ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Ear cartilage, crucial for maintaining ear shape and function, can sometimes undergo damage or deformation, requiring surgical intervention. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of a novel, less invasive cartilage-protective method with the traditional, more invasive cartilage-removal technique. METHODS: Our study included 64 patients (128 ears). The first group of 32 patients (64 ears) received the new cartilage-protective technique, while the second group of an equal number of patients and ears underwent the traditional method. The newer technique endeavors to retain as much healthy cartilage as possible, addressing only the issue at hand, while the traditional technique requires the removal of a substantial portion of cartilage. RESULTS: The cartilage-protective method demonstrated several notable advantages over the traditional one. First, it significantly reduced the operation duration due to its less invasive nature. Second, it caused less pain to the patients by minimizing trauma to surrounding tissues. Furthermore, this technique significantly lowered the risk of complications, probably due to the minimal disturbance or removal of healthy cartilage, hence reducing the likelihood of post-operative complications such as infections or deformities. CONCLUSION: The findings of our study propose the cartilage-protective method as a superior treatment option when surgical intervention becomes necessary to repair or restore the function of ear cartilage. This technique, being less invasive, not only results in less pain for the patients but also reduces the risk of complications. It promotes quicker patient recovery without any loss of sensation in the ear. Thus, it could potentially revolutionize the approach to dealing with ear cartilage issues. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level four.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Chronic rhinitis and chronic turbinate hypertrophy are conditions that affect the quality of life of individuals. The conchas, or the three half-crescent-shaped structures in the nasal cavity, play a crucial role in the respiratory system by filtering and humidifying the air we breathe. The growth of the conchas outside of normal physiological conditions can lead to conditions such as hyperplasia of the inferior turbinate and hypertrophy of the inferior turbinate. METHODS: The study was conducted between June 2020 and December 2022 and aimed to evaluate the effect of silver nitrate cauterization on patients with chronic rhinitis and chronic turbinate hypertrophy. A total of 638 patients and 520 controls with nasal obstruction were included in the study and underwent silver nitrate cauterization without the need for surgical intervention. The treatment was performed under local anesthesia and involved the application of silver nitrate on the anterior one-centimeter part of the medial surface of both inferior turbinates. Patients were instructed to use an isotonic solution nasal spray and take an antihistamine pill for seven days. RESULTS: A significant improvement was observed in the overall inspiratory function without the need for nasal decongestant sprays or surgery in all patients after one and three months. There was also a significant improvement noted three months after the silver nitrate cauterization in the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) scores, which measure the level of nasal obstruction. CONCLUSION: Silver nitrate cauterization showed to be an effective treatment for patients with turbinate hypertrophy, leading to an improvement in overall inspiratory function and reducing the severity of nasal obstruction. This treatment can serve as an alternative to surgical intervention for these conditions.
