Haematoma and abscess of the nasal septum

Fifty-two patients with a haematoma or abscess of the nasal septum underwent surgical treatment during a period of 10 years in the ENT Department at Aalborg Hospital. Of these, 27 patients with a haematoma and 12 patients with an abscess were re-examined. In all the patients except 1, trauma was the cause of the lesion. The average delay of treatment was 48 hours for patients with a haematoma and 11 days for patients with abscesses. All these lesions were incised under general anaesthesia and treated with drainage and nasal packing. Eight patients showed cartilage resorption; none had initial cartilage implantation. Follow-up showed that 7 patients had received further surgical treatment during the observation period (mean 44 months). The frequency of nasal deformities is comparable with that of previous reports. The patients with abscesses in particular showed severe external nasal deformities; this is mainly attributable to the delay in treatment.     

A randomized comparison of manipulation of the fractured nose under local and general anaesthesia

Reduction of simple nasal fractures may be performed under local or general anaesthesia: the latter is by far the most popular method in Britain, though why is hard to define. We have attempted to compare the 2 approaches by means of a randomized, prospective trial. Fifty consecutive, adult patients with radiologically proved fractures of the nasal bones were randomized to a local or general anaesthesia group and underwent manipulation with Asch's and Walsham's forceps between 7 and 15 days post-injury. Analysis of results at 4 h and 8 weeks post-operatively showed no significant benefit conferred by fracture reduction under general anaesthesia as opposed to local anaesthesia with respect to post-operative airway patency or cosmesis. It is suggested that significant benefits can be obtained in terms of patient convenience and cost effectiveness if nasal fractures are reduced under local anaesthesia as an outpatient procedure.     

A randomized comparison of manipulation of the fractured nose under local and general anaesthesia*

Reduction of simple nasal fractures may be performed under local or general anaesthesia: the latter is by far the most popular method in Britain, though why is hard to define. We have attempted to compare the 2 approaches by means of a randomized, prospective trial. Fifty consecutive, adult patients with radiologically proved fractures of the nasal bones were randomized to a local or general anaesthesia group and underwent manipulation with Asch's and Walsham's forceps between 7 and 15 days post-injury. Analysis of results at 4 h and 8 weeks post-operatively showed no significant benefit conferred by fracture reduction under general anaesthesia as opposed to local anaesthesia with respect to post-operative airway patency or cosmesis. It is suggested that significant benefits can be obtained in terms of patient convenience and cost effectiveness if nasal fractures are reduced under local anaesthesia as an outpatient procedure.     

Waiting-list prioritization in the National Health Service

The aim of this study was to find out whether there is a consensus of opinion among healthcare providers and different sections of the public on the relative prioritization of common otolaryngological conditions for outpatient consultations and inpatient treatment. ENT consultants, general practitioners, administrators, NHS employees, non-ENT patients and members of the general public were given common scenarios of otolaryngological conditions and asked to prioritize them in order of importance. All the groups gave top priority for patients with suspected cancer of the larynx (outpatients) and for surgical treatment of cancer. Children with hearing problems were more commonly ranked in the top three categories than children requiring treatment for sore throats. All groups assigned those requiring rhinoplasty, treatment for snoring or hearing aids to the last three ranks. This study shows that there is a remarkable uniformity of opinion in determining clinical priorities which is similar to the traditional policies practised by UK ENT consultants.     

Submucous resection of the nasal septum as an outpatient procedure

We report our experience of submucous resection of the nasal septum under local anaesthesia as an outpatient procedure. We have audited 50 consecutive cases and compared the results with a similar group of patients in whom the operation was carried out in the usual way under general anaesthesia. We have found the procedure to be safe, effective and economically advantageous.     

鼻部手术联合其他平面手术治疗OSAHS疗效分析

目的探讨鼻部手术联合其他平面手术（如腭咽平面、舌咽平面手术）治疗阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征（ｏｂｓｔｒｕｃｔｉｖｅ ｓｌｅｅｐ ａｐｎｅａ ｈｙｐｏｐｎｅａ ｓｙｎｄｒｏｍｅ,ＯＳＡＨＳ）的效果。方法32例患者术前均行多导睡眠呼吸监测（ｐｏｌｙｓｏｍｏｎｏｇｒａｐｈｙ,ＰＳＧ）确诊,所行鼻部手术包括单纯鼻中隔偏曲黏膜下切除术１８例、鼻中隔偏曲黏膜下切除术加单侧下鼻甲黏膜下部分切除术10例、鼻中隔偏曲黏膜下切除术加双侧下鼻甲黏膜下部分切除术2例、鼻中隔偏曲黏膜下切除术加单侧鼻息肉切除加筛窦开放术2例。术中同期联合悬雍垂腭咽成形术（ｕｖｕｌｏｐａｌａｔｏｐｈａｒｙｎｇｏｐｌａｓｔｙ,ＵＰＰＰ）26例;UPPP手术、舌根部分切除、舌骨悬吊4例;舌根部分切除、舌骨悬吊2例。32例中2例重度患者行气管切开全麻下行ＵＰＰＰ和鼻部手术、舌根部分切除术,２例因为气管插管和拔除气管套管困难,在手术结束后行气管切开,余28例均在气管插管全麻下进行手术,术后进ICU监护12～24h,随访１年。结果治愈10例,好转12例,减轻9例,无效1例,所有患者无手术并发症发生。结论鼻部手术联合其他平面手术治疗ＯＳＡＨＳ可取得良好效果。对于重度ＯＳＡＨＳ或气管插管困难者,术前行气管切开术或手术结束即行气管切开,能有效预防手术并发症的发生。     

External septal reconstruction with the use of polydioxanone foil: our experience

We present our experience and results after using polydioxanone (PDS) foil in septal reconstruction. In a period of 2 years, 12 patients who were admitted in our department with severe septal deviation and breathing problems underwent septoplasty under general anaesthesia. The nasal septum was approached via an external approach. In all patients, after resecting and exposing the septum, the removable piece after being divided into straight pieces, was sutured onto an appropriate sized PDS foil and reimplanted together between the mucoperichondrium flaps. Sutures were placed to fixate the “new septum” to the nasal dorsum and to the anterior nasal spine. The immediate postoperative course was unremarkable and in a follow-up appointment 6 months and 1 year postoperatively, one complication occurred, with septum subluxation noted in one patient. Use of PDS foil in septal reconstruction is an important surgical option for the correction of the markedly deviated nasal septum. Fixation of the straightened and replanted septum at the nasal dorsal septum border with the upper lateral cartilages and at the nasal spine is essential.     

射频治疗鼻中隔小血管扩张性顽固性鼻出血

摘要］目的：研究鼻中隔小血管扩张性顽固性鼻出血的诊治方法。方法：回顾分析38例鼻中隔小血管扩张性顽固性鼻出血患者的诊断和射频治疗效果。结果：患者均一次性止血成功,随访6个月以上,无鼻中隔穿孔等并发症发生。结论：表面麻醉下,射频治疗鼻中隔小血管扩张性顽固性鼻出血是一种有效的方法。     

Is routine histological examination of nasal polyps justified?

This study aims to assess the indications for histological examination of polypoid lesions removed from the nose. To achieve this we have performed a national survey of consultant ENT surgeons and reviewed 2866 nasal polypectomy operations. The operations were performed between 1982 and 1988 in the Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford and the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle. One hundred and fifty questionnaires were sent to randomly selected ENT consultants in the United Kingdom. One hundred and seventeen were returned completed (return rate 78%). The questionnaire asked whether or not the surgeon sent all polyps for examination and, if not, what his indications were for so doing. A retrospective review of all nasal polypectomy operations at the two hospitals was performed. The questionnaire revealed that 38% of the surgeons who replied sent all nasal polyps for examination and 62% did not. The commonest indications for requesting histology were unilateral polyps, abnormal appearance and a history of bleeding. The review of polypectomies showed that 74% of cases in Oxford were examined histologically and 33% in Newcastle. Two per cent of polyps were tumours, of which half were malignant. There were no cases in this study in which unsuspected malignancy was found. All cases of nasal tumours, benign or malignant, were diagnosed clinically either in the Outpatient clinic or in the operating theatre. The results of this survey suggest that it is unnecessary to send all nasal polyps for histological examination.     

Rhinomanometrical findings after septoplasty in children

40 children of both sexes, aged 5-12, with deviations or fractures of the nasal septum were tested. These children were selected for septoplasty on the basis of anamnestic data, ENT examination and anterior rhinomanometry with and without anamnestic data. The control group consisted of 15 children, of approx. the same age and sex distribution, with normal nose breathing and rhinomanometrical findings. The operated group underwent clinical and rhinomanometrical examination 3 and 12 months after surgery, and the control group 12 months after the initial examination. Septoplasty was performed under general anaesthesia with locally applied vasoconstrictors. The results showed that rhinomanometrical resistances prior to surgery were significantly higher in all the subjects in the operated group than those in the control group. Rhinomanometrical resistances were lower in 29 operated cases 3 months after septoplasty than before septoplasty, and significantly lower in 32 operated cases 12 months after septoplasty. Rhinomanometrical resistances in the operated group 12 months after surgery were a little higher than those in the control group 12 months after the initial examination. Failures and complications after septoplasty are commented upon, as is their influence on rhinomanometrical resistances.     

Treatment of severe epistaxis by superselective embolization: a review of 22 cases

OBJECTIVES: Epistaxis represents one of the most common ENT emergencies. In this paper, the authors report their experience in treating some cases of severe epistaxis by super-selective embolization of the afferent vessels of the nasal fossae. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of 22 patients with severe recurrent epistaxis (1 anterior and 21 posterior). All patients had been treated unsuccessfully with repeated anteroposterior nasal packing, and presented significant secondary anaemia. Selective embolization procedures were performed under local anaesthesia. An arterial introducer is inserted into the femoral artery -generally the right one- and diagnosis as well as treatment are performed with the same guide catheter. In all cases, the terminal branches of the facial artery and of the internal maxillary artery on the side on which the haemorrhage occurred were embolized. Moreover the contralateral internal maxillary artery was always embolized as well, in order to prevent immediate recurrence of hypervascularisation of the mucosa through anastomotic paths. RESULTS: In all patients, complete devascularisation was achieved in the areas of the embolized arteries at the nasal mucous membranes, arresting the epistaxis. None of the cases experienced complications attributable to treatment. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Superselective arteriography with embolization can be considered as the method of choice in treating severe epistaxis because it can be performed under local anaesthesia and can easily be repeated if the first procedure is not successful. Moreover, it is at least as effective as ligation of the internal maxillary artery, if not more so, but it has a significantly lower complication rate which is destined to fall as the quality of the materials being used continues to improve.     

Nasal injury management: an audit of accident and emergency practice

Nasal injuries are commonly assessed in the accident and emergency (A&E) departments. Where swelling precludes assessment of deformity, patients are often referred to the ear, nose and throat (ENT) outpatients once the swelling has subsided. However, not all of these pateints require referral. Patients with no deformity, or those in whom there is no deformity after any swelling has subsided, do not need further assessment. The purpose of this audit was to assess the impact of a nasal injury management guideline on nasal injury referrals to the ENT department. An audit was made of nasal injury referrals seen in ENT outpatients, before and after the introduction of a guideline. The proportion of patients seen in ENT outpatients not requiring any ENT treatment after the introduction of the guideline was reduced. We suggest that our guideline can reduce unnecessary ENT outpatient appointments for patients with nasal injuries and may prevent delayed ENT input for those with new onset nasal deformity.     

鼻内镜下成人严重鼻出血处理

目的：探寻成人严重鼻出血位置分布规律及有效微创处理方法。方法：通过鼻内镜观察成人严重鼻出血位置,并以微创手段进行止血。结果：129例成人严重鼻出血患者出血部位：鼻中隔嗅裂区及鼻顶前端68例(52.7%);下鼻道后端穹隆部37例(28.7%);蝶筛隐窝下方10例(7.8%);利特尔氏区8例(6.2%);中隔后上端5例(3.9%);部位不明1例(0.8%)。查明出血部位的128例患者为动脉出血,均予电凝止血。结论：绝大多数患者出血部位在鼻中隔嗅裂区、鼻顶前端和下鼻道后端穹隆部;鼻内镜下绝大多数出血部位均可发现;鼻内镜下电凝止血创伤微小,效果确切。     

Inferior nasal turbinate mucosa shrinkage prior to surgery under local anaesthesia

Introduction and ObjectivesChronic rhinitis-related complaints may result from isolated hypertrophy of the inferior nasal turbinates. If the symptoms persist despite conservative management, turbinoplasty is indicated. However, the nasal mucosa lining the inferior turbinates seems decongested immediately before the surgery performed under local anaesthesia, compared to the examination when the patients were entered for surgery. The study aimed to confirm this observation and to hypothesize as to the reasons for its occurrence.Patients and MethodsThe measurements of the longest distances between the medial rim of the inferior nasal turbinate mucosa and nasal septum and the shortest distances between the lower rim of the turbinate and floor of the nasal cavity in the inferior part of both common nasal meatus, were carried out on photos taken during endoscopic examinations: the one entering the patient for turbinoplasty, and the other immediately before the procedure. The results in this group were compared to those obtained from patients operated on under general anaesthesia.ResultsIn 130 patients aged 18-60 (mean = 40.7) years, operated on under local anaesthesia, the sum of the mean distances between the nasal septum and the medial rim of the lower turbinate in both nasal cavities, was 3.4 mm during the first examination, and 4.5 mm (p = .0008) during the second one. In the group of 42 participants aged 26-47, mean = 36.8 years operated on under general anaesthesia, the values were: 4.8 mm and 3.6 mm (p = .02), respectively. The differences were significantly smaller in the smokers (.3) compared to non-smokers (1.3; p = .04) mm.ConclusionsRecords of the entering examination must be considered before turbinoplasty under local anaesthesia.     

Extracorporeal septoplasty-how we do it at marienhospital stuttgart germany

Septoplasty is one of the most common surgery of ENT but even today the difficult septum still presents a great surgical problem. A severe septum deformity is usually due to an accident quite often in childhood. It is also seen in patients with malformation such as cleft lip and cleft palate deformity. It affects not only the nasal function, but also the aesthetic part of the nose. Severe septal deformities can not be corrected properly by the standard septoplasty techniques. Therefore in such cases an extracorporeal septoplasty is recommended. In this technique the whole septum is taken out, the bony and cartilaginous septum in one piece if possible, a new septal plate is reconstructed by different surgical techniques, followed by replantation and reconstruction of the cartilagenous dorsum. The first author kept on improving the safe septal fixation, rebuilding of cartilagenous dorsum and overall the extracorporeal septoplasty technique over the period of time and this technique with all its refinement can be recommended to all the surgeons dealing with this challenging noses.     

Management of acute idiopathic sensorineural hearing loss: a survey of UK ENT consultants

Acute sensorineural hearing loss is a rare event. As yet, there is no standard agreed treatment of this condition because there appears to be little reliable evidence that any one treatment will improve the hearing in these cases. This postal questionnaire was conducted to ascertain the current management of unilateral, acute, idiopathic sensorineural hearing loss by ENT consultants in the UK to see if there is at least a consensus of approach which might lay the foundation for an agreed treatment. Approximately 60% of consultants would admit a patient presenting with these symptoms and only 2% would not prescribe any form of treatment. Of those who do treat the patient, virtually all (99.2%) would prescribe steroids.     

117例儿童鼻腔异物的临床诊治

目的总结儿童鼻腔异物的诊治经验。方法回顾性分析2005年1月～2012年12月诊治的117例鼻腔异物患儿的临床资料、治疗方法及并发症情况。结果117例患儿中98例在表面麻醉下成功取出异物,19例在全身麻醉鼻内镜下成功取出异物。其中8例碱性纽扣性电池异物患儿取出时伴有鼻中隔穿孔2例,术后1周穿孔1例,经对症支持治疗后穿孔部位未持续扩大;术后并发鼻一鼻窦炎患儿16例,经鼻用激素、抗生素及黏膜促排剂治疗后好转;鼻腔粘连7例,经激光切除粘连带。结论加强儿童看护人员的宣教杜绝鼻腔异物的发生。发生鼻腔异物应及时正确处理。对于碱性纽扣式电池,需尽早异物取出后重视鼻腔反复冲洗及创面药物治疗,避免并发症的出现及加重。     

Globus pharyngeus: a postal questionnaire survey of UK ENT consultants

Globus pharyngeus is a common complaint often referred to the ENT outpatient department. The precise nature of globus pharyngeus and its aetiology remains something of a mystery. There is no uniform policy of management of this condition. A postal questionnaire was sent to all UK-based ENT consultants registered with the British Association of Otorhinolaryngolgists-Head and Neck Surgeons (BAO-HNS). The aim of this study was to ascertain if there was a favoured management policy by the majority of consultants. Our results indicate that there is a lack of consensus in the investigation and management of globus pharyngeus. Fourteen per cent do not perform any investigations, but would prescribe antacid medication if clinically indicated. The remainder would investigate in a variety of ways. The most common investigation is rigid endoscopy which is performed by 61% of respondents, followed by barium swallow (56%). The combination of endoscopy and barium swallow is routinely performed by 17.5% of respondents.     

Coagulation studies in patients admitted with epistaxis--current practice in Scotland

Epistaxis remains the most common ENT emergency. The use of coagulation studies in Scotland to manage these patients was investigated to determine current practice. The study took the form of a postal questionnaire sent to all practising ENT consultants and a telephone survey of ENT senior house officers working in Scotland. Of the 60 questionnaires circulated amongst consultants, 55 responses were received (92 per cent). Thirty-eight consultants (70 per cent) indicated that they did not routinely request a coagulation screen for their patients, however, 30 per cent (16) did. Forty-three of the 45 junior staff were available for interview, 22 (51 per cent) of whom routinely requested coagulation studies. While the majority of consultants did not request routine coagulation studies, there did not appear to be any consensus among the junior staff. Although there is a paucity of scientific information with regard to this aspect of epistaxis patient management, there is support in the literature for targeted rather than blanket testing. There is perhaps a need to address this issue within individual departments, to achieve uniformity of practice, and to improve communication between junior and senior staff.