Different barbed pharyngoplasty techniques for retropalatal collapse in obstructive sleep apnea patients: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The use of barbed sutures (BS) for the treatment of retropalatal collapse and vibration in patients suffering from snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) has significantly increased in the last few years. Many surgeons have discovered the advantages and unique properties of the BS and allowed the popular surgical pharyngoplasty techniques to be updated and improved. METHODS: A systematic review was performed to identify all the clinical studies concerning the different barbed pharyngoplasty (BP) techniques used for the treatment of palatal collapse in snoring and OSA patients. A qualitative analysis of data extracted was conducted. RESULTS: We included 12 studies of which 10 are prospective and 2 retrospective: 9 single-arm studies on the efficacy of a specific BP technique, 1 randomized clinical trial on the comparison between BP and control groups, and 2 studies on the correlation between two different BP techniques. To date, in the literature, 5 different types of BP techniques have been described: barbed snore surgery, barbed reposition pharyngoplasty, barbed expansion sphincter pharyngoplasty, barbed suture suspension, and barbed soft palate posterior webbing flap pharyngoplasty. All the studies showed an overall improvement in the primary efficacy parameters investigated (apnea-hypopnea index, oxygen desaturation index, and Epworth sleepiness scale) in each of the surgical techniques performed without any major complications. CONCLUSIONS: Given the extreme heterogeneity of the studies analyzed, it is necessary to perform more randomized and control studies on large samples aimed to define the best BP technique based on its effectiveness, surgical success rate, patient's compliance, and complications.

Management of Parapharyngeal Space Tumor Using Transoral Robotic Surgery: The Tonsillar Fossa Battlefield.

INTRODUCTION: The management of parapharyngeal space (PPS) tumors is surgical, but the approach remains a challenge. Attention should be paid to avoid intra-operative bleeding, cranial nerves damage, and external scars. PRESENTATION OF CASE: The authors report a case of a 23-year-old female, with complaint of progressive, painless swelling just below the right angle of the mandible of 6-month's duration. Magnetic resonance imaging images reported the presence of an oval-shaped expansive lesion (maximum diameter 3 cm), from the lower polar region of the parotid gland while fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) was not diagnostic. We performed a Trans Oral Robotic surgical excision of the tumors with Da Vinci Robot. DISCUSSION: Thanks to a detailed magnification, the authors were able to reach the PPS region through the tonsillar fossa saving the palatine tonsil without any significant bleeding or nerve lesions. The histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of pleomorphic adenoma of parotid gland. The decision on which surgical approach to be used is determined by site, size vascularity, histology of the tumor, and knowledge of radiological images. CONCLUSION: There is not only 1 surgical approach for PPS tumors but the surgeon must know all the different options and possible outcomes. Transoral Robotic Surgery approach with Da Vinci could represent a valid option with a good knowledge of Robot surgical instruments and a detailed preoperative plan.

Water protection in paediatric patients with ventilation tubes: Myth or reality? A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Myringotomy with ventilation tube (VT) insertion is one the most performed procedures in children and adolescents worldwide. VTs usually remain in the eardrum between 6 and 12 months and during this period otorrhoea is the most frequent complication. For years, parents have been advised to protect the ears of children with VTs from contact with water, as water exposure in the middle ear is likely to cause acute otitis media. However, there is a growing evidence that water should not traverse VTs unless under significant pressure, so routine water precautions should not be prescribed. Despite these recommendations, many otolaryngologists and paediatricians continue to prescribe earplugs during bathing or swimming or advise against aquatic activities. There are already two reviews in the current literature on this topic: the first used strict selection criteria and included only 2 high-quality studies, while the second presented evidence up to 2005. The aim of this review is to identify, summarize and critically appraise the current evidence concerning water precautions for children with VTs. METHODS: Two independent reviewers separately searched for related scientific papers. A qualitative synthesis analysis was performed considering the selected studies regarding the effects of water exposure on paediatric subjects with VTs. RESULTS: Four randomized clinical trials (RCT) and five prospective cohort studies were included, for a total of 1299 patients aged from 3 months to 14 years. No statistically significant difference in otorrhoea incidence between water exposure with and without ear protection in children with VTs, and between water exposure and no water exposure in children with VTs, was found. Therefore avoiding water is at best inconvenient and at worst may delay learning to swim. The decision to protect the ear when exposed to water should be individualized and protection should be recommended during the first month after surgery and in cases of recurrent otorrhoea. CONCLUSION: Based on the literature available, allowing water surface activities with no ear protection seems to present a minimum risk, so it is not necessary to prohibit patients from swimming. However, some recommendations should be followed.

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP): the correlation between expression of Galectin-10 and Clinical-Cytological Grading (CCG).

BACKGROUND: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is typically characterized by Type 2 inflammation. Several biomarkers of eosinophilic inflammation, including Galectin-10, also known as Charcot-Leyden crystal protein (CLCP), have been identified to establish eosinophilic infiltration of polyps, a reliable predictor of recurrence.Objective: We aimed to evaluate the Galectin-10 expression in nasal polyps of patients with CRSwNP and to assess the correlation of Charcot-Leyden crystals expression to the severity of CRSwNP according to Clinical-Cytological Grading (CCG). METHODS: A double-label immunofluorescence was performed to evaluate the expression of Gal-10, CD15, Tryptase, and CD63 and their eventual co-localization on histological samples of 18 patients with CRSwNP. Double-positive Gal-10+CD15+ and Galectin-10+Tryptase+ inflammatory cells were counted by confocal microscopy. RESULTS: Galectin-10 was detectable in all examined tissues from CRSwNP patients, and its expression increased as low, medium and high CCG tissues were examined, respectively. Galectin-10 was extensively present in inflammatory cells, while limited Galectin-10 deposits were detected around mucosal epithelial cells. CONCLUSION: We showed the strong correlation between CCG and Galectin-10 expression, mainly colocalized with infiltrating eosinophils and mast-cells, in patients affected by CRSwNP.

Update of endoscopic classification system of adenoid hypertrophy based on clinical experience on 7621 children.

Introduction: Nasal endoscopy is likely to be the method of choice to evaluate nasal obstruction and adenoid hypertrophy (AH) in children given its excellent diagnostic accuracy and low risk for the patient. The aim of this study was to update the previous classification of AH to guide physicians in choosing the best therapeutic option. Materials and methods: This is a retrospective observational study including 7621 children (3565 females; mean age 5.92; range: 3-14 years) who were managed for adenoid hypertrophy at our institution between 2003 and 2018. All patients were initially treated with medical therapy and then with surgery if not adequately controlled. We performed a specific analysis based on the presence or absence of comorbidities. Results: In 1845 (24.21%) patients, adenoid obstruction was classified as Grade I when the fiberoptic endoscopy showed adenoid tissue occupying < 25% of choanal space. In 2829 of 7621 (37.12%) patients, the adenoid tissue was scored as Grade II since it was confined to the upper half of nasopharynx, with sufficiently pervious choana and visualisation of tube ostium. In 1611 of 7621 (21.14%) cases, adenoid vegetation occupied about 75% of the nasopharynx with partial involvement of tube ostium and considerable obstruction of choanal openings, and was classified as Grade III. Finally, 1336 of 7621 (17.53%) patients were scored as Grade IV due to complete obstruction with adenoid tissue reaching the lower choanal border without allowing the visualisation of the tube ostium. Based on resolution of symptoms in Grade III obstruction after medical therapy (that was mostly seen in patients without comorbidities), we divided patients in two subclasses: Grade IIIA was not associated with comorbidities, while Grade IIIB was correlated with important comorbidities. Conclusions: These results can be useful to guide medical or surgical therapeutic intervention. In patients with class IIIB AH, surgical treatment offered adequate control not only of nasal symptoms but also of associated comorbidities.

Water protection in paediatric patients with ventilation tubes: Myth or reality? A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Myringotomy with ventilation tube (VT) insertion is one the most performed procedures in children and adolescents worldwide. VTs usually remain in the eardrum between 6 and 12 months and during this period otorrhoea is the most frequent complication. For years, parents have been advised to protect the ears of children with VTs from contact with water, as water exposure in the middle ear is likely to cause acute otitis media. However, there is a growing evidence that water should not traverse VTs unless under significant pressure, so routine water precautions should not be prescribed. Despite these recommendations, many otolaryngologists and paediatricians continue to prescribe earplugs during bathing or swimming or advise against aquatic activities. There are already two reviews in the current literature on this topic: the first used strict selection criteria and included only 2 high-quality studies, while the second presented evidence up to 2005. The aim of this review is to identify, summarize and critically appraise the current evidence concerning water precautions for children with VTs. METHODS: Two independent reviewers separately searched for related scientific papers. A qualitative synthesis analysis was performed considering the selected studies regarding the effects of water exposure on paediatric subjects with VTs. RESULTS: Four randomized clinical trials (RCT) and five prospective cohort studies were included, for a total of 1299 patients aged from 3 months to 14 years. No statistically significant difference in otorrhoea incidence between water exposure with and without ear protection in children with VTs, and between water exposure and no water exposure in children with VTs, was found. Therefore avoiding water is at best inconvenient and at worst may delay learning to swim. The decision to protect the ear when exposed to water should be individualized and protection should be recommended during the first month after surgery and in cases of recurrent otorrhoea. CONCLUSION: Based on the literature available, allowing water surface activities with no ear protection seems to present a minimum risk, so it is not necessary to prohibit patients from swimming. However, some recommendations should be followed.

Surgical mask and N95 in healthcare workers of Covid-19 departments: clinical and social aspects.

Introdution. In order to prevent or slow down the transmission of COVID-19, various public health measures have been introduced, including social distancing, environmental disinfection and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). In this perspective, the clinical practice of healthcare professionals has changed dramatically. As a matter of fact, the use of surgical masks and N95 has significantly worsened the job performance of workers who deal directly with COVID-19 disease. METHODS: The study included 116 health workers employed in the pulmonology, intensive care and infectious diseases departments of Bari and Foggia Hospital, directly involved in the healthcare of patients affected by COVID-19. Between May 1, 2020 and May 31, 2020, each participant completed an online questionnaire aimed to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on workers' lifestyle changes and job performances. We compared the results based on the type of mask used by each participant (surgical mask vs N95). RESULTS: Although disturbances related to the use of the mask arose earlier in subjects who wore the N95 (p = 0.0094), healthcare workers that wore surgical masks reported a statistically higher average score for a greater number of disorders. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study that compares the effects of the two most used PPE on the quality of life of health workers and which highlights the greater discomfort caused by surgical masks. This result brings to light a serious social problem, being surgical masks widely used in everyday life by ordinary people and non-healthcare workers.