Second-Trimester Ultrasound Receipt Mediates the Relationship Between Public Insurance and Prenatal Diagnosis of a Congenital Heart Defect.

Objective: To delineate the mechanism behind insurance-related disparities in the prenatal diagnosis of a congenital heart defect (CHD).

Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of electronic health records of pregnant individuals whose infants received CHD surgery between 2019 and 2020 in the third-largest United States metropolitan area. The outcome was whether a prenatal diagnosis was received.

Effectiveness of intraoperative nerve monitoring in reducing rates of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury in aerodigestive and cardiovascular pediatric surgery.

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of intraoperative nerve monitoring at decreasing vocal fold movement impairment in children undergoing at-risk procedures.

Background: Children undergoing aerodigestive or cardiovascular procedures are at risk for recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, leading to vocal fold movement impairment. Although intraoperative nerve monitoring has been shown to decrease recurrent laryngeal nerve injury in adults, there is paucity of data in children.

Are paediatric cardiology textbooks obsolete in the current digital era?

Introduction: With the rise of online references, podcasts, webinars, self-test tools, and social media, it is worthwhile to understand whether textbooks continue to provide value in medical education, and to assess the capacity they serve during fellowship training.

Methods: A prospective mixed-methods study based on surveys that were disseminated to seven paediatric cardiology fellowship programmes around the world. Participants were asked to read an assigned chapter of textbook, followed by the completion of the survey.

Demystifying Velopharyngeal Dysfunction for Plastic Surgery Trainees Part 3: Objective Assessment and Surgical Decision-Making.

Velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD) is the inability to achieve proper closure of the velopharyngeal (VP) port, affecting speech and swallowing. After an auditory-perceptual speech evaluation by a speech-language pathologist, objective assessment of the VP port is required to determine the need for surgical intervention. This 3-part series provides a comprehensive discussion on (1) the anatomy and physiology of the velopharyngeal mechanism; (2) fundamental speech terminology and principles of perceptual speech assessment for VPD; and (3) techniques for objective evaluation of the VP port and surgical decision-making process.

Demystifying Velopharyngeal Dysfunction for Plastic Surgery Trainees-Part 1: Anatomy and Physiology.

The velopharyngeal (VP) port separates the nasopharynx from the oropharynx and is bordered by the velum, lateral pharyngeal walls, and posterior pharyngeal wall. Velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD) is the inability to achieve proper closure of the VP port, affecting speech and swallowing. This 3-part series provides a comprehensive discussion on (1) the anatomy and physiology of the velopharyngeal mechanism; (2) fundamental speech terminology and principles of perceptual speech assessment for VPD; and (3) techniques for objective evaluation of the VP port and surgical decision-making process.

Demystifying Velopharyngeal Dysfunction for Plastic Surgery Trainees Part 2: Speech Fundamentals and Perceptual Speech Assessment.

Velopharyngeal dysfunction (VPD) is the inability to achieve proper closure of the velopharyngeal (VP) port, affecting speech and swallowing. The gold standard for diagnosis is auditory-perceptual speech evaluation by a specialized speech-language pathologist. This 3-part series provides a comprehensive discussion on (1) the anatomy and physiology of the velopharyngeal mechanism, (2) fundamental speech terminology and principles of perceptual speech assessment for VPD, and (3) techniques for objective evaluation of the VP port and surgical decision-making process.

Fish and shellfish allergy: Presentation and management differences in the UK and US-analysis of 945 patients.

Background: Seafood allergy (SA), including allergy to shellfish (crustacean and mollusks) and fish, is among the 4 most common food allergies causing anaphylaxis, but there are limited data showing SA clinical management in different countries.

Objective: We sought to characterize a large cohort of patients with fish and shellfish allergy and to facilitate standardization of future care for this increasingly common allergic disease.

Methods: We performed a retrospective, observational, noninterventional study from 945 patients from 2015 to 2019 in 7 hospitals in the United States and the United Kingdom to evaluate SA.

Expansion of tumor-infiltrating and marrow-infiltrating lymphocytes from pediatric malignant solid tumors.

Introduction: The expansion of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) for adoptive cellular therapy is under investigation in many solid tumors of adulthood. Marrow-infiltrating lymphocytes (MIL) have demonstrated antitumor reactivity preclinically. Successful expansion of TIL/MIL has not been reported across pediatric solid tumor histologies.

Adult's Lived Experience Using the Insulin-Only Bionic Pancreas.

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess adults' perspectives after using the insulin-only Bionic Pancreas (BP) during a 13-week pivotal trial. Automated insulin delivery (AID) systems show promise in improving glycemic outcomes and reducing disease burden for those with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D). Understanding the lived experience of those using the BP can help to inform education and uptake of AID devices.

Management Strategies and Outcomes of Distal Congenital Esophageal Strictures in the Setting of Long-gap Esophageal Atresia.

Background: The management of neonates with long-gap esophageal atresia (LGEA) combined with distal congenital esophageal strictures (CES) is challenging. We sought to review our approach for this rare set of anomalies.

Methods: We reviewed children with LGEA + CES surgically treated at two institutions (2018-2024).

Impact of Phlebotomy on Quality of Life in Low-Risk Polycythemia Vera.

Polycythemia vera is an indolent myeloproliferative disorder that predisposes patients to venous and arterial thrombosis and can transform into myelofibrosis and acute myeloid leukemia. Consistent phlebotomy prevents life-threatening cerebrovascular and coronary artery disease and prolongs survival in low-risk polycythemia vera (patients under 60 years without thrombosis). However, despite its effectiveness in preventing serious complications, phlebotomy does not necessarily enhance the quality of life (QoL).

Publication Trends and Surgeon Perceptions: A Comprehensive Analysis of Gender Disparities in Craniofacial Surgery.

In academic craniofacial surgery, gender disparities exist across various metrics including faculty positions, leadership roles, and conference representation. This study benchmarks the academic productivity of craniofacial surgeons in 2022 and surveys their perspectives regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Total, first author, and senior author PubMed publications in 2022 were recorded for 193 craniofacial attendings and fellows.