The Laryngoscope
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Comment Letter Historical Article
Elective percutaneous (Rapitrac) tracheotomy.
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Comparative Study
Trends in the management of alcohol withdrawal syndrome.
Alcohol use among head and neck cancer patients is common. Alcohol withdrawal (especially delirium tremens) poses significant potential morbidity to postsurgical patients. Treatment with newer benzodiazepines (BZDs) such as lorazepam and midazolam has become more widespread, and mortality rates from severe alcohol withdrawal have decreased in recent years. ⋯ The higher complication rate and lower treatment success with combination treatment was multifactorial. Optimal management of the alcohol withdrawal syndrome requires an understanding of its pathophysiology and the principles of its prevention along with a familiarity of BZD pharmacokinetic drug profiles. The authors present a treatment plan which is cost-effective, keeps morbidity low, and should allow a continued decreasing trend in mortality rates from delirium tremens.
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A 25-year experience with total conservative parotidectomy for primary benign pleomorphic adenoma (PBPA) of the parotid gland in a consecutive series of 229 patients has been reviewed. This study focuses on survival, morbidity, PBPA recurrence, postoperative facial nerve dysfunction, and Frey's syndrome. Surgical death was never encountered in this study. ⋯ The overall incidence for Frey's syndrome was 65.9%. Kaplan-Meier actuarial analysis demonstrated the need for a minimal 5-year follow-up to assess Frey's syndrome incidence. The mean age was statistically lower in patients presenting with Frey's syndrome.
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Disruption of the cricoarytenoid joint is a relatively uncommon event, according to the world literature. Only 31 reported cases of arytenoid dislocation or subluxation exist other than the 26 cases described in this paper. ⋯ Even when diagnosis has been delayed, surgery may be highly effective. Familiarity with state-of-the-art diagnostic techniques and new concepts in management helps optimize the chances for good voice quality.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Safety and tolerability of the implantable recurrent laryngeal nerve stimulator.
The recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) stimulator has been implanted on a limited basis since 1988 for control of spasmodic dysphonia. A similar vagus nerve stimulator has been implanted in a larger series of patients to control epilepsy. The safety and tolerability of these two stimulators were evaluated. ⋯ All patients were monitored for vital signs, electrocardiographic changes, and adverse effects. The absence of changes in vital signs and electrocardiograms during vagal stimulation establishes the safety of this treatment. Since placement of the electrode around the vagus nerve is an easier surgical technique than placement deep to the RLN, it seems reasonable to change the technique to implant the stimulator on the vagus in patients with spasmodic dysphonia.