Long-term results of palatal implants for obstructive sleep apnea

Successful results of palatal implants in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have been reported in the short term; however, there are limited data in the long-term results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term results and to determine factors that predicted the responders in patients undergoing palatal implants in the treatment of OSA. A study was undertaken on 92 OSA patients. Palatal implants were conducted to stiffen the soft palate and data were analyzed. Patients tolerated the procedure well. They were examined between 26 and 32 months after the operation (mean 28.9 ± 4.8). Age range was 25–65 years (38.4 ± 10.5) and BMI was 27.3 ± 2.4 kg/m. The mean preoperative ESS score was 12.3 ± 2.6 and long-term ESS was 7.9 ± 1.8 (p < 0.001). The mean VAS for snoring in the baseline was 8.2 ± 1.2 and long-term VAS was 3.8 ± 2.3 (p < 0.001). The mean preoperative LSAT and long-term LSAT were 87.4 ± 6.7 and 89.2 ± 4.8%, respectively (p < 0.01). The mean AHI decreased from 21.7 ± 6.8 to 10.8 ± 4.8 (p < 0.001). Forty-eight (52.2%) patients had long-term surgical response. Responders had significantly lower preoperative BMI, AHI, and MMP level than non-responders. Implant extrusion occurred in seven patients (7.6%) and palatal abscess in one patient (1.1%). Bleeding and airway obstruction were not encountered. Palatal implants in carefully selected patients suffering from mild OSA, give fairly good long-term results and have a low complication rate.     

Endoscopic surgery for the treatment of pediatric subperiosteal orbital abscess: A report of 10 cases

Introduction

The pediatric subperiosteal abscess is considered an infectious process characterized by an abscess pocket localized between the lamina papiracea and the periorbita. Usually the surgical management is used to drain the collection of pus.

Methods

Between January 2006 and January 2009, 10 patients of age under 18-year-old underwent through a transnasal endoscopic approach at the University of Bologna, Sant’Orsola Malpighi Hospital for the treatment of a subperiosteal orbital abscess. All these patients were taken to the operative room in order to drain the abscess only after that the CT scan was accomplished and it demonstrated the presence of a subperiosteal orbital abscess.

Results

The transnasal endoscopic approach was used alone in 9 cases while it was associated with an external approach in one case for the treatment of a superolateral based subperiosteal orbital abscess. In all cases the exudate was obtained during the surgical procedure for the microbiological examination, although only 2 out of 10 cases had positive abscess cultures for Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Conclusions

The transnasal endoscopic approach is an effective surgical treatment to drain the collection of pus in all medially based subperiosteal orbital abscess, while it can be associated with an external approach for the treatment of a superolateral based subperiosteal orbital abscess.     

Long-term results of stapedectomy and stapedotomy]

We have followed up 91 patients for 3 or more years after stapes surgery for otosclerosis, 59 by stapedectomy and 32 by stapedotomy. The surgical technique was chosen randomly. Both surgical techniques achieved significant hearing improvement, but in the higher frequencies (3 kHz) the results of stapedotomy are better and more stable than those after stapedectomy. Surgical revision was necessary in 5 patients--1 after stapedotomy, 4 after stapedectomy.     

Management of cochlear implants in children--methods and results]

Selection criteria, basic principles of auditory training, development of an auditory test battery for children and results of 15 children between 4 and 14 years are presented and discussed. To summarize, results range from acoustic attention to tones and sounds and recognition of environmental sounds to the use of supra-segmental and segmental features of speech. Some children are able to recognize words and phrases from a closed list. One of the children has postlingual deafness and has had also a very short duration of deafness before implantation. This child shows better results than the pre and perilingually deaf children. Because of the fact that the patient group is small and there are also many intervening variables like age, duration of deafness and use of two different test instruments, it is difficult to find a relationship between the results and all other variables. The auditory test battery for children, which consists of seven subtests, measuring acoustic orientation and auditory speech perception on different linguistic levels, is much more suitable for the evaluation of auditory performance for this age group than the auditory test battery for adults (Eisenwort and Burian 1988).     

Mastoid subperiosteal abscess: a review of 51 cases

OBJECTIVE: To present a large study on subperiosteal abscess (SA) that represents the most frequent complication of acute mastoiditis. METHOD: A retrospective study was conducted on 49 patients who underwent mastoidectomy for SA. RESULTS: The patients ranged in age from 8 months to 21 years. Two patients were re operated on the same side due to recurrent abscess. Forty-five percent of the patients were treated using antibiotics at home and 58.8% of patients had no history of middle ear infection prior to admission. CT underestimated abscess in two patients who were operated on based on their clinical signs. Perisinus abscess was drained during mastoidectomy in one child. Purulent discharge was obtained from the abscess in 41 cases. The most common isolated pathogens were Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus. Cholesteatoma was found during mastoidectomy in six patients (11.3%). Twenty-four patients (49%) developed postoperative sequela including various middle ear infections, mastoiditis, recurrent SA and impaired hearing. CONCLUSIONS: Mastoid SA is a unilateral mainly children's disease that can recur. Cholesteatoma can associate the abscess and could be found in older children and recurrent abscess. High morbidity rate requires long-term follow-up for these patients.     

听神经瘤的再手术（附11例分析）

为进一步提高听神经瘤手术的临床疗效，对１５８例听神经手术后１１例再次手术患者进行临床分析，发现肿瘤大小，切除方式以及手术进路与临床症状复发密切相关，肿瘤越大，复发机会越多；大部切除；次全切除及全切除的复发再手术率分别是１９．４％、１３．２％和０，迷路后进路手术复发再手术率最高，达３３．３％，防止临床复发最根本的措施是术中尽量减少肿瘤残留，力争全切。为达此目的要求早期诊断，选择适当的手术进路，对不能     

Descending cervical mediastinitis: report of 15 cases]

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the cause, diagnosis and treatment of descending cervical mediastinitis. METHODS: Fifteen cases of descending cervical mediastinitis, which were treated from January 1985 to December 1997, were retrospectively reviewed. There were 10 males and 5 females, ranging in age from 2.5 to 82 years. RESULTS: The cause of descending cervical mediastinitis included odontogenic infection, suppurative tonsillitis, suppurative otitis media (cholesteatoma) complicating Mouret abscess, pharyngeal injury by foreign body and esophageal perforation. Different ways of drainage were adopted. Twelve cases were cured and three died. CONCLUSION: The key to successful management of descending cervical mediastinitis is early recognition, prompt and effective surgical drainage and appropriate antibiotics.     

Craniofacial augmentation with porous polyethylene implants (Medpor: first clinical results]

SUBJECT: Porous polyethylene (Medpor) is an alloplastic material commonly used in craniofacial reconstruction. We report about our first clinical experiences with Medpor for facial augmentation procedures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We treated 27 patients between 2001 and 2005 (11 female, 16 male) with 48 Medpor-implants. The indications for application of porous polyethylene implants in our clinic were congenital malformations (15), post-traumatic defects (10), and reconstructions after tumor resection (2). The implants were used for nasal/paranasal augmentations (16), for zygomatico-orbital augmentations (18), and for augmentations of the chin and malar region (11). The procedures were performed in a standardized manner. We used prefabricated, self-contoured implants and fixed them subperiosteally with titanium osteosynthesis screws. All operations were performed under general anesthesia. We evaluated the aesthetic results and the ingrowth behavior clinically and histologically. RESULTS: We achieved good aesthetic results and the patients showed no signs of discomfort or rejection. Four patients required a second intervention. These revision surgeries included two cases of local infections and two for aesthetic contouring. The necessary reduction of the implants allowed the harvesting of tissue and implant samples for microscopy. CONCLUSION: Porous polyethylene implants showed a good fibrovascular integration without encapsulation under the light microscope. Giant cells were detected on the surface of the implants. Besides this there was evidence for resorption of the implant material. Fixation with titanium screws is very effective. No implant dislocation or implant fracture occurred. The implants showed high volume stability and were easily handled and contoured. It is not possible to visualize Medpor implants with current imaging techniques, because polyethylene shows no contrast.     

变应性真菌性鼻窦炎

目的 通过总结3例变应性真菌性鼻窦炎（allergic fungal sinusitis,AFS)的诊断、治疗过程，结合复习文献中关于本病的病理、生理过程的探讨，提示本病的诊断、治疗特点。方法 通过对3例病史、鼻窦CT检查、鼻窦分泌物及鼻腔检查，对临床怀疑变应性真菌性鼻窦炎的3例患者进行鼻窦内镜手术。通过分泌物真菌涂片、培养，组织病理学检查以及放射免疫吸附试验（radioallergosorbent test,RAST)结果，明确AFS诊断。术后口服强的松，局部雷诺考特喷鼻及大扶康冲洗鼻腔。结果 通过上述系统治疗，2例术后分别随访25个月和15个月症状完全缓解，1例术后6个月症状复发，变应性黏蛋白再次出现，经术腔清理及大扶康冲洗后局部症状及分泌物完全消失，随访2个月无复发。结论 变应性真菌性鼻窦炎有其独特的临床发生、发展过程。慢性鼻窦炎、鼻息肉中存在着一定比例的AFS，应对其做出及时的诊断和进行合理、完善的综合治疗，以降低本病的并发症和复发率。     

颈静脉鼓室球瘤的治疗

目的 探讨颈静脉鼓室球瘤的手术方法。方法 回顾性分析１９８２～１９９８年１１例手术治疗的颈静脉鼓室球瘤（鼓室球瘤Ⅱ型１例、Ⅲ型１例及Ⅳ型３例;颈静脉球瘤Ⅰ型１例、Ⅲ型５例）术式及治疗效果。结果 肿瘤均予以完全切除,术后均一期愈合。１例术后喉返神经麻痹。术后随诊１～８年,平均３年９个月,无复发者。结论 鼓室球瘤宜采用耳一切口入路;颈静脉球瘤Ⅰ型采用耳后切口向下延长至颈部,Ⅲ型采用耳后大Ｃ形切口行颞骨     

Long-term results of microvascular free-tissue transfer reanimation of the paralyzed face: three cases

We conducted a retrospective case review at our tertiary care academic medical center to assess the long-term results of microvascular free-tissue transfer to achieve facial reanimation in 3 patients. These patients had undergone wide-field parotidectomy with facial nerve resection. Upper facial reanimation was accomplished with a proximal facial nerve-sural nerve graft, and lower facial movement was achieved through proximal facial nerve-long thoracic (serratus muscle) nerve anastomosis. Outcomes were determined by grading postoperative facial nerve function according to the House-Brackmann system. All 3 patients were able to close their eyes independent of lower facial movement, and all 3 had achieved House-Brackmann grade III function. We conclude that reanimating the paralyzed face with microvascular free-tissue transfer provides anatomic coverage and mimetic function after wide-field parotidectomy. Synkinesis is reduced by separating upper- and lower-division reanimation.     

Eighteen-year report on stapedectomy. IV. Long-term functional results

This is the last of a series of 4 articles detailing the history of 20 893 stapedectomies over an 18-year period. In this fourth part, the authors study long-term functional results in relation to the type of stapedectomy, the importance of the cochlear involvement and the general pathology, mainly vascular. They come to the conclusion that good long-term functional results imply the necessity of combining a carefully performed stapedectomy using a living tissue graft, a strict audiometric surveillance and an adequate postoperative therapy, including (if necessary) an extensive fluoride therapy.     

慢性狭窄性外耳道炎14例报告

目的 探讨慢性狭窄性外耳道炎的临床特点及治疗方法。方法 回顾分析1992－2000年收治的慢性狭窄性外耳道炎14例的诊治经验。结果 9例有外耳道炎或湿疹病史，3例有中耳炎病史，1例有醋酸溅入耳道史，1例无明显诱因。女性发病明显高于男性（71．4％）。10例经1次手术后治愈，3例行2次手术，1例3次手术。结论 慢性狭窄性外耳道炎临床少见，手术是主要治疗方法，术中彻底清除狭窄组织，成形骨性外耳道，用皮片或带蒂皮瓣裸露骨质，术后防止伤口感染和密切随访是手术成功的关键。     

Safety of 125iodine and 192iridium implants to the canine carotid artery. Long-term results

Thirty-nine healthy dogs underwent a simulated radical neck dissection followed by implantation of either 125Iodine (125I) or 192Iridium (192Ir) in various dose regimes randomized prospectively from 3,000 to 30,000 rad. Bilateral selective carotid angiography was performed immediately postoperatively and at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. No significant effects occurred to the animals who received 15,000 rad 125I or 6,000 rad 192Ir. In the higher dosed animals the 125I-treated group fared better than the 192Ir-treated group, probably due to the lower dose rate delivery. Fewer and less serious complications occurred in the 125I-treated group, but this group developed more complications after one year than the Iridium group.     

Round window vibroplasty: Long-term results

Abstract Conclusions: The round window (RW) approach in the use of the Vibrant Soundbridge? (VSB) is a safe and effective treatment of conductive and mixed hearing losses for a period of more than 3 years of device use. Objective: To investigate the long-term safety and efficacy as well as user satisfaction of patients with conductive and mixed hearing losses implanted with the VSB using RW vibroplasty. Methods: Twelve patients with conductive and mixed hearing losses were evaluated after 40 months of daily VSB use. Safety was assessed by evaluating reports of postoperative medical and surgical complications as well as by changes in bone conduction hearing thresholds. Efficacy outcome measures included aided and unaided hearing thresholds, speech recognition in quiet and in noise and subjective benefit questionnaires. Results: The safety results revealed no significant medical complications. One subject experienced sudden hearing loss after 18-24 months of device use, but still continues to wear the device to her satisfaction. With regard to efficacy, there were no significant changes from short- to long-term results in aided word understanding, functional gain or speech recognition threshold, suggesting that the outcomes are stable over time. Subjective questionnaires revealed either the same or better results compared with the short-term data.     

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty for snoring: Long-term results

Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) has become a widely practiced procedure in the management of snoring. In a number of studies, all based on short-term follow-up, snoring was reduced or eliminated in 75% to 95% of patients. Because a declinein the initial success rate was casually observed, a formal analysis of the initial and long-term results of UPPP for snoring was made in the present study. From 1985 to 1989, 69 patients with severe habitual snoring were retrospectively analyzed. A scoring system was devised for snoring, and each patient was interviewed regarding the effects of UPPP on his or her snoring 16 to 75 (mean 44) months after surgery. In 60 (87%) of 69 patients, snoring was initially significantly reduced or totally eliminated. After 13 months the success rate dropped to 46% (32 of 69 patients). Most failures occurred between 6 and 12 months of surgery, after which time the success rate remained relatively stable. The authors' conclusion that the long-term success rate of UPPP for snoring declines significantly with time has obvious implications regarding pre-surgical patient counseling.     

Osteointegrated cranio-facial implants: 49 patients report

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the results obtained in the total implanted population in Strasbourg, in order to assess the reliability of this technique over the long-term, especially in children and in irradiated patients. METHODS: This is a retrospective study including all the cases of cranio-facial epitheses implanted in the department of Otorhinolaryngology, head and neck surgery at the University Hospital of Strasbourg since 1992, date of the first epithesis implantation. The results (rate of osseo-integration, cutaneous complications, degree of satisfaction) are presented according to the site of implantation and the antecedent of irradiation. The results obtained in children (16 years of age and less) are specified. RESULTS: The study involved 50 patients (including 11 children), that is 51 epitheses, auricular, orbito-palpebral or naso-maxillary. 142 implants were fixed, including 49 in irradiated patients. The average rate of osseo-integration was 95.7% in the absence of irradiation, and 81.6% following irradiation, with significant differences according to the site of the implant (worse in the nasal site). Radiotherapy being a factor which reduces the rate of osseo-integration. The success rate in children was comparable to the one obtained in adults. CONCLUSION: The extraoral osseous implantology has made it possible for the facial epitheses to be considered as a forerunner in the strategies of rehabilitation in facial loss of substance, with the surgical rehabilitation techniques. It is particularly interesting in oncology, as it allows easy clinical monitoring of the operation site.     

Cochlear implants in elderly people: preliminary results

The objective of this study was to evaluate the benefit of cochlear implantation in adults aged 60 years and over. Twenty-eight patients, older than 60 years and with profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, received a cochlear implant between 1991 and 2001. The mean age was 66 years and the median follow-up was 22.5 months. Speech perception scores before and after implantation were analyzed retrospectively in order to evaluate the benefit of cochlear implantation. There was a significant improvement of the disyllabic words and sentences scores after implantation. The patients who were over 70 years performed as well as those who were younger. The surgical procedure was well tolerated in all patients. One patient developed a postoperative vertigo due to a perilymphatic fistula. In conclusion, cochlear implantation offers improvement in speech perception to the elderly population, as in the younger population. A careful assessment of the physical status of these patients remains essential in order to evaluate the risk-benefit of this procedure.