Laryngeal mask versus endotracheal tube for airway management in tracheal surgery: a case–control matching analysis and review of the current literature

 Open in a separate windowOBJECTIVESThe endotracheal tube (ETT) and the laryngeal mask airway (LMA) are possible strategies for airway management during tracheal resection and reconstruction for tracheal and laryngotracheal stenosis. The goal of the study was to analyse and compare outcomes in the LMA and ETT groups.METHODSBetween 2003 and 2020, a total of 184 patients affected by postintubation, post-tracheostomy and idiopathic stenosis who had tracheal or laryngotracheal resections and reconstructions via a cervicotomy were retrospectively enrolled in this single-centre study. In 29 patients, airway management was achieved through LMA during tracheal surgery, whereas in 155 patients, it was achieved through ETT. A case–control matching analysis was performed with a 1:1 ratio, according to age, gender, body mass index, aetiology and length of stenosis (1–4 cm), resulting in 22 patients managed through LMA (LMA group) matched with 22 patients managed through ETT (ETT group).RESULTSNo significant differences were found in the reintubation rate, 30-day mortality and postoperative length of stay. Operative time was shorter in patients with LMA (96.23 ± 34.72 min in the ETT group vs 76.14 ± 26.94 min in the LMA group; P = 0.043). Intensive care unit (ICU) admission rate and stay were lower in the LMA group [18 in the ETT group vs 8 in the LMA group, odds ratio = 10.17, confidence interval (CI) 95% 1.79–57.79; P = 0. 009; 22.77 ± 16.68 h in ETT group vs 9.23 ± 13.51 h in LMA group; P = 0.005]. Dysphonia was more frequent in the ETT group than in the LMA group (20 in the ETT group vs 11 in the LMA group, odds ratio = 13.79, CI 95% 1.86–102; P = 0.010).CONCLUSIONSLMA is a feasible option for airway management in tracheal surgery, with lower operative time, ICU admission rate, ICU length of stay and postoperative dysphonia occurrence.     

Effects of Microporous Stent Graft on the Descending Aortic Aneurysm: A Patient‐Specific Computational Fluid Dynamics Study

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) method is an alternative treatment for thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) compared to open surgery. It is believed that stent graft implantation can potentially reduce the risk of aneurysm rupture by altering the associated blood flow disturbances within an aneurysm. To investigate the hemodynamics changes of TEVAR intervention to the TAA, three models, namely healthy, aneurysm before treatment, and aneurysm after stent graft implantation models were built. These three models were presented and compared in terms of their flow patterns, time‐averaged wall shear stress (TAWSS), oscillating shear index (OSI), and relative residence time (RRT). Reduced TAWSS and OSI with altered flow pattern were found on the aneurysm wall after the deployment of the microporous stent graft. Elevated RRT on the aneurysm sac indicated that red blood cells and platelets tended to stay longer in the aneurysm sac after implantation of the microporous stent graft. The alteration of flow patterns caused by the microporous stent graft revealed its potential to create a beneficial hemodynamic environment, which promotes platelet activation within the aneurysm and elicits localization of thrombus formation that ultimately lead to the recovery of an aortic aneurysm.     

Long‐Term Follow‐Up of Multilevel Thoracic Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament Following Circumferential Decompression via Posterior Approach: A Retrospective Study

ObjectiveTo examine the postoperative progression of multilevel thoracic posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) at circumferential decompression (CD) levels and evaluate the long‐term results after CD via the posterior approach.MethodsClinical data from 16 patients with thoracic myelopathy secondary to OPLL who underwent CD at a single center were evaluated retrospectively from 2007 to 2014 and were followed up for more than 60 months. Patients of all sexes and ages were included in the study. Thin‐slice computed tomography scans obtained at the time of surgery and the most recent follow‐up were analyzed. The ossified area was measured on the axial reconstructed scan of the most obvious protrusion of ossification at the CD level. The neurological outcomes were evaluated using modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores and Hirabayashi recovery rates (HRRs). Continuous variables were presented as the mean ± standard deviation and were analyzed using the Student''s t‐test, while categorical variables were tested using Fisher''s exact test.ResultsAmong all patients, the most predominant type was the mixed type (9/16, 56.3%), while the circumscribed type was only found in two patients (12.5%), and the continuous type was found in five patients (31.2%). Six cases were associated with ossification of the ligamentum flavum, and two cases were combined with cervical OPLL. The OPLL area at the CD level increased in all patients. The mean follow‐up period was 5.5 ± 0.92 years (range 5–8 years). The mean area of ossification increased from 35.63 ± 39.23 mm² at the time of surgery to 99.94 ± 65.39 mm² at the last follow‐up visit (P < 0.01). There was no internal fixation disorder on any computed tomography scan after the operation. The average JOA score of all patients improved from 4.2 ± 2.2 points before surgery to 8.4 ± 2.6 points at the final follow‐up (P < 0.01). The overall HRR was 61.8%. None of the patients exhibited any neurological deterioration due to OPLL progression. One patient developed a severe gait disturbance due to worsening lumbar canal stenosis, an unrelated cause, but the other 15 experienced gait disturbance improvements.ConclusionsAccording to the long‐term follow‐up results, although OPLL progression did not decrease or stop after removing the OPLL mass, CD is a safe and effective procedure that can provide adequate reserve ventral space to cope with postoperative OPLL progression.     

The impact of rotator cuff deficiency on structure,mechanical properties,and gene expression profiles of the long head of the biceps tendon (LHBT): Implications for management of the LHBT during primary shoulder arthroplasty

The long head of the biceps tendon (LHBT) occupies a unique proximal intra‐articular and distal extra‐articular position within the human shoulder. In the presence of a rotator cuff (RC) tear, the LHBT is recruited into an accelerated role undergoing potential mechanical and biochemical degeneration. Intra‐articular sections of the LHBT were harvested during primary shoulder arthroplasty from patients with an intact or deficient RC. LHBTs were stained (H&E, Alcian Blue) and subjected to histologic analysis using the semiquantitative Bonar scale and measurement of collagen orientation. LHBTs (n = 12 per group) were also subjected to gene‐expression analyses via an RT²‐PCR Profiler Array quantifying 84 genes associated with cell‐cell and cell‐matrix interactions. LHBTs (n = 18 per group) were biomechanically tested with both stress‐relaxation and load‐to‐failure protocols and subsequently modeled with the Quasilinear Viscoelastic (QLV) and Structural‐Based Elastic (SBE) models. While no histologic differences were observed, significant differences in mechanical testing, and viscoelastic modeling parameters were found. PCR arrays identified five genes that were differentially expressed between RC‐intact and RC‐deficient LHBT groups. LHBTs display signs of pathology regardless of RC status in the arthroplasty population, which may be secondary to both glenohumeral joint arthritis and the additional mechanical role of the LHBT in this population. © 2015 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 33:1158–1164, 2015.