Preoperative Acetaminophen For Microsuspension Laryngoscopy Reduces Postoperative Opioid Use.

OBJECTIVES: The opioid crisis has prompted consideration of analgesic prescriptions. This study explored the value of preoperative acetaminophen for pain control following microsuspension laryngoscopy (MSL) and compared the results with a previous study of pain and opioid use following MSL (Tsang et al.). METHODS: A prospective open-label clinical trial was conducted in patients undergoing MSL. All patients were administered preoperative acetaminophen. Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ), pain visual analogue scale (VAS), and present pain intensity (PPI) scores were collected preoperatively and on postoperative days (PODs) 1, 3, 7, and 14. Statistical analysis identified variables associated with opioid use or increased pain scores, and compared outcomes with Tsang et al. RESULTS: Eighty-nine patients were included (mean age 52.8 ± 17.3 years, 40 males). All patients received preoperative 1 g acetaminophen (77 (86.5%) orally) with no adverse effects. On POD1, opioid usage was 10%. Median [IQR] pain scores were 5 [2-11], 21 [12.3-56.8], and 3 [2-3.3] on SF-MPQ, VAS, and PPI, respectively. Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU) opioid requirements significantly correlated with POD1 opioid consumption (τb = 0.214; p ≤ 0.05), and significant associations with PACU opioid administration were found for total anesthesia time (OR (95%CI) = 1.271 (1.043-1.548), p = 0.017) and total laryngoscope suspension time (OR (95%CI) = 0.791 (0.651-0.962, p = 0.019)). This cohort demonstrated reduced opioid usage on POD1 compared with Tsang et al (23%). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative acetaminophen is a safe intervention, resulting in decreased postoperative opioid use following MSL. Anesthesia time correlated with need for postoperative opioids. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 4 Laryngoscope, 2024.

Adult Vocal Fold Hemangioma: A Case-Series Study and Review of Literature.

Adult laryngeal hemangiomas are rare and uncommon. Hemangioma isolated to the free-edge of vocal cord is very rare. We report five cases diagnosed at our voice clinic during 18 months-period from July 2016 to December 2017. All the five patients presented with hoarseness and the laryngoscopy examination detected a pink mass at the vocal edge with the histopathology indicating hemangioma. Direct laryngoscopy with laryngeal carbon dioxide (CO2) laser microscopic surgery was performed uneventfully and no recurrence was found. We suggest that Microscopic Laser Laryngoscopy (CO2) is the treatment option of vocal fold hemangioma with no intraoperative massive bleeding.

"Endoscopy Salon" for Controlling Respiratory Droplet Spreading During Endoscopic Procedure.

Introduction Preventing droplet dispersal is an important issue for decreasing the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) transmission rate; numerous personal protective equipment (PPE) devices have been recently developed for this. Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of a novel PPE device to prevent droplet spread during nasal endoscopic and fiber optic laryngoscopic examination and postuse equipment cleaning technique. Methods The "endoscopy salon" was created with a hooded salon hair dryer, plastic sheath, and silicone nipple. Comparison fluorescence dye dispersal from simulating forceful coughing with and without using the "endoscopy salon" was conducted to assess the droplet spread control. The effects of heat produced in the "endoscopy salon" and disinfection cleaning were also evaluated. Results Fluorescent dye droplet spread from a mannequin's mouth without using the "endoscopy salon" to care providers' clothes and the floor surrounding mannequin, whereas no dye droplets spread out when using the "endoscopy salon". The maximal temperature observed in the hair dryer was 56.3°C. During the cleaning process, when a plastic bag was attached to the hair dryer's hood to create a closed system, the temperature increased to 79.8 ± 3.1 °C. These temperatures eliminated four test organism cultures during equipment disinfection. Conclusion This novel "endoscopy salon" device prevented respiratory droplet spread and eliminated infectious organisms during postuse equipment cleaning.

Cerumenolytic Efficacy of 2.5% Sodium Bicarbonate Versus Docusate Sodium: A Randomized, Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of 2.5% sodium bicarbonate and docusate sodium in patients with complete occlusion of the ear canal from impacted cerumen. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. METHOD: We enrolled patients with unilateral complete cerumen occlusion of the ear canal that was unable to be removed using suction. Either 2.5% sodium bicarbonate or docusate sodium was applied and allowed to sit for 15 minutes. The ear canal was then cleaned under a microscope for up to 3 minutes until the tympanic membrane was completely visible. A second attempt with the same agent was performed in subjects in whom the first application was unsuccessful. The outcomes were compared between the two groups in terms of cleaning, the success rate, time taken to clean the canal, and adverse events. RESULTS: There were 91 participants enrolled in this study. The mean age of the participants was 48.0 years. The patients' demographic did not differ between the two groups. At the end of the treatment, the tympanic membrane was completely visible in 41 (91.11%) subjects treated with 2.5% sodium bicarbonate and 38 (82.61%) subjects treated with docusate sodium, with a 1.10 success ratio between the two groups (95% CI: 0.94-1.29, p = 0.23). The mean successful suctioning time was 103.61 seconds using 2.5% sodium bicarbonate and 124.13 using docusate sodium. The mean difference was 20.52 seconds (95% CI: -10.55-51.59). CONCLUSION: 2.5% sodium bicarbonate demonstrated non-inferior efficacy and safety compared with docusate sodium. We recommend using this agent in clinical practice. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.in.th/TCTR20160803001.

Subcutaneous calcification as a supportive radiologic finding for diagnosis of rhinofacial entomophthoromycosis.

Rhinofacial entomophthoromycosis is an uncommon chronic fungal infection of the head and neck. The diagnosis is usually based on clinical manifestations; however, diagnosis of this infection based on early manifestations is difficult and occasionally rhinofacial entomophthoromycosis is mistaken for other diseases. Therefore, computed tomography is introduced to support the diagnosis. Radiologic findings were nonspecific with swelling of the sinonasal mucosa and perinasal region. However, subcutaneous calcification, that was observed in all our cases, may be a supportive radiologic evidence for diagnosis. The diagnosis should be confirmed definitively using histopathology or fungal culture. Early diagnosis allows prompt and appropriate treatment that will achieve excellent outcomes. We suggest that subcutaneous calcification radiologic finding may guide the aware physician to an early diagnosis of rhinofacial entomophthoromycosis.