Consensus on Triple Endoscopy Data Elements Preparatory to Development of an Aerodigestive Registry

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Gastroenterology
• Pediatric Pulmonology
• Pediatric Otolaryngology
• Digestive System Diseases
• Respiratory Tract Diseases
• Ear Diseases

Background:

• Triple endoscopy is a critical procedure in managing pediatric aerodigestive conditions.
• Standardization of data collection is needed for multicenter registries and comparative analysis.
• Current documentation practices lack uniformity, hindering research and quality improvement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To define essential data elements for aerodigestive triple endoscopy.
• To establish a foundation for a standardized multicenter registry.
• To create clear measurement definitions for consensus items.

Main Methods:

• A modified Delphi process involving 24 expert clinicians across pediatric otolaryngology, pulmonology, and gastroenterology.
• Six survey rounds were conducted to achieve consensus on data elements.
• Outside validation was performed at a national conference, with concordance measured against expert panel conclusions.

Main Results:

• 73 out of 167 proposed data elements reached consensus across six key domains.
• Measurement definitions were established for all consensus items, with classification systems for 11.
• High concordance (94.5% overall) was observed between expert consensus and the validation group.

Conclusions:

• This study successfully identified and defined crucial data elements for triple endoscopy.
• The developed list is practical for clinical use and provides a basis for a standardized registry.
• The findings will enhance the consistency of clinical documentation in aerodigestive care.