Evaluation of the Swallowing and Voice Functions in Ankylosing Spondylitis Patients.

This study aimed to evaluate the swallowing and voice functions in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Thirty patients with ankylosing spondylitis (Group 1) and 30 healthy individuals (Group 2) were included in the study. Following the laryngoscopic evaluation of the patients, the fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing was performed, and then, the penetration-aspiration score was determined. The participants were asked to fill the eating assessment tool form. Voice recordings obtained to evaluate sound disorders were measured acoustically and analyzed using the PRAAT program. In terms of swallowing, the penetration-aspiration score obtained as a result of the flexible endoscopic swallowing assessment and eating assessment tool score was found to be higher in Group 1 than in Group 2, and a statistically significant difference was noted (p ≤ 0.001). When analyzing the maximum phonation time (p < 0.001) and fundamental frequency (p = 0.408) values in phonation evaluation, a statistically significant difference was found between the two groups. Group 1 showed a deterioration in terms of jitter (p = 0.040) and shimmer (p = 0.007) compared to Group 2, and a statistically significant difference was noted. There was no statistically significant difference in the harmonic/noise ratio (mean ± standard deviation) between the two groups (p = 0.051). Swallowing and voice functions significantly affect quality of life. Therefore, approaches aimed to improve the associated symptoms have become increasingly important. In patients with ankylosing spondylitis, swallowing quality and phonation ability may be negatively affected. These patients should be monitored for hidden or overt food aspiration.Trial Registry: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04437394.

Camouflage of the Nasal Dorsum in Thin-Skinned Patients with Diced Cartilage Combined with a New Cross-Linked Hyaluronan (NCH) Gel and Blood: A New Method.

INTRODUCTION: Nasal dorsum irregularities after rhinoplasty are still one of the most common complaints among both surgeons and patients. In this study, we used a new cross-linked hyaluronan (NCH) gel and blood mixture as the stabilisation scaffold. Diced cartilage combined with the NCH gel and blood mixture was used for nasal dorsum camouflage. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifty-two thin-skinned patients (29 females and 23 males) underwent primary rhinoplasty including nasal dorsum enhancement with diced cartilage combined with the NCH gel and blood mixture. The cartilage tissue was diced into small pieces; then, 1 cc NCH gel and blood were added into diced cartilage. The mixture was delivered onto the nasal dorsum via dorsal retractor. RESULTS: After 1 year of follow-up, there were no irregularities in the nasal dorsum area observed, nor any displacement or absorbance of the camouflage material. No complications occurred. CONCLUSION: The use of diced cartilage combined with the NCH gel and blood is an effective, simple and safe method for nasal dorsum camouflage in thin-skinned patients in rhinoplasty. The NCH gel within the mixed graft also reduces adhesions at the osteotomy lines. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these evidence-based medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

[Short term olfactory memory and olfactory function after inhalation anesthetic agents: a randomized clinical trial]. / Memória olfativa de curta duração e função olfativa após anestésicos inalatórios: estudo clínico randomizado.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This clinical trial aimed to evaluate the effects of two different inhalation anesthetic agents on postoperative olfactory memory and olfactory function in patients who underwent micro laryngeal surgery. METHODS: This randomized prospective controlled study consisted of 102 consecutive patients with a voice disorder. The patients underwent micro laryngeal surgery for voice disorders under general anesthesia. Patients who did not meet inclusion criteria and/or declined to participate (n=34) were excluded from the study. Patients were divided into two groups. Four patients from Group 1 and four patients from Group 2 were lost to follow-up. Group 1 (n=30) received sevoflurane, and Group 2 (n=30) received desflurane during anesthesia. We compared the results by performing the pre-op and post-op Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center Olfactory test. RESULTS: Thirty-three patients (55%) were male and 27 (45%) were female. The mean age was 48.18±13.88 years (range: 19-70 years). Preoperative and postoperative olfactory functions did not show a significant difference within the groups postoperatively (p> 0.05). Preoperative and postoperative olfactory memory showed a significant decrease 3hours after the surgery (p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Olfactory functions and memory were not affected by desflurane in the early postoperative period. Although sevoflurane did not affect olfactory functions, it had a temporary negative effect on olfactory memory in the early postoperative period.

Short term olfactory memory and olfactory function after inhalation anesthetic agents: a randomized clinical trial / Memória olfativa de curta duração e função olfativa após anestésicos inalatórios: estudo clínico randomizado

Abstract Background and objectives: This clinical trial aimed to evaluate the effects of two different inhalation anesthetic agents on postoperative olfactory memory and olfactory function in patients who underwent micro laryngeal surgery. Methods: This randomized prospective controlled study consisted of 102 consecutive patients with a voice disorder. The patients underwent micro laryngeal surgery for voice disorders under general anesthesia. Patients who did not meet inclusion criteria and/or declined to participate (n = 34) were excluded from the study. Patients were divided into two groups. Four patients from Group 1 and four patients from Group 2 were lost to follow-up. Group 1 (n = 30) received sevoflurane, and Group 2 (n = 30) received desflurane during anesthesia. We compared the results by performing the pre-op and post-op Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center Olfactory test. Results: Thirty-three patients (55%) were male and 27 (45%) were female. The mean age was 48.18 ± 13.88 years (range: 19‒70 years). Preoperative and postoperative olfactory functions did not show a significant difference within the groups postoperatively (p > 0.05). Preoperative and postoperative olfactory memory showed a significant decrease 3 hours after the surgery (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Olfactory functions and memory were not affected by desflurane in the early postoperative period. Although sevoflurane did not affect olfactory functions, it had a temporary negative effect on olfactory memory in the early postoperative period.

Resumo Introdução e objetivos: O estudo avaliou o efeito pós-operatório de dois agentes anestésicos inalatórios distintos na memória olfativa de curta duração e na função olfativa em pacientes submetidos à microcirurgia de laringe. Método: O estudo prospectivo controlado randomizado avaliou, consecutivamente, 102 pacientes com alteração vocal submetidos à microcirurgia de laringe sob anestesia geral. Trinta e quatro pacientes não obedeceram aos critérios de inclusão e/ou não aceitaram participar do estudo e foram excluídos. Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos. Quatro pacientes do Grupo 1 e quatro do Grupo 2 foram perdidos durante o seguimento. O Grupo 1 (n = 30) recebeu sevoflurano durante a anestesia e o Grupo 2 (n = 30), desflurano. Comparamos resultados pré e pós-operatórios de memória olfativa e funções olfativas, realizando o Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center Olfactory test. Resultados: Foram incluídos um total de 33 (55%) homens e 27 (45%) mulheres. A idade média foi 48,18 ± 13,88 anos (variação: 19-70 anos). As funções olfativas pré e pós-operatórias não apresentaram diferença estatisticamente significante dentro dos grupos no pós-operatório (p > 0,05). A memória olfativa pré e pós-operatória não mostrou diminuição estatisticamente significante quando avaliada três horas após a cirurgia (p< 0,05). Conclusões: Memória e funções olfativas não foram alteradas pelo desflurano no pós-operatório imediato. Embora o sevoflurano não tenha alterado as funções olfativas, causou efeito temporário negativo na memória olfativa no pós-operatório imediato.