Comparison of three different adenoidectomy techniques in children - has the conventional technique been surpassed?

INTRODUCTION: Pharyngeal tonsil hyperplasia is the most frequent cause of nasal obstruction and chronic mouth breathing during childhood. Adenoidectomy is the procedure of choice for the resolution of these symptoms. It is not yet known, however, whether the conventional technique ("blind curettage") has been surpassed by more modern adenoidectomy techniques (video-assisted, with the aid of instruments). This study aimed to compare the conventional adenoidectomy technique with two other emerging techniques, performed in a reference otorhinolaryngology center. METHODS: This is a prospective and observational study of 33 children submitted to adenoidectomy using 3 different techniques that were followed up for a period of 3 months after surgery. The patients were divided into 3 different groups, according to the adenoidectomy technique: Group A (conventional technique - "blind curettage"); Group B (video-assisted adenoidectomy with microdebrider); Group C (video-assisted adenoidectomy with radiofrequency - Coblation®). The surgical time of each procedure was measured, being considered from the moment of insertion of the mouth gag until complete hemostasis was achieved. The questionnaire for quality of life OSA-18 was applied to all caregivers on the day of the surgery and 30-90 days after the procedure. Postoperative complications were also analyzed. RESULTS: For the entire patient sample, there was an improvement in quality of life after the surgery (p < 0.05). When analyzing the evolution of OSA-18 index, all groups showed statistically significant improvement, for all assessed domains. There were no statistically significant differences between the 3 techniques assessed for quality of life improvement after the surgery (p > 0.05). Regarding the duration of the procedure, the conventional technique showed the shortest surgical time when compared to the others (p < 0.05). No postoperative complications were noted, for any patient. CONCLUSIONS: The adenoidectomy resulted in improvement of quality of life, and there were no major postoperative complications, for all operated children, regardless of the technique used. The conventional technique was faster when compared to the more modern adenoidectomy techniques.

Normal values for the Rhinoplasty Outcome Evaluation (ROE) questionnaire.

UNLABELLED: Rhinoplasty Outcome Evaluation (ROE) is an easy-to-use questionnaire that allows comprehensive assessment of rhinoplasty-related patient satisfaction. However, normal values for this questionnaire are not known. OBJECTIVE: To translate and cross-culture adapt the Rhinoplasty Outcome Evaluation questionnaire to Brazilian Portuguese and to establish normality parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study with ROE administration to 62 patients waiting for rhinoplasty or septorhinoplasty (Cases) and 100 volunteer subjects without desire or need for nasal surgery (Controls). Assessment of possible sensitivity and specificity cutoffs. RESULTS: The cases' mean score was 6.6 or 27.5% (SD 3.18; min 0; max 15) and controls' mean score was 17.94 or 74.75% (SD 3.91; min 7; max 24). The best cutoff was 12 or 50%, with 95.16% sensitivity and 95% specificity. CONCLUSION: At the zero-to-24 score of the Brazilian Portuguese ROE, we found 12 as the best cutoff, with 95.16% of sensitivity and 95% of specificity.

Valores de normalidade para o questionário Rhinoplasty Outcome Evaluation (ROE) / Normal values for the Rhinoplasty Outcome Evaluation (ROE) questionnaire

O Rhinoplasty Outcome Evaluation (ROE) é um questionário de fácil aplicação, que abrange os principais a spectos que influenciam na satisfação do paciente em relação à rinoplastia. Porém, não há, ainda, critérios de normalidade para este questionário. OBJETIVO: Realizar a tradução e adaptação cultural do questionário Rhinoplasty Outcome Evaluation para o Português Brasileiro e estabelecer um parâmetro de normalidade. CASUÍSTICA E MÉTODO: Tradução e adaptação cultural do questionário para Português Brasileiro. Estudo transversal com a aplicação do ROE em 62 pacientes em pré-operatório de rinoplastia ou rinosseptoplastia (Casos) e 100 voluntários sem desejo de cirurgia nasal (Controles). Análise da sensibilidade e especificidade das possíveis notas de corte. Resultados: A média dos escores dos Casos foi de 6,6 ou 27,5% (DP 3,18; mín 0; máx 15) e dos controles, 17,94 ou 74,75% (DP 3,91; mín 7; máx 24). O melhor valor mínimo para normalidade foi de 12 ou 50%, com sensibilidade de 95,16% e especificidade de 95%. CONCLUSÃO: No escore de zero a 24 do ROE em Português Brasileiro, encontramos o valor 12 como limite mínimo de normalidade, com índices de sensibilidade e especificidade de 95,16% e 95%, respectivamente.

Rhinoplasty Outcome Evaluation (ROE) is an easy-to-use questionnaire that allows comprehensive assessment of rhinoplasty-related patient satisfaction. However, normal values for this questionnaire are not known. OBJECTIVE: To translate and cross-culture adapt the Rhinoplasty Outcome Evaluation questionnaire to Brazilian Portuguese and to establish normality parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study with ROE administration to 62 patients waiting for rhinoplasty or septorhinoplasty (Cases) and 100 volunteer subjects without desire or need for nasal surgery (Controls). Assessment of possible sensitivity and specificity cutoffs. RESULTS: The cases' mean score was 6.6 or 27.5% (SD 3.18; min 0; max 15) and controls' mean score was 17.94 or 74.75% (SD 3.91; min 7; max 24). The best cutoff was 12 or 50%, with 95.16% sensitivity and 95% specificity. CONCLUSION: At the zero-to-24 score of the Brazilian Portuguese ROE, we found 12 as the best cutoff, with 95.16% of sensitivity and 95% of specificity.

Caudal septoplasty: efficacy of a surgical technique-preliminary report.

UNLABELLED: Although not being the most frequent nasal septal deviations, those of the caudal septum account for many complaints. The correction of such defects has always been the subject of much controversy, and several different operative techniques have been described. AIM: To assess the efficacy of a surgical technique for correcting caudal septal deviations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective study with preliminary reports of 10 patients who answered a standardized, specific questionnaire (the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation, or NOSE), underwent acoustic rhinometry and had their noses photographed. Caudal deviations were then corrected through a surgical technique whereby the entire deviated portion is removed and a straight cartilage segment is placed between the medial crura of the alar cartilages, through a retrograde approach, to support the nasal tip. Sixty days after all patients were reassessed. RESULTS: As for the NOSE questionnaire, mean pre-operative and post-operative scores were 82.39 and 7.39 respectively (p<0.001). Pre-operative acoustic rhinometry showed mean minimum cross-sectional area (MCA) values of 0.352 and 0.431 cm2, whereas mean post-operative values were 0.657 and 0.711 cm2(p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The study results prove, both subjectively (patient satisfaction as measured with a standardized questionnaire) and objectively (acoustic rhinometry findings), that the proposed technique for correction of caudal septal deviation is safe and effective.

Caudal septoplasty: efficacy of a surgical technique-preliminnary report / Septoplastia caudal - eficácia de uma técnica cirúrgica: resultados preliminares

Although not being the most frequent nasal septal deviations, those of the caudal septum account for many complaints. The correction of such defects has always been the subject of much controversy, and several different operative techniques have been described. AIM: To assess the efficacy of a surgical technique for correcting caudal septal deviations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective study with preliminary reports of 10 patients who answered a standardized, specific questionnaire (the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation, or NOSE), underwent acoustic rhinometry and had their noses photographed. Caudal deviations were then corrected through a surgical technique whereby the entire deviated portion is removed and a straight cartilage segment is placed between the medial crura of the alar cartilages, through a retrograde approach, to support the nasal tip. Sixty days after all patients were reassessed. RESULTS: As for the NOSE questionnaire, mean pre-operative and post-operative scores were 82.39 and 7.39 respectively (p<0.001). Pre-operative acoustic rhinometry showed mean minimum cross-sectional area (MCA) values of 0.352 and 0.431 cm2, whereas mean post-operative values were 0.657 and 0.711 cm2(p<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The study results prove, both subjectively (patient satisfaction as measured with a standardized questionnaire) and objectively (acoustic rhinometry findings), that the proposed technique for correction of caudal septal deviation is safe and effective.

Os desvios situados na parte caudal do septo nasal, apesar de não serem os mais frequentes, são causadores de muitas queixas, e sua correção sempre gerou muitas controvérsias. OBJETIVO: Avaliar, com resultados preliminares, a eficácia de uma técnica cirúrgica para correção dos desvios caudais do septo nasal. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Ensaio Clínico prospectivo com 10 pacientes que responderam a um questionário padronizado - Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) -, foram submetidos ao exame de Rinometria Acústica e fotografados. Tiveram, então, os desvios caudais corrigidos cirurgicamente por uma técnica na qual toda a porção do desvio é retirada e uma parte sem desvios da cartilagem é recolocada entre as cruras mediais das cartilagens alares por via retrógrada para a sustentação da ponta nasal. Apos 60 dias os pacientes foram reavaliados. RESULTADOS: Quanto ao Questionário NOSE a média dos valores pré-operatórios foi de 82,39 e a média no pós-operatório foi de 7,39 (p < 0,001). Quanto aos resultados da Rinometria Acústica a média dos valores da área de secção transversa mínima ou MCA no pré-operatório foi de 0,352 e 0,431cm2. No pós-operatório a média dos valores foi de 0,657 e 0,711 cm2,(p < 0,0001). CONCLUSÕES: Apesar de serem ainda resultados iniciais, estes mostram que a técnica apresentada para correção dos desvios caudais do septo nasal é eficaz.