Piezosurgery in endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy

Piezosurgery is a recently developed system for cutting bone with microvibrations. The equipment consists of two hand pieces, two inserts, and two peristaltic pumps connected to the control unit. The device is endowed with an irrigation system of high-flow saline solution that breaks up into very small particles, with a “bloodless” effect on the surgical site and a low indirect thermal damage to the bone surfaces and adjacent structures. 4,5 The touch screen of the main unit permits selection of the specific insert, and modulation of the irrigation and the power according to the bone density. The device uses low-frequency ultrasonic waves (24.7-29.5 kHz), the applied power can be modulated …

Piezosurgery® in Bone Surgery: Five Years of Experience

Nasal tactile sensitivity in elderly

Conclusion: Although older people varied widely in tactile sensitivity, our results show that tactile thresholds increased with age. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of aging on nasal tactile sensitivity. Methods: A total of 160 healthy patients aged between 50 and 90 years were included. According to their age, patients were divided into groups (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H). From the age of 50, each group included subjects with an age range of 5 years (i.e. group A, 50-55 years; group B, 56-60 years, etc.). Each patient's outcome was assessed through the nasal monofilament test: a set of 20 Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments was used to detect nasal sensitivity for …

Electronystagmography in the diagnosis of central vertigo.

Objective: Determine the efficacy and applicability of electronystagmography (ENG) testing in the differential diagnosis between peripheral and central vertigo, through the visual-vestibular interaction test, in patients with vertigo.Method: Patients were submitted to ENG recording. Patients sat on a rotatory chair, which was placed in the middle of a rotary rotatory cylindrical chamber. The rotatory chamber was driven by a direct current engine, which turned it clockwise and counterclockwise, and its internal area was covered with 32 black vertical contrast.Results: All patients underwent rotatory vestibular stimulation by Stop test (VOR), optokinetic stimulation (OKN), and contemporary ro…

Nasal tactile sensitivity in allergic rhinitis

These preliminary data show a decrease in nasal tactile sensitivity and point out interesting aspects of the nasal chronic inflammatory condition in allergic rhinitis.The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of allergic rhinitis on nasal tactile sensitivity during the intercritical period.A total of 70 patients aged between 18 and 67 years (average 42 years), with a positive history of allergy caused by seasonal outdoor allergens, were included (group A). Patient outcome was assessed by the nasal monofilament test: a set of 20 Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments was used to detect nasal sensitivity for both nasal cavities. The sensitivity threshold was recorded as the minimum monofilame…

Outcomes of uvulopalatopharyngoplasty with harmonic scalpel after failure of continuous positive airway pressure in sleep apnea syndrome.

Our data highlight that uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP) with harmonic scalpel (HS) is a reliable treatment in selected patients affected by obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and users of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).The aim of this paper was to verify the efficacy and applicability of UPPP with HS in the treatment of patients affected by OSA and users of CPAP.A total of 21 patients with a retropalatal obstruction and users of CPAP underwent UPPP with HS and were evaluated (before and 6 months after surgery) using the apnea/hypopnea index (AHI); oxygen desaturation index ≥4% (ODI(4)); Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS); snoring level (SL); subjective assessment of the postoperative pa…

Learning curve for piezosurgery in well-trained otological surgeons

Abstract Objective Piezosurgery is an ultrasound instrument (24.7-29.5 kHz) capable of cutting bone without necrosis and nonmineralized tissue damage. The aim of this work has been to determine the time required for a well-trained surgeon to perform otological surgery with the piezoelectric device. Study Design Case series with planned data collection. Sixty-three patients affected by otosclerosis and 63 by chronic otitis media were enrolled. For each disease, patients were divided into three numerically equal groups, with each group assigned to a well-trained otological surgeon. Patients underwent stapedotomy (n = 63) and intact canal wall tympanoplasty (n = 63) with the piezoelectric devi…

Acoustic Features of Voice in Patients with Snoring

Objective: Determine whether the acoustic characteristics of snoring sounds differed between 30 simple male adult snorers (group A) and 30 healthy adult male subject (group B) by using a multidimensional voice program (MDVP), which is a commonly used computer program that analyzes various aspects of voice.Method: Group A patients presented a Friedman tongue position grade I, tonsil size 2 to 3, a body mass index of 15. Phonetically balanced sentences and sustained vowels a, e, and i were digitally recorded with the MDVP; evaluation of voice handicap index (VHI) was done too.Results: Compared with control group, in group A: the acoustic parameters presented a statistically significantly high…

Radiofrequency, high-frequency, and electrocautery treatments vs partial inferior turbinotomy: microscopic and macroscopic effects on nasal mucosa.

Objective To compare the microscopic and macroscopic effects of radiofrequency, high-frequency, and electrocautery therapies with partial inferior turbinotomy in the treatment of nasal obstruction caused by inferior turbinate hypertrophy. Design Nonrandomized controlled trial. Setting Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, University of Genoa. Patients The study included 80 patients affected by nasal obstruction from hypertrophied inferior turbinates. Interventions Homogeneous patient groups A, B, C, and D underwent radiofrequency, high-frequency, and electrocautery treatments and partial inferior turbinotomy, respectively, to surgically reduce hypertrophied inferior turbinates…

Radio-high frequency and electrocautery vs turbinotomy

Clinical evaluation of piezoelectric ear surgery

We evaluated the use of piezoelectric surgery (Piezosurgery; Mectron Medical Technology; Carasco, Genoa, Italy) as a means of avoiding some complications of osteotomy and osteoplasty in otologic surgery, particularly in classic canal-wall-up mastoidectomy. Piezoelectric surgery is a recently developed system for cutting bone with microvibrations created by the piezoelectric effect. This effect occurs when an electric current is passed through certain ceramics and crystals, causing them to oscillate at ultrasonic frequencies. Our study population was made up of 20 adults with unilateral chronic otitis media. In all patients, piezoelectric surgery allowed for effective, precise, safe, easy, …