More Than 1 Way to Put in A T-Tube: A Review of Different Techniques Used in Insertion of Montgomery T-Tubes.

OBJECTIVE: The Montgomery T-tube is a commonly used device initially designed as a temporary airway stent, but also used as a long-term airway solution for stenosis. For patients undergoing either endoscopic or open airway procedures, proper techniques for inserting these tubes are well documented. This review compiles the techniques used for insertion of the Montgomery T-tube stent. METHODS: The NCBI Pubmed database was queried using the keywords: "stent," "Montgomery," "T-tube," "stenosis," "technique." A total of 33 papers were reviewed with 12 papers selected for the study. Papers were selected based on inclusion criteria of English language and whether the paper described a technique for insertion of a Montgomery T-tube into the airway. Papers were excluded if they did not describe the technique of insertion of Montgomery T-tubes or dealt with another aspect of T-tube management. RESULTS: The 12 selected papers each described a different technique for insertion of a Montgomery T-tube stent. Though nearly all the selected studies described using a modified Seldinger technique for insertion of the T-tube, there were discrepancies and a wide array of different instruments used. The instrument and/or technique that was selected was often determined by the individual need of the patient. Several studies addressed the challenge of interrupting ventilation while inserting or exchanging a T-tube in the operating room. These studies described attaching the T-tube to the endotracheal tube to pass the T-tube into the airway while allowing for continuous ventilation. Yet other studies used optical forceps or rigid bronchoscopes to allow placement of the T-tube with direct visualization. CONCLUSION: There are many techniques used for the insertion of a Montgomery T-tube. Nearly all studies described using a modified Seldinger technique and all the studies agreed on the necessity of a team approach for placement of the Montgomery T-tube.

Recent Laryngology Fellowship Graduates: Where Are They Now?

OBJECTIVES: Over the past 30 years laryngology fellowships have grown in number and diversity. This study investigated the career trajectories of recent laryngology fellowship graduates with the purpose of informing residents considering fellowship. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Academic medical center. METHODS: The directors of all 27 US laryngology fellowships that graduated/recruited fellows from 2010 to 2019 were contacted, and a list of former fellows was compiled. A short survey was administered in person or via email or phone. Additional data was gathered through internet searches. RESULTS: One hundred eighty-three fellows were identified having completed American laryngology fellowships between 2010 and 2019 (100M:83F). Fifteen percent now practice internationally and 68% are in academic practice. A higher proportion of women than men enter laryngology fellowship after otolaryngology residency. One hundred twenty-nine fellows responded to our survey. Two-thirds of former fellows report current participation in laryngology research. Seventy-two percent of former fellows are still in their first job after fellowship and 53% believe they have their ideal practice. Women were more likely to enter academics than men after laryngology fellowship. Responders were overwhelmingly satisfied with their fellowship experience, with 95% saying they would choose to pursue fellowship training again. CONCLUSIONS: Most former laryngology fellows enter academia, contribute to laryngology research, practice away from their training institution, and believe they have found their ideal practice. The results of this study may be useful to residents considering fellowship training, centers considering establishing laryngology fellowships, and practices recruiting fellowship graduates.