IMPORTANCE Quality metrics for patients with head and neck cancer are available, but it is unknown whether compliance with these metrics is associated with improved patient survival. OBJECTIVE To identify whether compliance with various process-related quality metrics is associated with improved survival in patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma who receive definitive surgery with or without adjuvant therapy. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary academic medical center among 192 patients with previously untreated oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma who underwent definitive surgery with or without adjuvant therapy between January 1, 2003, and December 31, 2010. Data analysis was performed from January 26 to August 7, 2015. INTERVENTIONS Surgery with or without adjuvant therapy. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Compliance with a collection of process-related quality metrics possessing face validity that covered pretreatment evaluation, treatment, and posttreatment surveillance was evaluated. Association between compliance with these quality metrics and overall survival, disease-specific survival, and disease-free survival was calculated using univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis. RESULTS Among 192 patients, compliance with the individual quality metrics ranged from 19.7% to 93.6% (median, 82.8%). No pretreatment or surveillance metrics were associated with improved survival. Compliance with the following treatment-related quality metrics was associated with improved survival: elective neck dissection with lymph node yield of 18 or more, no unplanned surgery within 14 days of the index surgery, no unplanned 30-day readmissions, and referral for adjuvant radiotherapy for pathologic stage III or IV disease. Increased compliance with a “clinical care signature” composed of these 4 metrics was associated with improved overall survival, disease-specific survival, and disease-free survival on univariable analysis (log-rank test; P < .05 for each). On multivariable analysis controlling for pT stage, pN stage, extracapsular spread, margin status, and comorbidity, increased compliance with these 4 metrics was associated with improved overall survival (100% vs ≤50% compliance: adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 4.2; 95% CI, 2.1-8.5; 100% vs 51%-99% compliance: aHR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.0-3.1), improved disease-specific survival (100% vs ≤50% compliance: aHR, 3.9; 95% CI, 1.7-9.0; 100% vs 51%-99%: aHR, 1.3; 95% CI, 0.6-2.9), and improved disease-free survival (100% vs ≤50% compliance: aHR, 3.0; 95% CI, 1.5-5.8; 100% vs 51%-99% compliance: aHR, 1.6; 95% CI, 0.9-2.7). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Compliance with a core set of process-related quality metrics was associated with improved survival for patients with surgically managed oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma. Multi-institutional validation of these metrics is warranted.

Objective To assess intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors in the development of posterior glottic stenosis (PGS) in intubated patients. Methods PGS patients diagnosed between September 2012 – May 2014 at three tertiary care university hospitals were included. Patient demographics, comorbidities, duration of intubation, ETT size, and indication for intubation were recorded. PGS patients were compared to control patients represented by patients intubated in intensive care units (ICU). Results Thirty-six PGS patients were identified. After exclusion, 28 PGS patients (14 male, 14 female) and 112 (65 male, 47 female) controls were studied. Multivariate analysis demonstrated ischemia (p<0.05), diabetes (p<0.01), length of intubation (p<0.01) were significant risk factors for the development of PGS. 14/14 (100%) males were intubated with a size 8 or larger ETT compared to 47/65 (72.3%) male controls (p<0.05). PGS (p<0.01), length of intubation (p<0.001), and obstructive sleep apnea (p<0.05) were significant risk factors for tracheostomy. Conclusion Duration of intubation, ischemia, diabetes mellitus, and large ETT size (8 or greater) in males were significant risk factors for the development of PGS. Reducing the use of size 8 ETTs and earlier planned tracheostomy in high-risk patients may reduce the incidence of PGS and improve ICU safety.

Lim domain-binding protein 1, a core subunit of complexes containing Scl, Gata1, and Lmo2, is needed continuously throughout erythropoiesis and megakaryopoiesis in adult mice.