Head and Neck Airbag Penetrating Injuries.

BACKGROUND: Airbags have significantly decreased fatalities in frontal vehicle accidents, but their deployment can lead to more severe injuries and rarely death. The authors present a case of a penetrating injury causing tissue loss in the left cheek, an "explosion" of the zygomatic arch, and facial nerve damage, discussing the management in the contest of literature examining similar injuries in the head and neck region. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Reviewing English literature from 1995 to 2023, 9 patients experienced severe airbag-related penetrating head and neck injuries, in 3 cases resulting in death. In addition, we describe the case of a young male reporting a deep cheek laceration with facial nerve damage, tissue loss, and comminuted maxilla-zygomatic fracture; 48 hours after trauma, he underwent surgical reconstruction using a bilobed flap, direct suture of the resected masseter muscle, closed reduction of the comminuted zygomatic arch fracture, and direct neurorrhaphy of the lacerated facial nerve. RESULTS: Five months after surgery, facial nerve function recovery was observed. Mouth opening was restored, but a mixed low-medium hearing loss persisted for high frequencies. In another case marginal nerve damage was reported, but management is not described. CONCLUSION: The use of seat belts and airbags has led to a significant reduction in the incidence of facial fractures and fatalities after motor vehicle accidents, but at the same time, in some cases, complex facial trauma and/or penetrating injury can be observed. In case of suspected or certain facial nerve damage, it is mandatory to perform exploration and eventual reconstruction within 72 hours.

Dupilumab in the treatment of severe uncontrolled chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP): A multicentric observational Phase IV real-life study (DUPIREAL).

BACKGROUND: Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) is associated with significant morbidity and reduced health-related quality of life. Findings from clinical trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of dupilumab in CRSwNP, although real-world evidence is still limited. METHODS: This Phase IV real-life, observational, multicenter study assessed the effectiveness and safety of dupilumab in patients with severe uncontrolled CRSwNP (n = 648) over the first year of treatment. We collected data at baseline and after 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of follow-up. We focused on nasal polyps score (NPS), symptoms, and olfactory function. We stratified outcomes by comorbidities, previous surgery, and adherence to intranasal corticosteroids, and examined the success rates based on current guidelines, as well as potential predictors of response at each timepoint. RESULTS: We observed a significant decrease in NPS from a median value of 6 (IQR 5-6) at baseline to 1.0 (IQR 0.0-2.0) at 12 months (p < .001), and a significant decrease in Sino-Nasal Outcomes Test-22 (SNOT-22) from a median score of 58 (IQR 49-70) at baseline to 11 (IQR 6-21; p < .001) at 12 months. Sniffin' Sticks scores showed a significant increase over 12 months (p < .001) compared to baseline. The results were unaffected by concomitant diseases, number of previous surgeries, and adherence to topical steroids, except for minor differences in rapidity of action. An excellent-moderate response was observed in 96.9% of patients at 12 months based on EPOS 2020 criteria. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings from this large-scale real-life study support the effectiveness of dupilumab as an add-on therapy in patients with severe uncontrolled CRSwNP in reducing polyp size and improving the quality of life, severity of symptoms, nasal congestion, and smell.

Interpretation of the mucous plug through sialendoscopy.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this manuscript is to highlight the behaviour of mucus inside the ducts of the major salivary glands, in presence of typical pathologies, through images obtained with sialendoscopy. SUBJECT: The authors present and comment on some sialendoscopies that show mucous plug in the ducts of the major salivary glands. RESULTS: In primary Sjogren's syndrome, mucous plugs confirm the qualitative anomaly of the mucins and acidification saliva. Instead, salivary calculations behave like foreign bodies that generate mechanical pressure and friction on the duct walls of major salivary glands, so mucus deposits in the duct in its defence; in case of infected stone, mucous plugs are formed also with the function of protecting the ducts from the aggression of germs. During sialadenitis, there is a conflict between mucus and bacteria which explains sialendoscopic evidence such as white duct walls and mucous plugs. CONCLUSIONS: The study of the salivary ducts through sialendoscopy often confirms the clinical diagnosis or hypothesize it. During its execution, it is necessary not only to liberate the ducts of the major salivary glands but also analyse the appearance of the mucous plugs and the ductal walls as they are useful to guide the physician towards diagnosis.

Is it possible to diagnose Posterior Semicircular Canal BPPV from the sitting position? The role of the Head Pitch Test and the upright tests along the RALP and LARP planes.

PURPOSE: The diagnosis of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) involving the posterior semicircular canal (PSC) is traditionally entrusted to positioning tests where patients are rapidly brought in the supine position. This prospective study aims to define the role of a diagnostic protocol for PSC-BPPV including only upright tests. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 109 patients with PSC-BPPV were enrolled. The Head Pitch Test (HPT) was carried out first. If uneventful, the patient's head was turned 45° to each side and bent back-and-forth along the plane aligning either with the right anterior-left posterior (RALP) or left anterior-right posterior (LARP) canals, thus performing the upright RALP / upright LARP (uRALP/uLARP) test. Nystagmus observed was used to predict the diagnosis, which was therefore confirmed by Dix-Hallpike tests. RESULTS: PSC-BPPV could be correctly diagnosed in 75.2% of cases with the sole HPT and in 87.2% of cases by adding the uRALP/uLARP test (Upright Protocol). The time elapsed from symptoms onset was closely related to the protocol sensitivity, as it reached 100% (64/64) in acute patients while decreased to 68.9% (31/45) in cases evaluated after 7 days (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Upright maneuvers could correctly diagnose PSC-BPPV in most cases. uRALP/uLARP test demonstrated to improve the sensitivity of the HPT, mainly in recent-onset BPPV.

Predictive markers of long-term recurrence in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

BACKGROUND: In last years, many attempts were made to recognize chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) phenotypes focusing on identifying relevant key pathogenic molecules. Polyps recurrence rate ranges from 4% to 60%, so it's clear that not all clinical and immunologic factors associated with recurrence are known. OBJECTIVE: We investigate the inflammatory profile in patients with long term recurrent and non-recurrent CRSwNPs and if a specific profile is associated with recurrence, comparing eosinophilic, neutrophilic and lymphocytic infiltration, as well as IL-5 and IL-8 expression to long term recurrence rate. METHODS: This prospective study included 44 adult patients with CRSwNP treated with endoscopic sinus surgery between 2008 and 2010. Long term follow-up data (8-10 years) indicated that among 44 patients, 18 (40.1%) experienced long term recurrence of nasal polyposis needing maximal medical treatment or revision surgery. We realized two groups: one with patients who didn't present long term recurrence (26 patients) and another with patients who presented long term recurrence (18 patients) and in both groups eosinophilic, neutrophilic and lymphocytic infiltration and IL-5 and IL-8 expression were measured. RESULTS: The parameters that reached statistical significance (p < 0.05) comparing the two groups were eosinophilic infiltration and IL-5 expression, whereas neutrophilic and lymphocytic infiltration, as IL-8 expression didn't show any significant difference. Asthma and aspirin intolerance seemed significantly more frequent in patients with recurrence, while allergy presented not statistically significant difference between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: We can conclude that high eosinophilic infiltration and high IL-5 expression in CRSwNP correlate with higher rate of long term recurrence, while neutrophilic and lymphocytic infiltration, and IL-8 expression don't correlate with it. These findings provide the opportunity to improve our ability to predict the prognosis of surgical intervention, although it is still needed to explore the optimal predictor of outcome in CRSwNP.

EMLA(®) cream as local anesthetic for radiofrequency turbinate tissue reduction.

Radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction is a minimally invasive technique in the treatment of turbinate hypertrophy and is generally performed under local anesthesia. However, perioperative discomfort and pain are common side effects and studies concerning the technique of choice to anesthetize the nasal mucosa in this procedure are lacking. The aim of this prospective controlled trial is to assess the effectiveness of EMLA(®) cream as a topical anesthetic for radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction of inferior turbinates comparing its effect with that obtained using a traditional anesthetic technique. 200 consecutive patients undergoing volumetric tissue reduction with topical anesthesia were enrolled. Patients were divided into two groups: Group A included 100 patients treated by placing cotton pledgets soaked with lidocaine 10% in the inferior meatus followed by the injection of 2% lidocaine into the head of the inferior turbinate; Group B included 100 patients treated with EMLA(®) cream. Patients were evaluated before and after surgery using rhinomanometry for obstructive symptoms. Four VAS about pain, troublesome swallowing, choking sensation and intraoperative anxiety were submitted to each patient immediately after surgery and after 2 months to assess various aspects of perioperative discomfort. A significant increase of nasal airflow was observed without differences between the two groups. Subjective evaluation regarding perioperative discomfort showed significant differences between Groups A and B immediately after surgery although it was less pronounced 2 months later. The results of this study suggest that EMLA(®) cream is an efficient tool in obtaining an adequate anesthetic effect in this procedure.

Glycyrrhizin and Mannitol Nasal Therapy: Cytological and Clinical Outcomes in Chronic Rhinitis.

Introduction Chronic rhinitis (CR) represents a widespread inflammation with a high incidence in the general population. Although it is generally considered a benign condition, CR has a relevant impact on quality of life and requires a specific treatment approach. Objective The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of glycyrrhizin and mannitol intranasal treatment on chronic rhinitis using cytological analysis and subjective evaluation of symptoms. Methods A total of 55 patients suffering from chronic rhinitis were enrolled in the present study, 34 with allergic rhinitis (AR) and 21 with nonallergic rhinitis (NAR). The severity of four different nasal symptoms was determined by using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Specimens obtained by nasal scraping were collected for cytological analysis. Data were acquired before and after a 30-day treatment with glycyrrhizin and mannitol nasal spray. Statistical analyses were performed. Results The VAS scores for all four nasal symptoms considered in the present study, as well as for neutrophil cells, reduced significantly after therapy in both allergic and nonallergic patients. The number of eosinophils was not significantly lower in nonallergic patients. Conclusion A 30-day topical treatment with glycyrrhizin and mannitol may improve nasal symptoms and reduce inflammatory cells in the nasal mucosa in patients with chronic rhinitis without significant contraindications. Further studies could support our results and would better clarify all the aspects of this treatment.

Malignant trichilemmal carcinoma misdiagnosed with parotid gland malignant tumor.

Malignat proliferating trichilemmal tumor (MPTT) are rare tumors usually presenting in photo-exposed areas, especially on the face, scalp, neck,and dorsal part of the hand. Differential diagnosis include squamous cell carcinoma, basal-cell carcinoma, keratoacanthoma and malignant nodular melanoma, so that only incisional biopsy can lead to pre-operative diagnosis. We present case MPTT misdiagnosed with parotid gland malignant tumor that underwent radical surgical excision and adijuvant radiotherapy.

Surgical treatment of nasal non-melanoma skin cancer using full-thickness skin graft: can antiplatelet therapy be related to a better result?

AIM: The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate if antiplatelet therapy in elderly patients undergoing surgical excision of nasal non-melanoma skin cancer and contemporary reconstruction with full-thickness skin graft can be related to a better vitality of the graft and consequently improved aesthetic result. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients affected by BCC or SCC of the nose that underwent surgical excision and contemporary reconstruction with full-thickness skin graft were divided into two groups according to antiplatelet therapy. Medications were performed 7 and 15 days after surgery. To asses engraftment, we clinically evaluated the percentage of vital flap recognizing 3 different results: less than 20%, between 20% and 80%, and more than 80% of vital surface. Finally, patients were asked to express a subjective evaluation of the aesthetic result using a numeric scale ranging from 1 to 10. Statistical analyses were performed with SPSS 15.0 for Windows. RESULTS: Twenty-four of the 36 eligible patients took antiplatelet therapy (Group 1). Statistical analysis was very close to demonstrate a significant difference between the two groups after the first evaluation (X2= 3.6; p-value = 0.0578) and it showed a clear significant difference between the two groups after the second evaluation (X2 = 13.5692 e p-value = 0.0002). The average value of the subjective evaluation conducted only on 32 of 36 patients, was 9.12. Any significant difference was observed between the two groups (p-value >0.1). CONCLUSIONS: Our preliminary results seem to suggest that antiplatelet therapy in elderly patients with non-melanoma skin cancer of the nose treated with surgical excision and contemporary reconstruction with fill-thickness skin graft could favor the graft vitality with low risk of bleeding. Further studies will be useful to determinate if antiplatelet drugs can be prescribed in the perioperative period to selected patients presenting risk factors for wound healing to increase the chances of engraftment. KEY WORDS: Antiplatelet Therapy, Non Melanoma Skin Cancer, Skin Graft.

Endoscopic treatment of benign and malignant strictures of the cervical esophagus and hypopharynx.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the efficacy of endoscopic techniques employed in the management of cervical esophageal and hypopharyngeal strictures. METHODS: A series of 45 patients with cervical esophageal (35) and/or hypopharyngeal strictures (10) were included. Twenty-five patients (55.6%) with neoplastic strictures were treated for palliation alone. The stenosis was related to radiotherapy in 11 patients (24.4%) and to postsurgical complications in 9 (20%). A group of 23 patients was treated with dilation alone (group 1). A second group included 22 patients treated with insertion of a self-expandable stent after failure of dilation treatment (group 2). The swallowing test data, clinical notes, and surgical reports were reviewed. RESULTS: All of the patients showed some degree of relief of dysphagia. In group 1, 19 of the 23 patients required multiple dilation treatments to maintain normal deglutition. In group 2, 7 of the 22 patients recovered regular oral feeding after stent placement, 10 patients reported pain and foreign body sensation, 2 patients reported pain so severe that stent removal was required, and 3 patients experienced stent migration. All but 3 of the 25 patients with inoperable tumors died during follow-up, but no patients with benign stenosis died. CONCLUSIONS: The two groups showed comparable functional results. Dilation often requires multiple procedures, but is usually well tolerated. Placement of self-expandable stents is effective, but is generally less well tolerated.

Use of Irrigation Device for Duct Dilatation during Sialendoscopy.

BACKGROUND: Continuous irrigation of the duct with isotonic saline is one of the fundamental stages of a successful sialendoscopic procedure. It allows for an adequate luminal distension for the removal of debris and mucous plugs and for the conservative treatment of strictures. This procedure, which commonly involves the use of a medical syringe, can be laborious, and it is often necessary to interrupt irrigation during surgery due to the high resistance to saline. SETTING: Academic university hospital. METHOD: We propose the use of an irrigation device which consists of a high-pressure syringe barrel, an ergonomic piston handle, and a gauge used to monitor the inflation and deflation of balloon catheters. The system allows for a simple and safe dilation, ensuring good visualization of the salivary duct lumen during sialendoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: The irrigation system described can be widely used to perform a diagnostic or interventional sialendoscopy more effectively than with a typical manual irrigation procedure.

Recovery of Regular Daily Physical Activities Prevents Residual Dizziness after Canalith Repositioning Procedures.

OBJECTIVE: Residual dizziness is a disorder of unknown pathophysiology, which may occur after repositioning procedures for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. This study evaluates the relationship between regular daily physical activity and the development of residual dizziness after treatment for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective observational cohort study. SETTING: Academic university hospital. METHODS: Seventy-one patients admitted with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo involving the posterior semicircular canal were managed with Epley's procedure. Three days after successful treatment, the patients underwent a telephone interview to investigate vertigo relapse. If the patients no longer complained of vertigo, they were asked about symptoms consistent with residual dizziness. Subsequently, they were asked about the recovery of physical activities they regularly performed prior to the onset of vertigo. RESULTS: Sixty-nine patients (age: 57.79 ± 15.05) were enrolled: five (7.24%) reported vertigo relapse whereas twenty-one of sixty-four non-relapsed patients (32.81%) reported residual dizziness. A significant difference in the incidence of residual dizziness was observed considering the patients' age (p = 0.0003). Of the non-relapsed patients, 46 (71.88%) recovered their regular dynamic daily activities after treatment and 9 (19.57%) reported residual dizziness, while 12 of the 18 patients (66.67%) who did not resume daily activity reported residual symptoms (p = 0.0003). A logistic regression analysis showed a significant association between daily activity resumption and lack of residual dizziness (OR: 14.01, 95% CI limits 3.14-62.47; p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of age, the resumption of regular daily physical activities is associated with a lack of residual dizziness.

Spontaneous Jamming of Horizontal Semicircular Canal Combined with Canalolithiasis of Contralateral Posterior Semicircular Canal.

Spontaneous canalith jam is an uncommon form of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo mimicking acute vestibular neuritis. We described for the first time a spontaneous horizontal semicircular canalith jam associated with a typical canalolithiasis involving contralateral posterior semicircular canal (PSC), illustrating how the latter condition modified direction-fixed nystagmus during head movements. An 81-year-old woman with persistent vertigo referred to our center. Video-Frenzel examination showed horizontal direction-fixed right-beating nystagmus in primary gaze position, inhibited by visual fixation. She exhibited corrective saccades after leftward head impulses. Chin-to-chest positioning at the head-pitch test did not modify spontaneous nystagmus, whereas slight torsional components with the top pole of the eye beating toward the right ear appeared in backward head-bending, resulting in mixed horizontal-torsional nystagmus. At supine positioning tests, direction-fixed nystagmus turned into direction-changing geotropic horizontal nystagmus, which was stronger on the left side, while overlapping upbeat nystagmus with torsional right-beating components appeared on the right. Primary clinical findings were consistent with a left horizontal semicircular canalith jam, inducing a persistent utriculofugal cupular displacement, combined with a typical right-sided PSC-canalolithiasis. Once canalith jam crumbled, resulting in a non-ampullary arm canalolithiasis of the horizontal semicircular canal, both involved canals were freed by debris with appropriate repositioning procedures.

Upright BPPV Protocol: Feasibility of a New Diagnostic Paradigm for Lateral Semicircular Canal Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo Compared to Standard Diagnostic Maneuvers.

Background: The diagnosis of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) involving the lateral semicircular canal (LSC) is traditionally entrusted to the supine head roll test, also known as supine head yaw test (SHYT), which usually allows identification of the pathologic side and BPPV form (geotropic vs. apogeotropic). Nevertheless, SHYT may not always allow easy detection of the affected canal, resulting in similar responses on both sides and intense autonomic symptoms in patients with recent onset of vertigo. The newly introduced upright head roll test (UHRT) represents a diagnostic maneuver for LSC-BPPV, supplementing the already-known head pitch test (HPT) in the sitting position. The combination of these two tests should enable clinicians to determine the precise location of debris within LSC, avoiding disturbing symptoms related to supine positionings. Therefore, we proposed the upright BPPV protocol (UBP), a test battery exclusively performed in the upright position, including the evaluation of pseudo-spontaneous nystagmus (PSN), HPT and UHRT. The purpose of this multicenter study is to determine the feasibility of UBP in the diagnosis of LSC-BPPV. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of 134 consecutive patients diagnosed with LSC-BPPV. All of them received both UBP and the complete diagnostic protocol (CDP), including the evaluation of PSN and data resulting from HPT, UHRT, seated-supine positioning test (SSPT), and SHYT. Results: A correct diagnosis for LSC-BPPV was achieved in 95.5% of cases using exclusively the UBP, with a highly significant concordance with the CDP (p < 0.000, Cohen's kappa = 0.94), regardless of the time elapsed from symptom onset to diagnosis. The concordance between UBP and CDP was not impaired even when cases in which HPT and/or UHRT provided incomplete results were included (p < 0.000). Correct diagnosis using the supine diagnostic protocol (SDP, including SSPT + SHYT) or the sole SHYT was achieved in 85.1% of cases, with similar statistical concordance (p < 0.000) and weaker strength of relationship (Cohen's kappa = 0.80). Conclusion: UBP allows correct diagnosis in LSC-BPPV from the sitting position in most cases, sparing the patient supine positionings and related symptoms. UBP could also allow clinicians to proceed directly with repositioning maneuvers from the upright position.

Detection of human papillomavirus and adenovirus in benign and malignant lesions of the larynx.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of human papillomavirus (HPV) and adenovirus (AdV) infections in the oncogenesis of squamous cell carcinomas of the larynx and of laryngeal dysplasia. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study with planned data collection. SETTING: Department of Otorhinolaryngology G. Ferreri and Department of Experimental Medicine and Pathology-Section of Virology, Sapienza University of Rome. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Biopsy samples were taken from 68 patients with benign and malignant lesions of the larynx. All tissue samples were analyzed by means of polymerase chain reaction with two groups of primers for HPV and with a pair of primers for AdV. RESULTS: All cases of carcinomas and dysplasia as well as all control cases were negative for both viruses. Four of the five cases of laryngeal papillomas were positive for only HPV, confirming the role of these viral types in the origin of papillomas. CONCLUSION: The absence of viral genomes in laryngeal carcinomas as in the other cases studied suggests the existence of other factors that play a more important role than viral infection in the carcinogenesis of these lesions.

Glycyrrhizin and Mannitol Nasal Therapy: Cytological and Clinical Outcomes in Chronic Rhinitis

Abstract Introduction Chronic rhinitis (CR) represents a widespread inflammation with a high incidence in the general population. Although it is generally considered a benign condition, CR has a relevant impact on quality of life and requires a specific treatment approach. Objective The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of glycyrrhizin and mannitol intranasal treatment on chronic rhinitis using cytological analysis and subjective evaluation of symptoms. Methods A total of 55 patients suffering from chronic rhinitis were enrolled in the present study, 34 with allergic rhinitis (AR) and 21 with nonallergic rhinitis (NAR). The severity of four different nasal symptoms was determined by using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Specimens obtained by nasal scraping were collected for cytological analysis. Data were acquired before and after a 30-day treatment with glycyrrhizin and mannitol nasal spray. Statistical analyses were performed. Results The VAS scores for all four nasal symptoms considered in the present study, as well as for neutrophil cells, reduced significantly after therapy in both allergic and nonallergic patients. The number of eosinophils was not significantly lower in nonallergic patients. Conclusion A 30-day topical treatment with glycyrrhizin and mannitol may improve nasal symptoms and reduce inflammatory cells in the nasal mucosa in patients with chronic rhinitis without significant contraindications. Further studies could support our results and would better clarify all the aspects of this treatment.

Glaucoma: recent advances in the involvement of autoimmunity.

Glaucomatous optic neuropathy is the most commonly acquired optic neuropathy encountered in clinical practice. It is the second leading cause of blindness globally, after cataracts, but it presents a greater public health challenge than cataracts, because the blindness it causes is irreversible. It has pathogenesis still largely unknown and no established cure. Alterations in serum antibody profiles, upregulation, and downregulation have been described, but it still remains elusive if the autoantibodies seen in glaucoma are an epiphenomenon or causative. Hypertension, diabetes, and hearing disorders also are associated. This review is a glaucoma update with focus about the recent advances in the last 15 years.

Clean-contaminated neck surgery: risk of infection by intrinsic and extrinsic factors.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the risk of surgical wound infection (the most common complication in neoplastic clean-contaminated neck surgery) due to 10 intrinsic risk factors and 5 extrinsic risk factors. DESIGN: Retrospective clinical study. SETTING: Academic tertiary referral medical center. PATIENTS: The study group included 115 patients with laryngeal carcinomas referred to our department from January 1, 1996, to August 31, 2002. INTERVENTION: Fifty-seven patients underwent total laryngectomy and 58 underwent subtotal laryngectomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The association between surgical wound infection due to 10 intrinsic risk factors and 5 extrinsic risk factors was evaluated with multivariate models. RESULTS: Surgical wound infection occurred in 27 patients (23.5%). There was no significant increase in the incidence of infection in patients with extensive tumors (P>.20) and in patients undergoing total laryngectomy and subtotal laryngectomy (P>.20). The incidence of infection was significantly higher in patients with stage IV disease (P<.01), in patients who underwent neck dissections (P<.05), and in those presenting with lymph node metastases (P<.001). Multivariate analysis showed that the presence of higher tumor stage is the best predictor of infection because it is the only significant factor (P<.03) even when adjusting for others. The association between infection and the other factors considered in this study (age [P>1.0], underweight [P = .26], anemia [P = .84], lymphocytopenia [P = .79 by Fisher exact test], number of preoperative hospitalizations [P<1.0], preoperative radiotherapy [P = .57 by Fisher exact test], diabetes mellitus [P = .70 by Fisher exact test], cirrhosis, resection margins infiltrated by the tumor [P = .57 by Fisher exact test], and myocutaneous flap reconstructions [P = .82]) was not significant. CONCLUSION: The risk of surgical wound infection is correlated with a higher tumor stage and lymph node metastases; it is not associated with the extent of surgery or other factors considered.

Effect of Radiofrequency Thermal Ablation Treatment on Nasal Ciliary Motility: A Study with Phase-Contrast Microscopy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of nasal ciliary motility after radiofrequency ablation treatment in patients with isolated inferior turbinate hypertrophy and to clarify how long until normal ciliary function is restored. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, single-group, pretest-posttest design. SETTING: Academic tertiary care medical center. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study involved 34 adult patients affected by nasal obstruction due to inferior turbinate hypertrophy who underwent radiofrequency ablation treatment between June and December 2014. Diagnosis was assessed according to clinical history, nasal endoscopy, and active anterior rhinomanometry. Cytologic samples were collected by nasal scraping before surgery and 1, 2, and 3 months after surgery. Ciliary motility was evaluated by nasal cytology with phase-contrast microscopy. Functional aspects of nasal mucosa were studied, with a focus on 3 parameters: (1) nasal mucociliary clearance, assessed by saccharin nasal transit time test; (2) percentage of ciliated cell motility, measured as the ratio between cells with motility and cells without motility; and (3) efficacy of ciliary motility, measured as the ratio between cells with valid motility and cells with hypovalid motility. RESULTS: Ciliary motility and ciliary efficacy showed a significant reduction after 1 and 2 months from surgery, returning to normal values within 3 months. No significant changes in saccharin nasal transit time were recorded during the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The outcomes of this study suggest that radiofrequency ablation treatment causes ciliary motility changes of nasal mucosa that are completely restored after at least 3 months after surgery. These cytologic abnormalities do not affect nasal functionality.