European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
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Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol · Nov 2015
Xenogeneic acellular dermal matrix in combination with pectoralis major myocutaneous flap reconstructs hypopharynx and cervical esophagus.
The aim of this study was to explore xenogeneic acellular dermal matrix (ADM) in combination with pectoralis major myocutaneous flap in hypopharynx and cervical esophagus reconstruction. A total of five patients were treated with this surgical method to reconstruct hypopharynx and cervical esophagus in Second Xiangya Hospital between January 2012 and April 2013. Four of them had hypopharyngeal carcinoma with laryngeal and cervical esophageal invasion, while the fifth patient with hypopharyngeal cancer had developed scars and atresia after postoperative radiotherapy. ⋯ Postoperative esophageal barium meals revealed that the pharynx and esophagus were unobstructed in all five patients. Xenogeneic ADM in combination with pectoralis major myocutaneous flap for hypopharynx and cervical esophagus reconstruction is a simple, safe and effective method with fewer complications. Nevertheless, according to the defect length of the cervical esophagus, the patients need to strictly follow the medical advice.
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Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol · Jan 2006
Endothelial nitric oxide synthase upregulation in the cochlea of the guinea pig after intratympanic gentamicin injection.
Single-shot transtympanic gentamicin therapy has become a popular treatment modality for Meniere's disease despite the known possible ototoxic properties of this drug. It was shown recently that NO production and iNOS were upregulated after gentamicin application, which was interpreted as a possible effect of ototoxicity. In this study we analyzed the expression of eNOS after gentamicin application to determine a possible correlation of this enzyme with gentamicin-induced ototoxicity. ⋯ Statistically significant upregulation of eNOS was observed in all cell types analyzed. Depending on the various cell types the amount of gold-labeled eNOS antibodies was 2.5 to 5.7 times higher after gentamicin application. We observed significant eNOS upregulation after gentamicin application in the cochlea, in conjunction with cellular damages and decreased hearing.
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Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol · Apr 2015
Is an 'Introduction to ENT course' the answer for safe ENT care?
ENT presentations are common both in primary care and accident and emergency departments. Unfortunately, many clinicians are not comfortable handling ENT emergencies due to a lack of knowledge and skill stemming from an undergraduate level onwards. An 'Introduction to ENT' course has been cited as an answer to bridge the gap in knowledge and promote confidence in doctors. ⋯ Of the remaining 24, there was a lack of significant changes on the amount of ENT knowledge gained (pre-course mean score 2.71 vs post-course mean 4.63, p = 0), confidence in dealing with ENT emergencies (pre-course mean score 2.54 vs post-course mean score 4.58, p = 0) and confidence performing ENT procedures (pre-course mean score 2.375 vs post-course mean score 4.46, p = 0). We feel that the course alone is insufficient in providing a basic and safe emergency ENT service. We suggest a period of shadowing be introduced in addition to the compulsory induction programme for junior doctors rotating through ENT.
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Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol · Jan 2012
Reduction of cisplatin ototoxicity in rats by oral administration of pomegranate extract.
The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of the oral administration of pomegranate extract (PE) as a protective agent against cisplatin-induced ototoxicity. The study included a prospective, controlled animal study Group 1 (n = 6), received no cisplatin or PE, and group 2 (n = 6) received cisplatin at 8 mg/kg/day for 3 consecutive days. Group 3 (n = 6) received not only cisplatin at 8 mg/kg/day for 3 consecutive days, but also received PE (100 μL/day) via gavage for 5 days prior to the cisplatin injection and for 3 days concomitantly with the cisplatin injections. ⋯ Differences in stria vascularis (SV) changes were statistically significant between the groups, and the median score for SV injury was significantly greater in group 2 than in group 3. Differences in the median scores for SGC changes being significantly greater in group 2 than in group 3. In conclusion, these results indicated that oral administration of PE afforded statistically significant protection to the cochlea in rats from cisplatin toxicity, and thus, oral experimental dose of PE administration may have a protective effect against cisplatin ototoxicity in rats.