Evaluation of Vocal Cord Function Before Thyroidectomy: Experience from a Developing Country.

Vocal cord palsy (VCP) is a major complication of thyroidectomy. Some patients have preexisting VCP prompting the need for routine or selective preoperative evaluation of the vocal cords. The study aims at ascertaining the prevalence of preoperative VCP and making appropriate recommendations. This is a retrospective study of all adult patients who had thyroidectomy at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital. Case notes of patients who had thyroidectomy at the hospital from July 2010 to June 2015 were retrieved. Variables studied included biodata, duration of goiter, preoperative hoarseness, outcome of indirect laryngoscopy (IDL), histology of specimen, duration of follow-up, and incidence of postoperative hoarseness. Descriptive statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 20. Of the 91 patients aged 21-70 years (mean 42.08 years, SD 15.40), females outnumbered males with a M:F ratio of 1:10.4. Five patients had preoperative hoarseness, but only three had VCP. IDL was done for 25 (27.4%) patients out of which 22 (88.0%) had normal studies while the remaining three (all from the five with hoarseness) had VCP. Histology of the specimens showed malignancy in 10 (11%), benign in 55 (60.4%), and no report in 26 (28.6%). Five of the malignant histology patients showed normal findings on IDL, three had VCP and two had no preoperative IDL. There was no case of asymptomatic VCP. Vocal cord evaluation is recommended for patients with voice symptoms and those with malignant goiter.

The clinical and radiological predictors of pulmonary hypertension in children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy.

Unrelieved upper airway obstruction from highly prevalent adenotonsillar hypertrophy (ATH) has the potential of producing structural remodelling of the pulmonary vascular bed with resultant pulmonary hypertension (PH) and cor pulmonale. This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the local prevalence of PH and examine its clinical and radiological pointers among children with ATH. The airway obstruction was evaluated clinically by grading the nocturnal and daytime symptoms of ATH. A Brodsky scale and adenoid-nasopharynx ratio (AN ratio) were used to categorize tonsil and adenoid size, respectively. Mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP), was measured noninvasively for each child using Doppler echocardiography and PH was defined by mPAP ≥25 mmHg. Comparison of symptom scores, tonsil and adenoid size and demographic factors was made between children with mPAP ≥25 mmHg and those mPAP <25 mmHg using univariate and multivariate analysis. There was 22.8 % (18/79) prevalence of PH among the 26 children with only adenoid hypertrophy and 53 with ATH. Significant risk factors identified by logistic regression analysis associated with PH were daytime mouth breathing, daytime stertor, and AN ratio >0.75 (P = 0.002, 0.018, and 0.04, respectively), with more than sixfold and fourfold increase risk for daytime mouth breathing and daytime stertor, respectively. Obstructive breathing during sleep was significant only on univariate analysis. Prolonged symptom duration ≥24 months, large tonsils (grades 3 and 4), snoring and mouth breathing during sleep were not significant. This study demonstrated that pulmonary hypertension remains prevalent in children with ATH. Daytime mouth breathing and stertor as well as AN ratio >0.75 are the prime predictors of pulmonary hypertension, with an AN ratio cut-off point of 0.73 on ROC analysis.

Complications following nasotracheal intubation using cuffed polyvinyl chloride tube: a prospective cross sectional study.

Background: To examine the complications following nasotracheal intubation by documenting the nasal traumas observed with the use of untreated cuffed polyvinyl chloride tube in unprepared nostrils. Methods: Patients who had maxillofacial surgeries under general anesthesia, muscle relaxation and nasotracheal intubation were included in the study. Nasotracheal intubation was carried out after induction of anesthesia was effected with intravenous propofol and suxamethonium by an Anesthetist using well lubricated cuffed polyvinyl chloride tube. Sizes 6.0, 6.5 and 7.0mm were inserted in females while sizes 7.0 and 7.5mm were inserted in males. Occasionally, the natural curve of the tube guides it through the cords without the aid of Magill forceps. Anterior rhinoscopy was performed by otolaryngologist 24 hours after surgery. Results were subjected to statistical analysis. Results: Sixty four patients were included in the study. They were between the ages of 21 and 63 years (mean 33.2 ± 14.1 years); they were 39 males and 25 females. The most frequently used nasotracheal tube (NT) was size 7.0mm internal diameter. Epistaxis was noticed in 52 (81.2%) patients. There were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of epistaxis observed in males and females, and also between right and left nostrils. A total of 46.8% of nasal trauma were inferior turbinate trauma involving the inferior medial aspect. Conclusion: The use of untreated cuffed polyvinyl chloride tube for nasotracheal intubation in unprepared nostrils is associated with a high incidence of epistaxis and nasal trauma.

Nasalseptal hematoma/abscess: management and outcome in a tertiary hospital of a developing country.

BACKGROUND: Nasal hematoma/abscess is an uncommon entity, but capable of leading to serious consequences if not handled meticulously, and with urgency. OBJECTIVE: To present the management, and outcome of nasal septal hematoma/abscess in a Nigerian tertiary institution. METHOD: Consecutive patients diagnosed with nasal septal hematoma/abscess over a 10-year period, treated at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria, were prospectively studied. The processes leading to diagnosis, treatment, and outcome were sequentially evaluated. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients (37 males and 16 females), age 5-65 years (with mean age of 23.10 years), were included. Surgical drainage of the hematoma/abscess, intranasal packing with insertion of drain was performed with total resolution of problem in all the cases. CONCLUSION: Incision and drainage, and intranasal packing with insertion of drain was effective in treating nasal septal hematoma/abscess.

Mortality pattern in the surgical wards: a five year review at Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE: To identify deaths in the surgical wards, elicit the cause of death and suggest changes that will ensure improved surgical care of patients and outcome. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective. METHODS: Records collected from the theatre operation registers, ward registers and case notes of all patients who were admitted into the surgical wards Federal Medical Centre, Owerri whether elective or emergency from January 1997 to December 2001 were reviewed. Data extracted included date of admission, age, sex, educational status, residence; surgical diagnosis and clinical cause of death Data obtained were analyzed and presented in tabular and descriptive forms. RESULTS: There were 4583 surgical admissions in all the surgical wards of which males were 2751 and females 1832. During this period there were 419 deaths with an overall death per admission crude mortality rate of 9.14%. The leading causes of death were acute abdomen (22.20%), RTA with head injury (18.14%) and malignances (14.56%). Of the 419 deaths males were 305 (72.79%) and females 114 (27.21%) in a ratio of 2.68:1. CONCLUSION: Aggressive enlightenment and healthcare campaigns, health education, improvement of healthcare facilities and accessibility to healthcare facilities are highlighted. Structured study in the management of surgical cases is emphasized.