传统及改良悬雍垂腭咽成形术对持续正压通气治疗的影响

目的　探讨传统悬雍垂腭咽成形术 (uvulopalatopharyngoplasty ,UPPP)及改良悬雍垂腭咽成形术后对阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征 (obstructivesleepapnea hypopneasyndrome ,OSAHS)患者持续正压通气 (continuouspositiveairwaypressure,CPAP)治疗的影响。方法　选择传统UPPP及改良UPPP的OSAHS患者分别为 2 4例和 42例 ,术后随访 1 2个月以上 ,比较两种术式的疗效 ,并对其中的2 4例传统UPPP和 1 5例改良UPPP术后患者进行睡眠状态下CPAP治疗压力耐受性测试。结果　术后 1年两种术式治疗OSAHS的有效率分别为 58 3 %和 61 9% ,差异无显著性。 2 4例传统UPPP患者术后有 4例 (1 6 7% )患者在CPAP治疗时产生严重的口腔漏气 ,不能耐受CPAP治疗 ;1 5例改良UPPP术后患者的CPAP压力耐受性与未行手术者相似。结论　OSAHS患者手术时应尽量保留悬雍垂 ,保留咽腔基本解剖结构 ,为下一步的CPAP治疗提供良好的基础     

阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征行腭咽成形术围手术期的临床研究

目的探讨腭咽成形术(uvulopalatopharyngoplasty,UPPP)治疗中、重度阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征(obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome,OSAHS)围手术期的临床处理.方法对54例中、重度OSAHS患者实施了腭咽成形术,围手术期的处理包括(1)多道睡眠监测和心肺功能评估;(2)术前44例、术后29例行正压通气治疗;(3)静脉诱导吸入全身麻醉46例,局部浸润麻醉8例;(4)42例行保留悬雍垂的改良腭咽成形术.结果术前未接受CPAP治疗的局麻患者术中出现短暂呼吸困难2例,术后高血压危象、心动过速各1例,术后原发性出血2例.CPAP治疗组在麻醉清醒期及术后无急性上气道阻塞发生.全身麻醉5例插管困难,有高血压病史的19例术中血液动力学波动大.经典腭咽成形术后1周内腭咽关闭不全4例,行保留悬雍垂的改良腭咽成形术后咽部有异物感9例,但无其他并发症.结论充分认识UPPP 手术存在的潜在风险,认真进行围手术期的正确治疗有助于减少手术并发症,提高手术和麻醉的安全性.     

阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征患者手术并发症及规避策略

目的 通过阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征(OSAHS)患者手术并发症相关危险因素的分析,探讨并发症防治原则.方法 1998年9月至2007年3月经多道睡眠监测确诊的OSAHS手术患者653例,根据上气道解剖性狭窄的部位及阻塞范围,分别进行悬雍垂腭咽成形术(UPPP)586例次,同时或单纯行鼻腔鼻窦手术104例次,行舌骨悬吊术53例次.在局麻加强化下手术294例,全麻下手术359例.围手术期217例患者行术前3～7 d、术后2～3 d无创正压通气治疗(CPAP).结果 57例(8.7%)OSAHS患者出现各类围手术期并发症93例次,呼吸道并发症19例次,其中全麻诱导期死亡1例;术中大出血9例次,术后出血27例次;心血管并发症31例次,脑出血偏瘫1例;手术后反应性嗜睡3例次,反应性高血糖3例次.多因素Logistic逐步回归分析显示:OSAHS患者围手术期CPAP治疗有利于降低手术并发症的发生,而术前高血压、体重指数、呼吸暂停低通气指数及全麻方式是与手术并发症相关的危险因素.术后均进行1年以上随访,UPPP术后23.9%的患者出现明显的咽喉部异物感,术后6～12个月缓解;咽腔瘢痕粘连7例,腭咽通气道闭锁1例,萎缩性鼻炎、咽炎3例,长期饮食反流3例.结论合并高血压的重症肥胖OSAHS患者围手术期并发症风险增加,有效的血压控制、积极的CPAP治疗、学科间的相互合作和密切的手术后监护,对减少OSAHS患者手术并发症有重要的意义.     

阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征患者手术并发症及规避策略

目的 通过阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征(OSAHS)患者手术并发症相关危险因素的分析,探讨并发症防治原则.方法 1998年9月至2007年3月经多道睡眠监测确诊的OSAHS手术患者653例,根据上气道解剖性狭窄的部位及阻塞范围,分别进行悬雍垂腭咽成形术(UPPP)586例次,同时或单纯行鼻腔鼻窦手术104例次,行舌骨悬吊术53例次.在局麻加强化下手术294例,全麻下手术359例.围手术期217例患者行术前3～7 d、术后2～3 d无创正压通气治疗(CPAP).结果 57例(8.7%)OSAHS患者出现各类围手术期并发症93例次,呼吸道并发症19例次,其中全麻诱导期死亡1例;术中大出血9例次,术后出血27例次;心血管并发症31例次,脑出血偏瘫1例;手术后反应性嗜睡3例次,反应性高血糖3例次.多因素Logistic逐步回归分析显示:OSAHS患者围手术期CPAP治疗有利于降低手术并发症的发生,而术前高血压、体重指数、呼吸暂停低通气指数及全麻方式是与手术并发症相关的危险因素.术后均进行1年以上随访,UPPP术后23.9%的患者出现明显的咽喉部异物感,术后6～12个月缓解;咽腔瘢痕粘连7例,腭咽通气道闭锁1例,萎缩性鼻炎、咽炎3例,长期饮食反流3例.结论合并高血压的重症肥胖OSAHS患者围手术期并发症风险增加,有效的血压控制、积极的CPAP治疗、学科间的相互合作和密切的手术后监护,对减少OSAHS患者手术并发症有重要的意义.     

阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征患者手术并发症及规避策略

目的 通过阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征(OSAHS)患者手术并发症相关危险因素的分析,探讨并发症防治原则.方法 1998年9月至2007年3月经多道睡眠监测确诊的OSAHS手术患者653例,根据上气道解剖性狭窄的部位及阻塞范围,分别进行悬雍垂腭咽成形术(UPPP)586例次,同时或单纯行鼻腔鼻窦手术104例次,行舌骨悬吊术53例次.在局麻加强化下手术294例,全麻下手术359例.围手术期217例患者行术前3～7 d、术后2～3 d无创正压通气治疗(CPAP).结果 57例(8.7%)OSAHS患者出现各类围手术期并发症93例次,呼吸道并发症19例次,其中全麻诱导期死亡1例;术中大出血9例次,术后出血27例次;心血管并发症31例次,脑出血偏瘫1例;手术后反应性嗜睡3例次,反应性高血糖3例次.多因素Logistic逐步回归分析显示:OSAHS患者围手术期CPAP治疗有利于降低手术并发症的发生,而术前高血压、体重指数、呼吸暂停低通气指数及全麻方式是与手术并发症相关的危险因素.术后均进行1年以上随访,UPPP术后23.9%的患者出现明显的咽喉部异物感,术后6～12个月缓解;咽腔瘢痕粘连7例,腭咽通气道闭锁1例,萎缩性鼻炎、咽炎3例,长期饮食反流3例.结论合并高血压的重症肥胖OSAHS患者围手术期并发症风险增加,有效的血压控制、积极的CPAP治疗、学科间的相互合作和密切的手术后监护,对减少OSAHS患者手术并发症有重要的意义.     

阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征患者手术并发症及规避策略

目的 通过阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征(OSAHS)患者手术并发症相关危险因素的分析,探讨并发症防治原则.方法 1998年9月至2007年3月经多道睡眠监测确诊的OSAHS手术患者653例,根据上气道解剖性狭窄的部位及阻塞范围,分别进行悬雍垂腭咽成形术(UPPP)586例次,同时或单纯行鼻腔鼻窦手术104例次,行舌骨悬吊术53例次.在局麻加强化下手术294例,全麻下手术359例.围手术期217例患者行术前3～7 d、术后2～3 d无创正压通气治疗(CPAP).结果 57例(8.7%)OSAHS患者出现各类围手术期并发症93例次,呼吸道并发症19例次,其中全麻诱导期死亡1例;术中大出血9例次,术后出血27例次;心血管并发症31例次,脑出血偏瘫1例;手术后反应性嗜睡3例次,反应性高血糖3例次.多因素Logistic逐步回归分析显示:OSAHS患者围手术期CPAP治疗有利于降低手术并发症的发生,而术前高血压、体重指数、呼吸暂停低通气指数及全麻方式是与手术并发症相关的危险因素.术后均进行1年以上随访,UPPP术后23.9%的患者出现明显的咽喉部异物感,术后6～12个月缓解;咽腔瘢痕粘连7例,腭咽通气道闭锁1例,萎缩性鼻炎、咽炎3例,长期饮食反流3例.结论合并高血压的重症肥胖OSAHS患者围手术期并发症风险增加,有效的血压控制、积极的CPAP治疗、学科间的相互合作和密切的手术后监护,对减少OSAHS患者手术并发症有重要的意义.     

阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征患者手术并发症及规避策略

目的 通过阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征(OSAHS)患者手术并发症相关危险因素的分析,探讨并发症防治原则.方法 1998年9月至2007年3月经多道睡眠监测确诊的OSAHS手术患者653例,根据上气道解剖性狭窄的部位及阻塞范围,分别进行悬雍垂腭咽成形术(UPPP)586例次,同时或单纯行鼻腔鼻窦手术104例次,行舌骨悬吊术53例次.在局麻加强化下手术294例,全麻下手术359例.围手术期217例患者行术前3～7 d、术后2～3 d无创正压通气治疗(CPAP).结果 57例(8.7%)OSAHS患者出现各类围手术期并发症93例次,呼吸道并发症19例次,其中全麻诱导期死亡1例;术中大出血9例次,术后出血27例次;心血管并发症31例次,脑出血偏瘫1例;手术后反应性嗜睡3例次,反应性高血糖3例次.多因素Logistic逐步回归分析显示:OSAHS患者围手术期CPAP治疗有利于降低手术并发症的发生,而术前高血压、体重指数、呼吸暂停低通气指数及全麻方式是与手术并发症相关的危险因素.术后均进行1年以上随访,UPPP术后23.9%的患者出现明显的咽喉部异物感,术后6～12个月缓解;咽腔瘢痕粘连7例,腭咽通气道闭锁1例,萎缩性鼻炎、咽炎3例,长期饮食反流3例.结论合并高血压的重症肥胖OSAHS患者围手术期并发症风险增加,有效的血压控制、积极的CPAP治疗、学科间的相互合作和密切的手术后监护,对减少OSAHS患者手术并发症有重要的意义.     

阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征围手术期气管切开适应证探讨

目的 :探讨阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征 (OSAHS)围手术期气管切开的适应证。方法 :对 6 8例重度OSAHS患者采取一系列围手术期治疗。实施术前再诊断、治疗纠正内科并发症 ,持续正压通气 (CPAP)治疗 ,提高手术耐受性。术中认真估量咽腔情况 ,确定切除范围 ,特别是注意将腭咽弓缝合于扁桃体窝 ,扩大咽腔。全麻患者待充分清醒 ,基本恢复正常肌张力后再拔除气管插管。术中、术后适量应用激素。结果 :术前应用经鼻CPAP治疗的 5 1例患者 ,白天困倦消除 ,精力充沛 ,头痛好转 ,17例高血压患者的血压有所下降或降至正常 ,夜间最低血氧饱和度由 (6 3.5 4± 9.45 ) %提高为 (83.32± 8.85 ) %(t =11.5 2 ,P <0 .0 1) ,仅有 1例患者因颈短粗、插管困难而行气管切开术。术前未行经鼻CPAP治疗的 17例患者中 ,2例因过度肥胖行术中气管切开术 ;2例术后感呼吸不畅 ,继续应用CPAP呼吸机治疗。所有患者术后均未出现呼吸道梗阻 ,避免了致死性并发症的发生。结论 :加强围手术期处理 ,可基本避免重度OSAHS患者围手术期气管切开术。     

阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征患者手术并发症及规避策略

目的 通过阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征(OSAHS)患者手术并发症相关危险因素的分析,探讨并发症防治原则.方法 1998年9月至2007年3月经多道睡眠监测确诊的OSAHS手术患者653例,根据上气道解剖性狭窄的部位及阻塞范围,分别进行悬雍垂腭咽成形术(UPPP)586例次,同时或单纯行鼻腔鼻窦手术104例次,行舌骨悬吊术53例次.在局麻加强化下手术294例,全麻下手术359例.围手术期217例患者行术前3～7 d、术后2～3 d无创正压通气治疗(CPAP).结果 57例(8.7%)OSAHS患者出现各类围手术期并发症93例次,呼吸道并发症19例次,其中全麻诱导期死亡1例;术中大出血9例次,术后出血27例次;心血管并发症31例次,脑出血偏瘫1例;手术后反应性嗜睡3例次,反应性高血糖3例次.多因素Logistic逐步回归分析显示:OSAHS患者围手术期CPAP治疗有利于降低手术并发症的发生,而术前高血压、体重指数、呼吸暂停低通气指数及全麻方式是与手术并发症相关的危险因素.术后均进行1年以上随访,UPPP术后23.9%的患者出现明显的咽喉部异物感,术后6～12个月缓解;咽腔瘢痕粘连7例,腭咽通气道闭锁1例,萎缩性鼻炎、咽炎3例,长期饮食反流3例.结论合并高血压的重症肥胖OSAHS患者围手术期并发症风险增加,有效的血压控制、积极的CPAP治疗、学科间的相互合作和密切的手术后监护,对减少OSAHS患者手术并发症有重要的意义.     

阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征患者手术并发症及规避策略

目的 通过阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征(OSAHS)患者手术并发症相关危险因素的分析,探讨并发症防治原则.方法 1998年9月至2007年3月经多道睡眠监测确诊的OSAHS手术患者653例,根据上气道解剖性狭窄的部位及阻塞范围,分别进行悬雍垂腭咽成形术(UPPP)586例次,同时或单纯行鼻腔鼻窦手术104例次,行舌骨悬吊术53例次.在局麻加强化下手术294例,全麻下手术359例.围手术期217例患者行术前3～7 d、术后2～3 d无创正压通气治疗(CPAP).结果 57例(8.7%)OSAHS患者出现各类围手术期并发症93例次,呼吸道并发症19例次,其中全麻诱导期死亡1例;术中大出血9例次,术后出血27例次;心血管并发症31例次,脑出血偏瘫1例;手术后反应性嗜睡3例次,反应性高血糖3例次.多因素Logistic逐步回归分析显示:OSAHS患者围手术期CPAP治疗有利于降低手术并发症的发生,而术前高血压、体重指数、呼吸暂停低通气指数及全麻方式是与手术并发症相关的危险因素.术后均进行1年以上随访,UPPP术后23.9%的患者出现明显的咽喉部异物感,术后6～12个月缓解;咽腔瘢痕粘连7例,腭咽通气道闭锁1例,萎缩性鼻炎、咽炎3例,长期饮食反流3例.结论合并高血压的重症肥胖OSAHS患者围手术期并发症风险增加,有效的血压控制、积极的CPAP治疗、学科间的相互合作和密切的手术后监护,对减少OSAHS患者手术并发症有重要的意义.     

A Decrease in Maxillary Sinus Pressure,as Seen in Upper Airway Allergy or Infection,Results in an Increase in Upper Airway Nitric Oxide Levels

The paranasal sinuses are connected to the nasal cavity via small osties. Ostial occlusion, caused by mucosal swelling, will result in a slowly increasing negative pressure inside the sinus cavity. In parallel, the oxygen content in the sinus will decrease, resulting in the development of relative hypoxia. Hypoxia is a powerful inducer of nitric oxide (NO) synthase, and inducible NO synthase has been shown to be present in considerable amounts in the upper airways, including the sinuses. The present study was designed to investigate whether a reduction in sinus pressure would affect upper airway NO production. Thirteen healthy volunteers were investigated. A pressure chamber was used to lower the ambient pressure to-4.9 kPa. NO was sampled from one nostril or via a drainage tube inserted into the maxillary sinus before, during and after the hypobaric exposure. When the pressure was decreased, NO levels increased from 256 &#45 15 to 316 &#45 19 ppb ( n =13, p <0.001). The NO levels remained elevated (282 &#45 21 ppb; p <0.05) when measurements were repeated 20 min after leaving the chamber. The nasal airway resistance (V2 tot ) also increased as a result of the chamber session (from 16 &#45 2° before to 21 &#45 3° after; p <0.05). An increase in NO levels was also found when the experiments were repeated with NO sampled directly from the maxillary sinus (225 &#45 6 before and 265 &#45 9 ppb after; n =6, p <0.001). For control purposes the nasal analyses were repeated again, this time under hyperbaric conditions (+4.9 kPa). This resulted in a slight decrease in the NO levels (from 273 &#45 22 to 241 &#45 17 ppb; n =10, p <0.001), but there was no change in the nasal airway resistance. We conclude that a reduction in sinus pressure, as seen in upper airway allergy or infection, may result in an increase in upper airway NO production.     

One‐stop neck lump clinic: phase 2 of audit. How are we doing?

One‐stop neck lump clinic: phase 2 of audit. How are we doing? Regular monitoring and audit of a service are integral to ensuring maintenance of efficiency and standards. This is particularly important where the quality of the service is operator dependent, as is the case in the clinical diagnosis of neck lumps and fine needle aspiration cytology. The one‐stop neck lump clinic has now been running in the department for more than 20 months. A previous article described the results of the first phase audit carried out at 6 months and had identified a waiting time to be seen that was longer than that recommended by the British Association of Otorhinolaryngologists, Head and Neck Surgeons. Measures were implemented to reduce this waiting time and a second audit was carried out after another 10 months with the aims of assessing if modification of the means of referral reduces waiting time and if the outcomes of clinical performance in phase 1 could be maintained or improved. We discuss the results of phase 2 in the audit spiral.     

The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF‐C in early laryngeal cancer: relationship with radioresistance

The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF‐C in early laryngeal cancer: relationship with radioresistance Angiogenesis is essential for tumour growth and invasion. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a prime mediator of tumour angiogenesis. VEGF‐C is a closely related protein that effects lymphatic endothelial cells and may be important in the process of lymphatic metastasis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the expression of these cytokines in patients with T1 and T2a glottic, squamous cell carcinoma, in comparison with normal epithelial control tissue, to ascertain any association with radioresistance. Twenty‐two tumours treated by radiotherapy (13 radiosensitive, nine radioresistant) and seven normal control tissues were studied. The minimum follow‐up was 2 years after radiotherapy. Expression of VEGF and VEGF‐C was evaluated by immunohistochemistry of formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded biopsy specimens. Analysis was carried out using a quantitative computer image analyser. Both VEGF and VEGF‐C were detectable in tumour and normal control specimens. There was increased expression in tumour specimens of both VEGF (P = 0.03) and VEGF‐C (P < 0.001). In addition, the expression of VEGF‐C was associated with tumours of higher histological grade (P = 0.021). There was, however, no difference in VEGF and VEGF‐C expression between radioresistant and radiosensitive tumours. The expression of VEGF and VEGF‐C is increased in early laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). However, measuring the expression of these proteins cannot predict radioresistance in this tumour group.     

Treatment of Maxillary Sinus Carcinoma: Clinical Results Using the Kitasato Modality

The conventional therapeutic regimen for maxillary sinus carcinoma consists of dissection of the maxilla, full-dose irradiation and extensive chemotherapy. However, the results obtained with this treatment are often poor. Even when patients recover, their quality of life is significantly reduced as a result of deformity of facial structures and swallowing and articulation dysfunctions. A retrospective analysis of 68 patients with maxillary sinus carcinoma treated with the Kitasato modality between 1975 and 1999 was conducted. All patients underwent pergingival maxillary sinus surgery combined with pre- and postoperative irradiation therapy with standardized total doses of 16 Gy; the postoperative irradiation was given in combination with regional intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy administered via the superficial temporal artery. All visible tumor lesions were removed where possible in order to preserve or facilitate cellular immunity after surgery. The cumulative 5-year survival rates were 85.7% for Stage II patients, 88.1% for Stage III, 76.6% for Stage IVA and 75.0% for Stage IVB.     

Cervical Reflex Induced by Click Stimuli in Cats

We studied click-evoked potentials in the anterior horn of the spinal cord in 17 cats. A concentric needle electrode was inserted into the anterior horn of the spinal cord at levels C3-C6. Potentials evoked with 105 dB SPL clicks were recorded with a peak latency of 4.89-5.10 ms only at the C3 level. These responses were observed 45-60 dB SPL above the auditory brainstem response (ABR) threshold, and no potentials were evoked by stimulation of the contralateral ear. Average was performed 100 times with changes in stimulation frequency of 1-20 Hz. The amplitude of the potentials decreased with increasing stimulus frequency, but there were no changes in ABRs. The responses disappeared after destruction of the medial vestibulospinal tract at the obex level, but ABRs were still recorded. The spinal nucleus of the accessory nerves was located in the anterior horn of the spinal cord at levels C1-C6, and the sternocleidomastoid muscle motoneurons were found at levels C1-C3. The click-evoked potentials recorded in this study reflect responses of the spinal nucleus of accessory nerves through the vestibulospinal tract to click stimulation. The responses have the same characteristics as vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials that can be recorded using surface electrodes over the sternocleidomastoid muscles of humans.     

A simple objective evaluation and grading for facial paralysis outcomes

Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9 degrade type IV collagen, which is one of the major components of the basement membrane in normal tissue and expressed in the surroundings of the cancer nest in squamous cell carinoma. The degeneration of type IV collagen is an essential step in the metastasis to lymph nodes and distant organs. In this study, we examined MMP-2 and -9 levels of cancer tissue and serum obtained from patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in order to evaluate the relationship between the clinicopathologic features and MMPs. We examined the production of MMP-2 and -9 in cancer tissue homogenates of 73 patients who had HNSCC and the serum MMP levels of 16 patients with HNSCC and 8 healthy volunteers. We also studied the localization of MMP-2 in the carcinoma using an immunohistochemical approach. The concentrations of MMP-2 and -9 in the tissue homogenates and serum were measured by means of a sandwich enzyme immunoassay using a monoclonal antibody. Immunohistochemical analyses were performed with monoclonal antibody to MMP-2. The concentration of MMP-2 in the tumor tissue homogenates was unrelated to tumor size, but that in patients with lymph node metastases was significantly higher than in those without lymph node metastases. The concentration of MMP-9 was unrelated to lymph node metastasis and tumor size. The levels of both MMP-2 and -9 in serum were unrelated to lymph node metastasis. Immunohistochemistry indicated that MMP-2 was mainly expressed in cancer cells. Because MMP-2 degrades type IV collagen, the level of MMP-2 in carcinomas may be a useful indicator of the degree of invasion and metastasis.     

A case of cortical deafness and anarthria

The nasal epithelium protects the underlying tissue from damage. Epithelial cell growth is controlled by epidermal growth factor (EGF) and is possibly affected by toxic proteins, e.g. eosinophil cationic protein (ECP). The aims of this study were to examine nasal fluid epithelial cell counts and their relations to EGF, eosinophils and ECP in 23 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis and 20 healthy controls. Nasal fluid epithelial cell counts were lower in patients than in controls. EGF levels did not differ between patients and controls, and correlated with epithelial cell counts in controls but not in patients. Eosinophils and ECP were higher in patients than in controls, but did not correlate with epithelial cell counts. The role of growth factors, such as EGF, in regulating epithelial cells merits further study.     

Tongue Base Reduction with Temperature-controlled Radiofrequency Volumetric Tissue Reduction for Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

In recent years a considerable effort has been made to establish the use of different surgical techniques for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Nevertheless, treatment of hypopharyngeal obstruction due to tongue base hypertrophy remains in many ways an unsolved problem. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of tongue base reduction with temperature-controlled radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction in the treatment of OSAS. Twenty patients with OSAS and tongue base hypertrophy were treated with radiofrequency tissue ablation. An intensified treatment protocol was used, delivering 2,800 J per treatment session under local anesthesia. Two nights of polysomnography testing were performed before and after treatment. Daytime sleepiness, snoring and postoperative morbidity were assessed using questionnaires. Mean respiratory disturbance index (RDI) was reduced from 32.1 to 24.9/h after a mean of 3.4 treatment sessions. Six patients (33%) were cured after the procedure (reduction in RDI of &#83 50% and a postoperative RDI of <15/h) and ten (55%) showed an improvement of >20% in their RDI. Daytime sleepiness and snoring improved significantly. Peri- and postoperative morbidity was low; one severe complication occurred (tongue base abscess). We were able to achieve similar cure and responder rates to those reported in a recently published pilot study but with a reduced number of treatment sessions. We believe that this technique may improve patient acceptance and have beneficial cost implications.     

Bilateral versus unilateral cochlear implantation in young children

Objectives

To compare the preverbal communication skills of two groups of young implanted children: those with unilateral implantation and those with bilateral implantation.

Material and methods

The study assessed 69 children: 42 unilaterally and 27 bilaterally implanted with age at implantation less than 3 years. The preverbal skills of these children were measured before and 1 year after implantation, using Tait Video Analysis that has been found able to predict later speech outcomes in young implanted children.

Results

Before implantation there was no significant difference between the unilateral group and the bilateral group. There was still no difference at 12 months following implantation where vocal autonomy is concerned, but a strongly significant difference between the groups for vocal turn-taking and non-looking vocal turns, the bilateral group outperforming the unilateral group. Regarding gestural turn-taking and gestural autonomy, there was a strongly significant difference between the two groups at the 12 month interval, and also a difference before implantation for gestural autonomy, the unilateral group having the higher scores. Multiple regression of non-looking vocal turns revealed that 1 year following implantation, bilateral implantation contributed to 51% of the variance (p < 0.0001), after controlling for the influence of age at implantation and length of deafness which did not reach statistical significance.

Conclusions

Profoundly deaf bilaterally implanted children are significantly more likely to use vocalisation to communicate, and to use audition when interacting vocally with an adult, compared with unilaterally implanted children. These results are independent of age at implantation and length of deafness.