Feasibility of preservation of chorda tympani nerve during noninflammatory ear surgery: A systematic review

Objective: The objective of our systematic review is to investigate the postoperative gustatory function of the chorda tympani nerve following noninflammatory ear surgery for which the chorda tympani is at risk for iatrogenic injury (stretching, handling, or sacrificing). Data Sources: PubMed and EMBASE. Review Methods: A PubMed and EMBASE databases search was conducted on November 15, 2016. Study inclusion criteria included: 1) ear surgery performed for noninflammatory ear diseases, and 2) gustatory function of the chorda tympani reported as an outcome. The quality of eligible studies was assessed using the risk of bias assessment tool for nonrandomized studies. Study characteristics and outcome data of the included studies were extracted. Results: In total 1,094 articles were retrieved. Fourteen studies encompassing 1,062 operated ears were included after quality assessment. Stapedectomy was the most frequent surgical procedure performed in 398 ears. The follow-up time varied between 6 weeks and 99 months. Patients with a preserved chorda tympani were less symptomatic (24% was symptomatic) compared to patients with a stretched (53% was symptomatic) or sacrificed chorda tympani (47% was symptomatic). The recovery rate varied from 61% to 79%. The results of the electrogustometry and strip test showed a discrepancy with the subjective complaints of the patients. Conclusion: Patients with a stretched chorda tympani were slightly more symptomatic compared to patients with a sacrificed chorda tympani. Therefore, in cases for which the chorda tympani greatly hinders a proper view of the surgical field, sacrificing the nerve could be considered to maximize surgical performance and have a satisfactory postoperative result

Effects of <i>Spartina</i> invasion on soil organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen in different coastal wetlands.

<p>Effects of <i>Spartina</i> invasion on soil organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen in different coastal wetlands.</p

Operative versus nonoperative treatment of proximal humeral fractures : a systematic review, meta-analysis, and comparison of observational studies and randomized controlled trials

Background: There is no consensus on the choice of treatment for displaced proximal humeral fractures in older patients (aged > 65 years). The aims of this systematic review and meta-analysis were (1) to compare operative with nonoperative management of displaced proximal humeral fractures and (2) to compare effect estimates obtained from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies. Methods: The databases of MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials), and CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature) were searched on September 5, 2017, for studies comparing operative versus nonoperative treatment of proximal humeral fractures; both RCTs and observational studies were included. The criteria of the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies, a validated instrument for methodologic quality assessment, were used to assess study quality. The primary outcome measure was physical function as measured by the absolute Constant-Murley score after operative or nonoperative treatment. Secondary outcome measures were major reinterventions, nonunion, and avascular necrosis. Results: We included 22 studies, comprising 7 RCTs and 15 observational studies, resulting in 1743 patients in total: 910 treated operatively and 833 nonoperatively. The average age was 68.3 years, and 75% of patients were women. There was no difference in functional outcome between operative and nonoperative treatment, with a mean difference of –0.87 (95% confidence interval, –5.13 to 3.38; P =.69; I2 = 69%). Major reinterventions occurred more often in the operative group. Pooled effects of RCTs were similar to pooled effects of observational studies for all outcome measures. Conclusions: We recommend nonoperative treatment for the average elderly patient (aged > 65 years) with a displaced proximal humeral fracture. Pooled effects of observational studies were similar to those of RCTs, and including observational studies led to more generalizable conclusions

Tibiotalocalcaneal Intramedullary Nailing for Unstable Geriatric Ankle Fractures

Background: Tibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) intramedullary nailing has been suggested as an alternative to open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) for the primary treatment of unstable fragility ankle fractures with a poor soft tissue envelope. This study aims to investigate the clinical efficacy of TTC intramedullary nail fixation for the primary treatment of unstable ankle fractures in frail elderly patients with poor soft tissue condition, by assessing the number of postoperative complications and the patient-reported functional outcomes. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed including patients with an unstable ankle fracture treated between 2015 and 2019 with TTC stabilization using a retrograde intramedullary hindfoot nail that was inserted without joint preparation and allowing immediate weight-bearing postoperatively. The primary outcome was the total number of postoperative complications. Results: A total of 10 patients were included out of 365 operatively treated ankle fractures. The mean age was 85.2 years (range 66-92) with a mean follow-up of 11.2 months (range 6-16). Fracture types included AO/OTA 44-B2 (n = 1), 44-B3 (n = 6), 44-C1 (n = 2) and 44-C3 (n = 1). Postoperative complications were observed in 4 patients (40%), including 3 nonunions, 2 implant related complications and 1 wound infection. No wound healing disorder or below-the-knee amputation was observed. Four patients (40%) deceased between post-operative 6 to 16 months due to medical conditions unrelated to surgery. The mean Foot and Ankle Outcome Score was 52.6 (range 44.2-73.8). Conclusion: Hindfoot nailingis a viable treatment option in selected high-risk patients with an advanced age, unstable ankle fractures with significant bone loss, poor soft tissue condition and/or severely impaired pre-injury mobility. In a frail geriatric population, hindfoot nailing may be a safe alternative fixation method with a low risk of wound complication or major amputation. However, unprepared joint may lead to symptomatic nonunion after TTC intramedullary nailing