Educational Objective: At the conclusion of this presentation, the participants should be able to understand the negative effects of vaping on the upper aerodigestive tract.
Objectives: While the negative effects of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) on the lungs are beginning to be understood, few data reports exist about their deleterious effects on the upper airway. The purpose of this systematic review was to analyze the effects of e-cigarettes on the upper aerodigestive tract.
Study Design: Systematic review.
Methods: Systematic searches were performed in PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, and Ovid databases in accordance with PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines querying publications from 2003, when the e-cigarette was invented, to October 2021. Basic science and clinical research studying either animal models or humans were included.
Results: The literature search retrieved 659 articles of which 29 studies met inclusion criteria and spanned subsites including the nose, oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx, and trachea. A variety of e-cigarette liquids were analyzed, and effects of vaping on the upper aerodigestive tract included hyperplasia/metaplasia, DNA damage, changes in microbiome, and overt accidental injuries. The majority of the studies focused on animal models, with more recent research analyzing harmful effects of e-cigarettes in human tissues.
Conclusions: Despite concerning findings, few studies focus on negative health effects of e-cigarettes in the upper aerodigestive tract. As e-cigarettes continue to be popular, particularly among younger generations, this review indicates that otolaryngologists, as the primary caregivers for diseases affecting the upper aerodigestive tract, should expand studies to identify the injurious effects of e-cigarettes in our patient population for appropriate counseling and management.