09-12, 10:45–11:45 (Europe/Istanbul), Pediatric Otolaryngology 2
In every pediatric head and neck surgery, there are key moments that define short-and long-term outcomes, potential complications, and challenge us to make the best intraoperative decisions. Recognizing these crucial moments and developing strategies to optimize our judgement in each case requires awareness, experience, and humility. In this panel, four pediatric otolaryngologists with high volume, focused practices in pediatric head and neck surgery will discuss these "critical ten seconds" across a broad range of common pediatric head and neck surgeries. When does the margin really matter? How might specific treatment aims influence a decision to deviate from the “usual” surgical approach? When is it time to sacrifice a key nerve or make a cosmetically undesirable incision? When is it time to be our own worst critics and reassess our scope, pass on a surgery, or phone a colleague for assistance? What mental heuristics will bring us through the hardest times? We will share experiences from both our most overtly challenging head and neck tumor cases as well as those that were surprisingly and unexpectedly difficult. We will incorporate decision making science into our discussion, including concepts of cognitive bias and decision fatigue. Anticipatory strategies that allow for early identification of surgical inflection points will be presented. Participants should leave the session with strategies to cope with difficult intraoperative decisions in common pediatric head and neck surgeries, so that we can all bring our best to those critical ten seconds for every child. We will also consider the postoperative phase, particularly after near-misses or difficult decision-making scenarios, and how structured debriefing with colleagues provides opportunities for reflection and improvement.
The presenting surgeons each lead high volume pediatric head and neck tumor/thyroid programs at four large pediatric hospitals. A version of this presentation was offerred at ASPO 2025 and led to a robust discussion and reflection among the faculty and attendees.
Dr. Daniel Chelius is an associate professor of pediatric otolaryngology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, where he practices pediatric head and neck surgery and leads a multidisciplinary pediatric head and neck tumor program at Texas Children’s Hospital. Dr. Chelius has held many leadership and volunteers roles in the otolaryngology community. He recently completed a term as American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Annual Meeting Program Coordinator from 2020 - 2024, and he has been elected the 130th AAO-HNS President (2026 - 2027). Dr. Chelius’s research intersts include pediatric thyroid surgery, pediatric head and neck tumors, and social determinants of health impacting head and neck cancer care. He also serves as the Surgical Director of Perioperative Care at Texas Childrens.
Jeffrey P. Simons, MD, MMM is Professor and Vice Chair of Faculty Affairs in the Department of Otolaryngology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He is a full-time pediatric otolaryngologist at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh (CHP). He received his medical degree from Washington University School of Medicine and completed residency in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery at UPMC, followed by a fellowship in pediatric otolaryngology at CHP. He also completed a Master of Medical Management degree from Carnegie Mellon University.
Dr. Simons is the Immediate Past Coordinator for Education for the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Foundation. Dr. Simons is also Chair for the Section on Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery of the American Academy of Pediatrics and Past President of the Pennsylvania Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. He is an editor for the Fifth Edition of the textbook, Bluestone and Stool’s Pediatric Otolaryngology. Dr. Simons is very interested in medical education and enjoys mentoring medical students, residents, fellows, and faculty. His research interests include pediatric airway disorders as well as pediatric thyroid disease. His clinical interests encompass all aspects of pediatric otolaryngology, with a focus on airway and thyroid disorders.
Dr. Prickett is an Associate Professor in the Emory University School of Medicine's departments of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery and Pediatrics. She is also the section Vice Director of pediatric otolaryngology for Childrens Healthcare of Atlanta. Dr. Prickett specializes in the treatment of children with complex head and neck tumors, thyroid, disease, and airway disorders. Her research focuses on quality improvement, particularly in the areas of head and neck cancer care and tracheostomy care for children.
