World Journal of OtorhinolaryngologyHead and Neck Surgery最新文献

{"title":"Frequency of otitis media with effusion among children aged 1-5 years presenting to immunization center of tertiary care hospitals, Rawalpindi.","authors":"Nida Riaz, Muhammad Ajmal, Muhammad Sheharyar Khan","doi":"10.1016/j.wjorl.2021.03.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wjorl.2021.03.002","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>We conducted this study to assess the etiopathogenic relation of otitis media with effusion (OME) in a group of children aged 1-5 years among the local population of Rawalpindi.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This was a cross-sectional retrospective study. Study was conducted among the children presenting to the immunization center of three tertiary care hospitals of Rawalpindi. Otitis media was assessed by clinical examination and tympanometry from August 2019 to January 2020. Multi-factor regression analysis was then applied to recognize the statistical significance and association of various risk factors to OME.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Out of 400 children enrolled in this study, 108 (27.0%) had OME, out of which 65 (60.2%) were males and 30 (27.8%) were of age group 2-3 years. Multivariable regression analysis of risk factors associated with OME showed it was strongly associated with snoring (<i>P</i> < 0.001), last year symptoms (attack of ear aches with hearing loss [<i>P</i> = 0.002]), drugs (URTI antibiotics [<i>P</i> = 0.026], All 3 drugs [<i>P</i> = 0.013]).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>We found out that OME is a common disease which if not identified or treated timely can lead to other hard to cure health problems. Control of its etiopathogenic factors can play a major role in its prevention.</p>","PeriodicalId":32097,"journal":{"name":"World Journal of OtorhinolaryngologyHead and Neck Surgery","volume":"8 4","pages":"315-320"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/d5/35/WJO2-8-315.PMC9714043.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10370286","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effect of N-acetyl-cysteine treatment on sensorineural hearing loss: a meta-analysis.","authors":"Xue Bai, Miao Wang, Xun Niu, Hong Yu, Jian-Xin Yue, Yu Sun","doi":"10.1016/j.wjorl.2021.01.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wjorl.2021.01.005","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) is an efficacious treatment for sensorineural hearing loss in animal models, such as noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL), however previous research into the effect of NAC on patients with hearing loss produced contradictory results. In this study, we investigated the effect of NAC treatment on sensorineural hearing loss. PubMed, Web of Science and Embase databases were searched in their entirety using the key words: hearing loss, NAC, N-acetylcysteine, and sensorineural hearing loss. Studies which included assessment of hearing loss with pure-tone threshold (PTA) data were selected. Eligible studies regarding the effects of NAC treatment on patients with hearing loss were collected by two independent reviewers. A total of 1197 individuals were included from seven published studies. Two studies reported data for a sudden idiopathic sensorineural hearing loss (SISNHL) group. Three studies reported data for a NIHL group. Other studies reported data for drug-induced hearing loss. The meta-analysis demonstrated that the overall effect of NAC treatment on sensorineural hearing loss was invalid. However, NAC treatment was linked with improved patient outcomes of hearing tests in cases of sudden hearing loss, but did not prevent hearing loss induced by noise or ototoxicity. However, there is a need for better-designed studies with larger samples to further prove the correlation between the effect of NAC and hearing loss.</p>","PeriodicalId":32097,"journal":{"name":"World Journal of OtorhinolaryngologyHead and Neck Surgery","volume":" ","pages":"205-212"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-05-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/ce/ed/WJO2-8-205.PMC9479481.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"33485074","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Nonopioid perioperative analgesia in head and neck cancer surgery: A systematic review.","authors":"Beatrice C Go, Cammille C Go, Kevin Chorath, Alvaro Moreira, Karthik Rajasekaran","doi":"10.1002/wjo2.62","DOIUrl":"10.1002/wjo2.62","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Management of postoperative pain after head and neck cancer surgery is a complex issue, requiring a careful balance of analgesic properties and side effects. The objective of this review is to discuss the efficacy and safety of multimodal analgesia (MMA) for these patients.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Pubmed, Cochrane, Embase, Scopus, and clinicaltrials.gov were systematically searched for all comparative studies of patients receiving MMA (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), acetaminophen, anticonvulsants, local anesthetics, and corticosteroids) for head and neck cancer surgeries. The primary outcome was additional postoperative opioid usage, and secondary outcomes included subjective pain scores, complications, adverse effects, and 30-day outcomes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of five studies representing 592 patients (MMA, <i>n</i> = 275; non-MMA, <i>n</i> = 317) met inclusion criteria. The most commonly used agents were gabapentin, NSAIDs, and acetaminophen (<i>n</i> = 221), NSAIDs (<i>n</i> = 221), followed by corticosteroids (<i>n</i> = 35), dextromethorphan (<i>n</i> = 40), and local nerve block (<i>n</i> = 19). Four studies described a significant decrease in overall postoperative narcotic usage with two studies reporting a significant decrease in hospital time. Subjective pain scores widely varied with two studies reporting reduced pain at postoperative day 3. There were no differences in surgical outcomes, medical complications, adverse effects, or 30-day mortality and readmission rates.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>MMA is an increasingly popular strategy that may reduce dependence on opioids for the treatment of postoperative pain. A variety of regimens and protocols are available for providers to utilize in the appropriate head and neck cancer patient.</p>","PeriodicalId":32097,"journal":{"name":"World Journal of OtorhinolaryngologyHead and Neck Surgery","volume":"8 2","pages":"107-117"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-05-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/7f/35/WJO2-8-107.PMC9242426.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40558877","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Institutional analysis of intra- and post-operative tracheostomy management for risk reduction.","authors":"Laura E Henry, Ellen A Paul, Joshua H Atkins, Niels D Martin, Ara A Chalian, Christopher H Rassekh","doi":"10.1016/j.wjorl.2021.02.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wjorl.2021.02.004","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Determine variability in intra- and post-operative management of tracheostomies (trachs) at our institution as existing literature suggests that trachs are a frequent trigger for airway-related emergencies. Catalyze the development of an institution-wide protocols for trach care.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A 39-question online survey was sent to 55 providers who perform open and percutaneous trachs at three of the hospitals within our large, urban, academic medical center. These providers were identified by surveillance of the operating room schedules for 1 year.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The survey was completed by 40 of the 53 eligible providers (75.5%). Response rate by question varied. Respondents included members of all departments that perform trachs at our institution (Otorhinolaryngology, Trauma Surgery, Thoracic Surgery, General Surgery, Cardiovascular Surgery and Interventional Pulmonology).While most responses demonstrated uniformity in practice, notable variations included the following: 80% of percutaneous trach providers stated that morbid obesity was not a contraindication to performing a trach outside of the operating room (<i>n</i> = 20) while 58% of open trach providers stated that morbid obesity was a contraindication; only 35% of open trach providers perform a Bjork flap (<i>n</i> = 350). The survey also identified significant variability in practice with regards to timing of trach suture removal.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Lack of uniformity was identified in several practices related to intra- and post-operative tracheostomy care. Results did, however, trend toward consensus in many areas. The results are being used to establish a more consistent approach to tracheostomy management across our institution to ensure standardization of practice amidst the rapidly evolving practices of trach placement.</p><p><strong>Implications for practice: </strong>With ongoing evolution in the methods of trach placement and its management, the concepts put forth here will be a resource for health care providers at other institutions to consider intra-institutional analysis and establishment of practice standardization.</p>","PeriodicalId":32097,"journal":{"name":"World Journal of OtorhinolaryngologyHead and Neck Surgery","volume":"8 4","pages":"370-377"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-05-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/0f/20/WJO2-8-370.PMC9714045.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10430542","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Tuberculous and non-tuberculous cervical lymphadenopathy incidence and distribution in Somalia from 2016 to 2020: A review of 241 cases.","authors":"Mehmet Tahtabasi, Fatih Sahiner","doi":"10.1016/j.wjorl.2021.03.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wjorl.2021.03.001","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To determine the incidence of tuberculous lymphadenitis (TBL) and other pathologies in cervical lymphadenopathies in Somalia and accompanying radiological findings.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this hospital-based retrospective study, the demographic characteristics, pathology results and radiological findings of 263 patients who underwent ultrasound (US)-guided cervical lymph node biopsy between January 2016 and February 2020 were analyzed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 241 patients 118 men and 123 women (mean age 27.9 ± 18.1 years) included in the study, 46.1% (<i>n</i> = 111) were diagnosed as necrotizing granulomatous lymphadenitis (caseified, consistent with TBL) and 21.6% (<i>n</i> = 12, atypical lymphoid cells and <i>n</i> = 40, metastases) as malignancy. The most common type of metastasis was squamous cell cancer (<i>n</i> = 31), and the primary source of most of them was esophageal cancer (16/31, 51.6%). The age of patients with TBL was significantly lower than that of non-TBL (21.9 ± 14.6 <i>vs</i>. 41.9 ± 24.6, <i>P</i> = 0.003) and the incidence of TBL in pediatric patients was statistically higher (58.0% <i>vs</i>. 21.5%, <i>P</i> = 0.019). The rate of patients with TBL being localized at level 4 and level 5 was significantly more than non-TBL patients (18.0% <i>vs</i>. 10.0% and 23.4% <i>vs</i>. 10.8%, respectively, <i>P</i> = 0.01). Half of patients with TBL who have chest radiography had pathological findings; consolidation and bronchopneumonia were present in 52.6% of them. There were 2 patients with paravertebral abscess and one patient with gastrointestinal tuberculosis.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In Somalia, in the presence of cervical lymphadenopathy, after diagnosis by using US-guided biopsy; primarily considering of TBL and malignancy, thoracic involvement should be investigated, and esophageal carcinoma must be excluded in terms of metastatic lymph node.</p>","PeriodicalId":32097,"journal":{"name":"World Journal of OtorhinolaryngologyHead and Neck Surgery","volume":"8 4","pages":"361-369"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-05-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/1a/7c/WJO2-8-361.PMC9714051.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10370287","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Endoscopy-assisted transoral approach for parapharyngeal space tumors: Our experience and a systematic review of the literature.","authors":"Pietro Orlando, Luca Giovanni Locatello, Oreste Gallo, Gianluca Leopardi, Giandomenico Maggiore","doi":"10.1002/wjo2.55","DOIUrl":"10.1002/wjo2.55","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Several approaches have been described for the excision of parapharyngeal space tumors (PPSTs). Advances in endoscopy gave a further stimulus to the use of the transoral route.</p><p><strong>Aims: </strong>We present our experience with the endoscopy-assisted transoral approach (EATA) in this regard and a review of the most recent literature about EATA for PPSTs excision.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>We retrospectively analyzed our experience and systematically reviewed the literature about the outcomes of this technique.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Seven PPSTs were completely excised, with three of them requiring a combined transcervical approach. Only one case of postoperative wound dehiscence was registered, and the mean length of stay was 3.9 days. Final histopathological examination confirmed the results obtained with preoperative fine-needle aspiration biopsy in all cases and no recurrences were apparent after a mean follow-up of 28.1 months.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Magnetic resonance imaging, the modified Mallampati score and the 8 Ts criteria are useful instruments for the choice of the most appropriate surgical approach.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In light of our experience and following other published series in the literature, we believe that EATA may represent a safe and effective approach for the treatment of the majority of PPSTs.</p>","PeriodicalId":32097,"journal":{"name":"World Journal of OtorhinolaryngologyHead and Neck Surgery","volume":"9 1","pages":"79-90"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-05-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/66/45/WJO2-9-79.PMC10050965.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9246302","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dog bite injuries to the face: A narrative review of the literature.","authors":"Shirwa Sheik Ali, Sharaf Sheik Ali","doi":"10.1016/j.wjorl.2020.11.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wjorl.2020.11.001","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Dog bite injuries remain a public health concern for two key reasons: the physical threat to health following attack and the infective sequelae a canine bite can incur. Facial bite injuries can result in significant emotional, psychological and physical trauma to victims involved. This narrative review elucidates the current presentation and management of dog bite injuries to the face.</p><p><strong>Data sources and methods: </strong>A literature search was conducted electronically using the search terms \"dog bite\" and \"face\" and \"management\" using the National Library of Medicine (Pubmed) and the Cochrane Library. There were no time nor language restrictions. A total of 79 studies were initially retrieved using the search algorithm. After screening of the titles and abstracts, 9 full texts were retrieved, and a total of 7 studies included.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The number of patients included in each study following a dog bite ranged from 40 to 223. The percentage of children included in each study (aged <18 years old) ranged from 27.5% to 100%. The majority of dog bite injuries to the face were managed by primary repair, ranging from 56.3% to 100%. Prophylactic antibiotics were used in most studies for dog bite injuries, ranging from 81% to 100%. The secondary infection rate following a dog bite ranged from 0 to 35%.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This review highlights that children are disproportionately affected by canine bite injuries to the face relative to adults. The dog involved in the attack is typically known to the victim, with the lips, the cheek and the nose representing the most common sites of facial injury. More units are managing such injuries with primary repair and prophylactic antibiotics. Reconstructive procedures most commonly involve a local or advancement flap, a full thickness skin graft or a split skin graft. These are typically performed by Plastic Surgery and Maxillofacial Surgery specialists.</p>","PeriodicalId":32097,"journal":{"name":"World Journal of OtorhinolaryngologyHead and Neck Surgery","volume":" ","pages":"239-244"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/b5/a8/WJO2-8-239.PMC9479474.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"33484003","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Shedding light in otolaryngology: A brief history on the surgical tools of visualization and access.","authors":"E Berryhill McCarty, Ariel Frost","doi":"10.1016/j.wjorl.2020.11.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wjorl.2020.11.002","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Visualization and access. Historically, these have been the two major factors that have limited advancement in the field of Otolaryngology. No other surgical specialty deals with anatomical challenges quite like those presented by the structures of the head and neck. Otolaryngology is a field of dark cavities, complex and miniscule structures, and awkward angles. The aim of this article is to briefly explore how Otolaryngologists have historically met these challenges, with a specific focus on technological advancements in illumination, visualization, and access. From mirrors reflecting candlelight to fiberoptic illuminated scopes, from bamboo nasal speculums to Transoral Robotic Surgery (TORS), tracing the historical arc of these technologies highlights the innovative spirit that has come to define the field of Otolaryngology.</p>","PeriodicalId":32097,"journal":{"name":"World Journal of OtorhinolaryngologyHead and Neck Surgery","volume":" ","pages":"245-248"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/65/2c/WJO2-8-245.PMC9479472.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"33485070","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Association of allergic rhinitis with hypothyroidism, asthma, and chronic sinusitis: clinical and radiological features.","authors":"Aljuaid Eidha Fawzan, Sara Ahmad Assiri, Raad M M Althaqafi, Atheer Alsufyani, Ahmad Saeed A Alghamdi","doi":"10.1016/j.wjorl.2020.12.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.wjorl.2020.12.001","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Allergic rhinitis (AR) is characterized by mucosal inflammation that leads to a variety of symptoms, such as nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, and sneezing. This rhinitis is triggered by inhalation of allergens, such as pollen, and this condition has a negative impact on the quality of life. AR was shown to be associated with a number of co-morbidities, including hypothyroidism, asthma, and chronic sinusitis.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to assess AR-associated comorbidities in patients presenting symptoms and paranasal sinus computed tomography (CT) scan findings in Taif City, Saudi Arabia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This cross-sectional study evaluated medical and radiological records of AR patients retrospectively from the period of December 2018 to September 2019 in Al-Hada Armed Forces Military Hospital, Taif City, Saudi Arabia.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 103 AR patients with a mean age of 39.0 ± 15.6 years with 55.3% males and 44.7% females. The three most common associated comorbidities in allergic rhinitis patients were chronic sinusitis (28.2%), hypothyroidism (21.4%), and asthma (8.7%). Nasal obstruction (30.1%) was the symptom most frequently presented by all patients. Mucosal thickening occurred most frequently in patients with associated chronic sinusitis, while bilateral osteomeatal complex obliteration was observed mostly in asthmatic patients, and bony boundary thinning was more prevalent among patients with associated hypothyroidism.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The gender distribution of AR was 10% more common among males; however, the most common three comorbidites in allergic rhinitis patients were chronic sinusitis, hypothyroidism, and asthma, and most of those patients were females. Hypothyroidism can be a hidden predisposing factor for AR, while chronic sinusitis can be caused by AR due to secretion stasis or immune system activation.</p>","PeriodicalId":32097,"journal":{"name":"World Journal of OtorhinolaryngologyHead and Neck Surgery","volume":" ","pages":"262-268"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-05-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/9d/d5/WJO2-8-262.PMC9479480.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"33485075","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Head and neck cancer readmission reduction (HANCARRE) project: Reducing 30-day readmissions.","authors":"Sara Yang, William Adams, Carol Bier-Laning","doi":"10.1002/wjo2.56","DOIUrl":"10.1002/wjo2.56","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Unplanned 30-day readmissions result in increased costs and decreased patient satisfaction. The objective of this study was to compare readmission rates before and after a multidisciplinary quality improvement initiative that focuses on patient and staff education, use of targeted skilled nursing facilities, and appropriate use of patient observation status.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This was a quality improvement study of all unplanned admissions to the Head and Neck Oncology service at a tertiary care facility during a 3-year period between October 2015 and September 2018. In October 2016, when the Head and Neck Oncology service revised its discharge practices for patients undergoing extirpative and/or reconstructive surgery. These changes included enhancing patient education, increasing the use of a skilled nursing facility with directed staff education and patient handoffs by advanced practice nurses, and appropriate utilization of 23-h observation status for returning patients. The readmission rate from the pre-intervention era (October 2015 through September 2016) was compared to the readmission rate from the post-intervention era (October 2016 through September 2018). Secondary outcomes were the rates of 23-h observation within 30 days of the discharge as well as emergency room visits within 30 days of discharge.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In this sample of 449 patients, 161 (35.9%) were observed before the change-in-practice (before October 2016), and 288 (64.1%) were observed following the change-in-practice (after September 2016). On univariable analysis, the risk of readmission declined by approximately 41.4% from the pre-intervention era, though this conclusion was not statistically significant (<i>P</i> = 0.06). On multivariable analysis, patients at moderate or high risk of death were 2.31 times more likely than those at minor risk of death to readmit within 30 days (<i>P</i> = 0.03). Similarly, those with recurrent or persistent cancer were 3.33 times more likely than those undergoing initial curative surgical management of cancer to readmit within 30 days (<i>P</i> = 0.001). No patient characteristics were associated with a 23-h observation following discharge (all <i>P</i> > 0.05). Conclusions were similar for emergency room visits following discharge.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>A three-part quality improvement strategy resulted in a clinically important decrease in 30-day readmissions, though the decline was not statistically significant. There were no significant changes in 23-h observation within 30 days of discharge or emergency room visits within 30 days of discharge.</p>","PeriodicalId":32097,"journal":{"name":"World Journal of OtorhinolaryngologyHead and Neck Surgery","volume":"8 2","pages":"158-166"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2022-05-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://ftp.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pub/pmc/oa_pdf/b3/66/WJO2-8-158.PMC9242425.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"40558880","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}