Telemedicine in Otolaryngology in the Context of the End of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency.

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the US Department of Health and Human Services implemented a range of flexibilities to expedite the adoption of telehealth. As our specialty moved past the height of the pandemic and the use of telehealth transitioned from a necessity to a convenience, numerous health care providers (physicians, advanced practice providers, speech-language pathologists, and audiologists) recognized its benefits and continued to offer these services. In May 2023, the current administration terminated the COVID-19 public health emergency declaration, with some telehealth guidelines in effect until December 31, 2023, and others extended through December 31, 2024. Amidst the changing telehealth landscape, the objective of this commentary is to explain policy implications on Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and provide insight into how to best implement telehealth under these new guidelines.

Comparison of Voice Therapy Outcomes: Clinic vs Telehealth.

BACKGROUND: Voice therapy provides patients with valuable exercises and techniques to optimize vocal behaviors and improve their ability to communicate effectively and efficiently. These sessions were typically held by speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in clinic. During the COVID-19 pandemic, SLPs were provisionally able to provide billable voice therapy services in telehealth format. There is a lack of existing research studies comparing outcomes based on the format of voice therapy. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on 101 patients who underwent voice therapy at a large academic institution in order to compare outcomes between clinic, telehealth, and mixed voice therapy formats. Demographics, dysphonia etiology, duration of symptoms, number of therapy sessions, and pre- and postvoice therapy scores using reflux symptom index (RSI), voice handicap index (VHI-10), consensus auditory-perceptual evaluation of voice (CAPE-V), and Grade, Roughness, Breathiness, Asthenia, Strain (GRBAS) scoring were collected. Statistical comparisons were performed using Fisher's exact test and analysis of covariance. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in pre- to postvoice therapy RSI, VHI-10, CAPE-V, or GRBAS scores based on format of voice therapy, after adjustment for number of therapy sessions received. There were no differences in these outcomes when comparing voice therapy by etiology of dysphonia. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, these data support the effectiveness of the telehealth voice therapy format. It is a promising platform for greater patient access to therapy. All formats of voice therapy were effective in improving key measures of voice perception.

Systematic Review of Laryngeal Fractures and Trends in Operative Management.

Study Design: Systematic review of the literature. Objective: The goal of this study is to review the current literature on the trends in management of laryngeal fractures following trauma. Methods: Independent searches of the PubMed and MEDLINE databases were performed. Articles from the period of 1963 to 2020 were collected. All studies which described laryngeal fractures using the Boolean method and relevant search term combinations, including "Laryngeal", "Fracture", "Operative", and "Management" were collected. Results: A total of 588 relevant unique articles were identified for analysis. Of these, 24 articles were deemed appropriate for inclusion in the literature review. Due to variability in study design and outcome measures, formal synthesis of data in the form of a meta-analysis was not possible. Conclusions: Laryngeal fractures are rare traumatic injuries that require early identification and evaluation with complex management options. This comprehensive review aims to highlight the breadth of the topic with regard to presentation and clinical management. Though there remains no clear best practice for laryngeal fracture management, we review trends in clinical practice throughout the literature.

Quality tracheotomy care can be maintained for non-COVID patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objectives: To analyze changes in tracheotomy practices at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and determine if quality patient care was maintained. Methods: This was a single institution retrospective study that included patients undergoing tracheotomy from May 2019 to January 2021. Patients were divided into two groups, pre-COVID and post-COVID. Only three patients tested positive for COVID-19, and they were excluded from the study. Data were collected from the electronic medical record. Statistical analyses were performed using 2-tailed independent t tests, Wilcoxon Rank Sum tests, Chi-Square tests, and Kaplan-Meier curves. Results: There were 118 patients in the pre-COVID group and 91 patients in the post-COVID group. The main indication for tracheotomy in both groups was prolonged intubation. There were no significant differences in overall length of stay, time to tracheotomy, duration of tracheotomy procedure, or time to initial tracheotomy change between the two groups. Due to protocols implemented at our institution to limit viral transmission, there were significant increases in the percent of tracheotomies performed in the OR (p = .02), and those performed via open technique (p = .04). Additionally, the median time to decannulation significantly decreased in the post-COVID group (p = .02). Conclusion: Several variables regarding the timing of patient care showed no significant differences between groups which demonstrates that quality patient care was maintained. It is important to note that this data was collected early in the Pandemic, and additional trends may become apparent over time. Level of evidence: 4.

30-Day Postoperative Outcomes Following Transcervical Zenker's Diverticulectomy in the Elderly: Analysis of the NSQIP Database.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of patient factors, including age, on 30-day postoperative outcomes and complications for patients undergoing transcervical Zenker's diverticulectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cross-sectional analysis. SETTING: American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) Database. METHODS: Patients who underwent open Zenker's diverticulectomy (Current Procedural Terminology code 43130) were queried via the NSQIP (2006-2018). Outcomes analyzed include patient demographics, medical comorbidities, admission type, operative characteristics, length of admission, postoperative complication, readmission, and reoperation. RESULTS: A total of 614 patients were identified. Mean age at time of surgery was 71.1 years, with 13.4% older than 85 years. Outpatient procedures were performed in 29.8%. Postoperative complications occurred in 6.7%, with reoperation and readmission rates of 6.4% and 7.2%, respectively. A mortality rate of 0.3% was observed. Only smoking status (odds ratio, 2.94; P = .008) and history of congestive heart failure (odds ratio, 10.00; P = .014) were shown to have a significant effect on postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: Smoking status confers a high risk for postoperative complication. Age was not an independent risk factor associated with adverse outcomes following open diverticulectomy, suggesting this procedure can be safely performed in patients with advanced age.

Best Practice Recommendations for Pediatric Otolaryngology during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: To review the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on pediatric otolaryngology and provide recommendations for the management of children during the COVID-19 pandemic. DATA SOURCES: Clinical data were derived from peer-reviewed primary literature and published guidelines from national or international medical organizations. Preprint manuscripts and popular media articles provided background information and illustrative examples. METHODS: Included manuscripts were identified via searches using PubMed, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar, while organizational guidelines and popular media articles were identified using Google search queries. Practice guidelines were developed via consensus among all authors based on peer-reviewed manuscripts and national or international health care association guidelines. Strict objective criteria for inclusion were not used due to the rapidly changing environment surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and a paucity of rigorous empirical evidence. CONCLUSIONS: In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, medical care must be judiciously allocated to treat the most severe conditions while minimizing the risk of long-term sequelae and ensuring patient, physician, and health care worker safety. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The COVID-19 pandemic will have a profound short- and long-term impact on health care worldwide. Although the full repercussions of this disease have yet to be realized, the outlined recommendations will guide otolaryngologists in the treatment of pediatric patients in the face of an unprecedented global health crisis.

Impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) on otolaryngologic surgery: Brief commentary.

BACKGROUND: The Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a global health crisis and otolaryngologists are at increased occupational risk of contracting COVID-19. There are currently no uniform best-practice recommendations for otolaryngologic surgery in the setting of COVID-19. METHODS: We reviewed relevant publications and position statements regarding the management of otolaryngology patients in the setting of COVID-19. Recommendations regarding clinical practice during the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) outbreaks were also reviewed. RESULTS: Enhanced personal protective equipment (N95 respirator and face shield or powered air-purifying respirator, disposable cap and gown, gloves) is required for any otolaryngology patient with unknown, suspected, or positive COVID-19 status. Elective procedures should be postponed indefinitely, and clinical practice should be limited to patients with urgent or emergent needs. CONCLUSION: We summarize current best-practice recommendations for otolaryngologists to ensure safety for themselves, their clinical staff, and their patients.

Bedside Injection Medialization Laryngoplasty in Immediate Postoperative Patients.

OBJECTIVES: The morbidity of glottic insufficiency resulting from unilateral vocal fold immobility may significantly compromise postoperative recovery in patients with decreased pulmonary reserve or inability to protect their airway. Injection medialization laryngoplasty is an effective means of treating glottic insufficiency due to unilateral vocal fold immobility. The purpose of this study is to present our experience with bedside transoral injection medialization laryngoplasty in the immediate postoperative period. STUDY DESIGN: Case series with chart review. SETTING: Academic tertiary care hospital. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Patient demographics, clinical characteristics, procedural details, and short-term outcome measures of oral intake were recorded in a cohort of 68 patients over 5 years with unilateral vocal cord paralysis who underwent injection medialization as a bedside procedure in the immediate postoperative period. RESULTS: Mean time to injection was 8.2 days postoperatively. At the time of injection, 40 of 68 patients were nil per os. Seventy percent (28 of 40) had their diet advanced to adequate oral intake within 5 days of injection. Greater than half of the injections (36 of 68) were performed in the intensive care unit. No complications were noted, and all patients in this cohort were able to tolerate the bedside injection. CONCLUSION: Bedside injection medialization laryngoplasty in the immediate postoperative period via the transoral approach can be performed in patients, even in the intensive care unit, while on anticoagulation, and may be of benefit for hospitalized patients with unilateral vocal fold immobility. Further studies quantifying improvement in voice and swallowing data are merited.

"Mosaic trachea" in a child with trisomy 9 mosaicism.

Humans with mosaic karyotypes may present with milder forms of birth defects than one would see in non-mosaic individuals. Mosaicism may also affect tissues, resulting in different parts of an organ manifesting varied phenotypes. We present the case of a child born with mosaic trisomy 9 and multiple congenital anomalies. Her trachea displays segmental abnormalities that suggest tissue mosaicism. We describe the endoscopic and cytogenetic findings in this child and propose a possible genetic mechanism to account for the unusual malformations.