[Parathyroid hormone values in thyroid gland surgeries by harmonic scalpel and by conventional methods]. / Usporedba vrijednosti paratiroidnog hormona pri operacijama stitne zlijezde ultrazvucnim rezacem i konvencionalnim metodama.

We have examined if there are any differences in intraoperative and early postoperative concentrations of parathyroid hormone between the first group of patients, who had thyroidectomy surgery performed by harmonic scalpel, and the second group of patients operated on by standard techniqes with the use of electrocoagulation and ligature as primary hemostatic procedures. All the patients having total thyroidectomy had their blood taken in four measurement points; immediately after the induction anesthesia, 10 minutes after the first thyroid gland lobe removal, 10 minutes after total thyroid gland removal and 24 hours after the surgery. The blood samples were used to determine concentrations of the parathyroid hormone by an immunoradiometric test. The concentration comparison of parathyroid hormone between the first and the second group has not shown statistically significant difference for any of the four measurement points. The concentration comparison of parathyroid hormone within the same groups in relation to preoperational values (the first measurement point) has shown that in both groups the parathyroid hormone concentration, in all three post-incision measurement points, has been significantly lower in relation to the concentration measured before the surgery (p < 0.0005).

Inferior turbinate osteoma as a cause of unilateral nose obstruction.

Osteomas are benign, slow growing bone tumors often seen in paranasal sinuses, mostly in the frontal sinus, whereas they are rare in the nasal cavity. Inferior turbinate osteoma is extremely rare and our case is the third reported in the literature to date. Symptoms vary depending on the location, size and spreading and nasal obstruction is the most common symptom. Treatment of osteomas is surgical and is reserved only for rapidly growing osteomas with symptoms of infection or compression. Although endoscopic surgery is preferred modality, external approach with lateral rhinotomy should be considered with larger osteomas especially those that involve the ethmoid labyrinth. In cases like ours, when large osteoma is localized on the inferior nasal turbinate, sublabial incision through the vestibulum is very suitable approach because it provides wide access and good visibility and leaves no visible scar.

Analysis of saliva pepsin level in patients with tracheoesophageal fistula and voice prosthesis complications.

The aim of this crossectional study was to investigate the relationship between pepsin concentration in saliva and the occurrence of tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF) complications and voice prosthesis (VP) complications, after total laryngectomy and VP implantation. We assessed the concentrations of pepsin in the saliva of 41 laryngectomized patients and correlated it with the incidence of TEF complications (periprostethic leakage, atrophy, esophageal mucosa hypertrophy, granulations, fistula enlargement, and VP dislocation), VP complications (transprosthetic leakage, Candida infection) and voice quality. Pepsin levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA). Voice quality was assessed by Harrison-Robilard--Schultz (HRS) scale. In all, 17 (42%) patients had complications. All of them had TEF complications, whereas VP complication, together with TEF was found in 9 (22%) patients. We found no significant correlation between adjuvant radiotherapy and TEF complications. Most of patients, 30 (73%), had positive pepsin level in saliva. Median value of pepsin concentration in all patients was 4.8 (range 81.7). Median pepsin concentration was higher in patients free of TEF or VP complications (6.6, range 81.7 vs. 3.2, range 19.3) but that difference was not statistically significant (Mann-Whitney test, Z--1.562, p = 0.118). In addition, statistically insignificant negative correlation between pepsin levels and voice quality measured by HRS scale (Spearman's rho, p > 0.05). Although reflux was proposed as cause of TEF complications and pepsin has been proven as a most sensitive and specific marker of ekstraesophageal reflux, we did not find any statistically significant correlation between pepsin levels and occurrence of TEF or VP complications.

Harmonic scalpel surgical treatment of the tongue angioleomyoma--case report and review of the literature.

Angioleiomyoma is benign soft tissue tumor composed of smooth muscle cells and vascular endothelium, characterized with slow growth, unspecific symptoms and rare malignant transformation. It is very rare in the head and neck region and complete surgical excision is the gold standard for diagnosis and treatment. We present a very rare case of angoleomyoma of the tounge base treated with partial glosectomy with harmonic scalpel which shortened surgical procedure, reduced bleeding and postoperative complications.