The necessity and effect of prophylactic quinolone ear drops after ventilation tube insertion for otitis media with effusion.

BACKGROUND: Otitis media with effusion (OME) is a condition where non-infective fluid builds up in the middle ear. Long-term OME can cause damage to the middle ear and hearing impairment. Ventilation tube insertion (VTI) is an efficient procedure to drain persistent OME. However, the effect of prophylactic ear drops after VTI remains controversial because no infection is present. This study investigated the need for and effect of quinolone ear drops in patients with OME after VTI. METHODS: Between July 2018 and July 2021, 272 patients (436 ears with OME) who underwent VTI were enrolled. Prophylactic quinolone ear drops (ofloxacin) were used in 271 OME ears and not used in 165. The clinical findings and effect of the ear drops were assessed. RESULTS: The group with postoperative ofloxacin had less postoperative otorrhea (p < 0.001). In univariate analysis, age ≥ 13 years (odds ratio [OR] = 1.499, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.003-2.238, p = 0.046) was significantly associated with recovery to normal middle ear functioning (type A on postoperative tympanometry). No adenoid hypertrophy (OR = 1.692, 95% CI: 1.108-2.585, p = 0.014) and no postoperative otorrhea (OR = 2.816, 95% CI: 1.869-4.237, p < 0.001) were significant independent factors associated with middle ear recovery in both univariate and multivariate analysis. After VTI, 65% of tympanic membranes in the group with postoperative ofloxacin recovered to normal, while in 67% of tympanic membranes in the group without ofloxacin scarring remained. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who received prophylactic postoperative ofloxacin had less postoperative otorrhea. No adenoid hypertrophy and no postoperative otorrhea were significant independent predictors of middle ear recovery to normal function in both univariate analysis and multivariate analysis. However, prophylactic ofloxacin was not an independent predictor of normal middle ear functioning after VTI. After VTI, most OME patients who had used ofloxacin postoperatively had eardrums that were in better condition than those of patients who had not used ofloxacin. In this study, we confirmed the advantages and limitations of OME after VTI with prophylactic ofloxacin, thus providing clinicians with some guidance regarding the decision to administer prophylactic ofloxacin.

Prevention of Postoperative Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks After Translabyrinthine Tumor Resection With Resorbable Mesh Cranioplasty.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of resorbable mesh cranioplasty at reducing postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak and pseudomeningocele formation after translabyrinthine tumor resection. STUDY DESIGN: Case series with chart review. SETTING: Tertiary academic referral center. PATIENTS: Fifty-three consecutive cases using a resorbable mesh cranioplasty after translabyrinthine tumor resection were reviewed. INTERVENTION: Temporal bone defects were repaired with a dural substitute, layered fat graft, and a resorbable mesh plate secured with screws. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome measures included the incidence of postoperative CSF wound leak or rhinorrhea, pseudomeningocele formation, and surgical site infection. RESULTS: Fifty-three cases (average age, 54.0 yr; range, 19.3-75.1 yr) were analyzed. The average body mass index was 30.8 kg/m2 (range, 17.9-48.3 kg/m2), and the average tumor size was 18.8 mm (range, 8-38 mm). One patient (1.9%) experienced CSF rhinorrhea on postoperative Day 16, which resolved after transmastoid middle ear and eustachian tube packing. One patient (1.9%) experienced a surgical site infection requiring surgical debridement and mesh removal 4 months after surgery. Compared with 1,441 prior translabyrinthine surgeries analyzed from our institution using a traditional fat graft closure without mesh, the rate of postoperative CSF leak was significantly less using the resorbable mesh cranioplasty technique (p = 0.0483). CONCLUSION: Resorbable mesh cranioplasty is a safe and effective method to reduce postoperative CSF leak and pseudomeningocele formation after translabyrinthine craniotomy for tumor excision.

[Application of modified enlarged translabyrinthine approach in the removal of vestibular schwannoma].

OBJECTIVE: To describe and analyze the surgical outcomes of modified enlarged translabyrinthine approach(ETLA), which is combined with middle ear eradication and blind sac technique. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 28 patients who underwent surgery for vestibular schwannoma (VS) via modified ETLA from Jan. 2001 to Dec. 2012. The sizes of tumors were 25-52 mm[(38.2 ± 9.1) mm (X(-) ± s)]. Main outcomes measures included the rate of total removal, the rate of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) leakage after surgery, complications, and intraoperative anatomical preservation of facial nerve and facial nerve function. RESULTS: Among the 28 patients who underwent modified ETLA, the rate of total removal was 100%. There was no death after surgery via modified ETLA. The rate of CSF leakage after surgery was 3.5% (1/28). The rate of intraoperative anatomical preservation of facial nerve was 89.3% (25/28).Short-term and long-term good facial nerve function rates were 25.0% (7/28) and 42.9% (12/28), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Modified ETLA is suitable for VS>3 cm with extension to the anterior region of cerebellopontine angle, VS involve with labyrinth part of facial nerve, high jugular bulb, proposing sigmoid sinus and highly pneumatized temporal bone. This approach can provide a wide surgical field and well prevention of CSF leakage.

Implantation of the common cavity malformation may prevent meningitis.

UNLABELLED: OBJECTIVES AND IMPORTANCE: Children with certain congenital malformations of the inner ear, including those with a common cavity defect, have a higher incidence of spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak and resulting meningitis. However, they may also benefit from cochlear implantation. We suggest that surgical management may be possible that both prevents meningitis and provides hearing rehabilitation during the same procedure. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: A 2-year-old girl with bilateral common cavity defects who had previously undergone cochlear implantation developed contralateral CSF leak resulting in meningitis. INTERVENTION: After resolution of the infection, cochlear implantation was performed at the same time as definitive CSF leak repair. Simultaneous cochlear implantation and repair of the CSF leak successfully decreased the chance of recurrent meningitis in this case. She has been deriving hearing benefit from the bilateral implants. CONCLUSION: This case suggests a role for cochlear implantation to be combined with simultaneous CSF leak repair in children with a cochlear malformation. Furthermore, bilateral cochlear implantation at an early age may be warranted in these patients before CSF leaks and meningitis have occurred.

Oxymetazoline ototoxicity in a chinchilla animal model.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate possible ototoxic effects of a one-time application of oxymetazoline drops in a chinchilla animal model with tympanostomy tubes. Study Design. A prospective, controlled animal study. SETTING: The Research Institute of the Montreal's Children Hospital, McGill University Health Centre. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Ventilation tubes were inserted in both ears of 12 animals. One ear was randomly assigned to receive oxymetazoline drops (0.5 mL). The contralateral ear did not receive any drops, serving as a control ear. OUTCOME MEASURES: Distortion product otoacoustic emissions were measured bilaterally for a wide range of frequencies (between 1 and 16 kHz) before and 1 day after the application of oxymetazoline in the experimental ears. Two months later, the animals were sacrificed and all cochleae were dissected out and processed for scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: In this established chinchilla animal model, the measured distortion product otoacoustic emission amplitudes and the morphological appearance on scanning electron microscopy were similar for both control and experimental ears. CONCLUSION: Oxymetazoline did not cause ototoxicity in a chinchilla animal model 2 months after a single application via a tympanostomy tube.

Janus flap: bilateral nasoseptal flaps for anterior skull base reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE: Large dural defects after extended endoscopic endonasal skull base resections require meticulous reconstruction to prevent a cerebrospinal fluid leak postoperatively. The nasoseptal flap is a vascularized tissue graft developed to aid in the multilayer reconstruction of the skull base. The purpose of this study is to describe the first experiences with bilateral nasoseptal flaps for reconstruction of very large skull base defects. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, observational study. SETTING: Large tertiary referral center (New York Presbyterian Hospital). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Five patients underwent a multilayer reconstruction after an extended endoscopic transsphenoidal skull base surgery that included bilateral nasoseptal flaps. Pathologies consisted of two pituitary macroadenomas, one planum sphenoidale meningioma, one craniopharyngioma, and one cavernous sinus hemangioma. RESULTS: All five patients underwent successful skull base reconstruction without a cerebrospinal fluid leak, complication at the reconstruction site, or anterior extension of the posterior septal perforation. CONCLUSION: Bilateral nasoseptal flaps are a viable option for large dural defects of the anterior and ventral skull base when one nasoseptal flap may not completely seal the entire defect.

Prevention of cerebrospinal fluid leak after translabyrinthine resection of vestibular schwannoma.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the rate of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak after translabyrinthine craniotomy for the removal of vestibular schwannoma and describe details of closure technique. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case review. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. PATIENTS: All individuals undergoing translabyrinthine craniotomy for removal of vestibular schwannoma from January 2000 to October 2008. INTERVENTION: Translabyrinthine craniotomy for removal of vestibular schwannoma with abdominal fat graft harvest and layered closure. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Presence of cerebrospinal fluid leak and need for additional surgeries or medical interventions. RESULTS: Sixty-one patients underwent translabyrinthine craniotomy for the removal of vestibular schwannoma during a 9-year period. None of the patients had a CSF leak in the immediate postoperative period or during the mean follow-up period of 31.3 months. CONCLUSION: Successful wound closure and CSF leak prevention after translabyrinthine craniotomy for the removal of vestibular schwannomas do not require the creation of a facial recess, manipulation of the ossicles, direct Eustachian tube plugging, or the use of alloplastic space-occupying materials. The closure technique used in the current study has proven effective over time with no evidence of CSF leak among patients seen in follow-up.

[Surgical management of dural injuries and postoperative cerebrospinal fluid fistulas in spinal surgeries].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the surgical management of dural injuries and postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistulas in spinal surgeries and to observe clinical outcomes, since intraoperative injury of dura mater and postoperative CSF fistulas are common complications of spinal surgeries. METHODS: A retrospective research was designed and 405 patients with complete data who underwent spinal surgeries between June 2002 and March 2006 were acquired, including 298 cases of male and 107 cases of female, with the mean age of 46.2 years (ranging from 11 years to 78 years). The course of disease lasted from 3 months to 5 years. A total of 28 cases of intraoperative dural injuries and durotomies (28/405, 6.91%) were recorded, including 3 cases of cervical spinal surgery (3/152, 1.97%), 19 cases of thoracic and lumbar spinal surgery (19/239, 7.95%) and 6 cases of sacral surgery (6/14, 42.86%). CSF fistulas occurred in 6 cases of 28 patients. There were 2 cases in which no intraoperative dural injury was detected but CSF fistulas occurred after operation. The incidence of postoperative CSF fistula was 1.98% (8/405). Surgical management included closure of breach in the dura mater, oversewing every layer of the wound, bed rest and compression dressing and so on. Clinical outcomes of surgical management were recorded. RESULTS: The average follow-up lasted for 1 year and 5 months (ranging from 3 months to 4 years). Preoperative symptoms remitted to different extents. There were 8 cases of postoperative CSF fistula which were cured ultimately. A total of 6 cases of CSF fistulas from dorsal injuries of dura mater were treated mainly by bed rest, compression dressing and reoperations, while 2 cases of fistulas from ventral and lateral injuries of dura mater were treated by additional continuous cerebrospinal fluid drainage using a lumbar subarachnoid catheter. One case of central nervous system infection occurred and was treated successfully by multi-disciplinary disposal. CONCLUSION: Timely and correct surgical intervention and postoperative management can help to heal dural injuries in spinal surgeries and can prevent occurrence of postoperative CSF fistulas.

Management of temporal bone meningo-encephalocoele.

UNLABELLED: Meningo-encephalocoele of the temporal bone, also known as fungus cerebri, is a rare occurrence in clinical practice. We present a series of 13 patients with chronic otitis media who suffered brain herniation into the mastoid cavity. We also discuss the presentation and management of brain herniation with or without cerebrospinal fluid leak. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective. METHODS: Among 963 cases undergoing revision mastoid surgery, 13 patients suffered brain herniation. These cases were identified and analysed. RESULTS: All 13 patients' initial diagnosis was chronic suppurative otitis media with cholesteatoma, and all had undergone previous mastoid surgery resulting in a defect in the tegmen and weakening of the dura mater. The revision procedures performed included 10 (76.9 per cent) modified radical mastoidectomies without ossicular chain reconstruction and one (7.6 per cent) modified radical mastoidectomy with ossicular chain reconstruction; two (15.3 per cent) patients required a blind sac closure. Brain herniation and/or cerebrospinal fluid leak were repaired by a transmastoid +/- minicraniotomy procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Injury to the tegmen and dura should be avoided during surgery for chronic middle-ear disease. Cerebrospinal fluid leaks, if encountered, should be managed in the same surgical session. The transmastoid approach is helpful in repairing defects smaller than 1 cm in diameter, whereas the combined transmastoid-minicraniotomy approach provides good access when closing defects larger than 1 cm in diameter and also enables auto-calvarial grafting.

Management of unexpected cerebrospinal fluid fistulae during endoscopic sinus surgery.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and perioperative management of patients with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistulas during endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) in New York State. METHODS: A questionnaire was mailed to otolaryngologists in New York State who were registered with the American Academy of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery in November 2005. Questions addressed the incidence and perioperative care of patients with successful closure of unexpected CSF fistula during ESS. RESULTS: Twenty-five percent of respondents have experienced at least one episode of unexpected CSF fistula during ESS over the prior 5 years, with a calculated incidence of 0.16%. Surgeons most often (46%) observed patients for 1-2 days. Antibiotics were used in 93% of patients. A lumbar drain was most commonly not used. Repair techniques most often used an intranasal flap or graft (92%). CONCLUSION: The incidence of unexpected CSF fistula during ESS may be lower than previously reported. A majority of surgeons use an intranasal flap or graft in repair with antibiotic use, with no consensus regarding use of lumbar drain or inpatient observation. More study is needed to determine consensus algorithms for management of CSF leaks during ESS.

Overlapping free bone graft with galea-pericranium in reconstruction of the anterior skull base to prevent CSF leak and sequestrum formation.

Background. Reconstruction of the skull base after resection of a tumour is important to prevent postoperative complications such as infectionsand cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage. Several reconstructive methods of the anterior skull base have been reported but, their long-term results are not clear. Methods. We describe a technique used after removal of an olfactory neuroblastoma with infiltration of the skull base. The reconstructed dura was covered with a galeal patch, a replicated galeal-pericranial flap, a graft from the inner table of skull, and a vascularised galeal-pericranial flap placed on the skull base defect. All layers were fixed with fibrin glue. Conclusion. Three dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) at bone window settings demonstrated the bone graft covered the bone defect and was not absorbed and after 11 years there have been no signs of tumour regrowth or complications.

Prevention and treatment of cerebrospinal fluid leak after translabyrinthine acoustic tumor removal.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence rate of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak after translabyrinthine acoustic tumor removal using titanium mesh cranioplasty and to compare with previous series and historical controls. STUDY DESIGN: Database analysis with historical controls. SETTING: Tertiary referral neurotologic private practice. PATIENTS: The series of 389 patients who underwent titanium mesh cranioplasty after translabyrinthine tumor removal between March 2003 and July 2005. The results were compared with those in a group of 1,195 translabyrinthine tumor removal patients from our previously published series and with those in a group of 324 patients from the immediately preceding two-year period. INTERVENTION: Cranioplasty using titanium mesh after acoustic tumor removal. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Rates of CSF leak for this method and previous methods of closure. RESULTS: Thirteen patients (3.3%) had CSF leaks when using the new method of titanium mesh closure. This compares with rates of 10.9% and 8.7% in series in which other methods of closure were used (p < 0.001 and 0.003). The rates of CSF leak requiring reoperation were 0.5%, 2.5%, and 1.9% for the new and the two older series, respectively. CONCLUSION: In our hands, titanium mesh cranioplasty seems to reduce the rate of CSF leaks after the translabyrinthine removal of acoustic tumors.

Ofloxacin otic drops vs neomycin-polymyxin B otic drops as prophylaxis against early postoperative tympanostomy tube otorrhea.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the incidence of tympanostomy tube (TT) sequelae, tube otorrhea, and tube obstruction immediately postoperatively in patients receiving TT for otitis media and to compare patients receiving postoperative otic drops with controls. DESIGN: Blinded randomized control trial. SETTING: A tertiary pediatric otolaryngology practice. SUBJECTS: The study population comprised 306 patients undergoing TT placement. INTERVENTIONS: The 306 patients were enrolled into the following 3 groups: (1) those receiving no postoperative otic drop prophylaxis (control group), (2) those receiving ofloxacin otic drops (FLOX group), and (3) those receiving neomycin sulfate-polymyxin B sulfate-hydrocortisone otic drops (COS group). RESULTS: Overall otorrhea rates postoperatively were 14.9% for the control group, 8.1% for the FLOX group, and 5.5% for the COS group. When controlling for disease severity, the rate of otorrhea was significantly higher for the control group than for both the FLOX (P = .04) and COS (P = .01) groups. Nonpatent, plugged, tube rates were added to otorrhea rates for a TT failure analysis postoperatively. The control group demonstrated a significantly greater failure rate (29.9%) than both the FLOX (12.1%) and COS (7.7%) groups. The only differences between the patients in the 2 groups receiving drops were that ofloxacin was more well liked by patients (P = .04) and caused less pain (P = .004). CONCLUSIONS: Nonpatency and otorrhea are the most frequent sequelae immediately following TT placement. Few studies have compared different treatment regimens in a randomized controlled trial. These results demonstrate that otic drops clearly provide benefit postoperatively in preventing TT plugging and otorrhea but primarily in patients who have middle ear fluid at the time of TT placement. In addition, consideration of drop choice should be based on patient tolerance and medication safety profiles.

[Prediction and management about perilymph gusher in cochlear implantation].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the clinical experience of prediction and management about perilymph gusher in cochlear implantation. METHOD: Among 327 cases of cochlear implant, eleven recipients were selected by the high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings of cochlear malformations and bony fistula on fundus of the internal auditory canal that caused an abnormal connection between subarachnoid and perilymphatic spaces. RESULT: Perilymph gusher was found in all of these 11 recipients during cochlear implantation and was controlled with muscle tissue seal. CONCLUSION: The reason of perilymph gushers in cochlear implantation is that abnormal connection between subarachnoid and internal auditory canal. HRCT can be used to assess the possibility of perilymph gusher in surgery. The safe and rapid surgical method of gusher controlling can avoid complication.

[Management of operative complications in acoustic neuroma surgery].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the common complications related to acoustic neuromas and to search methods for preventing from them. METHODS: One hundred and five patients with acoustic neuromas underwent 110 operations with the retrosigmoid approach, middle cranial fossa approach and labyrinth approach. All cases were followed up more than 1 month after surgery. RESULTS: Of 110 cases, the most frequent complication was hearing disability which occurred in 95 cases (95/110, 86.4%). and the facial paralysis was in 63.6% (70/110) after one month. Other complications were cerebrospinal fluid fistulas (CSF, 12.7%, 14/110) , intracranial hematoma (5.5%, 6/110), cranial nerve palsies (4.5%, 5/110), meningitis (3.6%, 4/110), tetraparesis (3.6%, 4/110), balance disturbance (1.8%, 2/110), hemiparalysis and anepia (0.9%, 1/110). Effective stopping bleeding during operation and controlling blood pressure after operation, as well as keeping effective sedation in 24 hours after operation were the important ways to prevent from intracranial hematoma The haemorrhage often accrued in 48 hours post-operation. CSF in this series was another common complication in acoustic neuroma surgery. Ten cases with CSF subcutaneous retro-auricular had been successfully controlled by conservative treatment. Of 4 cases with rhinorrhea CSF, 3 of them were required surgical management, another one got self-cure by bed rest. The ventricular drainage pro-operation was the most important procedure for drawdown the hypsi-cranium pressure. CONCLUSIONS: The key factors to avoid the complications include mastering the anatomy of different surgical approach, how much of the tumor size, surgical experience and preoperative evaluation of patients' imaging information and other clinical data.

[Comparison of gold-plated silver- and silver oxide-impregnated silastic tympanostomy tubes: a randomized, prospective clinical trial]. / Vergleichende Untersuchung von Paukendrainage-Röhrchen: Eine randomisiert-prospektive Studie zur Verträglichkeit von Silberoxid-beschichteten Silikon- und Gold-beschichteten Silberröhrchen.

UNLABELLED: The insertion of tympanostomy tubes is the most common surgical procedure in the world. A major complication of chronic intubation is infectious otorrhea. The present study compares the rate of infectious otorrhea and survival rate of gold-plated silver tubes (GPR) vs. Silver Oxide-Impregnated Silastic Tubes (SPR). STUDY DESIGN: The prospective, randomized clincial trial was conducted with 116 children (59 female, 57 male) aged between 16 and 127 months (median: 51 months). Bilateral insertion of ventilation tubes was performed with SPR on one side and GPR on the other side in all children. The resulting data were compared using 2-tailed Wilcoxon-test. RESULTS: Out of 116 children, 11 left the study, 26 children finished the study by extrusion of both tubes, 32 children lost one tube and 47 children lost no tube. Total follow-up of GPR and SPR amounted to 703 and 949 months, respectively. Mean survival rate of SPR and GPR was 9.9 +/- 4.6 and 7.0 +/- 3.4 months, respectively (p < 0.001). During the first postoperative week, 13% of children suffered from otorrhea; after the first postoperative week until extrusion of the tubes, otorrhea was observed in 55% of children. The ratio otorrhea/months amounted to 0.046 and 0.05 in SPR and GPR, respectively (p: n. s.). CONCLUSIONS: Survival rate of SPR is significantly longer than compared to GPR. No differences in the otorrhea rate of SPR vs. GPR are detectable. The longer survival rate of SPR seems to be independent of the rate of infectious otorrhea but depends probably on other effects of biocompatibility.