Otolaryngology - head and neck surgery

Article Abstract:

New developments in otolaryngology are described. Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS), which uses a fiberoptic telescope, will change the treatment of sinus disease. In one study, 93 out of 100 patients needed only one ESS surgical procedure, and were subsequently completely asymptomatic. ESS results in children have also been encouraging. The potassium-titanyl phosphate laser allows the otolaryngologist to vaporize, coagulate, or cut tissue seen by means of the ESS telescope, leading to rapid healing, and minimal edema (swelling) and scarring. The argon beam coagulator, which coagulates blood from bleeding vessels, has led to a considerable reduction in operative time for major head and neck operations in patients with cancer. It appears that the recurrence rate of head and neck cancer is higher for patients who receive blood transfusions at the time of surgery than for those who do not; however, no conclusion is made regarding the effect of transfusions on survival or recurrence. Investigation of cancerous cells from head and neck cancer indicated that interferon gamma inhibited cell growth at 39 degrees Centigrade better than interferon alpha. Cancer patients respond to interferon therapy with a temperature increase. In the field of otology, a hearing device which can be implanted into the middle ear has been developed. Treatment of otitis media (middle ear infection) is reviewed. Studies demonstrated that nerve stimulation is not more effective than nonsurgical approaches in treating Meniere's disease. Treatments for sialorrhea (excessive saliva production) are evaluated. Otolaryngology has benefitted from the results of many research efforts in the past year. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Methods, Usage, Lasers in surgery, Laser surgery, Interferon, Paranasal sinuses, Endoscopic surgery

---

Otolaryngology - head and neck surgery

Article Abstract:

In the closely related fields of otolaryngology and head and neck surgery, one of the major advances in recent years has been the use of fiberoptics. Using an endoscope, a slender flexible tube that permits visualization within body cavities, it has been possible to eliminate the necessity of major incisions in many surgical procedures involving the head. The technique is continuing to become safer and more effective. For example, defects in skull bones at the base of the brain can lead to the leakage of cerebrospinal fluid. Traditionally, the surgical correction of this problem required surgical entry through the face and sometimes required opening the skull. Now, in many cases, the surgeon can use the endoscope to visualize the roof of the nasal cavity and can surgically correct the overlying bone with a minimum of trauma. Endoscopic approaches through the nasal passages have been successfully used to treat chronic sinusitis, which has failed to respond to medical treatment, and to remove polyps. New technological advances are expanding the uses for the endoscope. A new, rigid, and especially slender endoscope may be inserted through a tiny incision cut in the eardrum to directly examine the structures of the middle ear. Another new surgical technique is thyroplasty (vocal cord surgery). In this procedure, artificial silicone plastic is inserted to compensate for a damaged vocal cord and to change the quality of the patient's voice. Unlike some previous procedures, modern thyroplastic surgery is capable of making precise changes, thus 'fine-tuning' the quality of the voice for the optimum sound. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Neck, Nose, Head, Pharynx, Throat

---

Otolaryngology - head and neck surgery

Article Abstract:

Molecular techniques have been used to identify p53 mutations in tissue samples from patients who have had surgery for head and neck cancer. Some of the samples that had been negative for residual cancer cells under a microscope were positive using the molecular technique. Many of these tumors recurred. Tobacco use has long been associated with head and neck cancer but the mechanism has been unclear. Research shows that many tissue samples of squamous cell head and neck cancer have mutations in the p53 gene. Patients who smoked and drank alcohol were even more likely to have p53 mutations than those who smoke. A study found that autologous blood transfusion is costly and confers very little health benefit over blood transfusions from another person. A microcolpohysteroscope is an instrument that allows a physician to examine internal organs such as the larynx in microscopic detail. Multichannel hearing devices appear to be successful at a cost similar to that of other medical interventions.

Research, Genetic aspects, Cochlear implants, Blood transfusion, Autologous, Autologous blood transfusion

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Cardiothoracic surgery
• Abstracts: Oncology. Screening strategies for cancer: implications and results

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.