Role of aerating mastoidectomy in noncholesteatomatous chronic otitis media.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the success rate of revision tympanoplasty with aerating mastoidectomy in patients with noncholesteatomatous chronic otitis media who had failed at least one prior tympanoplasty. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. METHODS: Data were analyzed from 135 patients available for clinical and audiometric studies with a minimum of 18 months' follow-up. All patients had failed at least one prior tympanoplasty and presented with: 1) a persistent tympanic membrane perforation with intermittent drainage, or 2) a wet draining ear, unresponsive to systemic antibiotic and topical management. All patients underwent 1.5-mm, high-density, bone window computed tomography (CT) scanning to assess middle ear, epitympanic, and mastoid air cell pneumatization. All patients underwent revision tympanoplasty with aerating mastoidectomy via a postauricular approach. Patient charts were reviewed for information regarding preoperative radiographic findings, mucosal and ossicular findings at the time of surgery, and success or failure of revision tympanomastoidectomy. RESULTS: The tympanic membrane graft take rate for the entire group of 135 patients was 90.4% (13 grafts failed). A majority of the patients were found to have radiographic and intraoperative evidence of middle ear/mastoid disease. CONCLUSION: For patients with noncholesteatomatous chronic otitis media who have failed prior tympanoplastic reconstruction, an aerating mastoidectomy may be indicated and may improve the success rate of the surgery.

Survival, function, and quality of life after total glossectomy.

Advanced tongue cancer is associated with poor survival despite aggressive therapy. In an attempt at cure, many patients undergo total glossectomy, which significantly affects function and quality of life (QOL). This study was designed to determine the survival rate and QOL of patients who had undergone total glossectomy. A total of 54 patients underwent total glossectomy, with or without total laryngectomy, for advanced tongue cancer from 1970 to 1996. Patient outcomes were assessed for the following: 1. disease-free survival, 2. function, utilizing the Performance Status Scale (PSS), and 3. QOL, using two general cancer questionnaires (FACT-G and EORTC QLQ-C30) and a series of questions specific for head and neck cancer patients. Corrected actuarial survival was 51% and 41% at 3 and 5 years, respectively. Functional assessment using the PSS demonstrated significant deficits in speech and deglutition. QOL questionnaires revealed problems with eating, speaking, socializing, and shoulder function. However, the overall responses demonstrated that these patients have adjusted to their deficits and have a good QOL. It was concluded that total glossectomy, with or without total laryngectomy, can result in meaningful survival and an adequate QOL can be achieved in selected patients.

A serious skin sulfur mustard burn from an artillery shell.

Despite the Geneva Protocol of 1925 and the Paris Conference on Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in 1989, sulfur mustard and other chemical weapons continue to pose a hazard to both civilians and soldiers. The presence of artillery shells containing sulfur mustard, both in waters where these shells were dumped and in old battlefields, presents a problem in times of peace, especially for those who collect wartime memorabilia. Past literature has reported several hundred incidents involving fishermen who inadvertently pulled leaking shells aboard their fishing vessels, thereby exposing themselves to the vesicant chemical. Other literature reports exposure to children who found the chemical shells in old battlefields. The purpose of this article is to report the first case of a serious sulfur mustard burn that occurred after removing the detonator from an old artillery shell in a historic battle field near Verdun, France. The circumstances surrounding the injury, the diagnosis and management of injuries secondary to sulfur mustard, and the long-term consequences to the patient are presented and discussed. Although skin grafting has been used in the management of other chemical burn injuries, this report is the first to describe the need for split-thickness skin grafts in the management of a patient with sulfur mustard burns.

Diagnosis, complications, and treatment of dentoskeletal malocclusion.

The frequency of correctable malocclusion makes it imperative that the condition be diagnosed and referred for appropriate treatment. A complete dentofacial examination, which assesses facial symmetry and the dentition in the transverse, sagittal, and centric relations, is appropriate. Early diagnosis is imperative because malocclusion leads to long-term complications such as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunctions, perodontal disease, obstructive sleep apnea, psychological disorders, and articulation errors. A combination of orthodontic treatment and orthognathic surgery will correct the dentoskeletal malocclusion and prevent any long-term complications. The purpose of this case report is to describe a patient with severe dentoskeletal malocclusion who benefitted from appropriate orthodontic treatment and orthognathic surgery.

A new hazard of cornstarch, an absorbable dusting powder.

Cornstarch is currently the only powder used in the manufacture of surgical and examination gloves. The purpose of this study was to determine if cornstarch damages local tissue defenses in contaminated wounds. It was found that in contaminated wounds, cornstarch enhanced the growth of bacteria and elicited exaggerated inflammatory responses as measured by wound induration. As a result of this investigation, we do not recommend the use of gloves with cornstarch powders.