Prospective evaluation of oral corticosteroid as a predictor of postoperative olfactory recovery after functional endoscopic surgery for nasal polyposis.

PURPOSE: Anticipating the possibility of olfactory recovery after functional endoscopic surgery (FES) in nasal polyposis (NP) is difficult. The main objective of this study was to assess the predictive factors of recovering the sense of smell after radical bilateral ethmoidectomy. Secondary objectives were to identify other predictors of olfactory recovery. METHODS: Open prospective study was conducted at the Nantes University Hospital including all patients with NP operated on in the Ear, Nose, and Throat Department between January 2011 and September 2017. These patients underwent functional endoscopic surgery (radical ethmoidectomy) after medical treatment failure. Olfaction was quantified prospectively and systematically during the preoperative consultation using a visual analog scale. Multivariate analysis evaluated the presence of predictive factors of postoperative olfactory recovery. RESULTS: One hundred nineteen patients were included in the study. Overall, olfaction was partially improved after surgery. For patients who presented greater than 50% recovery of olfaction after systemic corticosteroid therapy before surgery, we observed a predictive better rate of olfactory recovery after surgery (p < 0.001). Age over 65 years, a history of sinonasal surgery, associated asthma, and bacterial colonization were not associated with less postoperative olfactory recovery. CONCLUSION: This study identified an objective factor that may influence olfactory recovery after FES using a therapeutic trial for olfactory recovery after oral corticosteroid treatment taken before surgery.

Management of primary hyperthyroidism: toward minimal access surgery.

Fifteen years ago, bilateral exploration of the neck was dogma in parathyroid surgery. Now, less invasive procedures can be used to target lesions identified by new tests such as dual-phase Sestamibi scanning or intraoperative documentation of parathyroid hormone (PTH) level changes after removal of a parathyroid gland. A hand-held gamma probe can be used for intraoperative detection of high-uptake lesions, and video-assisted endoscopic surgery has been used successfully. With these new techniques, surgical exploration can be confined to one side of the neck through smaller incisions associated with better cosmetic results. The operating time is reduced, and in some cases the procedure can be done under local anesthesia. The objective of this article is to describe recent changes in the management of parathyroid adenoma requiring surgery.