The quality of the surgical field during functional endoscopic sinus surgery--the effect of the mode of ventilation--a randomized, prospective, double-blind study.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The outcome of functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) depends on a clean surgical field achieved by minimizing intraoperative bleeding. High frequency jet ventilation (HFJV), due to lower airway pressures, offers the benefit of improved venous return, less bleeding, and improved operating conditions. HFJV was compared to intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) by assessment of surgical conditions and measurement of intraoperative blood loss. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, double-blind study. METHODS: A total of 22 patients undergoing FESS were randomly assigned to be ventilated during surgery under general anesthesia by either HFJV or IPPV. The quality of the surgical field was assessed and the total blood loss was measured. RESULTS: The mean airway pressure was significantly lower in the HFJV group than in the IPPV group (2.42 +/- 1.17 and 7.11 +/- 0.72, respectively, P < .0001). The total mean loss of blood in the HFJV group was 170 cc and in the IPPV group was 318.18 cc (P = .017). The quality of the surgical field as estimated by the surgeon was significantly better in the HFJV group. The mean point values on the Boezaart et al. scale for the IPPV and HFJV groups were 2.72 +/- 0.77 and 1.80 +/- 0.686, respectively (P = .012). CONCLUSIONS: HFJV significantly reduced the amount of intraoperative bleeding and thus significantly improved the quality of the surgical field. It is suggested that increased venous return due to lower intrathoracic pressures resulted in less bleeding and improved operating conditions. HFJV can be effectively used for FESS in order to improve endoscopic view with no adverse effects.

Nasal septal perforation repair using oral mucosal flaps.

BACKGROUND: Surgery for the closure of nasal septal perforations is challenging. Numerous techniques have been described. OBJECTIVES: To assess whether nasal septal perforations heal less consistently if a connective tissue scaffold is not placed between the repaired septal flaps. METHODS: We performed closure of a septal perforation via a closed approach using oral mucosal flaps without the interposition of a connective tissue graft in seven patients. RESULTS: Complete perforation closure was achieved in 5 cases (71.4%). There was no significant donor site morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: These initial results suggest that this is an effective technique for closing nasal septal perforations; it obviates the morbidity of the open approach and the added operating time and morbidity associated with the harvesting of a connective tissue graft.

[Malignant teratocarcinosarcoma of the nose and paranasal sinuses].

Malignant teratocarcinosarcoma of the nasal cavity and the paranasal sinuses is a rare and invasive tumor. It is characterized by a mixture of mesenchymal and epithelial components, with cellular elements of a fetal nature. We describe in detail the first and only case in Israel of a patient with such a tumor. Only 40-50 such cases have been described in the medical literature. We have also reviewed the existing literature dealing with malignant teratocarcinosarcoma.