Alternative and complementary therapies: an agenda for otolaryngology.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to J H Krouse.
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Allergic fungal sinusitis is a chronic disorder that is being more frequently recognized by otolaryngologists. It is a recurrent illness characterized by frequent exacerbations, and requires aggressive medical and surgical treatment. When surgical therapy is employed, it is necessary to ensure adequate debridement and removal of edematous tissue. We have been using powered dissection as our primary method in sinus surgery over the past three year. We have treated 11 patients with allergic fungal sinusitis, and find powered instrumentation to be very effective in removing the polypoid tissue from the nose and sinuses, and in providing a clear surgical field. The procedure can be performed safely with minimal trauma to normal tissue. We believe that the use of powered dissection greatly enhances the comprehensive treatment of allergic fungal sinusitis.
The use of powered instrumentation in functional endoscopic sinus surgery has been a revolutionary development in the surgical treatment of chronic sinusitis. Several studies have demonstrated the safety, efficacy, and ease of use of this new technique. To provide support and coordinate the surgical process in powered functional endoscopic sinus surgery procedures, perioperative nurses must have an appreciation for its specific equipment handling and for appropriate patient care. This article describes a specific protocol that perioperative nurses can use to facilitate efficient and safe surgical environments for patients who undergo powered endoscopic sinus surgery procedures.
Powered instrumentation has gained increased popularity in otolaryngology because of its safety and effectiveness in sinus surgery. An understanding of the principles and techniques of powered dissection of the sinuses, setup and handling of instrumentation, and pre- and postoperative care is necessary for otolaryngology nurses in management of patients undergoing these procedures.
The use of the microdebrider provides an excellent, safe and thorough technique in functional endoscopic sinus surgery. It provides atraumatic dissection with minimal bleeding which enables decreased surgical time and faster postoperative healing. It is easily learned and requires minimal supplemental instrumentation. We feel that it is a superior technique in the practice of functional endoscopic sinus surgery.
The present paper compares the use of the microdebrider as a form of powered instrumentation for endoscopic sinus surgery with traditional endoscopic surgical techniques. A group of 250 patients undergoing surgery with the microdebrider was compared with a group of 225 patients undergoing traditional procedures in order to evaluate their postoperative recovery, healing, and incidence of complications. The use of the microdebrider demonstrated faster healing with less crusting than standard techniques, as well as decreased bleeding, synechia formation, lateralization of the middle turbinate, and ostial reocclusion. The microdebrider offers excellent surgical results with fewer complications and faster healing than traditional techniques in functional endoscopic sinus surgery.
The use of powered instrumentation in functional endoscopic sinus surgery has become very popular due to its safety and thoroughness. An area which has been more problematic in the use of this technique has been the frontal recess, due to its anatomic location and associated risk of serious complications. We have done a number of powered dissections of the frontal recess as a surgical treatment of refractory frontal sinusitis, and find that it is extremely safe and effective. The ability of the powered devices to preserve normal mucosa allows an adequate surgical approach while significantly decreasing the postoperative risk of frontal recess stenosis and reocclusion. We feel that powered dissection of the frontal recess offers a significant advantage over standard techniques in this anatomic location.
The use of powered instrumentation has revolutionized the practice of functional endoscopic sinus surgery. We have expanded the role of the instrument to the treatment of polypoid disease of the nose within the office setting. We have found the technique to be both safe and effective, and to allow thorough exenteration of nasal polyps with minimal bleeding and discomfort. We recommend the use of the powered device as the primary tool in the surgical treatment of nasal polyps in the office.
Whereas the clinical indications for tympanostomy tube placement are well-established, the indications for operative tympanostomy tube removal remain unspecified. A 1-year retrospective review done at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary revealed 131 tympanostomy tubes to have been removed under general anesthesia. Chronic otorrhea, granuloma formation, tube nonfunction due to blockage, and migration of the tube into the middle ear constituted the surgical indications in 75 cases. The remaining 56 tubes were removed on the physicians' judgment that artificial ventilation was no longer required. Selected cases are presented. While the vast majority of tubes spontaneously extrude uneventfully, a comparatively small number of patients do require operative tube removal. Practice guidelines for surgical tube removal are suggested.
Pharyngocutaneous salivary fistula after laryngectomy is a serious complication that can lead to prolonged hospitalization and increased patient morbidity. A postoperative barium swallow provides the surgeon with information regarding the integrity of the pharyngeal suture line. In an attempt to determine whether this information can be used to predict or prevent salivary fistula, we reviewed the records of 109 patients who underwent total laryngectomy, including 51 who had a barium swallow before they began oral intake. Ten patients (20%) demonstrated a sinus tract originating from the pharyngeal suture line. A clinical salivary fistula developed in all four patients with a sinus tract 2 cm or longer, but in only one of six patients with a tract shorter than 2 cm. Other factors predictive of salivary fistula included tumor stage, previous radiation therapy, and the presence of concurrent postoperative complications. A single fistula developed in the 58 patients not studied with barium. Information provided by postlaryngectomy barium swallow appeared to predict, but not prevent salivary fistula formation.
Despite the localization implied by the term "chronic otitis media," little attention has been paid to the role of the hypotympanum in chronic active otitis media. Most authors have emphasized the role of recurrent cholesteatoma or unexenterated cells in the mastoid cell system as causes of recurrent disease. Seven cases are reported in which clinical evidence indicated that recurrent chronic otitis media was limited to the hypotympanum and infralabyrinthine cell system. In the five cases in which revision surgery was done, exenteration of this area resulted in an asymptomatic ear. The anatomy, radiographic evaluation, and surgical approach to the hypotympanum are reviewed. Careful inspection of the hypotympanum in primary surgery for chronic ear disease and exenteration of the hypotympanic and proximal infralabyrinthine cell tract are advocated when these regions contain cholesteatoma or extensive granulomatous disease.
Carcinoid tumors of the middle ear are rare lesions that represent a class within the spectrum of adenomatous neoplasms. We present four cases that were diagnosed and treated at our institution since 1973, and review the pool of 12 cases in regard to their presentation, symptomatology, physical examination, audiometric and radiographic evaluations, operative procedure and findings, histopathology, and postoperative course. Successful treatment of these low-grade malignancies requires complete excision of the tumor mass, along with the ossicles if they are involved with disease, in order to prevent local recurrence. Although locally invasive, these tumors have a low propensity for distant metastasis. The diagnosis of carcinoid tumor should be considered in all cases of adenomatous neoplasms of the middle ear and mastoid.
We examined the postoperative adjustment of 45 patients who underwent surgery for cancers of the head and neck: 23 who had laryngeal cancer, 18 who had oral cavity/oropharyngeal cancers, and 4 who had cancers of other sites. Patients were assessed preoperatively, and at 3 months and 9 to 12 months postsurgery. Interviews and questionnaires were used to assess depression, body image, limitations, pain, financial problems, need for help at home, and social interaction. Results revealed that pain, fatigue, weakness, and loss of speech were major concerns. Pain and financial concerns were worst at 3 months and then improved. Physical limitations increased steadily with time. Depression was a major factor in patients with oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers. Of note, patients who underwent postoperative radiation therapy had the most difficulty adapting to their illness and treatment, with persistent limitations in function and social isolation. The implications of these findings are discussed.
This paper presents initial data on the development and validation of a Nurse-Patient Interaction Tool. Factor analysis of this 44-item Likert-type scale yielded two major factors, Control vs Powerlessness and Agreement with Plan. These factors showed adequate reliability and utility in assessing responses of patients to varying styles of nurse-patient interchanges in a simulated health-care setting. Further validation is necessary to explore its usefulness with various patient populations.
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This study examined the course and duration of the crisis inherent in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in women. Three groups of female patients, breast cancer, gynecological cancer, and breast biopsy patients, were compared on the variables of depression and body image. The women were assessed prior to surgery and at one- and two-month intervals in order to determine whether their crises had been resolved within the normal six-month framework. An additional follow-up was made after 20 months to evaluate any long-term effects of the diagnosis of cancer or its treatment. Results of the study revealed that only breast biopsy and mastectomy patients adapted appropriately and were able to resolve their crises. In examining the gynecological cancer patients, initial feelings of depression and body image continued to worsen even at 20 months following surgery. Implications for nursing practice are discussed, and suggestions for future research are presented.