Functional endoscopic sinus surgery improves the quality of life in children suffering from chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps

Translation and cultural adaptation of "Glasgow Children's Benefit Inventory" into Brazilian Portuguese

OBJECTIVE

Translate and cross-culturally adapt into Brazilian Portuguese the Glasgow Children's Benefit Inventory instrument used for the quality-of-life assessment after pediatric ENT interventions.

METHOD

This is a methodological study of translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the GCBI instrument following seven stages: 1) Translation of two versions by two independent translators, 2) Elaboration of a consensual synthetized version, 3) Assessment of the synthetized version by experts, 4) Assessment by the target audience, 5) Back-translation, 6) Pilot study and 7) Use of the instrument. The final version of the instrument was answered by a sample of 28 people responsible for children aged from 2 to 7 years, submitted to tonsillectomy between January 2019 and December 2021, in a public hospital in Porto Alegre. The collection considered patients with a minimum of 6-months and a maximum of 3-years of postoperative follow-up.

RESULT

The instrument final version was compared to the original version showing semantic equivalence, absence of consistent translation difficulties and appropriate cross-cultural adaptation, and well understood by the target audience. The application of the questionnaire in the sample showed a Cronbach alpha coefficient of 0.944 corresponding to a high degree of reliability of the instrument.

CONCLUSION

The translation and cross-cultural adaptation showed semantic appropriateness and its use when assessing ENT postoperative results in a pediatric population showed high reliability of the instrument.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4

Care for Patients with Type-2 Chronic Rhinosinusitis

In the last 20 years, growing interest in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) has become evident in medical literature; nevertheless, it is still difficult to identify the real prevalence of the disease. Epidemiological studies are few and focused on heterogeneous populations and diagnostic methods. Recent research has contributed to identifying CRS as a disease characterized by heterogeneous clinical scenarios, high impact on quality of life, and elevated social costs. Patient stratification with phenotypes and identification of the pathobiological mechanism at the origin of the disease (endotype) and its comorbidities are pivotal in the diagnostic process, and they should be addressed in order to properly tailor treatment. A multidisciplinary approach, shared diagnostic and therapeutic data, and follow-up processes are therefore necessary. Oncological multidisciplinary boards offer models to imitate in accordance with the principles of precision medicine: tracing a diagnostic pathway with the purpose of identifying the patient’s immunological profile, monitoring therapeutical processes, abstaining from having only a single specialist involved in treatment, and placing the patient at the center of the therapeutic plan. Awareness and participation from the patient’s perspective are fundamental steps to optimize the clinical course, improve quality of life, and reduce the socioeconomic burden.

Impact of Prolonged Operative Time on Complications Following Endoscopic Sinonasal Surgery

OBJECTIVE

To determine how prolonged operative time (POT) impacts 30-day outcomes in patients undergoing endoscopic sinonasal surgery (ESNS).

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective study.

METHODS

Data from patients who underwent ESNS (nonsinus, sinus, and extended sinus) between 2005 to 2018 were collected from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement database. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the effect of POT on postoperative outcomes.

RESULTS

Among 1,994 ESNS cases, 495 nonsinus procedures, 1,191 sinus procedures, and 308 extended sinus procedures were identified. Median OT was 90 minutes (interquartile range [IQR], 51-165 minutes) for nonsinus procedures, 113 minutes (IQR, 66-189 minutes) for sinus procedures, and 187 minutes (IQR, 137-251 minutes) for extended sinus procedures. Other than older age (P = .008), POT was not significantly associated with baseline demographics and comorbidities for patients undergoing non-sinus procedures. Older age (P < .001), White and Black race (P < .001), ASA physical classifications III or IV (P < .001), and several preoperative comorbidities, including obesity (P = .045), and hypertension (P < .001) were associated with POT for sinus procedures. Older age (P = .030), male sex (P = .010), and lower body mass index (P = .004) were associated with POT for extended sinus procedures. After risk-adjustment, POT was independently associated with prolonged hospital stay (LOS) for all procedure categories, and associated with overall surgical complications and postoperative bleeding for sinus and extended sinus procedures specifically.

CONCLUSION

POT is independently associated with several adverse outcomes following ESNS, including prolonged LOS, overall surgical complications, and bleeding. Preoperative planning should include optimizing modifiable patient risk factors for POT and identifying surgeon-specific factors to enhance surgical efficiency.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4 Laryngoscope, 133:51-58, 2023.

Cystic fibrosis exacerbations treated with medical therapy with and without concurrent sinus surgery

OBJECTIVE

This analysis investigates any potential differences in pulmonary function test (PFT) outcomes among pediatric patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) receiving both medical management (MM) and functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) versus MM alone for CF exacerbation.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective cohort.

SETTING

Pediatric tertiary care facility.

METHODS

The data was prospectively collected from July 2011 to March 2020. Diagnosis of CF and age ≤ to 18 were required. All patients were hospitalized and treated for CF exacerbations with both FESS with MM and MM alone at variable time intervals, although the order of initial treatment received differed. Two-way ANOVA with repeated measures were used to determine the effect of receiving FESS with MM versus MM alone on PFT outcomes over time (during admission, at discharge, at 3 months, at 6 months, and at 12 months).

RESULTS

13 pediatric patients, 7 of which had FESS with MM initially and 6 who had MM alone initially, and 20 events of both FESS and MM were included for analysis. For PFT outcomes, there was no statistically significant two-way interaction between treatment type and time following treatment, p = 0.492. The main effect of treatment did not show a statistically significant difference in FEV1 between treatment types, p = 0.737. There was no statistically significant association between treatment type and time between hospital readmission in months, p = 0.111.

CONCLUSION

There was no significant difference between PFT outcomes in pediatric patients hospitalized for CF exacerbation treated with MM with or without FESS at any time interval.

Olfactory Change Pattern After Endoscopic Sinus Surgery in Chronic Rhinosinusitis Patients

Background Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a chronic inflammation of the sinonasal mucosa that is clinically associated with sinus pressure, nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, and a decreased sense of smell that lasts more than 12 weeks. Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) for medically refractory CRS is mainly undergone to improve sinus function and access to topical medicinal treatments. However, olfactory changes after ESS can be unpredictable. Aim The current study aimed to assess olfactory change patterns after endoscopic sinus surgery in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. Methods A record-based retrospective study was conducted in Aseer Central Hospital (ACH) ear, nose, and throat outpatient (ENT OPD) department and Khamis Mushayt General Hospital from August 15, 2021, to December 15, 2021. Data were collected using pre-structured data extraction sheet to avoid errors. Data extracted and collected included patients' biodemographic data, CRS-associated symptoms, and endoscopic surgery-related data, including duration since surgery, presurgical medications, and duration of surgery. Also, postsurgical complications were extracted, especially olfactory complications. Results A total of 168 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and who had undergone endoscopic sinus surgery in the Aseer region were included. Patient ages ranged from 10 to 61 years, with a mean age of 39.8 ± 12.4 years old. Regarding the associated symptoms and complaints of the study patients, 110 (65.5%) complained of sinusitis, and 86 (51.2%) had allergic RS. The postsurgical complications of patients with CRS who had undergone endoscopic sinus surgery were olfactory dysfunction (OD) in 32 (19%), no complications in 115 (68.55%), and other nonspecific complications, such as headache, drowsiness, nose dryness, and bleeding, in 21 (12.55%). Also, 71 (42.3%) reported that they hardly perceive the fragrance in perfumeries. Conclusion In conclusion, olfactory impairment is a frequent clinical presentation in patients with CRS. In this study, olfactory dysfunction was improved, except among nearly one out of each five patients after ESS. Olfactory dysfunction was more among patients who had undergone recent surgery and those with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). Also, among patients who reported no complications, olfactory function did not return to normal in most patients as they hardly perceive fragrance.

Nasal Polyps in Children: The Early Origins of a Challenging Adulthood Condition

Nasal polyps (NPs) are benign inflammatory masses causing chronic nasal obstruction, usually associated with underlying chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), which are rarely reported in childhood. The interest in NPs has recently increased due to new therapeutic options, namely biological agents, such as dupilumab, and an update of the European position paper on this topic was released in 2020, providing a detailed classification for these lesions and also discussing diagnostic and therapeutic approaches also in children. In childhood, NPs usually represent red flags for systemic diseases, such as cystic fibrosis and immunodeficiencies. This review outlines the recent data on NPs in childhood, focusing on predisposing factors for CRS as well as on the potential endotypes in this particular age group, for which further studies are required in order to better clarify their pathogenesis and to identify molecular biomarkers that could help achieve more personalized treatments.

Exploring the Factor Structure of the Glasgow Children's Benefit Inventory: New Recommendations for Reporting Results

OBJECTIVE

Patient-reported outcomes can be useful for reporting benefit from non-life-saving interventions, but often they report a single overall score, which means that much information on the specific areas of benefit is lost. Our aim was to perform a new factor analysis on the Glasgow Children's Benefit Inventory (GCBI) to create subscales reflecting domains of benefit. Further aims were to assess the internal consistency of the GCBI, and to develop guidelines for reporting both a total score and sub-scales in future studies.

METHODS

We collected 4 existing datasets of GCBI data from children who have undergone tonsillectomy, ventilation tube insertion, pinnaplasty, and submucous diathermy to the inferior turbinates. We performed exploratory factor analysis with principal axis factoring with varimax rotation, we sought redundancy in question items, and we measured internal consistency.

RESULTS

Using the combined dataset of 772 cases, we found 4 factors which accounted for 64% of the variance and which we have labeled "Psycho-social," "Physical health," "Behavior," and "Vitality." Subscale results varied in predictable ways depending on the nature of the intervention. Cronbach's alpha was 0.928. Item-total correlations were high, and no item could be deleted to improve alpha. Floor effects were apparent for various questions but were not consistent between different interventions.

CONCLUSIONS

The GCBI contains a range of questions which each add value in different clinical interventions. We can now make recommendations for reporting the results of the GCBI and its 4 new subscales.

Comparison of the efficiency and safety of endonasal and open rhinosurgery in children

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

The objective of this study was to compare the efficiency and safety of endonasal endoscopic maxillary surgery and the Caldwell-Luc approach in children.

STUDY DESIGN

Case series.

METHODS

A total of 121 children aged 9 to 17 years with chronic rhinosinusitis were included in the study. The patients were operated on using Caldwell-Luc (n = 36) and endoscopic maxillary surgery (n = 85) procedures. Efficiency and safety of the surgeries were assessed using pre- and postoperative endoscopic evaluation of the mucosa of the nasal cavity, 20-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-20), and subjective (both children's and parents') evaluation of the outcomes.

RESULTS

Endoscopic investigation of the mucosa of the nasal cavity demonstrated a significant improvement after both Caldwell-Luc and endoscopic surgery, although the Caldwell-Luc procedure did not result in significant improvement in mucosal color. However, no significant group difference was observed. Both techniques resulted in a significant improvement of mucosal edema and fluid characteristics. Based on the results of the SNOT-20, endoscopic maxillary surgery was characterized by a significant improvement in headache frequency, waking up at night, reduced concentration, ear pain, and emotional suppression as compared to Caldwell-Luc surgery. Although no significant group difference in efficiency between the Caldwell-Luc approach and endoscopic surgery was observed, the latter was characterized by a lower rate of scar formation, and reduced sensitivity, local painfulness, lacrimation, and psychologic discomfort.

CONCLUSIONS

The obtained data demonstrate the higher efficiency and safety of endoscopic sinus surgery as compared to the Caldwell-Luc approach in children.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4 Laryngoscope, 130:1056-1063, 2020.

Endoscopic sinus surgery for pediatric patients: Prognostic factors related to revision surgery

OBJECTIVES

In the past two decades, endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) has been performed frequently in children with medically recalcitrant chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). However, surgical success rates vary according to age. The causes of failure and prognostic factors for revision ESS remain unclear. The aims of the present study were to evaluate prognostic factors related to revision surgery after ESS, and to determine the most optimal timing for surgery in the pediatric population.

METHODS

This was a retrospective review in a tertiary medical center. Children who underwent ESS for CRS between 2004 and 2017 were enrolled. Demographics, sinonasal examination findings, previous operation history, laboratory data, comorbidities, and computed tomography (CT) results were collected from medical records. Prognostic factors for revision surgery were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 188 pediatric patients were enrolled in this study. Twenty-four patients (12.8%) required revision surgery. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified patients with nasal allergy (OR = 6.258; P = .010) and higher Lund-Mackay score on preoperative sinus CT (OR = 1.658; P = .043) had worse outcomes, while older age was a positive prognostic factor (OR = 0.702; P = .018). A cut-off point of 15.68 years of age and mean Lund-Mackay score of 10.5 showed the best predictive power for revision surgery.

CONCLUSION

Because ESS is performed with increasing frequency in children, knowledge of prognostic factors for revision surgery is important. In this study, patients with younger age, nasal allergy, and higher Lund-Mackay score on preoperative sinus CT had worse outcomes.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4 Laryngoscope, 130:1051-1055, 2020.

Readmissions following ambulatory pediatric endoscopic sinus surgery

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is indicated in select pediatric patients with medically refractory sinus disease. Our objectives were to examine indications and rates of readmission following ambulatory pediatric ESS and identify specific subgroups that may benefit from inpatient admission.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective database review.

METHODS

The Pediatric Health Information Systems (PHIS) 2004-2016 database was retrospectively reviewed for patients age <18 years who underwent ambulatory ESS between January 2011 and December 2016 and were readmitted within 30 days postoperatively. Data regarding demographics, extent of surgery, comorbidities, adjunctive procedures, and cost were collected. A multivariable mixed-effects logistic regression model was employed for analysis.

RESULTS

We identified 3,669 unique pediatric ESS cases with 128 readmissions within 30 days (3.5%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.9%-4.1%). Median cost of readmission was $980 (mean, $5,890; standard deviation, $13,421). The most common indication for readmission was epistaxis (17.2%), followed by nausea/abdominal pain (14.1%). Respiratory infection (13.3%) and sinusitis (10.2%) presented a combined readmission rate exceeding that of epistaxis alone. Multivariable analysis indicated age <3 years (odds ratio [OR]: 3.41, 95% CI: 1.96-5.93) and a prior diagnosis of asthma (OR: 2.88, 95% CI: 1.99-4.18) or cystic fibrosis (OR: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.00-2.44) significantly increased the risk of readmission. Extent of ESS and simultaneous adenoidectomy, septoplasty, or turbinate reduction had no significant impact on readmission rates.

CONCLUSIONS

ESS is a relatively safe outpatient surgical procedure in pediatric patients, with an overall readmission rate of 3.5%. Clinicians should consider careful preoperative evaluation of very young patients and those with cystic fibrosis or asthma to optimize perioperative management and determine if postoperative admission is warranted, given their significantly higher readmission rates.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

NA Laryngoscope, 129:2681-2686, 2019.

Effect of Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block With Bupivacaine on Postoperative Pain in Patients Undergoing Endoscopic Sinus Surgery

Background

Postoperative pain is one of the most complications in endoscopic sinus surgery. We aimed to evaluate the effect of the sphenopalatine ganglion block (SPGB) with bupivacaine on postoperative pain in patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery.Methods and Materials: In this clinical trial, 40 patients who indicated functional endoscopic sinus surgery were selected and then divided into 2 parallel groups as intervention and control. The intervention group was received 1.5 mL of bupivacaine 0.5% (injected to sphenopalatine ganglion) and while control was injected 1.5 mL of normal saline at the same injection site. Also, the visual analogue scale (VAS) was recorded immediately after anesthesia, along with 6, 12, 24, 48 h, 7 days, and 21 days after the operation for all patients.

Results

Immediately after anesthesia, as well as 6, 12, and 24 h after the operation, VAS in the intervention group was significantly lower than in the control group (P < .05, for all). However, there were no significant differences between the 2 groups regarding VAS 48 h as well as 7 and 21 days after surgery (P > .05, for both). Also, the rescue analgesia in the intervention group was significantly lower than in the control group (P = .01).

Conclusion

SPGB with bupivacaine 0.5% (1.5 mL) was a simple, effective, safe, and noninvasive method for the management of postoperative pain in the patients undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery.

Perioperative Risk Factors Associated With Morbidity and Mortality Following Pediatric Inpatient Sinus Surgery

OBJECTIVES:

Pediatric sinus surgery is indicated for a wide range of sinonasal and skull base pathologies, but it is most commonly performed for recalcitrant chronic rhinosinusitis or complicated acute sinusitis. The authors aim to report medical risk factors of morbidity and mortality following inpatient sinus surgery in the pediatric population.

METHODS:

Using data from the Kids' Inpatient Database from 2003 to 2012, patients with International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, procedure codes for primary sinus surgery were identified. Mixed-effect multivariable logistic regression was used to identify risk factors of inpatient postoperative morbidity and mortality.

RESULTS:

The final sample included a weighted estimate of 4965 pediatric patients. The rates of inpatient morbidity and mortality were 6% and 1%, respectively. Respiratory complications (2.5%) were the most prevalent postoperative adverse events. The most prevalent comorbidities were chronic sinusitis (59.8%), acute sinusitis (27.8%), and cystic fibrosis (26.4%). Compared with patients who did not experience any morbidity, patients with inpatient morbidity had higher rates of pneumonia, mycoses, and nasal or paranasal benign neoplasm ( P < .05). The odds of inpatient morbidity and mortality were highest for patients with leukemia (odds ratio, 2.74; 95% confidence interval, 1.59-4.72; P < .001) and mycoses (odds ratio, 15.84; 95% confidence interval, 6.45-38.89; P < .001), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

This study is the first to report the national comorbidity burden and risk factors for postoperative adverse events following inpatient sinus surgery. Knowledge of the comorbidities and independent factors associated with morbidity and mortality will help in directing preoperative optimization and counseling.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

2c.

Chronic Rhinosinusitis in Children

Purpose of review

Pediatric chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a common condition that is often misdiagnosed and can be challenging to treat. This review aims to 1) Review definitions, presentation, complications, and management of CRS in children. 2) Highlight the paucity of evidence in the management of pediatric CRS.

Recent findings

There are few studies supporting the usual recommended medical therapy for pediatric CRS (antibiotics, nasal saline irrigations, intranasal steroid). Adenoidectomy remains a mainstay of surgical treatment, but recent evidence demonstrates the utility of balloon sinuplasty and functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) for patients who fail adenoidectomy alone.

Summary

Pediatric CRS is distinct from ARS and adult CRS. It is a common problem that is poorly studied, in part because of significant symptomatic overlap with related conditions. Recent evidence supports the use of surgical treatment in children who fail medical management. However, further outcome studies are needed to better evaluate the effectiveness of current medical and surgical management protocols.

Aberrant expression of miR-663 and transforming growth factor-β1 in nasal polyposis in children

The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression of microRNA (miR)-663 and its regulatory effects on the pathogenesis of nasal polyposis in children. Nasal polyp tissue, as well as serum and peripheral blood eosinophils were collected from 35 children diagnosed with nasal polypectomy between August 2013 and August 2015. As a control, the inferior nasal concha, serum and peripheral blood eosinophils were collected from 46 patients with nasal septal deviation complicated by inferior turbinate hypertrophy or patients with simple inferior turbinate hypertrophy who had undergone surgical removal of the inferior nasal concha. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to measure the expression of miR-663 and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in the nasal polyp tissue, serum and peripheral blood eosinophils of patients with nasal polyposis and controls. Western blotting was used to measure the expression of TGF-β1 protein in nasal tissue and eosinophils and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure serum level of TGF-β1 protein. A dual luciferase reporter assay was used to determine whether TGF-β1 was a target gene of miR-663. Compared with the control group, levels of TGF-β1 mRNA and protein were significantly increased in all three types of specimens from pediatric patients with nasal polyposis (P<0.05). miR-663 expression was significantly decreased in nasal polyp tissue and peripheral blood eosinophils (P<0.05). The dual luciferase reporter assay confirmed that TGF-β1 was a target gene of miR-663. The current study suggests that the upregulation of TGF-β1 may be associated with the downregulation of miR-663 in nasal polyposis in children. miR-663 may have regulatory effects on the pathogenesis of nasal polyposis by regulating TGF-β1 and may be developed as a genetic marker of nasal polyposis in children.