Laryngoscopic examination during the COVID-19 pandemic Turkish voice speech and swallowing disorders society and Turkish professional voice society recommendations

COVID-19 is highly transmissible and spreads rapidly in the population. This increases the occupational risk for health care workers. In otolaryngology clinic practice, patients with upper respiratory tract infection symptoms are common. Also, routine head and neck examinations such as oral cavity examination, nasal/nasopharyngeal examination, or video laryngostroboscopic evaluation are highly risky because of the aerosol formation. To emphasize this issue, two leading otolaryngology organizations in Turkey; 'Voice Speech and Swallowing Disorders Society', and 'Professional Voice Society' gathered a task force. This task force aimed to prepare a consensus report that would provide practical recommendations of the safety measurements during routine clinical care of laryngology patients. To fulfill this, universal aim, on the 2nd and 9th of May 2020, two web-based meetings were conducted by 20 expert physicians. This eighteen items list was prepared as an output

Laryngoscopic Examination During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Turkish Voice Speech and Swallowing Disorders Society and Turkish Professional Voice Society Recommendations

COVID-19 is highly transmissible and spreads rapidly in the population. This increases the occupational risk for health care workers. In otolaryngology clinic practice, patients with upper respiratory tract infection symptoms are common. Also, routine head and neck examinations such as oral cavity examination, nasal/nasopharyngeal examination, or video laryngostroboscopic evaluation are highly risky because of the aerosol formation. To emphasize this issue, two leading otolaryngology organizations in Turkey; 'Voice Speech and Swallowing Disorders Society', and 'Professional Voice Society' gathered a task force. This task force aimed to prepare a consensus report that would provide practical recommendations of the safety measurements during routine clinical care of laryngology patients. To fulfill this, universal aim, on the 2nd and 9th of May 2020, two web-based meetings were conducted by 20 expert physicians. This eighteen items list was prepared as an output

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Does Size Matter in Laryngology? Relation Between Body Height and Laryngeal Morphometry

Objective. Laryngeal framework surgery has been a topic of interest since last decades. To succeed with least morbidity, the most important step is mastering the anatomy of larynx. In this study, we aim to show the relation between body height and laryngeal morphometrics that are important during laryngeal framework surgeries. Data Sources. Larynges of 187 fresh cadavers were dissected within 24 hours after death at the Council of Forensic Medicine. Methods. Age, sex, weight, height, and a total of 12 measurements were taken from each cadaver. Results were subgrouped according to gender, age of 45, body height of 165 millimeters (mm), and thyroid cartilage height of 17 mm. These subgroups were compared for each measurement and ratio. Results. A positive correlation was found between body height and thyroid cartilage height (hTC), thyroid cartilage width, vocal fold length, and distance from projection of anterior commissure (pAC) to inferior border of thyroid cartilage (TIB). Male gender, higher body heights, and higher thyroid cartilage heights significantly higher results were obtained. The ratio between pAC-TIB distance to hTC was found to be 0.54 in males and 0.52 in females, and this ratio was not statistically different in subgroups. Conclusion. Although all of the laryngeal measurements were found to be statistically significant in patients with higher body height, the ratio between pAC-TIB distance to hTC was independent. Thus, especially in patients with body heights longer than average, it should be safer to use the midpoint of the thyroid cartilage as a landmark for anterior commissure

Management of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux in Asia

Objectives. This study was conducted to investigate the current practice of Asian otolaryngologists for laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). Methods. An online survey about LPR was sent to 2,000 members of Asian otolaryngological societies, and a subgroup analysis was performed between Western and Eastern Asian otolaryngologists.The survey was conducted by the Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Study Group of Young Otolaryngologists of the International Federation of Oto-rhino-laryngological Societies. Results. Among approximately 1,600 Asian otolaryngologists, 146 completed the survey (62 from Western Asian countries, 84 from Eastern Asian countries). A substantial majority (73.3%) of the otolaryngologists considered LPR and gastroesophageal reflux disease to be different diseases. The symptoms thought to be closely related to LPR were coughing after lying down, throat clearing, and globus sensation. The findings thought to be closely related to LPR were posterior commissure granulations and hypertrophy, arytenoids, and laryngeal erythema. The respondents indicated that they mostly diagnosed LPR (70%) after an empirical therapeutic trial of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). Although multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH (MII-pH) monitoring is a useful tool for diagnosing nonacid or mixed LPR, 78% of Asian otolaryngologists never or very rarely used MII-pl I. Eastern Asian otolaryngologists more frequently used once-daily PPIs (64.3% vs. 45.2%, P=0.021), whereas Western Asian otolaryngologists preferred to use twice-daily PPIs (58.1% vs. 39.3%, P=0.025). The poor dietary habits of patients were considered to be the main reason for therapeutic failure by Asian otolaryngologists (53.8%). Only 48.6% of Asian otolaryngologists considered themselves to be adequately knowledgeable and skilled regarding LPR. Conclusion. Significant differences exist between Western and Eastern Asian otolaryngologists in the diagnosis and treatment of LPR. Future consensus statements are needed to establish diagnostic criteria and therapeutic regimens

Impact of subspecialty training on management of laryngopharyngeal reflux: results of a worldwide survey

Objective To study the management of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) among the subspecialties of practicing otolaryngology-head and neck surgeons and their trainees. Methods A survey was sent to over 8000 otolaryngologists (OTOHNS) over 65 countries, utilizing membership lists of participating otolaryngological societies. The outcomes were answers to questions regarding LPR knowledge and practice patterns, and included queries about its definition, prevalence, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment. Results Of the 824 respondents, 658 practiced in one specific otolaryngologic subspecialty. The symptoms and findings thought to be the most related to LPR varied significantly between subspecialists. Extra-laryngeal findings were considered less by laryngologists while more experienced OTOHNS did not often consider digestive complaints. Compared with colleagues, otologists, rhinologists and laryngologists were less aware of the involvement of LPR in otological, rhinological and laryngological disorders, respectively. Irrespective of subspecialty, OTOHNS consider symptoms and signs and a positive response to empirical therapeutic trial to establish a LPR diagnosis. Awareness regarding the usefulness of impedance pH-studies is low in all groups. The therapeutic approach significantly varies between groups, although all were in agreement for the treatment duration. The management of non-responder patients demonstrated significant differences among laryngologists who performed additional examinations. The majority of participants (37.1%) admitted to being less than knowledgeable about LPR management. Conclusions LPR knowledge and management vary significantly across otolaryngology subspecialties. International guidelines on LPR management appear necessary to improve knowledge and management of LPR across all subspecialties of otolaryngology

Office-Based Procedure Training in Laryngology Fellowship Programs

Objective To assess the current practices and challenges of training office-based procedures to laryngology fellows in the United States. Methods An anonymous web-based survey study was distributed to laryngology fellowship program directors, as listed by the American Laryngological Association. The survey was a 19-item questionnaire with free-text, Likert scale, and multiple-choice answers. Results Twenty-two of 27 program directors (81.4%) replied to the survey. Many programs (8/16) have three or more laryngologists and do more than 10 procedures each week (10/16). Sixty-nine percent (11/16) of directors had not been trained for office procedures in their fellowship. The fellows are allowed to be primary surgeon on 68.75% and 75% of vocal fold augmentation and laser procedures, respectively. The expected competencies for these procedures on graduation are average-moderate and moderate. When program directors asked about the methods used for training, a minority of them use simulators (2/16), procedural checklists (2/16), or structured debriefing (2/16). The most commonly used methods were case-based troubleshooting (13/16) and unstructured debriefing (13/16). Patients being awake and patients' expectations are seen as the most important obstacles. Most of the directors thought office-based procedure training could be improved (14/16). The most common suggestions were using step-wise checklists, simulator-labs, and formal debriefings. Conclusion This is the first study evaluating the training of office-based laryngeal procedures during laryngology fellowship. Given the increasing importance of these procedures in practice and the herein identified barriers and need for improvement, fellowships should investigate the use of systematic training tools to improve fellow competency with office-based procedures.Laryngoscope, 202

Inflammatory complications of vocal fold injection with hyaluronic acid: a multiinstitutional study

Background/aim: This study aimed to assess the inflammatory adverse reactions of vocal fold injection laryngoplasty with hyaluronic acid. Materials and methods: This study was a retrospective chart review of patients who underwent vocal fold injection augmentation with HA injection from January 2005 to September 2016 in nine different institutions. Demographic data, indication for injection, injection techniques, types of injection material, settings of procedure, and complications were reviewed. The types of complication, onset time, and management of complications were also noted. Results: In all, 467 patients were identified. The majority of patients had been injected under general anesthesia (n = 382, 84.7%). For injection material, two different types of hyaluronic acid were used: hyaluronic acid alone or hyaluronic acid with dextranomer. Complications occurred in nine patients (1.9%). The majority of complications were inflammatory reactions (n = 7, 1.47%). Main symptoms were dysphonia and/or dyspnea with an onset of 0 h to 3 weeks after the hyaluronic acid injection. Three patients were hospitalized, one of which was also intubated and observed in the intensive care unit for 24 h. Systemic steroids and antibiotics were the main medical treatment in the majority of cases. There was no statistical difference in complication rates between patients who received hyaluronic acid and those who received hyaluronic acid with dextranomer (P = 0.220). Conclusion: Hyaluronic acid can be considered as a safe substance for the injection of vocal folds with a low risk of inflammatory reaction

Prognostic factors in head and neck mucosal malignant melanoma

Objective: Primary mucosal malignant melanoma of the head and neck (HN-PMMM) is an aggressive and uncommon neoplasm. Herein, we present a series of 33 patients and the results of treatment, and aimed to determine prognostic factors in HN-PMMM. Methods: Patients who were diagnosed as having HN-PMMM in our reference hospital, between 2005 and 2014 were evaluated. Thirty-three of these patients who had follow-up data were included. Surgical margin status was extracted from the original pathology reports. Archived materials were retrieved for the histopathologic findings: ulceration, necrosis, lymphovascular invasion, perineural invasion, pigmentation, and presence of an in situ component. Mitotic activity was evaluated using phosphohistone H3 (PHH3) immunohistochemical staining. Results: We found an association of PHH3 mitotic activity with overall survival in a univariate analysis and to our knowledge, this is the first report among the available case series of HN-PMMM to evaluate mitotic activity using immunohistochemical staining. We also investigated the relationship between multicentricity and locoregional recurrence, which the authors believe is also a first. Conclusion: PHH3 mitotic activity can be used a prognostic factor for head and neck mucosal malignant melanoma. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved