Comparison of functional endoscopic sinus surgery under local and general anesthesia.

We present a retrospective comparison of intravenous sedation and general anesthesia techniques employed at New York University-Bellevue Medical Center for functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Some authors have stressed the use of local anesthesia with intravenous sedation in order to avoid complications and reduce blood loss. We have reviewed 232 patients who underwent 401 consecutive ethmoidectomies and maxillary antrostomies. Local anesthesia, employed in 64% of patients, carried an estimated blood loss of 23 mL per side. General anesthesia was associated with an average blood loss of 58 mL per side. The rate of operative complications for local anesthesia was 8.7% per patient, with a 1.6% rate of major complications per side. General anesthesia carried an overall complication rate of 2.4% per patient, with no major complications. General anesthesia is a relatively safe and viable option for endoscopic sinus surgery that in selected cases may be preferable to local anesthesia.

Streptococcal gangrene of the head and neck: a case report and review of the literature.

Necrotizing bacterial infections that occur in the head and neck are exceedingly rare and are often associated with a group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus (Streptococcus pyogenes). The disease is associated with soft tissue necrosis and vascular thrombosis. There appears to be an increasing incidence of hyperaggressive beta hemolytic streptococcal infections associated with high mortality rates. We report the survival of an otherwise healthy patient who developed a flu-like illness followed by a rapidly progressive toxic systemic illness associated with subtotal facial soft tissue necrosis down to bone. The recent literature related to this necrotizing bacterial infection is reviewed. Otolaryngologists must be aware of this entity since survival depends upon aggressive early wound management and high-dose intravenous antibiotics.

Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage in patients with rhinosinusitis.

Toxic shock syndrome has been associated with rhinologic surgery and medical devices, and it has been linked to a circulating exotoxin of a toxogenic strain of Staphylococcus aureus. One hundred forty patients with rhinosinusitis were studied. Nasal cultures were obtained. The microbiological characteristics are described. The carrier rate for Staphylococcus aureus was 35%. Thirty percent of patients selected for surgery were Staphylococcus aureus carriers. Toxin-capable isolates were identified in 40% of those tested. Users of cocaine, topical decongestants, and steroid sprays had a statistically higher rate of Staphylococcus aureus carriage compared to nonusers. It is hoped that by identifying the population at risk and defining the factors associated with the development of toxic shock syndrome, a cogent policy of prevention can be established.