Objectives To determine the effectiveness of pediatric drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE)-directed surgery for children with infant obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or OSA after adenotonsillectomy. Study Design Case series with chart review. Setting Tertiary care pediatric hospital. Subjects and Methods We included 56 children undergoing DISE from October 2013 to September 2015 who underwent subsequent surgery to address OSA. The primary outcome was successful response to DISE-directed surgery based on the postoperative obstructive Apnea-Hypopnea Index (oAHI). Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-ranks tests were used to compare polysomnography variables before and after surgery, and regression was used to model response to surgery. Results We evaluated 56 patients with a mean age of 5.9 ± 5.5 years (range, 0.1-17.4) and mean body mass index of 21.2 ± 7.9 kg/m (percentile, 77 ± 30). The most commonly performed surgical procedures were adenoidectomy (48%, n = 27), supraglottoplasty (38%, n = 21), tonsillectomy (27%, n = 15), lingual tonsillectomy (13%, n = 7), nasal surgery (11%, n = 6), pharyngoplasty (7%, n = 4), and partial midline glossectomy (7%, n = 4). Mean oAHI improved from 14.9 ± 13.5 to 10.3 ± 16.2 events/hour, with 54% (30 of 56) of children with oAHI <5 and 16.1% (9 of 56) with oAHI <1. There was a significant improvement in oAHI ( P = .001) and saturation nadir ( P < .001) but not in time with end tidal carbon dioxide >50 mm Hg ( P = .14). Multivariable modeling, controlling for age, race, body mass index, sex, and baseline polysomnography variables, revealed that white race predicted success of DISE-directed surgery. Conclusion Fifty-four percent of children with infant OSA or persistent OSA after adenotonsillectomy had oAHI <5 events per hour after DISE-directed surgery. Only white race was predictive of oAHI <5 events per hour.

Objectives To document the natural growth pattern of unrepaired complete tracheal rings (UCTRs) and describe the patient population managed conservatively. Study Design Case series with chart review. Setting Tertiary pediatric academic center. Subjects/Methods Medical records of patients with confirmed complete tracheal rings on bronchoscopy from 1993 to 2017 were reviewed. Patients aged 0 to 18 who had documented tracheal sizing over time and did not require surgical intervention were included. Exclusion criteria included tracheal stenosis not caused by complete tracheal rings. Comorbidities and airway characteristics were documented in addition to endoscopic findings. These were compared with children requiring surgical repair. Results In total, 149 patients with complete tracheal rings were identified. Twenty-five had UCTRs for an overall 16.8% rate of conservative management. Nineteen patients met inclusion criteria and underwent a total of 90 microlaryngoscopy and bronchoscopies (MLBs) with sizing. The growth of the UCTRs over time, based on MLB sizing, was chronicled. The median airway growth noted was 0.38 mm/y. A moderately strong positive correlation was seen between age and airway size ( r = 0.72, P < .0001). Children with UCTRs were less likely to have long-segment involvement than those who required repair (92%, P = .024). Conclusions A select group of children with complete tracheal rings can be managed expectantly without surgical intervention. Conservative management may be less successful in children with long-segment complete tracheal rings. Airway growth does occur in this population and can be monitored over time. Having a standardized method for sizing UCTRs allows for more effective communication between providers and assurance of continued growth of the airway while following these patients.

Background Health coaching is potentially a practical method to assist patients in achieving and maintaining healthy lifestyles. In health coaching, the coach partners with the patient, helping patients discover their own strengths, challenges, and solutions. Methods Two medical assistants were provided with brief training. The 12-week program consisted of telephone coaching with in-person visits at the beginning and end of the program. Coaching targeted improvements in diet, physical activity, and/or sleep habits using a self-care planning form. Results A total of 82 subjects enrolled in the program, 72% completed 8 weeks and 49% completed 12 weeks. Subjects who completed assessments at 12 weeks had significant weight loss despite the fact that weight loss was not a study goal. There also were improvements in diet and physical activity. Subject who completed the study were highly satisfied with the program and felt that health coaching should be available in all family medicine clinics. The main barrier providers voiced was remembering to refer patients. The medical providers indicated high satisfaction with the study and valued having coaching available for their patients. Conclusions Medical assistants can be trained to assist patients with lifestyle changes that are associated with improved health and weight control.

Objective This study documents the growth and course of repaired complete tracheal rings over time after slide tracheoplasty. Study Design Case series with review. Setting Tertiary pediatric academic medical center. Subjects/Methods Medical records of pediatric patients with confirmed tracheal rings on bronchoscopy who underwent slide tracheoplasty between January 2001 and December 2015 were reviewed. Patients who had operative notes documenting tracheal sizing over time were included. Exclusion criteria included tracheal stenosis not caused by complete tracheal rings, surgical repair prior to presentation at our institution, or lack of adequate sizing information. The postoperative follow-up was examined and airway growth over time documented. Results Of 197 slide tracheoplasties performed during the study time period, 139 were for complete tracheal rings, and 40 of those children met inclusion criteria. The median age at time of surgery was 7 months, and the median initial airway size was 3.9 mm (n = 34). The median growth postoperatively was 1.9 mm over a median follow-up period of 57 months (0.42 mm/year), which is similar to growth rates of unrepaired complete tracheal rings ( P = .53). Children underwent a median of 10 postoperative endoscopies, with time between endoscopies increasing further out from surgery. The most commonly performed adjunctive procedure was balloon dilation. Conclusions This is the first study documenting continued growth of repaired complete tracheal rings after slide tracheoplasty. Postoperative endoscopic surveillance ensures adequate growth. Intervals between airway endoscopies can be increased as the child gets older, as the airway increases in size, and as long as symptoms are minimal.