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ObjectiveTo assess the needs of transgender and nonbinary (TNB) adults for gender‐affirming face, neck, and voice procedures.Study DesignCross‐sectional survey.SettingOnline, February to May 2022.MethodsPrimary outcomes included utilization of otolaryngologists and speech‐language pathologists; gender dysphoria felt from the face, neck, and voice self‐reported on a 0 to 10 numeric rating scale (0 = no dysphoria, 10 = unbearable); and desire for various gender‐affirming face, neck, and voice procedures. We used ordinal logistic and linear regression to assess relationships between site‐specific dysphoria and the desire for relevant procedures.ResultsTNB participants (N = 234) infrequently sought gender‐affirming care with speech‐language pathologists (23%), facial plastic surgeons (8%), or laryngologists (3%). Participants experienced the strongest dysphoria from the voice (median 7/10), jawline/chin (4/10), and neck (3.5/10). Transmasculine and nonbinary participants typically seeking masculinization (n = 83) frequently desired voice therapy (want = 35%, had = 8%). Transfeminine and nonbinary participants typically seeking feminization (n = 145) frequently desired voice therapy (want = 52%, had = 23%), chondrolaryngoplasty (want = 45%, had = 5%), and hair removal/electrolysis (want = 43%, had = 44%). Many desired at least 1 facial feminization surgery procedure (65%), especially mandible reduction (want = 42%, had = 3%), rhinoplasty (want = 41%, had = 1%), and forehead reduction (want = 37%, had = 4%). Dysphoria ratings were associated with desiring relevant procedures (p < .05 for all), notably voice therapy (odds ratio [OR] = 1.50), chondrolaryngoplasty (OR = 1.46), mandible reduction (OR = 1.38), rhinoplasty (OR = 1.59), and forehead reduction (OR = 1.82).ConclusionGender dysphoria from the face, neck, and voice can be severe for TNB people and is associated with the desire for gender‐affirming procedures. The high demand yet low reported access to these procedures highlights the need for providers of gender‐affirming face, neck, and voice care.

Objective To assess the adverse event rate and operating cost of open bedside tracheostomy (OBT) at a community hospital. To present a model for creating an OBT program at a community hospital with a single surgeon. Study Design Retrospective case series pilot study. Setting Academic‐affiliated community hospital. Methods Retrospective chart review of surgical OBT and operating room tracheostomy (ORT) at a community hospital from 2016 to 2021. Primary outcomes included operation duration; perioperative, postoperative, and long‐term complications; and crude time‐based estimation of operating cost to the hospital using annual operating cost. Clinical outcomes of OBT were assessed with ORT as a comparison using t tests and Fisher's exact tests. Results Fifty‐five OBT and 14 ORT were identified. Intensive care unit (ICU) staff training in preparing for and assisting with OBT was successfully implemented by an Otolaryngologist and ICU nursing management. Operation duration was 20.3 minutes for OBT and 25.2 minutes for ORT ( p = .14). Two percent, 18%, and 10% of OBT had perioperative, postoperative, and long‐term complications, respectively; this was comparable to rates for ORT ( p = .10). The hospital saved a crude estimate of $1902 in operating costs per tracheostomy when performed in the ICU. Conclusion An OBT protocol can be successfully implemented at a single‐surgeon community hospital. We present a model for creating an OBT program at a community hospital with limited staff and resources.

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Objective The workforce of neurotology has changed with increasing numbers of accredited programs and diverse representation among trainees over the past several decades. This study aims to describe the characteristics, density, and geographic variation of the current neurotology workforce in the United States. Study Design Cross‐sectional study. Setting American Board of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery portal and online search. Methods The study cohort included physicians certified in Neurotology by the American Board of Otolaryngology as of 2021 (n = 372). Physician characteristics including years of practice, gender, practice setting, and location were collected. Geographic variation analysis was performed by the state, county, and hospital referral region. Associations between the number of neurotologists per population and socioeconomic characteristics were assessed using multivariable regression analysis. Results Among 372 neurotologists, 65% practiced in academic settings and 13% were female. The percentage of female neurotologists increased from 0% among neurotologists with ≥30 years of practice to 23% among <10 years of practice. There were no differences in a practice setting by gender. The geographical analysis demonstrated that the average number of neurotologists was 1.1 per 1 million Americans. In a multivariable model, the density of neurotologists was significantly higher within counties with the highest quartiles of college education (β = .6 [95% confidence interval, CI: 0.3‐0.8]) and income (β = .3 [95% CI: 0.1‐0.6]). Conclusion The number of board‐certified neurotologists has gradually increased and there have been trends toward greater gender diversity. The geographical distribution of neurotology practice was concentrated in counties with higher socioeconomic status as expected given the referral‐based nature of the subspecialty. There should be efforts to reach out to low socioeconomic communities to ensure equivalent access to neurotological care.