Types of Epiglottic Collapse in Breathing Sleep Disorder and Their Impact in Clinical Practice.

Introduction Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a severe form of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) that is strongly correlated with comorbidities, in which epiglottic collapse (EC) and other contributing factors are involved. Objectives To evaluate the occurrence of EC in OSA patients through drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) and to determine the factors contributing to EC. Methods A retrospective study of 37 adult patients using medical history. Patients were assessed for laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) and lingual tonsil hypertrophy (LTH) using reflux symptom index and reflux finding score (RFS); for OSA using polysomnography, and for airway collapse through DISE. An independent t -test was performed to evaluate risk factors, including the involvement of three other airway structures. Results Most EC patients exhibited trap door epiglottic collapse (TDEC) (56.8%) or pushed epiglottic collapse (PEC) (29.7%). Lingual tonsil hypertrophy, RFS, and respiratory effort-related arousal (RERA) were associated with epiglottic subtypes. Laryngopharyngeal reflux patients confirmed by RFS (t(25) = -1.32, p = 0.197) tended to suffer PEC; LTH was significantly associated (X2(1) = 2.5, p = 0.012) with PEC (odds ratio [OR] value = 44) in grades II and III LTH patients; 11 of 16 TDEC patients had grade I LTH. Pushed epiglottic collapse was more prevalent among multilevel airway obstruction patients. A single additional collapse site was found only in TDEC patients. Conclusion Laryngopharyngeal reflux causes repetitive acid stress toward lingual tonsils causing LTH, resulting in PEC with grade II or III LTH. Trap door epiglottic collapse requires one additional structural collapse, while at least two additional collapse sites were necessary to develop PEC. Respiratory effort-related arousal values may indicate EC.

Types of Epiglottic Collapse in Breathing Sleep Disorder and Their Impact in Clinical Practice

Abstract Introduction Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a severe form of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) that is strongly correlated with comorbidities, in which epiglottic collapse (EC) and other contributing factors are involved. Objectives To evaluate the occurrence of EC in OSA patients through drug-induced sleep endoscopy (DISE) and to determine the factors contributing to EC. Methods A retrospective study of 37 adult patients using medical history. Patients were assessed for laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) and lingual tonsil hypertrophy (LTH) using reflux symptom index and reflux finding score (RFS); for OSA using polysomnography, and for airway collapse through DISE. An independent t-test was performed to evaluate risk factors, including the involvement of three other airway structures. Results Most EC patients exhibited trap door epiglottic collapse (TDEC) (56.8%) or pushed epiglottic collapse (PEC) (29.7%). Lingual tonsil hypertrophy, RFS, and respiratory effort-related arousal (RERA) were associated with epiglottic subtypes. Laryngopharyngeal reflux patients confirmed by RFS (t(25) = −1.32, p = 0.197) tended to suffer PEC; LTH was significantly associated (X2(1) = 2.5, p = 0.012) with PEC (odds ratio [OR] value = 44) in grades II and III LTH patients; 11 of 16 TDEC patients had grade I LTH. Pushed epiglottic collapse was more prevalent among multilevel airway obstruction patients. A single additional collapse site was found only in TDEC patients. Conclusion Laryngopharyngeal reflux causes repetitive acid stress toward lingual tonsils causing LTH, resulting in PEC with grade II or III LTH. Trap door epiglottic collapse requires one additional structural collapse, while at least two additional collapse sites were necessary to develop PEC. Respiratory effort-related arousal values may indicate EC.

Platelet-Rich Fibrin Enhances Surgical Wound Healing in Total Laryngectomy.

Autologous growth factor (AGF) is a cytokine that has gained medical research interest because it helps improve and accelerate the wound healing process. Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is the latest generation of platelet concentrate that can be obtained through a simple procedure known as AGF referencing. One of the most common complications of total laryngectomy (TL) is pharyngocutaneous fistula. To prevent this complication, health care providers must closely monitor the postoperative wound healing process.This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of PRF application in enhancing wound healing after TL. A randomized controlled trial was conducted in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia, from June 2019 to December 2019. We included 20 patients who underwent TL for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. They were divided into two groups (10 patients who received applied autologous PRF around the esophageal stoma during TL and another 10 patients as the control). These patients were observed for 2 weeks postoperatively. In the bivariate analysis performed using the chi-square test, the pain threshold and edema of postoperative wounds in the PRF-treated group demonstrated significant differences compared with those in the control group. PRF application in TL enhanced the postoperative wound healing process, especially with regard to edema and pain.

Combination of bronchoscopic cryoextraction and argon plasma coagulation in treatment of total central airway obstruction caused by giant blood clot formation in massive airway bleeding.

Life threatening event due to central airway obstruction caused by very large blood clot formation with profuse on going bleeding its very challenging to manage. Interventional pulmonologist must aware about this situation which can lead to respiratory failure. There are several choices to treat this unlikely situation, in example flexible bronchoscopy with forceps, bronchial lavage, and suction. We present a case with post-surgical tracheostomy bleeding which caused a giant blood clot formation in a disseminated intravascular coagulation due to severe sepsis in end stage renal disease patient, successfully managed with cryoextraction and argon plasma coagulation. Combinations of two endobronchial approaches can give a quick, safe and cost effective lifesaving treatment.