Paediatric quality-of-life following adenotonsillectomy: an evaluation of T14 paediatric throat disorder quality-of-life outcomes according to operative indication.

INTRODUCTION: Adenotonsillectomy is the most common surgical intervention for obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) or recurrent tonsillitis. The Paediatric Throat Disorder Quality of Life Outcome (T14) questionnaire is a validated tool completed by parents to compare the outcome of surgery by measuring the pre- and postoperative scores. This study was undertaken to evaluate the quality-of-life outcome in children undergoing surgical intervention for recurrent tonsillitis and/or OSA. METHODS: This was a prospective, uncontrolled study of 117 children who underwent adenotonsillectomy and tonsillectomy at a single tertiary ear, nose and throat department. An analysis of pre- and postoperative T14 paediatric throat disorder quality-of-life outcomes was undertaken at 12 months. RESULTS: Of the 117 children, 105 were included in the study sample; 75 with recurrent tonsillitis, 8 with OSA and 22 with both tonsillitis and OSA. All children had an improved T14 score postoperatively. The greatest change in pre- and postoperative T14 score was observed in the tonsillitis and OSA combined group (mean change -29.36, p<0.001). However, an improvement in T14 score was also noted in the tonsilitis (-24.453, p<0.001) and OSA groups (-14.25, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study found a statistically significant improvement in the T14 quality-of-life score at 12 months postoperatively in children undergoing adenotonsillectomy. This demonstrates improved parental perception of their child's symptoms for all operative indications of adenotonsillectomy.

Active versus passive humidification for self-ventilating tracheostomy and laryngectomy patients: a systematic review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether active or passive humidification methods are more effective in preventing pulmonary complications in self-ventilating neck breather patients. DESIGN: Systematic Review adhering to PRISMA guidance (checklist sourced from www.equator-network.org/). SETTING: Review of current published relevant literature at a tertiary department of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery. PARTICIPANTS: We included all separate studies and comparison studies of active and passive humidification techniques in adult and paediatric neck breather patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome is the reduction in pulmonary complications. Secondary outcomes include patient compliance; carer and user satisfaction. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Seven studies were included in this review: two RCTs (133 patients), one randomised controlled cross-over trial (29 patients), three randomised prospective studies (171 patients), and one retrospective study (73 patients). Only one study was conducted on paediatric neck breathers. The overall quality of the studies was low. Five studies were at a high risk of bias. Of the remaining two studies, one study had a low risk of bias and the other had an unclear risk. Despite limited subject evidence, results show that passive methods of humidification (mainly HME) is the preferred choice of humidification in the spontaneously breathing neck breather patients group mainly due to the reduction in pulmonary complaints, and better patient compliance.

Rigid endoscopy in the out-patient clinic.

OBJECTIVE: This paper presents an efficient and ergonomic system for performing rigid endoscopic examination in the out-patient clinic setting. The set-up encourages user comfort, and facilitates clear images of the nasal mucosa, nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. EQUIPMENT: This consisted of anti-fog solution, a 5 ml syringe, a cardboard receiver and gauze. CONCLUSION: By using disposable equipment we encourage good infection control practices. We recommend that users of rigid endoscopes in the out-patient setting consider setting up for each patient in this manner.

Tonsillectomy à chaud for quinsy: revisited.

In a prospective study involving 16 patients over a 12 month period, we determined whether tonsillectomy à chaud is an acceptable alternative to interval tonsillectomy for patients with quinsy. Guidelines for the acute surgical management of quinsy (or peritonsillar abscess) were established following a departmental audit. Sixteen patients were admitted with a quinsy plus an indication for tonsillectomy; 12 were evaluated prospectively. Each was treated either by incision and drainage or needle aspiration, rehydration, analgesia and intravenous antibiotic therapy, followed by a tonsillectomy à chaud (immediate tonsillectomy) within 30 h of the acute admission. Despite initial drainage, a high incidence of pus was detected intra-operatively. A much larger group of patients had peritonsillitis rather than peritonsillar abscess. Of the 16 patients admitted with a quinsy and indication for tonsillectomy over a 12 month period, 12 consented to tonsillectomy à chaud. Aspiration was used to confirm the presence of a quinsy in seven patients (58%), and incision and drainage in the remaining five. There were no complications, and further hospitalisations were avoided thus reducing patient morbidity and costs. We propose that tonsillectomy à chaud remains a justifiable alternative to interval tonsillectomy for such patients when personnel and theatre facilities permit.

Snore site discrimination using statistical moments of free field snoring sounds recorded during sleep nasendoscopy.

The non-invasive measurement of free field snoring sounds to estimate the site of snoring is an important development in the diagnosis, treatment and management of sleep-related breathing disorders. We investigated characteristics of the probability density function by testing the sensitivity of the statistical moments to amplitude patterns in the snoring acoustic signal. Snoring sounds from 15 patients were recorded whilst performing sleep (under anaesthetic) nasendoscopy evaluation. We demonstrated, using a fuzzy 2-means clustering method, that a combination of the statistical dimensionless moment coefficients of skewness and kurtosis could discriminate between pure palatal and non-palatal snoring subject groups.

Validity of sleep nasendoscopy in the investigation of sleep related breathing disorders.

OBJECTIVE: To validate the technique of sleep nasendoscopy using target controlled infusion in symptomatic patients and a control group of asymptomatic individuals. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Department of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery and anesthesia in a teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Two groups of patients were compared and matched for their body mass index. The first group consisted of 53 patients with a history suggestive of obstructive sleep apnea. The second group consisted of 54 patients with partner-confirmed history of no snoring. These patients were undergoing anesthesia for other reasons. Both groups of patients were free of associated otorhinolaryngologic symptoms. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Assessment of production of snoring or obstruction in patients with no documented history of snoring when sedation was administered as part of general anesthesia using target controlled infusion with propofol. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: None of the patients in the asymptomatic group snored or obstructed at any level of propofol, and this was clearly significant on comparison with the symptomatic group (P < .001). All of the symptomatic patients were induced to become symptomatic (snoring/obstruction).

A new and clinically symptomatic variant of thyroid cartilage anatomy.

We present a previously undescribed variation in the anatomy of the superior cornu of the thyroid cartilage. In the five cases described, the tip of the cornu turned medially and caused an indentation into the pharynx. These indentations were symptomatic and caused pain and globus sensation. Resection of them led to resolution of the symptoms. A survey of the incidence of this variation of the thyroid cartilage in a clinic population is presented.

Endosupralayngeal laser resection of a symptomatic anatomical laryngeal variant: a minimally-invasive technique for a newly-recognised condition.

A variant of thyroid cartilage anatomy has recently been described as a cause of significant pharyngeal and laryngeal symptoms. After clinical recognition, spiral CT imaging confirms the anatomical relationships and a minimally-invasive technique is offered to allow surgical removal of the variant. The authors describe the surgical technique that was developed to avoid the need for an alternative, more conventional, external approach, and the instruments found to be particularly suitable for providing appropriate access to the supralaryngeal region.

Failure of insertion of a laryngeal mask airway caused by a variation in the anatomy of the thyroid cartilage.

We report the failure of insertion of a laryngeal mask airway in a patient with a pre-operative diagnosis of an abnormality of the superior cornua of the thyroid cartilage. We believe that this is the first time that this reason for failure has been reported.

A new approach to improving illumination in the nose during endonasal surgery.

Despite improvements in light sources the problem of illumination during endonasal surgery persists. This is particularly so in the presence of blood which absorbs light and renders the operative field dark as a consequence. This paper describes a series of in vitro experiments that show how improved illumination is possible using readily available, inexpensive, sterilisable and flexible materials. The hypothesis tested was that white coloured materials, when placed into the nasal cavity during endonasal surgery, improve illumination of the operative field by reflecting light onto the area of surgical interest. This hypothesis was tested with the use of a light proof box into which were introduced blood coloured and reflective materials. The light reflected back from a fixed blood coloured surface within the box was measured. The introduction of white materials into the box provided greater illumination than blue or foil surfaces.

Early results of an objective olfactometer.

Although many people comment on their ability or inability to smell an odour, the accurate measurement of olfaction remains an elusive goal. Currently, there are no instruments available to objectively measure olfaction. This article outlines the design and early test results of a low cost, computer-based olfactometer which uses the frequency content of evoked potentials to quantify a subject's response to an olfactory stimulus. Clinical trials have been undertaken to establish the validity of the olfactometer and over a thousand tests have been carried out. Early results suggest that the methodology employed is appropriate and could be developed to enable a commercial olfactometer to be produced.

Minimal follow-up after functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Does it affect outcome?

One disadvantage of functional endoscopic sinus surgery is the frequent post-operative cavity toilet considered necessary by most surgeons, which is not only costly but also very unwelcome to patients. In the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading, we have reviewed a series of 120 patients who underwent FESS over an 18-month period with minimal post-operative follow-up (first visit for cavity toilet at 2 weeks and, if possible, only one further visit) in order to assess outcome. The percentage of patients whose presenting symptom had significantly improved or was cured was 78%, and the mean number of follow-up visits was 2.8. We conclude that our policy of minimal post-operative follow-up following FESS allows results comparable with other series, and this policy should be further evaluated.

Skin tethering after dilatational percutaneous tracheostomy.

Percutaneous tracheostomy is increasingly preferred for patients in the Intensive Care Unit. It is a convenient method with a low incidence of complications. Skin tethering has not previously been emphasized as a complication of this technique and, although primarily cosmetic, may result in significant morbidity.

KTP-532 laser tonsillectomy--a potential day-case procedure?

We report the results of a prospective pilot study of 54 adult patients undergoing tonsillectomy using the KTP-532 laser, designed to assess whether the technique would facilitate day-case adult tonsillectomy. Subjective and objective assessment at six hours post-operatively showed that only 43 per cent could, in our judgement, have been discharged at this interval. Furthermore, the overall complication rate was 31 per cent with a secondary haemorrhage rate of 19 per cent. We conclude that KTP-532 laser tonsillectomy as performed in this pilot study compares unfavourably with dissection tonsillectomy and we discuss possible reasons for this.

Giant cell reparative granuloma of the concha bullosa.

Giant cell reparative granuloma is a benign lesion occurring most commonly in the bones of the jaw and rarely in the paranasal sinuses. We present an unusual case of giant cell reparative granuloma arising within a concha bullosa. Complete excision was achieved using an endoscopic transnasal approach.

An unusual cause of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a self-limiting condition characterized by vertigo and nystagmus induced by certain head positions. The most common causes of BPPV are post-traumatic following head injury and post-viral labyrinthitis. We present an interesting case of BPPV following an otherwise uneventful neurosurgical removal of a parietal osteoma using hammer and chisel. Caution should be exercised during such procedures as disabling vertigo can result for a considerable period of time.

Technical note: computed tomographic dacryocystography.

The technique of computed tomographic dacryocystography is described. It was developed in response to the pre-operative imaging requirements for transnasal endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy, a new minimally invasive operation performed as a primary procedure to relieve epiphora. However, it is also helpful in the assessment of patients after failed conventional external dacryocystorhinostomy when the information provided will help to determine the subsequent surgical approach. In addition the technique will assist surgical planning in cases of epiphora associated with sinus surgery, facial trauma and maxillofacial tumours by determining the site and extent of pathology.

CT-dacryocystography for nasolacrimal duct obstruction following paranasal sinus surgery.

Nasolacrimal duct obstruction and consequent epiphora is a complication that may develop in some patients following paranasal sinus surgery. We describe the technique of CT-dacryocystography which entails contrast injection of the lacrimal system and simultaneous computed tomography (CT) scanning of the facial structures. This technique provides concurrent information regarding obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct and the presence of disease recurrence or persistence in the adjacent paranasal sinuses. The role of CT-dacryocystography prior to endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy is discussed briefly.

An in vitro study to determine efficacy of different wax-dispersing agents.

An in vitro study was performed to compare the relative efficacy of a number of aqueous- and organic-based wax-dispersing preparations. Water, which was originally intended to be a control, surprisingly proved to be the most effective, whilst olive oil appeared to be almost totally ineffective as a wax dispersant. In view of the relatively high cost of commercially available preparations, these results have significant clinical potential.