Floppy closing door epiglottis treated successfully with an mhealth application based on myofunctional therapy: a case report

We introduce the first case reported to date of a floppy closing door epiglottis in an OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) patient treated successfully with an Mhealth smartphone application based on myofunctional therapy

COVID-19; SARS-Cov-2; COVID-19 Testing; Otolaryngology

The SARS CoV-2 (COVID-19) disease has caused millions of cases since the pandemic status was declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) in March 2020, changing the usual medical and surgical practices. Doctors and nurses represent a significant percentage of the general population infected. Among them, the special risk of infection in otorhinolaryngologists and head and neck surgeons (ENT) stands out, due to the proximity to the upper airway and the risk of generation of bioaerosols during procedures./nThe objective of this article is to prepare a document on safe otorhinolaryngological practice during the COVID19 pandemic, based on a compilation of the best evidence adapted to the risk of transmission, according to the combination of the results of the risk indicators established by the Ministry of Health, Consumption and Social Welfare (MSCBS). This document is the result of the collaboration of the scientific commissions and the COVID-19 committee of the SEORLCCC.La enfermedad por el SARS CoV-2 (COVID-19) ha provocado millones de casos desde que se declarase el estado de pandemia por la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) en marzo de 2020, cambiando las prácticas médicas y quirúrgicas habituales. Los sanitarios representan un importante porcentaje de la población general contagiada. Entre ellos, destaca el especial riesgo de infección en otorrinolaringólogos y cirujanos de cabeza y cuello (ORL), debido a la cercanía a la vía aérea superior y al riesgo de generación de bioaerosoles durante los procedimientos./nEl objetivo de este artículo es la elaboración de un documento de práctica otorrinolaringológica segura durante la pandemia COVID19, basado en una recopilación de la mejor evidencia adaptada al riesgo de transmisión, según la combinación de los resultados de los indicadores de riesgo establecidos por el Ministerio de Sanidad, Consumo y Bienestar Social (MSCBS). El presente documento es fruto de la colaboración de las comisiones científicas y del comité COVID-19 de la SEORLCCC

ENT practice during the COVID19 pandemic

Introducción: La enfermedad por el SARS CoV-2 (COVID-19) ha provocado millones de casos desde que se declarase el estado de pandemia por la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) en marzo de 2020, cambiando las prácticas médicas y quirúrgicas habituales. Los sanitarios representan un importante porcentaje de la población general contagiada. Entre ellos, destaca el especial riesgo de infección en otorrinolaringólogos y cirujanos de cabeza y cuello (ORL), debido a la cercanía a la vía aérea superior y al riesgo de generación de bioaerosoles durante los procedimientos. Objetivo: El objetivo de este artículo es la elaboración de un documento de práctica otorrinolaringológica segura durante la pandemia COVID19. Método: Revisión bibliográfica. Resultados: Recopilación de la mejor evidencia adaptada al riesgo de trans misión, según la combinación de los resultados de los indicadores de riesgo establecidos por el Ministerio de Sanidad, Consumo y Bienestar Social (MSCBS). El presente documento es fruto de la colaboración de las comisiones científicas y del comité COVID-19 de la SEORLCCC.Introduction: The SARS CoV-2 (COVID-19) disease has caused millions of cases since the pandemic status was declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) in March 2020, changing the usual medical and surgical practices. Doctors and nurses represent a significant percentage of the general population infected. Among them, the special risk of infection in otorhinolaryngologists and head and neck surgeons (ENT) stands out, due to the proximity to the upper airway and the risk of generation of bioaerosols during procedures. Objective: The objective of this article is to prepare a document on safe otorhinolaryngological practice during the COVID19 pandemic. Results: Compilation of the best evidence adapted to the risk of transmission, according to the combination of the results of the risk indicators established by the Ministry of Health, Consumption and Social Welfare (MSCBS). This document is the result of the collaboration of the scientific commissions and the COVID-19 committee of the SEORLCCC

Strategies for the Practice of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery during COVID-19 Pandemic

The appearance of a new coronavirus disease called COVID-19 at the end of 2019 and its pandemic expansion in the world has changed the usual practice of medicine, and has had great impact in the field of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery (OHNS). The aim of this document is to review the available evidence and propose strategies and recommendations for the medical-surgical practice of OHNS, which allow establishing the usual activity, adapting the safety and efficacy standards to the current pandemic situation. Therefore, it is required to identify and classify patients according to criteria of infectious-immunological status, and to establish recommendations for protection in consultations, hospitalization and the operating room, which avoid the transmission of the disease to other users and healthcare personnel, in the specific context of the development of our specialty. This document is the result of the collaboration of all the scientific commissions of Spanish OHNS society and therefore might help other OHNS to develop their work during COVID-19 pandemic

Barbed suture pharyngoplasty in velopharyngeal complete concentric collapse: a multicentric study

Abstract Background Studies have shown that complete concentric circular collapse (CCC) at the velum is a frequent finding in drug-induced sleep endoscopy, implying a worse prognosis for surgical outcomes in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Our group evaluated the results of pharyngoplasties with barbed sutures for this indication. We selected 48 patients with OSAS and CCC who underwent pharyngoplasty with barbed sutures in 8 tertiary centers. The outcome results were measured by polygraphy or polysomnography and Epworth Symptoms Scale (ESS) at least 6 months after surgery. Results Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) improved from 34.9/h [21.2] to 12.7/h [10.6]. The success rate according to Sher's criteria was 86.7%, the cure rate was 23.9%, and an AHI < 10 occurred in 42.2% of the cases. The oxygen desaturation index improved from 32.5/h [29.9] to 12.5/h SD [11.6], and the ESS improved from 10.2 [5.2] to 6 [3.5]. Conclusions Pharyngoplasty with barbed sutures seems to be a good alternative for patients with OSAS and CCC findings in drug-induced sleep endoscopy

Cost Model Developed in European Project LIMA

[EN] In this paper we show the results of the cost model developed in LIMA project (Seventh Framework Programme, CN: 248909). The LIMA project is entitled "Improve photovoltaic efficiency by applying novel effects at the limits of light to matter interaction". The project started in January 2010 and during this year a cost model of the device developed in the project has been developed to assess the industrial viability of this innovative approach to increase the efficiency and reduce the cost of photovoltaic solar cells. During 2011 the cost model has been actualized and a new scenario has been defined. The LIMA project exploits cutting edge photonic technologies to enhance silicon solar cell efficiencies with new concepts in nanostructured materials. It proposes nanostructured surface layers designed to increase the light absorption in the solar cell while decreasing the surface and interface recombination loss. The integration on a back contact solar cell further reduces these interface losses and avoids shading. The project improves light-matter interaction by the use a surface plasmonic nanoparticle layer. This reduces reflection and efficiently couples incident radiation into the solar cell where it is trapped by internal reflection. Surface and interface recombination are minimized by using silicon quantum dot superlattices in a passivating matrix.This work has been carried out in the framework of the LIMA Project. The European Commission is gratefully acknowledged for financial support under Contract number FP7-248909.Vazquez, M.; Mihailetchi, V.; Connolly, JP.; Cubero García, OJ.; Daly, G.; Halm, A.; Kopecek, R.... (2012). Cost Model Developed in European Project LIMA. Energy Procedia. 27:646-651. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2012.07.123S6466512

Effect of Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery on Voice and Speech Recognition

Summary: Objective. Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery (FESS) is the surgery of choice for nasal polyposis and chronic rhinosinusitis. The aim of our study is to assess the influence of this surgery in the acoustic parameters of voice, and their implications in the systems of identification or verification of the speaker through the speech. Material and methods. A prospective study was performed between January 2017 and June 2017 including two groups of patients: those undergoing FESS, and a control group. Demographic data and GRBAS assessment were statistically analyzed. In addition, a recording of patients? voices was made with a subsequent acoustic analysis and automatic identification of the speaker through machine learning systems, establishing the equal error rate. Samples were taken before surgery, 2 weeks after surgery and 3 months later. Results. After FESS, a significant difference was observed in Grade, Roughness, Breathiness, Asthenia, Strain (GRBAS). Besides, acoustic analysis showed a significance decrease in fundamental frequency (F0), when compared with the control group. For the automatic identification of the speaker through computer systems, we found that the equal error rate is higher in the FESS group. Conclusions. Results suggest that FESS produce a decrease of F0 and changes in the vocal tract that derive in an increase in the error of recognition of the speaker in FESS patients

Práctica otorrinolaringológica durante la pandemia COVID19

The SARS CoV-2 (COVID-19) disease has caused millions of cases since the pandemic status was declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) in March 2020, changing the usual medical and surgical practices. Doctors and nurses represent a significant percentage of the general population infected. Among them, the special risk of infection in otorhinolaryngologists and head and neck surgeons (ENT) stands out, due to the proximity to the upper airway and the risk of generation of bioaerosols during procedures. The objective of this article is to prepare a document on safe otorhinolaryngological practice during the COVID19 pandemic, based on a compilation of the best evidence adapted to the risk of transmission, according to the combination of the results of the risk indicators established by the Ministry of Health, Consumption and Social Welfare (MSCBS). This document is the result of the collaboration of the scientific commissions and the COVID-19 committee of the SEORLCCC.La enfermedad por el SARS CoV-2 (COVID-19) ha provocado millones de casos desde que se declarase el estado de pandemia por la Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) en marzo de 2020, cambiando las prácticas médicas y quirúrgicas habituales. Los sanitarios representan un importante porcentaje de la población general contagiada. Entre ellos, destaca el especial riesgo de infección en otorrinolaringólogos y cirujanos de cabeza y cuello (ORL), debido a la cercanía a la vía aérea superior y al riesgo de generación de bioaerosoles durante los procedimientos. El objetivo de este artículo es la elaboración de un documento de práctica otorrinolaringológica segura durante la pandemia COVID19, basado en una recopilación de la mejor evidencia adaptada al riesgo de transmisión, según la combinación de los resultados de los indicadores de riesgo establecidos por el Ministerio de Sanidad, Consumo y Bienestar Social (MSCBS). El presente documento es fruto de la colaboración de las comisiones científicas y del comité COVID-19 de la SEORLCCC

Effect of septoplasty on voice performance: nasalance and acoustic study

Background: Septoplasty is a surgical technique for the correction of the nasal septum that may alter the vocal tract. The aim of our study is to assess whether this technique modifies nasalance and acoustic parameters, and their clinical implications in voice perception. Methodology: A prospective study was performed between January 2017 and June 2017 including 2 groups of patients: those undergoing septoplasty, and a control group. Subjective nasality questionnaire, objective nasalance with nasometer, and GRBAS (Grade, Roughness, Breathiness, Asthenia, Strain) assessment were statistically analysed. In addition, a recording of patients? voices was made with a subsequent acoustic analysis. Samples were taken: pre-surgically, 2 weeks after surgery and after 3 months. Results: After septoplasty, a significant difference was observed in GRBAS, nasality questionnaire and nasometer nasalance, when compared with the control group. As for the acoustic analysis, no differences were observed in most parameters (F0, Jitter, Shimmer, HNR, NHR, Formants F1-F3), except for the antiF3 antiformant, which showed significant changes in all the vowels studied. Conclusions: Septoplasty can produce changes in the vocal tract, with an increase in initial nasalance but with subsequent normalization. Besides, minor changes were found in the acoustic analysis but with no clinical relevance

Surgical anatomy of the lingual nerve for palate surgery: where is located and how to avoid it

Purpose To describe the anatomic relationship of the lingual nerve with the lateral oropharyngeal structures. Methods An anatomic dissection of the lateral oropharyngeal wall was conducted in eight sides from four fresh-frozen cadaveric heads. Small titanium clips were placed along the lingual nerve and the most anterior and medial border of the medial pterygoid muscle. Radiological reconstructions were employed for optimal visualization; the coronal view was preferred to resemble the surgical position. The distance between the lingual nerve and the medial pterygoid muscle at its upper and lower portion was measured radiologically. The trajectory angle of the lingual nerve with respect to the pterygomandibular raphe was obtained from the intersection between the vector generated between the clips connecting the upper and lower portion of the medial pterygoid muscle with the vector generated from the lingual nerve clips. Results The mean distance from the upper portion of the medial pterygoid muscle and superior lingual nerve clips was 10.16±2.18 mm (mean±standard deviation), and the lower area of the medial pterygoid muscle to the lingual nerve was separated 5.05±1.49 mm. The trajectory angle of the lingual nerve concerning to the vector that describes the upper portion of the most anterior and medial border of the medial pterygoid muscle with its lower part was 43.73º±11.29. Conclusions The lingual nerve runs lateral to the lateral oropharyngeal wall, from superiorly–inferiorly and laterally–medially, and it is closer to it at its lower third