Functional Outcomes of Swallowing Following Surgery for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

OBJECTIVE

Identification and evaluation of swallowing dysfunction in patients undergoing upper airway surgery for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is limited. This study evaluated subjective swallowing function pre and postoperatively in patients undergoing multi-level reconstructive pharyngeal sleep surgery.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of prospectively-administered Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) scores was conducted among adult patients undergoing surgery for OSA at a tertiary sleep surgery center. Preoperative and 1, 3, and 6-month postoperative time points were assessed. Patients were subdivided into two groups based on the degree of upper airway reconstruction performed. All patients underwent uvulopalatopharyngoplasty +/-tonsillectomy and tongue-base reduction. Patients undergoing Phase 1 reconstructive surgery additionally underwent tongue-base advancement procedures.

RESULTS

A total 100 patients underwent airway reconstructive surgery. Forty-one patients underwent Phase 1 surgery; 59 patients underwent Mini-Phase 1 surgery. Neither group demonstrated preoperative dysphagia. Both groups experienced significant subjective dysphagia at 1-month postoperatively, which was greater among Phase 1 patients (mean EAT-10 14.8; SD 10.4) versus Mini-Phase 1 patients (mean EAT-10 6.7; SD 7.5) (p < 0.001). Swallowing function among both groups normalized by 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Phase 1 patients with pre-operative dysphagia (mean EAT-10 9.6; SD 5) demonstrated initial worsening of their swallowing postoperatively; however, reported improved swallowing versus pre-operative levels by 6 months postoperatively (mean EAT-10 3.6; SD 4.3) (p = 0.03).

CONCLUSION

Pharyngeal surgery resulted in no significant, persistent adverse change in swallowing function. Among both groups, significant subjective dysphagia was reported at 1 month postoperatively, yet returned to preoperative levels by 6 months postoperatively. OSA patients with pre-existing dysphagia undergoing Phase 1 surgery trended towards improved swallowing function postoperatively.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

2 Laryngoscope, 133:199-204, 2023.

The anatomical relation of the extracranial internal carotid artery in the parapharyngeal space

BACKGROUND

The proximity of the internal carotid artery to the pharyngeal wall poses a risk of injury during nasopharyngeal surgery.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to assess the distances between the extracranial internal carotid artery (ICA) and the pharyngeal wall.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Measurements were taken on certain levels of the pharynx using computed tomography angiography (angio-CT) scans of 97 patients. One-tailed Student's t-test for independent variables and a comparison of expected values for dependent pairs of observations were applied.

RESULTS

The shortest distance between the ICA and the pharyngeal wall was 1.1 mm. The ICA is closer to the pharyngeal wall at the epiglottis apex level (16.46 ±0.89 mm) than to the Eustachian tube (ET) (19.8 ±0.62 mm) (p < 0.0005). In women, the ICA is closer to the ET (19.44 ±0.78 mm) than in men (20.17 ±0.96 mm) (p = 0.04). In women, the right ICA is closer to the pharyngeal wall than the left ICA at the level of the lower margin of the 2nd cervical corpus vertebra (C2) (right: 17.6 ±1.8 mm; left: 20.7 ±1.7 mm) (p = 0.002) and at the level of the epiglottis apex (right: 15.2 ±1.7 mm; left: 17.4 ±1.4 mm) (p = 0.028). The bifurcation of the common carotid artery (CCA) is higher in men (19.48 ±2.19 mm below the C2) than in women (21.82 ±1.02 mm) (p < 0.001). When the bifurcation is at the level of the epiglottis apex, the ICA is closer to the pharyngeal wall (12.3 ±1.69 mm) than in other cases (16.46 ±0.89 mm) (p = 0.005). In men, the higher the bifurcation is, the closer the ICA is to the pharyngeal wall at the level of the lower margin of the C2 (p = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of ICA incision during surgery differs between the pharyngeal levels, genders and sides of the neck. The ICA may be much closer to the pharyngeal wall than described in the literature.

Use of α2-Adrenergic Agonists to Improve Surgical Field Visibility in Endoscopy Sinus Surgery: A Systematic Review of Randomised Controlled Trials

PURPOSE

We assessed the evidence for the use of α₂-adrenergic agonists (A2AAs) in bleeding control and field quality in endoscopic sinus surgery.

METHODS

We systematically reviewed randomized clinical trials (RCTs) assessing A2AAs in endoscopic sinus surgery. Abstracts were reviewed by 2 investigators for eligibility, and selected articles were fully reviewed. Data on study design, population, A2AA drug and control groups, bleeding and surgical field quality outcomes, and adverse effects were extracted and synthesized.

FINDINGS

A total of 13 RCTs that included 896 individuals (7 double-blind trials, 5 single-blind trials, and 1 open-label trial) were selected that assessed the efficacy of clonidine (6 RCTs, 407 patients), dexmedetomidine (6 RCT, 423 patients), or both (1 RCT, 66 patients). Clonidine was compared with placebo (3 RCTs), midazolam (1 RCT), and remifentanil (2 RCTs). Dexmedetomidine was compared with esmolol (2 RCTs), remifentanil (2 RCTs), nitroglycerin and esmolol (1 RCT), and magnesium sulfate (1 RCT). Clonidine and dexmedetomidine were compared in 1 RCT. Clonidine reduced the proportion of individuals with an impaired surgical field by 23% vs placebo (number needed to treat = 4). Clonidine was better than midazolam and remifentanil in 2 trials, and dexmedetomidine was better than magnesium sulfate and esmolol in 2 trials but was not superior to esmolol, remifentanil, or nitroglycerin in 4 trials. Dexmedetomidine produced significantly better differences in bleeding outcomes versus clonidine. Adverse events were infrequent and mainly caused by hypotension or bradycardia.

IMPLICATIONS

RCTs consistently report that A2AAs reduce bleeding and improve surgical field quality during endoscopic sinus surgery. Adverse event reporting was often omitted in RCTs. Well-designed RCTs with appropriate sample sizes are desirable to identify the best A2AAs and confirm their potential effects on clinical outcomes.

Tomographical Findings in Adult Patients Undergoing Endoscopic Sinus Surgery Revision

Introduction  Many patients undergoing functional endoscopic sinus surgery still have an uncontrolled clinical disease in the late post-operative period. Up to 11.4% of the patients will require a revision surgery. Findings such as the residual uncinated process and the lateralization of the middle turbinate were considered by some studies as being responsible for failure in the primary surgery. Objectives  To describe the tomographical findings in adult patients undergoing revision endoscopic sinus surgery, the profile of those patients, and verify the mucosal thickening level of the paranasal sinus. Methods  Data were collected from medical records and computed tomography reports of 28 patients undergoing revision sinus surgery on a private service in the city of Blumenau between 2007 and 2014. The score of Lund-Mackay was used to verify the mucosal thickening level. Results  Among the 28 patients, 23 were reoperated once, 3 were reoperated twice, and 2 were reoperated 3 times. The most relevant findings were mucosal thickening of the maxillary sinus (89.28%), deviated septum (75%), thickening of the ethmoid (50%) and sphenoidal sinuses (39.28%), and pneumatization of the middle turbinate (39.28%). The average obtained in the Lund-Mackay score was 5.71, with most patients classified in the lower range of punctuation. Conclusion  The analysis of the computed tomography scans showed persistent structures that may be responsible for the failure of the primary surgery. Computed tomography is a useful tool to plan the surgery and quantify the post-operative success.

Surgeon and hospital cost variability for septoplasty and inferior turbinate reduction

BACKGROUND

Septoplasty and turbinate reduction (STR) is a common procedure for which cost reduction efforts may improve value. The purpose of this study was to identify sources of variation in medical facility and surgeon costs associated with STR, and whether these costs correlated with short-term complications.

METHODS

An observational cohort study was performed in a multifacility network using a standardized cost-accounting system to determine costs associated with adult STR from January 1, 2008 to July 31, 2015. A total of 4007 cases, performed at 21 facilities, by 72 different surgeons were included in the study. Total costs, variable costs, operating room (OR) time, and 30-day complications (eg, epistaxis) were compared among surgeons, facilities, and specialties.

RESULTS

Total procedure cost: (mean ± standard deviation [SD]) $2503 ± $790 (range, $852 to $10,559). Mean total variable cost: $1147 ± $423 (range, $400 to $5,081). Intersurgeon and interfacility variability was significant for total cost (p < 0.0001) and OR time (p < 0.0001). Intersurgeon OR supply cost variability was also significant (p < 0.0001). Otolaryngologists had less total cost (p < 0.0001), OR time/cost (p < 0.0001), and complications (p = 0.0164), but greater supply cost (p < 0.0001), than other specialties.

CONCLUSION

There is wide variation in cost associated with STR. Significant variance in OR time and supply cost between surgeons suggests these are potential areas for cost reduction. Although no increased 30-day complications were seen with faster and less costly surgeries, further research is needed to evaluate how time and cost relate to quality of care.

Surgical Treatment of Rhinogenic Contact Point Headache: An Experience from a Tertiary Care Hospital

Introduction Even in the absence of inflammatory disease, facial pain often results from pressure of two opposing nasal mucosa surfaces. Objectives The objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of surgical treatment of contact point headache. Methods Our study enrolled patients with unilateral facial pain and without nasal/paranasal sinus disease. We confirmed the presence of mucosal contact by nasal endoscopy and by computed tomography. Forty-two subjects with the three most common anatomical variations underwent complete evaluation: 17 with concha bullosa (CB), 11 with septal deviation (SD), and 14 with septal spur (SS). All participants were treated by topical corticosteroid, adrenomimetic, and antihistamine. The patients without improvement were treated surgically. We assessed the severity of pain using a Visual Analogue Score (VAS) before surgical treatment and one, six, twelve, and twenty-four months after. Results The patients with SS had more severe facial pain in comparison with patients with CB (p = 0.049) and SD (p = 0.000). The subjects with CB had higher degree of facial pain than the ones with SD (p = 0.001). After an unsuccessful medical treatment and surgical removal of mucosal contacts, the decrease of headache severity was more intense in patients with CB and SS (p = 0.000) than in the patients with SD (p = 0.01). Conclusion Our results suggest that topical medications have no effects and that surgical removal of mucosal contacts could be effective in the treatment of contact point headache. The results of surgical treatment were better in cases of facial pain caused by SS and CB, than in those caused by SD.

An Improved Instrument Table for Use in Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

BACKGROUND

The clinical motivation for the current study was that various instrument tables are located far away from the patient's head, and the only way for the surgeon to access an instrument is via a scrub nurse. Thus, the idea for this study was the development and evaluation of an improved and conveniently positioned instrument table.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

An improved instrument table (IT) was designed, built, and tested. We assessed its use in 150 surgeries from 1 October 2013 to 30 June 2014 (group A), and another 150 surgeries without use of the IT from 1 February 2013 to 31 October 2014 as a control group (group B).

RESULTS

With use of the improved IT during functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS), preparation-time was extended by 0.1 min and the SLOT-time was reduced by 19.6%. The number of different instruments (35.3%) used was reduced, as well as the number of manual interactions with instruments (7.8%) and the number of manual interactions with the scrub nurse (66.1%). In addition, the ergonomics with use of the IT improved by 40.0%. The only potential disadvantage was a reduction of working space and thereby a constraint of the scope. Compared to the benefits, this problem is minor.

CONCLUSIONS

Conclusively, the improved IT is of value for everyday use in surgery and offers a great benefit for FESS, and may be useful in other kinds of surgery (e.g., duraplasty).

Prophylactic administration of haloperidol plus midazolam reduces postoperative nausea and vomiting better than using each drug alone in patients undergoing middle ear surgery

Aims:

The efficacy of using midazolam or haloperidol for prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) has been investigated before. The main object of the present study was to evaluate the anti-emetic effects of combining administration of intravenous haloperidol with intravenous midazolam on PONV in patients underwent middle ear surgery in comparison with using each drug alone.

Methods:

Study design was randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled. 80 patients, aged 18-60 years, scheduled for middle ear surgery in Kashani Hospital Medical Center under general anesthesia were enrolled in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Patients were divided into 4 groups of 20 each and received haloperidol 2 mg i.v. (Group H); midazolam 2 mg i.v. (Group M); haloperidol 2 mg plus midazolam 2 mg i.v. (Group HM); saline i.v. (Group C). The incidences of PONV and complete response were evaluated at 0-2 hours after arrival to the PACU and 2-24 hours after arrival to the ward in 4 groups.

Results:

Patients in group HM had significantly lower incidence of PONV compared with groups H, M, and C throughout 0-24 h (P<00.5). The HM group had the lowest incidence of PONV (0-2, 2-24, and 0-24 h) and the highest incidence of complete response. Postoperative anti-emetic requirement was significantly less in group HM compared with group M or H (P<0.05).

Conclusion:

Combine administration of haloperidol 2 mg plus midazolam 2 mg significantly reduced PONV better than using each drug alone in patients underwent middle ear surgery under general anesthesia.