Treatment of large persistent tracheoesophageal peristomal fistulas using silicon rings / Tratamento de fístula periestomal traqueoesofágica grande e persistente com anéis de silicone

Abstract Introduction: Tracheoesophageal peristomal fistulae can often be solved by reducing the size of the fistula or replacing the prosthesis; however, even with conservative techniques, leakage around the fistula may continue in total laryngectomy patients. Also, several techniques have been developed to overcome this problem, including injections around the fistula, fistula closure with local flaps, myofascial flaps, or free flaps and fistula closure using a septal perforation silicon button. Objective: To present the results of the application of silicon ring expanding the voice prosthesis in patients with large and persistent peri-prosthetic fistula. Methods: A voice prosthesis was fitted to 42 patients after total laryngectomy. Leakage was detected around the prosthesis in 18 of these 42 patients. Four patients demonstrated improvement with conservative methods. Eight of 18 patients who couldn't be cured with conservative methods were treated by using primary suture closure and 4 patients were treated with local flaps. As silicon ring was applied as a primary treatment in the 2 remaining patients and also, applied to 2 patients who had recurrence after suture repair and to 2 patients who had recurrence after local flap implementation. Silicon rings were used in a total of 6 patients due to the secondary trachea-esophageal fistula. Patients were treated with provox-1 initially and later with provox-2. At the time of leakage around the fistula, 6 patients had provox-2. Results: Fistulae were treated successfully in 6 patients, and effective speech of patients was preserved. Patients experienced no adaptation problem. Prosthesis changing time was not different between silicon rings expanded and normal prosthesis applied patients. Silicon ring combined voice prosthesis was used 26 times; there was no recurrence in fistula complication during 29 ± 6 months follow up. Conclusion: Silicon rings for modified expanded voice prosthesis seems to be an effective treatment for persistent peri-prosthetic leakage, for both, fistula closure and preserving the patients speech.

Resumo Introdução: Fístulas traqueoesofágicas persistentes podem ser resolvidas através da redução do tamanho da fístula ou substituição da prótese; no entanto, mesmo com técnicas conservadoras, o pertuito em torno da fístula pode continuar em pacientes com laringectomia total. Além disso, várias técnicas têm sido desenvolvidas para superar esse problema, inclusive injeções ao redor da fístula, fechamento da fístula com retalhos locais, retalhos miofasciais ou retalhos livres e fechamento da fístula com um botão septal de silicone. Objetivo: Apresentar os resultados da aplicação de anel de silicone para expansão da prótese vocal em pacientes com grandes fístulas periprotéticas persistentes. Método: Prótese vocal foi colocada em 42 pacientes após laringectomia total, e fístula foi detectada ao redor da prótese em 18 desses 42 pacientes. Quatro pacientes obtiveram melhora com métodos conservadores. Oito dos 18 pacientes que não obtiveram sucesso com métodos conservadores foram tratados usando sutura primária e quatro pacientes foram tratados com retalhos locais. Um anel de silicone foi aplicado inicialmente nos dois pacientes restantes e, também, aplicado a dois pacientes que tiveram recorrência após a técnica de sutura e a dois pacientes que tiveram recorrência após a utilização de retalho local. No total, seis pacientes receberam anéis de silicone em decorrência da fístula traqueoesofágica secundária. Os pacientes haviam sido tratados com provox-1 inicialmente e posteriormente com provox-2. No momento da detecção da fístula em torno do estoma, seis pacientes haviam recebido provox-2. Resultados: A fístula foi tratada com sucesso em seis pacientes. Além disso, após o tratamento a fala foi mantida de forma eficaz. Não houve problema de adaptação. O tempo de troca da prótese expandida com os anéis de silicone não foi diferente do tempo que se leva para a colocação da prótese normal. O anel de silicone combinado com a prótese vocal foi usado 26 vezes em pacientes na época da troca de prótese e não houve recorrência da fístula durante os 29 ± 6 meses de acompanhamento. Conclusão: Os resultados sugerem que em casos de grandes fístulas peri-prostéticas persistentes, anéis expandidos de silicone e prótese vocal modificada são eficazes tanto para o fechamento da fístula como para a manutenção da fala do paciente.

Treatment of large persistent tracheoesophageal peristomal fistulas using silicon rings.

INTRODUCTION: Tracheoesophageal peristomal fistulae can often be solved by reducing the size of the fistula or replacing the prosthesis; however, even with conservative techniques, leakage around the fistula may continue in total laryngectomy patients. Also, several techniques have been developed to overcome this problem, including injections around the fistula, fistula closure with local flaps, myofascial flaps, or free flaps and fistula closure using a septal perforation silicon button. OBJECTIVE: To present the results of the application of silicon ring expanding the voice prosthesis in patients with large and persistent peri-prosthetic fistula. METHODS: A voice prosthesis was fitted to 42 patients after total laryngectomy. Leakage was detected around the prosthesis in 18 of these 42 patients. Four patients demonstrated improvement with conservative methods. Eight of 18 patients who couldn't be cured with conservative methods were treated by using primary suture closure and 4 patients were treated with local flaps. As silicon ring was applied as a primary treatment in the 2 remaining patients and also, applied to 2 patients who had recurrence after suture repair and to 2 patients who had recurrence after local flap implementation. Silicon rings were used in a total of 6 patients due to the secondary trachea-esophageal fistula. Patients were treated with provox-1 initially and later with provox-2. At the time of leakage around the fistula, 6 patients had provox-2. RESULTS: Fistulae were treated successfully in 6 patients, and effective speech of patients was preserved. Patients experienced no adaptation problem. Prosthesis changing time was not different between silicon rings expanded and normal prosthesis applied patients. Silicon ring combined voice prosthesis was used 26 times; there was no recurrence in fistula complication during 29±6 months follow up. CONCLUSION: Silicon rings for modified expanded voice prosthesis seems to be an effective treatment for persistent peri-prosthetic leakage, for both, fistula closure and preserving the patients speech.

Caudal Septal Stabilization Suturing Technique to Treat Crooked Noses.

AIM: To rotate the nasal axis and septum to the midline using an L-strut graft and a novel caudal septal stabilization suturing technique to treat crooked noses. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-six patients were included in the study. First, an L-strut graft was prepared by excising the deviated cartilage site in all patients. Second, multiple stabilization suturing, which we describe as a caudal septal stabilization suturing technique with a "fishing net"-like appearance, was applied between the anterior nasal spine and caudal septum in all patients. This new surgical technique, used to rotate the caudal septum, was applied to 22 I-type and 14 C-type crooked noses. Correction rates for the crooked noses were compared between the 2 inclination types with angular estimations. RESULTS: Deviation angles were measured using the AutoCAD 2012 software package and frontal (anterior) views, with the Frankfurt horizontal line parallel to the ground. Nasal axis angles showing angle improvement graded 4 categories as excellent, good, acceptable, and unsuccessful for evaluations at 6 months after surgery in the study. The success rate in the C-type nasal inclination was 86.7% (±21.9) and 88% (±16.7) in the I-type. The overall success rate of L-strut grafting and caudal septal stabilization suturing in crooked nose surgeries was 87.5% (±18.6). "Unsuccessful" results were not reported in any of the patients. CONCLUSIONS: L-strut grafting and caudal septal stabilization suturing techniques are efficacious in crooked noses according to objective measurement analysis results. However, a longer follow-up duration in a larger patient population is needed.

Evaluation of Relationship Between Body Dysmorphic Disorder and Self-Esteem in Rhinoplasty Candidates.

AIM: To investigate the relationship between body dysmorphic syndrome and self-esteem in rhinoplasty candidates. RESULTS: A negative statistical correlation was evident between Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) and Body Dysmorphic Disorder Examination-Self Report (BDDE-SR) scores. In terms of responses to the first Body Dysmorphic Disorder Questionnaire (BDDQ) question, which focuses on general attitude toward body dysmorphic syndrome, the average RSES "YES" score was significantly less than the "NO" score. No significant differences appeared between RSES scores and scores for the 4th subgroup of BDDQ questions (subgroups A, B, and C; these questions explore how much time is spent daily on maintenance of bodily appearance). However, significant differences appeared between scores for the 4th subgroup of BDDQ questions and BDDE-SR scores. The average BDD-SR score of subgroup A (less than 1 hour spent on bodily maintenance) was significantly lower than those of group B (1-3 hours) and group C (more than 3 hours). However, no significant differences appeared in average BDD-SR scores between subgroups B and C. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective study, 56 patients (31 females and 25 males) were evaluated preoperatively using the BDDQ, the BDDE-SR, and the RSES. Patients younger than 15 years and those with deformities caused by trauma were excluded. CONCLUSIONS: Rhinoplasty candidates had higher levels of body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). Although patients with low RSES scores were more likely to have BDD, rhinoplasty candidates were not notably deficient in self-esteem. However, in rhinoplasty candidates with low RSES scores, the frequency of BDD was elevated. Therefore, the authors suggest that rhinoplasty candidates with low RSES scores should be investigated carefully in terms of BDD.

Detection of ideal reservoir level after laryngectomy using endoilluminator in voice rehabilitation.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the diagnostic value of a novel device, the endoilluminator, in patients who can or cannot attain effective speech after application of voice prosthesis. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. METHODS: Thirty-four patients who underwent total laryngectomy and whose insufflation test was positive were included. As a result of efforts to develop an insufflation test that includes a light apparatus, we attained a device that we call an endoilluminator. We found that the area it illuminated when a patient achieved effective speech was a predictive factor for the test result. That is, patients for whom the upper part of the tracheostomy (where the standard tracheoesophageal fistula will be opened) was illuminated were categorized as the positive test group, whereas those for whom the neck skin above this region was illuminated were categorized as the negative test group. RESULTS: In 27 of the 34 patients, appropriate localization was determined using the endoilluminator, and these patients achieved effective speech. In the remaining seven patients, localization was inappropriate and they did not achieve effective speech during the first week, first month, or third month postpuncture. In further investigations of these seven patients, a pharyngoesophageal spasm was detected in five, and a pharyngoesophageal stricture was detected in two. CONCLUSION: Endoilluminator increases the success rate of the insufflation test by accurately predicting a patient's ability to achieve effective speech after application of voice prosthesis.

Comparative analysis of nasal deformities according to patient satisfaction.

PURPOSE: The study aim was to compare patient satisfaction levels among patient groups with nasal hump deformity (NHD), nasal axis deviation (NAD), and NHD plus NAD using the Rhinoplasty Outcomes Evaluation Questionnaire (ROEQ) pre- and postoperatively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-seven patients were divided into the NHD (n = 16), NAD (n = 13), and NHD + NAD (n = 18) groups according to the patients' physical examination results. Deviation angles were measured using frontal views and the AutoCAD 2012 computer program. Levels of patient satisfaction were assessed by the ROEQ pre- and postoperatively. RESULTS: The preoperative ROE scores were 6 in the NAD group and 4.9 in the NHD group. In the NAD + NHD group, the preoperative ROE score was 6.6. The postoperative ROE scores were 17.4, 21.4, and 19.1, respectively. The pre- and postoperative ROEQ scores were significantly different for all groups. The preoperative ROE score was 5.6 in women. The score was 18.6 at 6 months after surgery. In male patients, the preoperative ROE score was 6.2. The score was 20.4 at 6 months after surgery. The preoperative ROE score was 6.3 in patients younger than 30 years; the score was 19.4 in the postoperative period for this group. Preoperatively, the ROE score was 5.2 for patients older than 30 years. Postoperatively, the ROE score was 19.3 (P < .05). CONCLUSION: Patient satisfaction and quality of life should improve after rhinoplasty. Patient satisfaction ranged from high to low for patients, with the NHD group the most satisfied, followed by the NAD + NHD group and the NAD group.

Complementary therapies in allergic rhinitis.

Objective. To determine the prevalence of herbal treatment of allergic rhinitis. Methods. In this prospective study, patients who were diagnosed with perennial allergic rhinitis were questioned about their use of natural products/herbal therapies for their symptoms. Results. In total, 230 patients were enrolled. Overall, 37.3% of the patients stated that they had used natural products/herbal therapies at least once. Women were more likely than men to use herbal supplements (38.3% versus 32.4%). Ten different types of herbal supplements were identified, with stinging nettle (Urtica dioicath), black elderberry (Sambucus nigra), and Spirulina being the most common (12.6%, 6.1%, and 5.7%, resp.). Conclusion. This study found a high prevalence of herbal treatment usage for the relief of allergic rhinitis symptoms in Turkey. The herbal products identified in this study and in the literature are discussed.