A preoperative sleep study with nasal airway occlusion in pharyngeal flap surgery

PURPOSE: Obstructive sleep apnea is a major complication of pharyngeal flap surgery. The purpose of the present study is to predict preoperatively the risk of upper airway obstruction after surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed an overnight sleep study preoperatively and postoperatively in 16 pediatric patients considered for pharyngeal flap surgery. Preoperative sleep study was done for two nights, once in normal breathing condition and once with complete nasal occlusion by packing of nostril with tampon gauze. RESULTS: In preoperative sleep recordings in normal breathing condition, all subjects had a normal apnea hypopnea index (AHI) less than 5/h. In preoperative recording with complete nasal occlusion, five patients exceeded 5/h in AHI. In particular, for two patients who had AHI higher than 15/h, we gave up a surgery in one case and performed pharyngeal flap operation for the other following a tracheotomy for severe disturbance of oral breathing. The remaining 14 subjects underwent surgery without airway obstructive complications. There was strong correlation between preoperative AHI with nasal tampon gauze and AHI at two weeks postoperatively (r = 0.88 P < .0001). There was no significant correlation between preoperative AHI in normal breathing condition and postoperative AHI (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: These results exhibit preoperative sleep study with complete nasal airway occlusion represent postoperative breathing condition well during early postoperative period. Preoperative sleep study with complete nasal airway occlusion with nasal tampons could be useful for predicting the risk of upper airway obstruction secondary to pharyngeal flap surgery.     

A clinical prospective study of peritonsillar abscess in children

Distinguishing peritonsillar abscess from cellulitis is an important clinical problem, particularly in children, who may require a general anesthetic for drainage of these abscesses. In order to identify those clinical factors most significant for peritonsillar abscess, we did a prospective study of 21 patients who presented with sore throat, fever, trismus, and tonsillar bulge; all symptoms that are consistent with the diagnosis of peritonsillar abscess. On admission, the following parameters were recorded: patient age, duration of sore throat, fever, white blood cell count, drooling, the degree of trismus (measured exactly as incisor-incisor distance), the degree of pharyngotonsillar bulge, and change in voice. After 24 to 48 hours of parenteral antibiotics, 12 patients (57%) had improved sufficiently and were continued on antibiotics until resolution (cellulitis group). Nine patients (43%) had no improvement and underwent surgery for drainage of the peritonsillar abscess (abscess group). At the end of the 18-month study period, the cellulitis and abscess groups were compared. On admission, no significant difference was found in age, duration of sore throat, fever, or white blood cell count. The pharyngotonsillar bulge was mild in 58% and moderate in 42% of the cellulitis group, while in the abscess group, the pharyngotonsillar bulge was mild in only 33% and moderate in 67%. After 24 to 48 hours of parenteral antibiotics, all patients in the cellulitis group had improvement of at least one symptom; whereas, all patients in the abscess group had no change or worsening of at least one symptom, including trismus, dysphagia, voice change, drooling, or pharyngotonsillar bulge. On admission, the precise measurement of trismus was not significantly different in the two groups (24.7 mm in cellulitis group vs. 22.5 mm in abscess group). However, after 24 hours of antibiotics, trismus averaged 7 mm more in the abscess group versus the cellulitis group (p less than 0.05).     

三种鼻腔填塞材料在鼻内镜手术中的疗效比较

目的：探讨三种鼻腔填塞材料在鼻内镜手术中的应用效果。方法：2004年1月至8月为慢性鼻窦炎、鼻息肉75例行内窥镜鼻窦手术，男49例,女26例,平均42 岁。Ⅱ型2期36例,Ⅱ 型3期21例,Ⅲ型18例。局部或全身麻醉下行Messerklinger鼻窦内窥镜手术,术后随机予以凡士林油纱条、Merocel高分子止血棉、瑞纳凝胶快速止血材料中的一种填塞鼻腔,每组25例，48～72?h后取出填塞物，观察患者鼻痛、头痛的程度及取出填塞物后的渗血情况，判断疗效。结果：凡士林油纱条组80％的患者出现鼻痛、头痛等症状，64％的患者抽出鼻腔填塞物后有渗血；瑞纳凝胶快速止血材料组60％的患者出现鼻痛、头痛等症状，12％的患者抽出鼻腔填塞物后有渗血；Merocel高分子止血棉组44％的患者出现鼻痛、头痛等症状，24％的患者抽出鼻腔填塞物后有渗血；三组比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05)。结论：三种鼻腔填塞材料中凡士林油纱条疗效可靠，价格低廉，但痛苦明显；Merocel 高分子止血棉、瑞纳凝胶快速止血材料止血效果好，痛苦小，但价格略昂贵，临床应用中可视情况而定。     

Methods of drainage and tamponment in otorhinolaryngologic practice

Current methods of drainage and tamponment are reviewed. The drainage is made more often with the use of gauze and glove rubber. To drain deep wound channels, in mediastinitis for instance, a silicone double tube is employed. To prevent repeat bleeding, it is better to remove the tampon of gauze turundas step-by-step, after saturation with wound discharge and blood. Long-standing nasal tampons may cause complications. In these cases prophylactic doses of antibiotics are recommended. The cigar tampon is useful for prevention of nasopharyngeal bedsores in patients with posterior tamponment. Such tampons with lateral holes are also convenient for drainage of cerebral abscesses.     

Bupivacaine for Postoperative Analgesia Following Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

This prospective study was conducted to examine pain after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). The hypothesis was that a long-acting anesthetic agent would result in patients experiencing less pain in the 24-hour postoperative period and therefore needing fewer oral analgesics. We randomized 100 patients undergoing ESS to receive either lidocaine (1% or 2%) with epinephrine or bupivacaine (0.25% or 0.5%) with epinephrine as an anesthetic and for a sphenopalatine block. Postoperative pain was assessed with a standard numeric pain assessment scale at baseline and at 2, 6, and 24 hours after surgery. The use of analgesics during this period was also documented. We compared the results between patients receiving bupivacaine and those receiving lidocaine, as well as between patients who required nasal packing and those who did not. We discovered that in general, pain after ESS was less severe than expected. We further found that the type of anesthetic used did not significantly affect postoperative pain; pain score changes and use of analgesics were similar between the two anesthesia groups. Postoperative pain was also similar between the “packing” and “no packing” groups. Although patients receiving packing had consistently lower increases in pain (and in fact many patients in this group had decreases in pain from baseline), none of the differences between group means was statistically significant.     

Evaluation of calcium alginate nasal packing (Algostéril) versus Polyvinyl acetal (Merocel) for nasal packing after inferior turbinate resection

Nasal packing is commonly used to control postoperative bleeding in patients undergoing endonasal surgical procedures. Bleeding and pain on packing removal are frequently reported. The principal objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of Algosteril to control post-operative nasal bleeding. The secondary objective was to assess nasal bleeding and pain on packing removal, and to evaluate the endoscopic appearance of nasal mucosa 9 days after the procedure. This open, multicenter, randomized, controlled study was conducted on 50 patients undergoing partial bilateral inferior turbinectomy, packed with Algosteril on one side versus Polyvinyl acetal tampon (Merocel) on the other side following a left/right randomization. Both nasal packs effectively prevented post-operative bleeding. However, bleeding on packing removal was statistically less frequent and less severe with Algosteril than with Polyvinyl acetal (p = 0.016). In addition, pain was statistically lower with Algosteril than with Polyvinyl acetal (p = 0.0001). A trend to a better healing of the wound on day 9 was observed with Algosteril, leading us to further investigations. Algosteril nasal packing is as effective as Polyvinyl acetal in preventing postoperative bleeding following partial inferior turbinate resection. Its removal, however, is less traumatic for the nasal mucosa and less painful for the patient, therefore improving patient's comfort.     

The effects of merocel and glove finger tampon applications on the nasal septum mucosa of rabbits

OBJECTIVE: The use of tampons after nasal septum surgery is important for both prevention of postoperative bleeding and stabilization of the nasal flaps and the septum. One of the most important factors in achieving rapid postoperative recovery is the choice of the nasal tampon material, among many, to produce minimal damage on the nasal mucosa. In this study, the histopathological effects of the glove finger and merocel tampons, which are commonly used in clinical applications, have been investigated on the nasal mucosa of rabbits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, merocel and glove finger tampons were used for nasal packing in one-sided nasal cavities of 16 adult New Zealand rabbits. The animals were randomized into two groups, each consisting of eight animals. The tampons were removed after 48 hours. RESULTS: Histological examination showed that if the merocel was in a glove finger, it did not create any damage to mucosal integrity and lamina propria. However, in the group where merocel was used directly, the epithelium of the nasal mucosa was shortened and demonstrated loss of cilia and in four of the eight specimens, it was partly from lamina propria. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that the use of merocel in glove finger tampon leads to a lesser degree of damage in the lamina propria, and may facilitate rapid mucosal wound healing postoperatively.     

An evaluation of post-operative packing in nasal septal surgery.

The need for nasal packing in septal surgery is not proven though its use is widespread. Post-operative complications, while uncommon, are frequently pack related. Consenting adults were prospectively randomized to one of the following: Vaseline gauze nasal packing or 30 Dexon mucosal suture. All patients were operated on by one surgeon who was made aware of the randomization decision only when the corrective surgery was complete. Details of post-operative morbidity were collected and pain scored subjectively by a visual analogue scale the morning after surgery. The first 50 available pain scales illustrated a difference between the groups (P less than 0.05), means 4 and 3 in the pack and suture group respectively. There was no demonstrable difference in post-operative haemorrhage, adhesions, nasal crusting or mucosal atrophy. The need for nasal packing is not supported.     

藻酸钙敷料在鼻内镜术后术腔填塞效果的临床观察

目的 比较鼻内镜手术(endoscopic sinus surgery,ESS)后藻酸钙敷料(Sorbalgon(?)Tamponade Strips)与金霉素油纱条填塞术腔的效果,以寻求更好的鼻腔、鼻窦填塞材料。方法 对53例慢性鼻窦炎患者在鼻内镜手术后应用藻酸钙敷料随机填塞一侧鼻腔,金霉素油纱条填塞另一侧鼻腔作为对照。观察及评价填塞与抽取时,两侧鼻腔的出血量、疼痛及鼻粘膜水肿情况;并对两侧鼻粘膜进行光镜观察及比较。结果 应用藻酸钙敷料填塞止血效果好,填塞及抽取时出血少(P<0.01);鼻腔疼痛轻(P<0.01);术后鼻腔粘膜水肿轻(P<0.05)。填塞藻酸钙敷料的鼻腔,术后第三周鼻粘膜炎性细胞浸润程度与填塞金霉素油纱条的对照组比较差异无显著性(P>0.05)。结论 藻酸钙敷料是较理想的鼻腔手术后填塞止血材料。     

One-stage nasal and multi-level pharyngeal surgery for obstructive sleep apnoea: safety and efficacy

A collapsible airway is often the common denominator in sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). The upper respiratory tract includes the nasal passage, nasopharynx, oral cavity, oropharynx, base-of-tongue region and the hypopharynx. It is believed that the highest amount of resistance in the upper respiratory tract is in the nasal cavities, and particularly the nasal valve. Most authors believe that when considering surgical options for patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) it is imperative to correct nasal pathology together with the other sites of airway obstruction. In this retrospective study, I sought to investigate the safety and efficacy of one-stage nasal and multi-level pharyngeal surgery. I compared two groups of patients: group 1, receiving one-stage nasal and multi-level pharyngeal surgery; and group 2, receiving only multi-level pharyngeal surgery. In group 1, nine out of 12 patients (75 per cent) met the criteria for surgical success, with a mean pre-operative apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) decreasing from 36.3 to 8.9 post-operatively (p<0.0002), while in group 2, 25 out of 40 patients met the surgical success criteria (62.5 per cent), with their mean AHI decreasing from 52.6 to 10.2 (p<0.0000). When comparing the surgical success rates between the two groups, it was not statistically significant, at p>0.106. There were no postoperative respiratory-related complications despite having bilateral nasal Merocel (tampon) packing in place (in group 1), and none of the patients in either group had any desaturation, hypoxaemia, apnoea or OSA-related complications. This series suggests that, with adequate post-operative monitoring, it is both safe and efficacious to perform both nasal and multi-level pharyngeal surgery in the one surgical session.     

The use of topical 5% lignocaine ointment for the relief of pain associated with post-operative nasal packing

Packing of the nasal cavity remains a common routine precautionary measure following septal surgery. The nasal pack and its removal 24 h later are often cited by patients as the most painful aspects of septal surgery. We present the results of a randomized, prospective controlled trial of the use of topical 5% lignocaine ointment as a method of pain relief following post-operative nasal packing. Post-operative pain as measured using a visual analogue scale at 3 h post-operatively was halved in patients receiving a lignocaine impregnated nasal pack compared with those having a standard vaseline gauze pack (P < 0.05). Pain scores at 6 h post-operatively and at pack removal were also reduced, but these failed to reach significance. No patients suffered reactionary haemorrhage. The use of topical lignocaine ointment is safe and may have a place in the relief of pain due to post-operative nasal packing.     

Merocel高膨胀海绵用于鼻出血

目的：探索更好的鼻腔填塞物。方法：比较传统的凡士林纱条与高膨胀海绵做为鼻腔填塞物的应用效果。结果：比较两组病人鼻腔填塞后24小时出血量，两者之间出血量无统计学差异（P＞0．05）。填塞时及取出时疼痛的程度，应用Merocel者明显较填塞凡士林纱条者轻，填塞期间的主要症状也较凡士林沙条组的病人轻。结论：Merocel高膨胀海绵是理想的鼻出血鼻腔填塞物。     

首诊于耳鼻咽喉科的亚急性甲状腺炎30例报告

目的 :探讨首诊于耳鼻咽喉科的亚急性甲状腺炎患者的咽部症状以及甲状腺单光子发射型计算机断层 ( SPECT)和甲状腺细针细胞学检查 ( FN B)对亚急性甲状腺炎的诊断价值。方法 :记录 3 0例亚急性甲状腺炎患者的咽部症状 ,测定血清 T3、T4 水平 ,对患者进行甲状腺 SPECT显像 ,结合甲状腺 FNB。结果 :2 1例存在程度不同的咽痛 ,9例存在咽异感症。经 SPECT直接确诊 6例 ,SPECT结合 FNB确诊 2 2例 ,另 2例经试用泼尼松最后确诊。结论 :咽痛和咽异感症是亚急性甲状腺炎的重要症状 ,甲状腺 SPECT和 FNB对亚急性甲状腺炎的诊断具有重要价值。     

Efficacy of a benzocaine lozenge in the treatment of uncomplicated sore throat

Benzocaine lozenges are popular in symptomatic treatment of acute sore throat. The aim of this study was to evaluate if sucking a benzocaine lozenge was superior to a placebo lozenge in patients with pain while swallowing. Volunteers with acute, uncomplicated sore throat received randomly and double-blind either a benzocaine 8 mg or a placebo lozenge. Pain was assessed on a numerical visual rating scale. The primary outcome measure was the sum of the pain intensity differences (SPID) over 2 h. Secondary outcome measures included the number of patients who reported 50% or more of their baseline pain score (responders) and those with worthwhile and complete pain relief, the times to worthwhile/complete pain relief and to pain recurrence and the occurrence of any adverse effects. A predefined interim analysis after including 50 patients revealed the superiority of benzocaine versus placebo in the SPID (p = 0.0086). At this time, a total of 165 patients had been recruited (full analysis set, FAS) and underwent statistical analysis. In the FAS, median SPID had significantly more decreased in patients receiving benzocaine compared to placebo (−12 vs. − 5, p = 0.001). There were significantly more responders and patients with worthwhile pain relief in group benzocaine. The number of patients with complete pain relief was very small. Median time to worthwhile pain relief was 20 min (benzocaine) and >45 min (placebo). Adverse events were not observed. Benzocaine lozenges are superior to placebo lozenges and a useful, well-tolerated treatment option to reduce painful pharyngeal discomfort.     

中药止血愈创鼻腔填塞油纱条临床应用

目的〓〖HTK〗利用中医中药理论,开发应用具有止血止痛、促进创伤愈合、放置时间长、使用经济、感觉舒适的中医药鼻腔填塞材料。〖HTW〗方法〓〖HTK〗选取中药组方,制取中药油纱条,应用于功能性内窥镜鼻窦外科手术（FESS）后鼻腔填塞,并与凡士林纱条对照,以相同方式填塞鼻腔,留置3d后取出。从手术后疼痛、出血、取出时出血以及手术后异味等方面对比两种材料的效果。〖HTW〗结果〓〖HTK〗凡士林纱条组手术后疼痛、出血、取出时出血和异味的出现率分别是25.74%,30.69%,42.57%,40.59%,中药油纱组分别是17.65%,16.47%,12.94%,16.47%。〖HTW〗结论〓〖HTK〗中药油纱是一种具有良好的止血止痛效果、感觉舒适、可以留置时间较长而且又十分经济的鼻腔填塞新材料。     

慢性中耳炎术后纳吸棉填塞术腔33例

目的 比较慢性中耳炎术后,分别采用纳吸棉与碘仿纱条填塞术腔的不同效果。方法 单耳发病的慢性化脓性胆脂瘤型中耳炎患者60例（耳）,均采用开放式的改良乳突根治术及耳甲腔成形术,两组患者一般临床资料比较,差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。术后按本人意愿,分为观察组和对照组,观察组33例（耳）,术后采用纳吸棉填塞术腔;对照组27例（耳）,术后采用碘仿纱条填塞术腔。比较两组患者术后并发症发生率,24 h耳痛程度,48 h内睡眠时间,术后2周取出耳部填塞物时术腔出血率。结果 观察组术后并发症发生率9.1%,对照组为33.3%,两组比较差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。术后24 h观察组耳痛程度Ⅰ级32例（耳）,Ⅱ级1例（耳）;对照组Ⅰ级22例（耳）,Ⅱ级5例（耳）,P<0.05。观察组患者术后48 h内平均睡眠时间为（15.61±0.93）h,对照组为（12.44±1.31）h,P<0.05。术后2周观察组取出耳部填塞物时出血率为6.1%,对照组为29.2%,P<0.05。结论 慢性中耳炎术后采用纳吸棉填塞术腔,并发症发生率相对较低,能减轻术后疼痛、延长睡眠时间、减少创面二次损伤。     

An evaluation of post-operative packing in nasal septal surgery

The need for nasal packing in septal surgery is not proven though its use is widespread. Post-operative complications, while uncommon, are frequently pack related. Consenting adults were prospectively randomized to one of the following: Vaseline gauze nasal packing or 30 Dexon mucosal suture. All patients were operated on by one surgeon who was made aware of the randomization decision only when the corrective surgery was complete. Details of post-operative morbidity were collected and pain scored subjectively by a visual analogue scale the morning after surgery. The first 50 available pain scales illustrated a difference between the groups (P < 0.05), means 4 and 3 in the pack and suture group respectively. There was no demonstrable difference in post-operative haemorrhage, adhesions, nasal crusting or mucosal atrophy. The need for nasal packing is not supported.     

Effect of tonsillectomy on recurrent sore throats in adults: patients' perspectives

The aim of this study was to quantify the effect of tonsillectomy on the incidence of sore throats and its co-morbidity in adult patients. One hundred and nineteen adult patients were sent a standard questionnaire regarding their symptoms in the 12 months preceding and following their tonsillectomy. Outcome measures included the incidence of sore throats, total number of days with sore throat, amount of time taken off work or school, and number of visits to the general practitioner (GP). In addition, patients were asked to indicate the duration of their symptoms and whether or not they found the tonsillectomy effective in curing their sore throats. Sixty-six patients (55.5 per cent) returned completed questionnaires. The age of the patients ranged from 16 to 39 years. The mean duration of symptoms was 8.3 years. On average, patients had 8.1 different sore throat episodes, 42 sore throat days, 21.4 days of sore throat related absence from work or school, and 5.9 visits to the GP in the 12 months before their operation. For the 12 months after surgery, these reduced to 0.9 episodes, four days, 2.2 days and 0.6 visits, respectively. This reduction was very significant (p < 0.001, Wilcoxon signed rank test). After their surgery, more than half the patients achieved complete resolution of all the measured parameters mentioned above. Most of the remaining patients achieved at least 50 per cent resolution. Only three patients (4.8 per cent) achieved less than 50 per cent resolution. Ninety-five per cent of the patients found the operation effective in curing their sore throats and were glad they had had surgery. In conclusion, retrospective questionnaire data must be interpreted with some caution, but this study suggests that tonsillectomy is effective in reducing the incidence, duration and co-morbidity of recurrent sore throats in adults; this must be balanced against the post-operative problems in a minority of patients.     

鼻内镜术后两种鼻腔填塞物的疗效对比

目的 比较鼻内镜术后数字纱布和藻酸钙鼻腔填塞的疗效。方法 将60例慢性鼻窦炎/鼻息肉患者随机分组,鼻内镜术后分别行数字纱布或藻酸钙填塞,并行鼻内镜手术前后自查量表调查。该自查量表包括术前鼻腔通气评分,手术当天及术后第1天(拔除填塞物当天)鼻腔通气评分、鼻腔胀痛评分、头痛评分、牙齿酸痛评分、鼻腔出血停止时间、出血量情况及发热情况等。通过该量表的调查,分析比较数字纱布和藻酸钙的疗效。结果 两组患者术前鼻腔通气评分差异无统计学意义。两组患者手术当天鼻腔通气评分有统计学差异,而鼻腔胀痛评分、头痛评分、牙齿酸痛评分、鼻腔出血停止时间均差异无统计学意义;两组患者鼻腔出血均为阴性、无发热。两组患者术后第1天鼻腔通气评分、鼻腔胀痛评分、头痛评分、牙齿酸痛评分、鼻腔出血停止时间均差异无统计学意义,两组患者鼻腔出血均为阴性、无发热。结论 数字纱布作为一种新型的鼻腔填塞物用于慢性鼻窦炎/鼻息肉患者鼻内镜术后,相比藻酸钙而言,具有鼻腔通气佳等优点,值得在临床推广使用。     

Fewer symptoms occur in same-serotype recurrent streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis

BACKGROUND: Most patients with acute rheumatic fever report no antecedent pharyngitis. OBJECTIVE: To determine the clinical and microbiological characteristics of recurrent group A beta-hemolytic streptococcal (GABHS) tonsillopharyngitis. DESIGN: Prospective randomized trial. SUBJECTS: Symptoms were recorded and throat cultures were obtained at 4 to 6, 18 to 21, and 32 to 35 days following the start of treatment. A subset of 60 patients with subsequent GABHS episodes occurring were evaluated for a 0.2-or greater log rise in either antistreptolysin O or anti-deoxyribonuclease B titer to confirm a bona fide recurrence. RESULTS: Sixteen (27%) of 60 patients had recurrent GABHS tonsillopharyngitis of the same serotype that occurred 21 days or longer following the onset of the initial GABHS infection and was associated with a 0.2- or greater log rise in either antistreptolysin O or anti-deoxyribonuclease B titer, indicating bona fide recurrent infection; these recurrences all occurred within 55 days. Fewer patients with recurrent GABHS pharyngitis of the same serotype had headache (P =.02), sore throat (P =.006), fever (P =. 008), pharyngeal erythema (P<.001), pharyngeal edema (P<.001), pharyngeal exudate (P =.04), and adenitis (P =.03) compared with the initial episode. Chills, stomachache, scarlatina, tonsillar enlargement, and palatal petechiae were similar for both episodes. CONCLUSIONS: Fewer symptoms occur during recurrent GABHS pharyngitis of the same serotype compared with the initial infection. These patients may be less likely to seek physician attention, yet their infections put them at risk for sequelae.