ABSTRACT
Screen exposure has both negative and positive effects on the level of language skills a child acquires. The purpose of this review is to address current literature on the possible relationship between unsupervised screen exposure and language development in children and to provide recommendations to caregivers regarding screen exposure of children, taking into consideration the possible effects. A scoping review was conducted using the PubMed/MEDLINE (Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online) database. A total of 590 articles were retrieved and considered for inclusion. Twenty-one articles were finally included and reviewed with an emphasis on language, communication, and executive skills as well as cognitive development. The negative effects of screen exposure for children outweigh the positive effects. The largest number of studies demonstrate that unsupervised screen exposure may negatively impact a child's language usage and cognitive and executive skills, disrupt playtime, and affect the quality of sleep. On the other hand, supervised screen use is associated with improved language skills. More evidence is needed on unsupervised exposure in children to new types of screens. As technology could play a significant role in schools in the future, additional research is required to create educational media for schoolchildren with specific guidelines.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: This retrospective multi-institutional chart review study aims to present results from patients treated with Holmium:YAG laser-assisted sialendoscopic intraductal lithotripsy under local anesthesia. METHODS: Preoperative ultrasound and/or CT were used for location and measurement of the stones. Local anesthesia was applied in all patients, Marchal all-in- one 1.3 mm and Erlangen 1.6 sialendoscopes were used. The laser was used with power settings limited by discomfort or pain. Inclusion criteria were stone size (all >5 mm) and fixed stones. RESULTS: 42 patients, 48 stones were treated (30 males/12 females), 21 submandibular and 21 parotid. Ages ranged from 20 to 70 years (95 % CI: 43.37-51.58). Mean size was 6.2 mm (95 % CI: 5.71-6.72). Complete fragmentation was achieved in 66.7 % and incomplete in 33.3 %. Out of the incomplete fragmented 14 cases, seven (50 %) remained symptom free on follow-up. Maximum duration was 120 min. Minimum power settings of the laser was 4.8 Watts and maximum 18 Watts. Six patients expressed pain or discomfort that limited power increase and duration of the procedure. Total follow up time was 10 years. There were no major complications such as hemorrhage, nerve paresis or skin ulceration. CONCLUSION: The procedure is safe under local anesthesia, well tolerated by most patients and should be used in cases of small fixed and "intermediate-sized" stones as a single modality. Discomfort may limit power settings and duration. The later is the major disadvantage of the method.
