We present a safe and efficacious method for resecting tra- cheal stenosis with the ability to perform the procedure through an endotracheal tube under direct visual endoscopic guidance. The risks of airway fire and pneumothorax are significantly decreased. 10:40 AM Tracheotomy in the First Year of Life: Outcomes in Term Infants Christopher Wootten, MD (presenter); Lesley C . French; Jay A Werkhaven, MD; Shelagh A Cofer, MD Nashville TN; Nashville TN; Nashville TN; Nashville TN Objective: In an era emphasizing critical care of the pre- term infant, term infants requiring tracheotomy remains an understudied population. We characterize pediatric tracheot- omy performed in the first year of life in term infants, de- scribing outcomes. Methods: Retrospective review of 127 tracheotomies per- formed in the 1st year of life at a tertiary-care Children’s Hospital between 1988-2004. Results: Mean gestational age between term and preterm groups was 39.5 and 29.0 weeks, respectively (p0.001). Indications for tracheotomy were attributable to upper airway abnormalities in 50% for both groups. The number of subse- quent airway procedures required was 1.5 in the term group, achieving decannulation in 50%, compared to 3.0 in the preterm group, who had a 36% decannulation rate. Mortality rates were 36% (term) and 14% (preterm), and were unrelated to tracheotomy. Conclusion: In this gestationally older population, decan- nulation rates compared favorably, as chronic lung disease was less common. However, non-tracheotomy-related mor- talities remained high, reinforcing that term infants receiving tracheotomy have significant comorbidities. Significance: Medical and congenital comorbidities not related to tracheotomy dictate adverse outcomes in term in- fants requiring tracheotomy in the first year of life. 10:48 AM Cross-Linking of an Esophagus Acellular Matrix Tissue-Scaffold Amit Bhrany, MD (presenter); Neal D Futran, MD DMD; Casey Lien; Nimish H. Muni; Colleen A . Irvin; Buddy D. Ratner, PhD; Cecilia M. Giachelli, PhD Seattle WA; Seattle WA; Seattle WA; Seattle WA; Seattle WA; Seattle WA; Seattle WA Objective: The esophagus acellular matrix (EAM) tissue- scaffold has the potential to serve as the foundation for a tissue-engineered esophagus for repair of ablative defects. Similar to all collagen-based biomaterials, the EAM is subject to enzymatic degradation in vivo. The introduction of exog- enous cross-links to collagen molecules via glutaraldehyde (Glu) is the most accepted method to stabilize collagen bio- materials, but fixation with Glu incurs adverse effects. Geni- pin (Gp), a naturally occurring cross-linking agent, has shown to be effective at improving the stability of collagen-based biomaterials with less cytotoxicity and reduced in vivo in- flammatory responses than Glu. The aim of this study was to show that cross-linking with Gp improves the stability of the EAM tissue-scaffold while maintaining its minimal antige- nicity. Methods: EAMs were cross-linked with Gp and Glu. Uncross-linked EAMs served as controls. Differential Scan- ning Calorimetry was used to measure denaturation temper- ature and burst pressure measurement after incubation with collagenase assesed resistance to enzymatic degradation. Sub- cutaneous allograft implantation with quantification of mac- rophage response response assessed EAM antigenicity. Results: Both Gp and Glu increased denaturation temper- ature and reduced in vitro enzyme degradation significantly. Glu resulted in slightly higher denaturation temperature. Un- rcross-linked EAMs were completely degraded after 24 hours of collagenase exposure, while cross-linked EAMs main- tained strength greater than unexposed uncross-linked EAMs. After 30 days of implantation, the EAM elicits a minimal inflammatory response and cross-linking agents do not in- crease inflammation. Conclusion: Genepin improves the stability of the EAM while maintaining minimal antigenicity; yielding a tissue- scaffold that may form the basis of a durable and biocompat- ible tissue-engineered esophagus. Significance: Current reconstructive techniques of the esophagus have significant post-operative complications. The EAM contains intact structural proteins and growth factors in the native 3-D esophageal structure that can lead to greater cell growth and reduced inflammation of a tissue-engineered implant, decreasing the risk of graft stricture and leak. 10:56 AM Quality of life outcomes after tonsillectomy - results from the TO TREAT study Michael G Stewart, MD MPH (presenter); David L Witsell, MD MHS; Nira A Goldstein, MD; Maureen T Hannley, PhD; Margaretha L Casselbrant, MD PhD; Edward M Weaver, MD MPH; Bevan Yueh, MD MPH; Timothy L Smith, MD MPH Houston TX; Durham NC; Port Washington NY; Alexandria VA; Pittsburgh PA; Seattle WA; Seattle WA; Milwaukee WI Objective: To assess disease-specific quality of life (QOL) outcomes in adults and children with recurrent tonsillitis or chronic infectious tonsillitis after tonsillectomy. Most prior studies addressing recurrent tonsillitis have assessed only the frequency of infections as an outcome measure. Methods: Adult patients and the parents of pediatric pa- tients completed a validated outcomes instrument - the Tonsil TUESDAY Otolaryngology– Head and Neck Surgery Volume 133 Number 2 Research Forum—Tuesday P109