Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Greek SPOT-25 Quality of Life Questionnaire in Patients with Otosclerosis.

Objective: To translate, adapt and validate in Greek the stapesplasty outcome test (SPOT)-25 quality of life questionnaire for patients with otosclerosis. Materials and methods:SPOT-25 was translated to Greek and completed by otosclerosis patients on the day of diagnosis, the day before surgery and three months postoperatively. Fifty controls without any otological history, symptom or finding also completed the questionnaire. Pure-tone average was obtained both preoperatively and three months postoperatively. Results:Test-retest evaluation on 56 patients was accepted. The Greek-SPOT-25 had an excellent internal consistency. All its items and subscales were significantly correlated between test and retest evaluation. Controls had significant lower SPOT-25 scores, and the postoperative scores were significantly lower than preoperative ones. Pure-tone average of four frequencies (PTA4) was significantly correlated to preoperative SPOT-25 total and subscales scores (P<0.001) before surgery and significantly correlated only with the "hearing function" subscale (p<0.05) postoperatively.

Comparison of LigaSure vessel sealing system, harmonic scalpel, and cold knife tonsillectomy.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to compare LigaSure Vessel Sealing System tonsillectomy (LT), Harmonic Scalpel tonsillectomy (HST), and cold knife tonsillectomy (CKT). STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a prospective study on 161 adult patients undergoing tonsillectomy. Subjects were randomized to LT, HST, or CKT groups, and intraoperative bleeding, operative time, postoperative pain, and complication rates were assessed. RESULTS: The LT, HST, and CKT groups consisted of 50, 43, and 37 individuals, respectively. Intraoperative bleeding was significantly lower in the LT group, whereas bleeding in the HST group was significantly lower than that in the CKT group. Operative time and postoperative pain were significantly lower in the LT and HST groups. One primary hemorrhage occurred in the HST group, and one occurred in he CKT group. Secondary hemorrhage occurred in one, two, and one patients in the LT, HST, and CKT groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: LT and HST have shown comparable results regarding intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hemorrhage, and pain. Compared with CKT, both were associated with less intraoperative blood loss and pain.

The use of tetracaine 0.25% solution in nasal packing removal.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate efficacy of Merocel nasal package rehydration with tetracaine 0.25% solution, in reducing discomfort of nasal packing removal after septoplasty. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted on patients undergoing pure septoplasty. Merocel packing was applied in each side and kept for 2 days postoperatively. Merocel was rehydrated before removal, with 4 mL of saline on one side and 4 mL of tetracaine 0.25% solution on the other side. Patients were asked to evaluate severity of pain during nasal packing removal on each side by a visual analog scale. Patients' data, pain score, and potential complications were placed in a database and statistically assessed. RESULTS: Our series consisted of 141 persons. Statistical analysis showed significant lower pain score in favor of the tetracaine group. No tetracaine complications or side effects occurred. CONCLUSION: Merocel packing rehydration with tetracaine 0.25% solution is an easy, safe, inexpensive, and effective analgesia method for nasal packing removal in septoplasty.

Thermal welding versus bipolar tonsillectomy: a comparative study.

OBJECTIVE: To compare thermal welding tonsillectomy (TWT) with bipolar electrocautery tonsillectomy (BET) procedure. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: A prospective randomized study was conducted on 150 consecutive adult patients undergoing tonsillectomy. Indications included chronic tonsillitis and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Exclusion criteria included peritonsillar abscess history, bleeding disorders, and any other procedure together with tonsillectomy. Patients were randomly assigned to TWT or BET groups. Intraoperative bleeding, operative time, postoperative pain, complication rates, and return to normal diet were evaluated. RESULTS: In the TWT group there was no measurable intraoperative bleeding, while mean bleeding for BET group was 16 mL. No significant difference regarding mean operative time was noticed. Mean postoperative pain score and mean time for return to normal diet were significantly lower in the TWT group. Primary hemorrhage occurred in 1 subject of the BET group. Secondary postoperative hemorrhage was noticed in 1 subject of the TWT group and 3 subjects of the BET group. CONCLUSION: Thermal welding tonsillectomy procedure provides sufficient hemostasis, lower postoperative pain, and quick return to normal diet. EBM RATING: A-1b.

Tonsillectomy using the thermal welding system.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and introduce a new method of tonsillectomy using the Thermal Welding System (TWS). METHOD: The TWS is a new surgical instrument which uses direct heat and pressure to seal and divide tissues. Fifty consecutive patients underwent tonsillectomy with the use of the TWS. Inclusion criteria were chronic tonsillitis, peritonsilar abscess history and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Patients undergoing adenoidectomy or any other procedure together with tonsillectomy and patients with bleeding disorders were excluded. Intraoperative bleeding, operative time, complication rates and return to normal diet were evaluated. RESULTS: There was no measurable bleeding during surgery in any case. No postoperative hemorrhage or other complication occurred. Mean operative time was 23 min. Mean time for return to normal diet was 8.7 days. CONCLUSIONS: The TWS was found quite effective and safe, providing sufficient hemostasis and minimal intraoperative blood loss.