Assessing the concern for airway complications introduced by Wendler's glottoplasty.

Objective: Wendler's glottoplasty (WG) is a pitch-elevating surgery performed by laryngologists providing gender-affirming care. The surgery creates an anterior glottic web that could theoretically cause airway concerns, either perioperatively or at the time of future procedures; such concerns are not well-described in the literature. We seek to assess surgeon opinions on airway concerns regarding WG. Method: A survey of laryngologists assessing opinions on airway considerations in glottoplasty. Results: A total of 19 physicians responded, representing approximately 193 surgeries. 52.6% performed glottoplasty and the remainder responded based on experience with anterior glottic webs. Two perioperative airway complications were reported, both mild stridor that did not prevent same-day discharge. No long-term sequela was reported. All surveyed laryngologists endorsed an altered general anesthetic approach for future procedures, with 73.7% advocating for use of a smaller endotracheal tube. 72.2% did not have "major concerns" about future intubations, and only 5.3% thought the immediate risk of airway compromise was a "real concern." 91.9% counsel their patients routinely but briefly on airway concerns. Open-ended comments conveyed themes of concern for post-operative disruption of the web more than of airway compromise. Conclusion: Because glottoplasty is performed in the anterior glottis and does not significantly impact airway patency, the risk of serious airway complications appears to be minimal. Laryngologists believe future intubations require a modified approach with a smaller tube, partly due to concern for glottic web trauma. Based on this pilot study, the topic deserves greater work to standardize care and anesthetic alterations for patients with WG. Level of Evidence: 5.

The safety of in-office laryngologic procedures during active antithrombotic therapy.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether patients undergoing in-office laryngologic procedures on antithrombotic therapy are at increased risk for treatment-related complications. METHODS: Patients were those who underwent at least one in-office laryngologic procedure with any of three fellowship-trained laryngologists. Procedures were identified by current procedural terminology (CPT) code and included biopsies, excisions, laser ablations, and injections (therapeutic and augmentative). Patients were divided into two groups based on the use of antithrombotic therapy at the time of their procedure. Retrospective chart review was performed to identify any complications, with an average follow-up of 186 days. RESULTS: Five hundred-sixty-four unique individuals were identified with ages ranging from 18 to 93 years old and with a relatively even distribution between females (45%) and males (55%). They underwent 647 procedures in total, 310 of which were performed while on some form of antithrombotic therapy. Sixteen procedures were associated with complications either during or after the procedure. In comparing overall complication rates, there was no significant difference between non-antithrombotic (2.4%) and antithrombotic (3.3%) cohorts (OR 1.09, 95% CI [0.46-2.60], P = .8454). CONCLUSIONS: In spite of known risks in other settings, antithrombotic agents do not appear to confer increased risk of treatment-related complications during in-office laryngologic procedures, obviating the need for cessation of therapy prior to these interventions. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

Shar Pei Larynx: Supraglottic and Postcricoid Mucosal Redundancy and Its Association With Medical Comorbidities.

OBJECTIVES:: The aim of this study is to describe a clinical entity the authors term "Shar Pei larynx," characterized by redundant supraglottic and postcricoid mucosa that the authors hypothesize coexists in patients with obstructive sleep apnea, laryngopharyngeal reflux, and obesity. By exploring this hypothesis, the authors hope to set the foundation for future research with the goal of identifying whether Shar Pei larynx is a marker for untreated sleep apnea or other diseases. STUDY DESIGN:: Retrospective chart review. SETTING:: Two tertiary care academic institutions. METHODS:: Data were collected from a 5-year period by querying for patients described to have "Shar Pei larynx" or "posterior supraglottic and/or postcricoid mucosal redundancy" on laryngoscopic findings. Relevant demographic and clinical characteristics were analyzed, with a focus on associations with obesity, sleep apnea, and laryngopharyngeal reflux. RESULTS:: Thirty-two patients were identified with physical findings consistent with Shar Pei larynx. Twenty-six patients (81.3%) were obese; 16 (50%) were morbidly obese. Twenty-two patients (68.8%) either had an existing diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea or were diagnosed on polysomnography performed after initial evaluation. Sixteen patients (50%) had type 2 diabetes mellitus, and 87.5% of these patients were obese. Twenty-eight patients (87.5%) noted histories of reflux, with a median reflux symptom index of 27 of 45. Five patients underwent procedures to reduce mucosal redundancy related to Shar Pei larynx. CONCLUSIONS:: This pilot study confirms that the majority of patients diagnosed with Shar Pei larynx also had diagnoses of obesity, obstructive sleep apnea, and reflux disease. The demonstrated association is strong enough to warrant further study.

Developing a synchronous otolaryngology telemedicine Clinic: Prospective study to assess fidelity and diagnostic concordance.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate diagnostic concordance of a synchronous telemedicine otolaryngology clinic with use of currently available technology. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective. METHODS: Patients in a rural otolaryngology clinic were enrolled in a pilot telemedicine clinic. To assess system fidelity, an on-site and remote (consulting) otolaryngologist conducted simultaneous patient evaluations using streaming telecommunication technology for all aspects of the clinical encounter, including high-definition examination and endoscopic images. Both physicians and patients were blinded and diagnoses recorded. Post-encounter physician surveys and an original patient-centered TeleENT Satisfaction Questionnaire (TESQ) were used to assess overall satisfaction. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients were enrolled consecutively. Visual technology was found acceptable in all cases, and audio technology was acceptable in 20 of 21 encounters. Patient satisfaction was 96%, and patients felt comfortable using a telemedicine system in the future. Encounters were not significantly longer than traditional encounters. Physician diagnostic agreement was found in 95% of cases, and the consulting physician indicated that all encounters provided sufficient history, examination, and high-quality images to generate an accurate diagnosis, order additional workup, and/or make an appropriate referral. CONCLUSION: A synchronous otolaryngology telemedicine clinic is comparable to a standard clinic in terms of diagnostic concordance and patient satisfaction when using streaming technology and high-definition images. Using telemedical technology may be a viable way to increase otolaryngology access in remote or underserved areas. With system validity now established, future studies will assess the feasibility of using trained on-site physician extenders (nurse practitioners or physician assistants) to conduct in-person patient encounters with remote otolaryngologist support. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2c. Laryngoscope, 128:1068-1074, 2018.

Rate of new findings in diagnostic office bronchoscopy.

OBJECTIVES: Awake Flexible Tracheobronchoscopy (FTB) is an alternative to rigid bronchoscopy or sedated flexible bronchoscopy and allows an awake examination of the tracheobronchial tree. We hypothesized that the ability to perform office bronchoscopy as the need arises during a clinic visit would lead to a high rate of previously undiagnosed and clinically relevant findings. This study reports the rate and nature of such findings for this procedure at our institution. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. METHODS: The records of 127 adult patients evaluated at the voice and swallowing disorders clinic between June of 2012 and January of 2015 were reviewed. New findings were defined as new pathology visualized during FTB exam that was not previously diagnosed by means of other diagnostic modalities. RESULTS: A total of 233 scope procedures (84 transnasal bronchoscopies and 149 tracheoscopies) were reviewed, 232 of which were completed and one of which was incomplete due to severe subglottic stenosis. New, clinically relevant findings were seen in 57% of transnasal bronchoscopies (48 of 84) and 21% of tracheoscopies (32 of 149). All of these findings provided additional information directing workup or resulted in a change in patient management. CONCLUSION: Office-based evaluation of the tracheobronchial tree yields a high rate of new findings. In our study, office bronchoscopy had a 57% rate of new findings and was performed without complications. The utility of tracheoscopy was also apparent in its ability to quickly and safely examine the trachea, with a 21% rate of new findings. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4. Laryngoscope, 127:1376-1380, 2017.