Ultrasonographic assessment of tonsillar volume in children.

OBJECTIVES: Adenotonsillar hypertrophy in children is the most common anatomical abnormality associated with obstructive sleep apnoea. Perioperative complications associated with adenotonsillectomy are more common in children with severe obstructive sleep apnoea. An objective preoperative method to determine the size of tonsils is missing. This study assessed the validity of ultrasound as a tool for measuring tonsillar size in children. METHODS: Single-institution prospective study of twenty-six children aged 2-6 years who underwent elective bilateral tonsillectomy. Trans-cervical ultrasonographic assessment of tonsillar size prior to tonsillectomy operation was performed. We assessed correlation of ultrasonographic and actual tonsillar volume. RESULTS: A total of 52 tonsils from 26 patients were measured. Actual and ultrasonographic mean tonsillar volume (±SD) was 3.9 (±2.1) ml and 3.6 (±2.5) ml, respectively (P = 0.24). Ultrasonographic and actual measurements correlated well (r = 0.89). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to show that ultrasound is a suitable objective method for determining tonsillar volume in paediatric patients. Preoperative ultrasound assessment of tonsillar anatomy and size may be an additional and suitable, objective method in the development of a risk stratification system in children with obstructive sleep apnoea undergoing tonsillar surgery.

Osseointegrated hearing implant surgery using a novel hydroxyapatite-coated concave abutment design.

OBJECTIVE: Recently, a novel hydroxyapatite-coated concave bone-anchored hearing device abutment was introduced, the first designed specifically to improve outcomes in soft-tissue preservation osseointegrated hearing implant surgery. We sought to evaluate our early experience with this abutment. STUDY DESIGN: A single-center case series with planned data collection including patient-reported outcomes. SETTING: Tertiary referral center. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The first 30 consecutive patients undergoing osseointegrated hearing implant surgery using the Cochlear DermaLock (BA400) abutment at our institution (February-September 2013) were studied. Follow-up was for a minimum of 6 months. The following data were collected: operative duration; wound healing; postoperative complications, chiefly soft-tissue reactions graded by Holger's classification; and postintervention patient-perceived health-related quality of life, as assessed by the Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI). RESULTS: The mean operating time was 16 minutes (range, 9-22 minutes). Favorable and rapid wound healing was observed in all cases. Three patients (10%) reported transient periabutment paraesthesia. Four patients (13.3%) suffered adverse soft-tissue reactions, all of which were successfully managed conservatively and graded as follows: Holger's grade 1 (n = 2), 2 (n = 1), and 3 (n = 1). Respective overall general health, social support, and physical health GBI mean scores were +38 (95% confidence interval [CI], 31 to 45), +51 (95% CI, 42 to 60), +19 (95% CI, 8 to 30), and +8 (95% CI, -1 to 17). CONCLUSION: Our preliminary clinical and patient-reported outcomes support soft-tissue preservation surgery and indicate that the technology on which the Cochlear DermaLock (BA400) abutment is based may enhance soft-tissue outcomes in this context. We recommend further appraisal of this approach on a larger scale with more extensive follow-up.

The art of tonsillectomy: the UK experience for the past 100 years.

Tonsillectomy is one of the commonest ear, nose, and throat procedures performed in the United Kingdom. In the drive to reduce complication rates and improve patients' satisfaction, numerous adaptations to the traditional technique have evolved. In this article, the authors explore the changes that have been happening in the United Kingdom during the past 100 years and conclude that revisiting the traditional techniques may still be the answer to a successful procedure.