Tympanic Perforations in Children: When to Propose Surgical Closure?

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to analyze the impact of age and other prognostic factors on the success of myringoplasty. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective case series. SETTINGS: Pediatric ENT department of a tertiary academic center. PATIENTS: Two hundred forty-one children (318 ears) aged 3 to 17 years with tympanic perforation. INTERVENTION: Myringoplasty performed between 2009 and 2019. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: The rate of tympanic closure, perforation recurrence, revision surgery, and audiometric gain were collected. The impact of age and anatomical and surgical factors was analyzed for each procedure. RESULTS: With a mean follow-up time of 1 year, the tympanic closure rate was 87.7%, the perforation recurrence rate was 18.6%, and 16.7% of ears required reoperation. The mean air-bone gap decreased from 21 dB preoperatively to 12 dB postoperatively ( p < 0.0001). We did not find different anatomical and audiometric results for our three groups of patients classified according to age. Audiometric results were associated with the location of the perforation, intraoperative inflammation of the middle ear mucosa, and the surgical technique performed. CONCLUSION: Myringoplasty in children is associated with excellent anatomical and functional results, even in the youngest patients. It can be proposed whatever the child's age if the patients are well selected before giving the indication.

Obstructive Sleep-Disordered Breathing in Infants with Normal Awake Clinical Examination: Contribution of Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the cause of obstructive sleep-disordered breathing using drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) in infants without co-morbidities and with normal clinical examination. METHODS: This prospective study was conducted between December 2019 and June 2022 (31 mo). All infants referred for obstructive sleep-disordered breathing with normal clinical examination and flexible laryngoscopy were included and underwent DISE. The location of the obstructive sites was scored similarly according to the NAVOTEL scoring system, previously established and validated by authors' team. RESULTS: Thirty-two infants were included. DISE identified an obstructive site in 94% of cases. The mean age was 16.4 mo, and the median was 16.7 mo. The obstructive sites found were isolated sleep laryngomalacia (37.4%), adenotonsillar hypertrophy (21.8%), isolated adenoidal hypertrophy (6.3%), adenotonsillar hypertrophy associated with sleep laryngomalacia (6.3%), circumferential upper airway narrowing (6.3%), glossoptosis (6.3%), isolated inferior turbinate hypertrophy (3.1%), adenoidal and tongue base hypertrophy (3.1%), and adenoidal hypertrophy with sleep laryngomalacia (3.1%). No obstructive causes could be found in 2 cases (6.3%). DISE identified an obstructive site in 30/32 patients (93.8%) and guided the surgical management in 26/32 cases (81.3%) during the same general anesthesia. The infants without surgical obstacles were referred for medical treatment. CONCLUSIONS: DISE is an excellent diagnostic and pre-therapeutic tool in infants with no apparent cause at the awake examination to identify the obstructive sites and guide the treatment.

Drug-Induced sleep endoscopy in children: NAVOTEL scoring system development.

OBJECTIVES: Pediatric drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) lacks a universal and easy-to-use scoring system. The velum, oropharynx, tongue, epiglottis (VOTE) scoring system is widely used but needs to be completed in pediatrics. The main objective of this study was to investigate the distribution of obstructive sites in DISE and to propose an appropriate pediatric scoring system. The secondary objective was to evaluate the changes in surgical management induced by the proposed scoring system. METHODS: A single-center prospective 5-year study was conducted from March 2016 to December 2021, including 99 children with a mean age of 7.2 years (±3.7), with pathological preoperative sleep recordings and undergoing DISE. The distribution of all upper airway obstructive sites was studied. RESULTS: Adenoids (A) were the most frequent obstructive site (63% of patients), and the nasal cavities (N) and the larynx (L) were other frequent obstructive sites. These sites are not explored by the VOTE scoring system, leading to the creation of the nose, adenoids, velum, oropharynx, tongue, epiglottis, larynx (NAVOTEL) scoring system. NAVOTEL was significantly correlated with the severity of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAS) (ρ = 0.2; p = 0.04) and highlighted obstructive sites in 6/9 patients with VOTE = 0. Of these patients, 4 had a complete obstructive site, and 3 had a multisite obstruction. VOTE indicated 8 additional surgical actions; NAVOTEL indicated 50 other actions compared to clinical examination. The NAVOTEL scoring system was exhaustive regarding surgical indications for OSAS. CONCLUSIONS: The NAVOTEL scoring system is exhaustive in pediatric DISE and correlated to OSAS severity. It should be preferred in pediatric DISE.

International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group (IPOG) consensus recommendations: Evaluation and management of congenital tracheal stenosis.

OBJECTIVES: To outline an expert-based consensus of recommendations for the diagnosis and management of pediatric patients with congenital tracheal stenosis. METHODS: Expert opinions were sought from members of the International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group (IPOG) via completion of an 18-item survey utilizing an iterative Delphi method and review of the literature. RESULTS: Forty-three members completed the survey providing recommendations regarding the initial history, clinical evaluation, diagnostic evaluation, temporizing measures, definitive repair, and post-repair care of children with congenital tracheal stenosis. CONCLUSION: These recommendations are intended to be used to support clinical decision-making regarding the evaluation and management of children with congenital tracheal stenosis. Responses highlight the diverse management strategies and the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to care of these patients.

Evaluation of preoperative cutaneous fistula as a risk factor for recurrence of thyroglossal duct cyst in children.

The aim of this study is to investigate the risk factors for recurrence after thyroglossal duct cyst (TGDC) surgery, differentiating between infections with and without a cutaneous fistula. This is a retrospective analysis of all paediatric TGDC in a tertiary care centre with at least 2 years of postoperative follow-up. One hundred and thirty-one patients met the inclusion criteria of the study. A multivariate analysis was performed to analyse the main risk factors for recurrence (presence of a fistula, infection, age). 116/131 patients were managed primarily in our institution; 15 patients had previously been operated on in another centre. The recurrence rate was 4.3% (5/116) when the patient was operated on in our institution at the first operation, and overall, recurrence of TGDC occurred in 20/131 (15.3%) patients. Age was not a risk factor for recurrence (p = 0.596). Two or more episodes of preoperative TGDC infection were a statistically significant risk factor in univariate analysis (p = 0.021) but not in multivariate analysis adjusted for age and the presence of a cutaneous fistula (p = 0.385). In multivariate analysis, cutaneous fistula formation was an independent risk factor for recurrence when adjusted for age and preoperative TGDC infection (Hazard ratio = 5.35; p = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS: A preoperative cutaneous fistula was a critical and independent risk factor for recurrence of operated TGDC, whereas age and TGDC infection were not identified as risk factors for recurrence after surgery. This information should be given to patients and parents before surgery. WHAT IS KNOWN: • The risk factors for recurrence after thyroglossal duct cyst surgery described in the literature are preoperative infection and young age, but this is not supported by strong evidence. • The role of cutaneous fistula formation is unclear. WHAT IS NEW: • The main risk factor for recurrence of TGDC is the presence of a preoperative cutaneous fistula, with an estimated hazard ratio of 4.95 (p = 0.016) in multivariate analysis. • The presence of two preoperative infections was also associated with a greater risk of recurrence in univariate analysis; age and gender were not associated with an increased risk of recurrence.

Submucosal thulium laser turbinoplasty in children: assessment of efficacy and comparison with partial inferior turbinectomy.

This study aimed to assess efficacy of submucosal thulium laser turbinoplasty in children and to compare thulium laser turbinoplasty with partial inferior turbinectomy. This is a retrospective study over 10 years from 1 January 2009, conducted in a Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology Department in a university tertiary care center, including all the children who underwent thulium laser inferior turbinoplasty and partial inferior turbinectomy. The main outcome measures were the improvement in airflow using rhinomanometric cumulative flow at 150 Pa and then functional improvement using "OPERAS" score (nasal Obstruction, facial Pain, Epistaxis, Rhinorrhea, Anosmia, Sneezing). Eighty-six children underwent 47 submucosal thulium laser turbinoplasties and 48 partial turbinectomies. After submucosal thulium laser turbinoplasty, the cumulative flow at 150 Pa improved from 308.2 to 454.4 cm3 s-1 (p < 0.01) and the OPERAS score decrease was 1.5 point (p < 0.01). Daily use of intra nasal corticosteroid and antihistamine both decreased significantly. No local complications of this technique have been reported. Partial turbinectomies show a higher reduction of the OPERAS score and a better improvement of rhinomanometric parameters, but also a significantly higher complication rate. Submucosal thulium laser turbinoplasty is a good compromise between safety and efficacy, with substantial functional and rhinomanometric postoperative improvement.

International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group (IPOG) consensus recommendations: Management of suprastomal collapse in the pediatric population.

INTRODUCTION: Suprastomal Collapse (SuStCo) is a common complication of prolonged tracheostomy in children. There is a paucity of literature on this subject, especially regarding how to manage significant suprastomal collapse that prevents safe decannulation. OBJECTIVE: Provide a definition, classification system, and recommend management options for significant suprastomal collapse in children with tracheostomy. METHODS: Members of the International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group (IPOG) who are experts in pediatric airway conditions were surveyed and results were refined using a modified Delphi method. RESULTS: Consensus was defined as > 70% agreement on a subject. The experts achieved consensus: CONCLUSION: This consensus statement provides recommendations for medical specialists who manage infants and children with tracheostomies with significant Suprastomal Collapse. It provides a classification system to facilitate diagnosis and treatment options for this condition.

Fourth branchial anomalies: Predictive factors of therapeutic success.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this work was to determine the epidemiology and the predictive factors of success of the surgical management of fourth branchial anomalies. METHODS: This is a multicentric retrospective review from 1998 to 2016 of patients who presented with an endoscopically-confirmed fourth branchial pouch anomaly. Data were analyzed according to sex, age, clinical features, number of recurrences, treatment modalities (endoscopic and/or cervicotomy), post-operative complications and follow-up. RESULTS: Fifty-two children have been included. The average age at diagnosis was 4.5 years. Among them, 73.1% were female, 11.4% were neonatal forms; 94.2% of lesions were left-sided; 75% of patients presented a cervical abscess as first symptom, and 7.7% of children presented with dyspnea. Average time between first symptoms and management was 9.5 months. Management was endoscopic in 73.1% of patients (laser in 84.2%, coagulation in 15.8%) with about a third of recurrence after one procedure. Overall success of endoscopic procedures reached 84.2%. A cervical open surgery was performed in 26.9% as first line treatment. Overall success of cervicotomy reached 85.7%. No complications of endoscopic surgery have been identified. There were 35.7% complications of cervicotomy (2 recurrent nerve palsy, 2 keloid scars, 1 pharyngostoma). An association was proved between recurrences and initial abscess (OR = 2.44), and with age between 3 and 5 (OR = 4). CONCLUSION: Endoscopic treatments appear to be effective in first line approach in the management of fourth branchial anomalies, offering an excellent efficiency with rare complications. We identified two risk factors of recurrence: age between 3 and 5 years old and history of cervical abscesses. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Prognostic Factors and Management of Patients with Choanal Atresia.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze prognostic factors in the management of patients with choanal atresia. STUDY DESIGN: This is a review of 114 patients operated on for choanal atresia in a tertiary care center between November 1986 and November 2016, including clinical characteristics, surgical management, and postoperative course with final nasal patency. The data were collected in a database that was updated over time. RESULTS: Among the 114 patients, 78 were female, 77 presented with unilateral choanal atresia, and 37 presented with bilateral unilateral choanal atresia, corresponding to 151 nasal fossae. Forty-seven patients had associated abnormalities (41.2%), including CHARGE, diagnosed in 20 children (17.5%). At the end of follow-up, 91 patients (79.8%) had normal choanal patency. The identified risk factors of surgical failure were age <6 months (P = .004), weight <5 kg (P = .007), and bilateral choanal atresia (P < .001). The type of atresia, presence of associated abnormalities, surgical approach, stenting, and use of mitomycin were not significantly linked with the surgical results. CONCLUSIONS: This series highlights the importance of the timing of surgery, which is guided by the clinical ability of the infant to tolerate the procedure. Endoscopic approaches are widely performed, but a transpalatal approach, necessary in some cases of bilateral choanal atresia, does not alter the results. Unilateral choanal atresia surgery should be delayed after age 6 months and/or weight >5 kg when possible.

Surgical management of children presenting with surgical-needed tracheal stenosis.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this work was to assess epidemiological aspects, surgical approach, morbidity and mortality rates of patients presenting with tracheal stenosis requiring surgery, and the evolution of surgical techniques over the last years. METHODS: We performed a retrospective observational study from 1990 to 2017 in a pediatric tertiary-care center with needing surgery for tracheal stenosis. We analyzed clinical patients' characteristics, type of stenosis, type of surgery and follow-up. RESULTS: Twenty-eight children presented with tracheal stenosis, half of them with congenital stenosis (complete tracheal rings) and the other half with acquired stenosis (neoplasic or post intubation injury). 39.3% of these stenoses were associated with a vascular ring (61.5% in case of congenital stenosis). Depending on the extent of the stenosis and its origin, the surgery could be performed endoscopically or by an external approach. Enlargement tracheoplasty with an autograft (14.3%) was replaced by slide tracheoplasty with Cardio Pulmonary By-Pass (CPBP, 28.6%) with improved results for the treatment of long segment tracheal stenosis, involving more than 30% of the tracheal length (all were congenital in our study). Slide tracheoplasty has been performed since the late 90's in our institution. 25% of children have had a resection and anastomosis of the trachea because they had a stenosis involving less than 30% of tracheal length. Endoscopic surgery was performed for membranous stenoses, which were often seen after intubation or tracheotomy (32.1% of patients). CONCLUSION: Effective treatment of surgical tracheal stenosis was performed in 28 children between 1990 and 2015. Surgical techniques have evolved over time, leading to a better management of this rare and serious disease.