Congenital nasal pyriform aperture stenosis; our experience of 34 cases.

Objectives: To study our population of patients with congenital nasal pyriform aperture stenosis (CNPAS) in terms of incidence and socioeconomic status; the effect of pyriform aperture size, gestational age, birth weight, and whether congenital abnormalities are associated with surgical requirement.

Methodology: Retrospective case note review of all patients treated for CNPAS at a single tertiary paediatric referral site was undertaken. Diagnosis was made on the basis of a pyriform aperture of <11 mm on CT scanning; patient demographics were collected to explore risk factors for surgery and surgical outcomes.

Paediatric tracheobronchomalacia: Incidence, patient characteristics, and predictors of surgical intervention.

Objectives: Tracheobronchomalacia (TBM), a condition where an abnormality of the tracheal walls causes collapse during the respiratory cycle, is a common cause of airway obstruction in childhood. TBM can present with a large spectrum of disease severity and underlying pathologies that may be managed medically and surgically, and it is not always clear which patients would most benefit from surgical intervention. We aim to describe the incidence, patient characteristics, and predictors of surgical intervention in a large cohort of paediatric patients.

Feasibility of ovine and porcine models for simulation training in parotid surgery and facial nerve dissection.

Purpose: To assess and compare the feasibility of using ovine and porcine models as surgical simulation training tools for otolaryngology trainees performing parotid surgery and facial nerve dissection.

Methods: Trainees performed parotid surgery (total parotidectomy, retrograde facial nerve dissection and facial nerve grafting) on an ovine and porcine model. Participants completed a 22-item, five-point Likert scale questionnaire on each model, assessing three validation domains; face validity (FV), global content validity (GCV) and task-specific content validity (TSCV).

Validation of Animal Models for Simulation Training in Pediatric Laryngotracheal Reconstruction.

Objectives: To assess and compare the face (FV) and content validity (CV) of three ex vivo animal models for simulation training in pediatric laryngotracheal reconstruction (LTR).

Methods: Feasibility of performing LTR was assessed on the head and neck of three different animals (lamb/suckling-pig/rabbit) and laryngeal dimensions and qualitative observations were recorded. A 19-item five-point Likert scale questionnaire was completed for each model to assess FV and CV.

A systematic review of simulated laryngotracheal reconstruction animal models.

Objectives: Review of the literature to identify practical, high-fidelity, commercially available animal models for simulation training and surgical skills maintenance in laryngotracheal reconstruction (LTR).

Methods: A systematic review of PubMed and Embase databases was conducted independently by two authors, according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Search terms included "laryngotracheal reconstruction," "laryngotracheoplasty," "pig and larynx," "sheep and larynx," and "rabbit and larynx.

The prevalence of airway problems in children with Down's syndrome.

Aim: Airway disorders are common in children with Down's syndrome. We report the findings on airway endoscopy in a birth cohort of children from a well-defined geographical area, in order to estimate true population prevalence of airway problems in children with Down's syndrome.

Method: Retrospective case note review over a 20-year period between 1993 and 2013 for all children in Greater Glasgow born with Down's syndrome, identified through the hearing surveillance programme.

Residual tracheal pouch after repair of tracheaoesophageal fistula: endoscopic KTP laser treatment.

There is usually a small pouch within the trachea after ligation and division of a tracheoesophageal fistula. Most are asymptomatic, but some present with cough or by causing problems with endotracheal or tracheostomy tubes. Repeated open transthoracic surgery to ligate the fistula closer to the tracheal wall is problematic because the pouch is within the wall itself.