Performing otolaryngological outpatient consultation during the Covid-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The Covid-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the Otolaryngology outpatient clinical practice, which is at high risk of respiratory viral transmission due to the close contact between the examiner and the patient's airway secretions [1]. Moreover, most otolaryngological procedures, including oropharyngoscopy, generate droplets or aerosols from high viral shedding areas [1]. Thus, only non-deferrable consultations were performed in the outbreak's acute phase. Along with the re-opening of elective clinical services and the impending second wave of the outbreak, a reorganization is necessary to minimize the risk of nosocomial transmission [1]. METHODS: This video (Video 1) shows how to safely conduct an outpatient Otorhinolaryngological consultation, focusing on complete ear, nose and throat examination, according to evidences from the published literature and Otolaryngological societies guidelines [2,3]. RESULTS: After telephonic screening, patients reporting Covid-19 symptoms or closecontact with a Covid-19 case within the last 14 days are referred to telehealth services [1-3]. To avoid crowding, the patient is admitted alone, after body temperature control, except for underage or disabled people [1]. The waiting room assessment must guarantee a social distance of 6 ft [1-3]. The consultation room is reorganized into two separate areas (Fig. 1): 1) a clean desk area, where an assistant wearing a surgical mask and gloves, handles the patient's documentation and writes the medical report, keeping proper distance from the patient, and 2) a separate consultation area, where the examiner, equipped with proper personal protective equipment (Fig. 2) [3,4], carries out the medical interview and physical examination. Endoscopic-assisted ear, nose and throat inspection using a dedicated monitor allows the examiner to maintain an adequate distance from the patient throughout the procedure while providing an optimal view (Figs. 3-6) [3]. Recent evidence shows that nasal endoscopy does not increase droplet production compared to traditional otolaryngological examination [5]. When necessary, nasal topic decongestion and anesthesia must be performed using cottonoids rather than sprays [3]. The patient keeps the nose and mouth covered throughout the consultation, lowering the surgical mask on the mouth for nasal endoscopy and removing it only for oropharyngoscopy. After the consultation, the doffing procedure must be carried out carefully to avoid contamination [4]. All the equipment and surfaces must undergo high-level disinfection with 70% alcohol or 0.1% bleach solutions [3]. Proper room ventilation must precede the next consultation [3]. CONCLUSIONS: The hints provided in this video are useful to ensure both patient and examiner safety during Otolaryngological outpatient consultations and to reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmission.

Machine learning in laryngeal cancer: A pilot study to predict oncological outcomes and the role of adverse features.

BACKGROUND: Laryngeal carcinoma (LC) remains a significant economic and emotional problem to the healthcare system and severe social morbidity. New tools as Machine Learning could allow clinicians to develop accurate and reproducible treatments. METHODS: This study aims to evaluate the performance of a ML-algorithm in predicting 1- and 3-year overall survival (OS) in a cohort of patients surgical treated for LC. Moreover, the impact of different adverse features on prognosis will be investigated. Data was collected on oncological FU of 132 patients. A retrospective review was performed to create a dataset of 23 variables for each patient. RESULTS: The decision-tree algorithm is highly effective in predicting the prognosis, with a 95% accuracy in predicting the 1-year survival and 82.5% in 3-year survival; The measured AUC area is 0.886 at 1-year Test and 0.871 at 3-years Test. The measured AUC area is 0.917 at 1-year Training set and 0.964 at 3-years Training set. Factors that affected 1yOS are: LNR, type of surgery, and subsite. The most significant variables at 3yOS are: number of metastasis, perineural invasion and Grading. CONCLUSIONS: The integration of ML in medical practices could revolutionize our approach on cancer pathology.

Combined Endonasal-Transorbital Approach to Manage the Far Lateral Frontal Sinus: Surgical Technique.

In recent decades, the ever-expanding use of endoscopes and development of dedicated instrumentation have reshaped the panorama of surgical approaches to the frontal sinus.1 Nonetheless, the far lateral portion of the sinus might still represent a concern, especially in cases with unfavorable or distorted anatomy.2,3 We report the case of a 52-year-old man, referred to our department for recurrent episodes of left orbital swelling and supraorbital headache, 3 months after Draf III frontal sinusotomy for marsupialization of multiple frontal mucoceles. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans were consistent with persistent inflammatory tissue in the far lateral left frontal sinus. Revision surgery was performed, adopting a combined endonasal orbital transposition3 and superior eyelid transorbital approach.4,5 The postoperative course was uneventful, and the microbiologic and histologic examinations demonstrated noninvasive Aspergillus fumigatus infection. The radiologic control showed patency of the frontal recess and complete clearance of the sinus. The patient is asymptomatic after 16 months (Video 1). The transorbital approach is effective in managing orbital and frontal sinus diseases,6 and the combination with the endonasal route grants complete access to the frontal sinus, even in cases of high pneumatization and lateral extension.4,7 Multiportal transorbital approaches represent additional techniques in the rhinologist's surgical armamentarium, which can overcome the limits of a single port approach.8,9 Reports on their use providing technical hints and critical considerations are to be encouraged to ease and stimulate the surgical training in this field.

Temporoparietal Fascia Flap Endonasal Transposition in Skull Base Reconstruction: Surgical Technique.

Reconstruction of wide skull base defects resulting from multimodal treatment of cranial base malignancies are challenging.1 Endonasal pedicled flaps (e.g., Hadad-Bassagusteguy flap)1,2 are generally the first choice; however, inadequacy for the size and location of the defect or their unavailability are common occurrences in salvage reconstructions, and prior irradiation is an additional unfavorable condition for local flap viability. The temporoparietal fascia flap (TPFF)3 is a regional flap vascularized by the superficial temporal artery, which is able to survive and integrate even in postirradiated areas. Its properties, such as thinness, pliability, foldability, and the long pedicle, make it a versatile flap for reconstruction of various defects of the skull base, both in adults3-7 and children.8 In lateral skull surgery, TPFF proved to be effective in patients at higher risk of cerebrospinal fluid leak,7 whereas its transposition into the nasal cavity through a temporal-infratemporal tunnel has been widely reported to repair defects of the ventral skull base.3-6 It represents a safe and effective technique with minimal additional morbidity (potential alopecia or scalp necrosis).4,5 A recently described modification of this technique supports TPFF transposition via a supraorbital epidural corridor to reach the anterior skull base, especially for large defects with supraorbital extension.6 The present video (Video 1) shows the step-by-step TPFF harvesting and endonasal transposition via a temporal-infratemporal tunnel to repair a wide middle cranial fossa defect resulting from osteoradionecrosis after endoscopic resection and heavy-particle radiation therapy for sinonasal adenoid-cystic carcinoma. At 6-months follow-up, optimal healing without complications was observed.

Modified Posterior Pedicle Middle Turbinate Flap: An Additional Option for Skull Base Resurfacing.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Although the Hadad-Bassagusteguy flap represents the first choice for middle and posterior skull base reconstruction and coverage of exposed bony areas, in some cases it is unavailable. The aim of this study is to describe, as an alternative option in selected cases, a modified posterior pedicle middle turbinate flap (mPPMTF) extended to the lacrimal area. Anatomical features, step-by-step harvesting technique, and surgical applications are presented. STUDY DESIGN: Anatomic dissection study and case report. METHODS: Four mPPMTFs were raised in two fresh-frozen cadaver heads. A study of the vascular supply and measurements of length, width, and area of the flap were performed. The ability of the flap to cover the ventral skull base, particularly the upper clivus area, was tested. A clinical case in which an mPPMTF was used for clivus resurfacing after osteoradionecrosis is reported. RESULTS: The vascular supply of the mPPMTF was identified as the middle turbinate branch of the sphenopalatine artery. The flap had a mean length of 6.92 cm, mean maximum width of 1.08 cm, and mean total area of 5.33 cm2 . The flap was able to reach the upper clivus, with a clival coverage ratio of 70.66%. In the clinical case, good surgical outcomes were observed, with accelerated re-epithelization without complications. CONCLUSIONS: The mPPMTF represents an alternative to the Hadad-Bassagusteguy flap for posterior cranial fossa and nasopharynx resurfacing. The main drawbacks are its technically demanding and time-consuming harvesting. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 131:E767-E774, 2021.

Complications of adenotonsillectomy in pediatric age.

Although in recent years adenotonsillectomy procedures have shown an overall reduction in number, this surgery continues to be the most frequently performed in our speciality, especially in pediatric age. The progressive improvement in both surgical techniques and devices and anaesthesia has made adenotonsillectomy a less risky manoeuvre, but this does not mean that it is free from potential adverse events or even an easy, routine and risk-free procedure, as presented by some para scientific literature and mass media. Here we address issues related to the complications that can arise when performing this surgical procedure, which can be very serious.

Endoscopic Endonasal Transpterygoid Approach to Sphenoid Sinus Lateral Recess Defects.

Background Lesions affecting sphenoid sinus lateral recess (SSLR) are difficult to visualize and manipulate through the transnasal routes, especially when the sinus is highly pneumatized. External approaches to this area involve extensive surgery and are associated with significant morbidity. The aims of this study are to present our experience with the endoscopic transpterygoid approach as a method for approaching lesions of the SSLR and to evaluate the outcomes of this procedure. Methods Clinical charts of patients who had lesions in the SSLR and who were treated at our institution from September 1998 to June 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. All these patients were managed by the endoscopic endonasal transpterygoid approach. Results Thirty-nine patients were identified. No cerebrospinal fluid leak recurrences were observed during follow-up (range: 1-19.7 years; median: 2.3 years). Hypoesthesia (temporary, 1; persistent, 4) in the region innervated by the maxillary branch of the trigeminal nerve was detected in five (12.8%) patients, while symptoms due to the Vidian nerve damage (dry eye, 3; dry nasal mucosa, 1) were present in four (10%) patients. Conclusions Although the endoscopic endonasal transpterygoid approach is an excellent corridor for dealing with lesions of the SSLR, limited rate of neurologic and lacrimal complications was observed. Potential morbidity of the intervention should be discussed during preoperative counselling.