A Cross-Sectional Evaluation of Outcomes of Pediatric Thyroglossal Duct Cyst Excision.

INTRODUCTION: Thyroglossal duct cysts (TGDCs) are the most common form of congenital neck cysts. They may become infected causing dysphagia or respiratory distress. Accordingly, the treatment is always surgical removal. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this article were to examine complications following TGDC excision by surgical specialty, demographics, and comorbid conditions. METHODS: A retrospective review of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was performed. Pediatric cases from January 1, 2014 to November 1, 2015 with a current procedure terminology code of 60,280 (excision of TGDC or sinus) were included. Statistical analysis was performed to assess associations between complications and surgical specialty, demographics, and comorbidities. RESULTS: Of the 867 cases that met inclusion criteria, the median age was 4 years. There were 448 males (52.3%) and 408 females (47.7%). Thirty-six patients (4.2%) experienced at least one 30-day complication. The most predominant complications were reoperation (19 patients, 2.2%), readmission (18 patients, 2.1%), and surgical site infection (16 patients, 1.9%). There was no statistically significant difference between complications and surgical specialty. In those experiencing a complication, there was a statistically significant difference between males (86.1%) and females (13.9%). Of patients with at least one comorbidity, 36.67% had a complication, while 17.22% did not have a complication. There was also a statistically significant difference in the percentage of patients with a past medical history of asthma between those with at least one complication (16.67%) compared to those without any complications (4.76%). CONCLUSIONS: excision is a generally safe procedure across surgical specialties. There is a higher complication rate in males compared to females as well as those with a history of at least one medical comorbidity and those with asthma. The most common 30-day complications are reoperation, readmission, and surgical site infection.

Leech Therapy for Complex Facial Lacerations.

ABSTRACT: Facial trauma can pose challenging reconstructive obstacles in both maintaining tissue viability and restoring aesthetic appearance. Medicinal leech therapy can help to promote vascular decompression in the setting of venous congestion. A retrospective chart review was conducted to identify patients who underwent medicinal leech therapy following venous stasis secondary to repair of a complex facial laceration. Three patients were identified; 2 suffered auricular avulsion, while 1 suffered a lip avulsion. All patients suffered from venous congestion and underwent medicinal leech therapy for 48 to 72 hours with reduction of edema and stasis. Decompression was successfully achieved with no further sequelae on last follow-up. Medicinal leech therapy is an adequate treatment for venous congestion following traumatic soft-tissue repair of the face. The authors advocate for the utilization of medicinal leeches to combat venous congestion after repair, particularly when arterial inflow remains intact.

Outcomes of pediatric thyroidectomy: a cross-sectional evaluation.

Introduction: Pediatric thyroidectomy is performed by a variety of surgical specialties. Thyroidectomy can result in a number of complications. Previous studies cite that the most common complications in children are pain and transient hypocalcemia. The purposes of this report are to assess the adverse events of thyroidectomies performed in the pediatric population and to assess the relationship between surgical specialties and postoperative thyroidectomy complications. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of cases from January 1, 2014 through November 1, 2015 using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database for patients undergoing excision of cyst or adenoma of the thyroid, unilateral thyroid lobectomy, or total thyroidectomy. Results: Of the 344 patients who underwent thyroidectomy, 10 (2.9%) experienced at least one complication. The most common complications were readmission, surgical site infections, and wound disruption. There was a statistically significant association between complication incidence and surgical specialty (p=0.006). Pediatric otolaryngology had a statistically significantly higher number of complications than pediatric surgery (p<0.008). Conclusion: Overall, the incidence of adverse events following pediatric thyroidectomy was low.

A cross-sectional evaluation of outcomes of pediatric branchial cleft cyst excision.

OBJECTIVE: To examine complications following pediatric branchial cleft cyst excision by surgical specialty, demographics, and comorbid conditions. METHODS: A retrospective review of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was performed. Pediatric cases from January 1, 2015 through May 1, 2017 with a current procedural terminology code of 42810 (excision branchial cleft cyst or vestige, confined to skin and subcutaneous tissues) or 42815 (excision branchial cleft cyst, vestige, or fistula, extending beneath subcutaneous tissues and/or into the pharynx) were included. Statistical analysis was performed to assess associations between complications and surgical specialty, demographics, and comorbidities. RESULTS: Of the 895 cases that met inclusion criteria, the median age was two years and there was an approximately equal number of males (46.8%) and females (53.2%). Forty-five patients (5.0%) experienced at least one 30-day complication, the most predominant of which was superficial surgical site infection. There was no statistically significant difference between complications and surgical specialty, complications and patient demographics, or complications and depth of excision. There was a statistically significant difference (p = 0.05) in the percentage of patients with a past medical history of developmental delay between those with at least one complication (11.1%) compared to those without any complications (4.2%). CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: Branchial cleft excision is a generally safe procedure across surgical specialties and patient demographics. There is an association between a history of developmental delay and 30-day postoperative complications.

Hemilaryngeal Microsomia: An Anatomic Variant.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to describe a congenital laryngeal structural variant, hemilaryngeal microsomia (HLM), and to correlate identification on physical examination with computerized tomography scan (CT) and laryngoscopy findings. METHODS: The study was conducted at a tertiary care center. Six patients presenting with hoarseness were admitted to a tertiary care otolaryngology office. These patients had asymmetrical thyroid cartilage prominence on palpation during physical examination. A diagnosis of HLM was made. All patients underwent laryngostroboscopy and CT scan. Four control patients with normal thyroid cartilage anatomy on physical examination, CT, and stroboscopy results were included for comparison. RESULTS: Disparities in thyroid cartilage angles correlated with documented physical examination findings for six out of six HLM patients. On CT scan, the average difference in left and right thyroid laminar angles was 30.2° ± 18.3° in HLM patients vs 4.00° ± 1.63° in control patients (P = 0.023). Strobosocopic findings also correlated with HLM. The arytenoid cartilage was anteriorly or medially displaced on the microsomic side in all six HLM patients. Three patients had anterior placement of the vocal process resulting in shortening of the vocal fold on the microsomic side of the larynx. CONCLUSIONS: HLM is a congenital structural anomaly of the larynx that may be palpated on physical examination. HLM found on physical examination can be correlated with asymmetries found on CT scan and endoscopy. There is no evidence that the structural features of HLM were causally related to voice symptoms, but the findings on HLM may lead to misdiagnosis. A larger study is indicated to confirm laryngeal structural differences between patients with HLM on physical examination and the general population. Whether or not HLM affects clinical or surgical outcomes remains to be studied.

Laryngotracheal mucormycosis: Report of a case.

Airway mucormycosis is a deadly opportunistic infection that affects immunocompromised persons, particularly diabetics and those undergoing chemotherapy. Although it is typically a pulmonary or sinonasal infection, mucormycosis can affect the larynx and trachea, with devastating results. We report the case of a 46-year-old man with human immunodeficiency virus infection, hepatitis C infection, neurosyphilis, and recently diagnosed Burkitt lymphoma who presented with dysphonia and stridor after receiving one dose of intrathecal chemotherapy. Flexible laryngoscopy detected the presence of fibrinous material that was obstructing nearly the entire glottis. Surgical debridement revealed a firm mucosal attachment; there was little bleeding when it was removed. After debridement, the patient's dyspnea improved only to recur 2 days later. After an awake tracheotomy, laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy identified necrosis extending from the supraglottic area to the carina tracheae. Biopsies demonstrated hyphal architecture consistent with mucormycosis. Despite continued debridements, the fibrinous material reaccumulated. The patient was placed in hospice care; his airway remained patent, but he died from other causes several weeks after presentation. The management of airway mucormycosis is challenging and complex. Fungal airway infections should be considered in the differential diagnosis of an immunosuppressed patient who presents with dyspnea, dysphonia, and vocal fold immobility. Timely diagnosis and management are critical for a successful outcome, although the prognosis is poor if the infection is widespread, even with the best of efforts.