ABSTRACT
Background and Objectives@#There have not been any studies that compared retroauricular hairline (RAH) and V-shaped incisions for parotidectomy. In this regard, we aimed to evaluate the results of RAH and V-shaped incisions.Subjects and Method Between 2016 and 2019, 81 patients who underwent parotidectomy using RAH (n=46) and V-shaped (n=35) incisions were included in this study. Patient characteristics, tumor profiles, surgical parameters, postoperative complications, and cosmetic results were assessed. Mann-Whitney U test and the chi-squared test were used to inspect differences in continuous and categorical variables between the groups, respectively. @*Results@#In the RAH and V-shaped groups, the patient age was 52.7 and 42.1 years, respectively (p=0.002), and the tumour size was 2.7 and 1.8 cm, respectively (p<0.001). All parotidectomies were successfully completed with no incision extension or major complications. There were no significant differences in surgical parameters and postoperative complications between the two groups. The subjective scar satisfaction scores assessed at 3 months postoperatively were 9.0 and 9.3 in the RAH and V-shaped groups, respectively (p=0.191). The scores of male patients were 8.9 and 9.5 in the RAH and V-shaped groups, respectively, (p=0.026), while those of the female patients were 9.2 and 9.2, respectively (p=0.906). @*Conclusion@#The RAH and V-shaped incisions yields comparable surgical and cosmetic outcomes, with high patient satisfaction. For male patients, the use of V-shaped incision, if indicated, would provide higher scar satisfaction than the use of RAH incision.
ABSTRACT
Tracheal granuloma, the most commonly reported sequela of pediatric tracheotomy. A variety of techniques are available for the management of tracheal granuloma. Potassium-titanyl-phosphate (KTP) laser has been previously established as an acceptable technique for removal of laryngeal surgery, which emits a green light with a wave length of 532 nm, which is well-absorbed by hemoglobin and can coagulate and vaporize tissue. The ability to deliver laser energy through a flexible glass fiber makes the technique convenient for use with a rigid bronchoscope, overcoming problems with intraluminal access encountered with earlier attempts at CO2 laser therapy for this problem. Another advantage of KTP laser is the avoidance of the risks and morbidity associated with an open procedure. We report our surgical technique KTP laser in the management of tracheal granuloma removal into the tracheostomy site. KTP laser is good tool for management of tracheal granuloma with low incidence of complications.
ABSTRACT
Tracheal granuloma, the most commonly reported sequela of pediatric tracheotomy. A variety of techniques are available for the management of tracheal granuloma. Potassium-titanyl-phosphate (KTP) laser has been previously established as an acceptable technique for removal of laryngeal surgery, which emits a green light with a wave length of 532 nm, which is well-absorbed by hemoglobin and can coagulate and vaporize tissue. The ability to deliver laser energy through a flexible glass fiber makes the technique convenient for use with a rigid bronchoscope, overcoming problems with intraluminal access encountered with earlier attempts at CO2 laser therapy for this problem. Another advantage of KTP laser is the avoidance of the risks and morbidity associated with an open procedure. We report our surgical technique KTP laser in the management of tracheal granuloma removal into the tracheostomy site. KTP laser is good tool for management of tracheal granuloma with low incidence of complications.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The US Food and Drug Administration is considering an application for a biosimilar version of infliximab, which has been available in South Korea since November 2012. The aim of the present study was to examine the utilization patterns of both branded and biosimilar infliximab and other tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors in South Korea before and after the introduction of this biosimilar infliximab. METHODS: Using claims data from April 2009 to March 2014 from the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database, which includes the entire South Korean population, the number of claims for biosimilar infliximab was assessed. A segmented linear regression model was used to examine the utilization patterns of infliximab (the branded and biosimilar versions) and other TNF inhibitors (adalimumab and etanercept) before and after the introduction of the biosimilar infliximab. RESULTS: In total, 20,976 TNF inhibitor users were identified from the South Korean claims database, including 983 with a prescription claim for biosimilar infliximab. Among all of the claims for any version of infliximab, the proportion of biosimilar infliximab claims increased to 19% through March 2014. Before November 2012, each month there were 33 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 32, 35) more infliximab claims, 44 (95% CI 40, 48) more etanercept claims, and 50 (95% CI 47, 53) more adalimumab claims. After November 2012, there were significant changes in the slopes for trend in usage, with additional increases in the use of branded and biosimilar infliximab (9 more claims per month, 95% CI 2, 17) and decreases in the use of etanercept (-52 claims per month, 95% CI -66, -38) and adalimumab (-21 claims per month, 95% CI -35, -6). CONCLUSION: During the first 15 months since its introduction in South Korea, one-fifth of all infliximab claims were for the biosimilar version. Introduction of biosimilar infliximab may affect the use of other TNF inhibitors, and the magnitude of change in usage will likely differ in other countries.
