Comfort rules for face masks among healthcare workers during COVID-19 spread.

BACKGROUND: The outbreak of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) made imperative the use of protective devices as a source control tool. As there is no definite antiviral treatment and effective vaccine, the only efficient means of protecting and mitigating infectious contagion has been the use of personal protective equipment, especially by healthcare workers. However, masks affect the humidification process of inhaled air, possibly leading to a basal inflammatory state of the upper airways. STUDY DESIGN: This is a single-center observational study conducted at the University Hospital of Catania from April 1, 2020, to June 31, 2020. METHODS: We analyzed the role of protective masks on the elimination of upper airways complaints in healthcare workers of the University Hospital of Catania. We evaluated 277 subjects through a self-administered 17 item questionnaire based on respiratory, work performance and health-related quality of life domains. RESULTS: A higher prevalence of nasal and ocular symptoms, perceived reduced work performance, difficulty in concentrating, and sleep disorders were found. After two weeks adhering to a list of good practices that we recommended, significant reversibility of the symptoms investigated and work performance enhancement were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Despite clinical complaints related to personal protective equipment, effective amelioration through usage rules is easily obtained. Given the essential use of protective masks, healthcare workers have to adhere to appropriate work and safety prevention rules.

Prevalence and 6-month recovery of olfactory dysfunction: a multicentre study of 1363 COVID-19 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate prevalence and recovery of olfactory dysfunction (OD) in COVID-19 patients according to the disease severity. METHODS: From 22 March to 3 June 2020, 2581 COVID-19 patients were identified from 18 European hospitals. Epidemiological and clinical data were extracted at baseline and within the 2-month post-infection. RESULTS: The prevalence of OD was significantly higher in mild form (85.9%) compared with moderate-to-critical forms (4.5-6.9%; P = 0.001). Of the 1916 patients with OD, 1363 completed the evaluations (71.1%). A total of 328 patients (24.1%) did not subjectively recover olfaction 60 days after the onset of the dysfunction. The mean duration of self-reported OD was 21.6 ± 17.9 days. Objective olfactory evaluations identified hyposmia/anosmia in 54.7% and 36.6% of mild and moderate-to-critical forms, respectively (P = 0.001). At 60 days and 6 months, 15.3% and 4.7% of anosmic/hyposmic patients did not objectively recover olfaction, respectively. The higher baseline severity of objective olfactory evaluations was strongly predictive of persistent OD (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: OD is more prevalent in mild COVID-19 forms than in moderate-to-critical forms. OD disappeared in 95% of patients regarding objective olfactory evaluations at 6 months.

Transoral robotic surgery for hilo-parenchymal submandibular stones: step-by-step description and reasoned approach.

The conservative transoral approach to hilo-parenchymal submandibular stones has been proposed as an alternative to traditional sialadenectomy. The main purpose is to preserve the gland and eliminate the risk of a cervical scar and damage to the marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve. The spread of transoral robotic surgery has favoured its application not only in the oropharynx, but also in the anterior oral cavity. This article describes a transoral robotic approach for hilo-parenchymal submandibular stones. In January 2019, two patients with a right and a left hilo-parenchymal submandibular stone of 15mm and 8mm, respectively, underwent removal of the stone with transoral robotic surgery using the Si Da Vinci surgical robot. The procedure was performed successfully and tolerated well, with a one-night hospitalization. There were no complications such as lingual nerve damage, painful gland swelling, infection, or ranula. The patients were followed up clinically and ultrasonographically for the first 3 months to verify symptom relief and persistence of stones; no symptoms or stones were found. The transoral robotic surgical approach seems to be safe and adequate for the conservative management of large hilo-parenchymal submandibular stones. An adequate diagnosis together with proper docking and an appropriate approach to the oral floor is mandatory.

Mandibular advancement devices vs nasal-continuous positive airway pressure in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea. Systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a common disorder that may affect at least 2 to 4% of the adult population. Nasal-Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (N-CPAP) is today considered the gold standard for the treatment of OSA. The development of oral appliances (OAs) represents a new approach for the management of this pathology. The aim of this systematic review is to compare the efficacy of OAs and N-CPAP in the treatment of patients with mild to severe OSA. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A PubMed-MEDLINE and Cochrane databases search of articles published between 1982 and 2016 comparing the effect of N-CPAP and OAs in OSA patients was conducted during July 2016. The studies were selected and stratified according to PRISMA and SORT criteria. The main outcome measure was post-treatment Apnoea-Hypopnoea Index (AHI) while secondary outcomes included post-treatment Epworth Score Scale (ESS) score and lowest Oxygen Saturation level. RESULTS: N-CPAP was significantly more effective in suppressing AHI than OA. Moreover, N- CPAP was significantly more effective in increasing post-treatment lowest Oxygen Saturation level than OA. However, no significant different in decreasing ESS values was found between the two treatments. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of evidence in this review it would appear appropriate to offer OA therapy to those who are unwilling or unable to persist with CPAP therapy. N-CPAP still must be considered the gold standard treatment for OSA and, therefore, OAs may be included in the list of alternative options.

Barbed reposition pharyngoplasty in multilevel robotic surgery for obstructive sleep apnoea.

The surgical treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea in patients who are non-compliant with continuous positive airway pressure therapy still represents a valid alternative. In recent years, the multilevel approach is becoming more diffuse in routine surgical practice, especially since the introduction of transoral robotic surgery. Barbed reposition pharyngoplasty in multilevel robotic surgery for OSA may represent a valid option to surgically approach the soft palate. Herein, we describe the technique and preliminary results of our experience.

Palatal surgery in a transoral robotic setting (TORS): preliminary results of a retrospective comparison between uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), expansion sphincter pharyngoplasty (ESP) and barbed repositioning pharyngoplasty (BRP).

It has become increasingly clear in the past decade that surgical management of obstructive sleep apnoea hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS) is most successfully managed with multilevel surgery. We evaluated the outcomes of multilevel interventions comparing three different palatal techniques added to TORS: uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP), a modified expansion sphincter pharyngoplasty (ESP), inspired by the Pang expansion sphincter pharyngoplasty technique and the latest barbed repositioning pharyngoplasty (BRP). Thirty patients were retrospectively evaluated. Ten patients underwent UPPP by Fairbanks, 10 BRP and 10 a modified ESP already described. All patients underwent TORS, tonsillectomy and septo-turbinoplasty. For all cases, the following data were retrieved and revaluated: preoperative and postoperative apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI), preoperative and postoperative Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), pain visual analogue scale (VAS; 0-10) for the first 5 days postoperatively, palatal operative time for each surgical technique, discharge date and complication types and rate. Both BRP and ESP resulted in better postoperative AHI values and higher surgical success rates in comparison with UPPP. On the other hand, BRP was not more effective than ESP. ESP surgery time was significantly higher than UPPP, while BRP was the quickest procedure. In summary, ESP and BRP seem to be more effective than UPPP in a multilevel surgical robotic setting. However, being quicker, easy to learn and with a low rate of complications, BRP is a safe, effective and promising option for treatment of OSAHS patients.

Transoral robotic surgery (TORS): a new tool for high risk tracheostomy decannulation.

Tracheostomy decannulation has always been considered a procedure with an attendant risk, especially in patients with a reduced upper airway diameter as is commonly observed in the obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) population. We report on 4 cases where transoral robotic surgery (TORS) helped in the management of long-term cannulated patients. The aims of our paper are: 1. To demonstrate how the otolaryngology team can help identify patients at high risk for decannulation failure; and 2. To demonstrate how TORS may aid in the decannulation process of patients at high risk for failure due to severe tongue base hypertrophy. From our experience, TORS appears to offer an effective option to aid in the decannulation of patients with a severe hypertrophy of the base of tongue and floppy epiglottis.

The role of cVEMPs and vHIT in the evaluation of otosclerosis and its eventual vestibular impairment: preliminary findings.

The role of cVEMPs and vHIT in the evaluation of otosclerosis and its eventual vestibular impairment: preliminary findings. OBJECTIVES: Otosclerosis is one of the most common causes of hearing loss in adults, with a prevalence of 0.3% to 0.4% in Caucasians. Vestibular symptoms may occur, with an incidence ranging between 5% and 57% of patients. The aim of our study is to evaluate the vestibular function and its eventual changes after stapes surgery in patients affected by otosclerosis. METHODS: Prospective case-control study. Twenty patients (17 females; age range 33-58; mean age 44) who underwent surgery for otosclerotic disease between April 2012 and February 2014 were prospectively studied. These patients underwent preoperative and postoperative audiological tests. Furthermore, vestibular function was evaluated using the cervical evoked myogenic potentials test (cVEMPs) and video head impulse test (vHIT), preoperatively and postoperatively. A case-control study was also performed. Quantitative and statistical analysis of patients' vestibular function was carried out both before and after stapes surgery. RESULTS: The means of the vHIT gains in the case group were 1.03 on the right side and 1.01 on the left side. A significant difference between case and control groups was seen, with a lower left gain registered in the control group. No cases with a gain of less than 0.8 were found in either group. Moreover, a significant postoperative reduction in P1/NI amplitude was seen in patients complaining of postoperative dizziness or vertigo. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate a probable traumatic saccular impairment in patients with vestibular symptoms. However, a longer follow-up may help in understanding the behaviour of cVEMPs in post-stapes surgery vertigo.

Olfactory event-related potentials: a new approach for the evaluation of olfaction in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients treated with chemo-radiotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: Olfactory dysfunction is a possible side effect of chemo-radiotherapy performed in patients affected by nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Self-rating measurements and olfactory event-related potentials were used and compared in order to evaluate the impact of this treatment on the olfactory system. METHODS: Nine patients underwent subjective evaluation of olfactory function (using visual analogue scales for olfactory symptoms and quality of life, and a six-item Hyposmia Rating Scale), and a quantitative and objective measurement (olfactory event-related potentials). RESULTS: Spearman's rank correlation analyses highlighted significant relationships between the clinical scales and olfactory event-related potentials. Inter-group analyses showed significant differences in the latency and in the amplitude of olfactory event-related potentials between patients and controls. CONCLUSION: Taking into account the small sample size and the lack of pre-treatment assessment, olfactory event-related potentials seemed to allow a more objective diagnosis of unilateral and bilateral olfactory loss. Moreover, olfactory event-related potentials and subjective scales results were concordant.

Subannular T-tubes for the treatment of adhesive otitis: how we do it.

Subannular T-tubes for the treatment of adhesive otitis: how we do it. OBJECTIVES: Adhesive otitis is a chronic otitis media (OM) that consists of the adhesion of the tympanic membrane (TM) to the promontory. The aim of our study is to evaluate a new way of positioning subannular T-tubes (SATs) in patients affected by adhesive otitis. METHODOLOGY: This study enrolled 22 patients (average age: 36.7 yo, 2.5 SD; M/F ratio: 14/8) affected by unilateral chronic adhesive otitis. All of the patients underwent the positioning of a SAT and a Silastic@ sheet in the tympanic cavity. The clinical course was evaluated, considering otoscopic and audiological variations. RESULTS: In our series, only one case of extrusion of tubes with residual perforation of TM was recorded. Auditory outcomes were satisfying in 18/22 patients (81.8%). CONCLUSIONS: The proposed addition of a Silastic disk seems to avoid a new adhesion of the tympanic membrane to the promontory and, therefore, prevents treatment failures. A longer follow-up and a larger case series are needed to prove the efficacy of this surgical variation. Finally, the positioning of SATs can be considered as a valid and safe procedure for the treatment of adhesive otitis.