Straws Don't Suck: Are Straws Dangerous after Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery?

Author(s):  
Erin K. Reilly ◽  
Judd H. Fastenberg ◽  
Mindy R. Rabinowitz ◽  
Colin T. Huntley ◽  
Maurits S. Boon ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective Patients undergoing endoscopic endonasal surgery have historically been restricted from using straws postoperatively, due to the concern that this activity generates negative pressure. The objective of this study is to evaluate the pressure dynamics in the sinonasal cavity associated with the use of a straw. Methods Intracranial pressure catheters were placed in the nasal cavity of 20 healthy individuals. Pressure measurements were then recorded while participants drank liquids of different viscosities from a cup and from a straw. Measurements were recorded with and without subjects occluding their nose to simulate postoperative nasal obstruction. Results The average pressure in the nasal cavity while drinking water from a cup was −0.86 cmH2O, from a straw was −1.09 cmH2O, and while occluding the nose and using a straw was −0.81 cmH2O. The average pressure in the nasal cavity while drinking a milkshake from a cup was −0.98 cmH2O, from a straw was −1.88 cmH2O, and while occluding the nose and using a straw was −1.37 cmH2O. There was no statistically significant difference in pressure measurements when comparing either task or consistency (p > 0.05). Conclusion Straw use is not associated with the generation of significant negative pressure in the nasal cavity. The pressure generated when drinking from a straw is not significantly different from that of drinking from a cup. This data suggest that straw use may be safe for patients following endoscopic skull base surgery, but further investigation is warranted.

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 487-493 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin K. Reilly ◽  
Colin T. Huntley ◽  
Maurits S. Boon ◽  
Gregory Epps ◽  
Swar Vimawala ◽  
...  

Background For patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), there is a lack of knowledge regarding the impact of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on the nasal cavity. There is a significant need for evidence-based recommendations regarding the appropriate use of CPAP following endoscopic sinus and skull base surgery. Objective The goal of this study is to translate a previously developed cadaveric model for evaluating CPAP pressures in the sinonasal cavity by showing safety in vivo and quantifying the effect of positive pressurized air flow on the nasal cavity of healthy individuals where physiologic effects are at play. Methods A previously validated cadaveric model using intracranial sensor catheters has proved to be a reliable technique for measuring sinonasal pressures. These sensors were placed in the nasal cavity of 18 healthy individuals. Pressure within the nose was recorded at increasing levels of CPAP. Results Overall, nasal cavity pressure was on average 85% of delivered CPAP. The amount of pressure delivered to the nasal cavity increased as the CPAP increased. The percentage of CPAP delivered was 77% for 5 cmH2O and increased to 89% at 20 cmH2O. There was a significant difference in mean intranasal pressures between all the levels of CPAP except 5 cmH2O and 8 cmH2O ( P < .001). Conclusion On average, only 85% of the pressure delivered by CPAP is transmitted to the nasal cavity. Higher CPAP pressures delivered a greater percentage of pressurized air to the nasal cavity floor. Our results are comparable to the cadaver model, which demonstrated similar pressure delivery even in the absence of anatomic factors such as lung compliance, nasal secretions, and edema. This study demonstrates the safety of using sensors in the human nasal cavity. This technology can also be utilized to evaluate the resiliency of various repair techniques for endoscopic skull base surgery with CPAP administration.


Author(s):  
Svetlana Dmitrievna Nikonova ◽  
Maksim Aleksandrovich Kutin ◽  
Elizaveta Vladimirovna Shelesko ◽  
Pavel Lvovich Kalinin ◽  
Nadezhda Alekseevna Chernikova ◽  
...  

Today, endoscopic endonasal approach is considered the gold standard in skull base surgery of the chiasmosellar region. Advances in transnasal endoscopic skull base surgery allow conducting more extensive interventions via wider approaches which requires more complicated plastic closure of the skull base defect. In 2006, G. Haddad et al. suggested using a vascularized nasoseptal flap to reconstruct a skull base defect. This method is generally accepted at present due to its reliability and low frequency of postoperative complications. The purpose of this article is to analyze publications on possible complications and pathological conditions of the nasal cavity when using a vascularized nasoseptal flap for skull base surgery after removal of neoplasms of the chiasmo-sellar region. The study included articles found in the Pubmed database (2006–2020) which described frequency and character of complications caused by skull base defect reconstruction by a nasoseptal flap after transnasal removal of chiasmo-sellar neoplasms. According to the literature review, the following complications are reported: cerebrospinal fluid leak, flap necrosis and infectious complications, pathological changes in the nasal cavity: prolonged crusting, synechiae, epistaxis, septum perforation, sinusitis, subatrophic changes of mucosae, nasolacrimal duct obstruction, olfactory dysfunction. The authors conclude that the nasoseptal flap is, undoubtedly, an effective material for reconstruction of dural defects by endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery, because of its good viability due to the preserved blood supply and high tightness of the plasty. However, there is a risk of complications in the nasal cavity. For these reasons, development of effective methods for prevention of nasal complications after using a vascularized flap in endoscopic endonasal surgery is an important issue today.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 271-280 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel N Helman ◽  
Roberto M Soriano ◽  
Martin L Tomov ◽  
Vahid Serpooshan ◽  
Joshua M Levy ◽  
...  

Abstract BACKGROUND COVID-19 poses a risk to the endoscopic skull base surgeon. Significant efforts to improving safety have been employed, including the use of personal protective equipment, preoperative COVID-19 testing, and recently the use of a modified surgical mask barrier. OBJECTIVE To reduce the risks of pathogen transmission during endoscopic skull base surgery. METHODS This study was exempt from Institutional Review Board approval. Our study utilizes a 3-dimensional (3D)-printed mask with an anterior aperture fitted with a surgical glove with ports designed to allow for surgical instrumentation and side ports to accommodate suction ventilation and an endotracheal tube. As an alternative, a modified laparoscopic surgery trocar served as a port for instruments, and, on the contralateral side, rubber tubing was used over the endoscrub endosheath to create an airtight seal. Surgical freedom and aerosolization were tested in both modalities. RESULTS The ventilated mask allowed for excellent surgical maneuverability and freedom. The trocar system was effective for posterior surgical procedures, allowing access to critical paramedian structures, and afforded a superior surgical seal, but was limited in terms of visualization and maneuverability during anterior approaches. Aerosolization was reduced using both the mask and nasal trocar. CONCLUSION The ventilated upper airway endoscopic procedure mask allows for a sealed surgical barrier during endoscopic skull base surgery and may play a critical role in advancing skull base surgery in the COVID-19 era. The nasal trocar may be a useful alternative in instances where 3D printing is not available. Additional studies are needed to validate these preliminary findings.


2016 ◽  
Vol 124 (3) ◽  
pp. 621-626 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaan M. Raza ◽  
Matei A. Banu ◽  
Angela Donaldson ◽  
Kunal S. Patel ◽  
Vijay K. Anand ◽  
...  

OBJECT The intraoperative detection of CSF leaks during endonasal endoscopic skull base surgery is critical to preventing postoperative CSF leaks. Intrathecal fluorescein (ITF) has been used at varying doses to aid in the detection of intraoperative CSF leaks. However, the sensitivity and specificity of ITF at certain dosages is unknown. METHODS A prospective database of all endoscopic endonasal procedures was reviewed. All patients received 25 mg ITF diluted in 10 ml CSF and were pretreated with dexamethasone and Benadryl. Immediately after surgery, the operating surgeon prospectively noted if there was an intraoperative CSF leak and fluorescein was identified. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive power of ITF for detecting intraoperative CSF leak were calculated. Factors correlating with postoperative CSF leak were determined. RESULTS Of 419 patients, 35.8% of patients did not show a CSF leak. Fluorescein-tinted CSF (true positive) was noted in 59.7% of patients and 0 false positives were encountered. CSF without fluorescein staining (false negative) was noted in 4.5% of patients. The sensitivity and specificity of ITF were 92.9% and 100%, respectively. The negative and positive predictive values were 88.8% and 100%, respectively. Postoperative CSF leaks only occurred in true positives at a rate of 2.8%. CONCLUSIONS ITF is extremely specific and very sensitive for detecting intraoperative CSF leaks. Although false negatives can occur, these patients do not appear to be at risk for postoperative CSF leak. The use of ITF may help surgeons prevent postoperative CSF leaks by intraoperatively detecting and confirming a watertight repair.


2017 ◽  
Vol 78 (04) ◽  
pp. e125-e128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irit Duek ◽  
Gill Sviri ◽  
Moran Amit ◽  
Ziv Gil

Background Injury to the cavernous portion of the internal carotid artery (ICA) during endoscopic skull base surgery is a well-recognized rare complication that can be associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Many techniques have been suggested to manage ICA injury with varying degrees of success. Objectives We provide a detailed technical description of an operative technique for endoscopic management of carotid artery injury. Methods A case of ICA injury during endoscopic skull base surgery is presented. The immediate treatment measurements include: (1) early recognition of ICA injury, (2) briefing of the team and preparations, (3) packing, (4) harvesting of temporalis muscle patch, (5) placement of the muscle patch over the defect, and (6) gentle compression for 10 minutes. Results The technique facilitates quick repair and restores normal blood flow through the damaged artery. Exsanguination or the symptoms of stroke that may occur from prolonged occlusion of the ICA are therefore prevented. Conclusion The proposed protocol is useful for the management of a potentially life-threatening ICA injury.


2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 523-530 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wendy Chen ◽  
Paul A. Gardner ◽  
Barton F. Branstetter ◽  
Shih-Dun Liu ◽  
Yue Fang Chang ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVECranial base development plays a large role in anterior and vertical maxillary growth through 7 years of age, and the effect of early endonasal cranial base surgery on midface growth is unknown. The authors present their experience with pediatric endoscopic endonasal surgery (EES) and long-term midface growth.METHODSThis is a retrospective review of cases where EES was performed from 2000 to 2016. Patients who underwent their first EES of the skull base before age 7 (prior to cranial suture fusion) and had a complete set of pre- and postoperative imaging studies (CT or MRI) with at least 1 year of follow-up were included. A radiologist performed measurements (sella-nasion [S-N] distance and angles between the sella, nasion, and the most concave points of the anterior maxilla [A point] or anterior mandibular synthesis [B point], the SNA, SNB, and ANB angles), which were compared to age- and sex-matched Bolton standards. A Z-score test was used; significance was set at p < 0.05.RESULTSThe early surgery group had 11 patients, with an average follow-up of 5 years; the late surgery group had 33 patients. Most tumors were benign; 1 patient with a panclival arteriovenous malformation was a significant outlier for all measurements. Comparing the measurements obtained in the early surgery group to Bolton standard norms, the authors found no significant difference in postoperative SNA (p = 0.10), SNB (p = 0.14), or ANB (0.67) angles. The S-N distance was reduced both pre- and postoperatively (SD 1.5, p = 0.01 and p = 0.009). Sex had no significant effect. Compared to patients who had surgery after the age of 7 years, the early surgery group demonstrated no significant difference in pre- to postoperative changes with regard to S-N distance (p = 0.87), SNA angle (p = 0.89), or ANB angle (p = 0.14). Lesion type (craniopharyngioma, angiofibroma, and other types) had no significant effect in either age group.CONCLUSIONSThough our cohort of patients with skull base lesions demonstrated some abnormal measurements in the maxillary-mandibular relationship before their operation, their postoperative cephalometrics fell within the normal range and showed no significant difference from those of patients who underwent operations at an older age. Therefore, there appears to be no evidence of impact of endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery on craniofacial development within the growth period studied.


2010 ◽  
Vol 121 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramon Terre Falcon ◽  
Carlos M. Rivera-Serrano ◽  
Juan Fernandez Miranda ◽  
Daniel M. Prevedello ◽  
Carl H. Snyderman ◽  
...  

2013 ◽  
Vol 127 (S2) ◽  
pp. S29-S32 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Chin ◽  
K Snidvongs ◽  
R Sacks ◽  
R J Harvey

AbstractIntroduction:Effective tissue removal techniques are essential in endoscopic skull base surgery. Improvements in technology permit more accurate application of CO2 laser and coblation during endonasal procedures. This study assessed the thermal injury patterns associated with fibre CO2 laser and coblation.Methods:Fresh frozen cadaveric heads were used. Mucosal removal was performed at the ethmoid roof. Structured lesions were created using either CO2 laser or coblation. The corresponding thermal injury patterns on dural tissue were assessed and compared between the two groups.Results:Five cadaveric heads were obtained; five sides received CO2 laser lesions and five coblation lesions. Forty per cent (n = two sides) of the CO2 specimens had macroscopic foci of grey-black discolouration on the dural aspect. No macroscopic dural changes were seen in the coblation specimens.Conclusion:Dural injury was seen following CO2 laser use despite attempts to avoid it. Both CO2 laser and coblation have their advantages; however, the lower thermal working power of coblation and superior depth control may make it more suitable for endoscopic endonasal periorbital and peridural surgery.


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