Bone-Anchored Hearing Implants: Surgical and Audiological Comparison of Different Surgical Techniques

Abstract Introduction The bone-anchored hearing implant system (BAHS) is an effective amplification system that transmits the sounds received by an external operating system to the inner ear by bypassing the middle ear placed in the temporal bone. Objective This study compares the results of patients who underwent bone-anchored hearing implant system (BAHS) surgery using two different surgical methods in terms of preoperative and postoperative complications, surgical time, audiological findings, and patient satisfaction. Methods The results of 22 patients who underwent BAHS were evaluated retrospectively from video records and audiological results, The Turkish Version of the Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI) questionnaire were evaluated. Two different surgical approaches were used for implantation: the linear incision technique (n = 9) and the punch technique (n = 13). Results Mean surgical durations were 9.67 ± 2.85 and 47.65 ± 6.13 minutes for Groups A and B, respectively, and these were significantly different (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences between the groups' speech recognition scores for a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of +5 (p = 0.173), SNR of 0 (p = 0.315), or SNR of -5 (p = 0.360) and results of the GBI scores. Conclusion The punch technique has a significant advantage due to a shorter surgery duration without increased surgical complications. Additionally, the punch technique showed no significant difference in hearing performance or satisfaction compared with linear incision.

Potential Risk of Respiratory Secretions in the Transmission of HBV Infection: A Review of the Literature.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a significant health problem around the world and may cause serious morbidity and mortality. The most common transmission routes are parenteral, sexual, perinatal and horizontal way. Identification of the risk factors for viral hepatitis transmission is the main rule to reduce the spread of this infection. The aim of this study was to review the possible occupational risk factors for nanparenteral transmission of Hepatitis B virus for health care workers, especially for otorhinolaryngologists. The Medline / PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane databases were searched by using different combinations of MeSH terms for HBV, transmission routes, and risk factors. The results were collected from articles published between January 2000 and July 2015. There were no language restriction during searching the data, whether the abstracts of the studies contain sufficient data were analysed. All searchable relevant data was evaluated and reviewed. The presence of viral particles, including HBsAg and / or HBV DNA in body secretions such as saliva, tears and cerumen may suggest the possibility of horizontal transmission of HBV infection. Therefore, the healthcare workers, particularly otorhinolaryngologists, ophthalmologists or other surgeons, audiologists, dentists, pulmonologists, intensive care specialists and nurses should pay special attention while applying the standard infection control precautions in order to prevent HBV infection in themselves and their patients.

Assessment of mucosal changes associated with nasal splint in a rabbit model / Avaliação sobre alterações na mucosa, associadas ao uso de splints nasais, utilizando coelhos como cobaias

INTRODUCTION: There is no consensus on duration of the nasal splint after nasal septum surgeries. The pressure of nasal splint on the mucosa may cause tissue necrosis and nasal septum perforation. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the histopathological changes of the nasal mucosa caused by nasal splints in a rabbit model. METHODS: No splint was used in group A. Bilateral silicone nasal splints were placed for five, ten, and 15 days in groups B, C, and D, respectively. Biopsy of the nasal mucosa was performed after removal of splint. Histopathologic evaluations were performed. The severity and depth of the inflammation were scored. RESULTS: Group A had a normal histological appearance. Comparison of the results of groups B, C, and D with group A demonstrated statistically significant differences with regards to the severity of histopathological findings. There was no statistically significant difference between groups B and C. There were statistically significant differences between the groups B and D, and also between groups C and D. CONCLUSIONS: Longer duration of nasal splint had a higher risk for septal perforation. Therefore, removal of the splint as soon as possible may be helpful for preventing potential perforations. .

INTRODUÇÃO: Não existe consenso acerca do tempo de permanência de splints nasais no pós-operatório de cirurgias no septo. A pressão causada pelos mesmos na mucosa nasal pode causar necrose e perfurações septais. OBJETIVOS: Investigar mudanças histopatológicas da mucosa nasal causadas por splints nasais em coelhos. MÉTODO: Nenhum splint foi utilizado no grupo A. Splints de silicone foram utilizados por 5, 10 e 15 dias nos grupos B, C e D, respectivamente. Biópsia da mucosa nasal foi realizada após a remoção dos mesmos. Avaliações histopatológicas foram realizadas, e a gravidade e a profundidade do processo inflamatório foram medidas. RESULTADOS: Grupo A apresentou uma aparência histológica normal. Comparações de resultados entre os grupos B, C e D com o grupo A demonstraram diferenças estatísticas relevantes na gravidade histopatológica. Não houve diferenças estatísticas relevantes entre os grupos B e D, assim como entre os grupos C e D. CONCLUSÃO: De acordo com os resultados, quanto maior a duração no uso de splints nasais maior o risco de perfuração septal. Portanto, a remoção de splints nasais deve ser realizada assim que possível, prevenindo potenciais perfurações. .

Antioxidant Therapy in Tinnitus.

Oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been working in the pathophysiology of various chronic diseases. Under normal circumstances, the human cochlea has some antioxidant molecules which can scavenge the oxidant substances and ROS to avoid the possible damage into the inner ear. In tinnitus therapy, several forms of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) are increasingly popular but they are generally selected with or without professional guidance. Although several antioxidant agents like vitamin A, C, E and glutathione can be used in the treatment of tinnitus as CAM, melatonin, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) were especially used as alternative for classic antioxidants. According to the literature, it seems antioxidant therapy in patients with idiopathic tinnitus may reduce oxidative stress and damage to the inner ear. And also it can reduce the intensity and discomfort of tinnitus. Further clinical studies are necessary to determine antioxidants’ protective role and to choose the appropriate therapeutic protocol.