Overview

Several research projects are ongoing in the Division of Pediatric ENT, focusing on a variety of diseases that affect children. We are in involved in two ongoing studies looking at the Immunology of tonsil hypertrophy. We are also participants in a multi-institutional study looking at cytomegalovirus (CMV) as a cause of congenital hearing loss. In addition, we are part of a large study looking at a novel way of performing ear tubes in the clinic without requiring general anesthesia. As part of our tracheostomy care initiative, we are also investigating quality of life concerns for children with tracheostomy and their families.

Faculty Active in This Area

• Susannah Hills, MD
• Eli Grunstein, MD

Active Research

Pediatric Tracheostomy in the Home Setting: Quality of Life Outcomes

PrincipaI Investigator: Susannah Hills, MD

Tracheotomy is a very common procedure performed in the United States and there are many individuals currently taking care of children with tracheotomies in the home setting. Past literature has demonstrated adverse events associated with home tracheotomy care, as well as a significant and variable degree of mental and physical burden on the caregiver. This study aims to evaluate and quantify caregiver burden associated with pediatric tracheotomy as well as identify relationships between increased burden with other factors, such as the physical health of the child, as well as other characteristics of the population, such as age/sex, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.

A Prospective, Single-Arm, Multicenter Study To Evaluate Effectiveness and Safety of Tympanostomy Tube Placement Using the Tula Iontophoresis and Tube Delivery Systems for Children in an Office Setting

PrincipaI Investigator: Eli Grunstein, MD

Otitis media (inflammation of the middle ear) is the most frequent diagnosis in sick children visiting pediatrician offices. Seventy-five percent of children experience at least one episode of otitis media by their third year. Otitis media has several variations, including acute otitis media (AOM) and otitis media with effusion (OME). AOM is characterized by acute signs and symptoms of middle ear inflammation or infection. OME is characterized by the presence of fluid in the middle ear with or without signs or symptoms of acute ear infection. More than 750,000 tympanostomy tube procedures are performed in children younger than age 18 annually in the US to address recurrent AOM or OME, making it one of the most common surgical procedures performed in children. By age 3, almost 7% of all children will have tympanostomy tubes. Over 75% of tympanostomy tube procedures in the US are performed for children 12 years or younger, with 58% of tube procedures for children less than 5 years of age. Over 95% of tympanostomy tube insertion procedures in children are performed in the operating room (OR) under general anesthesia. The objective of this study is to evaluate effectiveness and safety of tympanostomy tube placement using the TULA Tube Delivery System following local anesthesia of the tympanic membrane using a lidocaine-based anesthetic solution and the TULA Iontophoresis System in awake, unsedated, unrestrained children in a physician’s office setting to support a marketing application.