ABSTRACT
Abstract Introduction Laser uvulopalatoplasty is an established operation for the treatment of snoring with good results on a short-term basis, while long-term follow-up studies, in addition to their scarcity, had conflicting results regarding recurrence, the change of snoring quality, and complications. Objective To assess the long-term follow-up results of using nonablative 2,940 nm Erbium: YAG for the treatment of snoring regarding outcomes and recurrence. Methods This 2-year follow-up study was conducted on 76 patients operated upon by non-ablative 2940 nm Erbium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet (YAG) using a PS01 patterned headpiece. Subjective evaluation of the treatment was performed relying on a smartphone application to record snoring in addition to a questionnaire specially designed to report recurrence and change in the quality of snoring reported by a patient's spouse. The objective evaluation was done by computed tomography (CT) imaging of the soft palate. The patients were evaluated preoperatively, 6 weeks postoperatively and after a 2-year follow-up period. Results Six week after the procedure, there was a significant improvement in 52 patients (68.4%). Out of the 52 patients, only 43 completed the 2-year follow-up; however, 15 of them complained of recurrence. Nevertheless, the patients who suffered from recurrence showed subjective improvement in snoring quality. Conclusions The nonablative mode of Erbium: YAG 2,940 nm laser proved to be efficient in soft palate tightening for the management of snoring. However, there was recurrence in 34.8% of the patients who presented objective and subjective improvement of the complaints, 6 weeks postoperatively and after a 2-year follow-up period.
ABSTRACT
The present field study aimed at determining the prevalence and factors affecting hearing impairment among printing workers. A cross sectional survey of 144 eligible printing facilities workers was done. Exposure categories to noise either [low vs. high risk] were assigned to studied workers according to the work nature. An interview questionnaire, workers audiometric assessment and workplace noise levels have been measured. The overall prevalence of hearing impairment was 31.3%, and among those [high risk exposure] 44.1% of workers had hearing impairment, while only 8.5% of those exposed to low level of noise had hearing impairment. Multivariate analysis revealed that occupational exposure to noise, age and smoking were the strongest predictors [ORs: 7.3, 5.4, 2.8 respectively] of hearing impairment among studied workers. The observed hearing loss was located mainly at 4000 Hz and findings indicate that high risk workers are occupationally exposed to high levels of noise, and present high rates of noise-induced hearing loss [NIHL]. There is a need for interventions to reduce the risk for the development of NIHL among exposed workers
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Occupational Exposure , Workplace , Printing , Occupational HealthABSTRACT
The incidence of dysphagia was reported in up to 35% of goiter patients with mild to moderate severity. Pharyngo-esophageal manometry is a diagnostic test that provides both quantitative and qualitative assessment of pressure, coordination and motility for both the pharynx and esophagus