Obstructive sleep apnea in children: How it affects parental psychological status?

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children on maternal and paternal anxiety. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective study was conducted from January 2013 until January 2016 in the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Department at the University Hospital of Split, Croatia. The parents of 59 children with a median age of 5 years (range: 2-9) who were suffering from obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) due to adenotonsillar hypertrophy were enrolled into the study. All children were scheduled for adenoidectomy or adenotonsillectomy because of airway obstruction. In addition, their parents completed the 20-item State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-1 (STAI-1) and 20-item State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-2 (STAI-2) questionnaires before the operation and 30 days after the surgery when their children had considerable improvements in breathing during their sleep. The STAI is an instrument that quantifies both state (STAI-1) and trait (STAI-2) anxiety. State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-1 (state anxiety) is intended to measure transitory anxiety at a specific time (related to OSA symptoms in our study), whereas STAI-2 (trait anxiety) measures long-term anxiety. RESULTS: Overall, the study included 57 mothers and 53 fathers of 59 children diagnosed with OSA. The mean preoperative STAI-2 score of parents was 31.1 ±â€¯7.5; for fathers it was 28.2 ±â€¯6.3, and for mothers it was 33.7 ±â€¯7.6. The STAI-1 and STAI-2 scores showed significant differences before and after the surgery according to gender. The mean score of mothers was 5.5 (95% CI: 2.8 to 8.1) higher than the mean score of fathers (t = 4.1, p < 0.001) on the STAI-2 scale. The mean score of mothers was 5.6 (95% CI: 0.48 to 0.7) higher than the mean score of fathers (t = 2.2; p = 0.032) on the preoperative STAI-1 scale. The mean score of mothers was 1.95 (95% CI: 0.35 to 3.6) higher than the mean score of fathers (t = 2.4; p = 0.017) on the postoperative STAI-1 scale. The mean score of mothers was 6.22 higher than the mean score of fathers (p = 0.029) on the preoperative STAI-1 scale, adjusted for the STAI-2 scale. The mean score of mothers was 1.8 higher than the mean score of fathers (p = 0.039) on the postoperative STAI-1 scale, adjusted for the STAI-2 scale. These data suggest that differences between the preoperative and postoperative STAI-1 score for mothers was the highest (51 ±â€¯7) in children with severe OSA and the lowest (28 ±â€¯14) in children with mild OSA (p < 0.001). The difference between the preoperative and postoperative STAI-1 score for fathers was the highest (48 ±â€¯6.6) in children with severe OSA and the lowest (25 ±â€¯10) in children with mild OSA. CONCLUSION: The results of our study suggest that obstructive sleep apnea in children is a disturbing symptom for parents and is associated with a significant level of anxiety that depends on OSA severity. After the surgical treatment of the children (adenoidectomy or adenotonsillectomy), the anxiety level of both parents decreased. We suggest that preoperative psychological intervention should be considered in selected cases for mothers and fathers of children with severe OSA in order to diminish the symptoms of anxiety that can compromise normal postoperative recovery in operated children.

[PRESSURE ULCER TREATMENT EXPERIENCE AT CLINICAL DEPARTMENT OF PLASTIC, RECONSTRUCTIVE AND AESTHETIC SURGERY, DUBRAVA UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL: COMPARISON OF RESULTS RECORDED IN THE 2011-2016 AND 2003-2008 PERIOD].

Results of this clinical study on surgical treatment of pressure ulcers at Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Dubrava University Hospital showed that there was no difference between the 2011-2016 and 2003-2008 periods, indicating continuation of good surgical treatment planning and appropriate postoperative care. Despite the smaller number of hospitalized patients in the 2011-2016 period (31 patients and 42 reconstructive procedures), the number of reconstructive procedure was similar to the recent 2003-2008 period (47 patients and 57 reconstructive procedures). The best results of reconstruction of sacral region pressure ulcer were achieved with fasciocutaneous and musculocutaneous flaps. Whenever possible, depending on the extent of the defect, musculocutaneous flaps should be preferred for reconstruction. It is especially suitable for pressure ulcer recurrence. For ischial region reconstruction, good results can be obtained by mobilizing the semimembranosus and/or semitendinosus in defect gap. For trochanteric region, the tensor fascia lata flap is a good choice. For maximal functional and reconstructive results, a multidisciplinary approach in pressure ulcer treatment has the leading role in the modern concept of wound healing. Surgical treatment should always include radical debridement, ostectomy and well planned defect reconstruction. Conservative treatment should be support to surgical treatment with a focus on patient health care and high hygiene measures. In recent years (2011-2016), the usage of better conservative treatment led to reduction of patient hospital stay and surgical treatment of pressure ulcer. Further 'wound care' nurses training in Croatia can lead the trend towards advanced practice nursing in pressure ulcer prevention and conservative treatment.

Reconstruction of the hand in Apert syndrome: two case reports and a literature review of updated strategies for diagnosis and management.

BACKGROUND: Apert syndrome is a set of complex malformations of the first brachial arch, with manifestations on the skull, face, hands and feet. At the level of the hand, the following signs are always present: complex syndactyly of the second, third and fourth digits with distal bone fusion; simple syndactyly of the fifth digit; foreshortened thumb with radial clinodactily; and symphalangism excluding the fifth digit. METHODS: The digital separation of an Apert hand should begin at 9 months of age and should be completed by 2 to 4 years of age. Our simplified approach consists of early bilateral surgery on border digits followed by unilateral separation of middle syndactily combined with thumb and digit osteotomies and bone grafting as required. RESULTS: Between 1995 and 2010 seven patients with Apert syndrome underwent reconstructive surgery of the complex hand syndactyly. The main target in our surgical strategy involved early bilateral separation of border digits, which started between 1 and 2 years of age. The unilateral middle syndactyly mass division with osteotomy of the thumb and other digits and bone grafting (as required) was carried out in later surgeries, which are usually completed by 4 years of age. The evaluation of the results was performed based on the functional results of the hand, morbidity, flap necrosis, skin graft lysis, postoperative range of motion in the small joints, gross grasp, pincer grasp, scar appearance, contractures of digits, and aesthetic outcome. CONCLUSION: As intended, this study proves the need for a complex surgical approach as early as possible with low revision rate, and acceptable functional and aesthetic outcome.

Influence of meteorological conditions on post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage.

AIM: To evaluate the relationship between the incidence of primary post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage and the daily weather condition, over a five-year period. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: This was a retrospective study carried out in the ENT department of the Split University Hospital between January 2000 and December 2004. RESULTS: Out of 3377 patients undergoing tonsillectomy, primary post-operative haemorrhage occurred in 83 (2.5 per cent). The season, daily atmospheric pressure and daily change in atmospheric pressure did not have any significant influence on post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage incidence. However, there was a statistically significant increase in the incidence of primary post-operative haemorrhage when cyclonic conditions prevailed (p = 0.035). CONCLUSION: The incidence of primary post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage in our study population was 2.5 per cent. Avoiding tonsillectomy during cyclonic weather conditions may reduce the incidence of primary post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage.

Unusual stab wound of the temporal region.

We report the case of an unusual penetrating injury of the temporal region of the head caused by knife. A long kitchen knife was protruding from the upper auricular area of the left temporal region of victims head. It cut through the posterosuperior part of the left auricula and remained fixed to the postauricular region. Brain computorized tomography (CT) scan revealed that the knife had reached deep into the petrous part of the temporal bone, and was directed toward the sulcus of the sigmoid sinus. There were no signs of intracranial bleeding. An otorhinolaryngologist and a neurosurgeon removed the knife in operating room, with the patient in general anesthesia. The audiogram obtained after 7 days of hospitalization showed left conductive hearing loss of 40 dB at frequencies up to 2 kHz, and of 90 dB above 2 kHz, probably due to hemotympanum caused by the operation. Control examinations performed 14 days and one month after discharge confirmed the patients complete recovery and no significant defects in his hearing or balance. We suggest multidisciplinary teamwork as a proper approach in the treatment of such injuries.

Ear injuries caused by lightning: report of 18 cases.

The clinical management and long-term outcome in lightning survivors with substantial ear damage treated at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital Split during the 1984-1999 period are reviewed. Results of clinical management and outcomes of lightning ear damage in 18 patients (mean age 35.3 +/- 5 years) were retrospectively analyzed. On admission, all patients complained of severe pain, tinnitus and hearing impairment. Otomicroscopy revealed tympanic membrane rupture in 12 patients. The active therapeutic approach included immediate otomicroscopy, aseptic aspiration toilet, and eversion of perforation edges. In all patients, the ruptures healed well, and restitution of the hearing function was achieved. Follow-up examination performed in 1999 (13.2 +/- 2.9 years later) in 11 patients (mean age 52.3 +/- 6.1 years) revealed an almost identical audiogram as on discharge from the hospital, however, neuropsychological testing revealed numerous sequelae. Tympanic injury caused by lightning should be actively treated. Lightning survivors require additional psychotherapeutic treatment.

Primary echinococcosis of the sternocleidomastoid muscle.

Muscular echinococcosis accounts for 0.5% to 5.4% of all hydatid disease cases, with very little data on the incidence of muscular echinococcosis of the head and neck. We report a unique case of primary echinococcosis of the right sternocleidomastoid muscle in a 56-year-old man. Preoperative assessment by ultrasound and fine needle aspiration did not point to echinococcosis. We suspected the right diagnosis intraoperatively and confirmed it postoperatively by pathohistology and serologic tests. Echinococcosis of the liver and the lungs was also excluded postoperatively. Combination of operative treatment and postoperative albendazole herapy in two 28-day cycles one month apart resulted in complete regression of the disease. Echinococcosis should be considered as differential diagnosis of a multicystic mass in neck, particularly if it is of longstanding duration. Serologic tests for echinococcosis should be included in differential diagnostic procedures for each multicystic formation on the neck, especially in endemic areas.