Operating Room Waste Generated Across Otolaryngology Cases

ABSTRACT Background Hospital waste adds to the ecological footprint of the healthcare system, whereas inattention to recyclables may increase costs. The primary objective of this study was to assess the amount of recyclable and nonrecyclable intraoperative waste produced across representative otolaryngology surgical procedures. Methods Representative surgical cases across four otolaryngology subspecialties at a tertiary care military medical institution were prospectively identified. Waste was collected, divided, and weighed across two categories: recyclable and nonrecyclable. This study was performed in conjunction with a hospital-approved quality improvement project. Results The study included 22 otolaryngology surgeries performed across four otolaryngology subspecialties: facial plastics, pediatrics, otology, and head and neck oncology. Overall, 197.4 kg of waste was collected of which 40.2 kg (20%) was recyclable and 157.2 kg (80%) was nonrecyclable. An average of 1.8 kg of recyclable materials and 7.1 kg of nonrecyclable materials were collected per case. Conclusion This study supports that otolaryngology surgical procedures generate a significant amount of waste, a large component of which is recyclable. It highlights the need for proper disposal of this waste and the implementation of a recycling program at our institution with the potential for both ecologic and economic benefits.

Comparing Lateral Rhytidectomy With and Without Neck Suture Suspension

Background: Characteristic aesthetic changes of the aging neck include skin laxity and rhytid formation, submental fat deposition, plastysmal banding, and ptosis of underlying structures that lead to the development of an obtuse cervicomental angle (CMA). Cervical rejuvenation techniques that aim to restore the CMA are widely discussed in the literature, and share variable outcomes. The aim of this study is to compare the restoration of the CMA in patients undergoing the addition of midline platysmal plication using a modified Giampapa stitch with absorbable PDS suture, to those patients undergoing standard deep plane lateral rhytidectomy alone. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed by a single surgeon in a private facial plastics practice. 264 patients undergoing rhytidectomy were included in the study. Pre and postoperative measurement differences in CMA degree and depth were compared in patients undergoing only traditional deep plane lateral rhytidectomy (TDPLR) in isolation, with those who also had modified suture suspension and platysma plication (MSSPP). The primary outcome in the study was the change in the degree of the CMA taken from standardized preoperative and postoperative surgical photos in the Frankfort profile view. Secondary outcomes include the change in the depth of the CMA as determined by the hyomental distance between study and control groups. Results: A total of 264 patients were identified who met the study criteria. A total of 134 (123 female; 11 male; average age, 62.66 ± 8.19) underwent TDPLR with MSSPP, and 130 (127 female; 3 male; average age, 63.09 ± 7.75) underwent TDPLR alone. All patients in the study underwent preoperative photographic evaluation in Frankfurt profile view and the same postoperative photographic evaluation at an average of 436.56 days (14.4 months) after surgery. Patients in the cohort study group were found to have a statistically significant increase in the depth of the CMA by an average of 13.9 degrees ± 6.26 and increase in the hyomental distance of 1.38 cm ± 0.87, compared to the control group who underwent traditional lateral rhytidectomy with an average CMA change of 6.87 degrees ± 6.7 ( P = .00146) and hyomental distance increase of 0.75 ± 0.68 ( P = .00031), respectively. Statistical significance was taken at P < .05. Conclusions: The results from this study indicate that the addition of a relatively minimally invasive approach to neck rejuvenation using a modified Giampapa stitch with absorbable PDS suture is helpful in restoring the CMA in an aging neck.

New Medical Device and Therapeutic Approvals in Otolaryngology: State of the Art Review 2020

Objectives To evaluate new drugs and devices relevant to otolaryngology–head and neck surgery that were approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2020. Data Sources Publicly available device and therapeutic approvals from ENT (ear, nose, and throat), anesthesia, neurology (neurosurgery), and plastic and general surgery FDA committees. Review Methods Members of the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery’s Medical Devices and Drugs Committee reviewed new therapeutics and medical devices from a query of the FDA’s device and therapeutic approvals. Two independent reviewers assessed the drug’s or device’s relevance to otolaryngology, classified to subspecialty field, with a critical review of available scientific literature. Conclusions The Medical Devices and Drugs Committee reviewed 53 new therapeutics and 1094 devices (89 ENT, 140 anesthesia, 511 plastic and general surgery, and 354 neurology) approved in 2020. Ten drugs and 17 devices were considered relevant to the otolaryngology community. Rhinology saw significant improvements around image guidance systems; indications for cochlear implantation expanded; several new monoclonal therapeutics were added to head and neck oncology’s armamentarium; and several new approvals appeared for facial plastics surgery, pediatric otolaryngology, and comprehensive otolaryngology. Implications for Practice New technologies and pharmaceuticals offer the promise of improving how we care for otolaryngology patients. However, judicious introduction of innovations into practice requires a nuanced understanding of safety, advantages, and limitations. Working knowledge of new drugs and medical devices approved for the market helps clinicians tailor patient care accordingly.

Critical Evaluation of Trends in Otolaryngology Resident Caseload by Subspecialty from 2005 to 2019

Background: Subspecialty caseloads logged by otolaryngology residents over the last 15 years is currently unknown. This study examines the trends at the national level. Methods: Otolaryngology case log data was collected from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) from 2005 to 2019. Data were categorized according to the following surgical subspecialties: pediatrics, rhinology/skull base, head and neck, facial plastics, otology, and laryngology. Linear regression analyses were performed for each procedure within each subspecialty, total subspecialty means, and total caseload means across all years. Results: Overall surgical volume significantly increased between 2005 and 2019 ( P < .0001); however, there was a significant decline in pediatrics procedures ( R2 = 0.80, P < .0001). Rhinology/skull base procedures increased the most drastically ( R2 = 0.96, P < .0001). Conclusion: While total mean resident case logs have steadily increased between 2005 and 2019, pediatric cases have declined substantially due to fewer tympanostomy tube insertions and adenotonsillectomies. Rhinology/skull base procedures have increased most significantly secondary to an increase in endoscopic sinus surgeries. Despite changes in case volume amongst specialties, the annual increase in resident case load suggests that otolaryngology residents are meeting the demands of their graduate medical training.

A Review of Complications and Their Treatments in Facial Aesthetic Surgery

Aesthetic surgery has become increasingly popular in the last several decades, with facial aesthetic surgery accounting for a large percentage of the procedures performed. With this surge in popularity and the increase in the number of cosmetic surgeries and procedures completed, comes an inevitable increase in the number of complications encountered. This review elucidates common complications and effective management of frequently performed cosmetic facial surgeries. This article represents a general overview of the topic. For a more exhaustive review, the reader is encouraged to turn their attention to the facial plastics and additional surgical subspecialty literature. Aesthetic procedures discussed in this article include rhinoplasty, rhytidectomy, facial augmentation, otoplasty, brow lift, blepharoplasty, skin resurfacing and chemical peels, and facial injections.