[Newly developed biofeedback program for facial muscle training in patients with facial paralysis]. / Ein neu entwickeltes Biofeedbackprogramm zum Gesichtsmuskeltraining für Patienten mit Fazialisparese.

BACKGROUND: Patients with facial paralysis are significantly limited in their quality of life (QoL). If no irreversible nerve damage is apparent, intensive training of the facial muscles is recommended in addition to drug-based therapy with cortisone. In order to improve training, we have developed a digital biofeedback mirror with motion magnification to indirectly influence the vegetative nervous system. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to evaluate the reliability of the biofeedback program compared to clinical examination and classification according to House-Brackmann. METHODS: Our biofeedback system is similar to a mirror with the additional advantage of increasing a patient's self-control. It not only reflects the patient's image, but also potentiates movement through video processing and a magnifying function. For this purpose, patient's facial movements are filmed and amplified in real-time. Thus, even the smallest movements can be made visible and measured so that patients receive feedback on nerve regeneration. This can increase patient's motivation for daily facial muscle training and improve compliance. RESULTS: In the present study, restriction of QoL was evaluated and objectivized with Facial Clinimetric Evaluation Scale (FaCE) and Facial Disability Index (FDI) questionnaires. It was demonstrated that the patients' self-perception was associated with poor QoL. CONCLUSION: In the current study, measurement of the facial movements showed a reliable agreement with the clinical classification according to House-Brackmann. The biofeedback system is a reliable support tool during the regeneration phase in patients with facial paralysis..

[The treatment of chronic wounds in the head and neck area after radiotherapy with medical honey]. / Die Behandlung chronischer Wunden im Kopf-Hals-Bereich nach Radiatio mit medizinischem Honig.

BACKGROUND: Wound healing problems and chronic wounds can be a therapeutic challenge are a frequent problem after radiotherapy. They can appear spontaneously or after further surgery. The permanently altered tissue is associated with recurrent bacterial infections with weeping wounds, which cannot be treated sufficiently by conventional conservative wound care. The topical application of medical honey seems to have a positive effect in such cases. The aim of this prospectively study is to check this effectiveness in the treatment of wound healing problems and chronic wounds in the head and neck area of irradiated patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the period of July 2012 until August 2013 nine patients were treated with medical honey. All pa-tients had previously radiotherapy in the head and neck area. 5 patients had protracted wound healing problems after salvage surgery. The remaining 4 cases had spontaneously dehiscenced wounds at the beginning of the study. The wound healing was confirmed by measurement of the wound edges and depth and by adequate photo documentation. RESULTS: In all cases, the conventional wound care was unsuccessfully. In 8 of 9 cases, the wounds could be brought to cure by the application of medical honey over 3-8 weeks. Side effects or allergic reactions to the medical honey were not seen in any -cases. CONCLUSION: Based on our clinical experience we believe that the topical application of medical honey in non-healing or recurrent wounds in the head and neck area after radiotherapy is a reason-able and successful alternative therapy.