Biomedical subjects

Veena V Kumar

Publications and source records attributed to Veena V Kumar.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Oxymetazoline is equivalent to ciprofloxacin in preventing postoperative otorrhea or tympanostomy tube obstruction.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of ciprofloxacin and oxymetazoline solutions instilled after tympanostomy tube placement in the prevention of postoperative otorrhea and tube occlusion. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cross-sectional series. METHODS: We reviewed all bilateral myringotomy and tube placement operations performed by two full-time attending pediatric otolaryngologists during a 9 month period. Data from 488 patients who underwent surgery for otitis media were collected. Demographic and clinical variables including age, sex, number of tube insertions in the past, previous adenoidectomy, type of effusion present at surgery, and type of drop prescribed postoperatively were recorded. All patients were evaluated in the office 2 to 4 weeks postoperatively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the relationship of these variables with the occurrence of otorrhea and tube patency. Odds ratios were calculated. RESULTS: No significant differences in postoperative otorrhea or tube patency were found between ciprofloxacin (Ciloxan) and oxymetazoline solutions (Afrin, Visine LR). CONCLUSION: Oxymetazoline and ciprofloxacin solutions are equivalent in the prevention of postoperative otorrhea and tube occlusion after tympanostomy tube placement. The implications for medication cost and potential adverse reactions are discussed.

Administration, Topical↗

PubMed2005

Evaluation of middle and distal esophageal diverticuli with transnasal esophagoscopy.

To emphasize the utility of office-based transnasal esophagoscopy (TNE) in the evaluation of patients with swallowing complaints, we present 2 case reports and a review of the literature. The 2 patients both presented with complaints of chronic dysphagia, globus sensation, and a sensation of "food sticking" with swallowing. The patients were counseled to undergo esophagoscopy. Informed consent was obtained. The nasal cavities and pharynx were anesthetized with topical 4% lidocaine hydrochloride solution. Transnasal esophagoscopy was performed. The procedure was well tolerated by the patients. Esophagoscopy revealed diverticuli in various segments of the esophagus, including the midesophageal and distal areas. The cause of the patients' complaints could be well attributed to the endoscopic findings. No morbidity was associated with the TNE examination. A review of the literature concerning office-based TNE was performed. We found no published reports of middle or distal esophageal diverticuli detected on routine office TNE. We conclude that transnasal esophagoscopy is a relatively safe and efficient tool that can be used in the office setting for evaluation of swallowing complaints.

Aged↗

PubMed2004

Superstition and post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The objective was to determine whether post-tonsillectomy hemorrhages occur more frequently in redheaded children, in patterns of threes, on Friday-the-13th days, or with the full moon. STUDY DESIGN: Case-control analysis. METHODS: The authors performed multiple statistical analyses of all children undergoing tonsillectomy at Temple University Children's Medical Center (Philadelphia, PA) during a 29-month period. Children readmitted to the hospital with or without surgical control of bleeding were compared with children who did not bleed. Relation of post-tonsillectomy hemorrhages to the phase of the moon was evaluated using a standard normal deviate. The frequency of surgery performed on Friday-the-13th days was compared with a differently dated Friday chosen at random. Clusters of three hemorrhages in a 7-day period were recorded. Families of children were contacted and asked whether their child had red hair. A chi analysis compared redheaded and non-redheaded tonsillectomy patients. RESULTS: Twenty-eight of 589 tonsillectomy cases performed required readmission for bleeding events. Twenty tonsillectomies occurred on a full-moon day, resulting in one bleeding event. One cluster of three post-tonsillectomy hemorrhages occurred in a 7-day period. Four of the children who bled had red hair. Two tonsillectomies occurred on Friday the 13th, with no associated hemorrhage. Statistical analysis revealed a random pattern to post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage. CONCLUSION: Post-tonsillectomy hemorrhages do not occur in clusters of three and are not more frequent with the full moon or on Friday the 13th. The bleeding rate among children with red hair is similar to that of non-redheaded children.

Case-Control Studies↗