International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group (IPOG): Consensus recommendations on the prenatal and perinatal management of anticipated airway obstruction

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijporl.2020.110281Get rights and content

Abstract

Objective

To make recommendations on the identification, routine evaluation, and management of fetuses at risk for airway compromise at delivery.

Methods

Recommendations are based on expert opinion by members of the International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group (IPOG). A two-iterative Delphi method questionnaire was distributed to all members of the IPOG and responses recorded. The respondents were given the opportunity to comment on the content and format of the survey, which was modified for the second round. “Consensus” was defined by >80% respondent affirmative responses, “agreement” by 51–80% affirmative responses, and “no agreement” by 50% or less affirmative responses.

Results

Recommendations are provided regarding etiologies of perinatal airway obstruction, imaging evaluation, adjunct evaluation, multidisciplinary team and decision factors, micrognathia management, congenital high airway obstruction syndrome management, head and neck mass management, attended delivery procedure, and delivery on placental support procedure.

Conclusions

Thorough evaluation and thoughtful decision making are required to optimally balance fetal and maternal risks/benefits.

Section snippets

Consensus objective

To make recommendations on the identification, routine evaluation, and management of fetuses at risk for airway compromise at delivery.

Target population

All pregnancies with concern for neonatal airway obstruction.

Intended users

These consensus recommendations are intended to inform:

  • 1.

    Otolaryngologists who provide prenatal consultation for anticipated airway obstruction and perinatal airway treatment.

  • 2.

    Medical professionals including, but not limited to, maternal fetal medicine specialists, neonatal intensive care unit specialists, anesthesiologists, and others who collaborate in the care of these patients.

Methods

Consensus guidelines are based upon expert opinion by members of the International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group (IPOG). A two-iterative Delphi method questionnaire was used to establish recommendations on the prenatal and perinatal management of anticipated neonatal airway obstruction. An online survey was designed by two authors (MP and RS). The survey was distributed to all members of the IPOG and responses recorded. Twenty-seven responses were received from experts in eight countries. The

Disclaimer

This report has been prepared by the members of the International Pediatric Otolaryngology Group (IPOG). Consensus recommendations are based on the collective opinion of the members of the group. Any person seeking to apply or consult the report is expected to use independent medical judgment in the context of individual patient and institutional circumstances.

Recommendations and justification

  • Section 1

    : Etiologies of perinatal airway obstruction

  • Section 2: Imaging evaluation

  • Section 3: Adjunct evaluation

  • Section 4: Multidisciplinary team and decision factors

  • Section 5: Micrognathia management

  • Section 6: CHAOS management

  • Section 7: Head and neck mass management

  • Section 8: Attended delivery procedure

  • Section 9: Delivery on placental support procedure

Conclusion

Conditions potentially causing neonatal airway obstruction present substantial morbidity and mortality risk. Thorough evaluation and thoughtful decision making are required to optimally balance fetal and maternal risks/benefits.

Declaration of competing interest

The authors have no relevant conflicts of interest.

Acknowledgements

Drs. Richard Smith (senior author) and Michael Puricelli (first author) were the lead authors. Dr. Reza Rahbar provided primary consulting and guidance regarding the design of the consensus recommendations. All remaining authors are listed in alphabetical order. All authors have contributed to the conception and design of the work, drafting and revising the consensus recommendations for important intellectual content, final approval of the version to be published, and agreement to be

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