Abstract: This executive summary of the guideline update provides evidence‐based recommendations for patient selection and surgical indications for managing tympanostomy tubes in children. The summary and guideline are intended for any clinician involved in managing children aged 6 months to 12 years with tympanostomy tubes or children being considered for tympanostomy tubes in any care setting as an intervention for otitis media of any type. The target audience includes specialists, primary care clinicians, and allied health professionals. Purpose The purpose of this executive summary is to provide a succinct overview for clinicians of the key action statements (recommendations), summary tables, and patient decision aids from the update of the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation’s “Clinical Practice Guideline: Tympanostomy Tubes in Children (Update).” The new guideline updates recommendations in the prior guideline from 2013 and provides clinicians with trustworthy, evidence‐based recommendations on patient selection and surgical indications for managing tympanostomy tubes in children. This summary is not intended to substitute for the full guideline, and clinicians are encouraged to read the full guideline before implementing the recommended actions. Methods The guideline on which this summary is based was developed using methods outlined in the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation’s “Clinical Practice Guideline Development Manual, Third Edition: A Quality‐Driven Approach for Translating Evidence Into Action,” which were followed explicitly. The guideline update group represented the disciplines of otolaryngology–head and neck surgery, otology, pediatrics, audiology, anesthesiology, family medicine, advanced practice nursing, speech‐language pathology, and consumer advocacy. Action Statements Strong recommendations were made for the following key action statements: (14) Clinicians should prescribe topical antibiotic ear drops only, without oral antibiotics, for children with uncomplicated acute tympanostomy tube otorrhea. (16) The surgeon or designee should examine the ears of a child within 3 months of tympanostomy tube insertion AND should educate families regarding the need for routine, periodic follow‐up to examine the ears until the tubes extrude. Recommendations were made for the following key action statements: (1) Clinicians should not perform tympanostomy tube insertion in children with a single episode of otitis media with effusion (OME) of less than 3 months’ duration, from the date of onset (if known) or from the date of diagnosis (if onset is unknown). (2) Clinicians should obtain a hearing evaluation if OME persists for 3 months or longer OR prior to surgery when a child becomes a candidate for tympanostomy tube insertion. (3) Clinicians should offer bilateral tympanostomy tube insertion to children with bilateral OME for 3 months or longer AND documented hearing difficulties. (5) Clinicians should reevaluate, at 3‐ to 6‐month intervals, children with chronic OME who do not receive tympanostomy tubes, until the effusion is no longer present, significant hearing loss is detected, or structural abnormalities of the tympanic membrane or middle ear are suspected. (6) Clinicians should not perform tympanostomy tube insertion in children with recurrent acute otitis media (AOM) who do not have middle ear effusion (MEE) in either ear at the time of assessment for tube candidacy. (7) Clinicians should offer bilateral tympanostomy tube insertion in children with recurrent AOM who have unilateral or bilateral MEE at the time of assessment for tube candidacy. (8) Clinicians should determine if a child with recurrent AOM or with OME of any duration is at increased risk for speech, language, or learning problems from otitis media because of baseline sensory, physical, cognitive, or behavioral factors. (10) The clinician should not place long‐term tubes as initial surgery for children who meet criteria for tube insertion unless there is a specific reason based on an anticipated need for prolonged middle ear ventilation beyond that of a short‐term tube. (12) In the perioperative period, clinicians should educate caregivers of children with tympanostomy tubes regarding the expected duration of tube function, recommended follow‐up schedule, and detection of complications. (13) Clinicians should not routinely prescribe postoperative antibiotic ear drops after tympanostomy tube placement. (15) Clinicians should not encourage routine, prophylactic water precautions (use of earplugs or headbands, avoidance of swimming or water sports) for children with tympanostomy tubes. Options were offered from the following key action statements: (4) Clinicians may perform tympanostomy tube insertion in children with unilateral or bilateral OME for 3 months or longer (chronic OME) AND symptoms that are likely attributable, all or in part, to OME that include, but are not limited to, balance (vestibular) problems, poor school performance, behavioral problems, ear discomfort, or reduced quality of life. (9) Clinicians may perform tympanostomy tube insertion in at‐risk children with unilateral or bilateral OME that is likely to persist as reflected by a type B (flat) tympanogram or a documented effusion for 3 months or longer. (11) Clinicians may perform adenoidectomy as an adjunct to tympanostomy tube insertion for children with symptoms directly related to the adenoids (adenoid infection or nasal obstruction) OR in children aged 4 years or older to potentially reduce future incidence of recurrent otitis media or the need for repeat tube insertion.

Abstract: The management of cholesteatoma has been a topic frequently filled with controversy regarding surgical technique and different methods of hearing restoration. Cholesteatoma management has always presented the otolaryngologist with a unique set of challenges, especially in the pediatric population. Challenges in management include access to various areas of the middle ear and surrounding structures, identification of recurrence, and restoration of hearing loss caused by the disease. Within the past decade, novel techniques such as removal/replacement of the canal wall, diffusion weighted MRI for diagnosis of recurrence, and advances in understanding of cholesteatoma biology have resulted in evolving clinical algorithms used to treat this difficult disease. This miniseminar will be organized as a panel discussing current care and novel management of pediatric cholesteatoma. The multi‐institutional panel will include experts in cholesteatoma biology, resective surgery for cholesteatoma, hearing restoration, and imaging of cholesteatoma. Each panelist will focus on novel and/or controversial aspects of cholesteatoma management. The miniseminar will use an audience response system to allow interaction between the panel and the audience during the presentations. Educational Objectives 1) Identify current theories regarding etiology of pediatric cholesteatoma and biologic factors determining behavior of cholesteatoma. 2) Understand current options for primary and hearing restorative surgery for pediatric cholesteatoma. 3) Learn about current options for identification of recurrent pediatric cholesteatoma.

Abstract: Insertion of tympanostomy tubes is the most common ambulatory surgery performed on children in the United States. Tympanostomy tubes are most often inserted because of persistent middle ear fluid, frequent ear infections, or ear infections that persist after antibiotic therapy. All these conditions are encompassed by the term otitis media (middle ear inflammation). This guideline update provides evidence‐based recommendations for patient selection and surgical indications for managing tympanostomy tubes in children. The guideline is intended for any clinician involved in managing children aged 6 months to 12 years with tympanostomy tubes or children being considered for tympanostomy tubes in any care setting as an intervention for otitis media of any type. The target audience includes specialists, primary care clinicians, and allied health professionals. Purpose The purpose of this clinical practice guideline update is to reassess and update recommendations in the prior guideline from 2013 and to provide clinicians with trustworthy, evidence‐based recommendations on patient selection and surgical indications for managing tympanostomy tubes in children. In planning the content of the updated guideline, the guideline update group (GUG) affirmed and included all the original key action statements (KASs), based on external review and GUG assessment of the original recommendations. The guideline update was supplemented with new research evidence and expanded profiles that addressed quality improvement and implementation issues. The group also discussed and prioritized the need for new recommendations based on gaps in the initial guideline or new evidence that would warrant and support KASs. The GUG further sought to bring greater coherence to the guideline recommendations by displaying relationships in a new flowchart to facilitate clinical decision making. Last, knowledge gaps were identified to guide future research. Methods In developing this update, the methods outlined in the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation’s “Clinical Practice Guideline Development Manual, Third Edition: A Quality‐Driven Approach for Translating Evidence Into Action” were followed explicitly. The GUG was convened with representation from the disciplines of otolaryngology–head and neck surgery, otology, pediatrics, audiology, anesthesiology, family medicine, advanced practice nursing, speech‐language pathology, and consumer advocacy. Action Statements The GUG made strong recommendations for the following KASs: (14) clinicians should prescribe topical antibiotic ear drops only, without oral antibiotics, for children with uncomplicated acute tympanostomy tube otorrhea; (16) the surgeon or designee should examine the ears of a child within 3 months of tympanostomy tube insertion AND should educate families regarding the need for routine, periodic follow‐up to examine the ears until the tubes extrude. The GUG made recommendations for the following KASs: (1) clinicians should not perform tympanostomy tube insertion in children with a single episode of otitis media with effusion (OME) of less than 3 months’ duration, from the date of onset (if known) or from the date of diagnosis (if onset is unknown); (2) clinicians should obtain a hearing evaluation if OME persists for 3 months or longer OR prior to surgery when a child becomes a candidate for tympanostomy tube insertion; (3) clinicians should offer bilateral tympanostomy tube insertion to children with bilateral OME for 3 months or longer AND documented hearing difficulties; (5) clinicians should reevaluate, at 3‐ to 6‐month intervals, children with chronic OME who do not receive tympanostomy tubes, until the effusion is no longer present, significant hearing loss is detected, or structural abnormalities of the tympanic membrane or middle ear are suspected; (6) clinicians should not perform tympanostomy tube insertion in children with recurrent acute otitis media who do not have middle ear effusion in either ear at the time of assessment for tube candidacy; (7) clinicians should offer bilateral tympanostomy tube insertion in children with recurrent acute otitis media who have unilateral or bilateral middle ear effusion at the time of assessment for tube candidacy; (8) clinicians should determine if a child with recurrent acute otitis media or with OME of any duration is at increased risk for speech, language, or learning problems from otitis media because of baseline sensory, physical, cognitive, or behavioral factors; (10) the clinician should not place long‐term tubes as initial surgery for children who meet criteria for tube insertion unless there is a specific reason based on an anticipated need for prolonged middle ear ventilation beyond that of a short‐term tube; (12) in the perioperative period, clinicians should educate caregivers of children with tympanostomy tubes regarding the expected duration of tube function, recommended follow‐up schedule, and detection of complications; (13) clinicians should not routinely prescribe postoperative antibiotic ear drops after tympanostomy tube placement; (15) clinicians should not encourage routine, prophylactic water precautions (use of earplugs or headbands, avoidance of swimming or water sports) for children with tympanostomy tubes. The GUG offered the following KASs as options : (4) clinicians may perform tympanostomy tube insertion in children with unilateral or bilateral OME for 3 months or longer (chronic OME) AND symptoms that are likely attributable, all or in part, to OME that include, but are not limited to, balance (vestibular) problems, poor school performance, behavioral problems, ear discomfort, or reduced quality of life; (9) clinicians may perform tympanostomy tube insertion in at‐risk children with unilateral or bilateral OME that is likely to persist as reflected by a type B (flat) tympanogram or a documented effusion for 3 months or longer; (11) clinicians may perform adenoidectomy as an adjunct to tympanostomy tube insertion for children with symptoms directly related to the adenoids (adenoid infection or nasal obstruction) OR in children aged 4 years or older to potentially reduce future incidence of recurrent otitis media or the need for repeat tube insertion.

Abstract: To identify social, demographic, and clinical barriers for implantation with Osseointegrated Bone Conduction Devices (OBCD) in pediatric candidates. Study Design: Retrospective cohort study of 94 children who met standard OBCD implantation criteria. Setting: Tertiary stand-alone children's hospital. Materials and Methods: Retrospective chart review comparing demographic (age, race, state of residence, and insurance) and clinical (severity and etiology of hearing loss, medical comorbidities, and early intervention) factors impacting implantation. Members of the existing cohort were then contacted to obtain a better understanding of qualitative factors impacting surgical decision. Results: Of the identified 94 surgical candidates, 47 (50%) underwent OBCD implantation. State of residence significantly impacted implantation rates, with children from the District of Columbia and Virginia being less likely to receive an implant than those from Maryland. Private insurance, race, and ethnicity did not impact rate of implantation (OR 2.8 [95% CI 0.78–10]; 1.34 [95% CI 0.44–3.68] ; and 1.0 [95% CI 0.42–2.43], respectively). Children with anotia or microtia and children younger than 10 years old were less likely to have an implant (OR 10.6 (95% CI 1.74–65). Thirty-nine children participated in the qualitative portion. Themes that emerged as reasons to forgo implantation included a child's young age, planned reconstruction for microtia or atresia, and overall device functionality and usage. Thirtyseven children (39%) of the cohort declined surgery and currently wear a nonsurgical bone conduction aid regularly. Conclusion: Despite known benefits of implantation, only one-half of children who were candidates underwent OBCD. Unlike cochlear implantation, where insurance status is a major risk factor for implantation delay and underperformance, for OBCD, implantation barriers appear to be more multifactorial and include medical, demographic, and social factors.

Abstract: Otogenic lateral sinus thrombosis (LST) is a rare but serious intracranial complication of acute or chronic otitis media (OM). Mortality rates for LST are quoted as 8–25% in most recent larger case series. Controversy exists regarding the surgical and medical management of LST. We sought to clarify this by reviewing our experience in patients who presented with otogenic LST in the past 5 years. Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted. 7 patients were identified and charts were examined for presentation, co‐existing intracranial complications, treatment, cultured organisms, and outcome. Results Patients most commonly presented with fever (5/7), otalgia (5/7), and mastoid tenderness (4/7). Co‐existing intracranial complications were present in 4/7 patients, including meningitis (1/7), epidural abscess (2/7), otitic hydrocephalus (2/7), and cavernous sinus thrombosis (1/7). All patients received IV antibiotics and underwent mastoidectomy with unroofing of the sigmoid sinus, and tympanostomy tube placement. Thrombectomy was not performed on any patient. Anticoagulation was used on 5/7 patients without complication. Streptococcus sp. was the most common organism isolated (2/7). All patients recovered well without major sequelae. One patient with cavernous sinus thrombosis and otitic hydrocephalus had a persistent right visual field deficit. Conclusions In this limited series, we demonstrate good outcomes by emergently treating LST from an otitic source with mastoidectomy and unroofing of the sigmoid sinus, IV antibiotics, and selective anticoagulation. We did not find thrombectomy to be necessary.

Abstract: To examine the outcomes of children receiving dexmedetomidine after single‐stage airway reconstruction. Study Design Historical cohort study. Setting Tertiary care children’s hospital. Subjects and Methods Of 61 eligible patients, 50 children undergoing single‐stage airway reconstruction were included in the study. Thirty children received dexmedetomidine (Dex) as a primary sedative agent, and 20 received a more traditional sedation protocol (no Dex). Primary outcomes included complications, intubation lengths, and lengths of pediatric intensive care unit (PICU)/hospital admission. Secondary analysis incorporating polypharmacy and age was performed using multivariate linear regression models. Results Median age was 18.0 months. Age, sex, and weight were similar between the groups. Intubation length was equal in the 2 groups, and there were no statistical differences between lengths of PICU or hospital stay after extubation. Similarly, overall and individual complications were all similar, and there was no difference between the 2 groups in the amount of polypharmacy administered. On multivariate analysis, polypharmacy and younger age were independently correlated with an increase in overall complications, and polypharmacy alone was correlated with an increased length of stay after extubation. Conclusion The use of dexmedetomidine as a primary sedation agent after single‐stage airway surgery does not appear to improve outcomes or decrease the need for additional pharmacologic agents. Polypharmacy was associated with an increase in overall complications and an increased length of stay after extubation. Although success can be expected in greater than 90% of these surgical patients, the optimal postoperative sedation management remains challenging.