Boston, MA – The 2010 Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO of the American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF), the largest meeting of ear, nose, and throat doctors in the world, will convene September 26-29, 2010, in Boston, MA.
Featuring more than 305 scientific research sessions, 594 posters, and several hundred instruction course hours for attendees, the annual meeting is a unique opportunity for journalists from around the world to cover breaking science and medical news. Reporters will have access to the latest research and clinical advances in the field of otolaryngology – head and neck surgery.
Information for the Media
The AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO Newsroom will be located in the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, Room 052. Hours of operation: Saturday, September 25, 12 pm to 5 pm; Sunday-Tuesday, September 26 – 28, 7:30 am to 5 pm; and Wednesday, September 29, 7:30 am to 2 pm. The newsroom serves as a work space for credentialed members of the news media. The newsroom is managed and staffed by the AAO-HNS Communications Unit. Please see the AAO-HNS website for media credentialing requirements for the event. To register and view advance press releases, log onto the AAO-HNS website at http://am2010.entnet.org/attendees/press.cfm.
PACU PTH Facilitates Safe Outpatient Total Thyroidectomy
Presenters: William Pechter, MS; David Steward, MD; Jeffrey Houlton, MD; Naresh Panda, MS, FRCSEd
Time: 8: 32 am
Location: 254
Boston, MA – A study was performed reviewing thyroidectomies from March 2008 to November 2009, to determine if a serum parathyroid hormone (PTH)-based discharge algorithm can be used to safely facilitate outpatient total thyroidectomy.
In a presentation at the 2010 AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO in Boston, researchers revealed that 180 patients (mean age 48.9, 83.3% female) underwent total (77.2%) or completion (22.7%) thyroidectomy, with or without node dissection (42.2% minimally invasive, video-assisted). Seventy-six percent (137/180) of patients had a PTH _20, meeting PTH discharge criterion. Sixty-nine percent of those eligible (95/137) were discharged the same day (53.1% of total). Of the 95 patients undergoing outpatient surgery, none were admitted, seen, or called with symptoms of hypocalcemia.
Auditory Changes in Mobile Users: Is Evidence Forthcoming?
Presenters: Rahul Modi; Ramandeep Virk; Sanjay Munjal
Time: 10:30 am
Location: Room 259
Boston, MA – A prospective case control study was carried out in a tertiary care hospital from July 2008 to December 2009. The study revealed that of 125 subjects who were long-term mobile users (at least one year of use), 63 used GSM and 62 CDMA phones. Another 58 subjects who acted as controls had never used any mobile phone.
In a paper at the 2010 AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO in Boston, researchers revealed long-term and intensive GSM and CDMA mobile phone use may cause damage to cochlea as well as the auditory cortex.
BAHA and BMI: Does Obesity Influence Complication Rates?
Presenters: Jerald Giles, MD; Constance Zhou, MD; Joe Kutz, MD; Timothy Molony, MD; Kevin Motamedi
Time: 10:38 am
Location: Room 259
Boston, MA – The association between obesity and the risk for soft tissue BAHA complications can increase a person's risk for complications during surgery.
In a paper at the 2010 AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO in Boston, researchers revealed that of 71 patients who met inclusion criteria, one-third were clinically obese. Follow-up time averaged 2.3 years. The incidence of soft tissue overgrowth requiring revision surgery was 6.5 percent in the non-obese cohort and 28.6 percent in the obese group.
The authors concluded that obesity confers an increased risk for soft tissue overgrowth, complicating use of BAHA.
Patient-Reported and Other Outcomes Following Meatoplasty
Presenters: Zaid Awad, MBChB, MRCS, DOHNS; Baskaran Ranganathan, MRCS, DOHNS; Nitesh Patel, MBChB, FRCS
Time: 11:23 am
Location: Room 259
Boston, MA – Meatoplasty procedure using the Whipps Cross technique is a safe and effective method of treating and preventing ear disease. It has a considerable positive impact on patients' quality of life. The standardized digital photography measurements can be used as an adjunct objective outcome measure to monitor and compare results.
In a paper at the 2010 AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO in Boston, researchers discussed a retrospective review of meatoplasty cases performed using the Whipps Cross technique, which is a safe and effective method for treating and preventing ear disease.
Novel Role of Statins in Chronic Rhinosinusitis Therapy
Presenters: Do-Yeon Cho, MD; Weihua Wang, PhD, MD; Wei Le, MD; Peter Hwang, MD; Daya Upadhyay, MD
Time: 8:53 am
Location: Room 160
Boston, MA – Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is an inflammatory upper respiratory disease affecting 15 percent of the population in the U.S. CRS may increase respiratory morbidity by triggering pulmonary exacerbations of asthma, COPD, and pneumonia.
In a paper at the 2010 AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO in Boston, researchers revealed that statins may have a potentially significant role in the treatment of CRS, which can impact millions of patients worldwide.
Esophageal Bolus Impaction: Is There a Seasonal Variation?
Presenters: Helen Larsson, MD; Mogens Bove, MD, PhD; Henrik Berquist, MD, PhD
Time: 9:54am
Location: Room 160
Boston, MA – A large proportion (30-50%) of patients visiting a hospital due to acute esophageal bolus obstruction has an underlying eosinophilic esophagitis, due to an allergic disease associated with dysphagia and seasonal variation.
In a paper at the 2010 AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO in Boston, researchers revealed a potential variation that would bring further support to the hypothesis of aeroallergens, including pollen, as important causes of eosinophilic esophagitis.
Effects of Tongue Implantation for Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Presenters: Evert Hamans, MD; Boris Stuck, MD
Time: 9:38am
Location: Room 210A
Boston, MA – Treatment of hypopharyngeal collapse of the upper airway is a surgical challenge in obstructive sleep apnea management in CPAP intolerance. Temporary procedures addressing the hypopharynx are invasive and of low efficacy.
In a paper at the 2010 AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO in Boston, researchers said they conducted a prospective nonrandomized, multicenter study to evaluate feasibility, safety, and efficacy for treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.
The rates of surgical success, feasibility, and safety were satisfactory. Further technical device improvement is necessary and must be based on the new information of tongue forces. When such technical issues are solved, tongue implants could play a role in multilevel surgery in the future.
Video-Assisted Thyroidectomy: Analysis of 700 Cases
Presenters: Evandro Vasconcelos, MD; Renata Mahmoud, MD; Lenine Brandao, MD, PhD; Jose Steck, MD
Time: 9:09am
Location: Room 210A
Boston, MA – From October 2002 to December 2009, the authors performed 700 minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomies by Miccoli's technique for benign and malignant thyroid nodules.
In a paper at the 2010 AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO in Boston, researchers revealed the Miccoli technique is safe and feasible to be done in medium-sized hospitals, with surgical time equal to or even lower than that of conventional thyroidectomy. It also has the advantages of a single incision, being cosmetically more acceptable, and with apparently less postoperative pain.
The greatest difficulty for introducing the method is the change in operating room preparation and commitment of the team to a new way performing surgeries. The limitations of the method are those concerning the volume of the gland and nodules, and the presence of thyroiditis, especially in the first cases.
Analysis of Pediatric Facial Dog Bites
Presenters: Anna Neumeier, BS; Vikram Durairaj, MD; Henry Chen, MD, MBA
Time: 10:30 am
Location: Room 156
Boston, MA – Children younger than 5 years are at high risk of being bitten in the face by a familiar dog.
In a paper at the 2010 AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO in Boston, researchers characterized and reported the epidemiological data regarding pediatric facial dog bites.
The majority of victims were less than 5 years old (60%), with the highest incidence occurring in 3-year-olds (16%). Incidence decreased with increasing age. The vast majority (88%) of the dogs were familiar to the children. The most common breeds included mixed breeds (16%), Labrador retrievers (16%), and terriers (10%). Repair in the operating room was required in 67 (12%) patients. Consultation services were called for 128 (24%) patients, with otolaryngology, ophthalmology, and plastic surgery being the most common. Inpatient treatment was required in 129 (24%) patients.
About the AAO-HNS
The American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (www.entnet.org), one of the oldest medical associations in the nation, represents more than 11,000 physicians and allied health professionals who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the ears, nose, throat, and related structures of the head and neck. The Academy serves its members by facilitating the advancement of the science and art of medicine related to otolaryngology and by representing the specialty in governmental and socioeconomic issues. The organization's vision: "Empowering otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons to deliver the best patient care.