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Biomedical subjects

J Paul Moxham

Publications and source records attributed to J Paul Moxham.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Electrosurgical adenoid ablation.

OBJECTIVE: The technique of adenoidectomy has undergone many refinements over the years with, most recently, the addition of electrosurgery alone as a viable method for removal of adenoid tissue. Several studies have suggested good efficacy with this method. The objective of this study is to examine the effectiveness of adenoidectomy by electrosurgical ablation by the following measures: reduction of the adenoid size, blood loss, and postoperative complications. DESIGN AND METHODS: In this prospective study, we reviewed patients who underwent electrosurgical adenoid ablation for either nasal obstructive symptoms or chronic otitis media with effusion requiring a second or greater set of pressure equalization tubes and adenoidectomy. Preoperative and postoperative videonasopharyngoscopy were performed and evaluated. A grading system for adenoid size for the endoscopic parameters was used. The amount of blood loss and postoperative complications were recorded. RESULTS: On preoperative nasopharyngoscopy, 7 of 23 children had a grade II adenoid size, 15 of 23 had grade III adenoid pads, and 1 of 23 had grade IV adenoid size. Postoperative follow-up at 6 to 8 weeks revealed that 19 of 23 children showed no evidence of adenoid tissue. Three of 23 children had only tiny residual tissue that fell into grade I and one had regrowth of tissue to fit into grade III. Eight patients were seen at 6 months postoperatively, four of whom were followed up to 12 months postoperatively; all showed no evidence of regrowth of adenoid tissue. Average blood loss for the procedure was 2.6 cc. No postoperative complications (postoperative bleed, dehydration requiring hospitalization, infection, velopharyngeal insufficiency) were encountered. CONCLUSIONS: Electrosurgical adenoid ablation is a safe method with minimal intraoperative blood loss and postoperative complications. Follow-up at 6 to 8 weeks and up to 1 year postoperatively suggests that it is an effective method in removing adenoid tissue and alleviating nasal obstruction.

Adenoidectomy↗
PubMed2004

Foreign body aspiration in infants and toddlers: recent trends in British Columbia.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to (1) examine recent trends in the demographics and presentation of children with foreign body aspiration at British Columbia's Children's Hospital and (2) develop safety guidelines regarding feeding nuts and other hard, crunchy foods to infants and toddlers. METHODS: The methods used were a retrospective chart review and a review of swallowing mechanics in early childhood. RESULTS: Between July 1997 and July 2001, 51 children under 3 years of age underwent rigid bronchoscopy for suspected foreign body aspiration. Of these patients, 27 (53%) were 18 months of age or younger. Of these 27 infants and toddlers, 24 (89%) had a witnessed choking event and 22 (81%) had an airway foreign body. Nuts, raw carrots, and popcorn kernels accounted for 14 (64%) of the foreign bodies aspirated by these infants and toddlers. Before 2 years of age, children are poorly equipped to grind and swallow hard, crunchy food because they lack second molars and are still adjusting to the descent of the larynx. CONCLUSIONS: Infants and toddlers in British Columbia have been aspirating foreign bodies at an alarmingly high rate. Most cases would have been prevented with better public awareness. Caregivers should be informed that children under 3 years of age should never be fed nuts or other hard, crunchy foods. A public awareness campaign is warranted.

Airway Obstruction↗