Changes in the Quality of Life of Our Neonatal Patients Born with Severe Laryngomalacia and Treated with Endoscopic UDP Laser Supraglottoplasty

Background: Laryngomalacia is one of the most common causes of neonatal dyspnea and inspiratory stridor. In 20% of the cases laryngomalacia in newborns may lead to respiratory failure, feeding difficulties and failure to thrive. The aim of this study was to assess the changes in the quality of life of the patients with laryngomalacia in the first year following ultra-dream pulse laser supraglottoplasty.Case presentation:  the assessment relevant parameters of 6 newborn patients with laryngomalacia (4:2 male:female, average age at the time of operation 12,5 days) who underwent ultra-pulse laser supraglottoplasty.Conclusion: Ultra-dream pulse laser supraglottoplasty for laryngomalacia is a safe and effective surgical modality, even if it is performed in the neonatal age

Vascular mapping of the retroauricular skin – proposal for a posterior superior surgical incision for transcutaneous bone-conduction hearing implants

BACKGROUND: Passive transcutaneous osseointegrated hearing implant systems have become increasingly popular more recently. The area over the implant is vulnerable due to vibration and pressure from the externally worn sound processor. Good perfusion and neural integrity has the potential to reduce complications. The authors' objective was to determine the ideal surgical exposure to maintain perfusion and neural integrity and decrease surgical time as a result of reduced bleeding. METHODS: The vascular anatomy of the temporal-parietal soft tissue was examined in a total of 50 subjects. Imaging diagnostics included magnetic resonance angiography in 12 and Doppler ultrasound in 25 healthy subjects to reveal the arterial network. Cadaver dissection of 13 subjects formed the control group. The prevalence of the arteries were statistically analyzed with sector analysis in the surgically relevant area. RESULTS: The main arterial branches of this region could be well identified with each method. Statistical analysis showed that the arterial pattern was similar in all subjects. The prevalence of major arteries is low in the upper posterior area though large in proximity to the auricle region. CONCLUSIONS: Diverse methods indicate the advantages of a posterior superior incision because the major arteries and nerves are at less risk of damage and best preserved. Although injury to these structures is rare, when it occurs, the distal flow is compromised and the peri-implant area is left intact. Hand-held Doppler is efficient and cost-effective in finding the best position for incision, if necessary, in subjects with a history of surgical stress to the retroauricular skin. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This was a non-interventional study