Graduating Otolaryngology Residents’ Ideal Practice Expectations: A Longitudinal Analysis

Objective Prior literature has indicated that the number of trained otolaryngologists required to meet the need of our growing population may be insufficient. Therefore, identifying trends in the subspecialty composition of future otolaryngology practices will elucidate workforce needs. Study Design One-page anonymous questionnaire. Setting The survey was completed by examinees at the conclusion of their American Board of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery oral examination from 2011 to 2019. Methods Data included age, gender, fellowship, practice type, and ideal future practice components. Results A total of 2286 examinees were included: 58.1% were male and 57.2% completed a fellowship. Ideal practice specialties included general otolaryngology (19%), rhinology (15%), head and neck (13%), and pediatrics (11%). General and pediatric otolaryngology had a negative correlation over time ( r = −0.81, P = .01, and r = −0.75, P = .03, respectively). An overall 45% of graduates reported 1 ideal practice area ( r = 0.61, P = .10), with a statistically significant decline in the number of ideal practice areas over time ( r = −0.79, P = .018). Men more commonly reported allergy, head and neck, otology, rhinology, and sleep medicine as part of their ideal practice ( P < .05), while women more commonly reported pediatric otolaryngology ( P < .05). There was a higher mean number of ideal practice areas among men than women (2.58 vs 2.1, P < .001). Conclusion There is a growing trend for more specialized otolaryngology practices. The data demonstrate a decline in considering general and pediatrics otolaryngology as part of practices, which portends a gap in access to comprehensive otolaryngology in the future.

Rigid Bronchoscopy in Foreign Body Aspiration Diagnosis and Treatment in Children

Foreign body aspiration in children is a common condition and can bring about serious undesired results. Fast and accurate diagnosis and foreign body extraction from airways are essential. We performed a retrospective study on rigid bronchoscopy outcomes due to suspected foreign body aspiration. A total of 66 children were admitted to the Chair and Department of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Phoniatrics and Audiology, Medical University of Lublin between 2015 and 2020 and underwent rigid bronchoscopy in general anesthesia due to suspected foreign body aspiration. We analyzed the data, including patients age and sex, reported complaints, and bronchoscopy findings. Analyzed children were aged from 8 months to 17 years old; 74.24% of them were under 3 years old during the procedure, and most of the operated patients were males. In 36.36% cases, no foreign body was identified, and 57.14% foreign bodies were located in right main bronchus. A total of 80.95% of foreign bodies extracted from airways were organic, mostly nuts. Diagnosis and treatment of suspected foreign body aspiration requires consistent cooperation between pediatricians, pulmonologists, anesthesiologists, and otolaryngologists.

Practice Characteristics of Pediatric Otolaryngology Same-Day Appointments

Objectives This study aims to assess characteristics of same-day clinic appointments in a pediatric population at an academic otolaryngology practice. Methods Retrospective chart review of patients aged 18 or younger who had same-day clinic appointments between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2018, at a single academic institution. Demographic data, diagnosis(es), procedures, and operations completed were included in the analysis. Results There were 363 same-day visits by 322 patients in the 3-year study period. Two hundred sixty-nine (269) of these visits were from new patients. Otitis media and rhinosinusitis were the most frequently coded diagnoses. One hundred forty-four (144) procedures were completed the day of the visit and 169 operations were performed as a result of the same-day visit. If the patient had a procedure or operation performed, they were more likely to have been referred by another provider. Conclusions Providing same-day appointments can help provide timely and appropriate otolaryngology specialty care to pediatric patients. Further evaluation is needed to determine the effects on patient satisfaction as well as no-show rates.

Pediatric otolaryngology: influence of ambulatorial surgical procedures on postoperative pain

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background: </strong>In Pediatric Otolaryngology surgery associating procedures is a common finding. Each surgical act elicits different degrees of pain, with implications on recovery. The aim of this work was to evaluate the severity of children's pain after outpatient surgery, considering combinations of common Otolaryngologic procedures.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods: </strong>Data from children submitted to surgery in the Pediatric ambulatory Unit of Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto was reviewed. Children with history of previous interventions or any associated comorbidity were excluded. Postoperative pain at hospital discharge using the Universal Pain assessment tool (0-10) was assessed and compared concerning the various procedures.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 954 operated children were included. Adenoidectomy was performed in 783 patients (82.1%), tonsillectomy in 714 (74.8%), myringotomy in 432 (45.3%) and radiofrequency inferior turbinoplasty in 98 (10.3%). Patients undergoing tonsillectomy showed significantly higher pain scores (1.48±1.02 in tonsillectomy versus 0.89±0.75 in no tonsillectomy, p=0.001). Importantly, adenoid curettage, radiofrequency inferior turbinoplasty and myringotomy did not associate with increased post-operative pain (p&gt;0.05). Number of procedures within the same intervention and surgical indication (recurrent infections, obstructive sleep disordered breathing and otitis media with effusion) did not influence post-operative pain scores (p&gt;0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Performing total tonsillectomy was the most important influencer of post-operative pain in Pediatric ambulatory surgery in this cohort. Performing concomitant adenoidectomy, turbinoplasty or miringotomy do not seem to influence post-operative pain significantly. A higher number of procedures within the same intervention does not associate directly with postoperative pain scores.</p>