Long-term outcome of concurrent coblator turbinoplasty with adenotonsillectomy in children with allergic rhinitis.

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in children. Patients with AR tend to have more persistent symptoms after adenotonsillectomy (T&A).

Objectives: This study was aimed to evaluate the outcome of additional concurrent coblation-assisted turbinoplasty with adenotonsillectomy (T&A + T) in patients with AR.

Necrotizing fasciitis in three university hospitals in Korea: a change in causative microorganisms and risk factors of mortality during the last decade.

Background: Necrotizing fasciitis is a life-threatening infectious disease with rapidly progressive involvement of the affected site. Because of the high mortality rate of this disease, early diagnosis, surgical exploration, and administration of appropriate antibiotics are necessary. The present study aimed to further review the changes in the clinical and microbiological characteristics of necrotizing fasciitis using patients' medical records from consecutive databases of 3 hospitals in Korea.

Retrospective analysis and modifications of retractor systems for anterior odontoid screw fixation.

The authors present an in-depth retrospective analysis of retractor systems for anterior odontoid screw fixation. They discuss various modifications and innovations of such systems and describe their own tubular retractor system, in which a beveled end conformal to the ventral surface of the vertebral column at the C2-3 level is introduced together with an incorporated light source. This new retractor system allows optimal anatomical exposure for controlled odontoid screw placement with improved protection of surrounding vital structures.