Transoral laryngeal microsurgery for supraglottic airway obstruction in thyroid goiter

Objectives: (1) Review essential elements of the pre-operative evaluation prior to thyroid surgery with an illustrative case highlighting the importance of in-office laryngoscopy. (2) Describe the first known use of transoral laryngeal microsurgery (TLM) concurrently with thyroidectomy to address supraglottic airway obstruction due to thyroid goiter. Methods: Case report and literature review. Case presentation: A 73-year-old patient presented with symptomatic large thyroid goiter. Pre-operative evaluation of the airway, thyroid bed, neck, and neurologic function was undertaken to guide effective and safe surgical intervention. Flexible laryngoscopy, sleep polysomnogram study, and dynamic chest computed tomography led to identification of severe laryngeal mucosal changes and upper airway obstruction. The patient was successfully managed with staged thyroidectomy and concurrent TLM resection of redundant arytenoid mucosa – the first known report of this technique applied in this setting. Near complete resolution of her symptoms was achieved with no complications or long-term side effects. Conclusions: We recommend that patients with symptomatic cervical thyroid goiter undergo flexible laryngoscopy to evaluate for upper airway obstruction and propose that concurrent TLM can be considered to address laryngeal mucosal changes resulting from thyroid goiter. Keywords: Thyroid goiter, Obstructive sleep apnea, Laryngology, Endocrine surger

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

ObjectivesTo 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 sourcesPublicly available device and therapeutic approvals from ENT (ear, nose, and throat), anesthesia, neurology (neurosurgery), and plastic and general surgery FDA committees.Review methodsMembers 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.ConclusionsThe 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 practiceNew 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

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

Recommendations for head and neck surgical oncology practice in a setting of acute severe resource constraint during the COVID-19 pandemic: an international consensus

The speed and scale of the global COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in unprecedented pressures on health services worldwide, requiring new methods of service delivery during the health crisis. In the setting of severe resource constraint and high risk of infection to patients and clinicians, there is an urgent need to identify consensus statements on head and neck surgical oncology practice. We completed a modified Delphi consensus process of three rounds with 40 international experts in head and neck cancer surgical, radiation, and medical oncology, representing 35 international professional societies and national clinical trial groups. Endorsed by 39 societies and professional bodies, these consensus practice recommendations aim to decrease inconsistency of practice, reduce uncertainty in care, and provide reassurance for clinicians worldwide for head and neck surgical oncology in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and in the setting of acute severe resource constraint and high risk of infection to patients and staff

Recommendations for head and neck surgical oncology practice in a setting of acute severe resource constraint during the COVID-19 pandemic: an international consensus

The speed and scale of the global COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in unprecedented pressures on health services worldwide, requiring new methods of service delivery during the health crisis. In the setting of severe resource constraint and high risk of infection to patients and clinicians, there is an urgent need to identify consensus statements on head and neck surgical oncology practice. We completed a modified Delphi consensus process of three rounds with 40 international experts in head and neck cancer surgical, radiation, and medical oncology, representing 35 international professional societies and national clinical trial groups. Endorsed by 39 societies and professional bodies, these consensus practice recommendations aim to decrease inconsistency of practice, reduce uncertainty in care, and provide reassurance for clinicians worldwide for head and neck surgical oncology in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and in the setting of acute severe resource constraint and high risk of infection to patients and staff

Recommendations for head and neck surgical oncology practice in a setting of acute severe resource constraint during the COVID-19 pandemic: an international consensus.

The speed and scale of the global COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in unprecedented pressures on health services worldwide, requiring new methods of service delivery during the health crisis. In the setting of severe resource constraint and high risk of infection to patients and clinicians, there is an urgent need to identify consensus statements on head and neck surgical oncology practice. We completed a modified Delphi consensus process of three rounds with 40 international experts in head and neck cancer surgical, radiation, and medical oncology, representing 35 international professional societies and national clinical trial groups. Endorsed by 39 societies and professional bodies, these consensus practice recommendations aim to decrease inconsistency of practice, reduce uncertainty in care, and provide reassurance for clinicians worldwide for head and neck surgical oncology in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and in the setting of acute severe resource constraint and high risk of infection to patients and staff