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Biomedical subjects

George H Zalzal

Publications and source records attributed to George H Zalzal.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Coblation adenotonsillectomy: an improvement over electrocautery technique?

OBJECTIVES: To compare postoperative complication rates of coblation and electrocautery adenotonsillectomies. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. RESULTS: From January 2000 to June 2004, 1997 pediatric patients underwent adenotonsillectomy. 745 coblation, and 1252 electrocautery tonsillectomies were performed. Primary bleed, secondary bleed, and dehydration were seen in 3, 35, and 23 coblation, and 9, 41, and 64 electrocautery tonsillectomies, respectively. Data analysis revealed no significant difference in primary and secondary hemorrhage rate, but a higher dehydration rate in the electrocautery group (P=0.0423). A total of 602 coblation, 763 curette/cautery, and 632 electrocautery adenoidectomies were performed. Neck pain was seen in 0, 17, and 3 patients, respectively. Data analysis showed a higher incidence of neck pain with the curette/cautery technique compared with coblator and cautery techniques (P=0.0006 and P=0.0119, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Coblation tonsillectomy had similar rates of primary and secondary hemorrhage when compared with electrocautery tonsillectomy but a lower incidence of postoperative dehydration. Coblation adenoidectomy caused less postoperative neck pain than curette/cautery adenoidectomy without significant advantage over cautery adenoidectomy. EBM RATING: B-3b.

Adenoidectomy↗

Laryngotracheal stenosis repair using cartilage-derived morphogenic proteins: A pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: This pilot study evaluated the role of cartilage-derived morphogenic proteins (CDMPs) as promoters of cartilage growth and differentiation and as a possible alternative to autologous cartilage grafts in laryngotracheal reconstruction. METHODS: In phase 1, 6 New Zealand rabbits underwent subperichondrial injection of CDMP-1, CDMP-2, or CDMP-3 in the right thyroid ala and normal saline solution in the left thyroid ala as controls. In phase 2, 14 rabbits underwent anterior cricoid split and interposition of a fibrillar collagen sponge saturated with normal saline solution, CDMP-2, or CDMP-3. RESULTS: In both phases, saline solution failed to induce new cartilage or bone growth. Small foci of cartilage and/or bone formation were observed within the thyroid subperichondria of those rabbits injected with CDMP-2 or CDMP-3. In phase 2, a few small foci of new cartilage and/or bone formation were observed at the edges of the cricoid split with CDMP-2 and CDMP-3. CONCLUSIONS: A different carrier of CDMP, a change in dosage, or a combination of CDMPs might yield more significant neochondrification. The role of CDMPs as promoters of cartilage and differentiation could not be disqualified in this study and should be further investigated.

Animals↗

Management of congenital subglottic hemangioma: trends and success over the past 17 years.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the success and complications of various treatment options of congenital subglottic hemangioma. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTINGS: Reported cases were grouped by treatment modalities and corresponding outcome evaluated. RESULTS: From 1986 through 2002, 372 patients were reported in 28 series. Carbon dioxide laser had 88.9% success rate yet 5.5 % significant subglottic stenosis. It shortened the tracheotomy duration by 13.7 months. Corticosteroids were not that beneficial (useful in only 24.5%) with 12.9% side effects. Intralesional corticosteroids were successful in 86.4% with 5.6% complication rate. Surgical excision (as young as 2.5 months), was useful in 98% with 10% complication rate, using cartilage grafts in 34%. Other modalities were less popular. CONCLUSION: Treatment should be individualized. Guidelines are suggested. Priority is given to secure the airways. The CO 2 laser is useful when used cautiously. Steroids may be beneficial. Excision is for stubborn cases.

Child, Preschool↗

Immunohistochemical analyses of MUC5AC mucin expression in sinus mucosa of children with sinusitis and controls.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to analyze MUC5AC protein expression in sinus mucosal specimens of children with and without chronic sinusitis. METHODS: Morphometric, histologic, and immunohistochemical analyses were carried out on sinus mucosa of 7 children with chronic sinusitis and 6 children without sinusitis. RESULTS: MUC5AC protein was expressed in a subset of goblet cells in the surface epithelium, but not in the submucosal glands in either pediatric population. The number of goblet cells that expressed MUC5AC mucin was not significantly different in patients with and without chronic sinusitis. All specimens had similar numbers of goblet cells in the surface epithelium. CONCLUSIONS: The data demonstrate that neither goblet cell hyperplasia nor increased MUC5AC expression occurs in the sinus mucosa of children with chronic sinusitis. This suggests that in contrast to asthma, in which goblet cell hyperplasia is present in the lower respiratory tract, mucus hypersecretion in pediatric chronic sinusitis may involve other secretory cells, eg, submucosal glandular cells, and mucins secreted by these glandular cells.

Cell Count↗

Microdebrider-assisted supraglottoplasty.

OBJECTIVE: Although laryngomalacia is a common cause for infantile stridor, few patients eventually go on to require surgical intervention. When surgery is required, the location of tissue excised may vary depending on the endoscopic findings, but only two methods of tissue excision are described-cold knife excision and carbon dioxide laser. We present our experience of using the microdebrider to excise tissue during supraglottoplasty. METHODS: Over the last 12 months, patients were identified who had undergone supraglottoplasty, and their final outcomes with regards to resolution of stridor, cor pulmonale, and/or failure to thrive were assessed. A description of the indications for supraglottoplasty and the actual technique utilizing the microdebrider is included. RESULTS: Five patients were identified as having undergone a microdebrider-assisted supraglottoplasty. All five had resolution of their stridor following surgery. No new complications such as aspiration or supraglottic stenosis were identified. No revision surgeries were required. The microdebrider was used to trim the aryepiglottic folds and/or redundant arytenoid mucosa in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: The microdebrider appears to be a safe and effective tool to remove redundant tissue during supraglottoplasty.

Debridement↗

Acute airway distress from endotracheal intubation injury in the pediatric aerodigestive tract.

OBJECTIVES: Two unusual cases of pediatric aerodigestive tract trauma postintubation with subsequent complications are described. Pediatric retropharyngeal dissection from trauma has not been reported previously. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review in a pediatric tertiary care center. RESULTS: A 6-year-old girl underwent attempted nasotracheal intubation. She sustained retropharyngeal dissection, receiving positive pressure ventilation before this injury was noted. She developed subcutaneous emphysema. The child was managed conservatively and did well. An 8-year-old boy sustained a 4-cm laceration of his posterior trachea, developing pneumomediastinum after intubation. On transfer to our institution, he underwent direct laryngobronchoscopy and was reintubated with the tip of the endotracheal tube distal to the laceration. Postoperatively, the child accidentally pulled his tube and coughed, resulting in severe subcutaneous emphysema with increased pneumomediastinum. An emergent tracheotomy was performed. The patient subsequently did well. CONCLUSION: A higher index of suspicion with more careful surveillance may prevent further morbidity.

Child↗

Retained ventilation tubes: should they be removed at 2 years?

OBJECTIVES: To assess the complications of ventilation tubes that were retained in children for 2 years or longer and the necessity of removal. DESIGN: A retrospective chart review of all patients who underwent ventilation tube removal from 1997 to 2000, with the exclusion of patients with craniofacial anomalies. SETTING: A tertiary children's hospital. PATIENTS: One hundred twenty-six children with ventilation tubes that were retained for 2 years or longer. INTERVENTIONS: Ventilation tube removal and tympanic membrane (TM) patching. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Otorrhea, formation of granulation tissue, TM perforation, development of cholesteatomas, and tube reinsertion. RESULTS: A total of 126 patients aged 2(1/2) to 14 years (59 girls and 67 boys) underwent removal of their ventilation tubes after 2 years or more. The patients were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 included 67 patients (29 girls and 38 boys) who were younger than 7 years at the time of tube removal. The tubes were retained for 2 to 5(1/2) years (mean retention time, 3.3 years). Group 2 included 59 patients (30 girls and 29 boys) aged 7 years and older at the time of tube removal. The tubes were retained for 2 to 10(1/2) years (mean retention time, 4.2 years). Complications such as otorrhea, formation of granulation tissue, and TM perforation were seen in 10.3%, 13.8%, and 5.2% of the patients with tube retention of 2 to 3 years, compared with 40.0%, 40.0%, and 46.7% of patients with tube retention of more than 5 years. In group 1, transient otorrhea, formation of granulation tissue, and TM perforation occurred in 13.4%, 7.4%, and 6.0% of the patients, respectively, after 2 years of tube retention. In group 2, similar complications occurred in 23.7%, 25.4%, and 27.1% of the patients, respectively. Forty-six patients in group 1 underwent TM patching (31 with paper and 15 with absorbable gelatin film, with a success rate of 91.3%; however, 8 patients (11.9%) required tube reinsertion. In group 2, patching of the TM was done in 40 patients (13 with paper, 24 with absorbable gelatin film, and 3 with fat), with a success rate of 67.5%. Tube reinsertion was necessary in 1.7% of the patients in group 2. No cholesteatoma was encountered. CONCLUSIONS: Higher complication rates are seen in children when ventilation tubes are retained longer than 2 years. Children 7 years and older have a higher incidence of complications from the tube retention than children younger than 7 years. Early removal of ventilation tubes in children younger than 7 years of age, when the risk for otitis media is still present, may result in the need for tube reinsertion.

Adolescent↗

Powered instrumentation in the treatment of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis: an alternative to the carbon dioxide laser.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the advantages of powered instrumentation vs the carbon dioxide laser in treating patients with juvenile-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis. DESIGN: A retrospective study. SETTING: Tertiary care children's hospital. PATIENTS: Patients operated on for juvenile-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis between January 1, 1999, and December 31, 2000. Papillomas were excised using the microdebrider in one group and the carbon dioxide laser in the second group. INTERVENTIONS: Direct laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy, suspension microlaryngoscopy, and excision of papillomas by the carbon dioxide laser or the microdebrider. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Operative time and postoperative complications. RESULTS: Seventy-three operations were performed (23 with the laser and 50 with the microdebrider). Sixteen patients were included, 10 with active disease and 5 with disease in remission; 1 was lost to follow-up. They had a mean age of 3.75 years, and the male-female ratio was 7:9. The patients presented mostly with hoarseness (13 [81%]). Four (25%) had soft tissue complications with the laser. The microdebrider was less time-consuming than the laser, although those treated with the microdebrider had more active disease. No factor could be used to measure treatment outcome due to disease variability. Those who were older, female, and African American tended to have less severe manifestations of disease. CONCLUSIONS: The microdebrider proved to be less time-consuming than the carbon dioxide laser when used in patients with juvenile-onset recurrent respiratory papillomatosis. Soft tissue complications were nonexistent. In addition to safety, the microdebrider is more appealing to the surgeon, anesthesiologist, and parents, especially because these children often need subsequent surgical procedures.

Bronchoscopy↗