recommendations for the management of pediatric otolaryngologic disorders with the goal of improving patient care.

Pediatric nasopharyngeal airways expand when exposed to saline.

Purpose: Nasopharyngeal airways (NPA) are commonly used to relieve upper airway obstruction in children. They must be sized to extend posterior to the tongue base but remain above the epiglottis. To avoid obstruction from nasal secretions, frequent irrigation with saline is required.

Tuberculous lymphadenitis of the head and neck in Canadian children: Experience from a low-burden region.

Background: Children are more likely than adults to develop extra-pulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB), which often presents as cervical lymphadenopathy. The role of surgery in management is uncertain. We reviewed all head and neck EPTB cases presenting to our tertiary care pediatric institution over a twelve-year period.

Do South African universities provide the required training platforms for otolaryngology specialist training?

Background: Concern exists about the quality of specialist training platforms at South African universities and teaching hospitals.

Method: We conducted an audit of the quality of training at South African otolaryngology (ENT) training institutions from the perspective of the registrars.

Results: Some institutions were deficient in terms of supervision, theatre time, access to teaching aids and research tools, and range of surgery, and do not provide the required training platforms for ENT specialist training.