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We examine prevalence, characteristics, quality of life (QOL) assessments, and long-term effects of interventions for laryngeal dysfunction after recovery from COVID-19 infection.653 patients presenting to Yale's COVID clinic from April 2020 to August 2021 were identified retrospectively. Patients with PCR-positive COVID-19 who underwent evaluation by fellowship-trained laryngologists were included. Patient demographics, comorbidities, intubation/tracheostomy, strobolaryngoscopy, voice metrics, and management data were collected. Patient-reported QOL indices were Dyspnea Index (DI), Cough Severity Index (CSI), Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10), Eating Assessment Tool-10 (EAT-10), and Reflux Symptom Index (RSI).57 patients met inclusion criteria: 37 (64.9 %) were hospitalized for COVID-19 infection and 24 (42.1 %) required intubation. Mean duration between COVID-19 diagnosis and presentation to laryngology was significantly shorter for patients who were intubated compared to non-intubated (175 ± 98 days versus 256 ± 150 days, respectively, p = 0.025). Dysphonia was diagnosed in 40 (70.2 %) patients, dysphagia in 14 (25.0 %) patients, COVID-related laryngeal hypersensitivity in 13 (22.8 %), and laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS) in 10 (17.5 %) patients. Of the 17 patients who underwent voice therapy, 11 (64.7 %) reported improvement in their symptoms and 2 (11.8 %) patients reported resolution. VHI scores decreased for patients who reported symptom improvement. 7 (70 %) patients with LTS required1 procedural intervention before symptom improvement. Improvement across QOL indices was seen in patients with LTS.Laryngeal dysfunction commonly presents and is persistent for months after recovery from COVID-19 in non-hospitalized and non-intubated patients. Voice therapy and procedural interventions have the potential to address post-COVID laryngeal dysfunction.

Objectives: A prior publication introduced the Strome-Blitzer balloon’s ability to obtain circumferential esophageal cytologic sampling. This GLP study was requisite for FDA approval to determine if equivalent cell capture and cellularity was observed with the balloon compared to surface sampling brushes and to determine the balloon’s usability for naive otolaryngologists. Methods: Three naïve users tested the Hobbs brush and Strome-Blitzer balloon on 4 Yorkshire swine. Four anatomical sites were sampled, beginning distally and ending proximally. In 2 animals, the balloon was used first distally and in the remaining 2, 4 new Hobbs brushes were used distally first. Moving proximally, the balloon and brushes were sequentially alternated. In follow-the-leader fashion, the balloon was introduced trans-orally followed by an endoscope to the desired site. The balloon was inflated exposing the abrasive strips to contact the esophageal mucosa. Moving the balloon 1 to 2 cm superiorly and inferiorly effected circumferential cell capture. The balloon was collapsed and removed, preserving the cellularity. The Hobbs brush was passed through the scope’s channel. Four brushes, 1 per quadrant, obtained the samples at an anatomical site. The balloon was rated as pass/fail on the following: delivery, kinking, usability, and malfunction. A blinded veterinary pathologist evaluated the cytology. Results: There was no device malfunction, mucosal trauma, or difficulty with device use. Balloon cytologic samples were comparable in cellularity and quality to the brush. Conclusion: A single balloon sampling was comparable to 4 brushes in capturing diagnostically relevant cellular volumes and architecture. Naïve users easily performed the procedures after reading the guidelines. Level of Evidence: 3

Objectives/hypothesis Several recent studies have observed a high incidence of duodenoscope microbial contamination and an association of contamination with healthcare-acquired infections. This study sought to quantify nasopharyngoscope microbial contamination relative to that of other endoscope categories and characterize the manufacturers, outcomes, and microbial profiles associated with these cases. Study design Retrospective, cross-sectional study. Methods A total of 3,865 adverse events were collected from 2013 to 2019 using the US Food and Drug Administration Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience database. The fraction of total device failures associated with contamination was quantified for nasopharyngoscopes, bronchoscopes, duodenoscopes, and gastroscopes. Odds ratios of nasopharyngoscope contamination compared to that of bronchoscopes, duodenoscopes, or gastroscopes were calculated, and significance was assessed by χ2 analysis. The Kruskal-Wallis test was used for nonparametric testing of significance. Results Nasopharyngoscope device failures were reported at an incidence of 0.646 per month; 34.1% involved contamination, comparable to the frequency observed for bronchoscopes (23.4%, P = .118), duodenoscopes (29.2%, P = .493), and gastroscopes (45.3%, P = .178). The frequency of device contamination was observed to be significantly higher for a particular endoscope manufacturer regardless of endoscope category (Kruskal-Wallis P = .021). In instances of contamination, nasopharyngoscopes were significantly less associated with patient harm or death than bronchoscope (odds ratio [OR] = 10.2) and duodenoscope (OR = 4.81) cases. Conclusions Although the rates of contamination were comparable across all endoscope categories, nasopharyngoscope contamination was less commonly associated with patient harm or death. In an era of rising healthcare costs, determining adequate disinfection standards for nasopharyngoscopes and their impact on patient safety is crucial. Level of evidence NA Laryngoscope, 131:598-605, 2021.

Demonstrate an understanding of incobotulinumtoxinA efficacy in the treatment of adductor spasmodic dysphonia (SD). Understand that incobotulinumtoxinA can successfully be used as an alternative to onabotulinumtoxinA and for secondary non-responders.We conducted a prospective open-label trial from 2016 until 2019 regarding the use of incobotulinimtoxinA for the treatment of adductor spasmodic dysphonia. Exclusion criteria included pregnant/nursing women, botulinum toxin for other indications, known allergy, neuromuscular or systemic diseases, use of aminoglycoside antibiotics, substance abuse, litigation regarding prior therapy, or other confounding conditions. Sixty-four injection sessions with completed with sixteen patients who were enrolled in the study and underwent EMG-guided incobotulinumtoxinA injections to the thyroarytenoid (TA) muscle using a hollow monopolar Teflon-coated needle via a trans-cricothyroid membrane approach. Dosages to each TA muscle were recorded and patients completed a Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10), a validated worksheet regarding their perceived percent of normal function (PNF) following treatment, and a side effect profile. Outcomes were analyzed using the paired t-test.For primary transitioners to incobotulinimtoxinA, VHI-10 scores and best percent normal function did not significantly change. For non-responders, VHI-10 decreased from 32.5 on Botox to 19.5 on incobotulinimtoxinA and best PNF increased from 37.6 to 90 %, which was statistically significant. Transient side effects included breathiness.Our study demonstrates that incobotulinimtoxinA may be used successfully for adductor SD either as first line treatment or in secondary non-responders to onabotulinumtoxinA.

Objective In otolaryngology, it is important to minimize the use of opioids for post-operative analgesia given the rise in opioid abuse and mortality due to overdose in the United States. We sought to quantitatively determine the efficacy of non-opiate analgesia in postoperative pain management after microdirect laryngoscopy (MDL). Methods This is a single institution prospective study monitoring post-operative pain using a visual analog scale (VAS, 1–10). Patients with a history of vocal fold lesions, paralysis, and stenosis who underwent MDL were surveyed for one month following their procedure (daily for the first week and weekly thereafter). Student's t-test was used to determine whether short (1 week) and long term (1 month) pain was controlled by over-the-counter (OTC) medications. We defined adequate pain control as an average daily VAS score below 4 for the first 4 days and below 1 in the following 3 weeks and hypothesized that patients would report adequate pain control without the use of opioids. Results Post-operative pain after MDL was generally mild. The average daily VAS score was 2.16 (95% CI [0.0–5.2], P = 0.0014) in the first 4 days post-procedure and 0.28 (95% CI [0.0–1.3], P = 0.0007) in the 3 weeks post-procedure confirming our hypothesis. On average, patients used 3.14 (CI: [0.0–12.8]) pills of acetaminophen and 0.57 (CI: [0.0–4.7]) pills of an NSAID per day in the first week. Only three patients required opioid analgesia, all of whom used opioids in the first 48 h. Conclusions OTC analgesics provide sufficient pain control after microdirect laryngoscopy for most patients. Given the potential for substance abuse from opioid medications, this study demonstrates that adequate pain control requires, at most, 48 h of opioid medications. Further study is needed to determine factors that contribute to increased pain after laryngoscopy.

Objective(s): Subglottic stenosis (SGS) represents a constellation of diverse pathologic processes that ultimately lead to narrowing of the subglottic region and can produce significant morbidity. Existing endoscopic and radiographic assessments may not be consistent in practice. Methods: Severity of stenosis was evaluated and reported using the Cotton-Myer classification system from 33 endoscopic procedures from 32 unique subjects. Radiographic imaging within the preceding 3 month period was subsequently reviewed and narrowing was measured by a blinded radiologist. Degree of stenosis was reported as a percentage in 30 out of 33 endoscopic evaluations and subsequently compared to radiographically determined percentage of stenosis. Statistical analyzes were conducted to evaluate concordance between endoscopic and radiographic assessments. Results: About 45.5% (15/33) of the evaluations were in agreement using Cotton-Myer scoring, while 27.3% (9/33) were discrepant by 1 grade and 27.3% (9/33) by 2 grades. Correlation of degree of stenosis as a percentage using Spearman (coefficient: 0.233, P-value: .214) and Pearson (coefficient: 0.138, P-value: .466) methods demonstrated very weak relationships. Radiographic scoring did not predict endoscopic classification to a significant degree using mixed effects regression. Conclusions: Radiographic and endoscopic grading of subglottic stenosis may not be reliably concordant in practice.

Objectives: To describe disease characteristics and treatment and to analyze survival and mortality for extranodal mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) of the head and neck. Methods: Patients with extranodal MCL—excluding primary sites in the salivary glands, eye, and adnexa—were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) 18 Registries (2000-2015). Overall survival (OS) and cumulative incidence of MCL and non-MCL mortality were calculated. Factors associated with MCL and non-MCL mortality were analyzed with cause-specific hazard models. Results: Five hundred nine patients met criteria for descriptive analysis and 294 patients met criteria for survival analysis, with a median follow-up of 58 months. The most common sites for MCL were the oropharynx (66.0%), nasopharynx (19.1%), and oral cavity (8.4%). The most common treatment received was chemotherapy alone (48.9%), followed by chemoradiation therapy (16.9%), and radiation therapy alone (10.4%). The proportion of cases diagnosed as early-stage disease ranged from 31% of sinonasal MCLs to 83% of laryngeal MCLs. At 5 years, OS was 63% (95% CI: 57%-69%). There was no significant difference in OS ( P = .79), cumulative incidence of MCL mortality ( P = .76), or cumulative incidence of non-MCL mortality ( P = .98) by anatomic site. Comparing early-stage to late-stage disease, there was no significant difference in OS ( P = .38), cumulative incidence of MCL mortality ( P = .07), or cumulative incidence of non-MCL mortality ( P = .14). Multivariate analysis showed increased hazard of MCL mortality for patients that were older or that presented with stage III or stage IV disease. Conclusion: The oropharynx is the most common subsite of head and neck MCLs, followed by the nasopharynx. Primary head and neck MCLs appear to present at an earlier stage than MCLs of other regions. In particular, laryngeal and hypopharyngeal MCLs may present as stage I or II disease.

Objectives: To investigate surgical adjuncts (stents) and previous surgeries on outcomes from posterior glottic stenosis (PGS). Methods: PubMED/Medline, CINAHL, EMBASE, and Web of Science were searched for publications on adult patients undergoing surgery for PGS. Decannulation and need for additional surgeries were evaluated as outcomes. Linear mixed-effects (with random effects and fixed effects) models were used for multivariate testing. Results: In total, 516 abstracts were reviewed and 26 articles were considered for systematic review. Of these, 19 articles with 140 pooled patient cases were extracted for meta-analysis. On multivariate meta-analysis analysis accounting for study-specific variation and use of open procedures, prior surgeries were associated with additional surgeries (RR = 3.76 [1.39-3.86], P = .038) and the use of a stent was associated with a lower likelihood of decannulation (RR = 0.42 [0.09-0.98], P = .044). Conclusion: Minimizing repeat surgery is a predictor for avoiding additional future surgeries and use of a stent was correlated with poor outcomes. These 2 findings may assist providers in patient counseling regarding the need for further surgical interventions. Further, this study is the first to compare the efficacy of surgical approaches for the resolution of PGS, and highlights the importance of avoiding repeat procedures and stents for the management of PGS.

OBJECTIVE/HYPOTHESIS: Review the published literature of telemedicine's use within otorhinolaryngology (ORL), highlight its successful implementation, and document areas with need of future research. STUDY DESIGN: State of the Art Review. METHODS: Three independent, comprehensive searches for articles published on the subject of telemedicine in ORL were conducted of literature available from January 2000 to April 2020. Search terms were designed to identify studies which examined telemedicine use within ORL. Consensus among authors was used to include all relevant articles. RESULTS: While several, small reports document clinical outcomes, patient satisfaction, and the cost of telemedicine, much of the literature on telemedicine in ORL is comprised of preliminary, proof-of-concept reports. Further research will be necessary to establish its strengths and limitations. CONCLUSIONS: Particularly during the coronavirus disease of 2019 pandemic, telemedicine can, and should, be used within ORL practice. This review can assist in guiding providers in implementing telemedicine that has been demonstrated to be successful, and direct future research. Laryngoscope, 2020.

Diagnostic flexible laryngoscopy (DFL) is a critical tool in the armamentarium of an otolaryngologist. However, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, DFL represents a high-risk procedure for patients and otolaryngologists due to the risk of aerosolization. In cases where DFL is required, in patients with COVID-19 positivity or unknown COVID-19 status, we describe the use of a modified endoscopy face mask as an adjunct to personal protection equipment to reduce occupational transmission of COVID-19 while performing DFL. Our modified endoscopy mask provides an additional barrier against the transmission of airborne pathogens. The modified endoscopy face mask may also serve as a useful tool for otolaryngologists as they return to performing more aerosol-generating procedures in the outpatient setting.

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine referral patterns between otolaryngology and gastroenterology in order to delineate areas of clinical overlap, as well as to identify areas that might benefit from improved inter-specialty communication and collaboration. Methods: Montefiore’s Clinical Looking Glass tool was used to define parameters for electronic medical record data extraction from 2015 to 2018. Two cohorts were generated, one representing referrals placed by gastroenterology to otolaryngology and a second representing referrals placed by otolaryngology to gastroenterology. The ICD-10 codes in both cohorts were reviewed and 13 distinct “reason for referral” categories were defined. The rates of referral for each category were then calculated for each of the referral cohorts. Results: Otolaryngology referred to gastroenterology at a greater rate than gastroenterology referred to otolaryngology, despite seeing fewer total patients than gastroenterology. For referrals from gastroenterology to otolaryngology, the three most frequent referral reasons were oral cavity/oropharyngeal pathology (28.3%), dysphagia (28.3%), and gastroesophageal reflux disease/laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (GERD/LPRD) (11.3%). For referrals from otolaryngology to gastroenterology, the three most frequent referral reasons were GERD/LPRD (61.7%), dysphagia (18.6%), and esophageal pathology (5.3%). Conclusions: GERD/LPRD was more frequently referred out by otolaryngology than it was by gastroenterology, suggesting the need for further characterization of the discrepancy in management of a disease commonly treated by both specialties. The discrepant rates of referral for dysphagia also suggest a need to better understand what factors contribute to the differences in management of another clinical condition commonly assessed by both specialties. Level of Evidence: 4

Objective: To present a unique approach to the treatment of motor and phonic tics. Patient: A 26-year-old male presented with motor and phonic tics including grunting, coughing, and throat clearing. Intervention: The patient was treated with 2.5 units of onabotulinum toxin A (BoNT) to the facial mimetic musculature and 2.5 units to each supraglottic musculature via a transthyrohyoid membrane approach under fiberoptic visualization. Results: The patient experienced reduction in the frequency, intensity, and interference with daily life of motor and phonic tics on the Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS). Conclusion: This patient experienced subjective and objective decreases in tic severity using a unique approach in the treatment of phonic tics. Results suggest a novel approach in the treatment of phonic tics and bolster the data regarding safe and effective use of BoNT for tic disorder. Level of evidence: Level V, case report.

OBJECTIVES Adequate treatment of laryngopharyngeal malignancy often incorporates radiation therapy. Structures surrounding laryngopharynx exposed to traditional radiation doses are susceptible to posttreatment toxicity. Among poorly understood sequelae is the rare manifestation of sternoclavicular joint (SCJ) osteoradionecrosis (ORN). METHODS Three institutional encounters prompted a comprehensive literature search, generating three published case reports. Systematic extraction and analysis (n = 6) of demographics, cancer history, comorbidities, ORN presentation, imaging, and management established the largest series to investigate this pathology. RESULTS Patients were males (6), 54 to 70 years old, smokers (4), with Hypertension/dyslipidemia, myocardial infarction/coronary artery disease, second primary (2), diabetes mellitus (1), and myelofibrosis(1). Four underwent total laryngectomy, one primary, three as salvage. Five patients had concurrent chemoradiation (≥70 Gy). All patients presented with swollen, tender neck wounds concerning for persistent/recurrent malignancy. Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated bone erosion (5 of 5) and increased bone scan uptake (2 of 2). All responded to surgical exploration with drainage alone (1), sequestrectomy (2), or bone resection with synovectomy (3). Complete healing took 2 months to 3 years. One unrelated patient death occurred before control of ORN was achieved. DISCUSSION Given varied patient characteristics, synergistic risk factors exist that alter bone radiation threshold, resulting in irreversible ischemic damage and osteoradionecrosis. Vascular susceptibility and inability to repair may regulate that threshold. Understanding this relationship will facilitate early detection and intervention. CONCLUSION Integrating cases of sternoclavicular joint ORN promotes awareness of atypical laryngopharyngeal radiation complications, elucidates contributing factors, educates physicians on presentation and management, and provides a platform for prospective investigation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 4 Laryngoscope, 129:865-870, 2019.

Objectives Esophageal dilation (ED) may be performed in the office under local anesthesia or in a procedure/operating room under general anesthesia or intravenous (IV) sedation. However, indications for type of anesthesia during these procedures have not been established. The purpose of this review is to assess outcomes of esophageal dilation performed using different types of anesthesia to assess the safety of office-based techniques. Methods We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing the outcomes of anesthesia techniques for ED in adults. Exclusion criteria included reviews, small case series, use of stents, diagnoses with high morbidity, and rare diseases. A comprehensive literature search of the PubMed, CINAHL, and EMBASE databases was performed for articles relating to esophageal dilation. Results 876 papers were identified of which 164 full text studies were assessed and 25 were included in the analysis using the PRISMA guidelines. Data regarding demographics, dilation technique, and adverse events were extracted. The DerSimonian-Laird random-effect models with inverse-variance weighting were fit to estimate the combined effects. There were no statistically significant differences among mortality, perforation, or bleeding based on anesthetic. Conclusions With office-based procedures gaining popularity in laryngology, there is a need to profile their safety. Office-based ED appears to have equivalent safety to general and IV sedation, although further research is necessary to define indications favoring office-based techniques.

Objective: To determine if suprafascial harvest of the radial forearm free flap improves postoperative donor site outcomes compared to subfascial harvest. Methods: Retrospective chart review. Results: Forty-six patients underwent reconstruction of a head and neck defect with a radial forearm free flap (RFFF). Subfascial harvest of the RFFF was performed in 25 (53%) patients and suprafascial harvest performed in 22 (47%) patients. All donor sites were covered with a split thickness skin graft and a bolster that remained in place for 6 days. Postoperative tendon exposure at the donor site occurred in 5 (20%) of the patients in the subfascial group and in 0 (0%) of the patients in the suprafascial group ( P = .05; Fisher’s exact test). Average tourniquet time was 117 minutes in the subfascial group and 102 minutes in the suprafascial group. Hematoma formation occurred at the donor site in 2 (8%) and 1 (5%) patients in the subfascial and suprafascial groups, respectively. There were no complete or partial flap losses in either group. Conclusions: Suprafascial harvest of the RFFF decreases the risk of postoperative tendon exposure. The suprafascial harvest technique does not increase harvest time or donor site complications, nor does it negatively impact flap vascularity.

Aim: Our goal is to present an unusual case of posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) involving the larynx. We aim to expand the literature regarding head and neck manifestations involving PTLD and for otolaryngologists to include PTLD in their differential diagnosis of laryngeal lesions in patients who have a history of solid organ transplantation. Background Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder occurs in immunocompromised patients following solid organ transplantation. Head and neck manifestations most commonly involve Waldeyer's ring with the larynx and trachea being relatively uncommon sites of disease. However, lesions of the larynx can cause acute airway obstruction and rare fatalities have been reported in the literature. Case report We present the case of a 51-year-old female with a history of renal transplantation, who presented to the office after an incidental supraglottic lesion was discovered during intubation for cochlear implant placement. A mucosalized lesion arising from the right aryepiglottic fold with dynamic obstruction of the airway was noted on office endoscopic examination. Imaging revealed extension of the mass into the right posterolateral hypopharynx. The patient was taken to the operating room for microdirect laryngoscopy and CO2 laser excision of the mass. The lesion was excised with negative gross margins. Final pathology revealed plasmacytoma-like PTLD and the patient was referred back to her transplant team for modulation of her immunosuppressive therapy. Conclusion We present the case of an incidental supraglottic lesion in a posttransplant patient. Special emphasis should be given to the tissues of Waldeyer's ring and larynx. Clinical significance Posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder, while rare, should be kept in the differential diagnosis of pharyngeal and airway lesions in patients with a history of solid organ transplantation. Expansile lesions can cause acute airway obstruction. Urgent evaluation and treatment of theses lesions is necessary in these circumstances. How to cite this article Kohli N, Wasserman JM. Posttransplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder involving the Larynx. Int J Head Neck Surg 2016;7(1):53-56.

We have previously shown that the combined delivery of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and bone morphogenetic protein 6 (BMP-6) induces significantly more bone formation than that induced by the delivery of any single factor or a combination of any two factors. We now determine whether the exogenous addition of VEGF and BMP-6 is sufficient for bone healing when MSCs are not provided. Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLAGA) microsphere-based three-dimensional scaffolds (P) were fabricated by thermal sintering of PLAGA microspheres. The scaffolds were chemically cross-linked with 200 ng recombinant human VEGF (P(VEGF)) or BMP-6 (P(BMP-6)) or both (P(VEGF+BMP-6)) by the EDC-NHS-MES method. Release of the proteins from the scaffolds was detected for 21 days in vitro which confirmed their comparable potential to supply the proteins in vivo. The scaffolds were delivered to a critical-sized mandibular defect created in 32 Sprague Dawley rats. Significant bone regeneration was observed only in rats with P(VEGF+BMP-6) scaffolds at weeks 2, 8 and 12 as revealed by micro-computer tomography. Vascular ingrowth was higher in the P(VEGF+BMP-6) group as seen by microfil imaging than in other groups. Trichrome staining revealed that a soft callus formed in P(VEGF), P(BMP-6) and P(VEGF+BMP-6) but not in P. MSCs isolated from rat femurs displayed expression of the bone-specific marker osteocalcin when cultured with P(VEGF), P(BMP-6), or P(VEGF+BMP-6) but not with P. Robust mineralization and increased alkaline phosphatase gene expression were seen in rat MSCs when cultured on P(VEGF+BMP-6) but not on P, P(VEGF), or P(BMP-6). Thus, unlike the delivery of VEGF or BMP-6 alone, the combined delivery of VEGF and BMP-6 to the bone defect significantly enhanced bone repair through the enhancement of angiogenesis and the differentiation of endogenously recruited MSCs into the bone repair site.

Outcome objective For over fifty years, otolaryngologists, allergists, and immunologists have debated the effect of adenoidectomy or adenotonsillectomy on asthma outcomes in children. Although some have suggested that adenotonsillectomy may contribute to the subsequent development of asthma in children, others have argued that a common mechanism may cause both upper and lower airway disease, and that children who have symptoms severe enough to warrant adenotonsillectomy are also at increased risk of asthma and atopic disease. The link between asthma and upper airway disease may involve upper airway inflammation. Our goal is to perform a systematic review of asthma outcomes following adenoidectomy or adenotonsillectomy in the pediatric population. Our goal is to assess the effect of adenoidectomy or adenotonsillectomy on markers of asthma severity in children with obstructive sleep apnea. Methods We performed a systematic review using the PubMed, EMBASE, and CINAHL databases using search terms related to asthma, adenoidectomy, and adenotonsillectomy. Inclusion criteria were defined as pediatric subjects aged 18 years or younger with a history of asthma, undergoing adenoidectomy, or adenotonsillectomy for obstructive sleep apnea. Database studies and case studies with or without control groups were included in the study. Exclusion criteria were patients with follow-up greater than 1 year after surgery, craniofacial syndromes, or additional significant comorbidities. Results A total of 567 abstracts were identified; 549 were excluded immediately. Eighteen full-text articles were assessed for eligibility and four articles were included in the qualitative synthesis. These data are consistent in correlating adenotonsillectomy in asthmatic children with decreased asthma severity. Markers of asthma severity including respiratory medication use, emergency room visits for asthma-related symptoms, overall asthma symptoms, and asthma-related exacerbations were all significantly reduced following adenotonsillectomy. Conclusion We present a systematic review of asthma outcomes following surgical intervention for sleep apnea in the pediatric population. All included studies found clinically significant reductions in markers of asthma severity after adenotonsillectomy. Though further prospective trials are needed to determine a causal relationship between adenotonsillectomy and modulation of asthma, the compilation of data suggest a definitive association.

Craniofacial fractures and bony defects are common causes of morbidity and contribute to increasing health care costs. Successful regeneration of bone requires the concomitant processes of osteogenesis and neovascularization. Current methods of repair and reconstruction include rigid fixation, grafting, and free tissue transfer. However, these methods carry innate complications, including plate extrusion, nonunion, graft/flap failure, and donor site morbidity. Recent research efforts have focused on using stem cells and synthetic scaffolds to heal critical-sized bone defects similar to those sustained from traumatic injury or ablative oncologic surgery. Growth factors can be used to augment both osteogenesis and neovascularization across these defects. Many different growth factor delivery techniques and scaffold compositions have been explored yet none have emerged as the universally accepted standard. In this review, we will discuss the recent literature regarding the use of stem cells, growth factors, and synthetic scaffolds as alternative methods of craniofacial fracture repair.

Biofouling, the accumulation of biological detritus on a hard substrate, has plagued the United Navy. Fouling causes increased hydrodynamic drag, resulting in increased fuel consumption and decreased speed and range. The purpose of this investigation was to research the formation of fouling, mechanisms of prevention, and tools for its removal. The Navy currently uses a copper-based antifouling coating that releases copper into the water, killing the fouling organisms. There is new research in biomimetic polymers that deter fouling, but are non-toxic. These polymers are rigidly attached to the hull surface extending their lifetime. Removal mechanisms have included water jets and abrasive brushes, yet no tool has concentrated on grooming the hull to remove the initial layer of microfouling. Removing the initial layer will deter the development of macrofouling, such as barnacles, which are more difficult to remove. The mechanisms that marine animals use to de-foul themselves were also examined and several concepts for a biomimetic hull-grooming tool were developed. These tools include novel brush designs; in addition, ultraviolet light was explored as another tool to remove microfouling.