Autologous Tragal Perichondrium Graft for Vocal Fold Scar and Sulcus Vocalis

Between 2006 and 2016 in a Tertiary Academic Center, 11 patients underwent phonomicrosurgery with tragal perichondrium graft placement in Reinke's space for the treatment of sulcus (Ford type 2) and vocal fold scar. A total of six patients out of 11 had an additional autologous fat implantation in order to improve the glottic closure. We evaluated the functional outcome using the Spanish validated version of the VHI- 30 before and 6 months after the surgery. We also measured the subjective appreciation of the obtained outcome, a perceptual voice evaluation using GRBAS scale, and changes in videostroboscopy examinations concerning mucosal wave and glottic closure. In the VHI-30 questionnaire, we observed an improvement in all patients (six of which showed an improvement of 50% or more) with statistically significant results (P = 0.003), and no significant differences between sulcus (Ford type 2) and vocal cord scar patients (P = 0.7579). The results obtained from the single question assessing changes in voice quality showed a high improvement in seven patients. According to the GRBAS scale, all cases improved. Concerning the results of the videostroboscopy, two patients obtained very favorable results, eight of them presented a moderate recovery and only one improved slightly. The following complications were identified: two granulomas, a graft extrusion and a tragal infection. The tragal perichondrium used as an autograft in Reinke's space appears to be a safe and satisfactory choice, comparable to other grafts such as temporalis fascia or autologous fat.

Phone Speech Recognition Improvement in Noisy Environment: Use of a Bluetooth Accessory

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate speech understanding in noise and patient satisfaction using the new Cochlear Wireless Phone Clip device.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Twenty-nine experienced cochlear implant (CI) users (>6 months usage) were situated in a soundproof room where a 65 dB SPL Spanish cocktail noise was generated continuously from 4 loudspeakers. Lists of disyllabic words were presented through the clinic landline telephone to the patients. Patients were tested first holding the phone and then with the Cochlear Phone Clip© paired to the CP910 using various mixing ratios (2:1, 4:1, and Phone Clip© only).

RESULTS

Statistically significant (P < .001) improvement of speech recognition performance was found in cell phone usage by wireless transmission and also when using this new device. Kepler questionnaire results showed that before using Phone Clip in everyday life, 55.2% of patients described themselves highly or greatly affected by their deafness for telephone use and 80% moderately to greatly affected. Kim questionnaire results showed statistically significant differences (P < .001) in the subjective satisfaction of the Bluetooth-implemented CI compared to the conventional mode for sound quality, noise interference, and sound accuracy.

CONCLUSIONS

The wireless Phone Clip© device helps implanted people to improve subjective and objective speech recognition performance through the phone in noisy environments.

Management of chronic otitis media by subtotal petrosectomy

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Subtotal petrosectomy is the complete exenteration of all air cell tracts of the temporal bone. The isthmus of the Eustachian tube is obliterated and the external auditory canal is closed. The aim of this study was to describe the use of this technique in the management of certain cases of chronic otitis media.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We conducted a retrospective revision of the patients treated in our Institution with this technique for chronic otitis media in a 5-year period (2008-2012). All charts were reviewed and data from the otomicroscopy, audiometry, radiology, surgical findings, postoperative complications and follow-up (including diffusion magnetic resonance imaging, MRI) of a minimum of 24 months were collected.

RESULTS

In this period petrosectomy was performed on 28 patients for chronic otitis media. We treated 13 cases as primary cases, while 15 cases were secondary (patients that had already undergone another procedure in that ear). Fifteen cases had no serviceable hearing. Only 1 case had an immediate postoperative complication (infection); during the posterior follow-up, 2 cases had to be reoperated for diffusion restriction in the mastoid area revealed in the MRI 2 years after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

A subtotal petrosectomy is rarely performed for the treatment of chronic otitis media. However, it is a technique that we have to keep in mind for the treatment of certain cases where there is recurrence and deep hearing loss, as well as in cases with good cochlear reserve if the disease coexists with other complications.

Bone-anchored hearing device surgery: Linear incision without soft tissue reduction. A prospective study

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

The classic surgical procedure for percutaneous bone-anchored hearing devices involves removal of a large area of subcutaneous tissue down to the periosteum. This leads to alopecia and raises the risk of devascularization of the overlying skin with the potential for infection and scarring. The objective of this study was to determine the results of implant placement using a single, linear incision with no underlying soft tissue reduction.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

A prospective study was conducted in our hospital over a period of 14 months in all consecutive surgeries performed using this technique in adults. Patients were reviewed regularly (week 1, week 3, weeks 4-6 and months 3, 6 and 12) to assess wound healing including evaluation with the Holgers scale.

RESULTS

Corresponding to 34 patients, 34 cases were consecutively enrolled in this study. We found that 15% of the patients had minor skin reactions during the first visit (Holgers grade 1 or 2); this number raised to 20% in week 3, but at week 4 only 1 patient had a reaction score of 1 (which was solved by week 6). None of the cases required revision surgery and all skin reactions were treated topically.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that the tissue preservation technique is a simple and effective insertion technique with a favourable healing process and cosmesis.