Blog Archive

Αλέξανδρος Γ. Σφακιανάκης

Sunday, July 18, 2021

The use of thyroid cartilage needle electrodes in intraoperative neuromonitoring during thyroidectomy: A case–control study

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader

Abstract

Background

The most commonly used recording-side method in intraoperative neural monitoring (IONM) detects the stimulus with the endotracheal tube surface (ETS) electrodes placed in the endotracheal tube during thyroidectomy. The thyroid cartilage needle (TCN) electrode method is an alternative recording-side system in IONM. This study compared two recording-side techniques in IONM.

Methods

Data were retrospectively analyzed from 885 patients who underwent thyroidectomy between January 2012 and December 2020, with 110 ETS and 775 TCN electrodes. Patients' demographics, diagnosis, surgery type, and amplitudes of all stimulation steps were compared. Costs per patient were calculated.

Results

No significant differences were found in the demographic data between the two groups. All amplitudes were higher in the IONM system where TCN electrodes were used than that with ETS electrodes (all stimulation steps p < 0.001, except left-V2 p = 0.007). Further, TCN electrodes were 20 times cheaper than the ETS electrodes.

Conclusion

TCN electrodes are an inexpensive and efficient alternative to ETS electrodes in IONM.

View on the web

Simple, but effective: Nasal splinting for airway securement in free flap reconstruction following orbital exenteration

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader

Abstract

Orbital exenteration is a disfiguring procedure that often results in free tissue transfer for reconstructive purposes. The reconstructive focus is the obliteration of dead space while sparing the nasal airway, particularly if the medial orbital wall was resected. Prolapse of transferred tissue into the nasal airway may cause breathing difficulties drastically compromising quality of life. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the effectiveness and feasibility of temporary nasal septum splints as mechanical support for transferred tissue, to prevent airway obstruction. This novel application technique was employed in three patients between 2017 and 2018. No flap loss or sino-orbital fistulas were observed. On postoperative MRI and endoscopy, a patent nasal airway was observed at all times. Temporary nasal splinting in combination with free tissue transfer proved to be a simple, but effective reconstructive option for securing the nasal airway following orbital exenteratio n with resection of the medial orbital wall.

View on the web

Serum lactate dehydrogenase is a predictive biomarker in patients with oropharyngeal cancer undergoing radiotherapy: A retrospective study on predictive factors

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader

Abstract

Background

The present study aimed to evaluate the prognostic factors in human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive and HPV-negative oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) treated with definitive radiotherapy.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated 101 patients with OPC who underwent definitive radiotherapy between 2008 and 2018.

Results

The median follow-up period of the surviving patients was 68 months (range, 8–164 months). The 5-year overall survival rate was 69.8%. Univariate analyses revealed that poor survival was associated with male sex, smoking ≥30 pack-years, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≥1, tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage III-IV (8th edition), HPV-negativity, serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) ≥202, C-reactive protein/albumin ratio ≥0.15, and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio <2.90. In multivariate analyses, poor survival was independently correlated with smoking ≥30 pack-years (p < 0.01) and LDH ≥202 (p = 0.02).

Conclusions

The present study suggested that high LDH levels predicted poor survival after definitive radiotherapy for patients with both HPV-positive and HPV-negative OPC.

View on the web

Search for genetic loci involved in the constitution and skin type of a Japanese women using a genome‐wide association study

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader

Abstract

The constitution and skin type of individuals are influenced by various factors. Recently, the influence of genetic predispositions on these has been emphasized. To date, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have shown several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that affect individual's constitution and skin type. However, these studies have mainly focused on the Caucasian population, and only a few association analyses with the constitution and skin type of individuals involving a Japanese population have been conducted. In this study, we conducted a GWAS analysis of 9 phenotypes regarding the constitution or skin type of 1108 Japanese women based on a questionnaire. As a result, in addition to SNPs known to be involved in phenotypes in the past, we discovered new SNPs and genetic regions related to darkness of pigmented spots, skin flushing, frequency of rough skin, and responsiveness to cosmetics.

View on the web

Simultaneous measurements of single gamma ray of 131I and annihilation radiation of 18F with Compton PET hybrid camera

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader

pubmed-meta-image.png

Appl Radiat Isot. 2021 Jul 10;176:109864. doi: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2021.109864. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

In internal 131I therapy for thyroid cancer, a decision to continue treatment is made by comparing 131I scintigraphy and [18F]FDG-PET. However, with current SPECT and PET systems, simultaneous imaging of diagnostic PET nuclides and therapeutic 131I nuclides has not been achieved so far. Therefore, we demonstrated that the recently developed Compton PET hybrid camera with C e:Gd3(Al,Ga)5O12 (GAGG)- Silicon Photomultiplier(SiPM) scintillation detectors can be used to simultaneously image 131I Compton image and 18F PET image.

PMID:34265566 | DOI:10.1016/j.apradiso.2021.109864

View on the web

Simultaneous measurements of single gamma ray of 131I and annihilation radiation of 18F with Compton PET hybrid camera

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader

pubmed-meta-image.png

Appl Radiat Isot. 2021 Jul 10;176:109864. doi: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2021.109864. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

In internal 131I therapy for thyroid cancer, a decision to continue treatment is made by comparing 131I scintigraphy and [18F]FDG-PET. However, with current SPECT and PET systems, simultaneous imaging of diagnostic PET nuclides and therapeutic 131I nuclides has not been achieved so far. Therefore, we demonstrated that the recently developed Compton PET hybrid camera with C e:Gd3(Al,Ga)5O12 (GAGG)- Silicon Photomultiplier(SiPM) scintillation detectors can be used to simultaneously image 131I Compton image and 18F PET image.

PMID:34265566 | DOI:10.1016/j.apradiso.2021.109864

View on the web

ROBOTIC SURGERY COSTS: REVEALING THE REAL VILLAINS

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader

Summary

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the main drivers of robot assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) hospitalization costs, in addition to assess perioperative predictors that impact costs.

Methods

Overall, 474 RARP were analyzed between 02/2018 and 12/2019. The association between perioperative variables and total direct costs was analyzed by simple and multiple linear regression.

Discussion

The main drivers of RARP hospitalization costs were robotic surgical supplies. Costs increased with American Society of Anesthesiologists score 3, a one-hour increase in OR time, increased utilization of polymeric clip packs and longer length of hospital stay. There was a 11.5% reduction in costs with the use of four robotic instruments instead of five.

Conclusion

Costs of hospitalization were mainly influenced by the OR time, use of surgical supplies and length of hospital stay. Reducing the number of robotic instruments used in RARP represented the potentially modifiable factor with the greatest impact on cost reduction.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

View on the web

Comparing the Temporal Aspects of Velopharyngeal Closure in Children with and without Cleft Palate

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader

?image=000517296-1.jpg

Introduction: Children with cleft palate exhibit differences in the 4 temporal components of nasalization (nasal onset and offset intervals, nasal consonant duration, and total speech duration), with various patterns having been noted based on different languages. Thus, the current study aimed to examine the temporal aspects of velopharyngeal closure in children with and without cleft palate; this is the first study to do so in the Turkish language. Methods: This s tudy evaluated and compared the 4 temporal characteristics of velopharyngeal closure in children (aged 6–10 years) with (n = 28) and without (n = 28) cleft palate using nonword consonant and vowel speech samples, including the bilabial nasal-to-stop combination /mp/ and the velar nasal-to-stop combination /ηk/. Acoustic data were recorded using a nasometer, after which acoustic waveforms were examined to determine the 4 temporal components of nasalization. Flexible nasoendoscopy was then used to evaluate velopharyngeal closure patterns. Results: With regard to the 4 closure patterns, significant differences in the nasal offset interval (F4–25 = 10.213, p = 0.04; p #x3c; 0.05) and the nasal consonant duration ratio (F4–25 = 12.987, p = 0.02; p #x3c; 0.05) were observed for only /ampa/. The coronal closure pattern showed the longest closure duration (0.74 s). Children with cleft palate s howed prolonged temporal parameters in all 4 characteristics, reflecting oral-nasal resonance imbalances. In particular, the low vowel sound /a/ was significantly more prolonged than the high vowel sounds /i/ and /u/. Conclusions: The examined temporal parameters offer more accurate characterizations of velopharygeal closure, thereby allowing more accurate clinical assessments and more appropriate treatment procedures. Children with cleft palate showed longer nasalization durations compared to those without the same. Thus, the degree of hypernasality in children with cleft palate may affect the temporal aspects of nasalization.
Folia Phoniatr Logop
View on the web

Preoperative versus Post-operative Radiotherapy for Extremity Soft tissue Sarcoma: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Long-term Survival

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader

J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2021 Jun 9:S1748-6815(21)00295-3. doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2021.05.043. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The role of perioperative radiotherapy in the management of resectable extremity soft tissue sarcoma (ESTS) is widely recognised for local tumour control, wound complications (WC) and long-term function. However, debate continues regarding its implications on long-term survival. This study aimed to determine whether the timing of perioperative radiotherapy affects long-term survival outcomes in adults with ESTS.

METHODS: A systematic literature search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science and Cochrane was performed. The primary outcome measure was the pooled hazard ratio (HR) at 95% confidence intervals. Secondary outcomes and subgroup analyses were presented as cumulative odds ratios (OR). A random-effects, generic inverse variance method and sensitivity analysis were performed to minimise he terogeneity.

RESULTS: Six studies (n = 4192 patients) were identified. Time-to-event analysis demonstrated a statistically significant advantage in post-operative radiotherapy for overall survival (HR 1.15 and p = 0.05). Combined HRs for disease-free (1.25 and p = 0.22) and disease-specific (1.06 and p = 0.43) survival also favoured post-operative radiotherapy but did not achieve statistical significance. Post-operative radiotherapy was shown to confer an overall (OR 1.19 and p = 0.01), disease-free (OR 1.19 and p = 0.01) and disease-specific (OR 1.19 and p = 0.01) survival advantage on subgroup analysis. This survival benefit was best observed at three years in the disease-free survival comparison (OR 1.55 and p = 0.003). Preoperative radiotherapy was associated with more WC (OR 2.74 and p<0.00001).

CONCLUSIONS: Pooled analysis of published literature suggests that post-operative radiotherapy confers a significant long-term survival advantage with fewer WC. Further l arge multicentre randomised controlled trials with long-term follow-up are required to determine the optimal perioperative radiotherapy regime in adult ESTS.

PMID:34266806 | DOI:10.1016/j.bjps.2021.05.043

View on the web

Evaluation of local tranexamic acid on septoplastic surgery quality

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader

J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2021 Mar 24:S1748-6815(21)00097-8. doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2021.03.008. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Even a small amount of bleeding during nose surgery can impair the surgeon's vision, prolong the duration of operation, and affect surgery quality; therefore, various techniques have been proposed to control the bleeding. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of the local use of tranexamic acid (TXA) in the dry field of surgery.

METHOD: This randomized, double-blinded, controlled trial was conducted in the operation room of Imam Reza Hospital, Tehran, Iran, from January 10, 2016 to February 8, 2017. Sixty patients with age range from 20 to 60 years and the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classes I candidates who require septoplasty enrolled. Patients were randomized through white and black cards to receive either syringes. Thirty patients in the interventi on group received lidocaine + adrenaline + TXA and 30 patients in the control group received lidocaine + adrenaline. Bleeding volume accumulated in the suction chamber, the nasopharyngeal pack, and hemodynamic variations were measured. Surgeon's satisfaction scores and suitability of operation field were obtained from the surgeon by using the Likert scale and Boezaart grading scale, respectively.

RESULTS: The intervention group had a higher score of surgeon satisfaction [4.1 vs 3.16 in the control group (P = 0.001)] and fewer hemodynamic variations. The mean bleeding volume in the intervention was 187.23 ± 54.61 mL and in the control group was 341.22 ± 49.17 mL (P = 0.001). The mean Boezaart score (suitability of operation field) in the intervention group was 1.8 (score range: 1-3) and in the control group was 2.53 (score range: 2-4) and it was statistically significant (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSION: The local use of TXA + lidocaine + adrenaline is associated with reduced bl eeding, greater surgeon satisfaction, reduced need for Karpol injection, and better hemodynamic stability.

PMID:34266802 | DOI:10.1016/j.bjps.2021.03.008

View on the web

Cost of peripheral facial palsy treatment with Botulinum Toxin type A

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader

J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2021 Jun 23:S1748-6815(21)00336-3. doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2021.06.003. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Facial palsy (FP) is one of the most common neuropathies. Overall, 15%-30% of patients develop chronic sequelae. Several studies support the use of botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) in the treatment of FP sequelae. No studies have analyzed the cost of treating FP with BoNT-A.

METHODS: A retrospective review of data from all clinical records of consultations and procedures that took place at the FP Treatment Unit clinic throughout 2017. Type of BoNT-A used, total dose used, unilateral or bilateral injection, date of consultation, and gender were collected. The price of expendable materials, BoNT-A, and the 2017 salary scale was obtained to establish costs.

RESULTS: During 2017, 605 clinical procedures were conducted in 240 patients. The mean number of procedures was 2.5 (0.80). The average time between procedures was 124(28.72) days. The total annual cost was 34.155,10€. The average annual cost of BoNT-A for each procedure was 39,93€, and the total annual cost of BoNT-A was 24.160,58€. On average, more units of IncotoxA were injected. This difference is not reflected in the final cost of each BoNT-A. For patients who achieved treatment stability, the average annual cost per patient was 106,6€ (OnatoxA) and 100,6€ (IncotoxA).

CONCLUSION: In our unit, treatment with BoNT-A in FP sequelae had an average annual cost of 124,31€ per patient, requiring a visit to the hospital to receive treatment every 124 days. Given the functional and quality of life improvements, we should consider that it is a beneficial treatment at an acceptable cost.

PMID:34266804 | DOI:10.1016/j.bjps.2021.06.003

View on the web