Airway management in a patient with Reinke's edema: A case report

Reinke's edema begins with a chronic diffuse edema on the surface of the lamina propria of the vocal folds. It frequently occurs in women, smokers, professional voice users, and in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease. Herein, we report the case of a patient who experienced ventilation difficulties during general anesthesia using positive pressure mask ventilation.

Epidural anesthesia for a lumbar discectomy in a patient with paramyotonia congenita: A case report

Paramyotonia congenita is a rare hereditary skeletal muscle disease characterized by exercise- or cold-induced myotonia. Anesthesiologists should make any efforts to prevent perioperative myotonic attack and muscle weakness in patients with this kind of disorder. Specifically, the administration of depolarizing muscle relaxants should be avoided and serum potassium level as well as body temperature should be carefully managed. The present report describes our experiences with successful epidural anesthesia in a patient with paramyotonia congenita who underwent a lumbar discectomy.

Palatal Implants for Persistent Snoring and Mild Obstructive Sleep Apnea After Laser-Assisted Uvulopalatoplasty

Laser-assisted uvulopalatoplasty (LAUP) was widely performed in 1990s as a surgical therapeutic procedure to improve snoring or mild obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, LAUP is not currently recommended as a treatment for OSA because the evidence for its efficacy is insufficient. Little is known about alternative minimally invasive surgery in patients who refuse continuous positive airway pressure or oral appliance after failed LAUP. We present a case of successful surgical treatment of persistent snoring and mild OSA with palatal implants after LAUP. This case suggests that palatal implants may be offered as an alternative surgical procedure for selective patients with persistent or recurrent snoring or mild OSA after LAUP.

Impact of Open-Mouth Breathing on Upper Airway Anatomy in Patients with Sleep-Disordered Breathing

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of open-mouth breathing on the upper airway anatomy of patients with sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) based on polysomnography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 114 subjects (101 males and 13 females) with a mean age of 42.7 years and a mean body mass index (kg/m2) of 26.2 were enrolled in this study. All subjects were divided into four groups (simple snoring, mild obstructive sleep apnea syndrome[OSAS], moderate OSAS and severeOSAS) according to the apnea-hypopnea index. Lateral cephalometric radiograms (retropalatal, retroglossal, and hypopharyngeal distance, and pharyngeal length) were taken with the mouth closed and open. RESULTS: The lateral cephalometric variables were compared between the mouth closed and open positions, and it was found that the retropalatal and retroglossal distances and pharyngeal length were significantly changed in all groups. However, the hypopharyngeal distance did not change significantly in any of the groups. CONCLUSION: Open-mouth breathing significantly reduces the retropalatal and retroglossal distance and lengthens the pharynx in patients with SDB. Since these anatomical changes may worsen SDB or decrease positive airway pressure treatment compliance, ENT doctors should attempt to convert SDB patients from open-mouth breathing to nasal breathing.

Optimal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Level in Korean Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate optimal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) level, to examine the factors affecting optimal CPAP level, and to develop a predictive equation for optimal CPAP level in Korean patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). METHODS: A total of 202 patients with OSAS who underwent successful manual titration for CPAP treatment were included in this study. Correlations between the optimal CPAP level and baseline data including anthropometric and polysomnographic variables were analyzed. A predictive equation for optimal CPAP level was developed based on anthropometric and polysomonographic data. RESULTS: The mean optimal CPAP level in 202 patients with OSAS was 7.8+/-2.3 cm H2O. The mean optimal CPAP level in the mild, moderate, and severe OSAS groups was 6.0+/-1.3, 7.4+/-1.9, and 9.1+/-2.1 cm H2O, respectively. The apneahypopnea index (AHI) (r=0.595, P<0.001), arousal index (r=0.542, P<0.001), minimal SaO2 (r=-0.502, P<0.001), body mass index (BMI) (r=0.494, P<0.001), neck circumference (r=0.265, P<0.001), and age (r=-0.164, P=0.019) were significantly correlated with optimal CPAP level. The best predictive equation according to stepwise multiple linear regression analysis was: Optimal CPAP level (cm H2O)=0.681+(0.205xBMI)+(0.040xAHI). Forty-two percent of the variance in the optimal CPAP level was explained by this equation (R2=0.42, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: A predictive equation for optimal CPAP level in Korean patients with OSAS was developed using AHI and BMI, which can be easily measured during the diagnostic process.

Soft-tissue management for primary closure in immediate implant placement / 대한치주과학회지

BACKGROUND: Incomplete flap coverage or early exposure over implants and/or barrier membranes have a negative effect on bone regeneration. In cases of using regenerative techniques, complete soft tissue coverage of the implant area is necessary to promote adequate conditions for guided bone regeneration. Primary socket closure may be difficult, when periosteal releasing incision is only used, due to the opening left by extracted tooth. Therefore, Soft tissue grafting techniques are used to achieve primary soft tissue closure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Soft tissue grafting techniques, with or without barrier membranes, were performed for primary closure in four cases of immediate placements. Three different methods were used (CTG, VIP-CT, Palatal advanced flap). Clinical results of the grafting were evaluated. RESULT: One case showed early exposure of cover-screw and, no other complications were noted. In the others, Primary closure was achieved by soft tissue grafting techniques. One of the cases, Graft showed partial necrosis, but there were no exposure over implants and/or barrier membranes. CONCLUSION: The use of grafting techniques, in immediate implant placement, can predictably obtain primary closure of extraction sockets, thereby providing predictable bone formation and improved implant results.