Presentation and Outcomes of Elderly Patients Undergoing Head and Neck Surgeries: A National Perspective

2020 ◽  
Vol 163 (2) ◽  
pp. 335-343 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zaid Al-Qurayshi ◽  
Christopher Blake Sullivan ◽  
Adam Schwalje ◽  
Jarrett Walsh ◽  
Rodrigo Bayon ◽  
...  

Objectives To examine clinical profile and outcomes of elderly patients (65-90 years) undergoing head and neck surgeries in the United States. Study Design A retrospective cross-sectional analysis. Setting The Nationwide Readmissions Database, 2010 to 2015. Subjects and Methods Adult (≥18 years) patients who underwent head and neck surgeries. Analysis included χ2 test and logistic analysis. Results A total of 113,602 and 32,580 patients <65 and ≥65 years old, respectively, were included. Patients ≥65 years old were more likely to have multiple comorbidities (62.8% vs 32.6%, P < .001) and to present with head and neck cancer (19.8% vs 11.4%, P < .001). The most common comorbidity was diabetes (21.0%). The most common cancer types by site were mouth (29.12%), thyroid (28.08%), and nonmelanoma skin cancer (13.22%). The percentage of geriatric patients who underwent head and neck surgeries increased from 21.8% in 2010 to 25.0% in 2015 ( P < .001). A total of 5450 (16.85%) patients developed postoperative complications, and the most common complications were pulmonary related (10.55%), bleeding (6.96%), acute renal failure (6.01%), and infection (3.97%). Blood transfusion was required in 3.53% of the patients. Readmission prevalence was 0.32%, and mortality risk was twice as likely (odds ratio, 2.05; 95% confidence interval, 1.77-2.38; P < .001). Independent risk factors of mortality were older age, multiple comorbidities, type of surgery, blood transfusion, and tracheostomy ( P < .05, each). Conclusion Elderly patients currently represent 25% of patients admitted for head and neck surgery. This population should be provided with a different level of care due to a higher risk of complications and mortality.

Author(s):  
Magis Mandapathil ◽  
Jens E. Meyer

Abstract Purpose Since its introduction over a decade ago, the use of robotic surgery (RS) in head and neck surgery has widely spread around the globe, with very differential adoption of this novel surgical technique in different parts of the world. In this study, we analyze the acceptance and adoption of robotic surgery in the head and neck in Germany. Materials and methods A cross-sectional analysis using a questionnaire evaluating the acceptance and adoption of RS was performed. Questionnaires were distributed to all chairmen /-women of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery Departments in Germany. Results A total of 107 respondents completed the questionnaire (65.2%). At university hospitals, 71.4% of the respondents indicated that a robotic system was available, and 21.4% responded that robotic surgery was performed at their institution; 22.7% and 0.04%, respectively, at non-university hospitals. The overall adoption rate was 0.8%. The most common cases performed were TORS resection in the oropharynx. Main reasons for not adopting this technique were costs, lack of interest and available co-operations. Conclusion This study provides evidence of the extent of adoption of TORS in Germany; main perceived barriers to adoption are costs with lack of cost-covering reimbursement and insufficient co-operations with other disciplines as well as hospital administration resulting in a very low adoption rate of this technique over the past decade. Results from this study may assist in decision-making processes on adopting this technique in the future.


2021 ◽  
pp. 002242782098684
Author(s):  
Richard Rosenfeld ◽  
Joel Wallman ◽  
Randolph Roth

Objectives: Evaluate the relationship between the opioid epidemic and homicide rates in the United States. Methods: A county-level cross-sectional analysis covering the period 1999 to 2015. The race-specific homicide rate and the race-specific opioid-related overdose death rate are regressed on demographic, social, and economic covariates. Results: The race-specific opioid-related overdose death rate is positively associated with race-specific homicide rates, net of controls. The results are generally robust across alternative samples and model specifications. Conclusions: We interpret the results as reflecting the violent dynamics of street drug markets, although more research is needed to draw definitive conclusions about the mechanisms linking opioid demand and homicide.


2021 ◽  
pp. 000348942199696
Author(s):  
Hilary C. McCrary ◽  
Sierra R. McLean ◽  
Abigail Luman ◽  
Patricia O’Sullivan ◽  
Brigitte Smith ◽  
...  

Objective: The aim of this study is to describe the current state of robotic surgery training among Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery (OHNS) residency programs in the United States. Methods: This is a national survey study among OHNS residents. All OHNS residency programs were identified via the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education website. A total of 64/127 (50.3%) of OHNS programs were selected based on a random number generator. The main outcome measure was the number of OHNS residents with access to robotic surgery training and assessment of operative experience in robotic surgery among those residents. Results: A total of 140 OHNS residents participated in the survey, of which 59.3% (n = 83) were male. Response rate was 40.2%. Respondents came from middle 50.0% (n = 70), southern 17.8% (n = 25), western 17.8% (n = 25), and eastern sections 14.3% (n = 20). Most respondents (94.3%, n = 132) reported that their institution utilized a robot for head and neck surgery. Resident experience at the bedside increased in the junior years of training and console experience increased across the years particularly for more senior residents. However, 63.4% of residents reported no operative experience at the console. Only 11.4% of programs have a structured robotics training program. Conclusion: This survey indicated that nearly all OHNS residencies utilize robotic surgery in their clinical practice with residents receiving little formal education in robotics or experience at the console. OHNS residencies should aim to increase access to training opportunities in order to increase resident competency. Level of Evidence: IV


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Camille Burruss ◽  
Marina Girgis ◽  
Karen Elizabeth Green ◽  
Lingyi Lu ◽  
Deepak Palakshappa

Abstract Background To determine if individuals with food insecurity (FI) were less likely to have seen a mental health professional (MHP) within the past year than individuals without FI. Methods This is a cross-sectional analysis of data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted in the United States between 2007 and 2014. All participants 20 years of age or older were eligible for this study. We excluded participants who were pregnant, missing FI data, or missing data from the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). The primary outcome was self-reported contact with a MHP in the past 12 months. We used multivariable logistic regression models to test the association between FI and contact with a MHP, controlling for all demographic and clinical covariates. Results Of the 19,789 participants, 13.9% were food insecure and 8.1% had major depressive disorder (MDD). In bivariate analysis, participants with FI were significantly more likely to have MDD (5.3% vs 2.8%, p < 0.0001) and to have been seen by a MHP in the preceding 12 months (14.0% vs 6.9%, p < 0.0001). In multivariable models, adults with FI had higher odds of having seen a MHP (OR = 1.32, CI: 1.07, 1.64). Conclusions This study demonstrates that individuals with FI were significantly more likely to have seen a MHP in the preceding 12 months compared to individuals without FI. Given the growing interest in addressing unmet social needs in healthcare settings, this data suggests that visits with MHPs may be a valuable opportunity to screen for and intervene on FI.


2021 ◽  
pp. 000348942110081
Author(s):  
Alexander J. Straughan ◽  
Luke J. Pasick ◽  
Vrinda Gupta ◽  
Daniel A. Benito ◽  
Joseph F. Goodman ◽  
...  

Objectives: Fireworks are used commonly for celebrations in the United States, but can lead to severe injury to the head and neck. We aim to assess the incidence, types, and mechanisms of head and neck injuries associated with fireworks use from 2010 to 2019. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study, using data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, of individuals presenting to United States Emergency Departments with head and neck injuries caused by fireworks and flares from 2010 to 2019. Incidence, types, and mechanisms of injury related to fireworks use in the US population were assessed. Results: A total of 541 patients (349 [64.5%] male, and 294 [54%] under 18 years of age) presented to emergency departments with fireworks-related head and neck injuries; the estimated national total was 20 584 patients (13 279 male, 9170 white, and 11 186 under 18 years of age). The most common injury diagnoses were burns (44.7% of injuries), laceration/avulsion/penetrating trauma (21.1%), and otologic injury (15.2%), which included hearing loss, otalgia, tinnitus, unspecified acoustic trauma, and tympanic membrane perforation. The remaining 19% of injuries were a mix, including contusion, abrasion, hematoma, fracture, and closed head injury. Associations between fireworks type and injury diagnosis (chi-square P < .001), as well as fireworks type by age group (chi-square P < .001) were found. Similarly, associations were found between age groups and injury diagnoses (chi-square P < .001); these included children 5 years and younger and adults older than 30 years. Conclusions: Fireworks-related head and neck injuries are more likely to occur in young, white, and male individuals. Burns are the most common injury, while otologic injury is a significant contributor. Annual rates of fireworks-related head and neck injuries have not changed or improved significantly in the United States in the past decade, suggesting efforts to identify and prevent these injuries are insufficient.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christiana Maria Ribeiro Salles Vanni ◽  
Leandro Luongo de Matos ◽  
Mário Paulo Faro Junior ◽  
Jossi Ledo Kanda ◽  
Cláudio Roberto Cernea ◽  
...  

Introduction. The reconstruction of complex cervicofacial defects arising from surgical treatment for cancer is a real challenge for head and neck surgeons, especially in salvage reconstruction surgery and/or failed previous reconstruction. The pectoralis major myocutaneous flap (PMMF) has been widely used in these specific situations due to its reliability and low rate of failure or complications.Objectives. Identify factors that determine complications and influence the final outcome of the reconstructions with PMMF in salvage cancer surgery or in salvage reconstruction.Methods. A cross-sectional study design was used to evaluate a sample including 17 surgical patients treated over a period of ten years that met the inclusion criteria.Results. Reconstruction was successful in 13 cases (76.5%), with two cases of partial flap loss and no case of total loss. Complications occurred in 13 cases (76.5%) and were specifically related to the flap in nine instances (52.9%). An association was identified between the development of major complications and reconstruction of the hypopharynx () as well as in patients submitted to surgery in association with radiation therapy as a previous cancer treatment (). The former condition is also associated with major reconstruction failure (). An even lower incidence of major complications was noted in patients under the age of 53 ().Conclusion. Older patients, with hypopharyngeal defects and submitted to previous surgery plus radiation therapy, presented a higher risk of complications and reconstruction failure with PMMF.


2005 ◽  
Vol 132 (6) ◽  
pp. 819-822 ◽  
Author(s):  
Todd A. Kupferman ◽  
Tim S. Lian

OBJECTIVE: To determine what impact, if any, of the recently implemented duty hour standards have had on otolaryngology-head and neck surgery residency programs from the perspective of program directors. We hypothesized that the implementation of resident duty hour limitations have caused changes in otolaryngology training programs in the United States. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Information was collected via survey in a prospective, blinded fashion from program directors of otolaryngology-head and neck residency training programs in the United States. RESULTS: Overall, limitation of resident duty hours is not an improvement in otolaryngology-head and neck residency training according to 77% of the respondents. The limitations on duty hours have caused changes in the resident work schedules in 71% of the programs responding. Approximately half of the residents have a favorable impression of the work hour changes. Thirty-two percent of the respondents indicate that changes to otolaryngology support staff were required, and of those many hired physician assistants. Eighty-four percent of the respondents did not believe that the limitations on resident duty hours improved patient care, and 81% believed that it has negatively impacted resident training experience. Forty-five percent of the program directors felt that otolaryngology-head and neck faculty were forced to increase their work loads to accommodate the decrease in the time that residents were allowed to be involved in clinical activities. Fifty-four percent of the programs changed from in-hospital to home call to accommodate the duty hour restrictions. CONCLUSIONS: According to the majority of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery program directors who responded to the survey, the limitations on resident duty hours imposed by the ACGME are not an improvement in residency training, do not improve patient care, and have decreased the training experience of residents. SIGNIFICANCE: This study demonstrates that multiple changes have been made to otolaryngology-head and neck surgery training programs because of work hour limitations set forth by the ACGME.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Berkeley Franz ◽  
Adrienne Milner ◽  
Jomills H. Braddock

Abstract Background: Anti-black and anti-Hispanic attitudes in the U.S. must be included in efforts to understand resistance to public health measures, such as mask wearing, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Focusing on the structural and individual context of racism will enable us to improve public health and better prepare for future public health challenges. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between mask usage, racial segregation, and racial disparities in COVID-19 deaths.Methods: We used linear regression to assess whether the racial/ethnic composition of deaths and residential segregation predicted Americans’ decisions to wear masks in July 2020. Results: After controlling for mask mandates, mask usage increased when the White death rates relative to Black and Hispanic rates increased. Conclusions: Mask wearing may be shaped by an insensitivity to Black and Hispanic deaths and a corresponding unwillingness to engage in health protective behaviors. The broader history of systemic racism and residential segregation may also explain why white Americans do not wear masks or perceive themselves to be at risk when communities of color are disproportionately affected by COVID-19.


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