The Laryngoscope
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Most otoplasty techniques are variations of suturing and sculpting concepts. Thick cartilage and its tricky everlasting reshaping is a difficult task in suture techniques. It is more difficult to predict and control the final result in cartilage sculpting techniques. Animal studies demonstrated temperature-dependent cartilage stress relaxation during laser application resulting in stable shape changes. The aim of this study was to describe a novel surgical technique of carbon dioxide laser-assisted cartilage reshaping (CO(2) LACR) otoplasty and to show its outcome. ⋯ The present technique of CO(2) LACR otoplasty resulted in endurance of auricular appearance and symmetry, with good to satisfactory outcome to patient/parent.
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Comparative Study
Smoker's nose: structural and functional characteristics.
The effects of smoking on endonasal geometry and airflow remain largely unknown. Our study examined the relationship between smoking status and objective measures of nasal cavity dimensions, nasal congestion, and nasal airflow, using acoustic rhinometry (AR) and peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF). ⋯ We have clearly demonstrated that smokers exhibit lower MCA and NCV, achieve lower PNIF values, and have a less-compliant nasal mucosa than nonsmokers. Our results are unique, and provide evidence that smoking has adverse effects on the nasal airway, possibly due to mucosal inflammation. This might have further implications because altered nasal function could compromise the lower airways.
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Acute upper airway obstruction is a potentially life-threatening event. Hemophilia-A is a coagulopathy with high risk for spontaneous bleeding. Here we describe for the first time a spontaneous epiglottic internal hemorrhage leading to upper airway narrowing in a hemophilia-A patient. ⋯ In the first 48 hours there was rapid respiratory improvement. The epiglottic swelling resolved on the 5th day. In this patient no oral intubation or surgical management was needed.
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Comparative Study
Evaluation of the effectiveness of airway fluoroscopy in diagnosing patients with laryngomalacia.
To re-evaluate the usefulness of airway fluoroscopy (AF) in diagnosing laryngomalacia and to determine the effectiveness of AF in diagnosing laryngomalacia depending on the specific lesion. ⋯ AF is a commonly used modality in the diagnostic workup of a patient with stridor. The effectiveness of AF is limited when compared to endoscopy when used for the evaluation of laryngomalacia.