Musculus Uvulae Shortening for the Treatment of Snoring

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: We investigated the effectiveness of shortening the uvula muscle for the treatment of snoring. This new and simple procedure was developed to promote the elevation of the uvula position using a minimally invasive technique. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Fifteen habitual snorers were included in this study. In order to find the exact anatomical position of the uvula muscle, we first dissected the soft palate of a cadaver to better understand the exact anatomical location and structure of the uvula muscle. With this result, we developed a new surgical technique for treating snoring. The results of our surgery were evaluated by both the patient and bed partner before surgery, at 30 days, and 90 days after surgery respectively using the visual analogue scale (VAS). RESULTS: Post-operative physical examinations showed superiorly displaced uvula position. The lower half of the soft palate and uvula were also anteriorly flexed. Those findings remained unaltered beyond the 90th post-operative day. The patient and bed partner snoring symptoms assessed by VAS were significantly improved compared to the pre-treatment values (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The uvula muscle shortening is an effective and simple method for the treatment of snoring.

Frontal Sinus Reconstruction with Medpore(R) in Oncocytic Schneiderian Papilloma with Bone Destruction / 대한이비인후과학회지

The cylindrical cell papilloma, also known as oncocytic Schneiderian papilloma, is a rare benign sinonasal neoplasm. It accounts for 2-6% of the total sinonasal papillomas. Due to its rare incidence, this disease is not well-understood by clinicians. Recently, we experienced a case of cylindrical cell papilloma which was originated from the frontal sinus with bony destruction and had extended into the anterior ethmoid sinus in a 69-year old female patient. We adopted the frontal sinus approach via eye glass incision and removed the tumor thoroughly. The anterior wall of the frontal sinus was reconstructed with Medpore(R), and we thus report on the treatment of this case, along with a review of literature.

A Case of Repair of Retroauricular Skin Defect and Mastoid Cavity with Posterior Wall Reconstruction Using Tutoplast(R)(Allograft Cancellous Bone Chip) and Bone Dust after Canal Wall Down Mastoidectomy / 대한이비인후과학회지

Canal wall down mastoidectomy is often selected for the complete eradication of lesion and prevention of recurrence in patients with cholesteatoma. However, potential complications include a chronically draining cavity, retention of debris that requires frequent cleaning, difficulty with fitting a hearing aid. Aimed at solving these problems, surgeons have attempted reconstruction with a variety of techniques and materials: the reconstruction of an anatomically correct canal wall and complete obliteration of the mastoid cavity. We recently experienced a case of a retroauricular skin defect and cavity after canal wall down mastoidectomy of a 58-year-old male patient. The skin defect and cavity were repaired using a local skin flap, mastoid obliteration and posterior wall reconstruction methods using Tutoplast(R)(Allograft cancellous bone chip). We report this along with a review of literature.

A Case of Solitary Fibrofolliculoma of the Auricle / 대한이비인후과학회지

Fibrofolliculoma is a relatively uncommon benign neoplasm that develops on the head and neck, upper trunk and arm. Typically, it presents as a multiple lesion, and each has a characteristic histopathologic pattern of centrally dilated follicular infundibulum surrounded by well-circumscribed, thick mantle of fibrotic tissue and numerous thin anastomosing strands of follicular epithelium extending into stroma. We recently confirmed a unique case of solitary nodular form of fibrofolliculoma occurred on the cavum concha of 56-year-old male patient. We report this interesting case with a review of literature.

An Implant for Bone Formation using Autologous Mesenchymal Stem Cells / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of the current study was to examine ectopic bone formation with autologous mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) on a porous 3-D Poly (DL-lactic-co-glycolic acid, PLGA) in canine model. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Bone marrow derived autologous mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were isolated and purified from dogs. The porous PLGA scaffold loaded MSCs was treated with osteo-inductive medium containing dexamethasone, beta glycerophosphate and ascorbic acid. Osteogenic differentiation and mineralization were examined with RT-PCR for osteocalcin mRNA and Von Kossa staining of the cell-polymer complex. For in vivo bone formation, polymers containing osteogenic differentiated cells were implanted into the subperiosteal space of the canine maxillary sinus and evaluated at 1st and 2nd month RESULTS: In vitro osteogenic differentiation was evident from 2 weeks after osteogenic induction. The mineralization was increased in a time dependent manner. Ectopic bone was generated in the subperiosteal space of canine maxillary sinus at 1 month and matured at 2 months. CONCLUSION: From these results, we conclude that ectopic tissue engineered bone formation in the facial area is possible and that it may be useful for facial reconstruction or regeneration of bone defect.