RESUMO
Background Globally, the prevalence of protruding ears is relatively frequent. Ear deformities manifest due to underdevelopment of the antihelical fold, conchal hypertrophy, and/or an obtuse conchoscaphal angle. The availability of multiple approaches proves that there isn't a single optimal accepted procedure. The Modified Stenström otoplasty technique supports the surgeon in the management of underdeveloped antihelix fold, conchal hypertrophy, and obtuse conchoscaphal angle among other deformities. We are the first to evaluate the clinical effects and measure the satisfaction rate post-otoplasty using the modified Stenström technique with a case series study. Methods Six patients were included in the study with a total of 12 ears operated on between February 2021 and July 2022. Utilizing the modified Stenström technique for bilateral protruding ears. All patients had six postoperative follow-up visits with fixed intervals; one week, three weeks, six weeks, three months, six months, and one year. During their one-year postoperative follow-up appointment, all patients completed the satisfaction survey questions. Results Six individuals were studied, three males and three females with a mean age of 23.1 (range, 7-53 years old). There were no complications or recurrences observed. Based on the responses we collected, all patients reported a high satisfaction rate at one-year postoperative follow-up. Conclusion The modified Stenström technique yields good naturally appearing ears. It is an easy and safe technique to apply. It has a short recovery period, and no hospital stay is required. All contribute to a high satisfaction rate among studied patients.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Laxatives are over-the-counter medications used as a treatment for constipation. The lipid-lowering effect of the long-term use of laxatives has been proposed. AIM: To investigate the possible impact of the chronic use of laxatives on serum lipid profile, body mass index (BMI), and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). METHODS: An observational retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze data related to patients who received laxatives for six or 12 months or more in the KAUH database system. BMI, weight, cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and HbA1c data were collected retrospectively from hospital records for three time points: baseline, six months, and 12 months of laxative treatment from the starting date for each patient. RESULTS: A total of 106 patients' records fulfilled the inclusion criteria, 46 (43%) males with a mean age of 66 and 60 (57%) females with a mean age of 63. A significant decrease in plasma cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels was observed in those who used laxatives for 12 months. Furthermore, an overall BMI and ALT reduction was seen in the combined. On the other hand, HbA1c levels appeared to improve in the combined group but not statistically significant. The change in the cholesterol level could be observed in patients receiving statin treatment and those without, with no statistical significance between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Chronic laxative use for 12 months or more is associated with a decreased total and LDL-C level with no significant effect on high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. Additionally, there was a significant reduction in BMI and ALT. This effect is more prominent with combined therapy. Further multicentric studies on larger sample sizes are recommended to confirm our findings.
