ABSTRACT
The paper examines the development and testing of an electro-pneumatic device for wound healing therapy after surgery in the neck area. The device generates air pressure values in a miniaturized cuff using electronic circuitry to drive an electro-valve and air compressor. The device works in two distinct modes: continuous pressure mode and pulsating pressure mode. The pressure value setting can vary from 3 to 11 mmHg, and the pulsating pressure mode's operating frequency range is approximately 0.1 to 0.3 Hz. Laboratory measurements were conducted to evaluate the device's correct functioning in both continuous and pulsating pressure modes. A four-day prospective study with animals (n = 10) was also conducted to evaluate neck wound healing therapy using the electro-pneumatic device. Out of the twelve histological parameters analysed to reveal the differences between the experimental and control wounds, only one demonstrated a significant difference. Out of the ten animals treated with the device, three showed a significant difference in terms of benefit after therapy. We can therefore conclude that the device potentially improves the wound healing process in the neck area if the pre-set air pressure value does not exceed 8 mmHg.
Subject(s)
Neck Injuries/therapy , Wound Closure Techniques/instrumentation , Wound Healing , Animals , Disease Models, Animal , Electric Power Supplies , Equipment Design , Neck Injuries/etiology , Prospective Studies , Swine , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
AIMS: This study compares the efficacy of adenoidectomy on otitis media with effusion (OME) in patients with different size of adenoids and the connection between differently sized adenoids and middle ear effusion. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Children with a history of at least 3 months' OME underwent adenoidectomy and myringotomy without the insertion of a tympanostomy tube. Treatment assignment was stratified by adenoids' size causing choanal obstruction (grade I-III) and according to Eustachian tube ostium obstruction (grade A-C). The subjects were followed for 12 months. RESULTS: Adenoidectomy was significantly more effective in children with adenoids in contact with torus tubarius (grade B, C) compared to those with small adenoids without contact (P<0.001). The volume of the adenoids was irrelevant (P=0.146). The size of adenoids did not affect the viscosity of the middle ear secretion. The distribution of mucous and serous secretion was not dependent on the size of adenoids; the efficacy of adenoidectomy was 82% in mucous as well as serous secretion. CONCLUSION: The relation between adenoids and torus tubarius is more important than the volume of the adenoids. The viscosity of middle ear fluids (serous or mucous) did not influence the rate of treatment efficacy.
