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.
Effect of Waiting Room Time on Ambulatory Satisfaction
Presenters: Clifford Bleustein, MD, MBA; Eduardas Valaitis, PhD; Raleigh Jones, MD, MBA
Time: 9:38 am
Location: Room 259AB
Boston, MA – Self-reported patient wait times alone significantly impacts all measured aspects of the ambulatory patient experience, as seen in survey responses.
In a presentation at the 2010 AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO in Boston, researchers conducted a survey between January 1 and December 31, 2008 for the University of Kentucky Health System. Data collected across 12 questions were indicative of the overall patient experience. Patient responses to these questions were translated from a 1 - 5 scale to a cumulative raw score ranging from 0 to 100. Surveys were grouped by self-reported wait times (0-5, 6-10, 11-15, 16-30 and over 30 minutes).The longer the wait, the worse the patients rated the total experience, researchers concluded.
Physician Extenders in an Outpatient Otolaryngology Setting
Presenters: Byron Norris, MD; Tristen Harris, MPAS, PA-C; Scott Stringer, MD, MS
Time: 11:23 am
Location: Room 206AB
Boston, MA –Mid-level providers may be incorporated in many facets and spectra of an outpatient otolaryngology practice. Their adjunctive care is not only cost-effective but has the advantages of increasing patient education, promoting physician productivity, and improving management of chronic conditions.
In a presentation at the 2010 AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO in Boston, researchers performed a literature review of four different practice models for incorporation of physician extenders in an otolaryngology practice. A case study was presented involving physician extenders in an academic otolaryngology clinic, and the advantages, disadvantages, and cost analysis were reviewed.
OSA Surgery Practice Patterns in the United States: 2000-06
Presenters: Eric Kezirian, MD, MPH; Judy Maselli, MSPH; Eric Vittinghoff, PhD; Andrew Goldberg, MD, MSCE; Andrew Auerbach, MD, MPH
Time: 10:02 am
Location: Room 257
Boston, MA – In 2006, an estimated 35,263 surgeries for sleep apnea were performed in inpatient and outpatient settings in the United States, including 33,087 palate, 6,561 hypopharyngeal, and 1,378 maxillomandibular advancement procedures. Compared to hypopharyngeal surgery, the odds of undergoing isolated palate surgery were higher for younger (age 18-39 years) and black patients, but were not associated with other variables.
In a presentation at the 2010 AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO in Boston, researchers revealed that only 0.2 percent of all adults with OSA annually, as OSA surgery is common and costly. Variations in cost and procedure type related to selected patient and hospital factors provide a potential opportunity for practice standardization.
Robotic OSAHS Surgery: Do the Ends Justify the Means?
Presenters: Claudio Vicini, MD; Filippo Montevecchi, MD; Giulia Tenti; Pietro Canzi, MD
Time: 10:10 am
Location: Room 257
Boston, MA – A retrospective study was done on 40 severe OSAHS adult patients surgically treated by means of the DaVinci Robotic Platform (tongue base reduction and supraglottoplasty) during the last 18 months in a tertiary care center.
In a presentation at the 2010 AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO in Boston, researchers discussed the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of a robotic approach (DaVinci Platform) to tongue base surgery in OSAHS patients.
The final results of the study proved that OSAHS TORS proved to be a feasible safe and effective surgical approach to OSAHS.
Systematic Investigation of Caffeine Ingestion on Voice
Presenter: Elizabeth Erickson, MS
Time: 11:23 am
Location: Room 252
Boston, MA – Moderate caffeine intake is not detrimental to phonation in healthy speakers. Speakers who do not present with overt voice disorders or hoarseness may effectively utilize homeostatic mechanisms to regulate systemic fluid levels and maintain optimal voice.
In a presentation at the 2010 AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO in Boston, researchers studied 16 adults (equal males and females) in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled investigation. Eight participants with a history of professional voice training (M_6.7 years) and eight matched controls completed two sessions: caffeinated and decaffeinated. Following consumption of caffeinated or decaffeinated beverages, clinical voice measures (phonation threshold pressure and vocal effort) were obtained at baseline and at 35 and 70 minutes after vocal loading.
Research concluded that there were no significant negative effects of caffeine on voice over time. A history of vocal training did not influence the effects of caffeine on voice production.
End of Life Care Among Head and Neck Cancer Patients
Presenters: Ye Yang, BSPH; Mark Prince, MD; Jeremy Taylor, PhD
Time: 8:16 am
Location: Room 257
Boston, MA – The Family of Assessment of Treatment (FATE) survey is a useful measure of the end of life experience of head and neck cancer patients. Palliative treatments of head and neck cancer, death outside of the hospital, and palliative care team involvement all improve the end of life experience in this population.
In a presentation at the 2010 AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO in Boston, researchers revealed a prospective, survey-based study that was conducted at an academic tertiary care medical center, involving patients who have died of head and neck cancer.
The study was designed to determine the perceived quality of care received by patients with head and neck cancer at the end of their lives, in order to better anticipate and improve upon the experiences of future patients.
Results of a Community-Based Head and Neck Cancer Screening
Presenter: Justin Wise, PhD
Time: 11:15 am
Location: Room 257
Boston, MA – A large scale community-based head and neck cancer screening can effectively be implemented in nonmedical venues.
The overall aim of this study was to examine the usefulness of a large scale head and neck cancer screening for reducing smoking behavior in an at-risk population (i.e., NASCAR fans).
Results from this study indicate that a large scale community-based head and neck cancer screening can effectively be implemented in nonmedical venues. Findings from this study targeting education to reduce smoking behavior indicated that 6 months post-screening, participants reported smoking significantly fewer cigarettes per day.
Hearing Conservation with Conventional Cochlear Implantation
Presenters: Matthew Carlson, MD; Rene Gifford, PhD; Nicole Tombers, BS; Colin Driscoll, MD
Time: 8:16 am
Location: Room 259
Boston, MA – Conservation of acoustic hearing following conventional long electrode cochlear implantation (CI) is unpredictable but remains a realistic goal. The combination of improved technology and refined surgical technique may allow for conservation of some residual hearing in over 60 percent of patients.
In a presentation at the 2010 AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO in Boston, researchers discussed data for 292 implant patients who underwent CI with a newer generation implant model (Nucleus N24 Contour series or later, Advanced Bionics HR90K, and Med El Sonata). Pre- and post-implant audiometric thresholds and speech recognition scores were recorded.
Adenotonsillectomy: A Risk Factor for Obesity?
Presenters: Anita Jeyakumar, MD; Nicholas Fettman, MD; Ron Mitchell, MD
Time: 8:00 am
Location: Room 254
Boston, MA – A large population of normal and overweight children undergoing T&A gained a greater than expected amount of weight postoperatively, which may suggest that (adeno) tonsillectomy is indeed a risk factor for developing obesity.
In a presentation at the 2010 AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO in Boston, researchers discussed their findings regarding patients who underwent an adenotonsillectomy, and had pre- and postoperative weight or body mass index measurements, as reported in the literature from 1970 to 2009. Results indicated that (adeno) tonsillectomy is indeed a risk factor for developing obesity.
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."