The Effect of Unilateral Concha Bullosa on Olfactory Bulb Volume: an Assessment by Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

BACKGROUND: In this study, the authors compared the right and left olfactory bulb volumes by magnetic resonance image findings of patients with unilateral concha bullosa (CB). METHODS: The cranial magnetic resonance imaging studies of 24 patients having unilateral CB were reviewed. There were 10 males and 14 females ranging in age from 29 to 51 years (mean age, 29 ±â€Š15.2 years). The volumes of both olfactory bulbs (contralateral and ipsilateral to the concha bullosa side) were calculated by using the computer program. RESULTS: The average values for olfactory bulb volumes were 46.57 ±â€Š8.03 mm in the CB side of the nasal cavity and 54.80 ±â€Š10.031 mm in the normal side of the nasal cavity. We found a statistically significant difference in olfactory bulb volume between the contralateral and ipsilateral to the concha bullosa side of the patients (t = -3.08 and P < 0.01 for CB side, t = -3.47 and P < 0.01 for left normal side). CONCLUSION: Our results may point out a possible relationship between CB and ipsilateral decreased olfactory bulb volume, yet the exact mechanism still remains unclear. Decreased nasal air flow on the CB side may be attributed to the pathophysiologic mechanism of this finding. Also, the significant reduction in olfactory bulb volumes ipsilateral to CB compared with the contralateral olfactory bulb volumes seems to support our hypothesis.

Olfactory Bulb Volume Changes in Patients With Nasal Septal Deviation.

OBJECTIVES: The olfactory bulb (OB) plays a pivotal role in the processing of olfactory information. The aim of this study was to investigate the OB volume changes and its possible associations with nasal septal deviation. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: Otolaryngology Department of Bozok University School of Medicine and Neurology Department of Yozgat State Hospital. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Ninety patient's cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies (46 males and 44 females, mean age 36 ±â€Š13.4 years; range 18-56 years) with isolated nasal septal deviations were recruited for the study. Olfactory bulb volumes in all study subjects were evaluated in T2-weighted coronal MRI images by planimetric manual contouring. RESULTS: Nasal septal deviation angles were found to range between 5° and 23.21° (mean 13.6°â€Š±â€Š3.58°). The right-sided deviations included 17 mild (<9°, Group I), 20 moderate (9°-15°, Group II), and 16 severe (15° and up, Group III) patients. The left-sided deviations included 14 mild (<9°, Group I), 13 moderate (9°-15°, Group II), and 10 severe (15° and up, Group III) subjects. Olfactory bulb volumes were calculated in both right- and left-sided deviation groups. In the patients with left-sided septal deviations of Groups I, II, and III, the left OB volumes of Groups I, II, and III were 46.49 ±â€Š3.87, 47.46 ±â€Š3.36, and 60.68 ±â€Š5.65 mm and the right OB volumes were 53.37 ±â€Š3.76, 56.47 ±â€Š4.43, and 76.69 ±â€Š6.84 mm, respectively. The statistical evaluation of the right OB volumes did not produce significant difference between Groups I and II (P = 0.73). The authors demonstrated statistically significant differences in comparison of Groups I to III and Groups II to III (P = 0.002 and P = 0.016, respectively). In the right septal deviation group for Groups I, II, and III, mean volumes of right OB volumes were 45.59 ±â€Š4.46, 48.63 ±â€Š3.78, and 61.35 ±â€Š5.84 mm, respectively, and the left OB volumes were 54.67 ±â€Š4.73, 57.65 ±â€Š4.53, and 75.84 ±â€Š7.67 mm, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between Groups I and II (P = 0.95) left OB volumes in the right-sided deviation group, but statistically significant difference was demonstrated in Groups I to III and Groups II to III compartments (P = 0.002 and P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: In our study, while mild and moderate septal deviations lacked any significant affect on OB volumes, severe deviations were found to have significant impact on these parameter. Additionally the contralateral OB volumes in the severe septum deviation group were significantly bigger when compared to the ipsilateral OB volumes. Further multidisciplinary studies are required to evaluate the clinical significance of OB volume changes in diagnosis and follow-up of several otolaryngologic or nonotolaryngologic diseases.

The impact of ankylosing spondylitis on audiovestibular functions.

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the audiovestibular functions in the patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). This prospective study was performed in collaboration by the Otolaryngology and Rheumatology Departments of Bozok University School of Medicine between May 1, 2012, and January 1, 2013. We studied 80 subjects consisting of 40 AS patients (37 men and 3 women) in whom the diagnosis confirmed by the criteria of New York and 40 healthy controls (35 men and 5 women). All participants were evaluated by routine audiologic (including tympanometric evaluation, pure-tone audiograms, speech tests) and vestibular studies (including spontaneous nystagmus, gaze, optokinetic, saccadic movements, smooth pursuit, caloric test and Dix-Hallpike tests). The tympanometric values did not show a statistically significant difference between the AS group and the healthy subjects (p > 0.05). At low frequencies (250, 500, 1,000, and 2,000 Hz) pure-tone audiologic evaluations also proved statistically non-significant results at mean air conduction thresholds (ACT) and bone conduction thresholds (BCT) between the AS and control groups (p > 0.05). At high frequencies (4,000, 6,000, and 8,000 Hz), the ACTs and BCTs in AS group were lower than control group which was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The results of spontaneous nystagmus, gaze, optokinetic, canal paresis and saccadic movement tests between the two groups were statistically insignificant (p > 0.05). The comparison of smooth pursuit and Dix-Hallpike tests reached statistical significance (p < 0.05). Videonystagmographic test (VNG) revealed central abnormalities in 7 patients (17.5 %), peripheral abnormalities in 16 patients (40 %), and mixed abnormalities in 3 patients (7.5 %). Our findings suggest a possible association between AS and audiovestibular system dysfunction. We assume that the hearing and vestibular disturbances in AS are more prevalent than previously recognized.

Does rheumatoid arthritis have an effect on audiovestibular tests?

The study aimed to determine the characteristics of hearing loss, vestibular responses and the incidence of vestibular disturbances in RA patients. This prospective study was performed at the Otolaryngology Department of Bozok University School of Medicine between May and November 2012. Eighty-one RA patients (69 women and 12 men) with a mean age of 40.8 ± 13.4 years (23-67 years) and 81 healthy controls (67 women and 14 men) with a mean age of 41.3 ± 13.8 years (24-66 years). Each subject was tested with low and high-frequency audiometry by a single experienced investigator under standard audiometric testing conditions. For each set of tests, mean values of air and bone conduction at each frequency and tympanometric values were calculated for the study groups. Videonystagmography (VNG) including smooth pursuit, saccade, positional, and caloric tests were also performed. The mean air conduction threshold values at high frequencies (4,000, 6,000, and 8,000 Hz) in RA group were lower than control groups. The difference between mean air conduction threshold values of the control groups against RA group at high frequencies were statistically significant (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significance between the two groups in tympanometric values (p < 0.05). VNG testing revealed central abnormalities in twenty patients (24.69%), peripheral abnormalities in five patients (6.17%), and mixed abnormalities in six patients (7.4%). There was no association between VNG abnormalities in patients with RA and age, sex, duration of disease, accompanying vertigo complaint, the laboratory findings and hearing levels (p < 0.05). Our findings suggest an association of RA and audiovestibular system dysfunction regardless clinical and demographic situation of patients. We assume the hearing and vestibular disturbances in RA are more prevalent than previously recognized. Also hearing losses in high frequencies in RA patients may be considered as an indicator of cochlear involvement in this disease.

The correlation of serum levels of leptin, leptin receptor and NO x (NO 2 (-) and NO 3 (-)) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relations between nitric oxide (NO) and leptin levels in a cohort of untreated adult Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) patients. Between June 1, 2012, and January 1, 2013, we evaluated a total of 58 subjects including 36 OSAS patients and 22 healthy controls, both polysomnographically confirmed. Following the completion of polysomnographic evaluation, serum samples were taken at 08:00. Leptin, leptin receptor, NO2 (-) and NO3 (-) levels were analyzed by commercial ELISA kits. Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). There was no statistically significant difference between the OSAS patients and control groups with relation to the demographic parameters and body mass index (p > 0.05). Significantly higher serum leptin and plasma NO levels were found in OSAS patients compared to the controls (p < 0.001). In this study, higher leptin levels which were positively correlated with NO levels in OSAS group may indicate a possible link with increased incidence of airway pathologies in these patients.

Ischemic optic neuropathy after carotid body tumor resection.

Incidence estimates for postoperative vision loss after nonocular surgery range from 0.013% for all surgeries up to 0.2% following spine surgery. The most common neuro-ophthalmologic causes of postoperative vision loss are the ischemic optic neuropathies (IONs), either anterior or posterior.This complication of case reports suggests that a combination of prolonged surgery in the prone position, decreased ocular perfusion pressure, blood loss and anemia/hemodilution, and infusion of large quantities of intravenous fluids are some of the potential factors involved in the etiology of postoperative ION. The specific pathogenesis and risk factors underlying these neuro-ophthalmic complications remain unknown, and physicians should be alert to the potential for loss of vision in the postoperative period. We report the only cases of ION after carotid body tumor resection in the literature and review current theories regarding the etiology and diagnosis of vision loss.

Orbital complication of balloon sinuplasty.

Balloon sinuplasty (BS) is a relatively new conservative approach, first licensed for the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis in 2006. The philosophy of the technique is to improve impaired sinus drainage by enlarging stenosed or obstructed natural sinus ostiums. The recent improvements in balloon sinuplasty made virtually all paranasal sinus ostiums to be safely accessible with this technique. Compared to classical endoscopic technique, the main advantage of balloon sinuplasty is the low complication rate reported. It is very seldom to encounter major complications related to critical structures such as orbits and skull base. Since its first description, very few severe complications directly attributable to the technique have been reported in literature as of today. In this article, we report a case of medial orbital wall fracture developed due to the pressure of the inflated balloon in a balloon sinuplasty procedure.

The comparison of histological results of experimentally created facial nerve defects repaired by 2 different anastomosis techniques: classic suture technique or tissue adhesives for nerve anastomosis?

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare the histological regeneration characteristics of nerve fibers at the anastomosis lines performed by classic suture technique or a tissue adhesive (N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate). METHODS: The control group consisted of 7 rabbits. The 21 rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups based on the harvesting week. In the study group following preparation of facial nerve bilaterally, a 0.5-cm segment of facial dorsal buccal nerve was resected, and the defect was repaired with a nerve graft, which was harvested from sural nerve of the same side by 8-0 nylon suture technique and by application of N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate on the other side. RESULTS: Electron microscopic examination at consecutive second, fourth, and sixth days (corresponding to 4th, 8th, and 12th week in human subjects) revealed increased nerve degeneration findings in N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate group when compared with microsuture repair technique. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate is not an appropriate material for nerve anastomosis.

Is there a relationship between symptoms of patients and tomographic characteristics of styloid process?

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the angulations and length of the styloid process (SP) on three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) images between the patients having elongated SP complaints and those without any stylalgia symptoms. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred patients underwent 3D-CT evaluation of the bilateral temporomandibular joints to investigate for symptomatic elongated styloid process (ESP) at our institution. The differences between the mean angulations and lengths of the SP and comparisons between patient and control groups were analyzed by student t test. RESULTS: In study group, mean length of styloid processes was 40.7 ± 10.8 mm on the right and 40.3 ± 10.9 mm on the left. Mean medial angles of SP were measured as 22.60 ± 4.0 on the right side and 22.60 ± 4.5 on the left side. In the same group, mean anterior angles of SP were 16.10 ± 6.9 on the right and 16.70 ± 7.1 on the left side. The "in-group" comparisons of lengths, medial and anterior angles did not produce statistically significant results. The comparison of medial angulations between the symptomatic and asymptomatic patients was the only statistically meaningful result in our study. CONCLUSION: 3D-CT has several advantages according to conventional tomography for visualization of head and neck anatomy. The increase of medial angulation of SP may be responsible for the development of complaints in ESP.

[Forestier's syndrome: a rare cause of dysphagia]. / Forestier sendromu: Nadir bir disfaji nedeni.

Forestier's syndrome (diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis) is characterized by ossification of the anterolateral aspect of at least four contiguous vertebral bodies. The exact etiology is unclear. Diagnosis is made by radiologic examinations. In this report, we present a case of Forestier's syndrome who admitted with complaints of dysphagia, cervical pain and dyspnea. The diagnosis was based on radiological examinations. Clinic and radiological characteristics of our case were discussed in the light of literature data.

The effects of regular hot black tea consumption on nasal carriage of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the possible relationship between oral consumption of hot black tea and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) nasal carriage in a mid-sized town population in central Anatolia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Nasal swabs were taken from a total of 109 subjects (53 females, 56 males; mean age 34.4 years; range 18 to 65 years) including 55 non-tea drinkers and 54 subjects consuming more than 10 cups of tea a day. The MRSA positivity in the nasal cultures was investigated. RESULTS: In the tea consumer group MRSA was cultured in 10 subjects. Twenty-one subjects' nasal cultures were positive for MRSA in the non-tea drinkers. We found a statistically significant difference in the nasal MRSA carriage among tea drinkers and non-tea drinkers. CONCLUSION: Our study findings indicate a lower incidence of nasal MRSA carriage in tea drinkers, suggesting that certain soluble tea compounds may exhibit some antibacterial properties when consumed orally.

Does bone mineral density have an effect on hearing loss in postmenopausal patients?

OBJECTIVES: An age-related decline in the bone mineral density (BMD) of the temporal bone, specifically in the segments that house the middle and inner ear, has been suggested as an additional risk factor for sensorineural hearing loss. We evaluated the effect of BMD on hearing loss in postmenopausal patients. METHODS: This study involved 120 postmenopausal women who were referred between May 1,2012, and September 1, 2012. The age range was 50 to 55 years (mean, 52.7 +/- 2.3 years). The subjects were divided into three groups according to the results of BMD measurements. Of these, 30 were control subjects with normal BMD values, 45 had osteopenia, and 45 had osteoporosis. Each subject was tested with low- and high-frequency audiometry by a single experienced investigator under standard audiometric testing conditions. For each set of tests, mean values of air and bone conduction at each frequency and tympanometric values were calculated for the osteopenia, osteoporosis, and control groups. RESULTS: All three groups were designed to have similar mean ages and roughly equal durations of menopause and body mass indexes. At low frequencies (0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2 kHz), the differences in the mean air conduction threshold values among the three groups were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). At high frequencies (4, 6, and 8 kHz), the difference in the mean air conduction threshold values between the osteopenia and control groups was not statistically significant (p > 0.05), but that in the osteoporosis group was statistically significantly higher than those in the osteopenia and control groups (p < 0.05). At low frequencies (0.5, 1, and 2 kHz), the differences in the mean bone conduction threshold values among the three groups were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). At 4 kHz, the difference in the mean bone conduction threshold values between the osteopenia and control groups was not statistically significant (p > 0.05), but that in the osteoporosis group was statistically significantly higher than those in the osteopenia and control groups (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference among the three groups in tympanometric values (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that patients with low BMD values should routinely be counseled for an audiological assessment to detect any change in hearing thresholds.

Comparison of nasal packs with transseptal suturing after nasal septal surgery.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of transseptal suturing against two different types of nasal packs with respect to pain, operative time and postoperative complications following nasal septal surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred and fifty patients (aged 18-61 years) scheduled for nasal septal surgery were included. Following surgery, three types of nasal packing systems were utilized: (1) transseptal suturing (Group A: 50 patients); (2) internal nasal splint (Group B: 50 patients); (3) a Merocel standard 8-cm nasal dressing without airway (Group C: 50 patients) to the patients. Postoperative pain, operation time, septal perforation and synechiae formation were evaluated. RESULTS: The difference between mean operative time of groups B and C was not statistically significant (p>0.05). The difference between operative time of the two groups against group A was statistically significant (p<0.05). The mean postoperative pain scores were 2.8 ± 1.2 (median 2) in group A, 6.1 ± 1.3 (median 6) in group B, and 7.3 ± 1.2 (median 7) in group C 1h to 48 h post-surgery. Merocel and internal nasal splint tampons were found to be significantly more painful than transseptal suturing during 48 h (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in terms of infection, hematoma, synechiae formation or perforation between the groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The use of transseptal suturing technique is a useful alternative to packing, with only minor increase in operating time.

Comparison of three techniques in adult tonsillectomy.

This study aimed at investigating the thermal welding (TW), classic dissection (CD) and bipolar cautery dissection (BCD) tonsillectomy in adults. 120 adults with chronic tonsillitis, who were scheduled for elective tonsillectomy between January 2009 and April 2012, were randomized to tonsillectomy with the TW, CD and BCD methods. Operation time, intraoperative blood loss, post-operative haemorrhage rate and especially post-operative pain were evaluated. The difference between operative time of the TW and BCD groups against CD group was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The difference between intraoperative blood loss of the TW and BCD groups against CD group was statistically significant (p < 0.05). No significant difference was found in the incidence of post-tonsillectomy haemorrhage between the three groups (p > 0.05). The difference between post-operative pain score between CD and TW was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The difference between post-operative pain score of the two groups against BCD group was statistically significant (p < 0.05). TW technique is a relatively safe and reliable method with significantly less post-operative morbidity than CD and BCD tonsillectomy. When we compared TW with the CD and BCD tonsillectomy, we found significant reduction in the surgical time and the intraoperative blood loss without any increase in the post-operative pain.

The effects of lycopene on cisplatin-induced ototoxicity.

To investigate the potential preventive effect of lycopene in cisplatin-related ototoxicity. Thirty-five healthy 3-3.5-month adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups and treated as follows: Group 1 (n = 10), received no cisplatin or lycopene. Both group 2 (n = 10) and; Group 3 (n = 15) received a single dose of 12 mg/kg cisplatin intraperitoneally. Lycopene was administered via gavage feeding in group 2 for 15 days. Prior to any medication administration, the baseline distortion product emissions were obtained in three groups. The animals were tested again at 15th day. The resulting distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAE) were evaluated at 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and 12 kHz. On day 0, prior to any medications, the initial DPOAEs measurement results gave similar values in the three groups (p > 0.05). In group 2 and 3, statistically significant differences were recorded for all frequencies between day 0 and day 15 values (p < 0.05). Lycopene group demonstrated significantly higher DP-grams except for 1.5 kHz frequency when compared to cisplatin group (p < 0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in basal and mid turn external ciliated cells number (p < 0.05), but there was no statistically significant difference in apical turn between three groups (p > 0.05). Stria vascularis changes were statistically significant between the groups, and the median score for stria vascularis injury was significantly greater in group 3 than in group 2 (p < 0.05). The median scores for spiral ganglion cells changes were significantly greater in group 3 than in group 2 (p < 0.05). The analyses of the results revealed statistically significant differences between two groups (p < 0.05), suggesting lycopene's possible protective effect against cisplatin ototoxicity. The present study revealed that administration of lycopene may demonstrate a protective role against cisplatin-induced ototoxicity in rats.

The effect of nasal septal deviation on maxillary sinus volumes and development of maxillary sinusitis.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the possible role of nasal septal deviation on volume of maxillary sinuses and its relationship with development of maxillary sinusitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between May 2010 and September 2012, paranasal sinus computed tomography (CT) findings of 825 patients (470 males, 355 females), who admitted to Ear Nose and Throat Department of Bozok University Medical Faculty were retrospectively analyzed. By excluding the other co-existent sino nasal pathologies, 109 consecutive patients (47 males, 62 females mean age 36 ± 13.4 years; range 18-71 years) with isolated nasal septal deviations were recruited for the study. The convex side of the septal curvature was accepted as the direction of deviation. The findings were grouped according to the radiologically measured angle of nasal septal deviations. The deviation angle of the nasal septum was described as; mild (<9°), moderate (the angle between 9° and 15°), or severe (15° and up). The volume of each maxillary sinus (ipsi- and contralateral to the deviation side) was also calculated using the computer program. Sinusitis was defined as any evident thickening of the maxillary sinus mucosa. RESULTS: There were 62 females and 47 males with a mean age of 36 ± 13.4. Nasal septal deviation angles were found to range between 5° and 27.2° (mean 13° ± 3.4°). The right sided deviations included 19 mild (<9°, Group I), 16 moderate (9°-15°, Group II), and 16 severe (15° and up, Group III) cases. The left sided deviations included 19 mild (<9°, Group I), 19 moderate (9°-15°, Group II), and 20 severe (15° and up, Group III) subjects. Maxillary sinus volumes were compared between right and left sided deviation groups. We could not demonstrate a statistically significant difference between the right maxillary sinus volumes of Groups I and II in left sided deviation cases (p = 0.77). In the same side, comparison of Groups I-III and Groups II-III, the maxillary sinus volume differences were found to be significantly meaningful (p = 0.001 and p = 0.013, respectively). Identical results were yielded in the right sided septal deviation group related to the maxillary sinus volumes of Groups I and II and Groups I-III and Groups II-III compartments (p = 0.99, p = 0.004 and p = 0.003, respectively). In both right and left deviation groups, ipsi and contralateral maxillary sinus volume comparements produced statistically significant results (p = 0.002 and p = 0.04, respectively). The presence of maxillary sinusitis findings were significantly increased in both group (p = 0.00). Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that maxillary sinus volumes tend to be higher at the contralateral side of the severe septum deviations. In addition, the chance of finding maxillary sinusitis findings on ipsilateral to the severe septum deviation was significantly increased.

Pseudomeningocele presenting as a cyst of the external auditory canal.

Pseudomeningocele is a cerebrospinal fluid collection in an extradural area after meningeal tear. The etiology of pseudomeningocele development is iatrogenic or traumatic in most cases. In this study, we report a case of the postsurgical pseudomeningocele presenting as a cystic mass in the external auditory canal and complete sensorineural hearing loss with a review of the relevant literature.

The effects of sevoflurane and isoflurane in nasal septal surgery.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of sevoflurane and isoflurane in nasal septal surgery in terms of intraoperative blood loss, operation time, recovery time, and especially postoperative pain. METHODS: A total of 90 elective nasal septal surgery patients between the ages of 19 and 58 years (mean age, 32.95 years) who were classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I and II between January 2011 and June 2012 were included the study. Patients were assigned by randomization to receive 1 of 2 anesthetic agents (n = 45 patients each group): balanced general anesthesia with sevoflurane or isoflurane group. In all patients, the amount of intraoperative blood loss, the duration of operation, recovery time, and postoperative pain scores were recorded. RESULTS: The amount of perioperative bleeding in sevoflurane cases was less than that in the isoflurane group, and the difference was statistically significant (P G 0.05). Similarly, mean operative time was shorter in the sevoflurane group, and again the difference between 2 groups was statistically significant (P G 0.05). No statistically significant differences were observed between the 2 groups with respect to the anesthesia duration, extubation time, recovery time, and postoperative pain scores (P 9 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Sevoflurane, which is one of the volatile anesthetics, leads to a lower amount of intraoperative bleeding, postoperative pain, and operation time than isoflurane during nasal septal surgery.

The effects of sevoflurane and isoflurane in nasal septal surgery.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of sevoflurane and isoflurane in nasal septal surgery in terms of intraoperative blood loss, operation time, recovery time, and especially postoperative pain. METHODS: A total of 90 elective nasal septal surgery patients between the ages of 19 and 58 years (mean age, 32.95 years) who were classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I and II between January 2011 and June 2012 were included the study. Patients were assigned by randomization to receive 1 of 2 anesthetic agents (n = 45 patients each group): balanced general anesthesia with sevoflurane or isoflurane group. In all patients, the amount of intraoperative blood loss, the duration of operation, recovery time, and postoperative pain scores were recorded. RESULTS: The amount of perioperative bleeding in sevoflurane cases was less than that in the isoflurane group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Similarly, mean operative time was shorter in the sevoflurane group, and again the difference between 2 groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). No statistically significant differences were observed between the 2 groups with respect to the anesthesia duration, extubation time, recovery time, and postoperative pain scores (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Sevoflurane, which is one of the volatile anesthetics, leads to a lower amount of intraoperative bleeding, postoperative pain, and operation time than isoflurane during nasal septal surgery.

The frequency of adenotonsillectomies in relation to socioeconomic status among primary school students in Yozgat province.

The present study aimed to investigate the frequency of tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy and its relation to socioeconomic status (SES) among 6- to 13-year-old primary school students in Yozgat province. Between March 1, 2012 and March 15, 2012, 1098 primary and nursery school students who had complete ear, nose and throat examination in our department were included in the study. The students were queried regarding age, gender and history of tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy via data collection forms. SES was evaluated according to the mean monthly income within the family, educational level of parents and absence or presence of smoking habits. The age of the 1098 students (678 males, 420 females) ranged between 6 and 13 years (mean age: 10.7). Of the cases, 27 (2.5%) had tonsillectomy, 23 (2.1%) had adenoidectomy, and 36 (3.3%) had both tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. When we compared the SES between the operated and nonoperated subjects in the families with mean monthly income lower than the minimum wage, educational level lower than university degree and in the presence of smoking habits, adenotonsillectomy operation rate was significantly higher than in the non-operated group (p<0.001). We conclude that in children of the lower SES group families, with a mean monthly income lower than the minimum wage, parental educational level lower than university degree and the presence of smoking habit of family members, the rate of adenotonsillectomy operations is higher than in the other SES groups.