Final day of scientific sessions reveals critical insights for clinical practice at AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting and OTO EXPO

(Press-News.org) Indianapolis, Indiana – October 14, 2025 – The American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) 2025 Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO concluded its Scientific Oral Presentation program on Tuesday with 85 studies that establish new clinical correlations and provide evidence to optimize patient care across the full spectrum of otolaryngology practice. The final day's research program underscored the specialty's dedication to answering complex clinical questions through rigorous investigation.

"As we conclude this year's scientific program, we celebrate the diverse range of inquiry that defines modern otolaryngology," said Cecelia Damask, DO, Annual Meeting Program Coordinator. "The research presented today offers clinicians actionable insights that will shape practice patterns and improve outcomes for patients worldwide."

Groundbreaking Evidence Links Conductive Hearing Loss to Dementia Risk

Building on established associations between sensorineural hearing loss and cognitive decline, researchers presented compelling new evidence in "Conductive Hearing Loss Pathologies are Associated with Dementia in the All of Us Research Program." Analyzing data from 396,194 participants, investigators found that patients with cholesteatoma face 3.7 times higher odds of dementia, while those with tympanic membrane perforation show 3.2 times increased risk, and otosclerosis patients demonstrate 2.1 times elevated odds. Unlike sensorineural hearing loss which involves neural components, conductive hearing loss is entirely peripheral, making reverse causation highly implausible and strengthening evidence that sensory deprivation itself impacts cognition—even from surgically correctable conditions.

Exploring Environmental and Behavioral Factors in Auditory Health

A large-scale propensity-matched analysis in "Association Between Cannabis Use and Tinnitus: A Multi-Center Propensity-Score-Matched Cohort Study” examined 87,750 matched pairs from a multi-institutional database and identified elevated short-term tinnitus risk among cannabis users. Within one year of cannabis-related disorder diagnosis, patients showed 15% increased tinnitus risk, with dependent users demonstrating 63% higher risk compared to controls. Notably, this association diminished over longer follow-up periods, suggesting complex temporal dynamics that warrant further mechanistic investigation.

Researchers challenged common assumptions about environmental exposures in "Airborne Risks: Examining a Link Between Pollution and Sinonasal Malignancies," finding no significant association between PM2.5 exposure levels and sinonasal malignancy types in a retrospective analysis of 148 surgical patients. These counterintuitive findings highlight the multifactorial etiology of these rare cancers and underscore the need for multi-institutional studies to clarify the role of air quality in sinonasal tumorigenesis.

Optimizing Surgical Safety and Free Flap Outcomes

A comprehensive analysis of over 10,000 patients in "An Assessment of Pharmacologic Deep Vein Thrombosis Prophylaxis on Head and Neck Free Flap Outcomes" demonstrated that postoperative DVT prophylaxis administration significantly reduces complications. Patients receiving prophylaxis showed reduced flap failure rates in both bony reconstructions (34% reduction) and non-bony reconstructions (25% reduction), along with decreased revision rates. Same-day prophylaxis showed no difference in outcomes compared to no prophylaxis, providing clear guidance that postoperative administration optimally balances thromboprophylaxis with flap perfusion concerns.

Advancing In-Office Laryngeal Treatment

In "Efficacy and Safety of Blue Light and KTP Lasers for In-Office Treatment of Laryngeal Pathologies," investigators analyzed 539 procedures across 168 patients with conditions ranging from papillomatosis to invasive squamous cell carcinoma. Both laser modalities proved safe with minimal side effects, achieving average time to recurrence of 242 days. Interestingly, for leukoplakia, dysplasia, and carcinoma in situ, KTP laser demonstrated significantly longer time to recurrence compared to blue light (244 days versus 137 days), informing laser selection for in-office management of premalignant and early malignant lesions.

Refining Pediatric Care and Prevention Strategies

A 20-year national surveillance study in "Consumer Trends in Pediatric Nasal Foreign Bodies: A 20-Year National Review of Emergency Department Visits" revealed that jewelry accounts for over half of the estimated 690,196 emergency department visits for pediatric nasal foreign bodies, followed by paper products, desk supplies, and toys. Among toy-related incidents, building set pieces were most common. Critically, batteries and coins were associated with dramatically increased odds of hospital admission or transfer (18.44 and 6.55 times higher respectively), emphasizing the need for parental education targeting children under five years of age.

Research in "Hearing and Developmental Challenges in Patients with Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia" documented the profound otologic burden in this population, with 65% experiencing hearing loss requiring a median of three tympanostomy tube placements. Despite multiple interventions, 91% developed post-tube otorrhea and 58% maintained persistent hearing loss. Over half demonstrated speech concerns, and 19% required individualized education plans, highlighting the importance of early genetic diagnosis and proactive audiologic monitoring to prevent developmental delays.

Examining Diagnostic Testing Utility

In "Does Beta-2-Transferrin Testing Affect Decision Making in Patients with CSF Otorrhea?" investigators found that while this highly specific test averages six days to return results, skull base precautions and lumbar drain placement were typically implemented before results became available. However, surgical intervention decisions appeared influenced by test results, suggesting selective rather than routine use may be appropriate given the test's cost and limited impact on immediate management decisions.

Addressing Technology and Device Complications

A comprehensive device comparison in "Comparison of Complication Rates Between Percutaneous and Transcutaneous Bone Conduction Devices" analyzed 91 implants and found percutaneous devices experienced 60% complication rates compared to 21% for transcutaneous devices, representing 5.54 times higher odds. While most complications were minor, this significant difference may inform device selection discussions with patients considering auditory rehabilitation options for conductive, mixed, or single-sided deafness.

Investigating Regional Differences and Anatomic Variations

A novel East-West comparison in "Clinical Characteristics of Patients with Symptomatic Sigmoid Sinus Wall Anomalies: East vs West" revealed striking differences in pulsatile tinnitus patients with sigmoid sinus wall abnormalities. US patients demonstrated mean BMI of 33.5 kg/m² compared to 23.8 kg/m² in Asian patients, suggesting two potentially distinct subpopulations with different underlying etiologies requiring tailored diagnostic and treatment approaches.

Challenging Conventional Surgical Wisdom

Computational fluid dynamic modeling in "Does Total Inferior and Middle Turbinectomy Always Lead to Empty Nose Syndrome?" challenged assumptions about aggressive turbinate surgery. Virtual simulations of complete turbinectomy in five patients demonstrated that extensive tissue removal alone does not replicate the distorted airflow patterns characteristic of Empty Nose Syndrome, suggesting multiple factors beyond surgical extent contribute to this controversial condition.

Understanding Patient Decision-Making in Specialized Procedures

Research examining "Decisional Conflict and Regret in Gender-Affirming Facial Surgery: A Patient Perspective" found remarkably low regret scores (average 1.6 out of 5) and high satisfaction (4.8 out of 5) among 22 patients who underwent these procedures. Participants emphasized that thorough preoperative counseling, surgeon expertise, and comprehensive support systems proved essential in minimizing decisional conflict, providing a model for patient-centered care in complex surgical decision-making.

Comprehensive Research Across All Domains

Tuesday's scientific program encompassed numerous additional contributions including:

Analyses of free flap reconstruction techniques and volume changes following hemiglossectomy Investigations of parotidectomy surgical approaches and outcomes Studies evaluating clinical practice guideline adherence and implementation Research addressing healthcare disparities and quality improvement initiatives Pediatric studies ranging from mastoidectomy revision patterns to international surgical missions Evaluations of tissue engineering approaches for airway stenosis Assessments of cleft lip repair timing and outcomes A Week of Scientific Excellence

The 2025 Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO Scientific Oral Presentation program has showcased the extraordinary breadth and depth of investigation advancing otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. From artificial intelligence applications to fundamental biological discoveries, from health equity research to technical surgical innovations, these presentations reflect a specialty committed to evidence-based excellence and continuous improvement in patient care.

The complete scientific program continues to be available through the Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO mobile app and online.

>> Access all AAO-HNSF 2025 Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO press releases by scrolling to the bottom of the page at https://www.entnet.org/about-us/newsroom/

About the AAO-HNS/F

The AAO-HNS/F is one of the world’s largest organizations representing specialists who treat the ears, nose, throat, and related structures of the head and neck. Otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons diagnose and treat medical disorders that are among the most common affecting patients of all ages in the United States and around the world. Those medical conditions include chronic ear disease, hearing and balance disorders, hearing loss, sinusitis, snoring and sleep apnea, allergies, swallowing disorders, nosebleeds, hoarseness, dizziness, and tumors of the head and neck as well as aesthetic and reconstructive surgery and intricate micro-surgical procedures of the head and neck.  The Academy has approximately 13,000 members. The AAO-HNS Foundation works to advance the art, science, and ethical practice of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery through education, research, and quality measurement.

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