Long-term outcomes and quality of life following parotidectomy for benign disease

Objective: Parotidectomy worsens quality of life (QoL) in the short-term, but the long-term impact is unknown. In this study, we analysed the long-term effects of parotidectomy on QoL. Methods: In this prospective long-term follow-up study, participants were divided into three groups: short-term (ST) follow-up of six weeks, long-term (LT) follow-up of 13 years and short- and long-term (SLT) follow-up. QoL was assessed using the Parotidectomy Outcome Inventory (POI-8). Parotidectomies were classified based on whether the great auricular nerve (GAN) had been preserved or sacrificed. Results: In total, 164 observations were analysed, 74 in the LT group, 57 in the ST group and 33 in the SLT group. Hypoaesthesia was a major problem and facial palsy was a minor problem. Pain (p < 0.01) and hypoaesthesia (p < 0.001) were significantly lower after 13 years compared with after six weeks, and QoL was higher after 13 years compared with after six weeks (p = 0.04). The disease-specific impairment rate decreased from 70% at short-term follow-up to 30% at long-term follow-up. Removal of the GAN was associated with hypoaesthesia in the ST group (p = 0.028). Conclusions: Hypoaesthesia has a long-term impact on the QoL, and this should be emphasised during preoperative discussions

Assessment of metal trace elements in the echinoderm Paracentrotus lividus from the North-Eastern coast of Algeria

The echinoderm sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus Lamarck, 1816 (Echinodermata, Echinoidea) is a good species to be used in environmental and toxicology research, in particular as a heavy metal bio-indicator. Our study’s objective is to evaluate the amounts of Zn, Pb, Fe, and Cu in sea urchin specimens collected from the coast of Skikda (Northeast Algeria) in order to validate the fact that sea urchins are good indicators of metal pollution and can be used effectively for environmental biomonitoring. To realize our objectives, three sampling sites were chosen based on suspected forms and sources of contamination. The main physicochemical parameters of the seawater were measured to determine their quality. 15 specimens of urchins in each station were obtained from exposed rocky surfaces and transported to the laboratory. Before dissection, the biometric parameters and the total wet weight were determined. The soft organs (gut and gonads) of individuals were separated and utilized to evaluate the levels of heavy metals. The condition index and metal indices were also determined. Our study confirmed that P. lividus may be considered a valuable bioindicator of heavy metal contamination in marine ecosystems. The results show that the amounts of heavy metals differed significantly between stations. Samples taken from the Larbi Ben M’hidi station showed greater amounts of Pb, Zn, and Cu. These amounts are above the recommended limits for fish and aquatic animals. Also, the heavy metals found in sea urchins vary depending on the physicochemical parameters, trace metals in the seawater, and the individual biometric parameters. These higher concentrations of metals in seawater and in P. lividus individuals at the Larbi Ben M’hidi station are largely caused by the construction of a massive oil industry complex and terminal with several refineries and petrochemical units near this station, as well as by a considerable amount of domestic wastewater. Finally, to avoid this metallic pollution risk, it is necessary that permanent controls be imposed as soon as possible. Urban and industrial wastes must be treated before being released, in the hope of reducing future metal concentrations