[Fundamentals and practice of the application of nasal packing in sinonasal surgery]. / Grundlagen und Praxis der Anwendung von Nasentamponaden in der endonasalen Chirurgie.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This paper presents an overview on nasal packing materials which are available in Germany. The current literature is analyzed whether there are robust criteria regarding use nasal packing after sinonasal surgery, whether there are fundamental and proven advantages or disadvantages of products, and what this means in clinical practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Selective literature analysis using the PubMed database (key words "nasal packing", "nasal tamponade", "nasal surgery", "sinonasal surgery", or "sinus surgery"), corresponding text books and resulting secondary literature. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Because of systematic methodological shortcomings, the literature does not help in the decision-making about which nasal packing should be used after which kind of sinonasal surgery. In fact, individual approaches for the many different clinical scenarios are recommended. In principle, nasal packing aims in hemostasis, should promote wound healing, and should not result in secondary morbidity. Nasal packing materials should be smooth (non-absorbable materials), inert (absorbable materials), and should not exert excessive pressure. Using non-absorbable packing entails the risk of potentially lethal aspiration and ingestion. For safety reasons inpatient control is recommended as long as this packing is in situ. With other, uncritical packing materials and in patients with special conditions, outpatient control could be justified.

Reconstruction of the Exenterated Orbit with an Island Pericranial Flap: A New Surgical Approach.

Reconstruction of the bony socket after orbital exenteration is a matter of much debate. Prompt defect closure with a microvascular flap is desirable but involves a major surgical procedure and hence, places considerable burden on the patient. The new surgical technique presented here permits a technically simpler wound closure with fewer complications after orbital exenteration. Methods: Between May 2014 and June 2022 in the ENT department of Regensburg University, nine patients underwent exenteration and reconstruction with a pericranial flap. The flap was raised via a broken line incision in the forehead or endoscopically, incised in a roughly croissant-like shape, then introduced into the orbit through a tunnel in the eyebrow. A retrospective analysis of the patients and considerations about determining the size, shape, and vascular supply of the flap are presented. Results: Flap healing was uncomplicated in all cases. Only 6 weeks after surgery, the flap was stable, making it possible to start adjuvant therapy and prosthetic rehabilitation swiftly. The flap is adapted to the near cone-shape of the orbit. The mean (± standard deviation) surface area of the measured orbits is (39.58 ± 3.32) cm2. The territory of the angular artery provides the periosteal flap arterial blood supply. Venous drainage is via venous networks surrounding the artery. Conclusions: Use of the pericranial flap makes it possible to close the orbital cavity promptly with minimal donor site defect and a short operating time, thereby minimizing the surgical risk and speeding up physical and psychological recovery.

Rare clival localization of an eosinophilic granuloma: illustrative case.

BACKGROUND: Eosinophilic granuloma (EG) belongs to the family of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) and is considered to be a benign disease typically found in children younger than 15 years of age. Here, the authors describe an EG of unusual localization and clinical presentation. OBSERVATIONS: The authors report a 9-year-old girl with an EG presenting as an osteolytic lesion of the clivus. After transsphenoidal resection and histological confirmation, adjuvant chemotherapy was initiated. Presenting signs and symptoms were weight loss, episodic grimacing, and moderate ballism-like movements. After a follow-up-period of 32 months, the patient presented with a total resolution of initial symptoms and no further tumor growth. LESSONS: Although these lesions are rare, one should consider EG as a differential diagnosis when confronted with osteolytic lesions of the clivus.

Effect of postoperative systemic prednisolone on short-term and long-term outcomes in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps: A multi-centered randomized clinical trial.

Introduction: The objective of this study was to determine whether postoperative additive systemic steroid administration in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) impacted selected endoscopic, subjective and objective outcome measures. Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, noninferiority multicenter trial of n=106 patients with CRSwNP. All patients underwent primary functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) followed by topical nasal steroids. Patients were randomized to a systemic steroid or placebo for 1 month. Patients were followed up for 2 years over 9 time points. The primary outcome measures were the differences between groups with respect to the nasal polyp score (NPS) and sinonasal quality of life (SNQoL). Secondary outcome measures included interactions with respect to the Lund-Kennedy score (LKS), sinonasal symptoms, general quality of life (GQoL), 16-item odor identification test scores, recurrence rates, need for revision surgery and mucus biomarker levels. Results: 106 patients were randomized to either the placebo or the systemic steroid group (n=53 per group). Postoperative systemic steroids were not superior to placebo with respect to all primary (p= 0.077) and secondary outcome measures (p>0.05 for all). Reported adverse events were similar between the two groups. Conclusion: In conclusion, the addition of postoperative systemic steroids after primary FESS did not confer a benefit over topical steroid nasal spray alone with respect to NPS, SNQOL, LKS, GQOL, sinonasal symptoms, smell scores, recurrence rates, the need for revision surgery or biomarkers over a short-term follow-up of up to 9 months and a long-term follow-up of up to 24 months in CRSwNP patients. Functional endoscopic surgery did, however, show a strong effect on all outcome measures, which remained relatively stable up to the endpoint at 2 years.

Three-dimensional structure of the basal lamella of the middle turbinate.

The middle turbinate's basal lamella (3BL) is a variable landmark which needs to be understood in endoscopic transnasal skull base surgery. It comprises an anterior frontal and a posterior horizontal part and appears in its simplest depiction to be "L"-shaped, when viewed laterally. In this study we analyzed its 3D morphology and variations focusing on a precise and systematic description of the anatomy. CBCTs of 25 adults, 19 cadavers and 6 skulls (total: 100 sides) were investigated with the 3DSlicer software, creating 3D models of the 3BL. We introduced a novel geometrical classification of the 3BL's shape, based on segments. We analyzed their parameters and relationship to neighboring structures. When viewed laterally, there was no consistent "L"-shaped appearance of the 3BL, as it is frequently quoted. A classification of 9 segment types was used to describe the 3BL. The 3BLs had in average of 2.95 ± 0.70 segments (median: 3), the most frequent was the horizontal plate (23.05% of all segments), next a concave/convex plate (22.71%), then a sigma plate (22.37%). Further types were rare. We identified a horizontal plate in 68% of all lateral views whilst 32% of the 3BLs were vertical. A sigma-concave/convex-horizontal trisegmental 3BL was the most common phenotype (27%). Globally, the sigma-concave/convex pattern was present in 42%. The 3BL adhered the ethmoidal bulla in 87%. The segmenting method is eligible to describe the 3BL's sophisticated morphology.

[Postoperative treatment following paranasal sinus surgery]. / Postoperative Versorgung bei Nasennebenhöhleneingriffen.

Postoperative care is a crucial aspect for the success of paranasal sinus interventions. Basic procedures include saline nasal wash, which should be started on the first postoperative day, topical steroids, and antibiotics in cases of infection. Medical treatment involves aspiration of secretion in the inferior meatus during the first week. Removal of scabs in the surgical field should be carried out under endoscopic control beginning at the second week. Intervals are scheduled individually. Occlusion of the nose for the time of epithelium regeneration provides a moist space in the ethmoid, which improves wound healing.

EUFOREA expert board meeting on uncontrolled severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and biologics: Definitions and management.

Uncontrolled severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is the most bothersome phenotype of chronic rhinosinusitis; it is typically characterized by a type 2 inflammatory reaction and by comorbidities, including asthma, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-exacerbated respiratory disease, and allergies. Here, the European Forum for Research and Education in Allergy and Airway Diseases proposes structured definitions to enable communication between clinicians and provides a practical algorithm to define type 2 inflammation in CRSwNP in daily clinical practice. A rational approach for the treatment of uncontrolled severe CRSwNP is discussed; it consists of evaluating the perspective and risks of surgery and efficacy and adverse events of biologics on the basis of currently available data. Further, possible combinations of surgery and biologics are discussed, and a rationale is provided. Here, it is of importance to adequately counsel the patient about both approaches to enable a decision-making process with an informed patient. Criteria for the selection of a biologic drug are provided, as several biologics for uncontrolled severe CRSwNP will be available in many countries within a short time. Further, suggestions for monitoring of the drug effects that support recognition of responders to the therapy and, subsequently, the decision regarding continuation or discontinuation of the biologic are proposed.

Quality of life and olfactory function after suprasellar craniopharyngioma surgery-a single-center experience comparing transcranial and endoscopic endonasal approaches.

The endoscopic endonasal approach to suprasellar craniopharyngiomas has become popular as alternative to transcranial approaches. However, the literature lacks data regarding quality of life and olfactory function. The assessment of the long-term quality of life and olfactory function of all patients harboring a suprasellar craniopharyngioma who underwent surgery in our department has been done. Patient characteristics and perioperative data were gathered in a prospectively maintained database. At the last follow-up visit, the olfactory function and the quality of life (ASBQ, SNOT-22) as well as visual and pituitary function were assessed. Thirteen and 17 patients underwent surgery via a transcranial (T) and endonasal (E) route, respectively. No differences were seen in ASBQ, SNOT-22, and olfactory function between T and E, but in E were more full-time worker and less obesity. CSF leaks occurred in 15% of T and 29% of E (p = 0.43). Patients from group E had a superior visual outcome which was most pronounced in the visual field. The degree of new anterior and posterior pituitary gland deficiency after surgery and in the follow-up was lower in group E. The general and sinonasal quality of life and the olfactory function are equal in E and T. E is associated with a superior visual outcome, lower rates of diabetes insipidus, and lower rates of obesity, but has a higher risk for postoperative CSF leaks.

Real-life assessment of chronic rhinosinusitis patients using mobile technology: The mySinusitisCoach project by EUFOREA.

BACKGROUND: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a chronic inflammatory disease associated with a substantial personal and socioeconomic burden. Monitoring of patient-reported outcomes by mobile technology offers the possibility to better understand real-life burden of CRS. METHODS: This study reports on the cross-sectional evaluation of data of 626 users of mySinusitisCoach (mSC), a mobile application for CRS patients. Patient characteristics of mSC users were analysed as well as the level of disease control based on VAS global rhinosinusitis symptom score and adapted EPOS criteria. RESULTS: The mSC cohort represents a heterogeneous group of CRS patients with a diverse pattern of major symptoms. Approximately half of patients reported nasal polyps. 47.3% of all CRS patients were uncontrolled based on evaluation of VAS global rhinosinusitis symptom score compared to 40.9% based on adapted EPOS criteria. The impact of CRS on sleep quality and daily life activities was significantly higher in uncontrolled versus well-controlled patients. Half of patients had a history of FESS (functional endoscopic sinus surgery) and reported lower symptom severity compared to patients without a history of FESS, except for patients with a history of more than 3 procedures. Patients with a history of FESS reported higher VAS levels for impaired smell. CONCLUSION: Real-life data confirm the high disease burden in uncontrolled CRS patients, clearly impacting quality of life. Sinus surgery improves patient-reported outcomes, but not in patients with a history of more than 3 procedures. Mobile technology opens a new era of real-life monitoring, supporting the evolution of care towards precision medicine.

Endotypes of Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps: Pathology and Possible Therapeutic Implications.

Today, chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a symptomatic disease diagnosed by nasal endoscopy and eventually computed tomography scan, and is treated by pharmacotherapy or, when unsuccessful, by sinus surgery. With the advent of biologics, the diagnostic approach needs to be adjusted to appreciate CRS endotypes, introducing biomarkers, and the therapeutic options will be extended by the application of biologics. Specifically, type 2 immune reactions moved into the focus, similar to asthma, involving innate and adaptive immunity pathways to establish an often severe, persistent disease. The role for endotyping of CRS became evident for biologics, but also turned out to be meaningful for the decision on the selection of pharmacotherapy and the specific surgical approach to choose. Furthermore, considerations on the role of surgery and biologics needed to be elaborated to develop decision-making processes for patients with moderate-to-severe CRS with nasal polyps, with or without comorbid asthma, allowing us to adjust the treatment for patient groups based on endotyping (precision medicine). We here aim to guide the decisions in a rational way based on the current knowledge of the efficacy and complications or side effects of the recently enlarged therapeutic options. Personal experience has been added where knowledge was lacking in this fast moving field.

Improved Wound Healing of Airway Epithelial Cells Is Mediated by Cold Atmospheric Plasma: A Time Course-Related Proteome Analysis.

The promising potential of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) treatment as a new therapeutic option in the field of medicine, particularly in Otorhinolaryngology and Respiratory medicine, demands primarily the assessment of potential risks and the prevention of any direct and future cell damages. Consequently, the application of a special intensity of CAP that is well tolerated by cells and tissues is of particular interest. Although improvement of wound healing by CAP treatment has been described, the underlying mechanisms and the molecular influences on human tissues are so far only partially characterized. In this study, human S9 bronchial epithelial cells were treated with cold plasma of atmospheric pressure plasma jet that was previously proven to accelerate the wound healing in a clinically relevant extent. We studied the detailed cellular adaptation reactions for a specified plasma intensity by time-resolved comparative proteome analyses of plasma treated vs. nontreated cells to elucidate the mechanisms of the observed improved wound healing and to define potential biomarkers and networks for the evaluation of plasma effects on human epithelial cells. K-means cluster analysis and time-related analysis of fold-change factors indicated concordantly clear differences between the short-term (up to 1 h) and long-term (24-72 h) adaptation reactions. Thus, the induction of Nrf2-mediated oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress response, PPAR-alpha/RXR activation as well as production of peroxisomes, and prevention of apoptosis already during the first hour after CAP treatment are important cell strategies to overcome oxidative stress and to protect and maintain cell integrity and especially microtubule dynamics. After resolving of stress, when stress adaptation was accomplished, the cells seem to start again with proliferation and cellular assembly and organization. The observed strategies and identification of marker proteins might explain the accelerated wound healing induced by CAP, and these indicators might be subsequently used for risk assessment and quality management of application of nonthermal plasma sources in clinical settings.

[Stents and spacers in endoscopic endonasal sinus surgery]. / Stents und Platzhalter in der endoskopischen endonasalen Nasennebenhöhlenchirurgie.

In endonasal endoscopic sinus surgery continuous progress has been made in the last decade due to better understanding of microanatomy, gains in adjunctive medicative therapy and technical innovations. Moreover, continuous research and clinical trials on innovative stents and spacers with and without defined drug eluting features may be mentioned in this context. A narrative review of the current development status and its therapeutic options referring to the latter is presented.

A New Score to Predict the Risk of Hearing Impairment After Microvascular Decompression for Hemifacial Spasm.

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative monitoring of brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) has been implemented to reduce the risk of hearing impairment during microvascular decompression for hemifacial spasm. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate intraoperative monitoring of BAEPs during microvascular decompression in patients with hemifacial spasm for predicting the risk of hearing impairment after surgery. METHODS: This prospective study included 100 patients. BAEPs were recorded for all patients. We established a scoring system for the changes in wave I amplitude, I-III interpeak latency, and wave V amplitude and latency. For each change, total points were calculated, and a score out of 6 was assigned to every patient. We classified the patients based on the points scored into 3 risk groups: low-risk (0-3), medium-risk (4-5), and high-risk (6). Further, the correlation between the score and the hearing outcome was evaluated to detect the incidence and degree of hearing impairment. RESULTS: Eighty-seven patients scored 0 to 3, 10 scored 4 to 5, and 3 scored 6. The degree of hearing impairment was proportionate to the score recorded at the end of surgery, and patients in the low-risk group showed no impairment; medium-risk group, deterioration of maximum 2 grades according to World Health Organization classification of hearing impairment; and high-risk group, deterioration of 3 to 4 grades. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative monitoring of BAEPs evaluated through our scoring system was valuable in predicting hearing impairment after surgery.

Proteomic Changes of Tissue-Tolerable Plasma Treated Airway Epithelial Cells and Their Relation to Wound Healing.

BACKGROUND: The worldwide increasing number of patients suffering from nonhealing wounds requires the development of new safe strategies for wound repair. Recent studies suggest the possibility of nonthermal (cold) plasma application for the acceleration of wound closure. METHODS: An in vitro wound healing model with upper airway S9 epithelial cells was established to determine the macroscopically optimal dosage of tissue-tolerable plasma (TTP) for wound regeneration, while a 2D-difference gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) approach was used to quantify the proteomic changes in a hypothesis-free manner and to evaluate the balance of beneficial and adverse effects due to TTP application. RESULTS: Plasma doses from 30 s up to 360 s were tested in relation to wound closure after 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, 96 h, and 120 h, in which lower doses (30, 60, and 120 s) resulted in dose-dependent improved wound healing rate compared to untreated cells. Thereby, the 120 s dose caused significantly the best wound healing properties after 96 and 120 h. The proteome analysis combined with IPA revealed that a lot of affected stress adaptation responses are linked to oxidative stress response emphasizing oxidative stress as a possible key event in the regeneration process of epithelial cells as well as in the adaptation to plasma exposure. Further cellular and molecular functions like proliferation and apoptosis were significantly up- or downregulated by all TTP treatments but mostly by the 120 s dose. CONCLUSIONS: For the first time, we were able to show plasma effects on cellular adaptation of upper airway epithelial S9 cells improving wound healing. This is of particular interest for plasma application, for example, in the surgery field of otorhinolaryngology or internal medicine.

Endoscopic Endonasal Approach for Craniopharyngiomas.

The endoscopic endonasal approach for craniopharyngiomas is increasingly used as an alternative to microsurgical transsphenoidal or transcranial approaches. It is a step forward in treatment, providing improved resection rates and better visual outcome. Especially in retrochiasmatic tumors, this approach provides better lesion access and reduces the degree of manipulations of the optic apparatus. The panoramic view offered by endoscopy and the use of angulated optics allows the removal of lesions extending far into the third ventricle avoiding microsurgical brain splitting. Intensive training is required to perform this surgery. This article summarizes the surgical technique, outcome, and complications.

Hemostatic management of patients undergoing ear-nose-throat surgery.

Perioperative hemostatic management is increasingly important in the field of otolaryngology. This review summarizes the key elements of perioperative risk stratification, thromboprophylaxis and therapies for bridging of antithrombotic treatment. It gives practical advice based on the current literature with focus on patients undergoing ENT surgery.

Comprehensive review on rhino-neurosurgery.

In the past 2 decades, an innovative and active field of surgical collaboration has been evolved and established combining the expertise of neurosurgery and rhinosurgery in the endonasal treatment of different lesions affecting the anterior skull base together with the adjacent intranasal and intradural areas. Important prerequisites for this development were improvements of technical devices, definitions of transnasal surgical corridors, and approvements in endonasal reconstructions, e.g. by use of pedicled nasal mucosal flaps. Due to these improvements, the rate of perioperative infectious complications remained acceptable. Interdisciplinary surgical teams (4-hands-2-minds) have been established constituting specialized centers of "rhino-neurosurgery". With growing expertise of these groups, it could be shown that oncological results and perioperative complications were comparable to traditional surgery while at the same time the patients' morbidity could be reduced. The present review encompasses the recent literature focusing on the development, technical details, results, and complications of "rhino-neurosurgery".

Principles of infection prevention and reprocessing in ENT endoscopy.

This article gives an overview on the principles of reprocessing of rigid and flexible endoscopes used in ENT units including structural and spatial requirements based on general and ENT-specific risks of infection associated with diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy. The underlying legal principles as well as recommendations from scientific societies will be exemplified in order to give a practical guidance to the otorhinolaryngologist. Preliminary results of a small nation-wide survey on infection control standards based on data of 29 ENT practices in Germany reveal current deficits of varying degree concerning infection control management including reprocessing of endoscopes. The presented review aims to give support to the establishment of a structured infection control management program including the evaluation of results by means of a prospective surveillance.