Endoscopic lipofilling for velopharyngeal insufficiency after transoral surgery: a technical note.

BACKGROUND: Velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) is a known complication of transoral surgery, with a reported incidence of 8.1%. The main factor related to VPI is the split of the soft palate. However, dead space resulting from transoral decompression may play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of the dysfunction. In our experience, functionally significant dead space is almost constantly present after transoral decompression. This is probably due to malformation in children and postoperative scarring, thus configuring a nosological entity that we could define as "syndrome of the nasopharyngeal dead space." Palatal prosthesis and pharyngoplasty have been proposed, though these surgical procedures are technically tricky and with possible complications, such as OSA symptoms, snoring, and nasopharyngeal stenosis. METHODS: We proposed an effortless and minimally invasive procedure to treat this condition based on lipofilling the nasopharynx posterior wall endoscopically. To test the procedure's functional result, the submucosa of the nasopharynx posterior wall was initially filled with resorbable material, namely fibrin glue and autologous blood. The result was optimal but regressed after one month. Then, we repeated the procedure by lipofilling with autologous abdominal fat, resulting in a more stable anatomical and functional outcome at six months follow-up. RESULTS: The patient had a prompt significant improvement of his complaints (rhinolalia and oronasal regurgitation) and a correct projection of the nasopharynx posterior wall, with correct closure during phonation and absence of oronasal reflux. CONCLUSIONS: The "syndrome of the nasopharyngeal dead space" should be correctly identified after transoral surgery. It can be effectively treated with lipofilling of the posterior nasopharyngeal wall, a simple and minimally invasive procedure.

[PREEMPTIVE ANALGESIA AS PART OF MULTICOMPONENT ANESTHESIA IN CHILDREN WITH OPERATIONS IN THE NASAL CAVITY AND NASOPHARYNX].

OBJECTIVE: The article presents the results of assessing the impact of pre-emptive analgesia with lidocaine and paracetamol compared withfentanyl for postoperative pain in children undergoing surgery for nasal cavity and nasopharynx. METHODS: We evaluated the incidence and severity ofpostoperative pain in 150 patients aged 3 to 17 years (ASA I-II), following operations in the nasal cavity and nasopharynx. RESULTS: In pre-emptive analgesia group, patients (n = 75) experienced postoperative pain at 28% less in comparison with the control group. The severity ofpain was observed at 50% less in the intervention group which was accompanied by lower levels of cortisol. Additional analgesia during the first 2 hours after surgery there was within 15% less in a pre-emptive analgesia group when compared to the control group. Patients with multi-component of general anesthesia and local anesthetic lidocaine via a nebulizer and paracetamol i. v. were ready for extubation/removal of the laryngeal mask at 40% earlier; andfor transfer to the general department 50% sooner than patient with combined anesthesia with sevoflurane, nitrous oxide and fentanyl.

[Branchiogen cyst at unusual age and in rare localization. A case report]. / oBranchiogén ciszta elofordulása szokatlan életkorban, ritka lokalizációban. Esetismertetés.

Branchiogen anomalies represent a heterogeneous group of developmental abnormalities, they arise from incomplete obliteration of branchial clefts and pouches during embriogenesis. Clinically they can present as a cyst, fistula or sinus. Second cleft lesions account for 95% of the branchial anomalies. Second branchial cleft cysts are usually located in the neck, along the anterior border of the stenocleidomastoid muscle, but they can be anywhere along the course of the second branchial fistula from the tonsillar fossa to the supraclavicular region. Their presence in the nasopharynx is extremely rare. Ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging is recommended for diagnosis. Definitive treatment is surgical excision, these lesions do not regress spontaneously and often result recurrent infections. A 7 month old infant applied to a pediatrician with gastrointestinal viral infection. During examination a cystic mass was discovered in the right lateral nasopharyngeal wall, the lesion extended to the oropharynx. Marsupialisation was performed via transoral approach. In case of cystic lesion in the lateral epipharynx, branchial cleft cyst should be considered in the differential diagnosis.

Congenital salivary gland anlage tumor of the nasopharynx.

Nasal and upper respiratory tract obstruction in the neonatal period can result from a variety of conditions, and may be present with variable symptoms. Salivary gland anlage tumor, also referred as congenital pleomorphic adenoma, is a very rare benign congenital tumor of the nasopharynx, which may produce nasal obstruction and other associated, nonspecific symptoms. We report a case of congenital salivary gland anlage tumor causing a severe neonatal respiratory distress with pulmonary hypertension. The tumor was removed and the outcome was favourable without recurrence at five years of the follow up.

Technical notes on the endoscopic endonasal approach to the craniovertebral junction for odontoidectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Odontoidectomy can help decompress ventral compression of the brainstem and upper cervical spinal cord in the presence of bony abnormalities of the craniovertebral junction (CVJ), e.g., an odontoid pannus. Endonasal approaches have been shown to be associated with lower morbidity compared with traditional transoral approaches. We demonstrated an entirely endonasal approach to the CVJ. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We presented our technique for performing an endoscopic endonasal odontoidectomy. RESULTS: The patient underwent an open posterior cervical spinal fusion to stabilize the CVJ due to destabilization that occurs with odontoidectomy either as part of a single procedure or in a staged manner, depending on the surgeon's preference. By using a two-surgeon, multihanded technique in collaboration with neurosurgery, the anterior CVJ was safely approached endoscopically through the nasopharynx. A midline incision was created and the soft tissue was lateralized widely. The first cervical vertebra (C1) arch was removed with a drill exposing the odontoid process and any associated pannus, which were then resected. Because this approach was entirely extradural, no reconstruction was necessary. Closure was accomplished by placing absorbable packing material in the defect and medializing the nasopharyngeal tissues. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic endonasal odontoidectomy offers excellent exposure and less morbidity than traditional transoral approaches. This technique should be considered in appropriately selected patients.

Non-surgical and surgical interventions for airway obstruction in children with Robin Sequence.

There is widespread lack of consensus regarding treatment of airway obstruction in children with Robin Sequence. This study aimed to systematically summarize outcomes of non-surgical and surgical options to treat airway obstruction in children with Robin Sequence. The authors searched the Medline, EMBASE and CENTRAL databases. Studies primarily on mandibular distraction were excluded. Study quality was appraised with the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS) score. Forty-eight studies were included, of which 45 studies had a retrospective non-comparative set up, two studies had a prospective design and one study was a clinical trial. The mean MINORS score was 7.3 (range 3-10). The rates of successful relief of the airway obstruction (SRoAO) were: not available for orthodontic appliance (2 studies, n = 24), 67-100% for nasopharyngeal airway (6 studies, n = 126); 100 % for non-invasive respiratory support (2 studies, n = 12); 70-96% for tongue-lip adhesion (11 studies, n = 277); 50-84% for subperiosteal release of the floor of the mouth (2 studies, n = 47); 100% for mandibular traction (3 studies, n = 133); 100% for tracheostomy (1 study, n = 25). The complication rate ranged from zero to 55%. Although SRoAO rates seemed comparable, high-level evidence remains scarce. Future research should include description of the definition, treatment indication, and objective outcomes.

[Botryoid rhabdomyosarcoma of the nasopharynx treated with chemotherapy only. Survival lasting more than ten years]. / Rabdomiosarcoma botrioide de nasofaringe. Supervivencia mayor de diez años tratado sólo con quimioterapia.

The progress of Rahbdomyosarcoma (RMS) of the nasopharynx succeed frequently as infiltrative and destructive form to the base of the skull, in which case its prognostic is worse as when localized somewhere else. We report the case of a RMS in a 4-year-old child. The tumour infiltrating the base of the skull (stage III), was treated with chemotherapy only because the neighbourhood of the sella turcica and the pituitary gland strongly forbids the appeal to radiotherapy, in order to avoid untoward side-effects on this gland and also upon the growth of the child. At present, 10 years after, he remains asymptomatic and free of the tumour. Computered tomography has probe to be the best way to study the site and the extent of this growth and even the control of course of treatment.

[Effects of adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy on the bacterial flora of the nose and oropharynx]. / Efectos de la adenoidectomía y amigdalectomía sobre la flora bacteriana naso y orofaríngea.

The oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal microbial flora was studied in 55 children with recurrent tonsillitis and in 85 with chronic adenoiditis. Swabs were made of both regions one day before surgical removal and on postoperative days 10 and 30, swabs were cultured on suitable media and processed for identification and quantitative estimation. Most of the potentially pathogenic species exhibited beta-lactamase production. After adenoidectomy or tonsillectomy this potentially pathogenic flora showed a quantitative decrease in the number identified and in their growth rate. In contrast, Bacteria considered part of the normal flora showed an increase in their were isolated more frequently although a quantitative decrease was observed in some instances. These findings suggest that adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy result in evident modifications in potentially pathogenic flora in these sites as a result of replacement by the normal flora. There are microbiological findings that justify surgical procedures in case of failure of antibiotic treatment.

Comparison of topical anesthetic effects of lidocaine, prilocaine, ropivacaine, and bupivacaine in transnasal fiberoptic nasopharyngolaryngoscopy.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to investigate the topical anesthetic efficacy of four different solutions including lidocaine spray, bupivacaine, ropivacaine, and prilocaine used in patients undergoing transnasal fiberoptic nasopharyngolaryngoscopic examination (TFL). METHODS: The study included 200 patients who underwent anterior rhinoscopy and TFL examination as a part of routine otolaryngological evaluation in our outpatient clinics. Of these, 111 were female and 89 were male patients. The mean age of the patients was 32 ± 8 years (aged between 19 and 55 years). The patients were randomly divided into five groups. Five groups received one of the local anesthetics studied in our trial (10% lidocaine, 0.5% ropivacaine, 0.25% bupivacaine, 2% prilocaine, and saline solution) in each right side of the nose for 10 minutes before TFL. Each separate examination was performed on the right side of the nasal cavity. After the examination, the patients were asked to note the intensity of the pain that they have experienced during the TFL, by using a 100-mm visual analog scale (VAS). RESULTS: The mean VAS scores were 2.08 (SD, 0.62) in the lidocaine group, 2.21 (SD, 0.66) in the prilocaine group, 3.92 (SD, 0.58) in the ropivacaine group, 4.15 (SD, 0.64) in the bupivacaine group, and 6.35 (SD, 0.65) in the saline solution group. The lidocaine and prilocaine groups had significantly better VAS scores versus ropivacaine, bupivacaine, and saline solution groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: To provide ideal examination comfort and optimum patient tolerability during TFL evaluation of upper respiratory airway topical lidocaine and prilocaine applications were found to be more efficacious and effective medication for anesthesia of the intranasal mucosa compared with bupivacaine and ropivacaine solutions.

Outcomes of upper airway reconstructive surgery for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome based on polysomnography after nasopharyngeal tube insertion.

BACKGROUND: The most common obstruction sites for obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) are the oropharynx and the glossopharyx. The diagnosis of glossopharyngeal airway obstruction is difficult. The study aimed to assess the effect of upper airway reconstructive surgery for OSAHS based on polysomnography (PSG) after nasopharyngeal tube insertion (NPT-PSG), and to evaluate the clinical value of NPT-PSG in localizing the obstructive sites. METHODS: Seventy-nine OSAHS patients diagnosed with PSG were included in the study. PSG was repeated with a nasopharyngeal tube in place (NPT-PSG). RESULTS: of the two PSGs were compared. A NPT-PSG apnea hypopnea index (AHI) greater than 15 times per hour was used as a threshold for glossopharyngeal surgery. The cause of glossopharyngeal airway obstruction was taken into consideration in planning glossopharyngeal surgery. Assessment of efficacy was followed-up. RESULTS: After NPT-PSG, patients' AHI significantly decreased and lowest oxygen saturation (LaSO2) significantly increased. Of the 79 patients, 47 were treated with uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) alone and 32 with UPPP + glossopharyngeal surgery. Thirty-two patients were considered cured, 33 markedly improved, and 14 failed. The overall surgery success rate was 82.3%. CONCLUSIONS: NPT-PSG can be used as a diagnosis tool for localizing airway obstruction in OSAHS patients. Surgical treatment based on NPT-PSG results in good treatment efficacy.

Acquired nasopharyngeal stenosis in a patient with sarcoidosis.

INTRODUCTION: Acquired nasopharyngeal stenosis typically occurs as a result of surgery or irradiation of the nasopharynx. Sarcoidosis has numerous manifestations in the head and neck region, although an association with nasopharyngeal stenosis has not previously been reported. CASE REPORT: A 40-year-old man with sarcoidosis developed severe acquired nasopharyngeal stenosis. This was successfully managed with balloon dilatation, followed by pharyngoplasty with local pharyngeal flap reconstruction. CONCLUSION: This report is intended to prompt consideration of nasopharyngeal stenosis as a potential cause of nasal obstruction in patients with sarcoidosis, and to draw attention to the need to consider sarcoidosis in the differential diagnosis of patients with acquired nasopharyngeal stenosis. We also demonstrate the viability of pharyngoplasty in the management of nasopharyngeal stenosis in the setting of sarcoidosis.

[Plasma radiofrequency ablation in treatment of recurrence of adenoidal hypertrophy].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the long-term outcome and clinical value of utilizing plasma radio frequency ablation under indirect laryngoscope in treatment of recurrence of adenoidal hypertrophy. METHOD: Fifty patients with recurrence of adenoidal hypertrophy were subjected to the operation designed by our group. RESULT: The period of follow-up was more then 2 years. All patients were free of snore postoperatively; conductive hearing loss was improved as well. CONCLUSION: Operation with plasma radiofrequency ablation had advantages of direct and clear view of surgical area, accurate remove of adenoids, non-bleeding, avoiding damage of normal nasopharyngeal structure structures, minimal invasion, high safety, and little complication, in treatment of recurrence of adenoidal hypertrophy.