Evaluation of Nasal Obstruction Following Septoturbinoplasty Using the VAS and NOSE Scale.

Introduction: Patient satisfaction with septoturbinoplasty was measured using the subjective visual analogue scale (VAS) and Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scale. In addition, those factors that impacted satisfaction were confirmed. Materials and Methods: We conducted an observational study of patients who underwent septoturbinoplasty. Age, sex, smoking habit, duration of improvement, postoperative complications, type of packing and surgeon were analysed. The results were compared using the VAS and NOSE scale. Results: The improvement experienced with surgery corresponded to 69.80±26.97 points on the VAS 42.65±22.9 points (p <0.01) on the NOSE scale. A strong, direct correlation between the two scales (r = 0.79; p <0.01) was achieved. Surgeon, presence of complications, smoking habit and type of packing were not associated with the improvement experienced on the VAS or NOSE scale. Patients under 30 years of age and patients with permanent improvement achieved higher levels of satisfaction on both scales (p <0.01). Women showed a stronger tendency to perceive their improvement as temporary (p <0.01). Conclusions: Patients who underwent septoturbinoplasty experienced a subjectively measured improvement in nasal obstruction. The VAS and the NOSE scale were strongly correlated with one another. Sex, age and duration of improvement (temporary versus permanent) impacted patient perception; surgeon, smoking habit and type of packing did not.

Influence of meteorological variables on the frequency of visits and hospital admission for epistaxis in a city with a cold semi-arid climate (Lorca, Spain).

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Epistaxis is a common emergency for otorhinolaryngologists. Although the aetiological factors have been widely studied, they remain subject to debate. The role of meteorological variables has been discussed in recent years, but results have been inconsistent. Given a lack of prior data, the aim of our study was to identify the meteorological variables that influence the frequency of visits and hospital admission for epistaxis in a city with a cold semi-arid climate in Spain. METHODS: Case-control study. CASES: patients who attended the accident and emergency department of a secondary level hospital for epistaxis over a 9-year period (2011-2019). Controls were established by simple random sampling among emergency rooms visits in general (patients who attended the same centre over the same period of time). Sociodemographic, clinical and meteorological variables were all taken into account. RESULTS: 2749 patients in the epistaxis group and 2764 in the control group. There were significant differences in the epistaxis group, with a higher proportion of male (62.85%) and older patients. Univariate and multivariate analysis revealed that the daily minimum temperature and maximum wind speed were factors significantly associated with the onset of epistaxis. In addition, logistic regression analysis showed that decreases in minimum temperature and increases in maximum wind speed were associated with an increase in epistaxis (p < 0.01). No association was found between hospital admission and the weather conditions. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that low minimum temperatures and high wind speeds are associated with the number of visits to hospital accident and emergency departments for epistaxis, but not with hospital admission.

Epidemiología de los casos pediátricos en la sala de emergencias de un hospital general / Epidemiology of pediatric cases in the emergency room of a general hospital

Objetivos El objetivo de este estudio es determinar a qué tipo de patologías nos enfrentamos. Utilizamos la Clasificación Internacional de Atención Primaria para asegurar una nomenclatura objetiva y comparable. Métodos Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, observacional y retrospectivo de una muestra de 108102 consultas de atención primaria de pacientes que acudieron a Urgencias de nuestro hospital para evaluar la epidemiología de la atención pediátrica brindada entre 2011 y 2019. Utilizamos el sistema de clasificación diagnóstica ICPC-2. Resultados El número de asistencias fue mayor en enero, febrero y marzo, así como los fines de semana. Tras ser atendidos, el 6,7% de los pacientes ingresaron en nuestro hospital. Las patologías más frecuentes fueron las infecciones del tracto respiratorio superior, gastroenteritis, fiebre y traumatismos / lesiones. Las patologías que con mayor frecuencia dieron lugar a ingresos hospitalarios fueron fiebre, bronquitis, gastroenteritis y vómitos (p> 0,001). En los ingresos hospitalarios de menores de 1 año, la bronquitis fue la patología más frecuente, mientras que entre los de 1 a 6 años fue la gastroenteritis y entre los de 7 a 14 años fue la apendicitis aguda (p <0,001). Conclusiones Las patologías pediátricas suponen un porcentaje importante de las visitas a urgencias, destacando las infecciones del tracto respiratorio superior, las infecciones intestinales y la fiebre. Sería aconsejable incrementar los recursos de personal en los fines de semana. Es necesario enfatizar en la educación sanitaria de la población para ajustar la demanda de asistencia en los servicios públicos. Se requiere más investigación para adaptar mejor la terminología ICPC-2.

Objectives The aim of this study is to determine what type of pathologies we are facing. We use the International Classification of Primary Care to ensure an objective and comparable nomenclature. Methods We carried out a descriptive, observational, and retrospective study of a sample comprising 108102 primary care encounters of patients presenting at our hospital's Emergency Room to assess the epidemiology of the pediatric care provided between 2011 and 2019. We used the ICPC-2 diagnosis classification system. Results The number of attendances was higher in January, February, and March, as well as at weekends. After being seen, 6.7% of patients were admitted to our hospital. The most frequent pathologies were upper respiratory tract infections, gastroenteritis, fever and trauma/injury. Pathologies most frequently resulting in hospital admissions were fever, bronchitis, gastroenteritis and vomiting (p>0.001). In hospital admissions involving patients under 1 year of age, bronchitis was the most frequent pathology, while among those aged between 1 and 6 years, it was gastroenteritis and among those aged between 7 and 14 years it was acute appendicitis (p<0.001). Conclusions Pediatric pathologies account for a significant percentage of visits to the emergency room, highlighting infections of the upper respiratory tract, intestinal infections, and fever. It would be necessary to increase staff resources on the weekends. It is highly recommended to emphasize the health education of the population to adjust the demand for assistance in public services. More research is required to better adapt the ICPC-2 terminology.

Laryngeal Myofibroblastic Tumor: A New Therapeutic Approach. A Case Report.

Myofibroblastic tumors are rare lesions which can affect any part of the body. Although benign, their mass effect causes symptoms that can become life-threatening. Supraglottic laryngeal involvement is extremely rare, with only 4 cases described in the English literature. Because the pathophysiology is unknown and the incidence is so low, there is no standardized therapeutic management, although for laryngeal tumors surgery has traditionally been the preferred initial option. Another less common option is intravenous and oral corticosteroid therapy, but this is usually reserved for myofibroblastic tumors in other head and neck sites that are more difficult to access surgically, or patients who cannot undergo surgery. These lesions have a very high tendency to recur, and morbidity rates are therefore also high. We present a case of supraglottic myofibroblastic tumor in which we elected high-dose corticosteroid therapy as the only form of treatment. With this new therapeutic approach, we avoided the undesirable effects of the usual type of surgery. At the 12-month follow-up, the patient is in complete remission.

Epidemiology of otorhinolaryngologic emergencies in a secondary hospital: analysis of 64,054 cases.

PURPOSE: To determine the incidence and distribution of care in relation to urgent otorhinolaryngologic pathologies by the different medical specialist units. METHODS: A descriptive, observational and retrospective study was conducted of patients seen by the Emergency Service at a secondary hospital over the course of 7 years (2011-2017). RESULTS: A total of 546,701 patients were seen during the period in question, of which 64,054 presented with otorhinolaryngologic symptoms. The attendance rate was 450/1000 inhabitants/year. The most frequent diagnoses were upper respiratory tract infection, with 13,639 cases (21.3%), tonsillopharyngitis, with 10,150 cases (15.8%) and vertigo/dizziness with 8761 cases (13.7%). Patients seen by the Hospital Emergency Service physicians and those referred to the Otorhinolaryngology or Paediatric Units were analysed both together and separately. The Hospital Emergency Service dealt with 77.1% of the cases, and referred 15.4% to the Otorhinolaryngology Unit and 7.5% to the Paediatrics Unit. Within the subgroup of patients referred to the Otorhinolaryngology Unit, the most frequent diagnoses were problems related to inflammatory ear disease (25.6%), followed by cervicofacial trauma (15.4%) and bleeding with otorhinolaryngologic symptoms (12.5%). The percentage of hospital admissions for the entire sample was 3%, while for patients referred to the Otorhinolaryngology Unit this figure was 6.8%. CONCLUSIONS: A large percentage of patients presenting at the Hospital Emergency Service do so with otorhinolaryngologic symptoms, and the vast majority are treated effectively by the physicians in that service and are referred to the specialist services on the basis of sound criteria.

Cochlear implantation in patients with inner ear bone malformations with posterior labyrinth involvement: an exploratory study.

Inner ear bone malformations are one cause of profound sensorineural hearing loss. This investigation focused on those affecting the posterior labyrinth, especially enlarged vestibular aqueduct syndrome, which is associated with fluctuating and progressive hearing loss. The objectives of this study were to analyze the behavior of the electrical stimulation, auditory functionality and linguistic development in patients with inner ear malformations involving the posterior labyrinth. The study included ten patients undergoing cochlear implantation (cases: five with enlarged vestibular aqueduct, two with vestibular aqueduct stenosis/aplasia, and three with semicircular canal disorders). Post-implantation, data were gathered on the electrical stimulation threshold and maximum comfort levels and on the number of functioning electrodes. Evaluation of Auditory Responses to Speech (EARS) subtests were used to assess auditory functionality and language acquisition at 6, 12, and 24 months post-implantation. Results were compared with findings in a control group of 28 cochlear implantation patients without these malformations. No significant differences were found between case and control groups in electrical stimulation parameters; auditory functionality subtest scores were lower in cases than controls, although the difference was only statistically significant for some subtests. In conclusion, cochlear implantation patients with posterior labyrinth bone malformations and profound hearing loss, including those with enlarged vestibular aqueduct syndrome, showed no significant difference in electrical stimulation threshold with controls. Although some auditory functionality test results were lower in cases than in controls, cochlear implantation appears to be beneficial for all patients with these malformations.

Effectiveness of cochlear implant in inner ear bone malformations with anterior labyrinth involvement.

OBJECTIVE: To study electrical stimulation, auditory functionality, and language development in patients with inner ear malformations involving the anterior labyrinth who underwent cochlear implantation. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case review. SETTING: Reference hospital for cochlear implantation. PATIENTS: Review of 14 cases of severe hearing loss with major (common cavity deformity and cochlear hypoplasia) or minor (e.g., incomplete partition and basal turn aplasia) malformations. INTERVENTIONS: After cochlear implantation, data were gathered on the threshold (THR) and maximum comfort level (MCL) of the electrical stimulation and the number of functioning electrodes. Auditory responses to speech (EARS protocol) subtests were used to evaluate auditory functionality and language acquisition at 6, 12, and 24 months post-implantation. Tests used were: LIP profile, MTP (3, 6 and 12 words), OLD (open set test) and CLD (close set test). Results were compared with findings in a control group of 28 cochlear implantation patients without these malformations and with congenital hearing loss. RESULTS: The mean THR was 11.02µC in patients with malformations versus 3.5µC in those without, a significant difference. The THR also significantly differed between groups with major and minor malformations. Fewer functioning electrodes were used in patients with malformations. Auditory functionality scores were best in controls than in patients with malformations, who scored ≤50%, finding the lowest scores in those with major malformations. CONCLUSION: Patients with inner ear malformations undergoing cochlear implantation require greater stimuli to obtain an auditory response and have worse auditory functionality outcomes; these differences are greater in those with major versus minor malformations Nevertheless, cochlear implantation appears to be beneficial for all patients with these malformations to a greater or lesser extent.

Effects of oxymetazoline on nasal flow and maximum aerobic exercise performance in patients with inferior turbinate hypertrophy.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To determine the effect of topical intranasal oxymetazoline on nasal resistance and aerobic exercise performance in patients with nasal congestion caused by inferior turbinate hypertrophy. STUDY DESIGN: Individual randomized controlled trial. METHODS: Eight patients with inferior turbinate hypertrophy performed a set of exercise tests to exhaustion 1 week apart. They were given oxymetazoline or a placebo before each of the two test sessions according to a random pattern. Changes in nasal airflow were measured as peak nasal flow and ventilatory efficiency parameters, ventilatory equivalents, end-expiratory pressure, oxygen consumption, cardiac efficiency, rate of perceived exertion, and maximal and submaximal mechanical power. RESULTS: Ten minutes after use of the drug or placebo, improvements in maximum nasal airflow were seen in the oxymetazoline group (P < 0.05). However, exercise tests showed improvements in both groups (P < 0.05). After exertion, there was no difference between the two groups in maximum nasal airflow (P > 0.05). There were no differences between groups in oxygen consumption, rate of perceived exertion, respiratory exchange ratio, ventilation, or ventilatory equivalents for oxygen. CONCLUSION: Oxymetazoline increased nasal airflow in patients with turbinate hypertrophy, but this change did not translate into gains in physical exercise parameters or perceived exertion. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 1b.

Incidencia, estancia hospitalaria y factores de riesgo asociados a la aparición de fístula faringocutánea poslaringectomía / Incidence, hospital stay and risk factors associated with the occurrence of pharyngo-cutaneous fistula after total laryngectomy

Introducción y objetivos: La fístula faringocutánea (FFC) constituye uno de los principales problemas para los pacientes sometidos a laringectomía total. Son numerosos los factores de riesgo descritos y asociados a la aparición de la FFC, sin embargo algunos de ellos se encuentran en discusión. El objetivo es analizar la incidencia de la FFC, la estancia hospitalaria y los factores de riesgo asociados en los pacientes intervenidos de laringectomía total en un hospital de segundo nivel. Métodos: Estudio analítico observacional en una cohorte retrospectiva. Se incluyeron todos los pacientes intervenidos de laringectomía total entre los años 2006 y 2011. Se tuvieron en cuenta variables sociodemográficas, clínicas y la mayoría de los factores de riesgo estudiados en la literatura por otros autores (traqueostomía, estadificación tumoral, quimio/radioterapia previa, etc.). Los análisis estadísticos se llevaron a cabo mediante el programa SPSS® v.15.0 y el Epidat® v.3.1. Resultados: Se analizaron 70 laringectomías totales. La incidencia de FFC en el período de estudio fue del 48,6%. Hubo diferencias significativas entre la estancia hospitalaria media de los pacientes con y sin FFC. Se encontró como único factor de riesgo para la aparición de la FFC la presencia de adenopatías lo corregionales afectadas [RR= 1,60 (1,006-2,54)]. Conclusión: La aparición de FFC se encuentra asociada a la presencia de adenopatías locorregionales afectadas, y no se asocia con la traqueostomía, la administración de radio/quimioterapia previa a la intervención o la localización tumoral (AU)

Introduction and objectives: Pharyngo-cutaneous fistula (PCF) is one of the main problems for patients undergoing total laryngectomy. There are many risk factors described and associated with the appearance of PCF; however, some of these are currently under discussion. The aim of this work is to analyse the incidence of PCF, hospital stay and associated risk factors in patients undergoing total laryngectomy in a secondary hospital. Methods: This was an observational study in a retrospective cohort. We included all patients who underwent total laryngectomy between 2006 and 2011. We considered sociodemographic and clinical items, and most of the risk factors studied in the literature by other authors (tracheostomy, tumour stage, chemotherapy or radiotherapy before surgery, etc.). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS® 15.0 and Epidat® 3.1. Results: We analysed 70 total laryngectomies. The incidence of PCF in the time period studied was 48.6%. There were significant differences between the mean hospital stay of patients with and without PCF. Affected locoregional lymph nodes were found to be the only risk factor for the occurrence of PCF [RR=1.60 (1.006-2.54)]. Conclusion: The incidence of PCF is associated with the presence of affected locoregional lymph nodes. It is not associated with tracheostomy, administration of radio/chemotherapy before surgery or tumour location (AU)

[Incidence, hospital stay and risk factors associated with the occurrence of pharyngo-cutaneous fistula after total laryngectomy]. / Incidencia, estancia hospitalaria y factores de riesgo asociados a la aparición de fístula faringocutánea poslaringectomía.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Pharyngo-cutaneous fistula (PCF) is one of the main problems for patients undergoing total laryngectomy. There are many risk factors described and associated with the appearance of PCF; however, some of these are currently under discussion. The aim of this work is to analyse the incidence of PCF, hospital stay and associated risk factors in patients undergoing total laryngectomy in a secondary hospital. METHODS: This was an observational study in a retrospective cohort. We included all patients who underwent total laryngectomy between 2006 and 2011. We considered sociodemographic and clinical items, and most of the risk factors studied in the literature by other authors (tracheostomy, tumour stage, chemotherapy or radiotherapy before surgery, etc.). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS(®) 15.0 and Epidat(®) 3.1. RESULTS: We analysed 70 total laryngectomies. The incidence of PCF in the time period studied was 48.6%. There were significant differences between the mean hospital stay of patients with and without PCF. Affected locoregional lymph nodes were found to be the only risk factor for the occurrence of PCF [RR=1.60 (1.006-2.54)]. CONCLUSION: The incidence of PCF is associated with the presence of affected locoregional lymph nodes. It is not associated with tracheostomy, administration of radio/chemotherapy before surgery or tumour location.