[Hypoglossal Stimulation: Indication, Surgical Technique and Clinical Results]. / Hypoglossus-Stimulation: Indikation, operative Technik und klinische Ergebnisse.

Hypoglossal stimulation is a safe and effective treatment option for patients with obstructive sleep apnea and unsuccessful PAP therapy. A number of criteria must be met for the indication: proof of failed PAP therapy and ineffectiveness of the other therapy alternatives, AHI of 15-65/h (a relevant number of central and/or mixed apneas should be excluded) and BMI up to max. 35kg/m2. In the case of the respiratory-synchronous and bilateral stimulation system, a complete concentric collapse at the velum level should currently be ruled out in DISE. In the future, stimulation of the branch of the ansa cervicalis innervating the sternothyroid muscle and the ramus internus of the superior laryngeal nerve could open up additional treatment options.

[Management of the partial avulsions of the auricle]. / Management der Ohrmuschelteilamputationen.

Injuries of the auricle can range from simple lacerations to complete avulsions. Many techniques of ear replantation have been described in the literature in addition to the type and extent of the involved auricular structures. A direct reattachment of the amputated pinna without microsurgery is rarely successful due to necrosis of the avulsed fragment. Whereas, reconstructions with pocket methods and their variations might lead to better results. In this article we would like to discuss some of these approaches and demonstrate a two-stage reconstruction technique for subtotal avulsion of the auricle.

The impact of a standardized vocal loading test on vocal fold oscillations.

INTRODUCTION: Vocal loading capacity is an important aspect of vocal health and is measured using standardized vocal loading tests. However, it remains unclear how vocal fold oscillation patterns are influenced by a standardized vocal loading task. METHODS: 21 (10 male, 11 female) vocally healthy subjects were analyzed concerning the dysphonia severity index (DSI) and high speed videolaryngoscopy (HSV) on the vowel /i/ at a comfortable pitch and loudness before and after a standardized vocal loading test (10 min standardized text reading, at a level higher than 80 dB (A) measured at 30 cm from the mouth). RESULTS: Changes in DSI were statistically significant, diminishing by 1.2 points after the vocal loading test, which was mainly caused by an increase of the minimum intensity. However, the pre-post comparison of HSV derived measures failed to show any statistically significant changes. CONCLUSION: It seems necessary to analyze the effects of a standardized vocal loading test on vocal fold oscillation patterns with respect to softest phonation and phonation threshold pressure rather than comfortable pitch and loudness. Level of evidence 2c.

[A systematic review and current recommendation for treatment of rhinophyma]. / Übersicht und aktuelle Empfehlung zur Therapie des Rhinophyms.

Rhinophyma is a benign disease involving the skin of the nose, which is characterized by skin thickening and hypertrophy of the sebaceous glands and connective tissue. It occurs predominantly by Caucasians in their fifth to seventh life decades and is 12-30 times more likely to affect males. The etiology and pathogenesis of Rhinophyma remains unclear, however it is generally stated to be the final stage of rosacea. A causative relationship between rhinophyma and alcohol consumption has not yet been proven. This review highlights the treatment options of rhinophyma. Surgery is gold standard for management of advanced rhinophyma. Each technique has pros and cons, but using surgical instruments with monopolar energy as loop and ball electrode seem to combine several goals best - first of all simultaneous removal and hemostasis followed by nasal contour refinement. Due to possible coincidence of skin cancer such as a basal- or squamous cell carcinoma, histopathological examination of all removed tissue is recommended.

Stimulation of the Internal Superior Laryngeal Nerve as a Potential Therapy for Obstructive Sleep Apnea in a Porcine Model.

Impaired pharyngeal sensing of negative pressure can lead to a blunted response of the upper airway dilator muscles and contribute to the development of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This response is modulated by the nerve fibers in the internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (iSLN), mediating negative pressure sensation. Artificial excitation of these fibers could be a potential treatment target for OSA. To evaluate this, electrostimulation of the iSLN was performed in a porcine isolated upper airway model. Artificial obstructions were induced by varying levels of negative pressure and the ability of the animal to resolve these obstructions was evaluated. The pressure at which the animal was still able to resolve the obstruction was quantified as 'Resolvable Pressure'. Thereby, the effects on pharyngeal patency (n=35) and the duration of the therapeutic effect outlasting the stimulation (n=6) were quantified. Electrostimulation prior to the introduction of an artificial obstruction improved the median resolvable pressure from -28.3 cmH2O [IQR: -45.9; -26.1] to -92.6 cmH2O [IQR: -105.1; -78.6]. The median therapeutic effect was found to outlast the last stimulation burst applied by 163 s when five stimulation bursts were applied in short succession [IQR: 58; 231], 58 s when two were applied [IQR: 7; 65], and 6 s when one was applied [IQR: 0; 51]. Stimulation of the iSLN increased EMG in the genioglossus. The proposed treatment concept can improve pharyngeal patency in the model. Transfer of the results to clinical application could enable the development of a new neuromodulation therapy for OSA.