A Comparitive Study of Endoscopic Skull Base Reconstruction in CSF rhinorrea using Nasoseptal Flap with Septal Cartilage v/s Fascia Lata With Fat.

The objective of the study is to evaluate the surgical outcome between free nasoseptal mucoperichondrial flap using septal cartilage vs fascia lata using fat in terms of morbidity, hospital stay and postoperative complications. It is a retrospective comparitive study of 127 patients, diagnosed with CSF leak and who underwent repair of anterior skull base defect using free nasoseptal mucoperichondrial graft with septal cartilage in 73 cases compared with fascia lata with fat in 54 cases over the time frame of 5 years. The success rate with free nasoseptal flap with septal cartilage was 97.3% and that with fascia lata with fat was 96.3%. There was a significant association between mean hospital stay and the technique of CSF repair (unpaired t test, p -0.02). In our study the complications following the repair with free nasoseptal flap with septal cartilage was significantly less (p < 0.05, chi square test). The above study concludes that in patients treated with free nasoseptal flap using septal cartilage has less hospital stay, less post-operative morbidity in the form of pain, movement and dependence for cleaning and dressing in comparison to fascia lata using fat.

Margin Status and Duration of Surgery in Resection of Tongue Carcinoma with Ultrasound Coagulation Device: a Comparative Study.

Tongue is one of the most common subsites involved by oral cancer. Improved surgical care and adjuvant therapy, along with better rehabilitation has significantly improved long-term survival and quality of life in patients with oral cancer. Primary surgical treatment is the preferred modality of treatment in cancers of the oral tongue. Although the surgical techniques have remained unchanged, various devices have been used to aid primary tumour resection, with a view to reduce bleeding and scarring. The purpose of this study is to compare resection of oral tongue tumours using ultrasonic coagulation device with conventional electrodiathermy. This study was conducted to compare histological margins and duration of surgery between ultrasonic coagulation device and electrodiathermy in the resection of oral tongue tumours. A retrospective analysis was performed comprising patients undergoing wide excision for squamous cell carcinoma of the lateral tongue, with either ultrasonic coagulation device or conventional electrodiathermy at Our Institute in Mumbai, India, from October 2015 to December 2016. Single factor ANOVA with the level of significance set at 95% and alpha value of 0.05. Patients who underwent excision with ultrasonic coagulation device better histologically tumour-free margins (except posterior margin) (p values-anterior margin, posterior margin, lateral margin and deep margin 0.0045, 0.59, 0.011 and 0.00013 respectively) and lesser operative time when compared with conventional electrodiathermy. Ultrasonic coagulation device was effective in providing adequate oncologically safe margins in carcinoma tongue.

An Economical Method of Auricular Splinting in Management of Auricular Pseudocyst.

BACKGROUND: Pseudocyst of the auricle is a common benign disease. Many treatment modalities have been described for this benign condition ranging from simple aspiration to complex cutaneous surgeries involving skin de-roofing and debridement with diamond burr. the aim of treatment is to successfully resolve the seroma without damaging the underlying healthy cartilage, thus maintaining the normal contour of the auricle, and to prevent its recurrence. METHODS: In this study we describe incision and drainage of the pseudocyst with auricular splinting. RESULTS: Resolution was seen in 100.00 %, skin discolouration in 33.33%, skin thickening in 29.63% and deformity in 25.93% of the patients. CONCLUSION: The use of corrugated drain sheet splint is an ingenious method of aural pseudocyst management. This method is simple and can be performed by even less experienced surgeons and highly economical which prevents the recurrence and maintains the auricular aesthetics.

Comparison of Application of Mitomycin C Vs Silicon Stenting Vs Conventional Method in Endonasal Dacrocystorhinostomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial of 150 Patients.

INTRODUCTION: Since the days of Hippocrates, many modifications have been proposed in endonasal dacrocystorhinostomy (DCR), with the use of new drugs and implants showing variable results. The objective of this study was to analyze whether the use of silicon tubing or mitomycin C administration has an added advantage over conventional endonasal DCR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomized controlled trial of 150 patients between the ages of 6 and 70 years presenting with epiphora was performed. Patients were randomly divided into three groups: endonasal DCR with mitomycin C administration, endonasal DCR with silicon stenting, or conventional endonasal DCR. Patients were followed up on Days 15, 30, 60 and 90 postoperatively for sac syringing to confirm patency. RESULTS: The majority of patients (28.7%) were in the fourth decade of life, with a female predominance (65.3%). Dacrocystitis was most commonly seen in the left eye (58.7%). An intergroup comparison was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis test at the end of 3 and 5 months. The results suggest that the success rate was significantly higher in patients with a silicone stent (P=0.04) as compared with the other two groups, although no significant difference in failure rate was seen between patients on mitomycin C and conventional therapy (P=0.132 at Month 3 and P=0.481 at Month 5, Mann-Whitney U-test). CONCLUSION: Our study shows that silicone tube stenting had a better success rate compared with the other two groups, with no significant statistical difference between the use of mitomycin C and the conventional technique.

As the Nasal Spine Goes, So Goes the Septum.

INTRODUCTION: "As the septum goes, so goes the nose". A well-known phrase by Maurice Cottle forms the pillar of septoplasty. Since the inception of septal surgeries, numerous methods of septoplasty have been described. But, if not performed meticulously, may lead to deformity. For a successful surgery, understanding the anatomy and addressing the anterior nasal spine and maintaining the tip integrity is vital. AIM: To study the outcomes of "ROUND ABOUT technique" to correct deviated nasal septum which focuses on the importance of anterior spine and hence maintain the tip integrity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective, single-centre outcome study of 35 patients with symptomatic nasal obstruction. Here, we describe a method of elevating the mucoperichondrial and mucoperiosteal flaps bilaterally, without transecting the quadrilateral cartilage of the septum. The Sino Nasal Outcome Test-22 (SNOT-22) Questionnaire was administered pre-operatively and after 3 months following surgery. The post-operative follow-up period ranged from 3 to 6 months (mean= 4.5 months) to evaluate the functional and aesthetic outcomes of the performed procedure. RESULTS: A total of 35 patients underwent surgery by this technique who presented with deviated nasal septum and variable degrees of nasal obstruction. To assess the statistical outcome, Paired t-test was applied. Mean SNOT-22 scores decreased significantly from 40.02 pre-operatively to 18.65 three months after surgery. The results sustained after 6 months (p-value <0.0001), 85% of these patients had improved breathing post-operatively and none of the patients complained any aesthetic criticisms. The patients were content and the requirement of medications post-operatively were minimal. CONCLUSION: The ROUND ABOUT technique is a very effective and safe method in correcting the septal deviations especially the ones with caudal or dorsal deflections. It also helps in maintaining the tip integrity and addressing the anterior nasal spine. It avoids the complications of conventional septoplasty.