The Effects of Burr-Assisted Rhinoplasty on Hearing.

AIM: The aim of this study is to examine the effects of the burr used for hump reduction and osteoplasty on cochlear function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The design of this study was prospective, randomized, and controlled. Twenty patients who underwent burr-assisted septorhinoplasty were included in the study group. The control group consisted of 20 patients who underwent septoplasty. Pure tone audiometry, distortion product otoacoustic emission test, and tympanometry were performed to determine the auditory functions. RESULTS: No significant difference was observed between the bone conduction thresholds of the right and left ears in both groups, except for a single frequency (1000 Hz in the left ear) in the control group. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups' air conduction thresholds at frequencies of 500, 1000, 2000, 4000, 6000, and 8000 Hz preoperatively and postoperatively. In addition, the study and control group did not differ significantly in signal-to-noise ratio measurements at frequencies of 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz. The comparison of preoperative and postoperative otoacoustic emission measurement results of the study group revealed a statistically significant difference only at the frequencies of 2000 Hz in the right ear and 500 Hz in the left ear. Despite those differences, otoacoustic emissions were still present at those frequencies postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that using burrs during rhinoplasty slightly impacts hearing, but it does not cause significant hearing loss. Burr-assisted rhinoplasty appears to be a safe operation regarding the auditory functions.

Is adenotonsillectomy safe in covid-19 era? Investigation of sars-cov2 in adenoid and tonsil tissues.

OBJECTIVES: COVID-19 has seriously altered physicians' approach to patients and diseases, with a tendency to postpone elective procedures. Tonsillectomy, alone or with adenoidectomy, is one of the most common surgeries performed by otolaryngologists. Although they are generally accepted as elective surgeries, they significantly improve the quality of life, and postponing these surgeries for a long time can have deteriorative effects on the patients. We aimed to investigate the presence of SARS CoV-2 in the adenotonsillectomy materials to find out if performing adenotonsillectomy is safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Forty-eight tissue samples from 32 patients that underwent tonsillectomy with or without adenoidectomy were investigated whose SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test in the samples obtained from nasopharyngeal (NP) and oropharyngeal (OP) swabs were negative within 24 h before the operation. While 16 patients underwent only tonsillectomy and one of their tonsils was investigated, 16 of the patients underwent adenotonsillectomy and their adenoid tissues were sent along with one of their tonsils. SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA was investigated with Real-Time PCR in tissue samples. RESULTS: Two (4.2%) tissue samples had positive PCR tests for SARS-CoV-2, while 46 of them were negative. One of the positive patients had undergone tonsillectomy with the indication of chronic recurrent tonsillitis, and the other patient had undergone adenotonsillectomy for obstructive adenotonsillar hypertrophy. PCR test was positive in the adenoidectomy specimen and negative in the tonsillectomy specimen in this patient. CONCLUSIONS: Adenotonsillectomy can be done safely in asymptomatic patients without a history of Covid-19, with a negative PCR test result obtained within the last 24 h.

Surgical Burr-Assisted Lateral Osteotomy Technique in Septorhinoplasty.

ABSTRACT: Achieving aesthetic and functional results in rhinoplasty requires meticulous techniques, and postoperative edema, ecchymosis, and pain can deteriorate the desired outcomes. Different osteotomy techniques are defined to have optimal outcomes while reducing edema, ecchymosis, and pain. In this study, the authors compared conventional and power-assisted surgical burr osteotomy techniques in terms of early postoperative complications. Patients who underwent primary open septorhinoplasty were included in the study and were divided into 2 groups. The first group had lateral endonasal osteotomy with conventional guided osteotomes, and the second group had lateral osteotomy with surgical round burr. Edema and ecchymosis scoring systems were used on the postoperative first, third, and seventh day to evaluate postoperative edema and ecchymosis, and the visual analog scale was used to evaluate pain severity on the postoperative period. Out of 70 patients who had undergone septorhinoplasty, 36 received conventional osteotomy and 34 received surgical round burr osteotomy. Periorbital ecchymosis scores were significantly lower in the second group on the postoperative first, third, and seventh days. The periorbital edema scores were significantly lower in the second group on the first postoperative day but no difference was found between postoperative days 3 and 7. Also, the pain scores were significantly lower in the second group. Osteotomy with surgical round burr yields less ecchymosis, edema, and pain in the early postoperative period than conventional osteotomy in primary septorhinoplasty patients.

The Impact of the Informed Consent Process on the Anxiety Levels of Patients Undergoing Rhinoplasty.

ABSTRACT: Septorhinoplasty is one of the most common elective surgical procedures in otolaryngology. The present study aimed to evaluate the anxiety levels of patients who underwent septorhinoplasty at different times, compare the information methods, and determine the understanding of the informed consent through recall rates of the complications explained in the informed consent process. The patients were divided into the following 2 groups: Group 1 (giving information 14 days before the surgery) and Group 2 (giving information 3 days before the surgery). For the preoperative anxiety measurement, the State anxiety scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was used. All patients were asked to recall the complications they remembered from the consent form on the day before the surgery. Each group has consisted of 25 patients. No significant difference was found between the STAI-1 and STAI-2a anxiety scores between groups. In Group 1, the STAI-2b anxiety score was significantly lower than the STAI-1 and STAI-2a scores (P < 0.05). In Group 2, the mean score of STAI-2b was not significantly higher than the STAI-1 and STAI-2 scores (P > 0.05). When the STAI-2b scores of the two groups were compared, the scores of Group 2 were significantly higher (P < 0.05). The most commonly remembered complications were bruising and swelling in both of the groups. In conclusion, the authors believe that long-term cooperation between the surgical team and the patient will reduce the anxiety levels of the patients and increase patients' satisfaction, resulting in a significant reduction in the amount of potential legal processes.Level of Evidence: 2.

Post-Surgical and Oncologic Outcomes of Supracricoid Partial Laryngectomy: A Single-Institution Report of Ninety Cases.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to report the post-surgical and oncologic outcomes of patients who underwent supracricoid partial laryngectomy (SCPL). METHODS: 90 patients who underwent SCPL between 1994 and 2014 were reviewed. 45 patients underwent cricohyoidopexy (CHP) and 45 patients cricohyoidoepiglottopexy (CHEP). Median nasogastric (NG) tube removal time, decannulation time, overall survival, disease-free survival and local control rates were calculated. The effect of the type of surgery on functional and oncologic outcomes were assessed. RESULTS: Median NG tube removal time was 16.5 days (IQR = 10) and 14 days (IQR = 9) in CHP and CHEP patients, respectively (p > 0.05). Median decannulation time was 30 days (IQR = 26) and 19 days (IQR = 15) in CHP and CHEP patients, respectively (p < 0.05). Resection of one arytenoid significantly increased NG tube removal time. Median follow-up time was 55 months. There were 15 oncologic failures and the median time interval for tumor recurrence was 9 months. Five-year overall survival rate was 80.4%. The 3- and 5-year disease-free specific survival rates were 81.7 and 76.7%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Given the more extensive surgery applied for CHP, functional outcomes were better in patients with CHEP. Resection of an arytenoid had a negative outcome on swallowing.

Use of Cervical Fascia to Prevent Pharyngocutaneus Fistula After Total Laryngectomy.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) between patients who underwent reconstruction using cervical fascia after total laryngectomy and those who did not and to investigate the factors affecting PCF rates. METHODS: We retrospectively compared 22 patients operated between February 2021 and March 2023 who received cervical fascia flap as the study group and 21 patients operated between January 2018 and March 2023 who did not receive fascia flap as the control group. The study included patients who underwent total laryngectomy for Stage 3 and 4 squamous cell laryngeal cancer. RESULTS: We included 43 patients, with 22 (51.2%) and 21 patients (48.8%) in the study and control groups, respectively. The age and sex were not different between the two groups (p = 0.471, p = 0.176, respectively). The distribution of patients as per sex, smoking, alcohol use, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and multiple comorbidities was similar in both groups (p > 0.05). PCF was observed in one patient (4.5%) and seven patients (33.3%) in the study and control groups, respectively. The PCF rate was significantly lower in the study group (p = 0.021). When the relationship between flap use and risk factors was compared by correlation analysis, a moderate negative relationship was found between flap use and PCF (p = 0.015, r = -0.370). CONCLUSION: The use of a cervical fascia flap is effective in reducing fistula rates after total laryngectomy. Its main advantages include being technically simpler than alternative techniques, locally available, cost-effective. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3 Laryngoscope, 2024.

Modified bilateral fasciaperichondrial flap for prominent ear correction.

OBJECTIVE: Various techniques have been described in the literature for prominent ear correction. These cartilage-preserving or cartilage-shaping techniques have their own advantages and disadvantages. We aim to achieve aesthetic and stable results with low complication rates using combinations of these methods. Herein, we present our results of prominent ear surgery with a modified bilateral fasciaperichondrial flap in combination with concha-mastoid and concha-scaphal sutures. METHODS: Patients whose surgeries included a modified bilateral fasciaperichondrial flap for prominent ear deformities were included in the study. Patients' demographic data, pre- and postoperative Concha-Mastoid Angle (CMA) and upper-middle Helix-Mastoid Distances (HMD), follow-up time, complications, secondary operations, and postoperative Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) results were evaluated. With a postauricular fish-mouth incision, the bilateral fasciaperichondrial flap was planned into two: proximal- and distal-based. They were then elevated from the cartilage subperichondrially on the proximal side and supraperichondrially on the distal side. Concha-scaphal sutures were used to form an antihelical rim along with concha-mastoid sutures to reduce the concha-mastoid angle. Conchal cartilage resection was done if needed. Then, the bilateral fasciaperichondrial flaps were sutured together to cover the concha-mastoid and concha-scaphal sutures. RESULTS: Between May 2017 and May 2021, 32 ears of 17 patients were operated on due to prominent ear deformity. No hematoma or infection was observed in any patient, and there were no instances of recurrence, suture exposure, hypertrophic scars, or keloids. The satisfaction level of all patients was 8.2 ±â€¯0.9 points on average according to the VAS. In the anthropometric measurements, a statistically significant difference was found between preoperative and postoperative sixth month CMA and HMD values. CONCLUSION: A combination of suture techniques and a modified bilateral fasciaperichondrial flap may be used in prominent ear cases, with low recurrence rates and high patient satisfaction. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Total Transcanal Endoscopic Ear Surgery for Cholesteatoma.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of total transcanal endoscopic cholesteatoma surgery. Methods: Twenty-seven cholesteatoma patients that had undergone transcanal endoscopic ear surgery (TEES) were included in the study. Age, sex, operation date of patients, operated side, need for ossiculoplasty, graft material, and surgical technique were recorded. All patients were evaluated through otoscopic, endoscopic, and audiological examinations and followed up for at least five months after surgery. All patients were staged using the European Academy of Otology and Neurotology/Japan Otological Society (EAONO/JOS) Staging System on Middle Ear Cholesteatoma. Results: Mean age of the patients was 36.4 years (range, 4-67 years). According to the EAONO/JOS Staging System, 11 patients were stage 1, while 11 were stage 2, and five were stage 3. Two had lateral semicircular canal defect, one had facial canal dehiscence, and one had oval window defect. The average follow-up period was 19 months (range, 5-41 months), during which two patients experienced retraction pocket and hearing loss and one patient had perforation. One patient underwent revision surgery during follow-up and no recurrence or residual cholesteatoma was observed. The preoperative and postoperative air-bone gaps were 25.14±13.93 dB and 22.22±12.64 dB with no significant difference. Conclusion: TEES is a minimally invasive and safe procedure with low complication and recurrence rates. As with all surgical procedures, experience is essential, and as experience increases, the capability to perform endoscopic otologic surgery on more complex cases may become possible.

Primary Laryngeal Granulocytic Sarcoma: A Case Report.

Granulocytic sarcoma (GS) is a malignancy of the bone marrow precursor cells, often associated with acute or chronic myeloid leukemia, forming isolated masses with extramedullary spread. It rarely shows laryngeal involvement. In this case report, a case of GS accompanying acute myeloid leukemia involving larynx with mass of neck and mediastinum as two separate masses was presented.

Quality of Life in Older Adults with Cochlear Implantation: Can It Be Equal to That of Healthy Older Adults?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the audiologic results after cochlear implantation (CI) in older patients and the degree of improvement in their quality of life (QoL). Subjects and. METHODS: Patients over 65 years old who underwent CI at implant center in Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital were included in this study (n=54; 34 males and 20 females). The control group was patient over 65 years old with normal hearing (n=54; 34 males and 20 females). We administered three questionnaires [World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF), World Health Organization Quality of Life-OLD (WHOQOL-OLD)], and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) to evaluate the QoL, CIrelated effects on activities of daily life, and social activities in all the subjects. Moreover, correlations between speech recognition and the QoL scores were evaluated. The duration of implant use and comorbidities were also examined as potential factors affecting QoL. RESULTS: The patients had remarkable improvements (the mean score of postoperative speech perception 75.7%) in speech perception after CI. The scores for the WHOQOL-OLD and WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire responses were similar in both the study and control groups, except those for a two subdomains (social relations and social participation). The patients with longer-term CI had higher scores than those with short-term CI use. In general, the changes in GDS scores were not significant (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The treatment of hearing loss with CI conferred significant improvement in patient's QoL (p<0.01). The evaluation of QoL can provide multidimensional insights into a geriatric patient's progress and, therefore, should be considered by audiologists.

A Case with Thyroid Cartilage Fracture after Sneezing.

Non-traumatic laryngeal injuries are unusual occasions. In the medical literature we found only six reports of cases that had laryngeal injury after sneezing. We report a case of a 34-year-old man diagnosed with thyroid cartilage fracture after a strong sneeze. In physical examination, edema and hematoma were seen in the right vocal cord and the right band. Computed tomography scan revealed an anterior thyroid cartilage fracture without separation. Antibiotics and steroids were administered. This is a very rare entity and the seventh case reported in the literature. Ear Nose Throat specialist should be aware of this situation.

Pediatric Bell's palsy: prognostic factors and treatment outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic facial paralysis or Bell`s palsy is the most common type of peripheral facial paralysis. Children with Bell`s palsy is an uneasy situation for the family and physician with questions about the etiology, treatment options and the healing process. Here, we aimed to compare the epidemiologic features and prognostic factors of patients with Bell`s palsy aged < 18 years. METHODS: Records of patients with Bell`s palsy who were admitted to our clinic between January 2008 and December 2017 were evaluated. RESULTS: Forty-seven patients with Bell`s palsy were included to this study. The patients` ages varied between 7 and 17 (14.7±2.5) years. At the end of at least 6 months of follow-up, 32 (68.1%) of the patients presented with House Brackmann (HB) grade 1 facial paralysis, while 12 (25.5%) of them had grade 2 and 3 (6.4%) of them had grade 3 facial paralysis. Mean neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in patients with advanced grades (grade 4, 5, 6) was higher, compared to that of patients with grade 2 and 3 (4.10 ± 1.06 vs 1.34 ± 1.02 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In our study, the response rate to treatment was high. In differential diagnosis, congenital anomalies, malignancy, trauma, middle ear infection and surgery should be considered. In addition, NLR at admission can be considered as a prognostic factor.

Modified bilateral fasciaperichondrial flap for prominent ear correction

Abstract Objective: Various techniques have been described in the literature for prominent ear correction. These cartilage-preserving or cartilage-shaping techniques have their own advantages and disadvantages. We aim to achieve aesthetic and stable results with low complication rates using combinations of these methods. Herein, we present our results of prominent ear surgery with a modified bilateral fasciaperichondrial flap in combination with concha-mastoid and concha-scaphal sutures. Methods: Patients whose surgeries included a modified bilateral fasciaperichondrial flap for prominent ear deformities were included in the study. Patients' demographic data, pre- and postoperative Concha-Mastoid Angle (CMA) and upper-middle Helix-Mastoid Distances (HMD), follow-up time, complications, secondary operations, and postoperative Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) results were evaluated. With a postauricular fish-mouth incision, the bilateral fasciaperichondrial flap was planned into two: proximal- and distal-based. They were then elevated from the cartilage subperichondrially on the proximal side and supraperichondrially on the distal side. Concha-scaphal sutures were used to form an antihelical rim along with concha-mastoid sutures to reduce the concha-mastoid angle. Conchal cartilage resection was done if needed. Then, the bilateral fasciaperichondrial flaps were sutured together to cover the concha-mastoid and concha-scaphal sutures. Results: Between May 2017 and May 2021, 32 ears of 17 patients were operated on dueto prominent ear deformity. No hematoma or infection was observed in any patient, and there were no instances of recurrence, suture exposure, hypertrophic scars, or keloids. The satisfaction level of all patients was 8.2 ± 0.9 points on average according to the VAS. In the anthropometric measurements, a statistically significant difference was found between preoperative and postoperative sixth month CMA and HMD values. Conclusion: A combination of suture techniques and a modified bilateral fasciaperichondrial flap may be used in prominent ear cases, with low recurrence rates and high patient satisfaction. Level of evidence: III.

Reconstruction of Orbital Walls with Bone Cement in a Maxillectomy Patient.

Orbital wall defects occur because of trauma and secondary to oncologic surgery. Reconstruction of orbital bones is of most importance to ensure normal eye functions and cosmesis. Acrylic resin materials can be used instead of a bone in orbital wall defects that are secondary to the resection of tumors invading the orbita. Polymethyl methacrylate is one of the acrylic resin materials. In this study, the orbital wall reconstruction technique with bone cement after maxillectomy and results are reported.

Acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis: Survival analysis and the prognostic indicators.

BACKGROUND: Acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis (AIFR) is a highly mortal, progressive fungal infection of the paranasal sinuses and surrounding structures that is almost always seen in patients who are immunocompromised. Despite the use of newer antifungal treatments and early diagnosis, the prognosis of AIFR does not improve significantly. Due to the higher incidence of patients who are immunocompromised and have more complex disease, AIFR is a growing medical issue in tertiary medical centers. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to present the outcomes and analyze the prognostic indicators of patients with AIFR who underwent surgery. METHODS: Between October 2009 and November 2014, 37 patients who underwent surgery for AIFR at a tertiary care university hospital were included in the study. Overall survival and disease-specific mortality and survival rates were calculated to estimate survival function. The impact of age, sex, underlying disease, extent of AIFR, applied medical treatment, and causative species (mucormycosis, aspergillosis) were also taken into consideration. Also, the effect of a variety of laboratory parameters, such as hemoglobin, leukocyte, neutrophil, lymphocyte, platelet, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, to survival were evaluated. RESULTS: The median follow-up time was 58 days (interquartile range = 304). Overall and disease-specific mortality rates were 64.9 and 51.4%, respectively. Fever was the most common symptom (86.5%), along with nasal obstruction and/or fullness (48.6%) and epistaxis (48.6%). Age and sex did not have a significant impact on survival (p > 0.05). Palate involvement was significantly associated with mortality (p < 0.05). According to the results of Cox, regression analysis for disease-specific mortality rate, leukocyte and neutrophil counts as well as CRP levels had a significant effect on survival function (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Palatal involvement was associated with a higher mortality in our study. Also, leukocyte counts, neutrophile counts, and CRP values had a significant impact on survival function. The reversal of the underlying disease and immunosuppression is as important as the medical and surgical treatment.