COVID-19 in otolaryngologists: a cross-sectional multicenter study

Abstract Introduction: The nose and throat are areas of high viral load, which could place otolaryngologists at an even higher risk for COVID-19 than other health-care workers. Objective: To investigate the prevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in otorhinolaryngologists in southern Brazil, its relationship to demographic data, professional practice and reported symptoms of COVID-19, and compare it with official data on other health-care workers of the state and the general population in the same period. Methods: In this cross-sectional multicenter study, otolaryngologists actively practicing officially registered in Rio Grande do Sul were screened for IgM and IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 from August 1 to September 15, 2020. A questionnaire was also applied. Results: We screened 358 (80.1%) of 447 actively practicing otolaryngologists (195 [54.5%] male; mean [SD] age, 47.77 [13.57] years; range, 26-84 years). Twenty-three were positive for IgM and/or IgG (6.4%). This result was significantly associated with reports of infected household contacts (19/315 negatives and 8/23 positives; p<0.001). From 23 seropositive participants, 14 were asymptomatic (60.9%; p< 0.001). There were no significant associations between seroconversion and age, sex, number of patient appointments and surgical procedures, workplace (hospital or private practice), patients with or without respiratory symptoms, or level of personal protective equipment used. The rate of COVID-19 in all health-care workers in the state was 7.69% at the end of the same period. Data from state government seroprevalence was 5.26 (risk ratio [RR]; 95% CI 3.27-8.45) and 4.66 (RR; 95% CI 2.93-7.43) times higher in otolaryngologists than in the general population in August and September, respectively. Conclusion: Otolaryngologists had a higher seroconversion rate than the general population. Using personal protective equipment, the level of occupational exposure did not result in higher rates of infection than other health-care workers, but the presence of infected household contacts was associated with higher rates of seroconversion.

Septum pyramidal adjustment and repositioning - a conservative and effective rhinoplasty technique / Ajuste e reposicionamento da pirâmide e septo nasal - uma técnica conservadora e eficaz em rinoplastia

Abstract Introduction: In rhinoplasty, the nasal dorsum has important relevance regarding the esthetic and functional aspects of the surgery. Its reduction should be performed with maximum accuracy and controlled resection to prevent or minimize potential complications. The septum pyramidal adjustment and repositioning consists of a conservative surgical technique of the nasal dorsum, which does not require the detachment of the upper lateral cartilages of the nasal septum, allowing the remodeling of the nasal dorsum while maintaining esthetic lines and nasal function, potentially reducing frequent complications in more traditional surgeries. Objective: To describe the septum pyramidal adjustment technique in detail, presenting its advantages and disadvantages in relation to the other surgical approaches, as well as to disclose results of this surgical procedure in patients submitted to primary rhinoplasty in a specific hospital. Methods: The medical records of all patients submitted to surgery from 2011 to 2015 through this surgical technique were evaluated by the same team. Of these cases, certain variables were analyzed such as gender, age, indication for reoperation and surgical complications. Results: 153 patients underwent rhinoplasty through septum pyramidal adjustment. Of these, 13 patients experienced an indication for a second surgery and four had some type of postoperative complication. Conclusion: The septum pyramidal adjustment surgical technique is a simple procedure, as it does not require the reconstruction of the nasal dorsum. It has a low number of complications and preserves the anatomical structures.

Resumo Introdução: Na rinoplastia, o dorso nasal tem importante relevância no quadro estético e funcional. A sua redução deve ser realizada com máxima precisão e ressecção controlada a fim de prevenir ou minimizar complicações potenciais. O termo septum pyramidal adjustment and repositioning consiste em uma técnica cirúrgica conservadora do dorso nasal, que não requer a desinserção das cartilagens laterais superiores do septo nasal, que permite remodelar o dorso nasal, manter as linhas estéticas e a função nasal, reduz potencialmente complicações frequentes nas cirurgias mais tradicionais. Objetivo: Descrever em detalhes o septum pyramidal adjustment, expor suas vantagens e desvantagens em relação às outras abordagens cirúrgicas, bem como apresentar resultados desse procedimento cirúrgico em pacientes submetidos à rinoplastia primária em um hospital específico. Método: Foram avaliados os registros médicos de todos os pacientes operados de 2011 a 2015 por essa técnica cirúrgica, pela mesma equipe. Desses casos, foram analisadas algumas variáveis, como: sexo, idade, indicação de reoperação e complicações cirúrgicas. Resultados: Foram submetidos 153 pacientes à rinoplastia por septum pyramidal adjustment. Desses, 13 tiveram segunda indicação cirúrgica e quatro apresentaram alguma complicação pós-operatória. Conclusão: A técnica cirúrgica septum pyramidal adjustment apresenta-se como um procedimento de fácil realização, pois não exige a reconstrução do dorso nasal. Apresenta baixo número de complicações e preserva as estruturas anatômicas.

Paralisia facial periférica: incidência das várias etiologias num ambulatório de atendimento terciário / Facial nerve palsy: incidence of different ethiologies in a tertiary ambulatory

Introdução: O diagnóstico etiológico diferencial da paralisia facial periférica continua a ser desafiante e os diversos estudos na literatura têm apresentado resultados conflitantes quanto a sua epidemiologia. Objetivo: Traçar a incidência das várias etiologias e o perfil dos pacientes atendidos com paralisia facial periférica no ambulatório do Serviço de Otorrinolaringologia da Faculdade de Ciências Médicas e Biológicas da Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo - Campus Sorocaba. Método: Foram analisados de maneira retrospectiva os prontuários dos pacientes com paralisia facial periférica no período de 2007 e 2008. Resultados: Dos 54 pacientes analisados, 55,5% eram do sexo masculino, apresentaram idade média de 40,6 anos e o lado direito da face acometido em 66,6%. Como sintomas associados, observamos a parestesia da hemiface acometida em 51,85% e o aumento do lacrimejamento em 66,6% dos pacientes. A paralisia de Bell foi à etiologia mais frequente (53,7%), seguido por: traumática (24%), Síndrome de Ramsay-Hunt (9,2%), colesteatoma (5,5%), otite externa maligna (3,7%) e otite média aguda (3,7%). Três casos de paralisia de Bell na gestação foram encontrados nesta serie. Conclusão: Os dados encontrados são semelhantes à maior parte da literatura, mostrando que a paralisia de Bell continua sendo a mais frequente seguido das causas traumáticas e demais. Há um equilíbrio em relação aos sexos com leve prevalência do sexo masculino e da paralisia do lado direito da face.

Introduction: The ethiologic diferencial diagnostic for facial nerve paralisis is still a challenge and the literature has shown conflictive results concerning its epidemiology. Objective: To outline the incidence of the different ethiologies and the profile of peripheral facial nerve paralysis patients in the otolaryngology ambulatory of the Faculdade de Ciencias Medicas e Biologicas da PUC-SP - campus Sorocaba. Method: The records of 54 patients with facial nerve paralysis seen during the years of 2007 and 2008 were analysed retrospectively. Results: From the 54 patients analysed, 55,5% were male, median age of 40,6 years and had the right side of the face acomitted in 66,6%. Parestesia of the accomited side in 51,85% and increased tears in 66,6% of the patients were observed as associated symptoms. Bellïs palsy was the most frequent ethiology (53,7%), follwed by: traumatic (24%), Ramsay Hunt syndrome (9,2%), Cholesteatoma (5,5%), malignant otitis media (3,7% and acute otits media (3,7%). Three cases of Bellïs palsy during pregancy was also seen in this series. Conclusion: The data found are similiar of the most of the literature, showing that Bellïs palsy is still the most frequent, followed by traumatic causes and others. There is an equilibrium concerning to the gender, with a slight prevalence for males and for the right side of the face.

Prevalência de pólipos com displasia de alto grau em pacientes com idade inferior a 50 anos / Prevalence of polyps with high degree dysplasia in patients with less than 50 years of age

O câncer colorretal é uma doença freqüente e passível de diagnóstico precoce. Objetiva-se avaliar uma idade ideal para o início do rastreio dessa doença. Avaliaram-se 2.068 colonoscopias em estudo transversal; 411 mostravam pólipos e em 270 obteve-se resultado histopatológico. Verificou-se idade média de 61 anos, sendo 52 (141) do sexo feminino; 61 (161) eram pólipos neoplásicos; desses, 15 (25) continham displasia de alto grau; 28 (7) das displasias de alto grau concentravam-se na população com idade inferior a 50 anos.