Gokce Simsek

Effect of local use of L-carnitine after myringotomy on myringosclerosis development in rats.

OBJECTIVES This study aimed to investigate the effect of local and intraperitoneal administration of L-carnitine on the prevention of experimentally induced myringosclerosis, and to compare treatment efficiency. METHODS Twenty-four Albino-Wistar rats (48 ears) were bilaterally myringotomised and divided randomly into four groups: group one received no treatment, group two received intraperitoneal L-carnitine, group three received local L-carnitine, and group four received both intraperitoneal and local L-carnitine. On the 15th day after treatment, tympanic membranes were harvested and evaluated histopathologically for myringosclerotic plaque formation, fibroblastic proliferation, tympanic membrane thickness and new vessel formation. RESULTS The group one tympanic membranes showed extensive thickness, and the incidence of myringosclerosis and fibroblast proliferation were greater than in groups two and four. There were statistically significant differences in tympanic membrane thickness between groups three and four, and in myringosclerosis incidence and fibroblast proliferation, comparing groups two, three and four. CONCLUSION Myringosclerosis development was significantly reduced in rats receiving myringotomy plus intraperitoneal L-carnitine. Intraperitoneal L-carnitine administration prevented fibroblastic proliferation and tympanic membrane thickening (both of which cause further tympanic membrane destruction), thus reducing myringotomy-associated morbidity. Local L-carnitine administration had limited effectiveness in this experimental setting.

Comparison of surgical outcomes and patient satisfaction after 2 different rhinoplasty techniques.

&NA; Various methods of surgical treatment are defined in nasal deformities that cause nasal obstruction. Open technique septorhinoplasty is a method that is frequently used for this purpose. This study aims to compare surgical results of open technique septorhinoplasty operations with and without osteotomies. In addition, changes in the quality of life of patients before and after treatment were investigated, and the effects of the 2 methods on patients’ quality of life were compared. Methods Patients with nasal deformity were included in the study. Forty patients with wide nasal dorsum and a prominent hump underwent septorhinoplasty with lateral osteotomy (group 1), and 35 patients with a narrow nasal dorsum and a minimal hump underwent septorhinoplasty without osteotomy (group 2). A Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) questionnaire was used to evaluate disease-specific quality of life for patients in both groups. Basic characteristics, operative parameters, and preoperative and postoperative NOSE scores were compared between the groups. Results Demographic properties of the groups were similar. Intraoperative parameters and postoperative complications were not different between the groups, with the exception of operation time (which was significantly longer in group 1) and ecchymosis (which was seen in whole cases of group 1 and none of the group 2). Preoperative NOSE scores were similar in both groups. Postoperative NOSE scores were 5 (0–45) in group 1 and 10 (0–45) in group 2 (P > 0.05). The NOSE scores were significantly decreased after the operation in both groups (P < 0.001). The 2 groups were not significantly different when comparing the change in preoperative and postoperative NOSE scores. Conclusions Rhinoplasty with or without osteotomy is an effective treatment for alleviating nasal obstruction symptoms. Osteotomy is an integral but not obligatory part of the operation. The addition of the osteotomy procedure in selected cases prolonged the operation time and significantly enhanced patient satisfaction.

Early paper patching versus observation in patients with traumatic eardrum perforations: comparisons of anatomical and functional outcomes.

&NA; The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of patients with acute tympanic membrane perforation after spontaneous healing and paper-patching procedure. Methods: Design, Setting, and Participants In this study, we performed a retrospective chart review with a prospective follow-up in 63 patients with tympanic membrane perforations. The patients undergoing a paper-patching procedure were assigned to group 1 (n = 33), whereas the patients that healed spontaneously were included in group 2 (n = 30). Retrospective analyses of the otoscopic examination findings and audiometric test results of the groups at the sixth-week follow-up were compared. Results Eardrum healing was achieved in 90.9% of the patients in group 1 and 76.7% of the patients in group 2 at the sixth week (P > 0.05). The mean values of air conduction were significantly improved, and the air-bone gap was markedly decreased in the patients treated with paper patching, when compared with the patients in group 2 (P < 0.001). The area of perforation was found to be inversely related to the healing success. Conclusions Early intervention by paper patching, which is a readily applicable procedure, may be offered to the patients with acute perforation of the tympanic membrane, because of the slightly better closure rates and significantly higher hearing functions when compared with simple observation.

Melatonin's protective effect on the salivary gland against ionized radiation damage in rats

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to examine the effects of melatonin on ionized radiation-induced salivary gland damage using an experimental model. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-two rats were randomized into four groups: (i) the control group (C, n = 8) that received intraperitoneal (i.p.) 0.9% NaCl; (ii) the melatonin group (M, n = 8) that received i.p. 5 mg/kg melatonin; (iii) the radiotherapy group (RT, n = 8) that underwent irradiation; (iv) the melatonin plus radiotherapy group (M+RT, n = 8) that received i.p. 5 mg/kg of melatonin, followed by irradiation 30 min later; and (v) the radiotherapy plus melatonin group (RT+M, n = 8) that received irradiation followed by i.p. 5 mg/kg of melatonin 30 min later. The medications and irradiation were administered for 5 days and the salivary glands of the rats were excised 10 days later; the histopathological changes in the salivary glands were assessed and biochemical analyses were conducted (tissue levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), reduced glutathione (GSH), total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI)). RESULTS Regardless of whether melatonin was administered before or after radiotherapy, melatonin decreased the radiation-induced parotid and submandibular histological damage. In addition, regardless of whether administration occurred before or after radiotherapy, melatonin decreased oxidative stress markers, such as MDA, TOS, and OSI. On the contrary, levels of antioxidative markers, such as CAT and GPx, were increased by melatonin. CONCLUSIONS Melatonin may have a significant protective effect on salivary gland damage secondary to ionizing radiation.

Mean Platelet Volume Decreases in Adult Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea After Uvulopalatal Flap Surgery.

Aim:The main purpose of the study was to investigate changes in mean platelet volume (MPV) values in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) who had undergone uvulopalatal flap (UPF) surgery. Method:The study included a review of the medical records of 37 adult patients who had undergone UPF surgery after being diagnosed with OSAS. The baseline blood parameters of patients, including the MPV and platelet distribution width (PDW) values, were measured and repeated 3 months after treatment. Polysomnographic evaluations of the patients were also performed during admission and the 3rd month control. Comparisons of MPV values and their correlation with polysomnographic parameters were the main outcomes measured. Results:The blood parameters of all patients were similar except for MPV values, which were significantly lower after treatment (P < 0.001). Patients’ apnea hypopnea index (AHI) and apnea episodes were significantly reduced after the UPF surgery, whereas their oxygen saturation significantly increased (P < 0.001). The MPV values were not correlated with polysomnographic parameters (P > 0.05). Conclusion:The UPF surgery, which is a relatively simple surgical intervention to treat OSAS, alleviates nocturnal hypoxic episodes and lowers platelet volume. These may both be important predictors of adverse cardiovascular outcomes related to OSAS.

Melatonin protects inner ear against radiation damage in rats

To examine the effects of N‐acetyl‐5‐methoxytryptamine (melatonin) on radiation‐induced inner ear damage.

Transposition of lingual thyroid gland to the submandibular region by transoral approach

The purpose of this case report is to demonstrate surgical technique of only functional but symptomatic lingual thyroid gland transposition to submandibular region by transoral approach without mandibulotomy and tongue-splitting. A 37-year-old female patient was admitted to our hospital with dysphagia and apnea symptoms. Physical examination revealed 3cm×3cm lingual thyroid gland was detected at the tongue base. The patient was euthyroid and thyroid gland was not detected in the neck. Under general anesthesia, right submandibular gland excision and transposition of lingual thyroid tissue to submandibular region with dorsal lingual artery axis flap were performed by transoral approach. Thyroid hormones remained normal in the postoperative period. In conclusion transoral transposition of lingual thyroid to submandibular region as a flap without mandibulotomy is a minimally invasive and function preserving alternative approach. Besides preserving thyroid functions, this transoral surgical technique can be preferred by patients who avoid skin incision for esthetic concerns.

Blood parameters as indicators of upper airway obstruction in children with adenoid or adenotonsillar hypertrophy.

Adenotonsillar hypertrophy (ATH) is the most common cause of obstructive sleep apnea in children. This study aimed to evaluate the blood parameters of children with ATH who underwent surgery.

Morphometric Analysis of the Fronto-maxillary Sinuses in Adult Patients with Traumatic Septal Deviations

OBJECTIVE The aim of the current study was to investigate a change in the volume of the frontal and maxillary sinuses in patients with nasal septum deviations due to physical trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS Paranasal sinus computed tomography data of 100 patients admitted to Kirikkale University medical faculty hospital between November 2013 and June 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. The side of the nasal septal deviation, the deviation angle, the severity of the deviation, and bilateral frontal and maxillary sinus volumes were calculated using a computer program. The relationship between sinus volumes and deviated septum characteristics was investigated. RESULTS The maxillary sinus volumes did not differ between the two genders. However, the female patients had significantly decreased frontal sinus volumes when compared with the male patients (p < 0.05). A right-sided septal deviation was found to be associated with a significantly decreased maxillary sinus volume (p < 0.001), and the severity of the deviation was a significant determinant of the maxillary sinus volume (p < 0.001). The age of the patient at the time of the septal trauma was significantly associated with their maxillary sinus volumes. Patients who had experienced this trauma after 12 years of age had significantly increased maxillary sinus volumes when compared with those who experienced the trauma before the age of 12. CONCLUSION A distorted septal anatomy was found to be a significant parameter for developing paranasal sinuses. Right-sided and severe traumatic deviations with an onset before the age of 12 were significantly associated with a decreased maxillary sinus volume.