Σφακιανάκης Αλέξανδρος
ΩτοΡινοΛαρυγγολόγος
Αναπαύσεως 5 Άγιος Νικόλαος
Κρήτη 72100
00302841026182
00306932607174
alsfakia@gmail.com

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Δευτέρα 5 Ιουλίου 2021

The impact of vestibular schwannoma and its management on employment

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Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2021 Jul 4. doi: 10.1007/s00405-021-06977-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Employment is an important factor in quality of life. For vestibular schwannoma (VS) patients, employment is not self-evident, because of the sequelae of the disease or its treatment and their effects on daily life.

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed employment status, sick leave (absenteeism) and being less productive at work (presenteeism) in the long-term follow-up of VS patients, and evaluated the impact of treatment strategy (active surveillance, surgery or radiotherapy).

METHODS: A cross-sectional survey study was performed in a tertiary university hospital in the Netherlands. Patients completed the iMTA-post productivity questionnaire (iPCQ). Employment status was compared to that of the general Dutch population. Employment, absenteeism and presenteeism were compared between patients under active surveilla nce, patients after radiotherapy and post-surgical patients.

RESULT: In total 239 patients participated, of which 67% were employed at the time of the study. Only 14% had a disability pension, which was comparable to the age-matched general Dutch population. The proportion of patients with absenteeism was 8%, resulting in a 4% reduction of working hours. Presenteeism was reported by 14% of patients, resulting in a 2% reduction of working hours. The median number of working hours per week was 36, and since the diagnosis, these hours had been reduced by 6%. There were no significant differences between treatment modalities.

CONCLUSION: On average, long-term employment status and working hours of VS patients are comparable to the age-matched general population. Treatment strategies do not seem to differentially impact on long-term employment of VS patients.

PMID:34218308 | DOI:10.1007/s00405-021-06977-1

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Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence of otitis media with effusion in adults and children: a multicenter study

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Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2021 Jul 4. doi: 10.1007/s00405-021-06958-4. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To compare and analyze the incidence of otitis media with effusion (OME), before and during the COVID-19-related pandemic period, to evaluate the effects of the social changes (lockdown, continuous use of facial masks, social distancing, reduction of social activities) in the OME incidence in children and adults.

METHODS: The number of diagnosed OME in e five referral centers, between 1 March 2018 and 1 March 2021, has been reviewed and collected. To estimate the reduction of OME incidence in children and adults during the COVID-19 pandemic period the OME incidence in three period of time were evaluated and compared: group 1-patients with OME diagnosis achieved between 1/03/2018 and 01/03/2019 (not pandemic period). Group 2-patients with OME diagnosis achieved between 1/03/2019 and 1/03/2020 (not pandemic period). Grou p 3-patients with OME diagnosis achieved between 1/03/2020 and 1/03/2021 (COVID-19 pandemic period).

RESULTS: In the non-pandemic periods (group 1 and 2), the incidence of OME in the five referral centers considered was similar, with 482 and 555 diagnosed cases, respectively. In contrast, the OME incidence in the same centers, during the pandemic period (group 3) was clearly reduced with a lower total number of 177 cases of OME estimated. Percentage variation in OME incidence between the first non-pandemic year considered (group 1) and the pandemic period (group 3) was-63, 3%, with an absolute value decrease value of-305 cases. Similarly, comparing the second non-pandemic year (group 2) and the pandemic year (group 3) the percentage variation of OME incidence was-68, 1% with an absolute value of-305 cases decreased.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings showed a lower incidence of OME during the pandemic period compared with 2 previous non pandemic years. The drastic restrictive ant i-contagion measures taken by the Italian government to contain the spread of COVID-19 could have had a positive impact on the lower OME incidence during the last pandemic year.

PMID:34218309 | DOI:10.1007/s00405-021-06958-4

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Three-dimensional measurement and analysis of botulinum toxin A injection for improving the aesthetic appearance of upper lip

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J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2021 Jun 20:S1748-6815(21)00339-9. doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2021.06.005. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study evaluated the efficacy of botulinum toxin A (BTX A) in improving the aesthetic appearance of lips. Twenty-four outpatients with clinical evidence indicating decreased fullness of lips or gummy smile were selected and received BTX A injection on the orbicularis oris. We observed a significant decrease in wrinkles and improvement in gummy smile in all patients 4 weeks after the injection. Aesthetic lines also changed significantly. Local injection of BTX A on the orbicularis oris could simultaneously achieve mild lip enhancement, improvement in fine wrinkles around lips, and mild gummy smile.

PMID:34217650 | DOI:10.1016/j.bjps.2021.06.005

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Patient-reported outcome and cost implication of acute salvage of infected implant-based breast reconstruction with negative pressure wound therapy with Instillation (NPWTi) compared to standard care

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J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2021 Jun 6:S1748-6815(21)00267-9. doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2021.05.014. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Implant loss due to infection is the most devastating complication of implant-based breast reconstruction. The use of negative pressure wound therapy with instillation(NPWTi) for salvage of infected implant-based breast reconstructions has shown promising results allowing early reinsertion of a new implant as an alternative to the current management with delayed reinsertion. This study compares the patient-reported outcome and cost implication of NPWTi to the current management.

METHODS: Twenty cases of infected breast implants treated with NPWTi(V.A.C. VERAFLO™ Therapy), followed by early reinsertion of new implants were compared to 20 cases that had delayed reinsertion(non-NPWTi). Patient satisfaction was evaluated using the BREAST-Q questionnaire. The average cost per patient was cal culated using total operative expense, cost of inpatient stay, investigations, antibiotics, and outpatient visits.

RESULTS: Treatment with NPWTi allowed earlier reinsertion of a new implant (NPWTi: 10.3 ± 2.77days vs. non-NPWTi: 247.45±111.28days, p<0.001). Patients in the NPWTi group reported higher satisfaction. The average cost per patient for NPWTi and non-NPWTi was £14,343.13±£2,786.70 and £8,920.31±£3,005.73, respectively(p<0.001). All patients treated with NPWTi had one admission and spent 11.9 ± 4.1days as inpatients, while non-NPWTi patients had 2.1 ± 0.3 admissions(p<0.001) and spent 7.1 ± 5.8days(p<0.004) as inpatients. Patients treated with NPWTi had more procedures (NPWTi:3.35±0.81 Vs. non-NPWTi:2.2 ± 0.41, p = 0.006); however, three non-NPWTi cases required flap reconstruction.

CONCLUSION: Patients treated with NPWTi reported higher satisfaction, received a new and earlier implant, and had fewer admissions and outpatient visits; how ever, they incurred higher average costs, longer inpatient stays, and underwent more procedures. Early implant reinsertion preserves skin envelope; hence avoiding additional cost and stress related to further major autologous reconstruction.

PMID:34217644 | DOI:10.1016/j.bjps.2021.05.014

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Systematic review of reporting quality of economic evaluations in plastic surgery based on the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards (CHEERS) statement

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J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2021 Jun 21:S1748-6815(21)00268-0. doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2021.05.017. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Economic evaluations in healthcare are designed to inform decisions by the estimation of cost and effect trade-off of two or more interventions. This review identified and appraised the quality of reporting of economic evaluations in plastic surgery based on the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards (CHEERS) statement.

METHODS: Electronic databases were searched: MEDLINE, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, Ovid Health Star, and Business Source Complete from January 1, 2012 to November 30, 2019. Data extracted included: the type of economic evaluation (i.e., cost-utility analysis (CUA), cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA), cost-benefit analysis (CBA), cost-minimization analysis (CMA)), domain of plastic surgery, journal, year, and country of publication. The CHEERS checklist (with 24 items) was used to appraise the quality of reporting.

RESULTS: Ninety-two economic evaluations were identified; CUA (10%), CEA (31%), CBA (4%), and CMA (50%). Breast surgery was the top domain (48%). Most were conducted in the USA (61%) and published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery journal (28%). One-third were published in the last two years. The average CHEERS checklist compliance score was 15 (63%). The average CHEERS checklist compliance score per type of evaluation was 19 (77%) for CUA, 17 (70%) for CEA, 13 (52%) for CBA, and 14 (57%) for CMA. The least reported CHEERS checklist items included: time horizon (15%), discount rate (18%), and assessment of heterogeneity (15%). Thirty-two percent of studies were inappropriately titled (i.e., methodologically incorrect).

CONCLUSION: Quality of reporting of economic evaluations is suboptimal. The CHEERS checklist should be consulted when performing and reporting economic evaluations in plastic surgery.

PMID:34217645 | DOI:10.1016/j.bjps.2021.05.017

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Malignant struma ovarii: From case to analysis

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J Obstet Gynaecol Res. 2021 Jul 4. doi: 10.1111/jog.14902. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To evaluate the clinico-pathologic features, treatment options, prognostic factors, and survival outcomes of malignant struma ovarii based on a systematic literature review in association with our case study.

METHODS: A systematic review of the medical literature was performed to identify articles about malignant struma ovarii from January 1983 until July 2020. We evaluated 178 cas es.

RESULTS: The 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of the entire cohort was 72.5% and 91%, respectively. In univariate analysis, younger age (<43 years), whole strumal cyst diameter >95 mm, presence of a histologic type other than papillary classic-type thyroid carcinoma within the tumor and lymphovascular space invasion were related to poor PFS. Patients who received radioactive iodine ablation (RIA) before the treatment failure had significantly higher PFS than those who did not receive RIA (94.9% vs. 64.8%, p = 0.041, respectively). In univariate analysis, PFS was significantly higher in patients who underwent gynecologic surgery followed by thyroidectomy and RIA compared with those who had surgical treatment only (94.5% vs. 64.3%, p = 0.05, respectively). However, this result could not be identified as an independent prognostic factor in multivariate analysis (p = 0.207). Younger age and absence of capsular involvement were related to s ignificantly increased OS. Histologic type was the only independent prognostic factor for PFS (hazard ratio: 3.30, 95% confidence interval: 1.122-9.748; p = 0.030) CONCLUSION: The most common histologic subtype was the papillary classic type. The presence of a histologic type other than the classic papillary thyroid carcinoma within the tumor was an independent adverse prognostic factor.

PMID:34219334 | DOI:10.1111/jog.14902

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A Feasible, Low-Cost, Capsicum and Tomato Model for Endoscopic Sinus and Skull Base Surgery Training

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Abstract

To describe and standardize an easily available, viable, low-cost capsicum and Tomato model for endoscopic sinus and Skull Base surgery training. Rhinology fellows performed the following stimulated endoscopic sinus exercises using the capsicum and tomato models at our centre using a Karl Storz angled Endoscope and Medtronic Debrider with various angled blades. Each student dissected 10 specimens before training these procedures on human patients, and the benefit of the capsicum and tomato models training was evaluated. 10 rhinology fellows of comparable academic level participated in the training. All participants agreed that the capsicum and tomato model dissections improved their skills in using powered instruments and endoscopic instruments, 90% agreed that the dissections improved their hand–eye coordination, precision, the manoeuvrability of angled blades and confidence with respect to their further training in human patients. A novel technique of low-cos t model using Capsicum and Tomato has been used for training fellows in endoscopic sinus and Skull Base surgery. However, no standardization of this training has been performed to ensure that it is a valuable tool for learning and skill-building. The standardized method described in this study increased the skills and confidence of the fellows before beginning their training on human patients. Moreover, our results demonstrate the feasibility of the model, considering its cost-effectiveness and easy availability. A novel technique of low-cost simulation exercises using capsicum and tomato have been described. Future studies with this model should be conducted to assess whether the resulting increase in skills prevents and reduces medical errors, increases patient safety, reduces training costs, and improves the quality of otolaryngological care.

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A Feasible, Low-Cost, Capsicum and Tomato Model for Endoscopic Sinus and Skull Base Surgery Training

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12070.jpg

Abstract

To describe and standardize an easily available, viable, low-cost capsicum and Tomato model for endoscopic sinus and Skull Base surgery training. Rhinology fellows performed the following stimulated endoscopic sinus exercises using the capsicum and tomato models at our centre using a Karl Storz angled Endoscope and Medtronic Debrider with various angled blades. Each student dissected 10 specimens before training these procedures on human patients, and the benefit of the capsicum and tomato models training was evaluated. 10 rhinology fellows of comparable academic level participated in the training. All participants agreed that the capsicum and tomato model dissections improved their skills in using powered instruments and endoscopic instruments, 90% agreed that the dissections improved their hand–eye coordination, precision, the manoeuvrability of angled blades and confidence with respect to their further training in human patients. A novel technique of low-cos t model using Capsicum and Tomato has been used for training fellows in endoscopic sinus and Skull Base surgery. However, no standardization of this training has been performed to ensure that it is a valuable tool for learning and skill-building. The standardized method described in this study increased the skills and confidence of the fellows before beginning their training on human patients. Moreover, our results demonstrate the feasibility of the model, considering its cost-effectiveness and easy availability. A novel technique of low-cost simulation exercises using capsicum and tomato have been described. Future studies with this model should be conducted to assess whether the resulting increase in skills prevents and reduces medical errors, increases patient safety, reduces training costs, and improves the quality of otolaryngological care.

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Voice symptoms in teachers during distance teaching: a survey during the COVID-19 pandemic in Finland

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Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2021 Jul 4. doi: 10.1007/s00405-021-06960-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Due to the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19), teachers during the pandemic have had to adapt to online teaching at short notice. This study aims to investigate the voice symptoms and their environmental risk factors as well as the work ability associated with distance teaching and to compare these with symptoms in previous contact teaching.

METHODS: We conducted a survey of 121 primary and secondary school teachers across Finland. The survey was advertised online through social media and the replies collected from voluntarily participating teachers.

RESULTS: During distance teaching vocal symptoms appeared less often than in school with 71% teachers experiencing them in regular teaching and 44% in distance teaching, VHI result decreased from 7.88 in school teaching to 4.58 in distance teaching. Acoustic cond itions were reported to be more suitable in distance teaching with 73% of teachers finding them adequate during distance teaching in comparison to 46% for those in regular teaching. Background noise was the most disturbing factor for a teacher's voice in the classroom and in distance teaching and this was even more conspicuous in the classroom. Also, subjectively experienced poor indoor air quality at school influenced the voice negatively. Further, voice problems were associated with increased subjective stress levels and reduced ability to work.

CONCLUSION: Distance teaching has affected teachers' voices in a positive way compared with regular teaching. This difference is likely to be due to better acoustics and indoor air quality in distance teaching conditions.

PMID:34219183 | DOI:10.1007/s00405-021-06960-w

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Patient reported outcome measures in a cohort of patients at high risk of breast cancer treated by bilateral risk reducing mastectomy and breast reconstruction

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J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2021 Jun 21:S1748-6815(21)00345-4. doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2021.06.012. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Many women with increased lifetime risk of developing breast cancer, due to pathogenic gene variants or family history, choose to undergo bilateral risk reducing mastectomies (BRRM). Patient reported outcome measures (PROMS) are an increasingly important part of informed consent but are little studied in women undergoing BRRM.

METHODS: We used a validated PROMS tool for breast reconstruction (BREAST-Q) in 297 women who had BRRM and breast reconstruction, 81% of whom had no malignancy (Benign Group, BG) and 19% in whom a perioperative breast cancer was diagnosed (Cancer Group, CG). 128 women also completed a Hospital Anxiety & Depression Score (HADS) questionnaire to test if preoperative HADS score could predict PROMS outcomes.

RESULTS: Women in the CG had lower PROMS scores for s atisfaction with their breasts, nipple reconstruction and sexual wellbeing. Both groups reported equal satisfaction with BRRM outcome and psychosocial well-being. Physical well-being PROMS of the abdomen and chest were high in women in both groups as were scores for satisfaction with the care they received. The CG group reported suboptimal quality of patient information. A higher presurgical HADS anxiety score predicted less favourable postoperative psychosocial well-being despite similar levels of satisfaction with aesthetic outcome.

CONCLUSION: We show a high degree of patient reported satisfaction by woman undergoing BRRM and reconstruction. There was a negative association with a cancer diagnosis on quality of life PROMS and higher preoperative anxiety levels negatively affected postoperative psychosocial well-being. These important findings should be part of the informed consent process during preoperative counselling.

PMID:34219040 | DOI:10.1016/j.bjps.2021.06.012

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Surgical management of female genital mutilation-related morbidity: A scoping review

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J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2021 Jun 6:S1748-6815(21)00274-6. doi: 10.1016/j.bjps.2021.05.022. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Over 200 million women and girls worldwide have suffered from the partial to total removal of external female genitalia for nonmedical purposes, referred to as female genital mutilation (FGM). Survivors of FGM may develop debilitating physical and psychological long-term sequelae. This is the first study to examine the scope of the extant surgical literature on the management of FGM-related morbidity.

METHODS: A systematic scoping review of five major research citation databases was conducted.

RESULTS: A total of 190 articles from 29 countries met the inclusion criteria. The majority (76%) were primary source articles and from obstetrics and gynecology literature (71%). Reported interventions for FGM-related morbidity were defibulation, cyst excision, clitoral and vulvar reconstructio n, urological reconstruction, peripartum procedures, labial adhesion release, and reinfibulation.

CONCLUSIONS: Surgery for FGM complications spans multiple specialties, which suggests multidisciplinary collaboration benefit. Plastic and reconstructive surgeons have a clear role in the multidisciplinary care team for these patients. This scoping review identified a paucity of high-quality evidence with respect to functional quality of life outcomes and long-term follow-up.

PMID:34219039 | DOI:10.1016/j.bjps.2021.05.022

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