Importance The COVID‐19 pandemic is changing how health care providers practice. As some telemedicine and telecommunication support tools have been incorporated into the otolaryngology practice in response to safety and access demands, it is essential to review how these tools and services can help facilitate facial trauma evaluation during a time when clinical resources are limited. Objective To review applications of telemedicine for the evaluation of facial trauma to better direct utilization of these methods and technologies during times of limited access to clinical resources such as the COVID‐19 pandemic. Methods A systematic review was conducted using PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. Results After screening 158 titles and abstracts, we identified 16 eligible studies involving facial trauma evaluation using telemedicine. Telemedicine opportunities for facial trauma evaluation have the potential to be developed in the areas of multidisciplinary remote consultations, facial trauma triage, patient engagement, and postoperative follow‐up. Conclusion The COVID‐19 pandemic is posing obstacles for both providers and patients in the delivery of health care at a time of limited clinical resources. Telemedicine may provide a potential useful tool in the evaluation and triage of facial injuries and patient engagement.

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Background Telemedicine has become increasingly popular in the care of rhinologic patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. This change in practice patterns may place patients at risk of a perceived lower-quality exchange with their healthcare provider, which may in turn impact satisfaction. Objective This study compares patient satisfaction scores between in-person clinic visits and telemedicine video visits in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Methods Sixty-nine patients with CRS presenting to an academic rhinology clinic between March to April 2020 were retrospectively divided into video visits (VV) and clinic visits (CV) groups based on mandated state quarantine orders on March 19. Patient demographics, disease severity measures, and Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire-18 (PSQ-18) scores were collected and analyzed. Chi square test and Fisher’s exact test were performed. Results There were no significant differences in age (p = 0.81), gender (p = 0.55), CRS phenotype (p = 0.16), and disease severity measures (Sinonasal Outcomes Test-22 (SNOT-22) (p = 0.92); Lund-Mackay score (p = 0.96)) between the video and clinic visit groups. There were no significant differences in PSQ-18 total scores (VV PSQ-18 mean score = 78.1, CV PSQ-18 mean score = 78.4; p = 0.67) or the following subdomain scores between the two groups: general satisfaction (p = 0.73), technical quality (p = 0.62), interpersonal manner (p = 0.41), communication (p = 0.31), financial aspects (p = 0.89), time spent with doctor (p = 0.88), and accessibility and convenience (p = 0.47). Conclusion Patient satisfaction with telemedicine in the COVID-19 pandemic parallels that of traditional in-person visits. Video visits can serve as a viable alternative to clinic visits, while still maintaining high satisfaction.

Introduction Remote data collection, including the establishment of online registries, is a novel approach to efficiently identify risk for cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease (AD) in older adults, with growing evidence for feasibility and validity. Addition of genetic data to online registries has the potential to facilitate identification of older adults at risk and to advance the understanding of genetic contributions to AD. Methods 573 older adult participants with longitudinal online Brain Health Registry (BHR) data underwent apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotyping using remotely collected saliva samples and a novel, automated Biofluid Collection Management Portal. We evaluated acceptability of genetic sample collection and estimated associations between (1) sociodemographic variables and willingness to participate in genetics research and (2) APOE results and online cognitive and functional assessments. We also assessed acceptance of hypothetical genetics research participation by surveying a larger sample of 25,888 BHR participants. Results 51% of invited participants enrolled in the BHR genetics study, BHR‐GenePool Study (BHR‐GPS); 27% of participants had at least one APOE ε4 allele. Older participants and those with higher educational attainment were more likely to participate. In the remotely administered Cogstate Brief Battery, APOE ε4/ε4 homozygotes (HM) had worse online learning scores, and greater decline in processing speed and attention, compared to ε3/ε4 heterozygotes (HT) and ε4 non‐carriers (NC). Discussion APOE genotyping of more than 500 older adults enrolled in BHR supports the feasibility and validity of a novel, remote biofluids collection approach from a large cohort of older adults, with data linkage to longitudinal online cognitive data. This approach can be expanded for efficient collection of genetic data and other information from biofluids in the future.

Background Nasopharyngeal oncocytic lesions are a spectrum of benign lesions that represent a reactive or hyperplastic response to chronic inflammation. Though oncocytic lesions are typically asymptomatic, unilateral, and benign, this article discusses a rare case of large, bilateral oncocytic cysts and downstream otologic sequelae with a focus on identifying and discussing similar disease processes. Methods Case report and literature review. Case Presentation: A 67-year-old patient with 57 pack year smoking history presented for one year of left sided hearing loss and aural fullness. Clinic endoscopic exam demonstrated severe inflammatory and cystic changes lining the bilateral tori. Imaging and tissue sampling confirmed the cause was minor salivary gland cysts with papillary projections lined by oncocytic cells within bilateral tori tubarius. He was successfully treated with myringotomy with pressure equalizing tube, counseling on tobacco cessation, and surveillance with serial nasopharyngoscopy. Conclusions Chronic eustachian tube dysfunction is a possible rare presentation and sequelae of large oncocytic cysts of the nasopharynx. Oncocytic cysts should be considered on the differential diagnosis for nasopharyngeal masses causing such dysfunction.

Objective To determine the efficacy of preoperative gabapentin on patient-reported pain levels and postoperative opioid requirements following sinonasal surgery. Study Design Retrospective review. Setting Academic institution. Methods Patients undergoing sinonasal surgery between July 2019 and January 2020 were followed. Groups were divided into those that received 600 mg of oral gabapentin 1 hour preoperatively (gabapentin) and those that did not (control). Postoperatively, each patient was counseled to use acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and oxycodone as needed for pain control. Patients completed a daily postoperative pain and medication log. Pain was measured by the visual analog scale (VAS) and opioid use by morphine equivalent dose (MED). Chi-square test and Wilcoxon test were used for data analysis. Results Fifty-seven patients were included (control, n = 28; gabapentin, n = 29). There was no significant difference in age, sex, or baseline Sinonasal Outcome Test–22 scores between the groups. The total MED, postoperative day (POD) 1-2 MED, POD 3-4 MED, and POD 5-6 MED did not differ significantly between the control (17.9, 12.2, 4.6, 1.5) and gabapentin (19.0, 8.9, 7.2, 3.5) groups ( P = .98, .25, .16, .44). The mean daily VAS score did not differ significantly between the control (3.1) and gabapentin (2.8) groups ( P = .81). The mean daily VAS score decreased significantly in both groups with each successive POD ( P = .004). Conclusion Preoperative gabapentin did not significantly reduce postoperative pain or opioid use. Postoperative discomfort following sinonasal surgery is mild, and opioid intake is minimal.

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OBJECTIVE A large proportion of healthcare expense is operating room (OR) costs. As a means of cost mitigation, several institutions have implemented surgeon education programs to bring awareness about supply costs. This study evaluates the impact of a surgical cost feedback system (surgical receipt) on the supply costs of endoscopic skull base surgery (ESBS) procedures. METHODS The supply costs of each ESBS surgical case were prospectively collected and analyzed before and after the implementation of a nonincentivized, automated, and itemized weekly surgical receipt system between January 2017 and December 2019. Supply cost data collected 15 months prior to intervention were compared with cost data 21 months after implementation of the surgical receipt system. Demographics, surgical details, and OR time were collected retrospectively. RESULTS Of 105 ESBS procedures analyzed, 36 preceded and 69 followed implementation of cost feedback. There were no significant differences in patient age (p = 0.064), sex (p = 0.489), surgical indication (p = 0.389), or OR anesthesia time (p = 0.51) for patients treated before and after implementation. The mean surgical supply cost decreased from $3824.41 to $3010.35 (p = 0.002) after implementation of receipt feedback. Usage of dural sealants (p = 0.043), microfibrillar collagen hemostat (p = 0.007), and oxidized regenerated cellulose hemostat (p < 0.0001) and reconstructive technique (p = 0.031) significantly affected cost. Mediation analysis confirmed that the overall cost reduction was predominantly driven by reduced use of dural sealant; this cost saving exceeded the incremental cost of greater use of packing materials such as microfibrillar collagen hemostat. CONCLUSIONS Education of surgeons regarding surgical supply costs by a surgical receipt feedback system can reduce the supply cost per case of ESBS operations.