[Effects of functional septoplasty in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome]. / Efectos de la septoplastia funcional en el síndrome de apnea obstructiva del sueño.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of functional septoplasty in a group of patients with septal dysmorphy and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). PATIENTS AND METHOD: 34 patients with nasal respiratory insufficiency and chronic snore were included from 1997 to 2003. All of them were diagnosed of OSAS by nocturnal polysomnography (PSG) and of septal dysmorphy by ORL physical examination. Patients were clinically followed-up at 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery. PSG was also evaluated at 6 months postsurgery. RESULTS: A significant objective reduction of the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) (45.8 vs 31.9), severity of OSAS, and minimal mean oxygen saturation (76.4 to 83.1) was found. Moreover, we observed a significant improvement of subjective scales of sleepiness (13 vs 6) and the patients' satisfaction degree (72% of patients improved). CONCLUSIONS: Functional septoplasty is an effective treatment in patients with OSAS and septal dysmorphy.

Efectos de la septoplastia funcional en el síndrome de apnea obstructiva del sueño / Effects of functional septoplasty in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome

Fundamento y objetivo: Evaluar el efecto de la septoplastia funcional en un grupo de pacientes con dismorfia septal y síndrome de apnea obstructiva del sueño (SAOS). Pacientes y método: Se estudió a 34 pacientes con insuficiencia respiratoria nasal y roncopatía crónica desde 1997 hasta 2003. Se confirmó el SAOS mediante estudio polisomnográfico nocturno y la dismorfia septal por exploración otorrinolaringológica. Se estudió la evolución de los pacientes clínicamente a 1, 3 y 6 meses y con polisomnografía a los 6 meses. Resultados: Se evidenció una mejoría objetiva estadísticamente significativa en el índice de apnea-hipoapnea (pasó de 45,8 a 31,9; p ¾ 0,05), en la gravedad del SAOS (un 41,2% de los pacientes pasaron a leves o dejaron de tener SAOS), en la saturación arterial de oxígeno mínima media (del 76,4 al 83,1%), así como una mejoría subjetiva en la escala de Epworth (13 puntos comparado con 6) para la valoración de la somnolencia y del grado de satisfacción clínica de los pacientes (el 72% de los pacientes evidenciaron mejoría). Conclusiones: La septoplastia funcional es un tratamiento efectivo en pacientes con SAOS y dismorfia septal

Background and objective: To evaluate the efficacy of functional septoplasty in a group of patients with septal dysmorphy and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) Patients and method: 34 patients with nasal respiratory insufficiency and chronic snore were included from 1997 to 2003. All of them were diagnosed of OSAS by nocturnal polysomnography (PSG) and of septal dysmorphy by ORL physical examination. Patients were clinically followed-up at 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery. PSG was also evaluated at 6 months postsurgery. Results: A significant objective reduction of the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) (45.8 vs 31.9), severity of OSAS, and minimal mean oxygen saturation (76.4 to 83.1) was found. Moreover, we observed a significant improvement of subjective scales of sleepiness (13 vs 6) and the patients' satistaction degree (72% of patients improved). Conclusions: Funtcional septoplasty is an effective treatment in patients with OSAS and septal dysmorphy

Ewings' sarcoma of the mandible.

Ewings' sarcoma involving the facial bones is rare although it is the second most frequent bone malignancy. For the diagnosis a biopsy is needed. Currently the treatment is the combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy with surgery indicated in only a few instances. We report a case of Ewing's sarcoma of the mandible and describe its clinicopathologic features and the treatment of this disease.