Acta oto-laryngologica
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Acta oto-laryngologica · Dec 2012
Management of difficult suspension laryngoscopy using a GlideScope® Video Laryngoscope.
The GlideScope® Video Laryngoscope (GVL) provides a successful method for obtaining adequate visualization of the larynx in patients with difficult laryngeal exposure (DLE). Although the GVL is far from an ideal laryngoscope for laryngeal surgery because of its low image quality and narrow curved operation space, valuable concepts regarding its development can be used for designing a new laryngoscope specifically for otolaryngology. ⋯ Using the GVL, full visualization of the larynx was obtained in all patients with minimal need for excessive internal or external pressure. Manipulations to remove simple lesions or perform a biopsy were carried out successfully. All of the surgeries were completed with excellent visualization and without any major complications.
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Acta oto-laryngologica · Dec 2012
WHO Surgical Safety Checklist in otorhinolaryngology-head and neck surgery: specialty-related aspects of check items.
The WHO surgical checklist is well suited to otorhinolaryngology-head and neck surgery (ORL-HNS) and the users are satisfied with its content. ⋯ In all, 101 responses were received from OR staff; the response rate was 95.3%. The users were mainly satisfied with the checklist's content for ORL-HNS operations. Mean scores of the importance of check items varied from 4.08 to 4.89 on a five-point scale. The item 'Allergy' had the highest score and 'Team members introduced' the lowest. A need to modify the checklist for in-hospital patients did not emerge. However, a more compact checklist for outpatient surgery carried out under local anaesthesia was suggested.
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Acta oto-laryngologica · Jan 2012
Comparative StudySleep-related groaning: prevalence and characteristics in a cohort of patients with suspected obstructive sleep apnea.
Nocturnal groaning has the same prevalence in patients referred for diagnosis of sleep-disordered breathing as among other populations referred for sleep studies. The respiratory tracings in these patients have a distinct appearance that is possible to recognize with a polygraphic recording and thereby prevent the pattern from being misdiagnosed as central apneas. ⋯ Four patients were diagnosed with video polysomnography, and the diagnosis of nocturnal groaning was confirmed. The prevalence of groaning in our sleep laboratory was 0.4%. All the patients had a mild form of sleep-related disturbance, and all groaning episodes occurred during REM sleep. The groaning events appeared in clusters. The length of each groan varied between 4 and 38 s. The number of events in a period varied between 2 and 11, and the length of each groaning period ranged between 11 and 168 s.
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Sigmoid sinus diverticulum-induced pulsatile tinnitus is a rare medical problem. Here we report a case where pulsatile tinnitus occurred in the perimenopause with evidence of sigmoid sinus diverticulum. ⋯ While diagnosis is critical for the treatment, this disorder can be diagnosed relatively easily, and a satisfactory therapeutic outcome can be achieved using a simple surgical approach. The sigmoid sinus diverticulum may be a clinical manifestation of osteoporosis occurring in the perimenopausal period.
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Acta oto-laryngologica · Jul 2011
Comparative StudyBlood pressure and free flap oxygenation in head and neck cancer patients.
This study suggests that although oxygen partial pressure in tissue (p(ti)O(2)) measurement is a feasible method for continuous postoperative monitoring of free flaps, low correlation between blood pressure (BP) and p(ti)O(2) might predict compromised overall outcome. Thus, it is of utmost importance to keep the BP optimal for adequate perfusion of re-anastomosed tissue transfers. ⋯ The correlation coefficient between p(ti)O(2) and BP was relatively high in all patients with uneventful flap survival (r (mean) = 0.63, n = 5). In flaps with haemodynamic problems or compromised flap vitality the correlation appeared low (r(mean) = -0.02, n = 5).