This study investigates the outcomes of tracheostomy in patients with and without COVID-19, focusing on complications and mortality rates related to prolonged intubation.
Of 228 patients analyzed, 111 had COVID-19; among them, a small percentage required tracheostomy, often leading to longer ICU stays and various complications, such as dysphonia and vocal cord issues.
The overall mortality rate was high at 51.32%, indicating significant risks associated with severe respiratory distress due to COVID-19.
The study investigates the effectiveness of intrathecal fluorescein (ITF) for detecting cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks during endoscopic skull base surgery, highlighting its role in achieving watertight seals.
A meta-analysis of 14 studies showed that ITF was used successfully in 90.3% of patients, with an overall detection rate of 88.1% for leaks, though it was not significantly better than other imaging tests.
While ITF is effective in locating defects, around 60% of patients experienced complications, indicating that careful patient selection is crucial for its use.
Retropharyngeal emphysema (RPE) is a rare condition involving trapped air in the retropharyngeal space, and it can occur spontaneously or due to other causes.
A three-year-old patient developed RPE after local trauma to the palate and was treated at King Fahd Hospital of the University; flexible nasopharyngoscopy revealed no complications.
The patient was managed conservatively with analgesics and antibiotics, and after showing signs of improvement, was discharged with instructions for follow-up care.
Hoarseness in school-aged children can negatively impact their education and social skills, occurring in 6% to 23% of children globally.
A study in Saudi Arabia aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with hoarseness, revealing a rate of 7.5% among 428 participants.
Key determinants included a history of excessive crying, problems with pronunciation, stuttering, and gastrointestinal reflux, which notably increases the risk of hoarseness.
The study aimed to investigate the manifestations and severity of otolaryngological symptoms in patients with COVID-19, focusing on their recovery and potential complications.
The research involved a longitudinal questionnaire filled out by 363 patients over a month, achieving a 70.8% response rate, with key findings indicating that common symptoms included fever and cough, while persistent severe symptoms were mostly observed in women with comorbidities.
The study highlighted the importance of understanding these symptoms to improve individualized treatments and prevent complications in COVID-19 patients.
Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a common condition treated with endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS), but the timeline and extent of symptom improvement after surgery have not been fully explored.
Researchers conducted a study with 68 CRS patients using the Sino-nasal Outcome Test-22 (SNOT-22) to measure symptoms before surgery and at several intervals after (1 week, 4 weeks, and 6 months).
Results indicated significant improvement across various symptoms, especially rhinologic symptoms, with varying degrees of effect size. The study highlights the importance of assessing patient outcomes to optimize treatment strategies for CRS.
The study aimed to assess how effective bupivacaine is for relieving pain after tonsillectomy within the first day.
Conducted at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, the research involved 35 patients who received a tonsillectomy; one side used bupivacaine while the other used a saline solution as a control.
Results showed that while pain reduction wasn't significant in the early hours, there was a notable decrease in pain levels at 6, 12, and 24 hours after surgery, indicating that bupivacaine may be beneficial for post-operative pain management.