Benefits, pitfalls and risks of phytotherapy in clinical practice in otorhinolaryngology.

OBJECTIVES: To elucidate the benefits, pitfalls and risks of phytotherapy in the clinical practice of otorhinolaryngology. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The PubMed and Cochrane databases were searched using the following keywords: phytotherapy, phytomedicine, herbs, otology, rhinology, laryngology, otitis, rhinitis, laryngitis and otorhinolaryngology. Seventy-two articles (18 prospective randomized studies, 4 Cochrane analyses, 4 meta-analysis and 15 reviews of the literature) devoted to clinical studies were analyzed. Articles devoted to in vitro or animal studies, biochemical analyses or case reports (including fewer than 10 patients) and articles dealing with honey, aromatherapy or minerals were excluded. RESULTS: Per os ginkgo biloba has no indications in tinnitus, presbycusis or anosmia following viral rhinitis. Traditional Asian medicine has no proven benefit in sudden deafness or laryngeal papillomatosis. Per os mistletoe extracts associated to conventional treatment for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma does not increase 5-year survival. Extracts of various herbs, notably echinacea, eucalyptus, petasites hybridus, pelargonium sidoides, rosemary, spirulina and thyme, show superiority over placebo for rhinosinusitis and allergic rhinitis, as does gingko biloba for selected vertigo. There have been encouraging preliminary results for intratumoral injection of mistletoe in head and neck carcinoma and acupoint herbal patching for allergic rhinitis. Herb intake should be screened for in case of certain unexplained symptoms such as epistaxis, headache or dizziness, or signs suggesting allergy. Phytotherapy should be interrupted ahead of surgery and/or chemotherapy. CONCLUSION: Scientific proof of the benefit of phytotherapy in otorhinolaryngology remains to be established but, given its widespread use and the reported data, knowledge of this form of treatment needs to be developed.

[Indications for the Schmid-Meyer frontal-temporal flap for nasal reconstruction. Four clinical cases]. / Les indications du lambeau frontotemporal de Schmid-Meyer dans la reconstruction nasale. A propos de quatre cas cliniques.

The fronto-temporal flap described by Schmid and modified by Meyer is a tubular flap with an internal supraciliary pedicle which allows the transposition of the temporal skin with the addition of ear cartilage on the tip of the nose or the ala nasi. This meticulous reconstruction requires four stages which are workable under local anesthesia. Four clinical cases allow to specify the advantages and the drawbacks of this technique. They place this technique in the therapeutic possibilities between the composite grafts and various local and distant flaps.

Cisplatin-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy and combined resection for ethmoid sinus adenocarcinoma reaching and/or invading the skull base.

OBJECTIVE: To review our experience with cisplatin-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy before en bloc resection via a combined neurosurgical and transfacial approach for ethmoid sinus adenocarcinoma reaching and/or invading the skull base. DESIGN: Case series. SETTING: A tertiary care center and university teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Twenty-two patients with primary untreated ethmoid sinus adenocarcinoma reaching and/or invading the skull base consecutively treated between 1984 and 1992 with cisplatin-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy and combined neurosurgical and transfacial approach. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Statistical analysis of survival, local control, nodal recurrence, distant metastasis, and metachronous second primary tumor incidence based on the Kaplan-Meier actuarial method. Univariate analysis was performed to analyze the relationships between various factors, survival, and local recurrence. Clinical response, histological response, toxic effects of chemotherapy, and postoperative course were also reported. RESULTS: The Kaplan-Meier 3-year survival, local control, nodal recurrence, and distant metastasis estimates were 68.1%, 65.7%, 5.3%, and 10%, respectively. Metachronous second primary tumor was not encountered in our series. Survival was statistically more likely to be reduced in patients with intrasphenoidal tumor extent (P = .04) and local recurrence (P = .01). Local recurrence was statistically more likely in patients with intrasphenoidal tumor extent (P = .002) and no response to cisplatin-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy (P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: The results achieved suggest that cisplatin-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy before combined neurosurgical and transfacial approach should be further investigated for the treatment of ethmoid sinus adenocarcinoma reaching and/or invading the skull base.