Relationship between the posterior septal artery and the upper edge of the choana.

BACKGROUND: The pedicled nasoseptal flap has been a key element in advancing the endoscopic transnasal approach (ETA) for the treatment of skull base lesions from the anterior cranial fossa to the occipitocervical junction. To preserve vascular supply, an anatomical knowledge of the location of the posterior septal artery (PSA) is essential. The objective of this work is to establish the relationship between PSA and the superior edge of the choana to define a safety margin during the opening of the sphenoidal rostrum preserving PSA. METHODS: One hundred and eighty angiotomographies of the brain were assessed. The sphenopalatine artery (SPA) was evaluated in the pterygopalatine fossa and PSA at its entrance into the nasal cavity and on the sphenoidal rostrum. RESULTS: PSA was found in all 3 tomographic planes (axial, coronal and sagittal) in 100 patients (200 PSAs). Thirty-five were male and 65 were females. Average age was 62 years with a range of 19-90 years. Total average distance between PSA and the superior edge of the choana was 8.5 mm with a range of 2.5-18 (12.45 90th percentile). CONCLUSION: Although the distance between the choanal edge and PSA is 8.5 mm on average, due to its variability, a distance of at least 12.45 mm for the opening of the sphenoidal sinus in the ETA approach should be considered as a safety margin.

Clipaje endoscópico de la arteria esfenopalatina para el tratamiento de la epistaxis posterior / Endoscopic sphenopalatine artery ligation for posterior epistaxis

Resumen Antecedentes Los casos de epistaxis posterior representan alrededor del 10 al 20% de las epistaxis. El tratamiento convencional para este tipo de padecimientos son los taponamientos nasales. El abordaje quirúrgico (cauterización y/o clipaje) está indicado cuando existe falla del tratamiento médico convencional; sin embargo, en la actualidad, se considera como primera opción. Material y métodos Se revisaron todos los casos de epistaxis posterior tratados en el Hospital Español de México de enero de 2007 a enero de 2017. Se realizó estadística descriptiva e inferencial para comparar al grupo conservador (taponamiento nasal) versus el grupo quirúrgico (clipaje). Resultados Se revisaron 242 expedientes; de ellos, se excluyeron 108. Se incluyeron 134 pacientes: 96 correspondieron al grupo quirúrgico y 38 al conservador. El 60.20% perteneció al género masculino y el 39.80% al femenino. La media para la edad fue de 60 años. El grupo quirúrgico (3.4 ± 1.9 días) requirió menos días de estancia hospitalaria en comparación con el conservador (4.8 ± 3.0 días), p < 0.01. Los pacientes con una epistaxis del lado derecho en el grupo quirúrgico tuvieron un mayor tiempo quirúrgico (p = 0.001) y más días de estancia hospitalaria (p = 0.006). Conclusiones La epistaxis sucede en la mayoría de los casos de forma idiopática; es frecuente en hombres mayores de 60 años con enfermedades cardiopulmonares, sin conocerse de forma precisa su fisiopatología. La epistaxis derecha tratada quirúrgicamente resulta tener más morbilidad. El abordaje quirúrgico es seguro, eficaz y acorta los días de estancia hospitalaria en comparación con el tratamiento conservador.

Abstract Background The cases of posterior epistaxis represent approximately 10 to 20% of all epistaxis. The conventional treatment for this type of ailment is nasal packing. A surgical approach (cauterization and/ or clipping) is indicated when there is a failure of the conventional medical treatment; however, it is currently considered as the first option. Material and methods All the epistaxis cases treated at the Hospital Español de México from January 2007 to January 2017 were reviewed. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to compare the conservative group (nasal packing) versus the surgical one (clipping). Results 242 dossiers were reviewed, of which 108 were excluded. 134 patients were included: 96 belonged to the surgical group and 38 to the conservative one. 60.20% were male and 39.80% were female. The mean age was 60 years. The surgical group (3.4 ± 1.9 days) required fewer days of hospital stay compared to the conservative group (4.8 ± 3.0 days), p < 0.01. Patients with right-sided epistaxis in the surgical group had a longer surgical time (p = 0.001) and more days of hospital stay (p = 0.006). Conclusions Epistaxis occurs in most cases idiopathically, often in men over 60 years with cardiopulmonary diseases, without a precise knowledge of its physiopathology. Right epistaxis treated surgically results in more morbidity. The surgical approach is safe, effective and shortens the days of hospital stay compared to the conservative treatment.

Resection of the ethmoidal crest in sphenopalatine artery surgery.

BACKGROUND: In severe cases of epistaxis, in spite of several procedures described in the literature for its management, surgical treatment has been recognized by most authors as 1 of the most effective, especially when it includes ligation and/or electrocoagulation of the nasal branches of the sphenopalatine artery. The objective of this study is to determine the importance of ethmoid crest resection during sphenopalatine artery surgery, in the management of severe epistaxis. METHODS: We report a double-blinded randomized clinical trial, in which intervention was the ethmoid crest resection during electrocoagulation of the sphenopalatine artery. The study participants consisted of 42 patients with severe epistaxis and indication for surgical treatment, treated at the Otorhinolaryngology Emergency Room (ORL ER) of Hospital Sao Paulo, the teaching hospital of the Federal University of Sao Paulo. RESULTS: There was significant greater exposure of the arterial branch after removal of the ethmoidal crest (p = 0.009). The rate of bleeding within 48 hours of the procedure was significantly lower in the crest removal group. CONCLUSION: Resection of the ethmoid crest during sphenopalatine surgery proved to be feasible without additional risks, including promoting decrease in the overall surgical time. It provided better exposure of arterial branches of the sphenopalatine foramen, leading to a lower rebleeding rate within 48 hours.

Epistaxis severas. Nuestra experiencia y revisión de literatura / Severe epistaxis. Our experience and review of literature / Epistaxe grave. A nossa experiência e revisão da literatura

La epistaxis posterior es una de las urgencias más frecuente en la Otorrinolaringología. A pesar de esto no hay lineamientos claros entre los especialistas para su manejo. En este trabajo revisamos nuestra experiencia en 67 pacientes con diagnóstico de epistaxis severa que ingresaron por la guardia del Hospital Universitario ¨José de San Martín¨, entre el período de enero - septiembre de 2014 y comparándola con la literatura mundial con el objetivo de postular un algoritmo de tratamiento de esta enfermedad. A 66 de los 67 pacientes se les realizó taponaje anteroposterior (TAP) con diferentes métodos y 1 de los 67 fue directamente a cirugía endoscó- pica rinosinusal (CERS)...

Posterior epistaxis is one of the most common otolaryngology emergencies. Despite this, there are no clear guidelines among specialists for its management. In this paper, we review our experience in 67 patients with diagnosis of severe epistaxis who were evaluated on the emergency room of the University Hospital Jose de San Martin between January to September 2014. We compared our experience with the world literature in order to apply an algorithm treatment of this disease. 66 of 67 patients underwent posterior nasal packing (PNP)...

A epistaxe posterior é uma das emergências otorrinolaringológicas mais comuns. Apesar disso, não há um claro consenso entre os especialistas sobre seu procedimento. Neste artigo, apresentamos nossa experiência com 67 pacientes com diagnóstico de epistaxe grave atendidos pelo plantão do Hospital Universitário Jose de San Martin entre o período de janeiro a setembro de 2014 e comparamos com a literatura mundial, a fim de determinar um algoritmo de tratamento desta doença. 66 dos 67 casos foram submetidos a tamponamento ântero-posterior (TAP) com diferentes métodos e 1 foi diretamente encaminhado para cirurgia endoscópica rinossinusal (CERS). Destes 67 pacientes, 31 tiveram inicialmente escolhido o TAP como tratamento definitivo e, para os 36 restantes, CERS...

[Anatomic variations and references of the sphenopalatine foramen in cadaveric specimens: a Mexican study]. / Variantes y referencias anatómicas del foramen esfenopalatino en especímenes cadavéricos: un estudio en población mexicana.

BACKGROUND: The sphenopalatine foramen is located on the lateral nasal wall and has multiple variants and anatomic landmarks that are important to know to optimize RESULTS in the surgical management of posterior epistaxis. OBJECTIVE: This study describes the endoscopic anatomy of the sphenopalatine foramen, related structures and anatomic variations in a Mexican population. METHODS: We performed a prospective, observational, and experimental study. Five cadaveric specimens were included. Dissections were performed to identify the anatomy of the sphenopalatine foramen and anatomic variants. Measurements were obtained from different anatomic references to the columella. RESULTS: Of a total of ten dissections, in 100% of cases ethmoid crests were identified anterior to the sphenopalatine foramen. Localization of the sphenopalatine foramen in the lateral nasal wall in 60% cases was in the transition from middle meatus with superior meatus. The vidian nerve in 90% of cases was located superior and posterior to the sphenopalatine foramen. For the measurements, no significant differences between the two sides of each specimen were noticed. CONCLUSIONS: The sphenopalatine foramen presents multiple anatomic variants and numerous landmarks, which are important to comprehend in order to perform a successful and safe endoscopic sinus surgery.

ANTECEDENTES: el foramen esfenopalatino se localiza en la pared nasal, con múltiples variantes y referencias anatómicas que es importante conocer para optimizar los RESULTADOS del tratamiento quirúrgico y la epistaxis posterior. OBJETIVO: describir la anatomía endoscópica del foramen esfenopalatino, las estructuras relacionadas, y las variantes anatómicas en población mexicana. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: estudio prospectivo, observacional y experimental. Se incluyeron 5 especímenes cadavéricos, se realizaron las disecciones para identificar la anatomía del foramen esfenopalatino y sus variantes anatómicas, se midieron diferentes referencias anatómicas a la columela. RESULTADOS: de 10 disecciones realizadas, en 100% de los casos se identificó la cresta etmoidal anterior al foramen esfenopalatino, la localización en la pared nasal en 60% de los casos fue en la transición del meato medio con el meato superior, el nervio Vidiano en 90% de los casos se localizó posterosuperior al foramen esfenopalatino. En relación con las mediciones no se encontraron diferencias significativas entre ambos lados de cada fosa nasal. CONCLUSIONES: las variantes anatómicas del foramen esfenopalatino son múltiples, por lo que contar con referencias anatómicas es de suma importancia para poder localizarlo durante la cirugía endoscópica nasal. Palabras clave: foramen esfenopalatino, arteria esfenopalatina, nervio vidiano, epistaxis posterior, cresta etmoidal, pared nasal.

Tratamiento endoscópico de las epistaxis posteriores: Experiencia del Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile entre los años 2007 y 2011 / Endoscopic treatment of posterior epistaxis: Experience at the Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile between the years 2007 and 2011

Introducción: La epistaxis corresponde al motivo de consulta de urgencia más frecuente en otorrinolaringología. Su etiología es multifactorial, predominantemente de causa traumática. Una alternativa de manejo quirúrgico en los casos de epistaxis significativa es la cauterización o ligadura endoscópica de la arteria esfenopalatina (AEP). Objetivos: Este estudio pretende revisar la experiencia del Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile en el manejo endoscópico de pacientes con epistaxis posterior. Material y método: Se revisaron los registros quirúrgicos del servicio entre los años 2007y 2011 considerando todos los pacientes que fueron tratados por epistaxis posterior mediante cirugía endoscópica nasal. Resultados: Se revisó un total de 23 casos. La edad promedio de los pacientes fue 52±18 años. Sesenta por ciento presentaba el antecedente de hipertensión arterial en tratamiento. Se realizó ligadura con clips más electrocauterización de AEP en 52,1% de los casos, ligadura con clips de AEP en 26,2%%, y electrocauterización de AEP en 21,7%% de los casos. Discusión y conclusiones: El manejo endoscópico de las epistaxis posteriores es una técnica sencilla y reproducible, constituyendo una herramienta terapéutica segura y eficaz para estos pacientes.

Introduction: Epistaxis is by far the most common emergency complaint in otolaryngology. Its etiology is multifactorial, predominantly by traumatic causes. An alternative in surgical management of significant epistaxis cases, is the endoscopic cauterization or ligature of the sphenopalatine artery (SPA). Aim: This study aims to review the experience of the Hospital Clínico de la Universidad de Chile in the endoscopic management of patients with posterior epistaxis. Material and methods: The surgical records have been reviewed between the years 2007and 2011, considering all patients who were treated for posterior epistaxis, by endoscopic nasal surgery. Results: A total of 23 cases were reviewed. The average age of patients was 52 ± 18 years. 60% of patients had a history of hypertension in treatment. Clip ligature with electrocauterization of the SPA was performed in 52.1% of cases, clip ligature of the SPA in 26.2%%, and isolated electrocauterization of the SPA in 21.7%% of cases. Discussion and conclusions: Endoscopic treatment of posterior epistaxis is a simple and reproducible technique, being a safe and effective therapeutic tool for these patients.