Comparing the Quality of Life and Hearing Thresholds Following Stapedectomy Versus Laser Stapedotomy with NiTiBOND Piston.

The purpose of this study was to examine the quality of life (QoL) and hearing thresholds of patients who underwent 2 types of stapes surgery. A retrospective cohort study was performed comparing stapedotomy with NiTiBOND prostheses (n=20) and stapedectomy with autogenous cortical bone columella (n=20), applying the Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI) and the Hearing Handicap Inventory for Adults outcome measures with hearing thresholds. Univariate comparative statistical methods were applied. The stapedotomy cohort had significantly better values of Social Support Score of the GBI as compared to the stapedectomy cohort (P=.016). No statistically significant difference was detected between the groups in the pre- and postoperative audiological results and the further QoL measures. Apart from the excellent postoperative audiological results of the different types of stapes surgeries, stapedotomy with NiTiBOND prostheses seems to be superior as regards QoL over stapedectomy applying autogenous cortical bone columella.

Quality-of-life outcomes with endoscopic and microscopic type I tympanoplasty-a prospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: Endoscopic type I tympanoplasty was originally introduced in the 1990s and the extensive spread of this practice can be easily observed. The conventional technique performed involves the repair of a tympanic membrane perforation and is defined as microscopic type I tympanoplasty. The aim of this study is the comparison of quality-of-life (QoL) outcomes with endoscopic to that with microscopic type I tympanoplasty. METHODS: All patients, or in the case of children with the aid of a parent, were asked to complete a novel QoL questionnaire drafted by our study group. The analysis was performed with descriptive statistics-mean, SD and relative frequency-and with a mixed model (generalized least squares fit). A two-sided p value of < 0.05 was regarded as statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 83 patients completed the questionnaire, 38 in the endoscopic group and 45 in the microscopic group. Every question represented a different. A statistically significant result was found in favor of the endoscopic approach regarding average hospitalization rate (p = 0.003) and cosmetic outcomes (p = 0.015). No statistically significant difference was otherwise observed between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our prospective cohort study, the QoL outcomes of endoscopic type I tympanoplasty in terms of postoperative pain, headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, taste disorder and hearing were comparable to the microscopic type I tympanoplasty. In regard to cosmetics, an increase in desirable results was achieved in the endoscopic group, particularly the average hospitalization rate proved to be statistically significantly lower than in the microscopic group.

Geometrical values of the normal and arthritic hip and knee detected with the EOS imaging system.

PURPOSE: EOS 2D/3D is an integrated, low-dose orthopedic digital radioimaging solution, which, due to its groundbreaking properties, has recently shown an increasing application in scoliosis surgery. Its integrated sterEOS 3D software allows creation of patient-specific three-dimensional (3D) lower limb models, and can produce geometrical parameters in 3D. Currently there are a limited number of reports on EOS for lower limb applications. METHODS: Three-dimensional reconstructions of 256 hip and knee joints of 128 healthy subjects, as well as 53 hips and 46 knees of 69 patients with hip or knee arthritis, were evaluated based on orthogonal EOS two-dimensional (2D) images. Measurements for hips included femur and tibia length, total length of the extremity, femoral antetorsion and offset, femoral neck length, neck-shaft and hip-knee-shaft (HKS) angles. Lower limb alignment in both frontal and sagittal planes were determined in normal and arthritic knees. Values were compared with those obtained by standard methods published by others. RESULTS: Normal hip and knee geometrical parameters were found in our healthy subjects. In osteoarthritic cases, values for neck-shaft angle, femoral antetorsion, femur length and total length of the extremity were shown to decrease non-significantly. Evaluation of lower limb alignment in healthy and arthritic knees showed normal values in healthy subjects apart from three cases with an average six degrees varus. Arthritic knees were most frequently found to have a varus angulation, with the exception of 11 cases with normal or valgus alignment. CONCLUSION: EOS 2D/3D with its sterEOS 3D reconstruction is useful for a comprehensive 3D examination of the lower limb. In the near future it may be suitable for daily routine diagnostics of orthopedic lower limb deformities as a primary examination method.