Argon laser in difficult stapedotomy cases.

OBJECTIVE: The success and safety of argon lasers in stapedotomy surgery is now well documented. This study reviews results in problematic situations in which the argon laser may be of particular advantage to successful completion of the stapedotomy procedure. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. METHODS: A retrospective review of the author's most recent 200 stapedotomy cases was performed, identifying 32 patients who at surgery were either found to have a prolapsed dehiscent facial nerve (three cases), developed a floating footplate (eight cases), or were undergoing a revision stapedotomy (21 cases). Four-frequency, pure-tone average air and bone conduction thresholds were computed before and after surgery. Success was defined as closure of the air-bone gap to within 10 dB, while an air-bone gap within 20 dB was considered improvement. RESULTS: Successful closure of the air-bone gap was achieved in all eight patients with a mobilized footplate, in all three patients with a prolapsed dehiscent facial nerve, and in 43% of the patients undergoing a revision stapedotomy. The rate of improved air-bone gap in the revision cases was 62%. In one revision stapedotomy patient a decrease in speech discrimination occurred. Otherwise, there were no cases of sensorineural hearing loss. Neither intraoperative nor postoperative dizziness was reported by any patient, and all were discharged on an outpatient basis. CONCLUSION: The argon laser was found to be safe, effective, and a valuable adjunct for the difficult stapedotomy cases when unexpected obstacles such as a prolapsed dehiscent facial nerve or a mobilized footplate are encountered, as well as for the planned, more difficult revision cases.

Menière's disease: results of treatment with the endolymphatic subarachnoid shunt compared with the endolymphatic mastoid shunt.

The senior author has performed 346 endolymphatic sac operations since 1971. Questionnaires were sent to these patients to evaluate the results of this surgery. One hundred ninety-six questionnaires were returned and formed the basis for this report. The results of surgery are reported by the new American Academy of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery criteria as well as by the older method of reporting. There is no significant difference in results between the endolymphatic subarachnoid shunt and the endolymphatic mastoid shunt. Because of the lower morbidity of the latter procedure the authors prefer the endolymphatic mastoid shunt. The new method of reporting is superior to the older method.

Acoustic tumor management in senior citizens.

We reviewed records of 116 consecutive acoustic tumor surgery patients aged 65 and older during the 10 years ending in 1984. One hundred six had total removal. Ninety-four (81%) had no intraoperative complications and 66 (57%) had no postoperative complications. Only one patient, who had previously undergone partial removal elsewhere, died. Because tumors grow at 2 mm per year, and because elderly patients can expect to live up to 18 more years, we recommend planned total removal of an acoustic tumor as the management of choice for senior citizens in good health. We feel that the advantages of immediate surgery outweigh the risks of delayed surgery when age is advanced, the tumor is enlarged, and general health may be declining.

Malignant hyperthermia.

The true incidence of malignant hyperthermia is unknown, but the frequency has been estimated as high as 1/14,000 anesthetic events. Review of the literature reports mortality rates up to 70%. Without prompt medical intervention, it is a uniformly fatal disease. Thus, it behooves the physician to have an awareness of the syndrome and its features, so that early recognition and adequate treatment take place. This paper presents a review of the literature on the occurrence, pathology, symptoms and treatment of malignant hyperthermia.