The Use of Auricular Cartilage Grafts in Septorhinoplasty: A Dual-Centre Study of Donor Site Patient-Reported Outcome Measures.

Objectives The use of autologous grafts is a key aspect of contemporary septorhinoplasty. When septal cartilage is deficient, auricular cartilage serves as a biocompatible, readily accessible alternative. Our study aimed to assess donor site patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) where auricular cartilage has been harvested for use in septorhinoplasty, adding to the limited existing literature on this topic. Design A dual-centre, single-surgeon retrospective analysis of patients undergoing septorhinoplasty surgery with augmentation using auricular cartilage grafts was conducted. Grafts were harvested using an anterior anti-helical approach. Patients were followed up at one week, three months and 12 months post-operatively. Donor site outcomes were assessed across several physical and psychological domains by adapting the EAR-Q questionnaire, which was administered via telephone consultation. Responses were quantified using a Likert scale. Results A total of 22 patients met our inclusion criteria. Four were lost to follow-up, five were non-responders and one case was excluded due to documentation of body dysmorphic disorder. A significant proportion of patients reported no reduction in quality of life (QOL) or confidence attributed to donor site cosmesis. High satisfaction was noted with anti-helical donor site scars. Although noticeable differences in shape and symmetry were reported, these had negligible effects across psychological domains. Conclusions Preliminary results suggest high levels of patient satisfaction, with minimal physical and psychological donor site sequelae following auricular cartilage harvest in septorhinoplasty. Subsequent studies should involve the use of validated questionnaires, coupled with larger patient cohorts in order to provide further data for statistical analysis.

The role of the nasal region in craniofacial growth: An investigation using path analysis.

This study focuses on the role of the nasal region and its interactions with adjacent facial elements during early ontogeny. A series of linear measurements, areas and volumes were extracted from a collection of 227 medical CT-scans of children from 0 to 6 years of age. These measurements describe aspects of the form of the orbit, maxilla, peri-alveolar (subnasal) region, nasal area, eye, oral region, masseter, and temporal muscles. Hypothesized interactions were then examined using path analysis. Two paths were designed: the first to investigate potential interactions in, and relative contributions of the nasal derivatives and adjacent regions to overall facial growth and development; the second path sees the addition of facial soft tissue measurements and aims to assess their effects on skeletal components, and on overall facial growth and development. The results of the first path indicate a large contribution of the nasal and subnasal regions to facial development. This indicates that the nasal septum and the developing dentition provide an important but variable contribution to facial ontogeny during early years. This result is confirmed in the second path, where the soft tissue elements were added to the diagram. Results of the second path indicate that the soft tissues contribute only locally to the development of some skeletal elements of the face. This indicates that the contribution of skeletal components has a more direct effect on facial height than soft tissue matrices, however there are complex interactions between soft tissues and skeletal elements throughout ontogeny.

Prevalence of Patients Who Return to Theatre Post-Adenoidectomy: A Review of Hospital Episode Statistics Data (2012-2019).

Introduction Risk of surgical intervention for post-adenoidectomy haemorrhage can be assessed with the analysis of the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data. Materials and methods HES data for England from 2012 to 2019 were analysed comparing the coded number of adenoidectomy procedures to the number of surgical arrests of post-adenoidectomy haemorrhage in adolescents/adults and children. Results Between April 2012 and April 2019, of 47,597 procedures, 52 (0.11%) patients required surgical arrest of post-adenoidectomy haemorrhage. In adults (n = 5,379), 11 patients returned to theatre for control of post-operative bleeding, whereas 41 children (n = 42,218) required this intervention. The total number of adenoidectomies was 3.7 times higher in children; however, adults were statistically two times more likely to require further surgical intervention for arrest of post-adenoidectomy haemorrhage (two-tailed p-value = 0.0031). Conclusion Children are more likely to return to theatre for surgical arrest of post-adenoidectomy haemorrhage, with p-values indicating the difference between the incidence of adults and children returning to theatre to be very statistically significant.

A Case of Laryngeal Fracture Precipitated by Swallowing.

We report the case of a non-traumatic laryngeal fracture precipitated by swallowing where the symptoms were initially misinterpreted as representing a possible laryngeal malignancy. By the time of diagnosis, the injury was associated with an anterior neck abscess that required urgent surgical intervention. A 61-year-old male presented with dysphonia, odynophagia and neck swelling that had begun shortly after feeling a sudden crack in his neck upon swallowing. This was initially suspected to represent a laryngeal malignancy until, while awaiting outpatient investigation, the patient re-presented with rapid progression of his symptoms. Urgent CT scan revealed a vertical fracture of the thyroid cartilage, and a large anterior neck abscess causing posterior displacement. This required urgent surgical drainage. No underlying neoplasm was found, and the patient made a full recovery with complete resolution of symptoms. Non-traumatic laryngeal fractures are extremely rare. This case demonstrates the diagnostic challenge they can pose and is the first to describe the presentation and surgical management of a case with fracture displacement due to localised infection.

A novel and cost-effective technique for securing the nasal septum to the anterior nasal spine in septoplasty and/or rhinoplasty surgery.

Septoplasties and septorhinoplasties are common procedures in otolaryngology, aimed at addressing septal and/or bony pyramidal deflections to improve functional and cosmetic outcomes. The nasal septum as well as regulating air flow provides structural support to the nasal tip. The attachment of the nasal septum to the anterior nasal spine must be structurally resilient to prevent saddling or tip ptosis. This can be achieved by direct attachment with absorbable suture material to the periosteum of the anterior nasal spine or a drill fitted with 0.6 mm diamond tip burr (Ultrabur, Invotec International), to create channel through which the nasal spine can be secured to the anterior nasal spine. We describe a novel, and cost-effective alternative utilising a blunt fill needle and simple absorbable suture. A blunt fill needle (Sol-Millenium®, cost £0.03 per unit) is passed through to form a securing channel. The neoseptum is then secured using a figure-of-eight suture. Our novel technique enables the nasal septum to be secured to the anterior nasal spine in a cost effective and efficient manner.

Treatment Planning for Mandibular Third Molars.

NICE guidance for mandibular third molars has been available since 2000. This was set up to limit the surgical treatment of these teeth to symptomatic patients. There are numerous risks involved with surgical treatment of mandibular third molars and these should be explained in detail to the patient. Common and serious complications of mandibular third molar surgery are damage to the inferior alveolar and lingual nerve. Predicting the risk of inferior alveolar nerve injury is useful for treatment planning. The orthopantomogram (OPT) is the baseline special test for assessing this and numerous signs on an OPT can predict an increased risk of injury to the nerve. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) is being more frequently used to assess this relationship further and can influence treatment planning. Coronectomy is a technique whereby the crown of the tooth is sectioned and removed leaving the roots in situ. This has proven to be a useful technique in high risk cases, but is not without its own complications. The increase in availability of CBCT imaging and the recent resurgence of coronectomy as a treatment modality can increase the number of treatment options available to patients. We have proposed an algorithm to aid the treatment planning and informed consent processes associated with mandibular third molar surgery. Clinical relevance: This article is relevant to primary and secondary care dental practitioners as it will aid the investigation, treatment planning, correct referral and management of patients with problematic mandibular third molars.

The role of tonsillectomy for recurrent sore throats in children: a qualitative study.

INTRODUCTION: Decisions regarding tonsillectomy for children with recurrent sore throats are mainly based on guidelines that take the number of sore throat episodes into consideration. Anecdotally, parents report a number of additional factors that change after the operation. With this in mind, the first follow up tonsillectomy qualitative study was undertaken to identify what the operation truly offers this group of children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten families were interviewed between 3 and 14 months after their child's operation. A narrative method was utilised. Interviews with families were transcribed and analysed to identify key themes that had changed due to the operation. RESULTS: Themes identified included an improvement in general and specific symptoms. Psychosocial aspects such as education, socialising, family consequences and psychological consequences were also important factors that families noticed. CONCLUSION: Tonsillectomy has much more to offer families and children than an improvement in the numbers of episodes of sore throats and this study could form the basis of a specific quality of life assessment tool.

Tonsillectomy for recurrent sore throats in children: indications, outcomes, and efficacy.

OBJECTIVE: To perform a comprehensive narrative review of the literature to provide a better understanding of the indications, outcomes, and efficacy of tonsillectomy for recurrent sore throats in children. This article explores the reasons why there is a lack of robust clinical evidence for its efficacy despite good evidence of positive reported outcomes from parents of children who undergo the procedure. DATA SOURCES: Articles published between 1960 and July 2013 were searched in PubMed and Cochrane databases. REVIEW METHODS: A narrative review method was adopted to provide a comprehensive overview of articles. Only individual, interventional studies on children (0-16 years old) undergoing tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy for recurrent sore throats with greater than 1 month of follow-up were included. CONCLUSIONS: The inclusion criteria and outcome measures in the studies were varied, but most investigated changes in symptoms related to sore throats or illness episodes. Quality-of-life tools validated for measuring pediatric outcomes were used in a number of more recent studies. None of the outcome measures were specific for recurrent sore throats in children. No qualitative method designed studies were identified. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The disparity between parental satisfaction rates and published clinical efficacy can be explained by a lack of parent/child outcome measures specific to tonsillectomy for recurrent sore throats. A more parent/child-centered approach may establish what tonsillectomy could offer this group of children.

Acquired aorto-pulmonary artery fistula following proximal aortic surgery.

A 56-year-old man developed left heart failure secondary to left to right shunt due to acquired aorto-pulmonary artery (PA) fistula. He had previously undergone aortic root replacement for streptococcal aortic valve endocarditis. A modified strategy involving interventional radiology and surgical technique was employed to deal with this complex surgical challenge. A balloon catheter was placed in the right PA to enable fistula occlusion during cardiopulmonary bypass followed by repair using cardiopulmonary bypass and circulatory arrest.