The Laryngoscope
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The purpose of this paper is to review and update the subject of management of scars and lacerations. The surgion who accepts responsibility for management of soft tissue injuries must be aware of fundamental surgical principles as well as detailed technique. Knowledge of basic anatomy and wound physiology is utilized and applied. ⋯ It is the responsibility of the physician to act within the first few hours and to take the time necessary for accurate approximation and realignment of both soft tissue and bone injuries. Minimal scarring depends on accurate approximation of skin margins without tension. The need for early meticulous repair, so that unsightly scars and disfigurements may be prevented, cannot be overemphasized.
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Opportunistic infections of the external auditory canal or the middle ear due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa occurring in patients with low resistance to infection have a 35 percent mortality rate. Once the process extends into the pneumatized temporal bone, eradication becomes more difficult and the mortality rate increases to 72 percent because of the high incidence of involvement of cranial nerves, adjacent intracranial vessels, and meningitis. ⋯ Fifteen cases are presented. Nine follow the pattern of malignant external otitis and six began as a primary acute otitis media.
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As a result of increased use of prolonged endotracheal intubation, complications of intubation are now being seen more often. Stenosis of the airway may develop at the level of the glottic or subglottic larynx, or in the trachea. Discussions of management do not always distinguish clearly between laryngeal stenosis and tracheal stenosis. ⋯ Endoscopic management can be successful in many cases if it is started early enough, and repeated as often as is necessary. The earlier it is begun, the better the results will be. 3. Indwelling stents which are extremely valuable in laryngeal stenosis from external trauma, may not be as useful in stenosis from endotracheal tube trauma.
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One hundred consecutive cases of orotracheal intubation in the premature and term newborn at the Hersehy Medical Center were studied retrospectively. The reason for intubation was for respiratory failure most commonly associated with hyaline membrane disease. The duration of intubation ranged from six hours to 63 days. ⋯ Post mortem examinations were carried out on 35 infants with tracheal necrosis found in one case. The authors feel that orotracheal intubation is superior to nasotracheal intubation and tracheotomy in this age group. This method of management should be carried out where there is adequate trained personnel and professional staff and equipment capable of proper orotracheal tube placement and management.
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We have had the opportunity to employ the CO2 surgical laser with suspension laryngoscopy and microscopic adaptations to treat a variety of laryngeal conditions over two years. Each type of laryngeal condition is discussed, and the benefits of laser management is evaluated. This type of laryngeal management is compared with other forms of treatment such as the standard surgical approaches, electrocautery, and cryosurgery.