The Laryngoscope
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Comparative Study
A novel role for otolaryngologists in the multidisciplinary Difficult Airway Response Team.
The Difficult Airway Response Team (DART) was implemented in July 2008 to address emergent difficult airway situations. The main objective of this study was to highlight the unique role and skill set that otolaryngologists bring and their impact on patient outcomes. ⋯ Otolaryngologists were able to decrease the need for cricothyrotomies using specialized techniques for patients with difficult airways. Otolaryngologists bring a special skill set to the DART that is beyond the scope of anesthesiologists and trauma surgeons and that can improve patient outcomes by preventing unnecessary emergency surgical airways.
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Case Reports
Management of airway compromise following thyroid cyst hemorrhage after thrombolytic therapy.
The risk of hemorrhage after therapeutic administration of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is well known. Cases of postadministration hemorrhage have been reported within many organ systems. ⋯ An incision into the mass during attempted tracheotomy released colloid and blood, decompressing the airway and facilitating ventilation and intubation. Hemithyroidectomy for mass removal was delayed for 3 days to allow normalization of post-tPA coagulopathy.
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Determine rates and reasons for revisits after adult uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP). ⋯ Ambulatory UPPP demonstrates an good postoperative safety profile. Postoperative hemorrhage and acute pain, as well as fever/dehydration, are common reasons for revisits. These particular complications should be targeted for prevention to reduce postoperative revisit rates.
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To verify the reliability and validity of automated scoring and compare it to that of manual scoring for diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea using an Embletta X100 level 2 portable device. ⋯ 4.