Endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy with mucosal flap

Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) is done commonly in subjects with chronic dacryocystitis and nasolacrimal duct stenosis, and endoscopic DCR is now an established alternative to external approaches. Mucosal preservation is important in preventing granulation tissue and synechia from forming around the ostium. Our modified endoscopic DCR using a mucosal flap involves creating a large bony opening to form an anastomosis for the lacrimal sac and nasal mucosa. Instead of silicon tubing, we use a silicon sheet to avoid manipulating the canaliculi. Our modifications enable an easy, safe, effective form of DCR easily implemented by otolaryngologists familiar with endoscopic sinus surgery.     

Long-term results and reasons for failure of intranasal endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy

The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term results and the factors influencing the success in patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction treated with intranasal endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) and silicone tube intubation (STI). We prospectively investigated 158 patients with lacrimal obstruction in two groups, one of which comprised 108 patients treated primarily with intranasal endoscopic DCR by experienced surgeons and the other comprised 50 patients who were operated on by inexperienced surgeons. In a mean follow-up time of 49 months the surgical success was 94.4% in experienced hands and 58.0% in inexperienced hands. The endoscopic examination of six patients with failure in the first group revealed granulation tissue around the tube in four, atonic sac in one and persistence of bone that was supposed to have been excised in the nasal cavity in one. There were 21 failures out of 50 patients in the second group: granulation tissue in 2 cases, fenestration to the nasolacrimal duct instead of the sac in 6 cases, synechia between the lateral nasal wall and the middle turbinate in 2 cases, bony spicles causing obstruction in 5 cases and fenestration anterior to the sac in 2 cases. In 4 cases no reasons were found for failure, but perhaps the small fenestration and failure to remove the medial half of the membranous sac wall was the reason. DCR and STI can be performed for primary treatment in lacrimal obstruction. There is a learning curve for the operation. False localization of the lacrimal sac, granulation tissue formation around the tubes, retained bony spicles, inadequate removal of the medial wall of the sac and the synechia between the lateral wall and the middle turbinate are the most common causes of failure.     

Long-term Results and Reasons for Failure of Intranasal Endoscopic Dacryocystorhinostomy

The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term results and the factors influencing the success in patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction treated with intranasal endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) and silicone tube intubation (STI). We prospectively investigated 158 patients with lacrimal obstruction in two groups, one of which comprised 108 patients treated primarily with intranasal endoscopic DCR by experienced surgeons and the other comprised 50 patients who were operated on by inexperienced surgeons. In a mean follow-up time of 49 months the surgical success was 94.4% in experienced hands and 58.0% in inexperienced hands. The endoscopic examination of six patients with failure in the first group revealed granulation tissue around the tube in four, atonic sac in one and persistence of bone that was supposed to have been excised in the nasal cavity in one. There were 21 failures out of 50 patients in the second group: granulation tissue in 2 cases, fenestration to the nasolacrimal duct instead of the sac in 6 cases, synechia between the lateral nasal wall and the middle turbinate in 2 cases, bony spicles causing obstruction in 5 cases and fenestration anterior to the sac in 2 cases. In 4 cases no reasons were found for failure, but perhaps the small fenestration and failure to remove the medial half of the membranous sac wall was the reason. DCR and STI can be performed for primary treatment in lacrimal obstruction. There is a learning curve for the operation. False localization of the lacrimal sac, granulation tissue formation around the tubes, retained bony spicles, inadequate removal of the medial wall of the sac and the synechia between the lateral wall and the middle turbinate are the most common causes of failure.     

Submucous inferior turbinotomy cooperating with combined antrostomies for endonasal eradication of severe and intractable sinusitis

Objective

This paper aims to prove the usefulness of submucous inferior turbinotomy cooperating with the combined middle and the inferior antrostomies in endoscopic endonasal sinus surgery (ESS), enabling the eradication of severe maxillary sinusitis without extranasal approaches. The long-term surgical outcomes of 22 adult patients are presented together with details of this procedure.

Methods

Subjects comprised 22 adult patients with severe unilateral maxillary sinusitis, showing total opacification on computed tomography and failure of medical treatments preoperatively. Patients who could be managed using conventional ESS methods were excluded. Endoscopic submucous resection of the inferior turbinate bone including the uncinate process was first performed. The procedure aimed to make both the middle and the inferior nasal meatus wide enough to eradicate the sinus disease, cooperating with combined antrostomies.

Results

Pathology comprised multiple massive polyposis including antrochoanal polyps in 6 and fungal ball in 16 patients. Neither surgical complications nor recurrent disease was seen postoperatively in any patient. Postoperative endoscopic management via both openings was easy and facilitated the restoration of mucosal lining in the sinus.

Conclusion

We proved our new surgical procedure was useful in ESS without any extranasal approaches, although applied to unilateral lesions in the current study. Postoperative management via the middle and the inferior meatal openings helped to facilitate postoperative mucosal healing.     

The impact of different nasal packings on postoperative complications

Objective

The objective of this study was to find out if there is any association between the use of nasal packings and nasal synechia formation, septal perforation, postoperative infection and epistaxis in patients who underwent septoplasty and concha reduction operations.

Methods

This retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary referral center. One hundred thirty patients were randomly selected among patients who underwent endonasal surgery in Nam?k Kemal University Hospital between January 1st 2012 and August 1st 2013. Retrospective analysis of these patients' files, including operative reports and follow-up notes, was done. The postoperative findings of patients who had septal splints and Merocel nasal packings were compared and analyzed for statistical significance.

Results

The results of the study showed a statistically significant difference in the frequency of synechia formation between two groups (p < 0.05). The frequency of synechia formation was found to be higher in the Merocel packing group. However, no statistically significant difference was found between groups in terms of postoperative infection, septal perforation, and epistaxis (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that intranasal splints are superior to Merocel nasal packings in terms of preventing nasal synechia formation. Insertion of a septal splint after nasal surgery should be preferred to avoid this complication. On the other hand, other factors should be sought in the etiology of postoperative infection, septal perforation, and epistaxis.     

Endoscopic endonasal surgery in the management of selected malignant naso-ethmoidal tumors

Objective

The objective of this study was to report the cases of three patients with sinonasal malignant tumors who underwent en bloc tumor resection using endoscopic endonasal approaches, and to discuss the advantages and limitations of endoscopic endonasal tumor resection.

Methods

Three patients with malignant naso-ethmoidal tumors underwent en bloc resection with endoscopic endonasal approach.

Results

In very carefully selected cases of naso-ethmoidal malignant tumors that were preoperatively evaluated on endoscopic findings and magnetic resonance imaging to be limited to within the nasal cavity and/or ethmoid sinus and to have some safe margins between the tumor and skull base and/or lamina papyracea, tumors were resected en bloc using endoscopic endonasal approaches. A case of cerebrospinal fluid leakage was safely managed with the endoscopic approach.

Conclusions

In selected T1–T2 naso-ethmoidal malignant tumors with some safe margins, endoscopic endonasal surgery may offer a satisfactory alternative to external procedures.     

鼻内窥镜手术的中鼻甲处理

探讨鼻内窥镜手术中鼻甲部分切除和保留中鼻甲与预后的关系。方法４０例双侧慢性窦炎鼻息肉患者,在鼻内窥镜手术中１侧切除术中鼻甲,另侧保留中鼻甲,观察术后鼻腔清理时间,粘连情况和手术前后觉变化。     

The Draf III septal flap technique: A preliminary report

Aim

The most prevalent complication of Draf III surgery is recurrence of frontal recess stenosis. The aim of this study is to introduce a method to prevent closure of the recess.

Type of the Study and Setting

This is a retrospective study that was conducted in Ear, Nose and Throat Referral Center, Amir'Alam Hospital, Tehran.

Methods and Materials

We introduced a new technique for reconstructing frontal recess mucosa and prevention of restenosis following Draf III operation; we covered the posterior wall of the common recess with a vascular mucosal flap from nasal septum.

Results

During a 6-month period we used septal flaps based on anterior ethmoidal artery on four patients who had undergone endoscopic Draf III operation. During a 3-month follow-up period, frontal recess stenosis did recur in any of the patients.

Conclusion

Applying a precise and astute surgical method along with reconstructing common recess mucosa will improve the outcomes of endoscopic frontal sinus drill-out. We strongly recommend application of septal mucosal flap based on the anterior ethmoidal artery during Draf III operation to decrease the incidence of scar and recurrence of common frontal recess stenosis.     

On ciprofloxacin concentration in chronic rhinosinusitis

Objective

Considering that all the evidence indicates that chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps (CRSsNP) and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) are distinct entities, the aim of this study was to compare the concentrations obtained in plasma and in sinonasal mucosa with oral and nasal topical ciprofloxacin, in patients with and without nasal polyps, without evaluating the effectiveness of the use of an antibiotic.

Nasal pH in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis before and after endoscopic sinus surgery

Purpose

Physiologically acidic nasal pH depends on intact nasal mucosal function. The aim of this study was to determine nasal pH in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and to investigate the changes in pH related to mucosal healing after endoscopic sinus surgery.

Materials and methods

Normal subjects and the patients with chronic rhinosinusitis who showed no recurrence after endoscopic sinus surgery were enrolled. Using a portable pH meter and a glass-tipped probe, nasal pH was measured in the inferior meatus in normal subjects and patients before and after surgery at 3 months.

Results

The mean (± SD) nasal pH was 6.5 ± 0.5 (5.9 to 7.3) in 19 normal subjects, and 6.7 ± 0.6 (5.3 to 7.6) in 19 CRS patients before surgery, which showed no significant difference between the groups. The nasal pH values were in the range of 3.8–7.7 (mean ± SD 5.7 ± 0.9) at 3 months after surgery, and significantly lower than the preoperative values in patients (P = .004). The patients showing pH lower than 6.0 accounted for 10.5% before surgery, but 68.4% after surgery.

Conclusions

Normal nasal pH was in the slightly acidic range, and the mean nasal pH of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis fell within normal limits as well, which indicates that chronic rhinosinusitis may not disturb the electrolyte milieu of the nasal mucosa. The average nasal pH measured at 3 months after endoscopic sinus surgery exhibited acidity of pH 5.7. The factors causing a fall in nasal pH during the healing period after the sinus surgery remain to be elucidated.     

Increased expression of dectin-1 in nasal polyps

Purpose

A fungal etiology has been proposed to underlie severe nasal polyps (NP). Dectin-1 is an innate immune pattern recognition receptor which is involved in the recognition of some pathogenic fungi. We investigated the Dectin-1 levels in NP in order to evaluate the implication of such expression with respect to the development of NP.

Materials and methods

Normal inferior turbinate tissues were obtained from forty patients undergoing surgery for augmentation rhinoplasty. Nasal polyp tissues were obtained from 53 patients who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic polypoid rhinosinusitis. Real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis were performed to evaluate the mRNA and protein level of Dectin-1, respectively. ELISA was carried out to evaluate the cytokine production (IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, and TNF-α) in NP.

Results

Real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western-blot analysis showed that Dectin-1 expression in NP was increased compared with that in normal nasal inferior turbinate tissues. ELISA results suggest that the local expression of type-1 and type-2 inflammatory cytokine is skewed toward type-2 inflammatory cytokine in NP.

Conclusions

These results suggest that Dectin-1 may play a role in the development of NP, and the production of Dectin-1, IL-4 and IL-5 (type-2 cytokines), may mainly participate in the inflammatory reaction in NP.     

鼻内镜下鼻中隔穿孔修补术

目的探讨经鼻内镜下鼻中隔穿孔修补术影响手术成功率的相关因素。方法23例外伤或手术后鼻中隔穿孔患者采用经鼻内镜下穿孔修补术，术中分别采用筛骨垂直板或颞肌筋膜直接封闭穿孔、翻转黏膜瓣及赝复物夹衬并转移黏膜瓣封闭、下鼻甲带蒂黏膜瓣修补等方法进行修复，并采用硅胶板或塑料膜的保湿物垫衬保护为特点的填塞方式。结果直接封闭7例，翻转封闭5例，转移封闭10例，鼻甲封闭1例。随访4周至7个月，23例鼻中隔穿孔手术修补成功19例（82、6％），4例未成功的病例分别为术后3周黏膜瓣脱落1例、术前存在2个穿孔仅将大穿孔修补成功1例、术后筋膜干燥导致再穿孔1例及转移黏膜瓣太小，穿孔未完全修补成功1例。结论鼻内镜手术是目前修补鼻中隔穿孔的最佳选择之一。     

Endoscopic intraoperative control of epistaxis in nasal surgery

Objective

: Epistaxis represents a dangerous post-operative complication of nasal surgery. The advances of endoscopic procedures have also brought along the possibility of a surgical solution of nasal bleeding. These procedures include endoscopic cautery of the bleeding points, and more difficult techniques of endoscopic ligation of the sphenopalatine artery or the anterior ethmoidal artery. These surgical methods permit avoiding nasal packing, a very annoying procedure for the patient. This study aims to evaluate the advantages of this approach at the end of a nasal surgery to prevent routine nasal packing.

Method

: 133 subjects were operated on by the same surgeon in the Otorhinolaringology Department of University of Foggia (Italy) from March 2006 to March 2007. 17 (12.8%) patients were submitted to septoplasty, 42 (31.5%) to turbinoplasty (in 22 accompanied by septoplasty) and 74 (55.6%) to endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) for nasal polyposis or nasal tumors.

Results

: Only 16 cases (12%) underwent nasal packing, while in the remaining 117 (88%) endoscopic control of bleeding permitted avoiding packing. In 53 (39.8%) patients only an endoscopic cauterization of bleeding points was performed; in 29 (21.8%) cases a sphenopalatine artery ligation was necessary. Only 2 subjects (1.5%) underwent anterior ethmoidal artery ligation. In the remaining 34 (25.5%) patients no procedure was necessary, due to the apparently scarce bleeding in the endoscopic vision at the end of surgery. In this group of non-packed patients, only 8 (6.8%) needed a post-operative tamponade while in the group of packed patients, 2 (12.5%) cases had a re-bleeding and a revisional surgery was necessary.

Conclusion

: Intra-operative precautional packing is therefore not justified during nasal surgery because of the small percentage of post-operative epistaxis. Intra-operative control of bleeding allowed nasal packing to be avoided in a large percentage of cases.     

Does septoplasty improve the quality of life in children?

Objectives

The aim of this study is to evaluate the outcomes of septoplasty and the effects of septoplasty on the quality of life and to determine postoperative patient satisfaction in children using nose obstruction symptom evaluation (NOSE) and visual analog scale (VAS).

Methods

Only pediatric patients who underwent septoplasty were included in the study. Patients who underwent adenoidectomy, endoscopic sinus surgery, or turbinate surgery in addition to septoplasty and total septal reconstruction with open technique septorhinoplasty were excluded from the study. Patients and their parents were inquired about their nasal obstruction symptoms using the NOSE scale before and 3 and 12 months following the surgery. VAS was used to analyze overall satisfaction of the patients and their parents on the outcomes of surgery, at the last follow-up examination 12 months after the surgery.

Results

Thirty-five patients with a mean age of 13.4 ± 2.8 (8–16) were included in the study. There was a very significant improvement in NOSE score at 3 months after septoplasty. The mean subjective satisfaction score measured with VAS at the 12th month postoperatively was 7.9 ± 2.1. Improvement in NOSE score was correlated with patient satisfaction.

Conclusion

Septoplasty is a very effective and satisfactory treatment for nasal obstruction caused by nasal septal deviation in children. The NOSE scale can be used for the evaluation of nasal obstruction symptoms.     

Endoscopic endonasal transseptal approach for localized sphenoid sinus diseases

Objective

Surgery for localized sphenoid sinus disease can be performed in different ways. Direct (transnasal) and indirect (transethmoidal) approaches are now prevalent in endoscopic endonasal sinus surgery (ESS) because they are safe and effective. However, the identification or treatment of a sinus is occasionally difficult due to the anatomical variation, postoperative changes, or other reasons. In such difficult cases, we currently used an endoscopic endonasal transseptal approach (EETA) to the sphenoid sinus. The indications, procedures, and outcomes of this surgical method are presented here.

Patients and methods

Six of 11 patients with localized sphenoid sinus disease (mycetoma, n = 1; mucocele, n = 5) were treated using EETA. Surgery was performed under local anesthesia in all subjects. Following endoscopic conventional septoplasty, the sphenoid sinus was opened by perforating the anterior wall through the septoplasty wound. The sphenoid disease was treated through this opening, and then drained to the nasal cavity.

Results

The patients operated on using EETA had no surgical complications or disease recurrence, and the use of navigation or fluoroscopy systems was not required. The mean follow-up period of the patients was 27.7 months (range 18–48 months). Follow-up management included endoscopic examination and computed tomography.

Conclusions

A transseptal approach to the sphenoid sinus with a sublabial incision was once frequently performed in pituitary surgery. We modified the transseptal approach as EETA with the use of an endoscope and endonasal incision. This approach is practical and reliable for ESS, and may serve as an alternative for difficult-to-manage sphenoid sinus disease. EETA can be performed in the office as it can be achieved under local anesthesia without a navigation system.     

Laterally attached superior turbinate is associated with opacification of the sphenoid sinus

Objective

The sphenoid sinus is situated at the most posterior part of the nasal cavity and opens at the sphenoethmoidal recess located between the nasal septum and the superior turbinate. The correlation between anatomical structures surrounding the sphenoid sinus and sphenoid sinusitis is poorly understood. This study investigated possible factors that correlate to opacification of the sphenoid sinus on computed tomography.

Methods

Review of computed tomography images of 200 patients who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery and/or septoplasty. The total lengths of the anterior sphenoid wall and the part medial to the superior turbinate were measured. The correlations were analyzed between the occurrence of sphenoiditis and these values, as well as age, sex, presence or absence of Onodi cell, opacification of the paranasal sinuses other than the sphenoid sinus, and shadow at the olfactory cleft.

Results

The length of the part medial to the superior turbinate was significantly (odds ratio = 1.36, P = 0.001) associated with sphenoiditis, but the total length of the anterior wall of the sphenoid was not. Advanced age and disease of the olfactory cleft, posterior ethmoid cells, and frontal sinus were also correlated with sphenoiditis.

Conclusions

Certain characteristics of the anatomical structures surrounding the sphenoid sinus are associated with sphenoiditis.     

Hypopharyngeal mucosal flap reconstruction in endoscopic supraglottic laryngectomy

Purpose

Preservation of voice, swallowing and airway is mandatory in early to moderately advanced supraglottic cancers. Here, we propose an endoscopic laryngoplasty to improve swallowing recovery in patients treated by extended CO₂ laser supraglottic laryngectomy.

Methods

We describe a new mucosal flap reconstruction technique in a cohort of seven laryngeal cancer patients with posterior extension, treated by CO₂ laser resection. Clinical endoscopic and videofluoroscopy postoperative exams were performed, and swallow function was tested by the MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI) questionnaire.

Results

No early complications were observed. Absence of aspiration after two days in all cases was confirmed, and MDADI mean value result was 98.

Conclusions

We suggest the harvest of a hypopharyngeal mucosal flap in all patients who require a laryngeal supraglottic posterior resection, with or without arytenoidectomy.     

Endoscopic microdebrider-assisted inferior turbinoplasty with and without posterior nasal neurectomy

Objective

Endoscopic microdebrider-assisted inferior turbinoplasty (EMAIT) has been recognized as an efficient surgical technique in the management of hypertrophied inferior turbinate. In an attempt to further increase surgical successful outcomes, posterior nasal neurectomy (PNN) was developed. The aim of this retrospective case–control study was to assess the position of PNN in the surgery of hypertrophied turbinate.

Methods

Seventy patients were assigned to the two treatment groups: Group A (EMAIT) and Group B (EMAIT and PNN). Subjective outcomes were represented by symptom score and quality of life scores (Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire – RQLQ). Objective outcomes were nasal resistance, saccharin transit time and acoustic rhinometry parameters.

Results

The survey demonstrated that symptoms and objective parameters improved postoperatively in both groups, with no statistical significant differences in objective and subjective outcomes between the surgical groups.

Conclusion

The addition of PNN appears to offer no additional benefit in the subjective and objective outcome related with surgery of hypertrophied inferior turbinate. However, longer follow-up studies and larger number of patients are required in order to validate our results.     

Chronic oroantral fistula: Combined endoscopic and intraoral approach under local anesthesia

Objective

To evaluate the outcome of combined surgical treatment of oroantral communications associated with chronic maxillary sinusitis.

Patients and methods

8 consecutive patients affected by complicated oroantral fistula were included in the study. The protocol consisted of: clinical, endoscopic and radiological preoperative evaluation (panoramic tomogram and computed tomography); systemic antibiotic and steroid therapy 2 weeks before surgery; one-stage surgical procedure under local anaesthesia consisting in uncinectomy with enlargement of the osteomeatal complex through endoscopic nasal approach associated with the closure of the oroantral communication by means of a mucoperiosteal flap; postoperative antibiotic and cortisone-based therapy. Follow-up consisted of weekly clinical evaluation during the first month, and nasal endoscopy at 3, 8 and 24 weeks after surgery.

Results

After surgical treatment, all patients were symptom-free and had no endoscopic and radiological evidences of maxillary sinusitis at the 6-month follow-up. No recurrent oroantral fistulas were found.

Conclusions

The current prospective study showed that a one-stage, combined endoscopic and intraoral approach under local anaesthesia represents a feasible and minimally invasive procedure for the long-term effective treatment of chronic complicated oroantral communications. Moreover, it represents an easily applicable approach also in outpatient clinics with minor patient discomfort.     

The Rintala flap: a versatile procedure for nasal reconstruction

Introduction

For the nasal reconstruction, local flap using the adjacent tissue is selected from an esthetic viewpoint. The Rintala flap is a useful option, and reconstruction of the glabellar over the nasal tip with this flap is ideal, for which the procedure was modified to increase the blood flow to the Rintala flap to extend its clinical applications.

Methods

For defects of the glabellar over the middle one third of nasal dorsum, the Rintala flap is transferred employing the original design and technique dissected on supraperiosteal plane. For defects of the lower one third of nasal dorsum over the nasal tip, blood supply through the lateral nasal artery is added to the distal end of the flap, preparing a long flap with stable blood supply like Maruyama described in 1997.

Results

This procedure was applied for nasal reconstruction in 15 patients. The Rintala flap was applied in 12 and the modified Rintala flap with adding blood flow from the lateral nasal artery was applied in 3. Blood supply to the flap was very stable in all patients, and favorable outcomes were achieved.

Conclusions

Using this procedure, the natural contour and morphology of the glabellar over the nasal tip may be reconstructed. The technique is simple and easy. Using this procedure, clinical applications of the Rintala flap can be extended, showing that it is a useful nasal reconstructive procedure.