Advantages of the Cartilage-Sparing Technique in Prominent Ear Deformity Surgery: Comparison of a New Technique.

OBJECTIVE: Ear cartilage, crucial for maintaining ear shape and function, can sometimes undergo damage or deformation, requiring surgical intervention. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of a novel, less invasive cartilage-protective method with the traditional, more invasive cartilage-removal technique. METHODS: Our study included 64 patients (128 ears). The first group of 32 patients (64 ears) received the new cartilage-protective technique, while the second group of an equal number of patients and ears underwent the traditional method. The newer technique endeavors to retain as much healthy cartilage as possible, addressing only the issue at hand, while the traditional technique requires the removal of a substantial portion of cartilage. RESULTS: The cartilage-protective method demonstrated several notable advantages over the traditional one. First, it significantly reduced the operation duration due to its less invasive nature. Second, it caused less pain to the patients by minimizing trauma to surrounding tissues. Furthermore, this technique significantly lowered the risk of complications, probably due to the minimal disturbance or removal of healthy cartilage, hence reducing the likelihood of post-operative complications such as infections or deformities. CONCLUSION: The findings of our study propose the cartilage-protective method as a superior treatment option when surgical intervention becomes necessary to repair or restore the function of ear cartilage. This technique, being less invasive, not only results in less pain for the patients but also reduces the risk of complications. It promotes quicker patient recovery without any loss of sensation in the ear. Thus, it could potentially revolutionize the approach to dealing with ear cartilage issues. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level four.

Treating Chronic Rhinitis and Turbinate Hypertrophy Without Surgery: The Effectiveness of Silver Nitrate Cauterization.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic rhinitis and chronic turbinate hypertrophy are conditions that affect the quality of life of individuals. The conchas, or the three half-crescent-shaped structures in the nasal cavity, play a crucial role in the respiratory system by filtering and humidifying the air we breathe. The growth of the conchas outside of normal physiological conditions can lead to conditions such as hyperplasia of the inferior turbinate and hypertrophy of the inferior turbinate. METHODS: The study was conducted between June 2020 and December 2022 and aimed to evaluate the effect of silver nitrate cauterization on patients with chronic rhinitis and chronic turbinate hypertrophy. A total of 638 patients and 520 controls with nasal obstruction were included in the study and underwent silver nitrate cauterization without the need for surgical intervention. The treatment was performed under local anesthesia and involved the application of silver nitrate on the anterior one-centimeter part of the medial surface of both inferior turbinates. Patients were instructed to use an isotonic solution nasal spray and take an antihistamine pill for seven days. RESULTS: A significant improvement was observed in the overall inspiratory function without the need for nasal decongestant sprays or surgery in all patients after one and three months. There was also a significant improvement noted three months after the silver nitrate cauterization in the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scores, which measure the level of nasal obstruction. CONCLUSION: Silver nitrate cauterization showed to be an effective treatment for patients with turbinate hypertrophy, leading to an improvement in overall inspiratory function and reducing the severity of nasal obstruction. This treatment can serve as an alternative to surgical intervention for these conditions.

The effects of medication on intraocular pressure in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: A prospective study.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common psychiatric conditions in childhood. Psychopharmacological therapy is an effective treatment for ADHD. In this study, we primarily aim to investigate the effects of psychopharmacological agents on intraocular pressure (IOP) in children with ADHD. The sample included 82 children with ADHD and 36 healthy children aged between 8 and 12 years who were referred to the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in Hatay State Hospital, Hatay, Turkey. Children with ADHD were divided into two groups according to the medication used: methylphenidate (MPH) group and atomoxetine (ATX) group. Before treatment and after 1- and 6-month treatment period, IOP was measured by Goldmann applanation tonometry. There were no statistical differences in terms of age, gender, and IOP between the three groups (P > 0.05). After 1- and 6-month treatment, the IOP did not change significantly between baseline and 1 month or 6 months (P > 0.05). Children with ADHD may have an IOP similar to healthy children. Six-month treatment with MPH or ATX may not cause significant changes in IOP.

Psychiatric symptoms in traumatized Syrian refugee children settled in Hatay.

Aim: After the beginning of the Syrian civil war in 2011, its cruelty and violence forced about millions to leave their homes. These experiences might create serious mental problems, especially in children and adolescents who might have an increased risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. In this study, we aimed to investigate the mental health status of Syrian refugee children who exposed to a variety of traumatic events.Method: The sample consisted of 1518 drug-naive Syrian refugee children and adolescents aged between 8 and 16 years who were admitted to the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department in Hatay State Hospital between June 2016 and December 2018. The CRIES-13 (Children's Revised Impact of Event Scale-13) was used to evaluate PTSD symptoms and CDI (Children's Depression Inventory) was used to examine depressive symptoms. The sample was divided into three groups according to the type of trauma and the CRIES-13 and CDI scores were compared between the groups.Results: The mean age of the children was 12.4 ± 3.1. 46.9% of the children were male and 53.1% were female. The total score and intrusion and arousal subscores of CRIES-13 were significantly different between the three groups. The total CDI score was also significantly different between the three groups. The likelihood rates of PTSD and depression differed significantly between the groups.Conclusion: Traumatized Syrian refugee children may present PTSD symptoms more likely than depressive symptoms. War-related traumatic experiences may have more adverse effects on Syrian children's psychology than other traumas.

A NEW TREATMENT MODALITY TO REDUCE ACUTE TONSILLITIS HEALING TIME.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Acute tonsillitis is one of the most common reasons for application to otorhinolaryngology clinics. In the treatment of acute tonsillitis, supportive therapies are mostly used. As antibiotic therapy, penicillin or erythromycin can be used. The aim of this study is to decrease the clinical recovery time of acute tonsillitis by providing parenteral treatment and daily cleaning of tonsillar lesions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with an age range of 15-60 years were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups. The first group used an i.v. combination of ampicillin + sulbactam and the tonsillar membranes of patients were cleaned daily. The second group used only the i.v. combination of ampicillin + sulbactam. RESULTS: Patients who received antibiotherapy and debridement had a clinical improvement of 90% on the 2nd treatment day and 95% on the 5th treatment day. The patients receiving only antibiotics had a clinical improvement of 65% on the 5th treatment day and 75% on the 7th treatment day. The recovery time of both groups was significantly different (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The solution and technique used in this clinical study showed that patients with acute tonsillitis could recover in a very short time without any complications.

Application of Vitamin E + Coenzyme Q Therapy During FAKO + IOL Implantation.

INTRODUCTION: Cataract surgery is a widely used procedure around the world. After cataract surgery, one of the important points is that oxidative stress may cause postoperative corneal edema and vision loss. AIM: In this study, we aim to reduce the oxidative stress and related conditions that may develop during intraoperative and postoperative FAKO + IOL implantation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Total amount of 32 patients with cataract were included to the study. The patients were classified as two groups randomly and the same surgical procedure was applied to the patients in both groups, except using visudrop. Group I was defined as a control group and routine FAKO + IOL implantation surgery was performed. In Group II, after the sideport was opened at the beginning of the operation, 0.5 cc visudrop (coenzyme q + vitamin E + hypermellosis) was given to the anterior camara. After the operation, 0.5 cc visudrop was also given to the anterior camara. Postoperative examination findings were compared statistically. RESULTS: In Group II, postoperative 1st day and postoperative 7th day visual acuities were significantly higher than in Group I. In Group II, postoperative 1st day and postoperative 7th day visual acuity increments were significantly higher than in Group I. In Group I, postoperative 1st day and 7th day pachymetry value increments were significantly higher than in Group II. CONCLUSION: Using visudrop during the FAKO + IOL implantation may be an effective method for postoperative corneal edema and vision.