The novel retro-conchal approach for middle ear surgeries: Our experience in 196 patients / El nuevo abordaje retro-conchal para cirugías del oído medio: nuestra experiencia en 196 pacientes

Background This study aimed to describe a new proposed retro-conchal approach for middle ear surgery and to evaluate its advantages and postoperative impact. Methodology A retrospective case-series study was held at a tertiary university hospital from March 2008 to April 2022. We included 196 adult patients who were candidates for middle ear surgery because of chronic otitis media. The retro-conchal approach entailed a skin incision on the medial conchal surface 1 cm anterior to the auricular sulcus. It allowed the harvesting of the required size of conchal cartilage and temporalis fascia through the same incision with access into the middle ear and complete exposure to the mastoid process. In addition, we evaluated the use of this approach in tympanoplasty, including cholesteatoma surgeries with at least one-year postoperative follow-up. Result The long-term follow-up (22.9 ± 6.37 months) revealed that most operated cases (89%) did not develop postoperative sequelae related to this approach. On the other hand, 22 patients (11%) developed adverse outcomes, with a statistically significant difference regarding adverse outcomes as the P-value <0.001. Conclusion According to our experience with a relatively large number of patients, the retro-conchal technique was practical for various middle ear surgeries. It allowed optimal access to different middle ear areas and obtaining large-sized conchal cartilage and temporalis fascia (if needed) through the same incision without needing extra surgical steps. In addition, it was a safe maneuver without significant adverse outcomes in the long-term follow-up. (AU)

Antecedentes Este estudio tuvo como objetivo describir una nueva propuesta de abordaje retroconchal para la cirugía del oído medio y evaluar sus ventajas e impacto postoperatorio. Metodología Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo de serie de casos en un hospital universitario de tercer nivel desde marzo de 2008 hasta abril de 2022. Se incluyeron 196 pacientes adultos candidatos a cirugía de oído medio por otitis media crónica. El abordaje retroconchal implicó una incisión cutánea en la superficie medial de la concha 1 cm anterior al surco auricular. Permitió la recolección del tamaño requerido de cartílago de la concha y fascia temporal a través de la misma incisión con acceso al oído medio y exposición completa al proceso mastoideo. Evaluamos el uso de este abordaje en la timpanoplastia, incluidas las cirugías de colesteatoma con un seguimiento postoperatorio de al menos un año. Resultado El seguimiento a largo plazo (22,9 ± 6,37 meses) reveló que la mayoría de los casos operados (89%) no desarrollaron secuelas postoperatorias relacionadas con este abordaje. Por otro lado, 22 pacientes (11%) desarrollaron secuelas menores, con diferencia estadísticamente significativa en cuanto a la ocurrencia de secuelas como el valor P < 0,001. Conclusión De acuerdo con nuestra experiencia con un número relativamente grande de pacientes, la técnica retroconchal fue práctica para varias cirugías del oído medio. Permitió un acceso óptimo a diferentes áreas del oído medio y obtener cartílago de la concha y fascia temporal (si es necesario) de gran tamaño a través de la misma incisión sin necesidad de pasos quirúrgicos adicionales. Fue una maniobra segura y sin complicaciones significativas en el seguimiento a largo plazo. (AU)

The novel retro-conchal approach for middle ear surgeries: Our experience in 196 patients.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to describe a new proposed retro-conchal approach for middle ear surgery and to evaluate its advantages and postoperative impact. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective case-series study was held at a tertiary university hospital from March 2008 to April 2022. We included 196 adult patients who were candidates for middle ear surgery because of chronic otitis media. The retro-conchal approach entailed a skin incision on the medial conchal surface 1 cm anterior to the auricular sulcus. It allowed the harvesting of the required size of conchal cartilage and temporalis fascia through the same incision with access into the middle ear and complete exposure to the mastoid process. In addition, we evaluated the use of this approach in tympanoplasty, including cholesteatoma surgeries with at least one-year postoperative follow-up. RESULT: The long-term follow-up (22.9 ±â€¯6.37 months) revealed that most operated cases (89%) did not develop postoperative sequelae related to this approach. On the other hand, 22 patients (11%) developed adverse outcomes, with a statistically significant difference regarding adverse outcomes as the P-value <0.001. CONCLUSION: According to our experience with a relatively large number of patients, the retro-conchal technique was practical for various middle ear surgeries. It allowed optimal access to different middle ear areas and obtaining large-sized conchal cartilage and temporalis fascia (if needed) through the same incision without needing extra surgical steps. In addition, it was a safe maneuver without significant adverse outcomes in the long-term follow-up.

Prognostic factors of Bell's palsy: multivariate analysis of electrophysiological findings.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The study was designed to verify if one or more electrophysiological parameters could predict a risk of nonrecovery of normal facial function and the development of synkinesis in Bell's palsy (BP) subjects. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective case series. METHODS: A total of 120 subjects ranging from 18 to 70 years with unilateral BP (International Classification of Disease-11), Grade III to VI House-Brackmann (HB) degree, were assessed and treated with standardized oral steroids and antiviral drugs within 48 hours from onset. Of these, 92 underwent electroneurography (ENoG), electromyography (EMG), and blink reflex (BR) testing at 7 to 10 and 20 days after palsy onset. Multivariate analysis and receiver operating characteristic curves were carried out to verify which combination of electrophysiological parameters may be predictive of no recovery and/or development of synkinesis. RESULTS: BR and ENoG were the best predictors of no facial function recovery, showing significant correlation coefficient with severity of facial palsy in both assessments. EMG findings did not add any prognostic significance. Worsening of facial palsy can be observed in subjects despite steroid therapy. The risk of developing synkinesis might be evaluated soon after BP on the grounds of ENoG degeneration, orbicularis oculi denervation, a younger age, and severe (V-VI) HB grade. CONCLUSIONS: BR and ENoG, considered together with clinical findings, could offer a good indication in the first phases of BP for the possibility to develop palsy residua. This combination of tests is well accepted by the subjects, and is therefore suitable for multiple assessments in the early postpalsy period.Key Words: Bell's palsy, facial palsy, ENoG, blink reflex, Prognosis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

Botulinum toxin in the treatment of facial synkinesis and hyperkinesis.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Facial synkinesis and hyperkinesis commonly impair the outcome of facial nerve palsy. Botulinum toxin type A has shown positive results in the treatment of these symptoms. Our experience is reported in this article. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study. METHODS: Forty-one patients affected by facial synkinesis and hyperkinesis due to facial palsy were treated. The etiology of the facial palsy was: 28 Bell's palsy cases, nine iatrogenic cases (seven acoustic neuroma surgeries, one tympano-jugular glomus tumor removal, and one middle ear surgery), three herpes zoster virus cases, and one case of Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome. Botulinum toxin type A was used in the treatment. Clinical evaluation was obtained through the Sunnybrook Grading Scale and an author's modification of this method purposely designed for evaluation of hyperkinesis. Further evaluation through a self-administered synkinesis questionnaire was also performed. RESULTS: All patients showed some improvement of synkinesis and hyperkinesis after treatment. The mean values of the data obtained, regardless of the method of evaluation, gave statistically significant results. Correlation between objective and subjective evaluation methods was also statistically positive. CONCLUSIONS: This work stresses the importance of considering synkinesis and hyperkinesis separately because they are different conditions. These two symptoms showed improvement after botulinum toxin treatment, but only hyperkinesis showed a positive correlation when objective and subjective evaluations were performed. This treatment is effective in the management of facial synkinesis and hyperkinesis due to facial palsy, thus improving quality of life. It is a safe, minimally invasive treatment that can be repeated.

Haematoma after cochlear implantation: management of a minor complication.

CONCLUSIONS: The dimensions of the implant receiver and the material used have influenced the surgical approach leading to a reduction in complications. Ultrasonography of the haematoma is useful in the evaluation of dimensions, entity of fluid component and therapeutic options. OBJECTIVE: Haematoma arising in the receiver area is considered a minor complication, nevertheless it can be complicated by infection and/or flap necrosis or fibrosis leading to difficulties in magnetic adherence of the receiver and rarely to explantation of the receiver. The objective of the study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of postoperative haematoma arising after cochlear implant surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective case series of 22 cochlear implant patients who developed post-implant haematoma over the receiver area. Haematoma extension and fluid collection were analysed via ultrasonography, implant type and predisposing factors such as trauma, coagulation disorders and type of skin incision. RESULTS: Patients were divided into four groups on the basis of the main predisposing factor: coagulation disorders (n=7), trauma (n=3), revision surgery (n=6) and haematoma of unknown origin (n=6). The main factors correlated to haematoma onset were coagulation disorder, type of skin incision and flap revision. In all, 21 subjects had complete recovery and the speech perception performance was not compromised over time, while 1 subject (0.3%) with an extensive haematoma due to a pharmacologically induced coagulation disorder required explantation of the device.

A new integrated system for neural stimulation and bipolar coagulation: preliminary study.

CONCLUSION: The proposed device can be useful for promoting safety during bipolar coagulation in many surgical procedures and/or regions. OBJECTIVE: A new system that integrates a neural stimulator and a bipolar coagulator is proposed, to improve neural (facial nerve) safety during ENT surgical procedures. This study aimed to evaluate the system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A home-made constant current neural stimulator (0.1-2 mA, pulsed, duration 200 micros), was connected via an automatic switch to a commercial bipolar microcoagulator (Medicon Instrumente mod. 101, Germany). Under general anesthesia, the extra-petrous portion of the facial nerve was identified in three rabbits. The adequate functioning of the device was tested via: 1) neural stimulation and EMG monitoring in basal conditions; 2) bipolar coagulation of connective tissue surrounding the facial nerve; 3) final assessment of the functional integrity of the nerve, via an intraoperative EMG and a postoperative evaluation. RESULTS: Data obtained from all three rabbits provided adequate results in terms of neural stimulation, correct coagulation of juxta-nervous tissue, and functional integrity of the facial nerve, both intraoperatively and postoperatively.