Caregiver Burnout in Pediatric Laryngomalacia: The Role of Clinical and Psychological Factors.

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to assess caregiver burnout in relation to children diagnosed with laryngomalacia and identify factors influencing burnout levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cohort of 101 caregivers of children with laryngomalacia was studied. Burnout was assessed using the Zarit burden interview (ZBI), while the Hamilton anxiety and Hamilton depression scales were employed to gauge psychological distress. The relationship between burnout and variables like the severity of laryngomalacia, the presence of comorbidities, the child's age, and caregiver demographics was examined using statistical tools in SPSS Statistics version 28.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). RESULTS: Caregiver burnout decreased as the child's age increased. A direct correlation was observed between the severity of laryngomalacia and caregiver burnout. The presence of comorbidities in children increased caregiver burnout. Moreover, caregivers with increased levels of depression and anxiety exhibited higher burnout levels. No significant correlation was found between caregiver burnout and socioeconomic status or educational level. CONCLUSION: The severity of laryngomalacia, the child's age, the presence of comorbidities, and caregivers' psychological health are significant influencers of caregiver burnout. Healthcare professionals should offer targeted support to caregivers, addressing both their physical and psychological needs.

Effectiveness of Training: Airway Management of Tracheostomized Pediatric Patients by Pediatric Residents and Anesthesiology Residents.

To evaluate the effect of training on increasing baseline knowledge of pediatrics and anesthesia residents about airway management of pediatric patients with tracheostomy. It is a prospective, descriptive, before and after survey study. A questionnaire was conducted to measure the baseline knowledge of pediatrics and anesthesia residents about airway management in patients with pediatric tracheotomy. The same questionnaire was repeated after the education. Of the 63 participants, 42 were pediatric residents and 21 were anesthesiology residents. While the number of participants who answered the cuff part, inner cannula part, obturator part and balloon part of the tracheostomy tube correctly before the training was 27, 4, 10, and 12, respectively, these numbers increased to 53, 52, 57, and 55 after the training. There was a statistically significant improvement after the training in the correct response of the cuff, inner cannula, obturator, and balloon sections. A statistically significant improvement was observed in the answers received after the training for all 7 questions regarding the clinical scenario of accidental decannulation and tracheostomy bleeding compared to the pre-training. There was a statistical improvement in part where the participants rated themselves. In conclusion, training increases the ability of healthcare professionals to cope with life-threatening complications related to pediatric tracheotomy. A standardized education program on pediatric tracheostomy should be included in the routine programs of associated departments such as emergency medicine, anesthesia, and pediatrics residencies.

Evaluating YouTube as a source of patient information for pediatric tracheostomy care.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate YouTube's usefulness as a source of information concerning pediatric tracheostomy care. MATERIALS AND METHODS: On August 10, 2022, the top 50 YouTube search results for "pediatric tracheostomy care" were displayed. Each video was evaluated by a jury of three otolaryngologists with at least 2 years of professional experience in pediatric otolaryngology using DISCERN, scoring system of Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), and the Global Quality Score (GQS). RESULTS: After exclusion criteria 24 videos were evaluated. Fifteen of the evaluated videos were produced by health professionals, and the other nine videos were produced by independent users. The average duration of the videos were 337.5 s, varying between 82 s and 1364 s. The average Discern score of videos produced by health professionals was 38.9 ± 13, compared to 36.6 ± 14 for independent users. The mean JAMA score was 1.04 ± 0.68 for health professionals and 1.11 ± 0.94 for independent users. The GQS score was 2.82 ± 0.73 for health professionals and 3.19 ± 0.84 for independent users. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups for Discern, JAMA, and GQS scoring. CONCLUSION: YouTube does not seem to be a good option for parents to get useful information about pediatric tracheostomy care at this time. Health professionals should provide websites with high-quality materials to improve awareness of pediatric tracheostomy care.

A Patient with Severe Cervicofacial Subcutaneous Emphysema Associated with Munchausen's Syndrome: A Case Report.

Subcutaneous cervicofacial emphysema is a rare and life-threatening condition that results from various causes. In this report, we documented a case of a patient with severe subcutaneous cervicofacial emphysema a condition that falls under the umbrella of Munchausen's syndrome and discussed the workup of this patient. Thorough diagnostic investigations seeking the etiology of the condition proved unsuccessful. When faced with cases of recurring subcutaneous cervicofacial emphysema, where the root cause remains ambiguous a diagnosis of Munchausen's Syndrome should be considered.

Impact of Allergic Rhinitis on Voice in Children.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of the present study was to determine the possible effect of allergic rhinitis (AR) on voice change in children with acoustic analysis and Turkish children's voice handicap index-10 (TR-CVHI-10). METHODS: This is a case-control study. Forty-one children with AR, and a positive skin prick test, as well as 39 children of controls who had produced a negative skin prick test and lacked a history of allergic disease, were selected for the study. Each assessment included recordings for the purposes of acoustic voice analysis (fundamental frequency [f0], jitter %, shimmer %, and harmonics-to-noise ratio (HNR)), and aerodynamic analysis (maximum phonation time (MPT) and s/z ratio). All participants completed TR-CVHI-10. RESULTS: The mean TR-CVHI-10 score of the AR group was significantly higher than the control group (p = 0.013). No difference was observed between the AR and control groups in terms of jitter, shimmer, HNR, and MPT values and s/z ratio (p > 0.05). Conversely, the f0 value was more pronounced in controls (270.9 ± 60.3 Hz) than in the AR group (237.7 ± 54.3 Hz) (p = 0.012). CONCLUSION: The study's results revealed that AR can have an effect on fundamental frequency and voice quality in children. The diagnostic process should include AR as a potential cause of voice disorders in children.

Surgical options in suprastomal collapse-induced severe airway obstruction.

PURPOSE: A single institutions experience with various surgical options in the treatment of severe suprastomal collapse (SSC). METHODS: The study included 18 tracheostomized children with SSC treated between January 2012 and December 2018. Data included: patient demography, initial airway lesions, comorbidities, indication and age at tracheostomy, prior airway surgery, stomal demography, type of surgery, postoperative management, complications and treatment outcomes. RESULTS: Four techniques were used to correct SSC. The surgical choice was dependent on stoma demography and associated airway lesions. Excision was done in eight patients and rib cartilage augmentation in five. Three patients had single stage tracheal resection and anastomosis. Two patients received stomal rigidification and temporary placement of Montgomery T tube. Three patients with anterior rib graft augmentation required additional lateral tracheal wall rigidification. Three patients (two with cartilage augmentation, and one with stomal rigidification) developed minimal granulation tissue in the postoperative period. Complete SSC resolution was seen in all except two patients who had a partial response to the treatment. All patients were successful decannulated and are currently asymptomatic. CONCLUSION: Decannulation failures may be due to severe suprastomal collapse that could be either unique or associated with obstructing laryngotracheal lesions. Therefore, it is essential to select the most appropriate surgical treatment to obtain overall favorable outcomes.

Platelet-rich plasma for laryngotracheal reconstruction: an experimental study.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: This study was designed to evaluate the graft healing effect of topical application of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) for laryngotracheal reconstruction (LTR) in a rabbit model. STUDY DESIGN: It is a prospective randomized control animal study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen healthy New Zealand White rabbits were assigned to two groups of eight animals each. The control group underwent LTR with anterior auricular cartilage graft. The PRP group underwent the same surgical procedure plus PRP application over the anastomosis and surgical field. Two animals in the PRP group and two animals in control group died due to severe respiratory distress on postoperative days 10, 12, 15, and 18. Six rabbits (n = 3 for control group and n = 3 for PRP group) were sacrificed at 4 weeks, and six rabbits (n = 3 for control group and n = 3 for PRP group) were sacrificed at 8 weeks. Laryngotracheal regions were evaluated histopathologically. RESULTS: Macroscopically, the average anteroposterior and lateral diameter of the reconstructed region and the degree of lumen patency on postoperative 4th week and 8th week were not statistically different among two groups. There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of any of the microscopic findings when the analysis was made separately. However, analysis of the total number of rabbits has shown that new cartilage formation and angiogenesis were more pronounced in PRP group than control group. CONCLUSIONS: Application of PRP contributed to better healing in airway surgery by promoting a release of growth factors that stimulate new cartilage formation and angiogenesis.

Congenital midnasal stenosis: Conservative management.

INTRODUCTION: Congenital midnasal stenosis (MNS) is an extremely rare disease which may be life threatening, and shows difficulty in diagnosis and management. This case series summarizes superiority of using intranasal mometasone furoate spray (IMS) and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) to treat nasal obstruction in neonates with MNS. METHODS: This study reviewed six consecutive cases of MNS. RESULTS: Three patients were treated with IMS and CPAP. Two patients were treated with endoscopic balloon dilatation without stenting, followed by IMS and CPAP due to persisting nasal obstruction after the operation. One patient was treated with endoscopic balloon dilatation without stenting alone. CONCLUSION: This study is the first to review the use of CPAP and IMS as an effective therapy for some patients with MNS. It suggests that conservative management with CPAP and IMS may be an alternative therapeutic option to surgery.

A Life Threatening Subglottic and Mediastinal Hemangioma in an Infant.

Subglottic and mediastinal hemangioma are rare benign vascular tumors of childhood. They cause potentially life threatening condition which requires intervention. Several therapeutic options have been described in the literature with varying degrees of success and complications. We report a case of a stridulous 2-month old female infant with mediastinal and subglottic hemangioma. The child was treated with propranolol without the need for tracheostomy or any other surgical intervention, and with no reported side effects. Propranolol is an effective, non-invasive treatment for life threatening infantile hemangiomas compressing the airway, should be used as a firstline treatment for subglottic hemangiomas when intervention is required.

Predictive fiberoptic endoscopic findings of upper airway in children with allergic rhinitis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine predictive fiberoptic findings of upper airway in children with allergic rhinitis. METHOD: 129 children had fiberoptic evaluation of nasal cavity, pharynx and larynx. They were divided into allergic rhinitis group and normal group based on skin prick test results. All video recordings were randomly reviewed by three independent national board-certified otolaryngologists who were blinded to the clinical details and outcomes of the participants' allergy testing. Each physician assessed and documented 10-item questionnaire. Intra-rater, inter-rater reliability and correlation between items and allergic status was calculated. RESULTS: Intra-rater reliability was moderate to perfect for all physicians on all items (kappa = 0.578-0.962). Inferior turbinate hypertrophy (κ = 0.714, p = 0.02), middle turbinate hypertrophy (κ = 0.728, p = 0.01), discoloration of inferior turbinate (κ = 0.685, p = 0.01), adenoid hypertrophy (κ = 0.662, p = 0.02) had good inter-rater reliability and these findings were predictive of allergic rhinitis. Adenoid hypertrophy was less encountered in allergic rhinitis. All other endoscopic findings beyond the nasal cavity were not predictive for allergic rhinitis in children. CONCLUSION: Nasal cavity findings including inferior turbinate hypertrophy, middle turbinate hypertrophy, discoloration of inferior turbinate and adenoid tissue assessment rather than pharyngolaryngeal findings are predictive of allergic rhinitis in children.

Impact of Nasal Septal Surgery on Sleep Quality and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of nasal septal surgery on quality of life. METHODS: A total of 49 patients who underwent septoplasty and/or inferior turbinate radiofrequency operations for nasal septal deviation and inferior turbinate hypertrophy were prospectively enrolled in the study. All patients completed the adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder scale (ADHD scale) and Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) before and after septoplasty. Acoustic rhinometric measurements were also recorded. RESULTS: Acoustic rhinometric measurements and PSQI showed statistically significant improvement after nasal surgery (P < 0.05), but no statistically significant difference was present between pre- and postoperative ADHD scores (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Besides the functional improvement of septoplasty, a long-lasting improvement in the quality of life is observed in patients with that undergo this surgery.

The Effect of Nasal Functions on the Integrity of Grafts after Myringoplasty.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the effects of nasal functions for the integrity of grafts after myringoplasty. METHODS: In our study 78 patients who underwent myringoplasty operation between 2011-2013 were included. Group I was defined as the group with an intact tympanic membrane following surgery. Group II was defined as the group with a tympanic membrane perforation following surgery. Group I consisted of 44 and Group II consisted of 34 patients. Subjective and objective measurements of nasal functions, Eustachian tube function (ETF), and allergic status were performed using nasal obstruction symptom evaluation (NOSE) scale, visual analog scale (VAS), and the score for allergic rhinitis (SFAR) questionnaires and acoustic rhinometry and saccharin test. It was investigated whether there was any difference between these two groups in terms of these parameters. RESULTS: There was statistically no significant difference between groups according to the age, sex and the presence of tubal dysfunction and allergic rhinitis (p>0.05). In the group of intact tympanic membranes, the likelihood of right ear being the operated one was significantly higher compared to the group of myringoplasty failures (p=0.037). The VAS and NOSE scales did not show any significant difference between groups in terms of successful outcome of myringoplasty (p>0.05). The nasal congestion index (NCI) and the mucociliary clearance (MCC) did not show any significant difference between groups in terms of successful outcome of myringoplasty (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: This study has shown that nasal functions measured by objective and subjective methods had no effects on the success of myringoplasty.

Correlation between cVEMP and ABR for the Evaluation of Vestibular Migraine.

OBJECTIVE: Vestibular migraine (VM) is a clinical condition characterized by temporal overlap between vestibular symptoms and migraine. In this study, we aimed to determine the changes in vestibular myogenic potential (cVEMP) and auditory brainstem response (ABR) in patients with VM and migraine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 86 participants with no hearing loss or additional disease between the ages of 18 and 45 were enrolled in three different groups: group 1, VM; group 2, migraine without aura; and group 3, healthy controls. cVEMP and ABR were performed for all participants during attacks and attack-free periods. The differences between the right and left sides were calculated. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in cVEMP p13-n23 latencies between any of the groups. There were statistically significant differences related to cVEMP p13-n23 amplitudes between groups 1, 2, and 3. This significant difference originated from group 1 when compared with the other groups (p<0.05). When we compared the cVEMP results of patients with VM during attack and attack-free periods, a statistically significant decrease was determined in the p13-n23 amplitude values during the attack period (p<0.01). Additionally, when we compared group 1 and group 3, the wave V peak latencies in ABR were significantly prolonged in group 1 (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: cVEMP and ABR can be used as diagnostic criteria for patients with VM during attacks. Further studies with larger groups are needed to verify our findings.

Change in nasal congestion index after treatment in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis.

BACKGROUND: The management of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) involves both surgical and medical approaches, and remains a controversial subject. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this prospective, randomized, controlled trial was to compare the medical and surgical treatments of CRSwNP in terms of their effect on the nasal congestion index (NCI). METHODS: Forty-eight patients with CRSwNP were randomized either to medical or surgical therapy. Pretreatment and 3- and 6-month posttreatment assessments of the visual analog scale score, the 20-Item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test, saccharine clearance time, nasal endoscopy, and NCI measurement with acoustic rhinometry were performed. Forty-one subjects were included in the analysis. RESULTS: Both the medical and surgical interventions for CRSwNP resulted in significant improvement in the visual analog scale score, 20-Item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test, saccharine clearance time, and nasal endoscopic examination scores. There was no difference between the two groups in terms of the percentage change from baseline for any of the parameters at the 6-month posttreatment assessment. NCI showed no significant difference from baseline. Similarly, no significant difference was found between the medical and surgical groups in terms of their effect on the NCI (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Because NCI does not correlate with standard subjective measures in outcomes for this group of patients, it cannot be used as an outcome measurement of treatment of subjects with CRSwNP. Results of this prospective randomized study did not find any additional benefit of surgical therapy over medical therapy in subjects with CRSwNP.

Aging as the Impact Factor on Septoplasty Success.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to discuss the impact of aging on septoplasty success. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: This prospective case control study was conducted at the Umraniye Education and Research Hospital. METHODS: Our study group consists of 23 patients older than 60-year-old who have septal deviation and have previously been postponed for this surgery due to various reasons. Twenty-six patients under 40-year-old are randomly chosen as the control group who were running to septoplasty. Postoperative Glasgow Benefit Inventory Index, preoperative and postoperative NOSE score, and nasal mucociliary clearance time (MCCt) were noted for both the groups. All collected data were compared between the groups. RESULTS: In both the groups, postoperative NOSE scores decreased significantly compared to preoperative values (P < 0.01). This decrease was not significantly different between the groups. In both the groups, a significant decrease was noted in nasal MCCt with surgery (P = 0.004). However, this difference between two groups was not statistically significant. In addition, the Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI) index of control group was notably higher than the study group and this was statistically significant (P = 0.027). Also, the decrease of NOSE scores was conversely related to high GBI indexes and this is statistically significant (P = 0.005). CONCLUSION: For many surgical procedures, aging is considered as one of the important prognostic factors on success. To date no study in the literature discussed this relationship between aging and the success of septoplasty. At this point, our results showed that septoplasty is a successfully performed procedure in all ages. But, satisfaction of patients is statistically decreasing with aging.

Relation of mean platelet volume with obstructive adenoid hypertrophy in children.

OBJECTIVE: Adenoid hypertrophy (AH) is a common etiology of chronic upper airway obstruction. Upper respiratory tract obstruction may cause chronic alveolar hypoventilation and pulmonary vasoconstriction. In one previous study in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), it has been claimed that mean platelet volume (MPV), an indicator of platelet activation is increased and that MPV has an important role in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases. We investigated in our study if MPV can be used as an indicator of obstruction due to adenoid hypertrophy. METHODS: Our study includes 61 children that underwent adenoidectomy with a mean age of 7.12 (± 2.373). White blood cell, platelet count, MPV, platelet crit and platelet distribution width levels were measured before and 3 months after adenoidectomy. Children's symptoms for upper airway obstruction (UAO) (presence of snoring, mouth breathing or difficulty in breathing during sleep, obstructive breathing or apnea during sleep) were questioned in the preoperative and postoperative period by a standardized questionnaire. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between preoperative and postoperative mean values of MPV, hemoglobin, platelet count (p > 0.05). White blood cell levels were significantly higher in the preoperative period values compared with postoperative period values (p < 0.05). Preoperative UAO scores were significantly higher than the postoperative UAO scores. After stratification of the degree of obstruction (as mild, moderate and severe) there was no significant difference in between groups in terms of MPV values. CONCLUSION: There was no significant relation between MPV levels and obstructive adenoid hypertrophy.

[Transoral robotic surgery for sleep apnea syndrome]. / Uyku apne sendromunda transoral robotik cerrahi.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a multisystem disorder which adversely affects all body systems including cardiovascular system particularly and the quality of life. Although continuous positive airway pressure is an effective way of treatment in the treatment of OSAS, a substantial proportion of patients are not able to tolerate this treatment and seek for alternative treatment modalities. Transoral robotic lingual tonsillectomy is a novel technique for the surgical management of patients with OSAS. In this article, we report a 57-year-old female case with OSAS due to bilateral lingual tonsillar hypertrophy who underwent transoral robotic lingual tonsillectomy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of OSAS who underwent robotic lingual tonsillectomy in Turkish medical literature.

Nasal obstruction and unilateral chronic otitis media: evaluation by acoustic rhinometry.

OBJECTIVES: In a prospective study at Umraniye Research and Education Hospital, we aimed to evaluate the differences in acoustic rhinometric findings between the affected and nonaffected sides in patients with unilateral chronic otitis media (COM) and to investigate whether unilateral COM correlates with the side of nasal obstruction. METHODS: Fifty-five consecutive patients with unilateral COM were involved in this study. All patients were evaluated with acoustic rhinometry, the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale, and measurement of their nasal mucociliary transport time. RESULTS: The mean cross-sectional area 1, mean cross-sectional area 2, volume 1, and volume 2 values were not different between the affected and nonaffected sides (p > 0.05). The NOSE score had a reverse correlation with the mean cross-sectional area 2 (p < 0.05) and volume 2 (p < 0.01) of the affected side. Saccharin time was not correlated with the acoustic rhinometric values of the affected side (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These findings do not support the hypothesis that unilateral COM is correlated with the side of nasal obstruction.