Pamela Mudd

Association Between Ibuprofen Use and Severity of Surgically Managed Posttonsillectomy Hemorrhage.

Importance Ibuprofen used in postoperative management of pain after tonsillectomy has not been shown to increase the overall risk for posttonsillectomy hemorrhage (PTH). The severity of bleeding is difficult to quantify but may be a more important outcome to measure. Objective To evaluate the association between ibuprofen use and severity of PTH using transfusion events as a marker of severity. Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective cohort study identified 8868 patients who underwent tonsillectomy from January 20, 2011, through June 30, 2014, at the tertiary academic Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Of these patients, 6710 met the inclusion criteria. Data were collected using electronic database acquisition and query. Main Outcomes and Measures Multivariate analysis was performed to identify independent prognostic factors for PTH and receipt of transfusion. Results Of the 6710 patients who met criteria for analysis (3454 male [51.5%] and 3256 female [48.5%]; median age, 5.4 years [interquartile range, 3.7-8.2 years]), 222 (3.3%) presented with PTH that required surgical control (sPTH). A total of 15 of the 8868 patients required transfusion for an overall risk for transfusion after tonsillectomy of 0.2%. Fifteen of 222 patients undergoing sPTH (6.8%) received transfusions. No significant independent increased risk for sPTH was associated with use of ibuprofen (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.90; 95% CI, 0.68-1.19). A significant independent association was found in the risk for sPTH in patients 12 years or older (adjusted OR, 2.74; 95% CI, 1.99-3.76) and in patients with a history of recurrent tonsillitis (adjusted OR, 1.52; 95% CI, 1.12-2.06). When using transfusion rates as a surrogate for severity of sPTH, transfusion increased by more than 3-fold among ibuprofen users compared with nonusers (adjusted OR, 3.16; 95% CI, 1.01-9.91), and the upper limit of the 95% CI suggests the difference could be nearly 10 times greater. Conclusions and Relevance The risk for sPTH is not increased with use of postoperative ibuprofen but is increased in patients 12 years or older and patients undergoing tonsillectomy with a history of recurrent tonsillitis. Hemorrhage severity is significantly increased with ibuprofen use when using transfusion rate as a surrogate marker for severity.

Early intervention: distraction osteogenesis of the mandible for severe airway obstruction.

Objective. To determine benefits of early intervention in neonates with symptomatic micrognathia who underwent bilateral mandibular distraction osteogenesis within the first 90 days of life as relates to growth, need for supportive care, and further invasive procedures. Study Design. Case series with chart review. Setting. Tertiary care, academic children’s hospital. Subjects and Methods. Review of neonates with symptomatic micrognathia who underwent bilateral mandibular distraction osteogenesis in the past 5 years. Inclusion criteria included mandibular distraction osteogenesis performed within the first 90 days of life. Outcome measures included hospital course, growth curves, supportive home care needs, and airway at cleft repair. Results. Twenty-four patients met inclusion criteria. The mean age at distraction was 30 days, and the average discharge was postoperative day 14. One patient required home oxygen, 50% were able to feed exclusively by oral diet, and no patients required tracheotomy. In addition, airway results were substantial, with 90% of patients showing objective improvement in airway grade from time of mandibular distraction to time of cleft repair. Conclusion. We present our initial outcomes on mandibular distraction osteogenesis in neonates with symptomatic micrognathia. Early intervention allows discharge to home with minimal supportive care needs by avoiding tracheostomy and facilitating transition to oral feeds. The airway improvement is significant and is sustained and allows for easier intubation at time of cleft repair.

22q11.2 Deletion syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea

UNLABELLED Otolaryngologic problems are common in the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (DS) population. Structural anomalies and retrognathia may predispose these patients to obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The current association of OSA in this population is not defined. OBJECTIVE (1) Define the frequency of OSA in 22q11.2 DS patients referred for polysomnography (PSG). (2) Determine if OSA is present before and/or after surgery to correct velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI). (3) Determine effect of prior adenotonsillectomy on OSA following VPI surgery. METHODS Retrospective review of children treated from 2006 to 2013 in a tertiary care setting identified by ICD-9 758.32 (velocardiofacial syndrome) and 279.11 (DiGeorge syndrome). Surgical history and PSG data were abstracted from the identified records. RESULTS We identified 323 patients with 22q11.2 DS; 57 (18%) were screened at any point in care using PSG and 15 patients had PSG at multiple time points in care. In most cases, indication for PSG was sleep disordered breathing or pre-operative planning. Overall, 33 patients met criteria for OSA on PSG, accounting for 10.2% of our study population; however, the percentage of patients with OSA was significantly higher within the group of 57 patients (58%) who were screened with PSG. Twenty-one of the screened patients (54%) had PSG prior to any pharyngeal surgery and had mild to severe OSA (obstructive apnea/hypopnea index (AHI): median 5.1/h, range 1.9-25.6). Eighteen patients had PSG after adenotonsillectomy; 8 of these patients (44%) had mild to moderate OSA (median AHI 2.95/h, range 1.9-5.4). Seventeen patients had PSG after VPI surgery (palatopharyngeal flap (PPF) n=16, sphincteroplasty n=1). Nine of these patients (53%) had mild to severe OSA (median AHI 3/h, range 1.9-15). Patients who underwent adenotonsillectomy prior to VPI surgery had similar prevalence of OSA (50%, n=12) than those who did not (OSA: 60%, n=5, p=0.70). Most children had mild OSA. CONCLUSION Prevalence of OSA in this population of 22q11.2 DS patients is higher than expected in the general population. OSA risk is highest after VPI surgery, and may be decreased by adenotonsillectomy. Providers should have awareness of increased prevalence of OSA in patients with 22q11.2 DS. Close monitoring for OSA is warranted given the likelihood of subsequent surgical intervention that can worsen OSA.

Severity of Voice Handicap in Children Diagnosed with Elevated Lesions

Objective This study sought to determine the impact of voice disability on children with elevated vocal fold lesions (nodules, cysts, polyps). The Pediatric Voice Handicap Index (pVHI) was used to assess the impact on functional, physical, and emotional aspects of voice and oral communication. The degree of talkativeness and overall severity of dysphonia were also determined. Study Design Case series with chart review of children evaluated at a voice clinic from 2007 to 2011. Setting Tertiary specialized children’s hospital. Subjects and Methods Medical records of 33 children (11 girls, 22 boys) diagnosed with an elevated vocal fold lesion by a pediatric laryngologist were reviewed for voice disability using the pVHI. The pVHI is a parental proxy of perceived voice handicap in functional, physical, and emotional aspects and includes a talkativeness rating scale and visual analog overall severity rating of voice (VAS). Data were examined for young children (age 2-5 years), children (age 6-10 years), and adolescents (age 11-17 years). Results The VAS was significantly correlated with pVHI-total. There was no significant difference between age groups for overall pVHI (mean, 29.3) or talkativeness, but all groups had significantly higher functional disability (mean, 16) compared with physical (mean, 8.2) or emotional (mean, 5.1) disability. Conclusions Children across all age groups with elevated vocal fold lesions have significant voice disability, greatest for functional aspects of voice. Voice care team professionals must recognize the functional impact of dysphonia on the pediatric patient.

The financial impact of clinic no-show rates in an academic pediatric otolaryngology practice ☆

PURPOSE To investigate determinants of no-show rates in an academic pediatric otolaryngology practice including appointment time, age, sex, new patient status, payer mix, and median household income by zip code. MATERIALS AND METHODS Retrospective chart review of clinic no-show rates and patient demographics in a free standing childrens hospital and affiliated outpatient clinics across eight providers in a one-year period. RESULTS Analysis shows that the overall no-show rate across all providers was 15% with the highest rate of 19% in the zip code with the lowest median income. Highest no-shows are in June, but overall, seasons did not play a significant role in no-show rates. Male gender, morning appointments, and having public insurance appear to significantly predict no-shows. Lost revenue on no-shows range from

Total Airway Reconstruction in the Neonate: Combined Mandibular Distraction and Slide Tracheoplasty for Multiple Level Airway Obstruction.

191K to

Sedation-related outcomes in postoperative management of pediatric laryngotracheal reconstruction

384K per year. The average percentage of the amount billed paid by insurance range from the lowest by out-of-state Medicaid at 16% to the highest by managed care at 54%. CONCLUSIONS No-show rates account for a significant portion of lost revenue in the outpatient setting for an academic practice, and can be predicted by lower median income, male gender, morning appointments, and public insurance. Such patients may need different appointment reminders. Future clinic templates should be optimized for no-shows to increase productivity and access to care.

Malformations, Deformations, and Disorders of the Neonatal Airway: A Bullet Point Review

Background:Long-segment congenital tracheal stenosis (CTS) is characterized by segmental tracheal stenosis, complete tracheal rings, and absent posterior pars membranosa for >50% of tracheal length. Slide tracheoplasty on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) has traditionally been the procedure of choice for airway reconstruction. Pierre Robin sequence (PRS) is characterized by the triad of micrognathia, glossoptosis, and airway obstruction. The authors and others, have demonstrated the efficacy of mandibular distraction osteogenesis (MDO) to avoid tracheostomy in severe cases of PRS. Methods:The authors present a unique case of the multidisciplinary management of long-segment CTS and concomitant PRS via total airway reconstruction off CPB, involving our otolaryngology, cardiothoracic, and plastic surgery teams. Results:This 36-week baby girl, prenatally diagnosed with PRS and polyhydramnios concerning for airway obstruction, was delivered via planned ex utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT). Tracheostomy was aborted because of long-segment CTS. A 2.5-French endotracheal tube (ETT) was temporarily sutured in before transfer to our facility for definitive airway management.Bilateral MDO was performed without complication at 2 weeks old (distraction to 20mm by postoperative day 25). At 6 weeks old, delayed slide tracheoplasty avoiding cardiopulmonary bypass was followed by an uneventful recovery. Most recent follow-up demonstrates airway patency without signs of obstruction. Conclusions:This patients case is the first reporting combined MDO and slide tracheoplasty to relieve multilevel neonatal airway obstruction. Unique and challenging, it demonstrates the importance of multidisciplinary management of complex neonatal airway obstruction.

Death after adenotonsillectomy secondary to massive pulmonary embolism.

OBJECTIVE Examine outcomes of varied postoperative sedation management in pediatric patients recovering from single stage laryngotracheal reconstruction. DESIGN Retrospective review of 34 patients treated with single stage laryngotracheal reconstruction from 2001 through 2011. SETTING Tertiary childrens hospital. METHODS Patients were divided into 2 groups: those managed postoperatively with sedation, with or without paralysis (group 1), and those managed awake with narcotic pain medication as needed for primary management (group 2). Outcomes were measured as a function of sedation management. Outcomes investigated focused on those related to the success of the airway reconstruction, and those related to sedation management. RESULTS Out of 68 cases of laryngotracheal reconstruction reviewed from 2001 to 2011, 34 were single stage reconstructions. Nineteen patients were sedated postoperatively (group 1) and fifteen patients were left awake (group 2). There were no significant differences between groups in airway-related outcomes, including risk of accidental decannulation, revision rates, and need for secondary airway procedures such as balloon dilation. Sedation-related outcomes, specifically focusing on differences in medical management, showed significant increases in rates of withdrawal (p<0.0001), nursing concerns of withdrawal (p<0.0001) and sedation level (p<0.0001), pulmonary complications (OR 7.7, p=0.008), and prolonged hospital stay due to withdrawal (p=0.0005) in patients managed with sedation with or without paralysis. Multivariable regression analysis revealed that duration of sedation was the primary risk factor for increased postoperative morbidity, while younger age, lower weight, and use of a posterior graft were also significant variables assessed. CONCLUSION Avoiding sedation as the standard for postoperative management of single stage laryngotracheal reconstruction airway patients leads to an overall decreased risk of morbidity without increasing risk of airway-specific morbidity. This is specifically as related to withdrawal, pulmonary complications, concerns about sedation level and prolonged hospital course, all of which increase significantly with increased level and duration of sedation.

Total colonic aganglionosis and imperforate anus in a severely affected infant with Pallister-Hall syndrome.

Neonatal airway obstruction occurs secondary disorders that either partially or completely obstruct the nose, oropharynx, larynx, or trachea. The following chapter serves as a bullet point review of conditions discussed in detail in previous chapters in this section.