RESUMEN
Objectives@#. In this study, we evaluated the associations between birth-related exposures, postnatal factors, and the risk of allergic rhinitis and asthma in children and adolescents. @*Methods@#. We performed a comprehensive search of five literature databases up to May 2023. To quantify the associations of birth-related exposures (birth weight, delivery mode, prematurity, sex, maternal age, and parental allergy history) and postnatal factors (birth order, number of siblings, breastfeeding exclusivity, and breastfeeding duration) with allergic disease, we calculated pooled odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. We conducted subgroup analyses for allergic disease type, birth order, number of siblings, and parental allergy history. The methodological quality of the identified studies was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. @*Results@#. This meta-analysis included 31 studies, encompassing 218,899 patients in total. The birth-related exposures of low birth weight, maternal age, and prematurity (less than 37 weeks gestation) were not significantly associated with the risk of asthma or allergic rhinitis during childhood or adolescence. Male sex, family history of allergy, and cesarean delivery were linked to an elevated risk of asthma or allergic rhinitis. Among postnatal factors, exclusive breastfeeding, breastfeeding for longer than 6 months, second or later birth order, and having siblings exhibited protective effects against allergic diseases in offspring. @*Conclusion@#. The risks of allergic rhinitis and asthma were elevated in male patients, those delivered by cesarean section, and those with a family history of allergy. Conversely, exclusive breastfeeding, breastfeeding for longer than 6 months, and having siblings corresponded to a reduced risk of respiratory allergic diseases.
RESUMEN
Background and Objectives@#The present study evaluated the efficacy of cryoablation of the posterior nasal nerve in alleviating symptoms associated with chronic rhinitis. @*Methods@#A systematic review of pertinent literature sourced from PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases was conducted through May 2024. The analysis focused on studies that appraised changes in quality of life and rhinitis-associated symptomatology before and after cryoablation treatment. @*Results@#A total of seven studies (495 patients) were included in the analysis. Significant improvements in rhinitis-related symptoms were observed in patients undergoing cryoablation, irrespective of etiology (allergic or nonallergic rhinitis). Furthermore, cryoablation yielded improvements in disease-specific quality of life, as measured by the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire. Notably, a clinically significant reduction (≥30% decrease from baseline) in total nasal symptomatology was noted in 71% of cases following cryoablation. Regarding the incidence of adverse effects, nasal dryness, epistaxis, ocular symptoms, and palatal numbness occurred in <5% of patients, while postoperative pain occurred in 10% and headache in 20% of patients who underwent treatment. In subtype analysis, the total nasal symptom score in nonallergic rhinitis showed a significantly increasing pattern over time (p=0.0017). @*Conclusion@#Cryoablation of the posterior nasal nerve appears to yield a decrease in subjective nasal symptom scores and an improvement in disease-specific quality of life. Notably, these effects persisted for up to 12 months post-treatment, with marked improvements observed in both allergic and nonallergic rhinitis subtypes.
RESUMEN
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea is a rare condition characterized by the leakage of CSF through the nose. The diagnosis is established through comprehensive history taking, brain imaging, and nasal endoscopy. Surgical intervention is considered a secondary option for CSF leakage when conservative treatments, including behavioral therapy, pharmacotherapy, or lumbar puncture, fail to elicit a response. In recent years, endoscopic intranasal surgery has been favored over craniotomy for such surgical treatment. When repairing CSF leakage defects via endoscopic intranasal surgery, autologous fat and muscle flaps are commonly employed. However, these grafts may lead to complications, including donor site infection, edema, and wound dehiscence. Therefore, in this article, we would like to introduce two cases of CSF rhinorrhea repair surgery using TachoComb. While previous studies have employed TachoComb as a supplementary material for the repair of CSF leak defects, in the cases we describe, the primary reconstruction of the defect area was achieved using TachoComb, supported by free grafts such as septal bone or turbinate mucosal flap, which were smaller than the size of the CSF leakage defects.
RESUMEN
Background and Objectives@#This study aimed to determine the efficacy of prophylactic desmopressin administered via the intranasal or intravenous route in reducing intraoperative bleeding during nasal surgery. We conducted a meta-analysis of the relevant literature to investigate the role of preoperative desmopressin in minimizing bleeding complications associated with nasal surgery. @*Methods@#We screened the relevant literature published before February 2023. Nine articles that compared the perioperative use of desmopressin (treatment) with a placebo or no treatment (control) were included. The analyzed outcomes were intraoperative bleeding during nasal surgery and postoperative morbidity. @*Results@#The treatment group showed significant improvements in intraoperative bleeding, the surgical field, and surgeon satisfaction compared to the control group. However, the prophylactic use of desmopressin was associated with elevated blood pressure and decreased serum sodium levels compared to the control group. Nonetheless, no significant adverse effects were reported in the included studies. Subgroup analyses comparing the route of administration (intravenous vs. intranasal) and type of surgery (rhinoplasty vs. endoscopic sinus surgery) showed that desmopressin had a beneficial effect on intraoperative bleeding and the surgical field, regardless of the route of administration or type of surgery. @*Conclusion@#The prophylactic use of desmopressin for nasal surgery effectively reduced intraoperative bleeding, improved the surgical field, and increased surgeon satisfaction, with no significant adverse effects. However, caution should be exercised when administering desmopressin as it may cause an elevation in postoperative blood pressure in patients with cardiopulmonary problems.
RESUMEN
Background and Objectives@#This study aimed to evaluate the impact of topical platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection on persistent refractory olfactory dysfunction after COVID-19 infection. @*Methods@#A systematic review was conducted, focusing on studies that compared the efficacy of topical PRP treatment with a control group (receiving either placebo or no treatment) in ameliorating olfactory dysfunction. Pre- and post-treatment comparisons were evaluated, along with a subgroup analysis of olfactory function evaluation. @*Results@#The analysis revealed a significant improvement in olfactory scores between 1 to 3 months post-treatment (standardized mean difference=1.4376; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.5934–2.2818; I2=84.1%) in the treatment group compared to the control group. Moreover, a notable disparity was observed between the two groups in the incidence of substantial recovery from anosmia or hyposmia (odds ratio=8.6639; 95% CI=2.9752–25.2292; I2=0.0%). PRP treatment led to a clinically significant increase in the threshold, discrimination, and identification (TDI) score for the Sniffin’ Sticks test by >5.5 (minimum clinically significant difference; mean difference, 6.3494; 95% CI=4.0605–8.6384; I2=0.0%), as confirmed by verified examinations. The odds ratio for significant improvement among patients after treatment was determined to be 0.7654 (95% CI=0.6612–0.8451). Furthermore, all TDI subdomains exhibited significant and comparable improvements post-treatment. @*Conclusion@#This meta-analysis indicates that the injection of PRP into the olfactory fissure or surrounding mucosal areas is an effective treatment for persistent refractory olfactory dysfunction.
RESUMEN
Objectives@#. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of steroid-impregnated spacers to that of conventional management after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). @*Methods@#. Six databases were searched from inception until November 2022. Sixteen studies were found that compared the improvement of chronic sinusitis-related symptoms and postoperative outcomes between a steroid-impregnated spacer group and a control group (non-steroid-impregnated spacers). The Cochrane risk of bias tool (for randomized controlled studies) and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (for non-randomized controlled studies) were used to assess the quality of the works included. @*Results@#. Regarding the endoscopic findings, the degree of mucosal edema, ethmoid inflammation, crust formation at 2–3 months postoperatively, nasal discharge, polyposis, and scarring/synechia were significantly lower in the steroid-impregnated spacer group. The steroid-impregnated spacer group also showed significantly lower Lund–Kennedy scores and perioperative sinus endoscopy scores than the control group at 2–3 weeks postoperatively. Furthermore, the steroid-impregnated spacer group had lower rates of adhesions, middle turbinate lateralization, polypoid changes, the need for oral steroid use, the need for postoperative therapeutic interventions, and lysis of adhesions than controls. However, no significant between-group differences were found in short-term (2–3 weeks postoperatively) endoscopic findings regarding nasal discharge, postoperative crusting, polyposis, or scarring/synechia. @*Conclusion@#. Steroid-impregnated nasal packing reduced the rates of postoperative intervention and recurrent polyposis and inflammation in CRS patients undergoing ESS.
RESUMEN
Objectives@#. Multiple minimally invasive techniques for chronic rhinitis treatment focus on posterior nasal nerve ablation. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of cryotherapy and radiofrequency ablation for alleviating symptoms in patients with allergic and nonallergic rhinitis. @*Methods@#. We retrieved studies from PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Database up to July 2023. Data on the impact of cryotherapy and radiofrequency ablation on quality of life and symptom ratings of rhinitis were extracted and evaluated. @*Results@#. An analysis of 12 studies involving 788 patients demonstrated significant improvements in quality of life and rhinitis-related symptoms (nasal obstruction, itching, rhinorrhea, and sneezing) in patients treated with cryotherapy or radiofrequency ablation (symptom score at 24 months and quality of life score at 3 months). However, radiofrequency ablation had a more positive effect on nasal symptoms after 3 months than cryotherapy. Nonallergic rhinitis patients responded more favorably to posterior nerve ablation than patients with allergic rhinitis. Both techniques enhanced disease-specific quality of life during the initial 3 months of treatment (cryotherapy, 84.6%; radiofrequency, 81.6%; P=0.564). After 3 months of treatment, a clinical improvement in all nasal symptoms (minimal clinically important difference in the total nasal symptom score: >1.0 points) was seen in 81.8% and 91.9% of patients who underwent cryotherapy and radiofrequency ablation, respectively (P=0.005), suggesting that radiofrequency is more likely to lead to clinical improvement. @*Conclusion@#. Rhinitis-associated subjective symptom scores and quality of life may be improved by both cryotherapy and radiofrequency ablation. Ablation was more efficacious than cryotherapy for nasal symptoms in patients with nonallergic rhinitis. To corroborate these findings, further randomized controlled studies directly comparing these two techniques are warranted.
RESUMEN
Background and Objectives@#Evidence bearing on the safety and efficacy of dupilumab treatment for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) has recently been presented by researchers from various institutions. Therefore, we compared the safety and efficacy of dupilumab treatment to those of endoscopic sinus surgery. @*Methods@#The PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases were searched independently by two authors from the dates of their inception to December 2022. We retrieved the clinical results of CRSwNP patients after dupilumab administration, including changes in patient symptoms and the effects on the quality of life, and compared the results of dupilumab (treatment group) to those of endoscopic sinus surgery (control group). @*Results@#Eight articles (1,251 patients) were ultimately included. Dupilumab significantly improved nasal symptoms (nasal congestion) (mean difference [MD], -1.4433; 95% confidence interval [CI], -1.7233 to -1.1632; I2=94.2%), the visual analog sinusitis score (MD, -5.0506; 95% CI, -5.4744 to -4.6267; I2=84.0%), olfactory function (standardized MD, 1.2691; 95% CI, 1.1549 to 1.3833; I2=18.4%), the quality of life (SNOT-22 score) (MD, -34.4941; 95% CI, -39.4187 to -29.5695; I2=90.8%), the Lund-Mackay computed tomography score (MD, -7.2713; 95% CI, -8.9442 to -5.5984; I2=87.7%), and the nasal polyp score (MD, -3.1021; 95% CI, -3.7066 to -2.4977; I2=95.6%) at about 12 months after treatment compared to the pretreatment values. Compared to endoscopic sinus surgery, dupilumab similarly improved olfactory function (MD, 1.9849; 95% CI, -1.6190 to 5.5888; I2=0.0%) but was less effective in terms of reducing the SNOT-22 score (MD, 3.8472; 95% CI, 1.9872 to 5.7073; I2=96.7%) and reducing nasal congestion (MD, 0.6519; 95% CI, 0.5619 to 0.7420; I2=97.7%). @*Conclusion@#Dupilumab reduced subjective symptom scores and improved the quality of life and objective measures of progression compared to the preoperative values.
RESUMEN
IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a systemic inflammatory disease characterized by IgG4-positive plasma cell and T lymphocyte infiltration of multiple organs. It commonly involves the pancreas, lacrimal glands, and salivary glands, and it has been rarely reported in the sinonasal cavity. We herein report the case of a 47-year-old male patient whose chief complaint was decreased visual acuity. A tumefactive mass was found on imaging studies, originating from the sinonasal cavity and invading the orbit, kidney, and meninges. The mass was resected through endoscopic sinus surgery and was pathologically confirmed to be IgG4-RD. The patient was treated with steroid therapy and showed clinical improvement.
RESUMEN
Background and Objectives@#The purpose of this study was to conduct a meta-analysis of the effects of intraoperative pharyngeal packing on postoperative nausea, vomiting, and sore throat in nasal surgery patients. @*Methods@#Databases were searched from inception to December 2022. Randomized controlled trials comparing saline-soaked pharyngeal packing (packing group) with no packing (control group) during intubation in patients undergoing nasal surgery were included. The primary outcomes of interest were the incidence of postoperative nausea, vomiting, and sore throat at 24 hours. @*Results@#Eleven studies, including a total of 931 patients, were included. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting and severity scores at 2, 6, and 24 hours postoperatively. The incidence of throat pain was higher in the packing group than in the control group immediately after surgery and at 24 hours postoperatively. However, no significant difference was observed between the two groups in the incidence of sore throat at 6 and 12 hours postoperatively. @*Conclusion@#Intraoperative saline-soaked pharyngeal packing did not significantly decrease postoperative nausea and vomiting. However, the use of pharyngeal packing was associated with a higher incidence of sore throat in the initial recovery period.
RESUMEN
Objectives@#. This study evaluated the diagnostic value of various symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in screening for this disease. @*Methods@#. Two authors (working independently) comprehensively reviewed six databases (PubMed, Cochrane Database, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar) from their dates of inception until November 2020. The predictive value of patient-reported symptoms, including otolaryngologic and general symptoms, was evaluated in adults who underwent testing for COVID-19. True-positive, true-negative, false-positive, and false-negative data were extracted from each study. The methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated using the quality assessment of diagnostic accuracy studies tool (ver. 2). @*Results@#. Twenty-eight prospective and retrospective studies were included in the meta-analysis. The diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) of a change in olfaction and/or taste was 10.20 (95% confidence interval [CI], 8.43–12.34). The area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.8. Olfactory and/or taste changes had a low sensitivity (0.57; 95% CI, 0.47–0.66) but moderate negative (0.78; 95% CI, 0.69–0.85] and positive (0.78; 95% CI, 0.66–0.87) predictive values and a high specificity (0.91; 95% CI, 0.83–0.96). Olfactory and/or taste changes had a higher diagnostic value than the other otolaryngologic symptoms, a higher DOR and specificity, and a similar or higher diagnostic value than the other general symptoms. @*Conclusion@#. Among otolaryngologic symptoms, olfactory and/or taste dysfunction was the most closely associated with COVID-19 and its general symptoms, and should therefore be considered when screening for the disease.
RESUMEN
Objectives@#. A systematic review of the literature was conducted to evaluate hypotensive agents in terms of their adverse effects and associations with perioperative morbidity in patients undergoing nasal surgery. @*Methods@#. Two authors independently searched databases (Medline, Scopus, and Cochrane databases) up to February 2020 for randomized controlled trials comparing the perioperative administration of a hypotensive agent with a placebo or other agent. The outcomes of interest for this analysis were intraoperative morbidity, operative time, intraoperative bleeding, hypotension, postoperative nausea/vomiting, and postoperative pain. Both a standard pairwise meta-analysis and network meta-analysis were conducted. @*Results@#. Our analysis was based on 37 trials. Treatment networks consisting of six interventions (placebo, clonidine, dexmedetomidine, beta-blockers, opioids, and nitroglycerine) were defined for the network meta-analysis. Dexmedetomidine resulted in the greatest differences in intraoperative bleeding (−0.971; 95% confidence interval [CI], −1.161 to −0.781), intraoperative fentanyl administration (−3.683; 95% CI, −4.848 to −2.518), and postoperative pain (−2.065; 95% CI, −3.170 to −0.960) compared with placebo. The greatest difference in operative time compared with placebo was achieved with clonidine (−0.699; 95% CI, −0.977 to −0.421). All other agents also had beneficial effects on the measured outcomes. Dexmedetomidine was less likely than other agents to cause adverse effects. @*Conclusion@#. This study demonstrated the superiority of the systemic use of dexmedetomidine as a perioperative hypotensive agent compared with the other five tested agents. However, the other agents were also superior to placebo in improving operative time, intraoperative bleeding, and postoperative pain.
RESUMEN
Microfluidic systems can be used to control picoliter to microliter volumes in ways not possible with other methods of fluid handling. In recent years, the field of microfluidics has grown rapidly, with microfluidic devices offering possibilities to impact biology and medicine. Microfluidic devices populated with human cells have the potential to mimic the physiological functions of tissues and organs in a three-dimensional microenvironment and enable the study of mechanisms of human diseases, drug discovery and the practice of personalized medicine. In the field of otorhinolaryngology, various types of microfluidic systems have already been introduced to study organ physiology, diagnose diseases, and evaluate therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, microfluidic technologies can be implemented at all levels of otorhinolaryngology. This review is intended to promote understanding of microfluidic properties and introduce the recent literature on application of microfluidic-related devices in the field of otorhinolaryngology.
RESUMEN
Objectives@#. This study evaluated the diagnostic value of various symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in screening for this disease. @*Methods@#. Two authors (working independently) comprehensively reviewed six databases (PubMed, Cochrane Database, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar) from their dates of inception until November 2020. The predictive value of patient-reported symptoms, including otolaryngologic and general symptoms, was evaluated in adults who underwent testing for COVID-19. True-positive, true-negative, false-positive, and false-negative data were extracted from each study. The methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated using the quality assessment of diagnostic accuracy studies tool (ver. 2). @*Results@#. Twenty-eight prospective and retrospective studies were included in the meta-analysis. The diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) of a change in olfaction and/or taste was 10.20 (95% confidence interval [CI], 8.43–12.34). The area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.8. Olfactory and/or taste changes had a low sensitivity (0.57; 95% CI, 0.47–0.66) but moderate negative (0.78; 95% CI, 0.69–0.85] and positive (0.78; 95% CI, 0.66–0.87) predictive values and a high specificity (0.91; 95% CI, 0.83–0.96). Olfactory and/or taste changes had a higher diagnostic value than the other otolaryngologic symptoms, a higher DOR and specificity, and a similar or higher diagnostic value than the other general symptoms. @*Conclusion@#. Among otolaryngologic symptoms, olfactory and/or taste dysfunction was the most closely associated with COVID-19 and its general symptoms, and should therefore be considered when screening for the disease.
RESUMEN
Objectives@#. A systematic review of the literature was conducted to evaluate hypotensive agents in terms of their adverse effects and associations with perioperative morbidity in patients undergoing nasal surgery. @*Methods@#. Two authors independently searched databases (Medline, Scopus, and Cochrane databases) up to February 2020 for randomized controlled trials comparing the perioperative administration of a hypotensive agent with a placebo or other agent. The outcomes of interest for this analysis were intraoperative morbidity, operative time, intraoperative bleeding, hypotension, postoperative nausea/vomiting, and postoperative pain. Both a standard pairwise meta-analysis and network meta-analysis were conducted. @*Results@#. Our analysis was based on 37 trials. Treatment networks consisting of six interventions (placebo, clonidine, dexmedetomidine, beta-blockers, opioids, and nitroglycerine) were defined for the network meta-analysis. Dexmedetomidine resulted in the greatest differences in intraoperative bleeding (−0.971; 95% confidence interval [CI], −1.161 to −0.781), intraoperative fentanyl administration (−3.683; 95% CI, −4.848 to −2.518), and postoperative pain (−2.065; 95% CI, −3.170 to −0.960) compared with placebo. The greatest difference in operative time compared with placebo was achieved with clonidine (−0.699; 95% CI, −0.977 to −0.421). All other agents also had beneficial effects on the measured outcomes. Dexmedetomidine was less likely than other agents to cause adverse effects. @*Conclusion@#. This study demonstrated the superiority of the systemic use of dexmedetomidine as a perioperative hypotensive agent compared with the other five tested agents. However, the other agents were also superior to placebo in improving operative time, intraoperative bleeding, and postoperative pain.
RESUMEN
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic originated in Wuhan, China and spread rapidly worldwide, leading the World Health Organization to declare an official global COVID- 19 pandemic in March 2020. The upper aero-digestive tract is known to be the highest viral load reside. The infection spreads via droplets or direct contact with contaminated surfaces via aeorsol. The otolaryngologists deal with diseases of the upper-aerodigestive tract and routinely are engaged in respiratory droplet and aerosol-generating procedures (AGP). In particular, because airborne transmission occurs during examination and AGP, otolaryngologists are considered to be at a high risk of contracting COVID-19 during this pandemic. Therefore otolaryngologists need to do precautions to protect staff and patients and minimize transmission of the disease. We also need to wear adequate personal protective equipment according to the examination and procedure. This article discusses the disease transmission and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 as well as precaution guidelines in outpatient clinics of otorhinolaryngology.
RESUMEN
Objectives@#. Although osteotomy is an important part of rhinoplasty, it is known to be closely related to postoperative eyelid edema and ecchymosis. We aimed to evaluate the effects of periosteal elevation prior to osteotomy on eyelid edema and ecchymosis. @*Methods@#. Two authors reviewed studies in the Medline, Scopus, and Cochrane databases published through May 2019. Randomized controlled trials comparing periosteal elevation (subperiosteal tunneling) with periosteal preservation that reported eyelid edema or ecchymosis or subconjunctival hemorrhage as outcomes of interest were included. From each study, the baseline characteristics of the study subjects, the quality of the study, the number of patients in the treatment and control groups, and outcomes were extracted. @*Results@#. Data for meta-analysis were identified in six studies with a total of 208 patients. Eyelid ecchymosis and edema within 3 days postoperatively were significantly more common in the periosteal elevation group than in the preservation group, although such an association was not found for edema on postoperative day 7 (standardized mean difference [SMD], 0.21; 95% confidence interval [CI], –0.09 to 0.50; I2 =0%). There was no significant difference in subconjunctival hemorrhage on day 1 (SMD, 0.31; 95% CI, –0.09 to 0.72; I2 =0%). @*Conclusion@#. Periosteal preservation during lateral osteotomy may reduce eyelid edema and ecchymosis compared to periosteal elevation. Further studies with rigorous research methods should be carried out to determine the effectiveness of different techniques in lateral osteotomy.
RESUMEN
Background and Objectives@#To investigate the prognostic value of the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in patients with head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNSCC).Subjects and Method Clinical data from 259 patients with HNSCC were collected retrospectively. NLR was adopted as potential prognostic biomarkers. @*Results@#NLR was associated with cancer recurrence (p=0.002 and p＜0.001, respectively). Patients with a NLR ＞2.15 had significantly decreased 5-year disease specific survival (DSS) based on the Kaplan-Meier survival curves (p＜0.001 and p=0.029, respectively). The Multivariate Cox regression analysis confirmed a significant association between 5-year DSS and the NLR (using 2.15 as the cut-off; hazard ratio, 1.852; 95% confidence interval, 1.237-2.771; p= 0.003). @*Conclusion@#A NLR cut-off value ≥2.15 was associated with adverse outcomes in patients with HNSCC.
RESUMEN
The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review of the literature for application of intranasal sodium citrate in the patients with olfactory dysfunction to help determine the sodium citrate treatments for this condition. Two authors independently searched the data base (Medline, Scopus, and the Cochrane database) for relevant studies from inception to January 2018. Included studies were randomized controlled studies published in English comparing topical sodium citrate application (treatment group) with saline (control group) in patients who had olfactory dysfunction. Outcomes of interest included the change of olfactory identification and threshold during 2 hours post-treatment. Three studies were enrolled in the meta-analysis. Compared with control group, treatment group did not increase posttreatment score of olfactory identification [standardized mean difference (SMD)=-0.03; 95% confidence interval (CI)=-0.29-0.24; Iò=0%] and olfactory threshold (SMD=0.18; 95% CI=-0.09-0.45; Iò=0%) significantly. In the degree of pre-post improvement of two outcomes, although treatment group statistically showed the significant improvement in olfactory threshold (SMD=0.30; 95% CI=0.05-0.55; Iò=17%), the clinical significance of this outcome was meaningless. Similarly, there was no significant difference in olfactory identification between two groups (SMD=0.17; 95% CI=-0.11-0.45; Iò=22%). Unlike the recent favorable results, our summated results presented the uselessness for the local application of sodium citrate in improving patient's olfactory function. However, we also had some limitation such as small sample size and inconsistent application methods. Therefore, larger trials and standardized methodology are needed to reach more stronger and exact results.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: In this study, we manufactured a complex of human nasal septal cartilage (hNC) with polycaprolactone (PCL) for transplantation into cartilaginous skeletal defects and evaluated their characteristics.METHODS: Nasal septum tissue was obtained from five patients aged ≥ 20 years who were undergoing septoplasty. hNCs were isolated and subcultured for three passages in vitro. To formulate the cell–PCL complex, we used type I collagen as an adhesive between chondrocyte and PCL. Immunofluorescence staining, cell viability and growth in the hNC–PCL complex, and mycoplasma contamination were assessed.RESULTS: hNCs in PCL showed viability ≥ 70% and remained at these levels for 9 h of incubation at 4 ℃. Immunostaining of the hNC–PCL complex also showed high expression levels of chondrocyte-specific protein, COL2A1, SOX9, and aggrecan during 24 h of clinically applicable conditions.CONCLUSION: The hNC–PCL complex may be a valuable therapeutic agent for implantation into injured cartilage tissue, and can be used clinically to repair cartilaginous skeletal defects. From a clinical perspective, it is important to set the short duration of the implantation process to achieve effective functional implantation.