Getting started in endoscopic ear surgery

Endoscopic ear surgery (EES) is an exciting, rapidly developing and innovative field of otologic surgery. Technically and conceptually, EES is a significant departure from traditional microscopic transcanal approaches to the middle ear and canal that has shown very positive results with respect to patient outcomes. This review serves as a primer for the otologist and otology resident embarking on EES and discusses the theory surrounding the learning process, the optical chain for endoscopic surgery as well as other important underlying principles.     

Primary pediatric endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy—A review of 58 procedures

Objectives

The objectives of this study are to report the outcomes of pediatric patients with lacrimal system obstruction who underwent primary endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (EDCR).

Study design

The authors conducted a retrospective noncomparative case series.

Methods

The operative and postoperative data have been collected in 58 children aged between 3 months and 13 years (mean 4.1 years). The total of 58 primary EDCRs has been performed by two surgeons using a standardized surgical technique. The EDCRs were performed 52 times on one eye, 6 times on both eyes (3 times simultaneously, 3 times at the separate sitting with an interval of 4-6 months). The follow-up evaluations include taking history, clinical examinations including a fluorescein disappearance test.

Results

The follow-up interval ranged from 12 to 36 months (mean 17 months, median 15 months). The success rate was 51/58 (87.9%) in all 58 EDCRs. The success rate was 47/51 (92.2%) in the group of postsaccal obstructions, 3/5 (60.0%) in the group of postsaccal and suprasaccal obstrutions and 1/2 (50.0%) in presaccal obstructions. The procedures were successful in all eight children aged under 1 year old (100%) and in 14 of 15 children between 1 and 2 years old (93.3%). The silicone intubation was used in 54 EDCRs.

Conclusions

The endoscopic DCR is a safe and effective procedure for most children with the success rate comparable to that achieved in the external DCR and in adults. The success rate of the postsaccal obstructions is significantly higher than in presaccal or combined pre- and postsaccal obstructions.     

慢性鼻-鼻窦炎在内镜手术后不填塞的可行性研究和适应证探讨

目的：探讨功能性内镜鼻窦手术（FESS）后不做填塞的安全性和可行性，并对适应证进行研究。方法：对74例慢性鼻窦炎患者（不填塞组）在FESS术后不进行填塞（保障措施包括：适当的病例选择，术前和术后抗炎，止血药物治疗，术中减少损伤，术后细致的防粘连处理），并与填塞组（20例）进行对比分析。结果：不填塞组在FESS术后均无严重出血发生，术后渗血在2～6h内基本停止；在3个月的随访期内无术腔严重粘连发生。结论：采取适当的处理和预防措施，大多数FESS术后患者可不进行填塞，这可明显减轻患者的术后痛苦，降低治疗成本，也使患者对FESS治疗的依从性增加。     

Use of mitomycin C in endo-DCR

Objective: To evaluate the role of topical Mitomycin C in Endoscopic Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR), for the prevention of stomal stenosis.Patients: Thirty patients undergoing endoscopic DCR for chronic dacryocystitis were studied prospectively. The follow up period was 12 months.Technique: Patients were divided into two groups randomly. All of them underwent endoscopic DCR. One group was subjected to topical Mitomycin C application after surgery while the control group was not.Main outcome measures: Postoperative relief of epiphora and endoscopic documentation of the patency of the stoma were the main outcome measures.Results: 80% cases of the Mitomycin C group and 86.67% cases of the non Mitomycin C group had long-term successful results. This result is not statistically significant (p> 0.2).Conclusion: Intraoperative Mitomycin C application does not alter the long-term results in endoscopic DCR. A properly and adequately performed surgery is more vital for successful result.     

Osteoma of the skull base and sinuses

Osteomata of the frontal and ethmoid sinuses have traditionally been surgically removed via external approaches. However, endoscopic techniques have increasingly been used for the surgical management of selected cases. Advances in visualization and instrumentation, as well as the excellent access provided by the Draf type 3 procedure, expanded the reach of endoscopes. We describe current limits of endoscopic approaches in the removal of osteomata from the frontal sinus and our algorithms for their management. We believe that the vast majority of frontal sinus osteomata can be managed endoscopically, and that only significant anterior or extreme infero-lateral extension constitute major limiting factors.     

上颌窦窦口大小与鼻内镜手术疗效

目的探讨鼻内镜手术中扩大上颌窦自然窦口大小对手术疗效的影响.方法对我院1995～2002年Ⅱ型鼻窦炎患者行ESS手术扩大上颌窦自然窦口,按大小分为两组.一组为0.5～1.0cm,另一组为＞1.0cm.术后随访6～12月.结果窦口0.5～1.0cm治愈率为84.4%;窦口＞1.0cm治愈率为71.3%.窦口0.5～1.0cm明显优于窦口＞1.0cm,两组间治愈率差异有显著性意义(P＜0.01).结论在FESS手术中上颌窦自然窦口不宜过分扩大.     

真菌性鼻窦炎的内窥镜治疗

目的 探讨经鼻内窥镜治疗真菌性鼻窦炎的手术方法、疗效及适应症。方法 对我科近年经鼻内窥镜治疗或同时施行Caldwell-Luc手术的21例真菌性鼻窦炎进行总结分析。结果 21例原症状手术后均消失，术后2－3个月鼻内窥镜检查，窦腔内上皮化，窦口引流通畅，随访6个月－5年，21例均治愈，无一例复发。结论 经鼻内窥镜处理窦口鼻道复合体病变，保持窦口引流通畅是预防复发的重要因素之一，在处理筛窦、蝶窦病变时，内窥镜具有无可比拟的优势，严重上颌窦真菌病仍不能替代Caldwell-Luc手术，术后鼻内窥镜下清理术腔，可巩固疗效，促使早日痊愈。     

Endoscopic septoplasty

Endoscopic septoplasty is a minimally invasive technique that helps us to correct defornity of septum under excellent visualization. Lanza et al & Stammberger initially described the application of endoscopic technique for the correction of septal deformity in 1991. A retrospective study was carried out of all the cases that underwent endoscopic septoplasty at Dr. Shroff’s Charity Eye hospital from March 1998 to March 2000. 78 consecutive septoplasty patients were identified in two years. Out of these 48 septoplasties (52%) were performed with endoscopic technique. A large percentage of cases 48(41%) were those where septoplasty was performed in conjunction with endoscopic dacro cysto rhinostomy. In 8 cases (16%) it was performed alone as a primary procedure, 4 deviations were broadly based deflections (12%), 10 of septal deformities were spurs (20%), in 4 cases more than one type septal deformities were encountered. Thus we feel that endoscopic septoplasty is a fast developing concept & gaining popularity with increasing trend towards sinus endoscopic surgeries. Furthermore in complex deformities, better correction is possible with the help of endoscope. Since we can clearly see the posterior deviations.     

鼻内镜下手术治疗鼻高反应性疾病进展

鼻高反应性疾病在临床上主要包括变态反应性鼻炎和血管运动性鼻炎。目前大多数患者经过规范化药物治疗症状可以控制,但仍有部分患者症状持续存在或频繁发作,严重影响患者的生活质量。近年来,随着鼻内镜技术的发展,一些学者开始尝试通过内镜下手术治疗鼻高反应性疾病,且取得了较好的疗效。现就手术的适应证、手术方式、疗效、评价标准、并发症等进行综述。     

影响鼻内镜鼻窦手术疗效的相关因素分析

目的探讨影响鼻内镜鼻窦手术疗效的相关的原因.方法68例(132侧)慢性鼻窦炎鼻息肉患者均进行鼻内镜手术,术后随访1年,综合分析围手术期用药、病程、疾病分期、术后定期或不定期复查因素对疗效的影响.结果68例(132侧)患者术后随访1年,治愈58例,显效8例,无效2例,总有效率97.1%.影响疗效最大原因是术后是否定期复查及疾病分期.结论术后定期复查与处理是保证鼻内镜手术疗效的重要措施,疾病分期与围手术期用药对手术疗效有明显影响.     

The role of propofol as a general anaesthetic agent in surgery for sinonasal diseases

Propofol is known to he a better drug when used for induction of general anaesthesia. But when it is used for induction as well as maintenance of general anaesthesia in the surgery for sinonasal diseases, it significantly reduces the blood loss thereby improving the risibility of the endonasal structures and minimises the chance of complications related to endoseopic sinus surgery.     

A simple instrument for endoscopic laryngeal and pharyngeal surgery

A simple suture instrument for endoscopic microlaryngeal surgery is presented. It is made from a common sewing machine needle that is soldered in a 25 cm pipelike holder and is slightly bent near the point. The needle tip is so threaded that the thread can pierce through both edges of a wound following placement with an endoscopic tube. The thread is held by a forceps, the instrument withdrawn and the suture knotted. In practice, wounds can be sutured very quickly, easily and comfortable. An example of its application is use of the instrument to shorten significantly and simplify the performance of endoscopic arytenoidectomy.     

Efficacy of sinonasal simulator in teaching endoscopic nasal skills

Objectives/Hypothesis: To develop a nasal model (NM) which accurately simulates human texture and anatomy and to study the effect of training with NM on performance of video rigid nasal endoscopy and video flexible laryngoscopy. At the conclusion of this presentation, the participants should be able to demonstrate that training with nasal endoscopic simulation enhances efficiency and may improve comfort to the patient. Study Design: A randomized blinded control trial. Methods: Twenty medical students without prior endoscopic experience, stratified by prior video game experience, were randomized to training or no training on NM. All participants viewed a 15‐minute video instruction on endoscopy. Students randomized to training then practiced on the NM for 15 minutes. All students were tested within 90 minutes of the initial instruction with a timed identification of structures on NM followed by a timed flexible laryngoscopy on a human volunteer who ranked comfort/discomfort on a visual analogue scale. Results: The students in the training group had a significantly shorter procedure time on NM using rigid nasal endoscopy compared with untrained students (61 seconds vs. 104 seconds, P = .025). The trained students showed a trend, which did not reach statistical significance, toward faster flexible laryngoscopy on the model (23 seconds vs. 32 seconds, P = .085). The trained students had average lower discomfort scores (0.89 vs. 1.33) compared with untrained students, but this did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions: Our NM accurately simulates human texture and anatomy and provides an opportunity for endoscopic training without concern of bloodborne pathogens and expense of cadavers. Further development of the NM is warranted to expand the training utility.     

Endoscopic sinus surgery in children with chronic sinus disease failed on medical management

This pilot study assessed the safety and efficacy of Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (ESS) in children with chronic sinus disease. A total of 150 patients were carefully evaluated for intractable signs and symptoms of chronic sinus disease and 40 children were deemed appropriate candidates for ESS. All patients were medical management failures. Thirty percent of these children had bronchial asthma and fifteen percent had allergies. All patients were followed for atleast one year after surgery. Overall success rate as assessed at one year was 85.3%. The success was evaluated by a scoring system evolved out of this study for the subjective relief of symptoms. The commonest surgical complication observed was synechiae between the middle turbinate and the lateral nasal wall, that developed in 10% cases. The revision surgery was required in only 5 children who had associated systemic illness like bronchial asthma or allergies.     

Is Nasal Packing Necessary Following Endoscopic Sinus Surgery?

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To determine the necessity of nasal packing or hemostatic agents or both following endoscopic sinus surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of cases in a tertiary care sinus practice at an academic medical center. METHODS: Records of 165 patients undergoing 169 endoscopic sinus surgeries were reviewed to determine the presence of adjunctive nasal procedures, the use of nasal packing or hemostatic agents or both, blood loss during surgery, and the incidence of bleeding complications following surgery. RESULTS: The median estimated blood loss during surgery was 50.0 mL (range, 5-1000 mL). In four surgeries (2.4%) hemostatic agents were placed in the nose at the conclusion of surgery, 19 (11.2%) had packing, and 147 (87.0%) had no material left in the nose. No patients had bleeding complications postoperatively. There was a significant decrease in the use of packing or hemostatic agents or both over time. CONCLUSION: Placement of nasal packing or other hemostatic agents or both within the nasal cavity is not necessary in the majority of endoscopic sinus surgeries. The risks, costs, and discomforts associated with these interventions can often be avoided.