Telemedicine and Otolaryngology in the COVID-19 Era.

OBJECTIVE: The global Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in an expansion of telemedicine. The purpose of this study is to present our experience with outpatient telemedicine visits within a single institution's Department of Otolaryngology during the initial COVID-19 era. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. METHODS: This was a single-institution study conducted within the Department of Otolaryngology at an urban tertiary care center. Data on outpatient visits was obtained from billing and scheduling records from January 6 to May 28, 2020. Visits were divided into "pre-shutdown" and "post-shutdown" based on our state's March 23, 2020 COVID-19 shutdown date. RESULTS: A total of 3447 of 4340 (79.4%) scheduled visits were completed in the pre-shutdown period as compared to 1451 of 1713 (84.7%) in the post-shutdown period. The proportion of telemedicine visits increased (0.7%-81.2%, P < .001). Overall visit completion rate increased following the shutdown (80.2%-84.7%, P < .001). Subspecialties with an increase in visit completion rate were general (76.9%-88.0%, P = .002), otology (77.4%-87.2%, P < .001), and rhinology (80.0%-86.2%, P = .003). Patients with Medicaid and Medicare had higher appointment completion rates following the transition to telemedicine visits (80.7%-85.7%, P = .002; 76.9%-84.7%, P = .001). Older age was associated with decreased appointment cancellation pre-shutdown (OR 0.994 [0.991-0.997], P < .001) but increased appointment cancellation post-shutdown (OR 1.008 [1.001-1.014], P = .015). Mean COVID-19 risk scores were unchanged (P = .654). CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 has led to major changes in outpatient practice, with a significant shift from in-person to telemedicine visits following the mandatory shutdown. An associated increase in appointment completion rates was observed, reflecting a promising viable alternative to meet patient needs during this unprecedented time.

Effect of Hospital Safety Net Burden on Survival for Patients With Sinonasal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To examine factors associated with hospital safety net burden and its impact on survival for patients with sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma (SNSCC). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective database study. SETTING: National Cancer Database from 2004 to 2016. METHODS: SNSCC cases were identified in the National Cancer Database. Hospital safety net burden was defined by percentage of uninsured/Medicaid patients treated, namely ≤25% for low-burden hospitals, 26% to 75% for medium-burden hospitals, and >75% for high-burden hospitals (HBHs). Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to investigate patient demographics, clinical characteristics, and overall survival. RESULTS: An overall 6556 SNSCC cases were identified, with 1807 (27.6%) patients treated at low-burden hospitals, 3314 (50.5%) at medium-burden hospitals, and 1435 (21.9%) at HBHs. On multivariate analysis, Black race (odds ratio [OR], 1.39; 95% CI, 1.028-1.868), maxillary sinus primary site (OR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.036-1.643), treatment at an academic/research program (OR, 20.63; 95% CI, 8.868-47.980), and treatment at a higher-volume facility (P < .001) resulted in increased odds of being treated at HBHs. Patients with grade III/IV tumor (OR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.513-0.949), higher income (P < .05), or treatment modalities other than surgery alone (P < .05) had lower odds. Survival analysis showed that hospital safety net burden status was not significantly associated with overall survival (log-rank P = .727). CONCLUSION: In patients with SNSCC, certain clinicopathologic factors, including Black race, lower income, treatment at an academic/research program, and treatment at facilities in the West region, were associated with treatment at HBHs. Hospital safety net burden status was not associated with differences in overall survival.

COVID-19 and rhinological surgery.

The Coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused disruptions in the normal patient care workflow, necessitating adaptations within the healthcare profession. The objective of this article is to outline some of these adaptations and considerations necessitated by COVID-19 within the subspeciality of rhinology and endoscopic skull base surgery.

Analysis of the Treatment and Survival of Sinonasal Extramedullary Plasmacytoma.

BACKGROUND: While extramedullary plasmacytomas are infrequently encountered plasma cell malignancies, most cases occur in the head and neck, with a predilection for the sinonasal cavity. Due to the rarity of this disease, the majority of studies on sinonasal extramedullary plasmacytoma (SN-EMP) are case reports or small retrospective case series. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of patient, disease, and treatment factors on the survival of patients with SN-EMP. METHODS: The National Cancer Database was queried for all patients with SN-EMP between 2004-2016 (N = 381 cases). Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to examine patient demographics, tumor characteristics, and survival. RESULTS: The majority of SN-EMP patients were over 60 years old (57.0%), male (69.8%), and white (86.2%). The most common treatment modality was radiotherapy alone (38.6%), followed by surgery plus radiotherapy (37.8%). Five-year overall survival was 74.0% and median survival was 9.1 years. Accounting for patient demographics and tumor characteristics in a multivariate model, the following groups had worse prognosis: 60 and older (HR 1.99, p = 0.031) and frontal sinus primary site (HR 11.56, p = 0.001). Patients who received no treatment (HR 3.89, p = 0.013), chemotherapy alone (HR 5.57, p = 0.008) or radiotherapy plus chemotherapy (HR 2.82, p = 0.005) had significantly lower survival than patients who received radiotherapy alone. Patients who received surgery with radiotherapy (HR 0.57, p = 0.039) had significantly higher survival than patients who received radiotherapy alone. CONCLUSION: In patients with SN-EMP five-year overall survival was found to be 74.0% with decreased survival associated with a frontal sinus primary site and being aged 60 or older. Patients receiving no treatment, chemotherapy alone, or radiotherapy with chemotherapy was associated with lower survival. Receiving surgery plus radiotherapy was associated with the highest five-year overall survival.

Giant Pituitary Adenoma - Special Considerations.

Giant pituitary adenomas (GPAs) comprise 5% to 15% of pituitary adenomas, but have higher rates of extrasellar invasion, subtotal resection, surgical morbidity, and recurrence. With the possible exception of giant prolactinomas, GPAs require surgical decompression. On review of 3 decades of case series encompassing 699 microsurgical transsphenoidal (MT), 1060 endoscopic endonasal trans-sphenoidal (EET), and 513 transcranial (TC) patients, gross total resection and recurrence rates were comparable across modalities, but the EET approach had lower perioperative mortality and superior restoration of visual function. Each approach has unique indications. Combined EET-TC approaches for minimizing residual tumor represent another area of study.

Trends in HPV Testing for Patients With Sinonasal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A National Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to analyze national trends in human papillomavirus (HPV) testing for patients diagnosed with sinonasal squamous cell carcinoma (SNSCC). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective database study. SETTING: National Cancer Database (2010-2016). METHODS: Cases from 2010 to 2016 with a primary SNSCC diagnosis and known HPV testing status were extracted from the National Cancer Database. Univariate and multivariate analyses were then performed to assess differences in socioeconomic, hospital, and tumor characteristics between tested and nontested patients. RESULTS: A total of 2308 SNSCC cases were collected, with 1210 (52.4%) HPV tested and 1098 (47.6%) not tested. On univariate analyses, patient age, insurance, income quartile, population density, treatment facility location, and tumor grade were significantly associated with HPV testing status. After multivariate logistic regression modeling, living in a suburban area had lower odds of HPV testing as compared with living in urban areas (odds ratio, 0.74 [95% CI, 0.55-0.99]; P = .041), while tumor grade III/IV had higher odds than grade I (odds ratio, 1.73 [95% CI, 1.29-2.33]; P < .001). HPV-tested patients had a similar 5-year overall survival to nontested patients (48.3% vs 45.3%, log-rank P = .405). A sharp increase in HPV testing rates was observed after 2010 (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Among patients with SNSCC, those with high-grade tumors were more likely to be tested for HPV, while patients with a suburban area of residence were less likely. Additionally, there was no significant survival benefit to HPV testing, with tested and nontested groups having similar overall survival. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

Inpatient Sinus Surgery Patient Morbidity and Outcomes: A National Analysis.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To investigate the morbidity and mortality of patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) in the inpatient setting. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective database review. METHODS: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample was queried for all ESS between 2008 and 2014. Using All Patients Refined Diagnosis Related Groups (APR-DRG) codes, cases with APR-DRG codes under Major Diagnostic Category 3 (Diseases and Disorders of the Ear, Nose, Mouth, and Throat) were designated as patients with primary otolaryngology diagnoses undergoing ESS (ORL), and all other codes were designated as patients with non-otolaryngology pathologies as their primary reason for admission but undergoing ESS (non-ORL). A univariate analysis and a logistic regression were used to compare patient demographics, comorbidities, disease severity, and mortality. RESULTS: There were 8,305 ORL patients and 6,342 non-ORL patients. ORL patients were more likely to be elective admissions (61.3% vs. 48.5%, P < .001), have a deviated nasal septum (17.9% vs. 12.3%, P < .001), nasal polyps (15.8% vs. 5.0%, P < .001), obstructive sleep apnea (10.7% vs. 5.2%, P < .001), and pulmonary disease (15.9% vs. 10.5%, P < .001). Non-ORL patients had a higher likelihood of in-hospital mortality (odds ratio [OR] 6.22, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.29-11.78, P < .001), length of stay in the highest quartile (OR 2.43, 95% CI 2.16-2.74, P < .001), and a higher proportion had APR-DRG subclasses indicating extreme severity of illness (19.3% vs. 4.3%, P < .001) or extreme risk of mortality (12.5% vs. 2.0%, P < .001). CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing ESS in the inpatient setting have a higher than expected mortality rate which can be associated with a non-otolaryngology pathology as the primary reason for their admission. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 132:1523-1529, 2022.

Factors Associated With Unanticipated Admission After Outpatient Endoscopic Sinonasal Surgery.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To identify factors that may increase the risk of unplanned admission following elective outpatient endoscopic sinonasal surgery (ESS). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP). METHODS: All cases of ESS were extracted from the 2010 to 2018 NSQIP database using Current Procedural Terminology codes. Only cases coded as outpatient, elective, and nonemergent procedures were included. Unplanned admissions were defined as cases with a total hospital stay of 1 day or more. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify variables that independently predicted unanticipated admission. RESULTS: A total of 971 cases met inclusion criteria, of which 274 (28.2%) were unanticipated admissions. Patients in the unplanned admission group were more likely to be older (46.8 vs. 41.1 years, P < .001), male (57.7% vs. 48.4%, P = .009), obese (54.8% vs. 43.8%, P = .003), and have hypertension (35.0% vs. 25.0%, P = .002). Unplanned admitted patients were also more likely to be included under American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification III-IV (43.1% vs. 27.2%, P < .001). There were no significant differences in race, smoking, diabetes, or chronic steroid use. Unplanned admitted patients had a higher rate of surgical complications (2.9% vs. 1.0%, P = .041). Upon multivariate analysis, independent preoperative risk factors for unplanned admission included age (OR: 1.018, P = .002), male gender (OR: 1.415, P = .025), obesity (OR: 1.527, P = .008), and ASA III-IV (OR 1.501, P = .018). CONCLUSIONS: Factors independently associated with unplanned admission following outpatient ESS were older age, male gender, obesity, and higher ASA. Identification of patients at risk may reduce unanticipated hospital admission after ESS. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 132:518-522, 2022.

Clinicopathologic characteristics of laryngeal chondrosarcoma: An analysis of the National Cancer Database.

OBJECTIVES: Laryngeal Chondrosarcoma (LC) is a rare malignancy with limited studies documenting its clinicopathologic characteristics and treatment options. This study reports demographic and clinical determinants of outcomes for this rare tumor. METHODS: The National Cancer Database (NCDB) was queried for cases of LC reported from 2004-2016. 274 cases that met inclusion criteria were analyzed for demographic and clinicopathologic characteristics. Kaplan-Meier (KM) and Cox proportional hazard analyses were conducted to identify variables that impacted the overall survival of these patients. RESULTS: LC was found to be more common in males (74.8%). The mean age of patients was 61.8 years and 92.3% of the patients were white. 91.3% of patients were treated with only surgical resection, most commonly: partial laryngectomy (31.6%), total laryngectomy (25.7%), and local resection (22.4%). 98.8% of patients had no evidence of nodal disease and 99.6% of patients did not have distant metastasis at presentation. KM analysis revealed a 5-year overall survival (5YOS) of 89.0%. Age, insurance status, facility type, and surgery type were significant predictors of 5YOS (p<0.05). On Cox Proportional Hazard analysis, private insurance significantly improved survival (HR 0.21; p = 0.048) while increasing age was a poor prognostic indicator (HR 1.10; p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: The majority of LC patients present with no nodal involvement or distant metastasis at diagnosis, and overall this tumor has a favorable prognosis. Increasing age was found to be a poor prognostic factor while private insurance status was associated with improved survival.

Systematic Review of Negative Pressure Pulmonary Edema in Otolaryngology Procedures.

OBJECTIVE(S): Negative pressure pulmonary edema (NPPE) is a rare perioperative complication with a potentially fatal outcome. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review of NPPE in adult otolaryngology procedures with the goal of identifying risk factors, clinical presentation, diagnosis, management and outcomes. METHODS: Systematic review performed using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases. RESULTS: Sixty-nine studies including data from 87 individual patients were included in this review. Fifty-six (68%) patients were male and the average patient age was 37 years old. Type 1 NPPE occurred in 63 (72%) cases, while type 2 NPPE accounted for 20 (23%) cases. The most common procedures leading to NPPE were septoplasty, rhinoplasty or sinus surgery (n = 22, 25%), directly laryngoscopy or bronchoscopy (n = 13, 15%), and tracheostomy or cricothyroidotomy (n = 11, 13%). The most employed treatment options included diuretics (n = 55, 63%) and mechanical ventilation (n = 54, 62%). Seventy-eight (90%) patients made a full recovery with an average time to NPPE resolution of 33 hours and an average length of hospitalization of 5.6 days. Five (6%) patients had a long-term morbidity and four (5%) patients died, with age and ICU stay increasing risk for death and long-term morbidity (OR 1.044 and 7.42, respectively, P < .05). CONCLUSION: Septoplasty, rhinoplasty and sinus surgery account for the majority of NPPE cases in adult otolaryngology procedures. Young, healthy patients are the most commonly involved with a slight male predominance. The vast majority of patients recover fully, however there is a significant risk for morbidity and mortality.

Comparison of Open and Endoscopic Approaches in the Resection of Esthesioneuroblastoma.

BACKGROUND: Olfactory neuroblastoma, or esthesioneuroblastoma (ENB), is an uncommon sinonasal malignancy arising from olfactory neuroepithelium that is optimally treated with surgical resection. The objective of this study is to determine preoperative predictors of undergoing open versus endoscopic approach for ENB and to investigate significant postoperative survival outcomes between the two surgical approaches. METHODS: The National Cancer Database (NCDB) was queried for cases of ENB histology that were treated surgically from 2010 to 2015. Groups were stratified into open or endoscopic approach cohorts. Patient demographics, tumor characteristics, treatment modality, and 5-year overall survival were compared between the two groups using Chi-Square analysis and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Cases were classified as Kadish stage A, B, C, or D based on the "Collaborative Stage-Extension" codes in NCDB. RESULTS: Of 533 patients meeting inclusion criteria, 276 (51.8%) patients underwent open, and 257 (48.2%) patients underwent endoscopic surgical approaches. Patients undergoing endoscopic surgery were more likely to be Kadish stages A and B and less likely to be stages C and D (P = .020). Those undergoing endoscopic approach overall had a shorter mean hospital stay postoperatively (3.8 vs. 7.0 days, P < .001). Endoscopic cases had a greater 5-year overall survival (81.9% vs. 75.6%, P = .030); after multivariate regression, there was a trend toward survival benefit to endoscopic surgery that did not reach clinical significance (HR 0.644, [0.392-1.058], P = .083). CONCLUSION: Although not statistically significant, there is a trend toward increased overall survival with an endoscopic approach in patients undergoing surgery for ENB as compared to an open approach, regardless of Kadish stage. An endoscopic approach is an adequate alternative to an open approach for the surgical treatment of ENB.

Time is Money: Relative Value Units and Operative Time in Otolaryngology.

OBJECTIVES: Physician compensation for procedures is typically rooted in the work relative value unit (wRVU) system. Operative time is one of the factors that goes into the determination of wRVU assignment. There should be consistency between the wRVU/hr rate, irrespective of average operative time required to perform certain procedures. We investigate if wRVU assignment for otolaryngology procedures adequately accounts for increased operative time. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of a surgical database. METHODS: NSQIP was queried from 2015-2018 for the top 50 most frequently performed otolaryngology Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes completed as standalone procedures. Median operative time was determined for each CPT code, and wRVU/hr was calculated. Correlations between operative time, wRVU, and wRVU/hr were investigated using linear regression analysis. A secondary analysis using complication rate as an indicator for procedure complexity was performed to examine the relation between wRVUs and complication rates. RESULTS: Fifty CPT codes containing 64,084 patients where only one code was reported were included in this analysis. The median operative time was 84 minutes, median wRVU was 11.23, and median wRVU/hour was 7.96. Linear regression analysis demonstrated a strong positive correlation between operative time and wRVU assignment (R2 = 0.805, P < .001). Further analysis found no correlation between operative time and wRVU/hr (R2 = 0.008, P = .525). Linear regression of wRVU/hr and complication rate showed a statistically significant positive correlation (R2 = 0.113, P = .017). CONCLUSION: This analysis suggests that compensation for otolaryngology procedures is positively correlated with operative time. Surgeries where more than one code is reported could not be evaluated, thus excluding some common combination of procedures performed by otolaryngologists. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 131:E395-E400, 2021.

Perioperative Analgesia for Sinus and Skull-Base Surgery.

Perioperative analgesic management is multifaceted, and an individualized approach should be taken with each patient. Preoperative discussion of the plan for pain control and the patient's postoperative expectations is a necessary facet for optimal outcomes of analgesia. There is the potential for significant abuse and development of dependence on opioids. Nonopioids, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, acetaminophen, and gabapentinoids, provide reliable alternatives for analgesic management following sinus and skull-base surgery. There is a paucity of literature regarding perioperative pain regimens for sinus and skull-base surgery, and the authors hope that this review serves as a valuable tool for otolaryngologists.

Nasoseptal Flap Necrosis After Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery in the Setting of COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: A novel viral strain known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has created a worldwide pandemic known as coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). Early reports from China have highlighted the risks associated with performing endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery in patients with SARS-CoV-2. We present a rare complication of nasoseptal flap (NSF) necrosis associated with COVID-19, further emphasizing the challenges of performing these procedures in this era. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 78-year-old man underwent an extended endoscopic endonasal transplanum resection of a pituitary macroadenoma for decompression of the optic chiasm. The resulting skull base defect was repaired using a pedicled NSF. The patient developed meningitis and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak on postoperative day 13, requiring revision repair of the defect. Twelve days later, he developed persistent fever and rhinorrhea. The patient was reexplored endoscopically, and the NSF was noted to be necrotic and devitalized with evident CSF leakage. At that time, the patient tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Postoperatively, he developed acute respiratory distress syndrome complicated by hypoxic respiratory failure and death. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of NSF necrosis in a patient with COVID-19. We postulate that the thrombotic complications of COVID-19 may have contributed to vascular pedicle thrombosis and NSF necrosis. Although the pathophysiology of SARS-CoV-2 and its effect on the nasal tissues is still being elucidated, this case highlights some challenges of performing endoscopic skull base surgery in the era of COVID-19.

Integrative resident education curriculum to adapt to the modern otolaryngology trainee.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To examine the perspectives of current otolaryngology-head and neck surgery residents and faculty members on educational formats and approaches. To assess the effects of a novel integrative educational curriculum for residents by examining results from the otolaryngology training examination (OTE). We hypothesized that altering the current curriculum to accentuate resident participation would result in improved performance on the OTE. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. METHODS: We conducted a study from June 2015 to July 2018. All faculty attendings and residents were asked to participate in the study and were included. A novel educational curriculum founded on the principles of experiential learning and utilizing the PulseQD app to facilitate collaborative learning was implemented. The results of a questionnaire distributed within the department and yearly OTE scores were collected. RESULTS: Residents and faculty attendings reported comparable exposure to educational formats throughout their training, although residents had more experience with flipped classroom settings. Both groups had similar attitudes toward the importance and effectiveness of educational opportunities. There was a statistically significant improvement in OTE scores in each of the 2 years after implementation of the educational changes (P = .0296 and P = .00237, respectively), with all current residents improving their scores on the most recent OTE. CONCLUSIONS: Through implementation of this integrative educational curriculum our residents showed significant improvement in OTE scores. Our results suggest that this type of curriculum, which combines a variety of approaches including a flipped classroom model with active participation and integrates app technology, can improve resident performance on educational assessments. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2 Laryngoscope, 130:615-621, 2020.

Anemia and blood transfusion requirements in endoscopic sinus surgery: A propensity-matched analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Massive bleeding requiring blood transfusion is a feared complication of endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). In an effort to improve healthcare quality and outcomes, research is focused on identifying the risk factors for complications following surgical procedures. Blood transfusions have been linked to increased complication rates, but their role has not been extensively studied in ESS. METHODS: The American College of Surgeons National Surgery Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) participant user files 2005 to 2014 were queried for all cases of ESS. Patients were divided into cohorts based on anemia (hematocrit <39.00 in men and <36.00 in women) and hematocrit levels. Univariate analyses and a propensity score-matching algorithm were employed. RESULTS: Of 630 cases of ESS, 117 (18.6%) had preexisting anemia. Anemic patients were more likely to be black (19.8% vs. 6.7%, P ≤ 0.001), undergo longer operation times (117.50 minutes ±155.73 vs. 129.85 minutes ±36.03, P = 0.005), have diabetes (28.2% vs. 10.9%, P ≤ 0.001), and have hypertension (46.2% vs. 33.1%, P = 0.010). Following propensity score matching, 109 cases were selected for each cohort, with no significant differences in demographics, comorbidities, operation time, or outpatient status. The anemic cohort was independently associated with an increase in overall postoperative complications (17.4% vs. 7.3%, P = 0.038). Transfusion use was significantly associated with preoperative hematocrit levels <30 (30.0% vs. 4.5%, P = 0.001) and between 30 and 34.99 (13.9% vs. 2.5%, P = 0.011). CONCLUSION: Preoperative anemia is a significant predictor of overall complications and bleeding requiring transfusion for patients undergoing ESS. These results highlight the need for careful preoperative assessment and management of anemia in this population. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA Laryngoscope, 130:1377-1382, 2020.