Clinical predictors of polyps recurring in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Identification of perioperative risk factors for recurrent nasal polyps (RNPs) is important for selection of further treatment and determination of appropriate follow-up period. However, the relative prognostic significance of these risk factors has not been investigated.

METHODOLOGY

We compared the nasal symptoms, endoscopic polyp and Lund-Mackey computed tomography scores, and the laboratory and pathological findings of RNP and non-RNP patients. The risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale.

RESULTS

Patients with poor nasal symptom scores and olfactory dysfunctions and high Lund-Mackey computed tomography scores were at higher risk of postoperative RNPs, as were those with allergic conditions and elevated tissue and serum eosinophil levels. The tissue neutrophil counts/percentages were significantly lower in the RNP than the other group. The tissue eosinophil level was of higher diagnostic utility than the serum eosinophil level. The RNP diagnostic odds ratio afforded by the tissue eosinophil count or percentage was 54.1247. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.936. The sensitivity and specificity were 0.8809 and 0.8834, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The tissue eosinophil level reliably predicts RNP after endoscopic sinus surgery.

Risk factors for recurrence of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps after endoscopic sinus surgery: A retrospective study

OBJECTIVES

To assess the pathophysiological factors leading to chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) recurrence with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) and compare the clinical and imaging findings between both groups.

METHODS

A retrospective study was carried out at a tertiary hospital. Patients with recurrent nasal polyps were compared to those with no recurrence by demographics, risk factors, anatomical abnormalities, clinical features, and Lund-Mackey (LM) scores. Both groups were followed up for 24 months after the primary surgery to detect recurrence.

RESULTS

Among the 134 patients who underwent ESS for CRSwNP, 69 patients were in the recurrence group and 65 in the non-recurrence group. No significant difference was found in demographics, comorbidities, and anatomical abnormalities between both groups. However, asthma was more prevalent in the recurrence group (73.9% vs. 29.2%; p<0.01). All clinical features were similar between both groups. However, the recurrence group had more patients with bilateral polyps than non-recurrence (95.7% vs. 80%; p<0.01). We found that 26.1% (n=18) of the 69 patients with recurrence needed revision surgery. Smoking rates were significantly different between reoperated vs. non-reoperated patients (16.7% (3/18) vs. 2% (1/51); p=0.02), and the extent of primary ESS was different between them.

CONCLUSION

Asthma is a significant risk factor for CRS recurrence. Furthermore, smoking and inadequate primary surgery increase the chance of revision surgery in case of recurrence.

Efficacy and Safety of Minimally Invasive Thyroid Surgery: A Network Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVES

Minimally invasive and remote surgical approaches for thyroid tumors have been developed primarily for cosmetic benefit. However, conventional meta-analysis could not provide comparative data between new techniques. This network meta-analysis would be able to provide data for clinicians and patients to compare cosmetic satisfaction and morbidity by comparing surgical methods.

DATA SOURCES

The PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, SCOPUS, Web of Science, Cochrane Trials, and Google Scholar.

REVIEW METHODS

The nine interventions included minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy (MIVA), endoscopic and robotic bilateral axillo-breast-approach thyroidectomy (EBAB and RBAB, respectively), endoscopic and robotic retro-auricular thyroidectomy (EPA and RPA, respectively), endoscopic or robotic transaxillary thyroidectomy (EAx and RAx, respectively), endoscopic and robotic transoral approaches (EO and RO, respectively), and a conventional thyroidectomy. We recorded the operative outcomes and perioperative complications; pairwise and network meta-analyses were performed.

RESULTS

EO, RBAB, and RO were associated with good patient cosmetic satisfaction. EAx, EBAB, EO, RAx, and RBAB were associated with significantly more postoperative drainage than the other methods. Postoperatively, more flap problems and wound infections were found in the RO than control group, and more transient vocal cord palsy was found in the EAx and EBAB groups. MIVA ranked first in terms of operative time, postoperative drainage amount, postoperative pain, and hospitalization, but cosmetic satisfaction was low. EAx, RAx, and MIVA ranked higher than the other approaches in terms of operative bleeding.

CONCLUSION

It was confirmed that minimally invasive thyroidectomy achieves high cosmetic satisfaction and is not inferior to conventional thyroidectomy in terms of surgical results or perioperative complications. Laryngoscope, 133:2470-2479, 2023.

The Efficacy of Tranexamic Acid on the Postoperative Bleeding in Patients Receiving Head-and-Neck Surgery: A Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVES

We assessed the effect of tranexamic acid on postoperative bleeding, and any adverse effects, in patients undergoing head-and-neck surgery.

METHODS

We searched databases (PubMed, SCOPUS, Embase, the Web of Science, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane database) from their dates of inception to August 31, 2021. We analyzed studies that compared bleeding-related morbidity between perioperative tranexamic acid and placebo (control) groups. We subanalyzed tranexamic acid administration methods.

RESULTS

The extent of postoperative bleeding (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -0.7817, [-1.4237; -0.1398], P = 0.0170, I2 = 92.2%) was significantly less in the treatment group. However, there were no significant between-group differences in terms of operative time (SMD = -0.0463 [-0.2147; 0.1221]; P = 0.5897, I2 = 0.0% [0.0%; 32.9%]); intraoperative blood loss (SMD = -0.7711 [-1.6274; 0.0852], P = 0.0776, I2 = 94.4%); drain removal timing (SMD = -0.3382 [-0.9547; 0.2782], P = 0.2822, I2 = 81.7%); or the amount of infused perioperative fluid (SMD = -0.0622 [-0.2615; 0.1372], P = 0.5410, I2 = 35.5%). Also, there were no significant between-group differences in laboratory findings (serum bilirubin, creatinine, and urea levels; and the coagulation profiles) between the tranexamic acid and control groups. Topical application was associated with a shorter postoperative drain tube dwell time than was systemic administration.

CONCLUSION

Perioperative tranexamic acid significantly reduced postoperative bleeding in patients undergoing head-and-neck surgery. Also, topical administration might be more effective in postoperative bleeding and postoperative drain tube dwell time.

The diagnostic accuracy of RT-PCR from self-collected saliva versus nasopharyngeal sampling: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives:

To evaluate the diagnostic utility of self-collected saliva in coronavirus desease-19 (COVID-19) screening procedures.

Methods:

A total of 6 databases were reviewed from their inception until August 2021. Sensitivity and specificity were measured by extracting items (true-positive, true-negative, false-positive and false-negative) from each paper. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy based on Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies, version 2.

Results:

A total of 41 studies were included in the final analysis. The diagnostic odds ratio (OR) of self-collected saliva was 196.2022 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 117.8833-326.5546). The area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.955. For detecting COVID-19, self-collected saliva had a moderate sensitivity of 0.8476 [0.8045-0.8826] and positive predictive value of 0.9404 [0.9122-0.9599] but high specificity of 0.9817 [0.9707-0.9887] and negative predictive value of 0.9467 [0.9130-0.9678]. In a subgroup analysis, the diagnostic accuracy of self-collected saliva tended to be higher for symptomatic (vs. asymptomatic) examinees.

Conclusion:

Although naso/oropharyngeal swab tests are the most accurate and important diagnostic tools, the saliva-based testing method can be used as a suitable alternative test, with the advantages of increased patient convenience, efficient testing, and the need for fewer medical staff and resources. In particular, simple collecting method such as drooling or spitting without coughing would be effective in evaluating the symptomatic patients.

PROSPERO no.: CRD42021279287

Factors affecting dimensions of the ethmoid infundibulum and maxillary sinus natural ostium in a normal population

Objectives:

To investigate the ethmoid infundibulum (EI) and maxillary sinus natural ostium (MSNO) dimensions in normal sinuses of the Asian population; identified variation between sides, gender, and age groups; and to assess the effects of such variation on the measurements.

Methods:

We assessed EI dimension and MSNO diameter in computed tomography (CT) scans of the normal paranasal sinus of 100 patients who underwent trans-sphenoid endoscopic surgery. We compared demographic data and multiple anatomical variations.

Results:

The gap difference in EI length between the right and left sides significantly differed from 0 (0.47±1.38 mm). We found wider EI in people aged ≥60 years (2.44±0.59 mm), compared to people aged <60 years (2.25±0.31 mm). Ethmoid infundibulum length was greater among individuals with Haller cells (8.84±1.56 mm) than in individuals without them (7.92±1.47 mm). Furthermore, MSNO diameter was greater with accessory ostium (3.48±0.77 mm versus 3.02±0.72 mm, presence versus accessory ostium absence).

Conclusion:

Multiple factors may affect EI and MSNO dimensions. Ethmoid infundibulum length differed between both sides. Ethmoid infundibulum width differed between individuals aged ≥60 years and individuals aged <60 years. Haller cells and accessory ostium presence were associated with significant differences in those measurements.