Peritonsillar abscess: an 8-year retrospective, culture based evaluation of 208 cases.

Introduction. Peritonsillar abscess (PTA) is a common infection which requires surgical intervention and suitable antibiotic therapy.Hypotheses/Gap Statement. Beside Streptococcus pyogenes and Fusobacterium necrophorum several other mostly anaerobic bacteria can be cultured from the properly taken pus samples of PTA, the clinical significance of which is still not fully understood.Aim. This study focused on the culture-based microbiological evaluation of PTA cases, compared to surgical intervention and empirical antibiotic management.Methodology. A retrospective analysis of PTA cases was performed between 2012 and 2019. Data about the aerobic and anaerobic culture results of the samples taken during different surgical interventions were summarized and the coverage of the empirically selected antibiotics was evaluated. The patient's history, the development of complications and the recurrence rate were also evaluated.Results. The microbiological culture results were available for 208 of 320 patients with clinically diagnosed PTA. Incision and drainage (I and D) and immediate tonsillectomy were the leading surgical interventions. Ninety-five Fusobacterium species (including 44 Fusobacterium necrophorum), 52 Actinomyces species and 47 Streptococcus pyogenes were obtained from PTA samples alone or together with polymicrobial flora. S. pyogenes (33.7 %, n=28) and F. necrophorum (22.9 %, n=19) were the dominating pathogens in the 83 monobacterial PTA samples. In >60 % of the patients polymicrobial infection was demonstrated, involving a great variety of anaerobic bacteria. In 22 out of 42 cases where intravenous cefuroxime was empirically started, the therapy should be changed to properly cover the culture-proven anaerobic flora. There were no serious complications, abscess recurrence was detected in two cases (0.96 %).Conclusion. PTAs are often polymicrobial infections including a great variety of anaerobes. Targeted antibiotic therapy, in conjunction with adequate surgical drainage eliminating the anaerobic milieu, can accelerate the healing process and radically reduce the complication and recurrence rate.

Long-term results of slide laryngotracheoplasty for congenital subglottic stenosis in newborns and infants.

OBJECTIVES: Slide laryngotracheoplasty is an effective, single-step procedure without tracheostomy and stenting for treating high-grade congenital subglottic stenosis in neonates and infants. Long-term outcomes were evaluated to assess the reliability of the procedure performed in this age of rapid development of the laryngeal structures. METHODS: We report five children who underwent slide laryngotracheoplasty before the age of 4 months, each with >3 years follow-up. Increases of length and bodyweight were systematically assessed. Breathing, swallowing, voice, and overall satisfaction was assessed by a quality of life questionnaire. Voice quality was objectively evaluated by measuring shimmer, jitter, fundamental frequency, and the harmonics-to-noise ratio. RESULTS: All patients had a stable and adequate airway during follow-up without any additional open airway surgery. The patients' voices were physiological, and the intervention had no negative impact on speech development. Swallowing function was optimally retained, and the patients' bodyweight gain and length were satisfactory. During at least 3 years of observation, the anastomosis remained stable and grew dynamically with the patient. CONCLUSIONS: Slide laryngotracheoplasty (as a single-step procedure) provides an adequate airway without tracheostomy, grafting, or stenting with good long-term functional results in selected neonates and infants with congenital subglottic stenosis.

Innovative surgical solutions for laryngeal stenoses in newborns and infants / Laryngealis szukületek innovatív sebészi megoldásai újszülött- és csecsemokorban.

Összefoglaló. A veleszületett légúti szukületek gyakran kombináltan jelentkeznek, és más szervrendszert is érinto kísérobetegségekkel, illetve malformációkkal is társulhatnak. Figyelembe véve ezeket a tényezoket, illetve a csecsemokori légút speciális anatómiáját és sérülékeny szöveteit, a felso légúti szukületek sebészi kezelése újszülött- és csecsemokorban igen nagy kihívást jelento feladat, melynek célja a mihamarabbi definitív, stabil légút biztosítása a hangképzés és a nyelési funkció megorzésével. A laryngomalacia, a hangszalagbénulás és a subglotticus stenosis együttesen a gége veleszületett rendellenességeinek megközelítoleg 90%-áért felelos. A szerzok erre a három kórképre fókuszálva egy-egy eset kapcsán bemutatják a Szegedi Tudományegyetem Fül-Orr-Gégészeti és Fej-Nyaksebészeti Klinikáján muködo légútsebészeti munkacsoport által rutinszeruen alkalmazott innovatív sebészi módszereket. A bemutatott sebészeti megoldások egy lépésben, tracheostoma, sztentelés és graft beültetése nélkül azonnali stabil légutat biztosítanak jó hangminoséggel és nyelési funkcióval a supraglottis, a glottis és a subglottis dinamikus és statikus szukületei esetén egyaránt. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(52): 2100-2106. Summary. Congenital airway stenoses occur frequently in combinations or may be associated with comorbidities and malformations affecting other organ systems. Considering these factors as well as the special anatomy and vulnerable tissues of the pediatric airway, surgical treatment in neonates and infants is an extremely challenging task. The ultimate goal of the management is to ensure a definitive and adequate airway as soon as possible with the preservation of voice and swallowing. Laryngomalacia, vocal cord palsy and subglottic stenosis together account for approximately 90% of congenital laryngeal disorders. Focusing on these three diseases, the authors - the airway surgery working group at the Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, University of Szeged, Hungary - present their routinely applied innovative surgical strategies in connection with three cases. The presented 'one-step' surgical solutions provide immediate stable airway with good voice quality and swallowing function without tracheostomy, stenting, or graft implantation for both dynamic and static stenoses of the supraglottis, glottis, and subglottis. Orv Hetil. 2021; 162(52): 2100-2106.

Tonsillectomia versus tonsillotomia / Tonsillectomia versus tonsillotomia.

Összefoglaló. Bevezetés és célkituzés: A szerzok a posztoperatív fájdalom és a sebgyógyulás tekintetében prospektív vizsgálattal hasonlították össze gyermekeken (67 fo, 1-12 év) a hagyományos hidegeszközzel történo extracapsularis tonsillectomiát (23 fo) a microdebriderrel (23 fo) és a coblatorral (21 fo) végzett intracapsularis tonsillotomiával. Módszer: A vizsgálatok a betegek által kitöltött kérdoívek, valamint prospektív klinikai adatgyujtés alapján történtek. Eredmények: Az intracapsularis tonsillotomia gyógyulási idejét 50%-kal rövidebbnek találtuk, és az elso 13 napban szignifikánsan kevesebb fájdalommal és fájdalomcsillapító igénnyel járt, mint az extracapsularis tonsillectomia eseteiben. A tonsillotomiás csoporton belül egyedül a posztoperatív elso napi fájdalom tekintetében észleltünk szignifikáns különbséget a két különbözo módszer között a coblator javára (p<0,05). A vizsgálatokat retrospektív áttekintéssel is kiegészítettük, 4 évi gyermek- (1-15 éves) tonsillamutéten átesett beteganyagunk (1487 fo) eredményeinek feldolgozásával. Tonsillectomia (1253 fo) után 7,7%-os utóvérzési arányt észleltünk, mutéti vérzéscsillapításra 1,3%-ban volt szükség. Tonsillotomia esetén (234 fo) 0,43%-os utóvérzési arányt regisztráltunk. Ebben a csoportban vérzés miatt nem, de 2 esetben ismételt obstrukciót okozó hypertrophia, 1 esetben góctünetek miatt reoperációt végeztünk (1,28%). Következtetés: Eredményeiket a szerzok a nemzetközi ajánlások tükrében elemezték. Az intracapsularis tonsillotomia kisebb fájdalommal, kisebb vérzéssel és kisebb megterheléssel jár. A közösségbe való aktív visszatérés akár egy hét után lehetséges a tonsillectomiára jellemzo 3 héttel szemben, mindez jelentos szocioökonómiai elonyökkel járhat. Orv Hetil. 2020; 161(45): 1920-1926. INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Examining operated children in this prostective study inditerscompared (67 pts, 1-12 yrs) the extracapsular tonsillectomy with conventional cold-knife (23 pts) to extracapsular tonsillotomy with microdebrider (23 pts) and coblator (21 pts) for postoperative pain and wound-healing disorders. METHOD: The study was based on patient-completed questionnaires as well as prospective clinical data collection. RESULTS: The recovery time of intracapsular tonsillotomy was found less than 50%, with less pain than in the cases of extracapsular tonsillectomy. Postoperative pain was significantly less in the tonsillototomy group than the tonsillectomy group. Within the tonsillotomy group, a significant difference was observed between the two different methods in favor of the coblator for only the postoperative first-day pain. The studies were supplemented with a retrospective review by processing the 4 yrs results of their pediatric (1-15-yrs) patients who underwent tonsillectomy (1487 pts). After tonsillectomy (1253 pts), a postoperative bleeding rate of 7.7% was observed, and surgical hemostasis was required in 1.3%. In the case of tonsillotomy (234 pts), a postoperative bleeding rate of 0.43% was recorded. In this group, reoperation was not performed due to bleeding, whereas it was neccesary in 2 cases due to hypertrophy causing repeated obstruction, in 1 case due by virtue of focal symptomes (1.28%). CONCLUSION: Our results were analyzed on the basis of international recommendations. Intracapsular tonsillotomy is associated with less pain, less bleeding, and less strain. Active return to the community is possible after up to a week compared to the 3 weeks typical of tonsillectomy, all of which can have significant socioeconomic benefits. Orv Hetil. 2020; 161(45): 1920-1926.

The role of microbiological examination in treating peritonsillar abscess based on the retrospective analysis of data from six years / A mikrobiológiai vizsgálatok szerepe a peritonsillaris tályog kezelésében hat év anyagának retrospektív elemzése alapján.

Összefoglaló. Bevezetés és célkituzés: A peritonsillaris tályog a leggyakoribb mély nyaki infekció. Olyan fül-orr-gégészeti kórkép, amely megfelelo kezelés nélkül életveszélyes szövodményekkel járhat. Dönto jelentoségu az empirikus antibiotikumválasztás, melyhez ismerni kell a leggyakoribb kórokozókat és a várható rezisztenciát. Módszerek: A 2012 és 2017 között peritonsillaris tályog miatt kezelt esetek retrospektív feldolgozását végeztük. Összesítettük a sebészi beavatkozás során vett minták aerob és anaerob irányú tenyésztési eredményeit, valamint az empirikusan választott antibiotikumokat. A rutinszeru mikrobiológiai tenyésztés alapján meghatároztuk a leggyakoribb kórokozókat. Az adatokat nemzetközi felmérések eredményeivel hasonlítottuk össze. Eredmények: A vizsgált 6 év során 217 esetben kezeltünk peritonsillaris tályogos beteget. A tenyésztési eredményeket csak 146 esetben tudtuk elemezni. Ebbol 47 esetben került sor Fusobacterium species (ebbol 25 esetben Fusobacterium necrophorum), 31 esetben Actinomyces species és 29 esetben Streptococcus pyogenes izolálására. Az esetek kétharmadában vegyes aerob/anaerob baktériumflórát izolált a laboratórium. Következtetés: A tályogok kezelésében önmagában a sebészi beavatkozás - az anaerob környezet megszüntetésével - jelentos klinikai javulást eredményez. A jól választott antibiotikum meggyorsíthatja a lefolyást, és csökkentheti az esetleges szövodményeket. Nagy jelentosége van a megfelelo mikrobiológiai mintavételnek, nem vagy nehezen gyógyuló esetekben ez teremtheti meg a célzott antibiotikumterápiára történo váltás lehetoségét. Felmérésünk alapján a peritonsillaris tályogok jelentos részét vegyes baktériumflóra okozza, így a szájüregi anaerob baktériumokra is ható amoxicillin-klavulánsav vagy antibiotikum kombinációjának (2. vagy 3. generációs cefalosporinok kombinálva klindamicinnel vagy metronidazollal) alkalmazása javasolt mint empirikus antibiotikumterápia. Orv Hetil. 2020; 161(44): 1877-1883. INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Peritonsillar abscess is the most common deep neck infection. Without adequate treatment, this otolaryngological disease pattern can cause life-threatening complications. The empirical choice of antibiotics is crucial which requires knowledge of the most common pathogens and the potential resistance. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of cases treated for peritonsillar abscess was performed between 2012 and 2017. We summarized the aerobic and anaerobic culture results of the surgical samples and the empirically selected antibiotics. The most common pathogens were determined via routine microbiological culture tests. We compared our data with the results of international studies. RESULTS: During the 6-year study at our Clinic, 217 patients with peritonsillar abscess were treated. The microbiological tests were available for analysis in only 146 cases. In 47 cases, Fusobacterium species (including 25 cases with Fusobacterium necrophorum), in 31 cases Actinomyces species and in 29 cases Streptococcus pyogenes were isolated. In 2/3 of the patients, polymicrobial infection was detected. CONCLUSION: In the treatment of peritonsillar abscesses, surgical intervention can result in clinical improvement because of the elimination of the anaerobic milieu. A well-chosen antibiotic can accelerate the healing process and reduce the complication rate. Proper microbiological sampling is of great importance, and in cases of non-recovery or poor recovery, this may create the opportunity to switch for targeted antibiotic therapy. The results of this study show that polymicrobial flora is very important for the development of the peritonsillar abscess, thus the recommended antibiotic therapy is amoxicillin-clavulanic acid or 2nd/3rd generation cefalosporin combined with metronidazol or clindamycin. Orv Hetil. 2020; 161(44): 1877-1883.

Slide laryngotracheoplasty for congenital subglottic stenosis in newborns and infants.

OBJECTIVES: Subglottic stenosis is the most common laryngeal anomaly necessitating tracheostomy in early childhood. Crico- and laryngotracheal resection and laryngotracheal reconstruction-usually with autologous cartilage graft implantation-are the most effective treatments. These surgical techniques are obviously challenging in neonatal age and infancy. However, a reconstructive surgery performed at early age may prevent the sequel of complications. METHODS: The authors present their novel surgical method for congenital subglottic stenosis. Seven infants had inspiratory stridor; two of them had to be intubated and one required tracheostomy. Laryngotracheoscopy, CT or MRI revealed subglottic stenosis: Cotton-Myer grade II in one, and grade III in six cases. Slide laryngotracheoplasty was performed before 5 months of age (10-130 days), with a follow-up period of average 36 months (4-80 months). Phoniatry and quality of life questionnaire were used for evaluation of postoperative results. RESULTS: Slide laryngotracheoplasty in the neonatal age made the temporary tracheostomy unnecessary. All babies remained intubated for 3 to 10 days with an uncuffed tracheal tube. After extubation, no dyspnea or swallowing disorder occurred. A subjective quality of life questionnaire, laryngotracheoscopy, clinical growth charts showed satisfactory functional results. CONCLUSIONS: Single-stage slide laryngotracheoplasty might be a favorable solution for subglottic stenosis, even in early childhood. In one step, the airway can be maintained without stenting and tracheostomy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 130:E199-E205, 2020.

Endoscopic arytenoid abduction lateropexy for the treatment of neonatal bilateral vocal cord paralysis - Long-term results.

OBJECTIVES: Bilateral vocal cord paralysis often causes severe dyspnea requiring an early airway intervention in neonates. Endoscopic arytenoid abduction lateropexy (EAAL) with suture is a quick, reversible, minimally-invasive vocal cord lateralizing technique to enlarge the glottis. The arytenoid cartilage is directly lateralized to a normal abducted position. It can be performed even in early childhood with the recently-introduced pediatric endoscopic thread guide instrument. The long-term results and the stability of the lateralization were evaluated. METHODS: Three newborns had inspiratory stridor immediately after birth. Laryngo-tracheoscopy revealed bilateral vocal cord paralysis. Unilateral, left-sided endoscopic arytenoid abduction lateropexy was performed with supraglottic jet ventilation. The follow-up period was >3 years. RESULTS: After extubation on the 4-7th postoperative day no dyspnea or swallowing disorder occurred. Laryngo-tracheoscopy, clinical growth charts and voice analysis showed satisfactory functional results. CONCLUSIONS: The endoscopic arytenoid abduction lateropexy might be a favorable solution for neonatal bilateral vocal cord paralysis. In one step, airway patency can be achieved without irreversible damage to the glottic structures. Normal swallowing function was preserved. The results are durable, and neither medialization nor dyspnea re-appeared during observation.

A new solution for neonatal bilateral vocal cord paralysis: Endoscopic arytenoid abduction lateropexy.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Bilateral vocal cord paralysis in early childhood is a life-threatening condition, which often requires immediate intervention. One of the treatment options is a quick, reversible simple suture vocal cord lateralizing technique, whereby the arytenoid cartilage is directly lateralized to the normal abducted position. Considering pediatric laryngeal anatomy, a small endolaryngeal thread guide instrument was designed for precise suture insertion. STUDY DESIGN: New instrument validation. METHODS: Four newborns had inspiratory stridor immediately after birth; two had to be intubated. Laryngotracheoscopy revealed bilateral vocal cord paralysis. Unilateral, left-sided endoscopic arytenoid abduction lateropexy was performed with supraglottic jet ventilation on the 4th, 5th, 5th, and 27th day of life for the four patients, respectively. RESULTS: All babies remained intubated for 3 to 7 days with an uncuffed tracheal tube. After extubation, no dyspnea or swallowing disorder occurred. A subjective quality of life questionnaire, laryngotracheoscopy, clinical growth charts, and voice analysis showed satisfactory functional results. CONCLUSIONS: Minimally invasive, quick, reversible endoscopic arytenoid abduction lateropexy might be a more favorable solution for neonatal bilateral vocal cord paralysis than earlier treatment strategies. In one step, the airway can be maintained without the risk of any permanent damage to voice production. Good swallowing function is also preserved. The specially modified endolaryngeal thread guide instrument gives a fast and effective option for creating the lateralized arytenoid position even in the technically challenging surgical context of a neonate larynx. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4. Laryngoscope, 127:1608-1614, 2017.