Biomedical subjects

Matthias Echternach

Publications and source records attributed to Matthias Echternach.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Polydimethylsiloxane particles for permanent injection laryngoplasty.

OBJECTIVES: Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) particles are a nonresorbable material that allows for permanent vocal fold augmentation. This study investigated morbidity and voice quality in patients treated for unilateral vocal fold paralysis by injection of PDMS particles. METHODS: Fourteen patients who had neurogenic unilateral vocal fold paralysis of different causes were included in this prospective study. Each patient underwent videostroboscopic assessment before and after operation. Friedrich's dysphonia index (DI), a score system combining subjective and objective parameters, was used to describe voice quality. A DI of 0 reflects a normal voice, and a DI of 3 stands for complete aphonia. The PDMS particles were injected into the paraglottic space by microlaryngoscopy under general anesthesia. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 4.1 months. There was no complication attributable to the injection of PDMS particles. The mean DI was 2.8 before operation. After the operation, voice quality improved significantly in each patient, as reflected by a mean postinjection DI of 1.4. CONCLUSIONS: Particles of PDMS provide a relatively safe and minimally invasive option for permanent vocal fold augmentation. The functional results in terms of voice improvement are comparable to those obtained with other techniques, including thyroplasty. In the European Community, PDMS particles are officially approved for use in the human larynx.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Does the timing of tracheal intubation based on neuromuscular monitoring decrease laryngeal injury? A randomized, prospective, controlled trial.

Vocal cord injuries (VCI) and postoperative hoarseness (PH) are common complications after general anesthesia. Poor muscle relaxation at the moment of tracheal intubation may result in VCI. There is a large interindividual variation in neuromuscular depression after administration of neuromuscular blocking drugs. Therefore, the optimal individual timing of tracheal intubation based on neuromuscular monitoring (monitoring) may decrease VCI. In this prospective trial, 60 patients were randomized into 2 groups: Monitoring group: tracheal intubation at maximum block based on monitoring after atracurium 0.5 mg/kg and 2-min group: tracheal intubation 2 min after injection of atracurium 0.5 mg/kg. Intubating conditions were evaluated with the Copenhagen score. VCI were examined by stroboscopy before and 24 and 72 h after surgery. PH was assessed at 24, 48, and 72 h after surgery by a standardized interview. Excellent intubating conditions were significantly increased in the monitoring group compared with the 2-min group: 8 versus 2 patients, respectively (P = 0.036). The incidence of PH between the study groups was comparable: 7 (monitoring) versus 8 patients (2-min) (P = 0.860). Similar findings were observed for VCI: 9 versus 5 patients; respectively (P = 0.268); type of VCI: thickening of the vocal cords: 8 (monitoring) versus 5 (2-min) patients (P = 0.423), hematomas: 2 patients in each group (not significant). The present study demonstrated that neuromuscular monitoring improved endotracheal intubating conditions. However, tracheal intubation at maximum intensity of neuromuscular block was not associated with a decrease in vocal cord injuries.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Rocuronium is not associated with more vocal cord injuries than succinylcholine after rapid-sequence induction: a randomized, prospective, controlled trial.

Postoperative hoarseness (PH), sore throat (ST), and vocal cord injuries (VCI) are common complications after general anesthesia. Excellent endotracheal intubating conditions are associated with less laryngeal morbidity than good or poor intubating conditions. Thus, we tested the hypothesis that a rapid-sequence induction (RSI) with succinylcholine would lead to less PH and VCI than with rocuronium. In this prospective trial, 160 patients were randomized in 2 groups to receive thiopental 5.0 mg/kg, fentanyl 3.0 microg/kg, succinylcholine 1.0 mg/kg, or rocuronium 0.6 mg/kg during RSI. PH and ST were assessed at 24, 48, and 72 h after surgery, VCI were examined by stroboscopy in those patients who had PH >3 days. Excellent and clinically acceptable intubating conditions were significantly increased in the succinylcholine group compared with the rocuronium group: 57% versus 21% and 89% versus 59%, respectively (P < 0.001). The incidence and severity of PH, and VCI between the succinylcholine and the rocuronium groups did not differ significantly: PH: 50% versus 51% (P = 0.99) and VCI: 3% versus 1% (P = 0.98), respectively. Similar findings were found for ST, 39% versus 28% (P = 0.22), and postoperative myalgia, 39% versus 29% (P = 0.25), respectively. Intubating conditions were significantly better in the succinylcholine group compared with the rocuronium group. The incidence and severity of ST and myalgia were not increased in the patients receiving succinylcholine. However, the rate of PH and VCI was similar to the rocuronium group.

Aged↗