Diode laser versus bipolar diathermy for turbinate reduction in cases of inferior turbinate hypertrophy.

This study was designed to assess the surgical outcomes of two commonly used techniques for turbinate reduction (diode laser and bipolar diathermy) in selected group of patients with chronic nasal obstruction which resulted from inferior turbinate hypertrophy. The current study was conducted on adult patients with a diagnosis of inferior turbinate hypertrophy. 42 patients (21 in each group) with an age range of 21-38 years (mean = 26.0 ± 4.1) were included in this work and were randomly distributed in 2 groups: one group was scheduled for diode laser turbinectomy (DLT) while the other group was managed by bipolar diathermy (BDT). In DLT, the machine was on a continuous mode with intermittent loading, with laser energy level set to 6 W (0.3-s pulse, 0.1-s break). Pre- and postoperative assessments were statistically compared via tests from SPSS 19.0 (IBM, Chicago, Illinois; USA). Percentage of categorical variables were compared using the Chi-square (χ2) test. P < 0.05 was considered significant, P˃0.05 was considered non-significant, and P < 0.001 was considered highly significant. At 6 months postoperatively, in cases of DLT, there was high significant improvement as regards nasal obstruction and headache (χ2 = 64.78 and 39 respectively; P < 0.0001). There was insignificant difference as regards rhinorrhea (χ2 = 5.524; P = 0.137). In comparison to the postoperative data of both groups, significant difference was reported as regards nasal obstruction and headache (P < 0.001) and rhinorrhea (P < 0.05). This study demonstrated that both laser and bipolar cautery are effective in improving nasal obstruction and rhinorrhea. Preservation of the nasal mucociliary function was better in the diode laser group.

New Metal Shield for the Endotracheal Tube during Laser Endolaryngeal Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: To present and assess a newly designed autoclavable, reusable tube shield for an endotracheal tube (ETT) during laser laryngeal surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included patients scheduled for endolaryngeal laser surgery. A carbonated stainless-steel hemisphere shield (~1.5×0.6 mm) connected to a silk thread passing through a hole in its middle near upper edge was used. Under general anesthesia, patients were intubated orally using a small cuffed polyvinyl ETT, filling the cuff with saline. When the laser was used, the shield was applied either to the side of the tube or anterior to it, depending on the site of the laser procedure. The shield could easily be repositioned when needed during surgery. RESULTS: In 25 cases (six cordectomy for glottic carcinomas and 19 posterior cordotomy for bilateral vocal cord paralysis), application of the shield over the ETT was easy and the shield could be easily and simply fitted in all cases, with change in position achieved easily during the work as required. The shield over the ETT could not be penetrated by the laser, regardless of the gas composition or laser energy. No intraoperative complications were encountered in any of our cases. Recovery was event-free in all patients without the need for admission to an intensive care unit. CONCLUSION: The newly designed autoclavable reusable stainless-steel shield designed for an ETT could be safely, easily, and effectively used during laser laryngeal surgery with low cost and easy availability. However, comparative and multicenter studies are still needed.

Bioglass reconstruction of posterior meatal wall after canal wall down mastoidectomy.

BACKGROUND: Canal wall down (CWD) mastoidectomy has many drawbacks including chronic otorrhea, granulations, dizziness on exposure to cold or hot water and tendency of debris accumulation in the mastoid cavity demanding periodic cleaning. Many of these problems can be solved by reconstruction of the posterior meatal wall (PMW). OBJECTIVES: To assess the results of PMW reconstruction after CWD mastoidectomy for cholesteatoma using bioactive glass (BAG) that is fabricated and built up intraoperatively. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was applied on 20 patients had atticoantral chronic suppurative otitis media. All cases were subjected to CWD mastoid surgery with complete elimination of the disease and reconstruction of the PMW by BAG that was prepared and built up intraoperatively. All patients were exposed to full preoperative evaluation and full postoperative assessment of complications, appearance of the external auditory canal contour, and the hearing gain expressed by the change of the air bone gap postoperatively. RESULTS: During a follow up of 12 to 36 months, postoperative appearance of external auditory canal contour was found smooth without hidden pouches, irregularities nor stenosis in all cases. No registered granulation, foreign body reaction, nor extrusion and/or displacement of the BAG material. No reported facial palsy or recurrent cholesteatoma. Significant hearing improvement was statistically reported (p = 0.0006). CONCLUSION: Surgical reconstruction of the PMW using BAG that operatively fashioned immediately after CWD mastoidectomy appears to be reliable without considerable complications giving smooth appearance of the PMW and improving the hearing.

Comparison between laser- and diathermy-assisted posterior cordotomy for bilateral vocal cord abductor paralysis.

IMPORTANCE: A reliable procedure is needed to solve the problem of difficult airway in patients with bilateral vocal cord paralysis without adversely affecting patient "voice quality." OBJECTIVES: To compare the results of laser-assisted posterior cordotomy with diathermy-assisted posterior cordotomy for bilateral vocal cord paralysis in regard to dyspnea severity, voice quality, and aspiration. DESIGN: Prospective randomized clinical trial at a university medical center. SETTING: Zagazig University Hospitals, Zagazig, Egypt. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty patients randomly categorized into 2 groups; group A was treated with laser-assisted posterior cordotomy and group B was treated with diathermy-assisted posterior cordotomy. INTERVENTION: Laser-assisted posterior cordotomy for group A and diathermy-assisted posterior cordotomy for group B. MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURE: Dyspnea severity, voice quality, and aspiration. RESULTS: A significant difference (P < .05) was found between group A and group B at all postoperative comparisons in dyspnea, whereas no significant difference (P ≥ .05) was detected at all postoperative comparisons in voice quality. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Laser-assisted posterior cordotomy can be considered as a reliable and superior procedure compared with diathermy-assisted posterior cordotomy in the treatment of bilateral vocal cord abductor paralysis. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: ISRCTN08093874.