Feeding Issues in Infants Referred for Frenotomy.

INTRODUCTION: The diagnosis of ankyloglossia has increased significantly around the world over the last decade. Frenotomy is indicated in infants with ankyloglossia to improve breastfeeding, although there is little scientific evidence of its efficacy. The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether infants being referred for frenotomy had feeding issues prior to the procedure. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was undertaken for all infants under one year of age referred with ankyloglossia to a pediatric otolaryngology practice or a pediatric hospital between 2018 and 2020. Data included age at referral, gender, comorbidities, feeding issues, whether ankyloglossia was diagnosed, and whether frenotomy was done. Frequencies and non-parametric comparisons were calculated. RESULTS: Of the 646 consultations made for tongue tie, a diagnosis of ankyloglossia was made in 94.7% (N=612) of the patients based on clinical judgment. The most common feeding complaints were poor latch (57.1%, N=369) and painful latch (50.3%, N=325). Eighty one (12.5%) patients did not have a reported feeding difficulty. Most patients had an anterior tongue tie (85.8%, N=554), with some showing signs of restricted tongue movement (30.1%, N=184). Ankyloglossia was 4.03 times more likely to be diagnosed (p<.001) and frenotomy was 1.76 times more likely to be performed (p<.001) in the hospital setting compared to the clinic setting.  Conclusion: Children under the age of one referred to otolaryngology for ankyloglossia were often diagnosed concordantly, although some lacked feeding issues that would indicate frenotomy. There are still knowledge gaps about infantile ankyloglossia in referring medical personnel.

White noise use among children undergoing sound field audiometry: A preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the prevalence of routine white noise exposure in children who undergo sound field audiometry. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a pediatric otolaryngology clinic affiliated with an academic tertiary care hospital. The medical records of children who underwent sound field audiometry were reviewed and data was collected regarding demographics and audiogram results. The group was divided into two cohorts based on routine exposure to white noise. Children exposed to white noise were tested with warble tones, while those not exposed were tested with narrow-band noise. RESULTS: 127 patients underwent sound field audiometry testing, of which 96 (75.6%) were reported by their parents to use white noise for sleep. The mean age at time of testing was 1.6 years (95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.5-1.7). 104 (81.9%) children were able to respond to at least four of the sound field thresholds, and there was no significant difference between the children exposed to white noise and those who were not (P = 0.459). Mean pure tone average (PTA) was 26.2 dB (95% CI 25.2-27.2) and mean speech reception threshold (SRT) was 19.2 dB (95% CI 18.2-20.2). The sound field response rate, PTA, and SRT were similar between these two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The routine use of white noise therapy was extremely common in this pediatric population. The use of warble tones as the audiometric stimuli for children exposed to white noise resulted in similar testing success compared to the use of narrow-band noise in children not exposed to white noise.

A Comparison of Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy Findings in Infants and Toddlers.

OBJECTIVE: To compare patterns of obstruction in infants and toddlers with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) by analyzing drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) examinations. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: An academic tertiary care pediatric hospital at a single institution. METHODS: Children aged ≤3 years who underwent DISE with propofol titration from 2020 to 2022 were included in the study. Data extracted included age, body mass index, comorbidities, and polysomnography parameters. The sites of anatomic obstruction during DISE were recorded using a validated 10-site scoring system. RESULTS: A total of 86 children underwent DISE, including 15 infants (<1 year) and 71 toddlers (>1≤3 years). Sixty-two percent were male and 37% were female. The mean age of the infant group was 9.6 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 7.92, 11.28 months), and the mean age of the toddler group was 2.3 years (95% CI: 2.06, 2.50 years). The mean total number of sites of obstruction was not significantly different between infants (N = 2.5) and toddlers (N = 3.2, P = .086). The most common subsite of significant obstruction in both infants and toddlers was the aryepiglottic folds (46.7% and 36.8%, respectively; P = .578). The sites of obstruction and frequency of their occurrence were not significantly different between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: Multisite airway obstruction is common among children with OSA, especially at the epiglottis, aryepiglottic folds, and tongue base. There is no difference in sites of obstruction and their frequency between toddlers and infants.

Comparison of Surgical Techniques for the Treatment of Congenital Nasal Pyriform Aperture Stenosis: A Systematic Review.

INTRODUCTION: Congenital nasal pyriform aperture stenosis (CNPAS) is a rare condition that results in neonatal respiratory difficulty. The purpose of this systematic review was to compare surgical outcomes of drilling versus dilation techniques in the treatment of CNPAS. METHODS: Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane Clinical Trials databases were searched for terms "congenital nasal pyriform aperture stenosis" or "pyriform aperture stenosis" from 2010 to 2021. Twenty-five studies were included that evaluated pediatric patients treated surgically for CNPAS with available outcomes data including complications, revisions, and length of stay. RESULTS: A total of 51 patients with CNPAS were pooled from included studies. The median age was 29 days, 56.9% were female, and 54.9% were born full-term. The median pyriform aperture width before surgery was 5.00 mm (IQR = 4.10, 6.45). Forty (78.4%) patients underwent sublabial drilling, while 6 had a dilation procedure performed with hegar cervical dilators, 2 had a balloon dilation, and 3 were dilated with either an acrylic device, endotracheal tube, or bougie. There were no post-operative complications for 76.5% of patients, while a second surgery was required in 9 (17.6%) patients. The median length of stay was 11 days (IQR = 4, 26). No statistically significant difference was observed between sublabial drilling and surgical dilation techniques with respect to complications, need for revision surgery, or length of stay. CONCLUSION: Current literature is insufficient to determine if drilling or dilation is more effective in the treatment of CNPAS.

Post-tonsillectomy bleeding rate decreases with limitation in maximum post-operative ibuprofen dosage: A quality improvement study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of a reduction in the prescribed post-operative ibuprofen dosage on frequency of post-tonsillectomy bleeding. METHODS: A quality improvement study was conducted at a single tertiary care pediatric hospital with patients weighing >40 kg undergoing tonsillectomy. The intervention was limiting the post-operative ibuprofen dosage to a maximum of 400 mg per dose. Data was collected on all patients returning to the hospital with bleeding after tonsillectomy. The primary outcome was the rate of post-tonsillectomy bleeding. Statistical analysis was conducted using nonparametric comparisons and a run chart. RESULTS: A total of 199 tonsillectomy patients >40 kg were included in the study. There were 119 (59.8 %) females and 80 (40.2 %) males total. The pre-intervention group had a total of 56 patients while the post-intervention group had a total of 143 patients. There was no statistical difference in age, weight, or sex between the pre- and post-intervention groups (p > .05). The post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage rate was 11/56 (19.6 %) before the intervention, and 11/143 (7.7 %) after the intervention (p = .016). Children who experienced a bleeding event were significantly older (mean 15.9 years, 95 % CI 14.5-17.3) than those who did not (13.5 years, 95 % CI 12.9-14.1; p = .011). The run chart revealed that the intervention resulted in a nonrandom decrease in rate of post-tonsillectomy bleeding. CONCLUSIONS: Post-tonsillectomy bleeding rate decreased with a ceiling post-operative ibuprofen dose of 400 mg/dose in this quality improvement study. Further research is warranted.

A Rare Case of Pediatric Oropharyngeal Schwannoma.

This is a case of a male child who presented with a progressively enlarging oropharyngeal mass, hyponasal voice, and symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea. Computed tomography imaging of the head and neck revealed a well-circumscribed low-density area of polypoid morphology arising from the left lateral pharyngeal wall, filling most of the posterior oropharynx and extending to a pedicle at the lateral nasopharynx. Histopathological evaluation following surgical excision revealed Antoni A tissue and S100 immunoreactivity. The presentation and diagnosis of benign schwannoma neoplasms are discussed.

Improvement in Nasal Symptoms of Chronic Rhinitis after Cryoablation of the Posterior Nasal Nerve.

Objective: To determine the efficacy of posterior nasal nerve (PNN) cryoablation for improving the symptoms of chronic rhinitis. Study Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: A private practice. Methods: This study evaluated medication usage and adverse effects of in-office PNN cryoablation with a handheld device in patients > 18 years with chronic (>6 months) allergic or nonallergic rhinitis for whom medical management failed. The total nasal symptom score (TNSS) and mini rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (mRQLQ) scores were compared before and after treatment. Results: This study included 127 patients with a mean age of 52.4 ± 16.9 years; 60.6% of patients were female and 49.6% had allergic rhinitis. Mean symptom scores decreased from 5.94 (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.51-6.43) to 3.44 (95% CI, 2.97-3.81, P < .001) after the procedure, with clinically important decreases in 75 (59.1%) patients. For patients with baseline TNSS values of ≥4, 63.5% (66/104) had a clinically important decrease, whereas only 39.1% (9/23) of those with the lower baseline did (P = .04). Mean mRQLQ scores also decreased from 2.51 (95% CI, 2.29-2.72) to 1.28 (95% CI, 1.20-1.47, P < .001) after the procedure. Seventy-eight of 273 (28.6%) medications were discontinued after the procedure. Adverse effects occurred in 18.1% (23/127) of patients with headache as the most common. Conclusion: PNN cryoablation improves nasal symptoms and quality of life in patients with chronic rhinitis. Patients with a higher baseline TNSS are more likely to experience significant symptomatic improvement.

Peritonsillar abscess on NSQIP: Safety of indicated quinsy tonsillectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To compare surgical outcomes for children with peritonsillar abscess (PTA) who are taken to the operating room (OR) for incision and drainage (I&D) or quinsy tonsillectomy. METHODS: This is a multicenter retrospective study of pediatric patients who underwent I&D of a PTA between 2012 and 2017 included in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and 30-day postoperative events (reoperation, readmission, and complications) were assessed. RESULTS: 777 patients were identified (mean age of 10.7 years, 54% female). 656 (84%) were admitted through the emergency department, and 395 (51%) met criteria for systemic inflammatory response syndrome or sepsis. Fifty-two (6.7%) had a quinsy tonsillectomy done at the time of incision and drainage. For quinsy tonsillectomy versus I&D alone, there was no statistically significant difference in length of stay (LOS) (1.9 v. 1.7 days, p = .523), readmission (17 v. 0, p = .265) or return to the OR (18 v. 1, p = .810). Patients younger than 5 years had a longer LOS (p < .001) while females (p = .003) and patients between 12 and 17 years of age (p = 0.021) were more likely to be readmitted. Of 725 patients treated with I&D alone, 10 (1.4%) patients required a repeat I&D and 6 (0.83%) went on to have an interval quinsy tonsillectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Outcomes of I&D and quinsy tonsillectomy for pediatric PTA in the operating room are the same. If tonsillectomy is indicated in the case of recurrent tonsillitis or PTA, a quinsy tonsillectomy is a good option.

Worldwide epidemiologic factors in pemphigus vulgaris and bullous pemphigoid.

Autoimmune blistering diseases such as bullous pemphigoid (BP) and pemphigus vulgaris (PV) are complex, multifactorial, and polygenic diseases, whose exact pathogenesis is difficult to pinpoint. Research aimed at elucidating the associated epidemiologic risk factors of these two diseases has been hampered by their rare disease status. Further, a lack of centralization and standardization of available data makes the practical application of this information challenging. In order to collate and clarify the available literature we comprehensively reviewed 61 PV articles from 37 different countries and 35 BP articles from 16 different countries addressing a range of disease relevant clinical parameters including age of onset, sex, incidence, prevalence, and HLA allele association. The reported incidence of PV ranged from 0.098 to 5 patients per 100,000 people, while BP ranged from 0.21 to 7.63 patients per 100,000. Prevalence of PV ranged from 0.38 to 30 per 100,000 people and BP ranged from 1.46 to 47.99 per 100,000. The mean age of onset in patients ranged from 36.5 to 71 years for PV and 64 to 82.6 years for BP. Female-to-male ratios ranged from 0.46 to 4.4 in PV and 1.01 to 5.1 in BP. Our analysis provides support for the reported linkage disequilibrium of HLA DRB1*0402 (an allele previously shown to be associated with PV) and DQB1*0302 alleles in Europe, North America, and South America. Our data also highlight that HLA DQB1*0503 (also known to be associated with PV) appears in linkage disequilibrium with DRB1*1404 and DRB1*1401, mainly in Europe, the Middle East, and Asian countries. The HLA DRB1*0804 allele was only associated with PV in patients of Brazilian and Egyptian descent. Only two HLA alleles were reported as associated with BP more than twice in our review, DQB1*0301 and DQA1*0505. Collectively, our findings provide detailed insights into the variation of disease parameters relevant to PV and BP that can be expected to inform future work aimed at unraveling the complex pathogenesis of these conditions across the globe.

Financial Toxicity for Caregivers of Pediatric Patients With Long-Term Tracheostomies.

OBJECTIVE: To assess financial toxicity experienced by caregivers of children with long-term tracheostomies. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey study with comparison group conducted at a tertiary pediatric hospital and outpatient clinic. Pediatric (<18 years) patients with tracheostomies for ≥12 months were recruited for the study. Patients who underwent tympanostomy tube placement or adenotonsillectomy were recruited as controls. Eligible patients' caregivers were contacted to fill out a questionnaire including the validated Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity survey. RESULTS: Surveys were completed for 72 patients, including 31 in the study group (mean age, 6.58 years, 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.85-8.30 years) and 41 controls (mean age, 6.42 years, 95% CI, 5.15-10.52 years) (P = .864). The mean duration of tracheostomy was 3.98 years (95% CI, 2.91-5.05 years). The mean household income and education level were lower in the study group than in the control group. Caregivers of the study group were more likely to have public health insurance or be uninsured. Caregivers of study patients reported greater financial toxicity, with a lower mean Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity (18.23 [95% CI, 15.20-21.25]) than caregivers of controls (34.27 [95% CI, 32.05-36.49]; P < .001). Linear regression analysis showed that survey scores were lower for caregivers who employed home nursing care (P < .001). CONCLUSION: Caregivers of pediatric patients requiring long-term tracheostomies experience greater financial toxicity than caregivers of pediatric patients who have typical otolaryngologic surgery.

Surgical Pearls: Combined Septal Extension-Columellar Strut Graft for Rhinoplasty.

Importance: The nasal tip projection, rotation, and support are essential components to address during rhinoplasty surgery. Objective: To describe a novel combined septal extension-columellar strut autologous cartilage graft for use in rhinoplasty to control tip projection, shape, and rotation while restoring strength to the nasal tip. Design: Surgical pearls-description of a novel surgical technique. Setting: An academic practice. Participants: Patients who underwent the operation.

Understanding Financial Toxicity in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer: A Systematic Review.

Background: Cancer treatment often results in financial burdens for patients including healthcare costs as well as treatment-induced disability leading to "financial toxicity" (FT) and decreased quality of life. The purpose of this review is to describe FT related to head and neck cancer (HNC) treatment, including quantifications of direct and indirect costs and descriptions of measurement tools. Methods: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases were searched to identify articles published before April 2022. Full-text published studies were included if they assessed direct or indirect costs of HNC treatment; studies were excluded if they did not focus on HNC or financial burden. The risk of bias was assessed, and the results of the studies were synthesized. Results: Database searches yielded 530 unique studies, and 33 studies met the criteria for inclusion. Medical expenses for patients with HNC were higher than for patients with other cancers or controls in several studies. Major surgical procedures, neck dissection, free-flap reconstruction, and intensive care unit admission increased hospital costs. Trimodal therapy with surgery plus chemoradiation represented the most expensive treatment, and chemoradiation increased complication-related health care costs. In several studies, >50% of patients treated for HNC were disabled and did not return to work. One of the greatest contributors to the indirect cost of HNC treatment is the loss of lifetime wages. Patients with HNC are at risk for depression, anxiety, and social isolation, which are linked to a decreased quality of life and treatment non-adherence. The only tools used to assess FT in patients with HNC are the Comprehensive Score for financial Toxicity (COST) and the Financial Index of Toxicity (FIT). Conclusion: Financial toxicity is highly prevalent among patients with HNC. Further research is needed to validate the assessment tools for quantifying FT in HNC patients.

An Analysis of Postoperative Complications in Medialization Thyroplasty: NSQIP Data.

INTRODUCTION: Medialization thyroplasty is a procedure indicated for treatment of impaired vocal fold movement. The purpose of this study was to identify variables associated with length of hospital stay (LOS), reoperation, and readmission in patients who underwent a medialization thyroplasty procedure for unilateral vocal cord paralysis. METHODS: Adults who underwent unilateral medialization thyroplasty were identified using the 2017 to 2019 NSQIP databases via Current Procedural Terminology code 31591. Data collected included patient demographics, comorbidities, preoperative labs, American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, inpatient status, operative length, and complications. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze effects on total LOS, reoperation, and readmission. RESULTS: 320 patients were identified, with a mean age of 61 years (95% Cl 59.4-62.7) and a female-to-male ratio of 1.1:1. Forty-two (13.1%) patients reported dyspnea as a preoperative symptom. Seven patients (2.2%) reported postoperative complications, 2 with multiple complications: 2 surgical site infections, 2 pneumonias, 2 unplanned intubations, 2 myocardial infarctions, 1 septic shock, 1 cardiac arrest, 1 ventilator use (>48 h), and 1 acute renal failure. Fifty-one (15.9%) were inpatient procedures, with a mean LOS of 1.43 days (95% CI 0.92-1.94). Preoperative functional status and bilirubin were significantly associated with longer LOS (p < 0.001). There were 6 (1.9%) readmissions and 2 (0.6%) reoperations. In univariate analysis, dyspnea varied with reoperation which is important to note in this patient population with glottic insufficiency. CONCLUSION: Medialization thyroplasty is a procedure with a low risk of mortality. However, preexisting patient comorbidities are associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications and an increased length of stay.

Characterization of litigation after tonsillectomy in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Tonsillectomy is a common procedure performed for both adults and children. When unfavorable outcomes occur during perioperative events, patients may seek compensation through medical malpractice or medical negligence litigation. An understanding of these cases can help physicians and involved health care providers avoid risk and improve patient satisfaction. The aims of this study were to identify reasons for litigation after tonsillectomy and to examine outcomes of tonsillectomy-related litigation in the United States. METHODS: All available court decisions associated with medical malpractice and negligence after tonsillectomy in the Westlaw Campus Research legal database were reviewed. The plaintiff' relationship to the patient, patient characteristics, state where the tonsillectomy took place, specialty of the defendant(s), allegations, and adjudicated case outcomes were obtained from case documents and analyzed. RESULTS: Forty-two relevant judicial opinions written between 1986 and 2020 in 24 states were included. Twenty-two (52.4 %) of the cases involved female patients, and 24 (57.1 %) involved pediatric patients. Otolaryngology, anesthesiology, primary care, emergency medicine, orthodontics, and pharmacy were the disciplines involved in the negligence claims. Claims involved postoperative management in 18 (42.9 %) of the cases and intraoperative misadventure in 17 (40.5 %) of the cases. Six (14.3 %) of the 42 patients experienced an anesthesia complication, and 11 (26.2 %) experienced a surgical complication. Eleven (26.2 %) patients experienced postoperative bleeding. All cases involved postoperative concerns, and death occurred in 14 (33.3 %) of the patients. Overall, 21 (45.7 %) of the rulings were for the defendant. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative management and intraoperative misadventure are commonly cited reasons for legal action after tonsillectomy procedures in the United States. All litigation surrounding tonsillectomy arose if concerns were present postoperatively. Thorough communication and attentive postoperative management are critical in order to avoid complications and patient injury, including death, associated with tonsillectomy.

Using the Lessons of Learning Science to Improve Medical Education in Otolaryngology.

OBJECTIVE: This review synthesizes information from original research in the field of learning theory and the psychology of learning in order to provide evidence-based study methods to adult learners in the field of medicine. METHODS: A literature review was conducted and results were synthesized in a narrative fashion. RESULTS: Deeper levels of analysis produce longer lasting memory; therefore, the concept of creating a "desirable level of difficulty" when it comes to study material and methods has been shown to promote learning. When the learner uses a higher subjective level of effort in processing information, they can maximize the efficacy of their studying efforts. This review describes how memory encoding can be enhanced by applying several theories of learning psychology including the generation effect and the interleaving effect. The use of mnemonics, the "memory palace," and hand-written notes have also proven useful to enhance information recall. Methods that promote long-term learning including the spacing effect and delayed repetition are reviewed. Learning theory shows that the most effective learners use self-testing and forced recall to retain more information with limited study time. CONCLUSIONS: The application of these learning methods may help to improve information retention and productiveness among adult learners.

Genioplasty and Mandibular Implants.

Genioplasty is a useful technique employed for both aesthetic and, in the case of obstructive sleep apnea, functional purposes. Mandibular implants similarly represent a powerful tool in the facial surgeons armamentarium. Herein, we review relevant anatomy, patient evaluation, and various techniques employing both alloplastic augmentation and osseous modification of the mandible.

Clinical manifestations of hereditary angioedema and a systematic review of treatment options.

OBJECTIVE: This study systematically reviews the existing literature on the management of hereditary angioedema (HAE) and provides an update on the clinical presentation and specific therapies. METHODS: A literature search of PubMed and Embase databases was conducted from start of the database to February 2021. Inclusion criteria included relevant systematic reviews, randomized control clinical trials, prospective and retrospective cohort studies, and outcomes research published in English and available in full-text. Out of 310 candidate articles, a total of 55 articles were included in our study. RESULTS: The most common genetic form of HAE in up to 85% of cases is caused by low levels of C1 esterase inhibitor (C1-INH) protein, leading to a bradykinin-mediated increase in vascular permeability. During an attack of HAE, abortive treatment with C1-INH replacement is most commonly described, however, icatibant, ecallantide, or fresh frozen plasma are also used. Long-term prophylaxis in the form of C1-INH replacement (subcutaneous or intravenous), monoclonal antibodies targeting plasma kallikrein, attenuated androgens, and transexemic acid should be considered for those who suffer from frequent, severe attacks. CONCLUSION: Progressively distal involvement of the upper airway, especially the larynx, has been shown to pose an increased risk of asphyxiation and death in the acute presentation of HAE. Evaluation by an otolaryngologist is often sought during the emergent clinical management of HAE; therefore, it is prudent that the consulting physician is well-versed in the prompt recognition, triage of patients, and appropriate treatment modalities. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 1A.

Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis of the Skull.

This is a case of a pediatric male who presented with a postauricular mass and pain. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging suggested a diagnosis of Langerhans cell histiocytosis. Characteristic imaging findings and initial workup for Langerhans cell histiocytosis are described.

Outpatient Sistrunk procedure: A retrospective analysis.

OBJECTIVE: The risk of expansile hematoma and airway compromise following neck surgery have been used to validate overnight observation. We investigated the outcomes of pediatric patients undergoing a Sistrunk procedure via either same day surgery or overnight observation. METHODS: A retrospective review of patients undergoing Sistrunk procedures between January 1, 2008 to January 1, 2019 was performed. 76 cases were identified for review. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were performed to determine predictive factors for overnight admission as well as associations between overnight observation and adverse outcomes (hematoma, seroma, airway compromise, infection). Factors evaluated for analysis included ASA class, surgeon type, history of pre-operative infection, recurrent case, operation >90 min, pharyngeal violation, intraoperative cyst rupture, cyst size, and drain placement. RESULTS: No patients had life-threatening adverse events. There was no difference in complication rates between same day discharge (17%) and overnight observation (23%, p = 0.47). Otolaryngologists were more likely to admit patients overnight (88% vs. 14%, p = 0.042) as well as place a drain (97% vs. 24%, p < 0.001) when compared to pediatric surgeons. Drain placement was associated with overnight observation (73% vs. 3%, p < 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression demonstrated drain placement (OR 21.9, 95%CI (2.5-189.7), p = 0.005) and otolaryngologist as operative surgeon (OR 11.7, 95%CI (2.8-48.2), p < 0.001) as strong predictive variables for overnight observation. There was no association between other investigated variables and adverse events or overnight stay. CONCLUSION: Same day Sistrunk operations are safe in select healthy patients. Overnight observation appears to be driven by drain placement and surgeon practice patterns.