Machine-Learning Points at Endoscopic, Quality of Life, and Olfactory Parameters as Outcome Criteria for Endoscopic Paranasal Sinus Surgery in Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is often treated by functional endoscopic paranasal sinus surgery, which improves endoscopic parameters and quality of life, while olfactory function was suggested as a further criterion of treatment success. In a prospective cohort study, 37 parameters from four categories were recorded from 60 men and 98 women before and four months after endoscopic sinus surgery, including endoscopic measures of nasal anatomy/pathology, assessments of olfactory function, quality of life, and socio-demographic or concomitant conditions. Parameters containing relevant information about changes associated with surgery were examined using unsupervised and supervised methods, including machine-learning techniques for feature selection. The analyzed cohort included 52 men and 38 women. Changes in the endoscopic Lildholdt score allowed separation of baseline from postoperative data with a cross-validated accuracy of 85%. Further relevant information included primary nasal symptoms from SNOT-20 assessments, and self-assessments of olfactory function. Overall improvement in these relevant parameters was observed in 95% of patients. A ranked list of criteria was developed as a proposal to assess the outcome of functional endoscopic sinus surgery in CRS patients with nasal polyposis. Three different facets were captured, including the Lildholdt score as an endoscopic measure and, in addition, disease-specific quality of life and subjectively perceived olfactory function.

Using machine learning for personalized prediction of revision paranasal sinus surgery

Background: Uncontrolled chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) needing consideration of surgery is a growing health problem yet its risk factors at individual level are not known. Our aim was to examine risk factors of revision endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) at the individual level by using artificial intelligence. Methods: Demographic and visit variables were collected from electronic health records (EHR) of 790 operated CRS patients. The effect of variables on the prediction accuracy of revision ESS was examined at the individual level via machine learning models. Results: Revision ESS was performed to 114 (14.7%) CRS patients. The logistic regression, gradient boosting and random forest classifiers had similar performance (AUC values .746, .745 and .747, respectively) for predicting revision ESS. The best performance was yielded by using logistic regression and long predictor data retrieval time (AUC .809, precision 36%, sensitivity 70%) as compared with data collection time from baseline visit until 0, 3 and 6 months after the baseline ESS (AUC values .668, .717 and .746, respectively). The number of visits, number of days from the baseline visit to the baseline ESS, age, CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), asthma, NERD and immunodeficiency or its suspicion were associated with revision ESS. Age and the number of visits before baseline ESS had non-linear effects for the predictions. Conclusions: Intelligent data analysis found important predictors of revision ESS at the individual level, such as visit frequency, age, Type 2 high diseases and immunodeficiency or its suspicion.

Principles of qualification and surgical treatment of the nose and paranasal sinuses in the era of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic is one of the greatest challenges in modern medicine. Despite the implemented social and economic restrictions, the epidemiological situation is still dynamic. Otolaryngologists (especially rhinologists), are a group of doctors particularly exposed to SARS-CoV-2 infection. In order to limit the spread of the virus, it is necessary to implement procedures that minimize the risk of infection of medical personnel and patients. Due to the location of the virus, it is very important in relation to rhinological procedures and operations. The authors reviewed the literature on this topic and presented effective methods to reduce the likelihood of virus transmission during nasal and paranasal sinus surgery used in our center. It is important that pandemic limitations do not affect the duration of diagnosis and initiation of cancer treatment. Neoplasms of the nasal region and paranasal sinuses are detected relatively late due to the time of symptom onset, and further delays in the onset of the therapeutic process are extremely unfavorable. We are of the opinion that rhinological procedures, especially in patients with unknown epidemiological status, should be limited to the necessary minimum - life-threatening conditions and resection of malignant neoplasms. Even in these cases, however, strict adherence to procedures is necessary to reduce the risk of virus transmission. We hope that the implementation of the guidelines presented in the following paper will help in the fight against the current pandemic and its subsequent waves.

The role of 3D reconstruction in surgical training for the ENT young surgeon

BACKGROUND. Nose and paranasal sinus surgery requires an accurate anatomical knowledge and a fine systematic learning. Surgical practice on cadaveric specimens is very important for the ENT resident to allow for a step-by-step learning, but it is not easy in all countries to have access to this compound.MATERIAL AND METHODS. We propose 3D-printed anatomical bone model exercitations as an alternative method for anatomical study, morphological research and surgical learningRESULTS. We have achieved very satisfactory morphological results both for the colours and shapes.CONCLUSION. The use of 3D modelling simulation allows the young surgeon to improve their technical skills and to the expert surgeon to plan the preoperative strategy in complex situations.

P2815Antiplatelet therapy with cangrelor in patients undergoing surgery after coronary stent implantation: a real-world bridging protocol experience

Background Perioperative management of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients deemed at high thrombotic risk undergoing non-deferrable surgery remains poorly defined. Cangrelor represents a potential treatment option as a “bridge” from discontinuation of oral P2Y12 receptor antagonists to surgical procedures, but data in this setting are still scant. Purpose We sought to describe a real-world experience of a bridging protocol using cangrelor for patients referred to relevant bleeding risk surgery requiring withdrawal of DAPT. Methods We collected data from 7 Italian centers on patients with previous PCI, still on DAPT, undergoing non-deferrable surgery which required discontinuation of one or both antiplatelet agents. A standardized bridging protocol using cangrelor infusion before and eventually after surgery was applied (Figure 1). Results Between December 2017 and January 2019, a total of 18 patients (mean age 70±10 years; male 85%) were enrolled. In the majority (89%) of patients, the index PCI was performed due to acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and 2±1.7 stents per patient were implanted. All patients required non-deferrable, intermediate-high bleeding risk surgery as pulmonary lobectomy, colectomy, endoscopic bladder surgery, paranasal sinus surgery, coronary artery by-pass surgery and valvular repair, hip replacement, endoscopy sphincterotomy. High thrombotic risk categories included PCI time <1 month, SCA time <3 months, stent failure occurrence, previous Absorb BVS implantation. Due to the surgical bleeding risk, discontinuation of P2Y12 inhibitor was required 5 days before surgery (ticagrelor, n=13; prasugrel=1; clopidogrel, n=5). All patients but 1 maintained aspirin through the perioperative phase. Cangrelor infusion was started at a bridging dose (0.75 mcg/kg/min) 3 days before planned surgery and was discontinued 6.9±1.5 hours before. After surgery, drainages were left in all patients but 3. In 56% of patients, cangrelor was resumed within 24 hours from surgery (mean time 9±7 hours) for a mean of 36±38 hours. Drainages were removed after discontinuation of cangrelor, in order to reduce bleeding complications. Within 2 hours from post-operative cangrelor discontinuation, a 300 mg clopidogrel loading dose was administered. No major ischemic adverse outcomes occurred during hospital stay and up to 30 days follow-up. The mean Hb drop was 2±1.8 g/dl, 7 patients received blood transfusions consistent with the type of surgeries and no life-threatening or fatal bleeding occurred. Figure 1. Standardized bridging protocol. Conclusions Peri-operative bridge therapy with cangrelor is a feasible approach for stented patients at high thrombotic risk referred to non-deferrable surgery requiring DAPT discontinuation. Larger studies are warranted to support the safety of this strategy.