A comparison of laser cautery and sub-mucosal diathermy for rhinitis.

A randomized prospective trial was conducted to compare the efficacy of laser cautery against sub-mucosal diathermy to the inferior turbinates in 29 patients with rhinitis. Laser diathermy was performed using an arthroscopic fitment to a CO2 laser. Subjective and objective measurement of airway obstruction were performed, using a linear analogue scale and a nasal peak inspiratory flow meter, before operation and at 3 days and 6 weeks afterwards. In both groups there was a similar and significant improvement in subjective scores at 6 weeks (SMD from 3.6 to 1.8, P less than 0.01; laser from 3.9 to 2.1, P less than 0.001), but only the laser group was significantly better at Day 3 (SMD from 3.6 to 3.5, n.s.; laser from 3.9 to 3.0, P less than 0.05). In addition, there was significantly more general subjective morbidity at Day 3 in the SMD group (P less than 0.01). The objective scores improved equally in both groups but were not significant. We conclude that laser cautery of the inferior turbinate is a superior alternative to SMD for the treatment of rhinitis.     

内镜鼻窦手术治疗慢性鼻-鼻窦炎临床结局的主客观评估

目的评估内镜鼻窦手术治疗慢性鼻．鼻窦炎的主客观临床结局并构建临床实用性的主客观结局评估体系。方法通过前瞻性队列研究，对120例慢性鼻-鼻窦炎患者术前和术后12个月的临床结局进行视觉模拟量表（visual analog scale，VAS）、医学结局研究简表36项（medical outcome study short-form 36-items，SF-36）和鼻腔鼻窦结局测试20条（sino-nasal outcome test-20，SNOT-20）等症状与生存质量的主观评估，以及内镜下黏膜形态、纤毛功能与组织病理学等客观评估。数据统计采用t检验、Х^2检验和Spearman相关分析处理手术前后主客观结局的变化及其相互关系。结果①术后12个月，VAS、SF-36和SNOT-20整体评分较术前明显改善（P〈0．01），其中85．96％、77．19％和83．33％的个体三项主观指标评分分别较术前改善，同时改善的比例为72．28％；手术前后各个时期，三种主观指标评分均具相关性（P值均〈0．01），其中SNOT-20兼性作用最大。②术后12个月，内镜下黏膜形态、纤毛功能和组织病理学整体评分较术前明显改善（P值均〈0．05），其中86．84％、86．81％和75．57％的个体三种客观指标评分分别较术前改善，同时改善的比例为71．85％；手术前后各个时期，三种客观指标评分均具相关性（P值均〈0．05），其中内镜下黏膜形态兼性作用最大。③SNOT-20与内镜下黏膜形态同时评估显示：术后12个月74．56％的患者主客观评分升降结局一致，而25．44％的患者主客观结局不一致，其中伴发鼻息肉患者更容易出现这种差异性（P〈0．05）。④手术前后不同时期，SNOT-20与内镜下黏膜形态评分均无相关性（P〉0．05），但前10位条目总分与内镜下黏膜形态评分具有相关性（0．18≤r≤0．42，P〈0．05），而后10位条目总分与之不相关（P〉0．05）。结论①内镜鼻窦手术可有效改善慢性鼻-鼻窦炎患者术后的症状、生存质量、内镜下黏膜形态、纤毛功能及组织状态等临床结局；②构建以SNOT-20和内镜下黏膜形态评估为主体的主客观结局评估体系，简约可靠，合理有效，具有临床实用性。     

Trimming of the inferior turbinates: a prospective long-term study

The aim of this study was to determine whether the initial benefits of radical trimming and anterior trimming of the inferior turbinates on nasal airflow persisted in the long term. Radical trimming significantly reduced nasal resistance at 2 months following operation (n = 12) (P less than 0.005). There was no significant change in nasal resistance over the next 20 months. Symptom scores for nasal obstruction also showed a significant reduction (n = 16) (P less than 0.005), at 2 months, and did not change significantly over the next 20 months. Radical trimming of the inferior turbinates is a highly effective operation in patients with hypertrophy of the inferior turbinates with few initial complications. However, further analysis of the data revealed that up to 20% of patients lose the initial subjective benefit of relief of nasal obstruction within 2 years of follow-up. Late onset crusting occurs in some patients though this is not directly attributable to an increase in nasal airflow. This study also concludes that anterior trimming of the inferior turbinates cannot be recommended as a form of treatment.     

Effect of edaravone on streptomycin-induced vestibulotoxicity in the Guinea pig

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The effect of topical administration of edaravone to the inner ear was investigated in guinea pigs with streptomycin-induced vestibulotoxicity. METHODS: Vestibulotoxicity was induced in 20 animals by delivery of streptomycin into the inner ear through osmotic pump for 24 hours. Edaravone (n = 8, systemic administration group) or saline (n = 6, control group) was injected intraperitoneally once a day for 7 days or edaravone-soaked Gelfoam was placed on the round window before wound closure (n = 6, topical administration group). RESULTS: Yaw head tilt and spontaneous nystagmus were observed in all animals after the operation. The number of spontaneous nystagmus beats in the topical administration group was statistically less than that in other two groups at 12, 18, and 24 hours after the operation. CONCLUSION: The study results suggest that topical administration of edaravone better suppresses streptomycin-induced vestibulotoxicity than systemic administration.     

A comparison of laser cautery and sub-mucosal diathermy for rhinitis

A randomized prospective trial was conducted to compare the efficacy of laser cautery against sub-mucosal diathermy to the inferior turbinates in 29 patients with rhinitis. Laser diathermy was performed using an arthroscopic fitment to a CO₂ laser. Subjective and objective measurement of airway obstruction were performed, using a linear analogue scale and a nasal peak inspiratory flow meter, before operation and at 3 days and 6 weeks afterwards. In both groups there was a similar and significant improvement in subjective scores at 6 weeks (SMD from 3.6 to 1.8, P < 0.01; laser from 3.9 to 2.1, P < 0.001), but only the laser group was significantly better at Day 3 (SMD from 3.6 to 3.5, n.s.; laser from 3.9 to 3.0, P < 0.05). In addition, there was significantly more general subjective morbidity at Day 3 in the SMD group (P < 0.01). The objective scores improved equally in both groups but were not significant. We conclude that laser cautery of the inferior turbinate is a superior alternative to SMD for the treatment of rhinitis.     

Correlation of pure tone audiogram results and hearing benefit of tympanoplasty for chronic suppurative otitis media

The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between pure tone audiogram results and the subjective sensation of hearing benefit of patients who had tympanoplasty for chronic suppurative otitis media. This is a prospective study of 115 patients who had tympanoplasty between 1992 and 1994. The outcome, including a pure tone audiogram and the subjective sensation of hearing benefit, was evaluated at 1 year after operation. There were 63 (55%) patients with subjective hearing benefit after the tympanoplasty. The subjective sensation of hearing benefit correlated with the magnitude of the air conduction (AC) threshold reduction, and increased from 39% for an AC reduction of less than or equal to 10 dB to 100% for an AC reduction of more than 30 dB. The effect of the interaural AC threshold difference on the subjective sensation of hearing was not significant; improvement was felt by 92% of patients when the operated ear became the better hearing ear, and by 73% of patients when the operated ear remained the worse hearing ear. There was considerable discrepancy between the subjective hearing benefit and the pure tone audiogram results. A combination of parameters, including the air-bone gap, the AC threshold, and the subjective hearing change, is recommended in reporting the results of tympanoplasty.     

A comparison of anterior and radical trimming of the inferior nasal turbinates and the effects on nasal resistance to airflow

A study of 18 patients with chronic rhinitis who underwent anterior or radical trimming of the inferior turbinates is presented. Radical trimming produced a significant decrease in both total nasal resistance to airflow and subjective nasal obstruction (P less than 0.005). Anterior trimming produced a significant decrease in total nasal resistance to airflow (P less than 0.05), but had no significant effect on subjective nasal obstruction. These results suggest that the main site of nasal resistance in patients with chronic rhinitis is the same as in the normal nose. On the basis of this study, adoption of anterior trimming in place of radical trimming of the inferior turbinates cannot be recommended.     

下鼻甲粘膜下凝固术对鼻气道阻力的影响

目的 :观察下鼻甲粘膜下凝固术对鼻气道阻力的影响。方法 :应用主动性前鼻测压法 ,测定 17例慢性鼻炎患者 ,行下鼻甲粘膜下凝固术前后鼻气道阻力和主观鼻开放感觉评分情况。结果 :鼻炎组 17例患者术前鼻气道阻力是 (0 .6 6 7± 0 .2 1) k Pa· s/ L;术后 3个月 (0 .30 2± 0 .17) k Pa· s/ L,10个月 (0 .397± 0 .2 5 ) k Pa· s/ L,统计学显示术后两者和术前的差异有极其显著性意义 (P <0 .0 1)。术前主观鼻开放感觉评分是 7.5± 1.5 ,术后 3个月 2± 2 .0 ,10个月 3± 2 .5 ,两者和术前相比差异亦有极显著性意义 (P <0 .0 1)。结论 :下鼻甲粘膜下凝固术可显著性地降低患者的鼻气道阻力 ,同时可明显的改善患者的主观鼻开放感觉。     

Manipulation of the fractured nose: a comparison of local infiltration anaesthesia and topical local anaesthesia

Reduction of simple nasal fractures under local anaesthetic is now an accepted practice. The anaesthetic is usually administered using an external percutaneous approach, coupled with topical intranasal cocaine. Topical local anaesthetic with intranasal cocaine is an alternative method. Fifty-four adult patients with simple displaced nasal fractures were randomised to three different groups prior to fracture reduction in the outpatient department. Group A received external local infiltration, Group B received topical EMLA cream whilst Group C received topical AMETOP gel. All patients received topical intranasal cocaine. The cosmetic result and airway patency were comparable in all groups. However, patients in group A perceived the procedure as significantly more painful than the patients of groups B and C. Despite the increased procedure time, we recommend topical anaesthesia as the method of choice to reduce simple nasal fractures in the outpatient department. It offers a similar outcome, whilst being significantly less painful than external infiltration.     

Manipulation of the fractured nose: a comparison of local infiltration anaesthesia and topical local anaesthesia.

Reduction of simple nasal fractures under local anaesthetic is now an accepted practice. The anaesthetic is usually administered using an external percutaneous approach, coupled with topical intranasal cocaine. Topical local anaesthetic with intranasal cocaine is an alternative method. Fifty-four adult patients with simple displaced nasal fractures were randomised to three different groups prior to fracture reduction in the outpatient department. Group A received external local infiltration, Group B received topical EMLA cream whilst Group C received topical AMETOP gel. All patients received topical intranasal cocaine. The cosmetic result and airway patency were comparable in all groups. However, patients in group A perceived the procedure as significantly more painful than the patients of groups B and C. Despite the increased procedure time, we recommend topical anaesthesia as the method of choice to reduce simple nasal fractures in the outpatient department. It offers a similar outcome, whilst being significantly less painful than external infiltration.     

Topical application of decongestant in dysfunction of the Eustachian tube: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Thirty-six patients, aged 12-75 years, with dry, central tympanic membrane perforations and a negative Valsalva manouevre and/or a negative aspiration/deflation test, were included in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial on the effect of a decongestant agent (xylometazoline chloride 0.1%) and placebo (saline 0.9%) applied directly to the pharyngeal opening of the Eustachian tube. Judged by the Valsalva manouevre, tubal patency was significantly improved after application of the active drug (P less than 0.003). In contrast, no effect was demonstrated by the aspiration test (P = 0.80) or the deflation test (P = 0.51). It is concluded that a topical decongestant improves Eustachian tube function but only at unphysiologically high pressures.     

内镜下甲状腺切除术与常规甲状腺切除术比较的系统评价

目的评估内镜下甲状腺切除术与常规甲状腺切除术相比的有效性及安全性。方法检索国内外数据库中比较内镜下甲状腺切除术与常规甲状腺切除术的随机对照试验。完成数据提取和文献质量评价后,采用RevMan5.1软件对数据进行Meta分析。结果本评价纳入11个研究共1398例患者。内镜下甲状腺切除术的优点有美容评分高[SMD=4.23,95%CI(2.66,5.80),P<0.05]、伤口满意度高[RR=2.25,95%CI(1.89,2.70),P<0.05]。缺点是手术时间长[SMD=1.02,95%CI(0.44,1.59),P<0.05]、术后引流量多[SMD=0.89,95%CI(0.56,1.23),P<0.05]。两种手术方式的并发症、复发率均无差别。结论内镜下甲状腺切除术适用于对美容要求高的患者,同时需考虑其优缺点及费用。     

The importance of nasal resistance in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

The importance of nasal airflow resistance in the pathogenesis of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) remains contentious. We performed formal nocturnal polysomnography (PSG) on OSAS patients under conditions of baseline and reduced nasal resistance to answer two main questions. First, to what degree does baseline nasal airflow resistance influence upper airway collapse in OSAS patients? Second, in what proportion of the OSAS population is baseline nasal resistance contributing to the pathogenesis of upper airway collapse? Our study group consisted of 10 patients with a wide range of OSAS severity. Six of these patients had symptoms and clinical evidence of chronic nasal obstruction which, in some, was associated with markedly elevated nasal resistance. A placebo (normal saline) was instilled in the nose of each patient on the night of baseline data collection. On the treatment night of the study, nasal resistance was reduced by application of topical vasoconstrictor and insertion of vestibular stents designed to dilate the area of the nasal valve. Posterior rhinomanometry was used to measure resistance to nasal airflow immediately before and after each PSG study. Although treatment was associated with a subjective improvement in sleep quality and mean drop in nasal resistance of 73% (P less than 0.001), there was no significant improvement in sleep architecture, nocturnal oxygenation, or the amount of apnea experienced by patients. The most significant improvement was a reduced number of arousals/hour from 52.4 +/- 12.4 on placebo to 43.7 +/- 10.2 on treatment (P less than 0.04).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Removal of the submandibular gland by a retroauricular approach

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the benefit of a retroauricular approach by comparing it with a conventional transcervical approach for removal of the submandibular gland. DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. SETTING: Academic center. PATIENTS: Thirty patients with benign submandibular gland disorders. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were divided into 2 surgical groups to undergo retroauricular (n = 15) and conventional (n = 15) procedures matched by age, sex, marital status, and pathologic condition. The retroauricular approach used an incision along the postauricular sulcus and hairline and subcutaneous tunneling to the gland; the conventional approach used an incision along a natural skin crease overlying the gland. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The operation time, complications, hospital stay, and subjective satisfaction of incision scar checked by visual analog scale were compared between groups. RESULTS: The submandibular gland disorders were comparable between groups: pleomorphic adenoma (n = 15), chronic sialadenitis with sialolithiasis in the gland (n = 5) or hilum (n = 8), and Küttner (n = 1) or Kimura (n = 1) disease. Mean +/- SD operation times were 49 +/- 17 minutes in the retroauricular group and 38 +/- 15 minutes in the controls (P = .08). Mean +/- SD hospital stay and complication rates were comparable between groups. The mean +/- SD score of patient satisfaction was 8.9 +/- 0.9 in the retroauricular group and 4.2 +/- 2.9 in the conventional group (P<.001). The incision scar was commonly less visible in the retroauricular group because of hiding by the auricle and natural hair when comparing with the control group. CONCLUSION: The retroauricular approach can provide better cosmetic outcome than the conventional transcervical approach and without significant complications.     

Topical ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone is superior to ciprofloxacin alone in pediatric patients with acute otitis media and otorrhea through tympanostomy tubes

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether topical administration of a corticosteroid improves resolution of acute tympanostomy tube otorrhea when combined with topical antibiotic drops. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized, patient-masked, parallel-group, multicenter trial of topical otic ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone versus topical ciprofloxacin alone in 201 children aged 6 months to 12 years with acute otitis media with tympanostomy tubes (AOMT) of less than or equal to 3 weeks' duration and visible otorrhea. METHODS: Eligible patients were randomized to receive three drops of either ciprofloxacin 0.3%/dexamethasone 0.1% or ciprofloxacin 0.3% into the affected ear or ears twice daily for 7 days. Clinical signs and symptoms of AOMT were evaluated on days 1 (baseline), 3, 8 (end-of-therapy), and 14 (test-of-cure), and twice-daily assessments of otorrhea were recorded in patient diaries. RESULTS: The mean time to cessation of otorrhea in the microbiologically culture-positive patient population (n = 167) was significantly shorter with topical ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone than with ciprofloxacin alone (4.22 vs. 5.31 days; P =.004). This resulted in significantly better clinical responses on days 3 and 8 (P <.0001 and P =.0499, respectively). However, there were no significant differences between the two treatment groups in either the clinical response or the microbial eradication rate by day 14. CONCLUSIONS: Topical otic treatment with ciprofloxacin/dexamethasone is superior to treatment with ciprofloxacin alone and results in a faster clinical resolution in children with AOMT. The contribution of the corticosteroid in achieving a 20% reduction (1.1 day) in time to cessation of otorrhea is clinically meaningful and represents an important advance over single-agent antibiotic therapy.     

Objective benefit of laser palatoplasty for non-apnoeic snoring.

Laser palatoplasty (LPP) is widely used for the treatment of non-apnoeic snoring, despite the lack of objective data supporting its use. We report measurements of snoring in a prospective study of LPP, and we compare the results with a previous study of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP). Twenty patients with an apnoea/hypopnoea index < 20 h-1 underwent LPP for habitual snoring. Overnight sound recordings were compared before and 6 months after operation using three objective indices; L, (the level exceeded by the loudest 1% of sound), L5 (the level exceeded by the loudest 5% of sound) and P50 (% total sleep time above 50 dBA). The subjective impression of snoring severity (Wilcoxon test, P < 0.001), and objective indices L1 and P50 (t-test, P < 0.001) showed significant reductions after LPP. The mean change in L1 was 4.2 dBA, comparable to that we previously reported for UPPP, while P50 was reduced to less than one-third its preoperative value. No other sleep variables changed significantly following LPP. We conclude that LPP results in reduced snoring volume comparable to that following UPPP.     

Topical antimicrobials in the management of chronic rhinosinusitis: a systematic review

BACKGROUND: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a common disease that can significantly impact health. The mainstay of medical treatment is topical steroids and oral antibiotics, but little is known about the efficacy of topical antibiotics. The purpose of this study was to identify evidence for the use of topical antibiotics in the treatment of CRS and exacerbations of CRS. METHODS: Systematic review of literature with a search of the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL databases; Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Third Quarter 2007); and Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews (3rd Quarter 2007) databases were performed. The dates of search were from December 1, 1949 to September 30, 2007. RESULTS: Fourteen studies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were identified: seven were controlled trials and of these, five were double blinded and randomized. Only one of the randomized studies showed a positive outcome. Overall, there was low-level corroborative evidence for the use of antibacterials. No definite conclusions could be made regarding the use of antifungals. Currently, there is evidence for the use of nasal irrigation or nebulization rather than delivery by nasal spray. For the antibacterial studies, the highest level of evidence currently exists for studies that have used postsurgical patients and culture-directed therapy. Both stable and acute exacerbations of CRS appear to benefit from topical antimicrobials. CONCLUSION: Topical antibiotics appear effective in the management of CRS. Given the combination of low-level evidence (level III, with inherent potential confounders of natural progression of disease and placebo effect) and the level IIb evidence being limited to the cystic fibrosis group of patients, topical antibiotics should not be first-line management but may be attempted in patients refractory to the traditional topical steroids and oral antibiotics. Larger and better-designed randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trials are required to more fully evaluate this emerging modality of treatment.     

The effect of adenoid and tonsil surgery on nasalance.

The change in nasalance following adenoidectomy, tonsillectomy and adenotonsillectomy was studied in 44 children. A subjective assessment of each child's naso-pharyngeal airway was made preoperatively based on a questionnaire completed by the parents. There was no significant change in the nasalance of children following adenoidectomy, but there was a significant increase in the nasalance following tonsillectomy (P = 0.02) and after adenotonsillectomy (P = 0.001). There was no relationship between the change in nasalance and the adenoid volume removed at operation. There was good agreement between the parental subjective assessment of the naso-pharyngeal airway and the preoperative nasalance score, with the best correlation in the adenoidectomy group (r = -0.8) and the adenotonsillectomy group (r = -0.7). Nasalance is more closely related to the size of the naso-pharyngeal airway than to the actual adenoid volume, and measurements of nasalance are of no benefit in predicting adenoid volume. Tonsillectomy had a significantly greater effect on nasalance than adenoidectomy, and adenotonsillectomy had the greatest effect. Further studies are needed to relate nasalance to the size of the naso-pharyngeal airway, but it appears to relate well to the subjective assessment of the airway and may be of use in patient selection for surgery.     

Turbinoplasty: personal technique and long-term results

An original conservative technique for surgical reduction of the inferior turbinates, called turbinoplasty, is described. We analyzed, in 308 cases, the functional objective and subjective outcome of turbinoplasty itself and in comparison with more destructive procedures called turbinotomies. The results show that both procedures (in skilled hands!) are good. Turbinoplasty is in any case a quick, safe, efficacious operation, well-accepted by the patient, and should therefore be considered one of the first choices.     

Topical adrenaline in the control of intraoperative bleeding in adenoidectomy: a randomised,controlled trial

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of topical racemic adrenaline (RA) (Micronefrin^®; Bird Products, Palm Springs, CA, USA) in the control of intraoperative bleeding and the prevention of postoperative bleeding, laryngeal spasm and postoperative pain in adenoidectomy among children <6 years of age. Design: Prospective, randomised, blinded and placebo‐controlled trial. Setting: Kanta‐Hame Central Hospital, a district referral center in Finland. Patients: A consecutive sample of 93 children undergoing outpatient adenoidectomy. Intervention: Patients were randomised to receive topical gauze sponges soaked in either 1 : 500 RA or 0.9% sodium chloride (physiological saline) for 3 min after adenoidectomy. Main outcome measures: Amount of intraoperative bleeding (surgeons’ subjective estimate), need for additional packings, need for electrocautery, laryngeal spasm, postoperative bleeding and pain, duration of procedure and duration of patients’ stay in the operation room (OR). Results: Adrenaline significantly decreased surgeons’ subjective estimate of the amount of intraoperative bleeding (proportion of patients with significant decrease 67 versus 21%, P < 0.001), reduced the mean number of packings needed (0.6 versus 1.2, P < 0.001) and use of electrocautery (22 versus 45%, P = 0.015), and shortened the mean duration of the procedure (13 versus 18 min, P = 0.043) and the mean stay in the OR (31 versus 35 min, P = 0.058). The impact of adrenaline was even more pronounced among patients with extensive adenoids and/or profuse intraoperative bleeding. A slight elevation of heart rate was observed more often in the adrenaline group (P = 0.043). Conclusions: Use of topical adrenaline can be recommended in adenoidectomy among children. It helps control the intraoperative bleeding, reduces the use of electrocautery and shortens the durations of procedure and stay in the OR.