A Case of Hypoglossal Nerve Palsy after Tonsillectomy / 대한이비인후과학회지

Tonsillectomy is a common procedure in the ENT department but unusual complications related to nerve injury might be associated with the surgery. We report a case of permanent hypoglossal nerve palsy following tonsillectomy in a 33-year-old female patient. The findings from the neurologic examination were unremarkable except for tongue deviation to the left, hemiatrophy of the tongue and associated dysarthria. Forceful pressure and stretch of hypoglossal nerve during surgery can explain the cause of injury. To avoid nerve compression, intermittent release of the mouth gag and avoidance of neck hyperextension are suggested especially when long operation time would be expected. Although rare, having knowledge of the existence of hypoglossal nerve injury complicating tonsillectomy is important when counseling patients.

Anchoring Suture for the Correction of Anterior Nasal Septal Deviation / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: It is difficult to correct anterior nasal septal deviation using classical septoplasty technique such as crosshatch incision. The purpose of this study is to investigate the efficiency of anchoring suture for the correction of anterior nasal septal deviation during septoplasty. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Retrospective review of medical records for the 126 patients who have undergone septoplasty using anchoring suture was performed. Minimal cross sectional area (MCA) and nasal volume were measured preoperatively, and repeated at eight or twelve weeks postoperatively using acoustic rhinometry. Subjective symptoms for nasal obstruction was evaluated using visual analogue scale. RESULTS: The rate of major complication such as septal perforation was extremely rare. There was a significant improvement of MCA and nasal volume in the patients undergone anchoring suture except MCA of the concave side (p<0.05). Subjective symptoms for nasal obstruction was improved after septoplasty using anchoring suture (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Anchoring suture is relatively easy to perform and is an effective operative technique for the correction of anterior nasal septal deviation during septoplasty.