INTRODUCTION: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, multiple guidelines have recommended videolaryngoscope (VL) for tracheal intubation. However, there is no evidence that VL reduces time to tracheal intubation, and this is important for COVID-19 patients with respiratory failure. METHODS: To simulate intubation of COVID-19 patients, we randomly assigned 28 elective surgical patients to be intubated with either McGrath™ MAC VL or direct laryngoscope (DL) by specialist anaesthetists who donned 3M™ Jupiter™ powered air-purifying respirators (PAPR) and N95 masks. The primary outcome was time to intubation. RESULTS: The median time to intubation was 61 s (interquartile range [IQR] 37-63 s) and 41.5 s (IQR 37-56 s) in the VL and DL groups, respectively ( P = 0.35). The closest mean distance between the anaesthetist and patient during intubation was 21.6 ± 4.8 cm and 17.6 ± 5.3 cm in the VL and DL groups, respectively ( P = 0.045). There were no significant differences in the median intubation difficulty scale scores, proportion of successful intubations at the first laryngoscopic attempt and proportion of intubations requiring adjuncts. All the patients underwent successful intubation with no adverse event. CONCLUSION There was no significant difference in the time to intubation of elective surgical patients with either McGrath™ VL or DL by specialist anaesthetists who donned PAPR and N95 masks. The distance between the anaesthetist and patient was significantly greater with VL. When resources are limited or disrupted during a pandemic, DL could be a viable alternative to VL for specialist anaesthetists.
Humans ; COVID-19 ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Laryngoscopes ; Laryngoscopy ; Respiratory Protective Devices ; Video Recording

Objective:To explore the feasibility of using self-made visual throat forceps to remove hypopharyngeal foreign bodies. Methods:The throat forceps were combined with the endoscope and connected to a monitor via a data cable resulting in a visual throat forceps apparatus. This device was utilized to examine and treat the hypopharyngeal foreign bodies. Results:Among 53 patients, foreign bodies were detected in 51,with 48 cases involving hypopharyngeal foreign bodies. All were successfully extracted using the visual throat forceps. Three cases, diagnosed as esophageal foreign bodies by electronic gastroscopy, were treated using the same method. Conclusion:Visual throat forceps can be used to examine the hypopharynx and remove foreign bodies. It has the advantages of simple operation, rapid operation, and high success rate of foreign body removal from the hypopharynx. It is worthy of clinical application.
Humans ; Hypopharynx/surgery* ; Pharynx/surgery* ; Endoscopes ; Surgical Instruments ; Foreign Bodies/diagnosis*

Objectives: To provide a guide to estimate the location of coins within the esophagus based on the pre-operative radiographic image among pediatric patients seen at the East Avenue Medical Center Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (ORL-HNS) between January 2018 and December 2020. : Methods Design: Retrospective Case Series Setting: Tertiary Government Training Hospital Participants: The records of 99 pediatric patients aged 6 months to 13 years who were diagnosed with esophageal foreign body (coin) impaction and underwent rigid esophagoscopy from January 2018 to December 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Results: A predictive model was derived from the data using linear regression analysis. The model shows that we can predict the intraoperative location of coin within the esophagus if provided with the patient’s age and vertebral level of the coin on chest radiograph. Prediction values were reported for patients in three age categories (less than 3 years old, 3 to 7 years old, 8 to 13 years old), at 10 radiographic locations (C2, C4, C5, C6, C7, T1, T2, T3, T7, T8), except for these (C1, C3, T4-T6) because of lack of data. For example, the table predicts that a coin will be located 13 cm (or between 11.4cm to 14.8cm) from the central maxillary incisors (CMI) intraoperatively if the coin was located at level C6 vertebrae on chest radiograph, for patients less than 3 years old. Conclusion This study provides a novel guide that may serve as a practical tool for ENT surgeons to estimate the intraoperative location of coin foreign bodies in the esophagus of pediatric patients based on preoperative radiographic imaging.
Foreign Bodies ; Foreign Bodies ; Esophagus ; Esophagoscopes ; Esophagoscopic Surgery ; Esophagoscopic Surgical Procedures ; Esophagoscopy

Objective: The varicocoele exist in approximately 35-40% of primary male factor infertility while two to 10 percent of cases presents with pain.1 Most surgeons favor subinguinal microscopic varicocoelectomy because it offers superior improvement in semen parameters and reproductive outcome with the least complication rate. This study aimed to show an innovative surgical technique in the management of men with varicoceles. Methods: Subinguinal varicocelectomies were performed by a single surgeon on all patients starting with a standard cystoscope stabilized by a customized mechanical holding system attached to the operating bed. All the presumed vascular channels, vas deferens and lymphatics were isolated and marked with vascular loops and surgical ties. After all the presumed vessels were tagged, the standard operating microscope was brought to the operative field and full microsurgical dissection was carried out. Results: Ten varicocelectomies were performed on six men with a mean age of 30.5 years. 13 arteries, 84 veins, and 20 lymphatics were identified by the cystoscope while 18 arteries, 93 veins, and 29 lymphatics were identified by the standard operating microscope. Comparing the two modalities, 72%, 90%, and 69% of the arteries, veins, and lymphatics, respectively, were correctly identified by the cystoscope when compared to the latter. Conclusion Subinguinal varicocelectomy using a standard cystoscope could be offered as an alternative surgical approach in men with varicoceles as it can identify veins comparable with that of the standard operating microscope. In addition, a standard cystoscope can also identify, to some degree, lymphatics and arteries during surgical dissection. This innovative surgical technique can serve as a valuable option in the treatment of men with varicoceles.
Cystoscopes ; Veins ; Arteries

More than 30 years of rapid development of endoscopic surgery has led to the mainstreaming of this procedure in many surgical departments in China. Since the first report on endoscopy, it has been used in salivary gland resection for more than 20 years. The overall development of endoscopic surgery indicates that its use in oral and maxillofacial surgery is still in the early exploration stage; it has not yet been maturely developed or applied. Owing to the advancement of other disciplines and corresponding widening experiences in those fields, the development of endoscopic technology in oral and maxillofacial surgery will likely achieve a leapfrogging. Learning from the general development pattern of endoscopy, this research explores the application history, current situation, and future direction of the application of endoscopy in salivary gland surgery.
Endoscopy/methods* ; Endoscopes ; Salivary Glands/surgery* ; China

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of posterolateral approach lumbar interbody fusion assisted by one-hole split endoscope (OSE) and traditional posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) in the treatment of L_{4, 5} degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS). METHODS: The clinical data of 58 patients with DLS who met the selection criteria admitted between February 2020 and March 2022 were retrospectively analyzed, of which 26 were treated with OSE-assisted posterolateral approach lumbar interbody fusion (OSE group) and 32 were treated with PLIF (PLIF group). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of gender, age, body mass index, Meyerding grade, lower limb symptom side, decompression side, stenosis type, and preoperative low back pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score, leg pain VAS score, Oswestry disability index (ODI), and the height of the anterior and posterior margins of the intervertebral space (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, and complications were compared between the two groups. The low back pain and leg pain VAS scores and ODI before operation, at 1 month, 6 months after operation, and last follow-up, the height of anterior and posterior margins of the intervertebral space before operation, at 6 months after operation, and last follow-up, the modified MacNab criteria at last follow-up after operation were used to evaluate the effectiveness; and the Bridwell method at last follow-up was used to evaluate the interbody fusion. RESULTS: Both groups successfully completed the operation. Compared with the PLIF group, the OSE group showed a decrease in intraoperative blood loss and postoperative hospital stay, but an increase in operation time, with significant differences (P<0.05). In the OSE group, no complication such as nerve root injury and thecal sac tear occurred; in the PLIF group, there were 1 case of thecal sac tear and 1 case of epidural hematoma, which were cured after conservative management. Both groups of patients were followed up 13-20 months with an average of 15.5 months. There was no complication such as loosening, sinking, or displacement of the fusion cage. The low back pain and leg pain VAS scores, ODI, and the height of anterior and posterior margins of the intervertebral space at each time point after operation in both groups were significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P<0.05). Except for the VAS score of lower back pain in the OSE group being significantly better than that in the PLIF group at 1 month after operation (P<0.05), there was no significant difference in all indicators between the two groups at all other time points (P>0.05). At last follow-up, both groups achieved bone fusion, and there was no significant difference in Bridwell interbody fusion and modified MacNab standard evaluation between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION OSE-assisted posterolateral approach lumbar interbody fusion for L_{4, 5} DLS, although the operation time is relatively long, but the postoperative hospitalization stay is short, the complications are few, the operation is safe and effective, and the early effectiveness is satisfactory.
Humans ; Spondylolisthesis/surgery* ; Low Back Pain/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Lumbosacral Region ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; Endoscopes

Objective:To analyze the efficacy of endoscopic surgical repair in the treatment of type Ⅲ laryngeal clefts and to explore the feasibility of the treatment for type Ⅲ laryngeal clefts. Methods:The clinical data of 6 children with type Ⅲ laryngeal clefts who underwent endoscopic surgical repair in our department from June 2018 to January 2023 were analyzed retrospectively. The operation was performed under combined intravenous and general anesthesia,preserving the spontaneous breathing of the children. With the assistance of 4 mm/0° endoscope, radiofrequency knife or laryngeal scissors were used to make fresh wounds along the edge of laryngeal clefts,and cotton pads infiltrated with adrenaline （1:10 000） were used to compress the wound. 6-0 PDP suture was used to suture 3-6 stitches according to the extent of laryngeal clefts. Modified barium swallowing test （MBS） was performed 3 months after operation. Results:All the children were successfully treated with endoscopic surgical repair. After surgery, 2 cases were transferred to pediatric intensive care unit （ICU） for 7 days of monitoring, and the rest were transferred back to the general ward. There were no postoperative complications. The symptoms of dysphagia, laryngitis and recurrent pneumonia were improved in all children. According to the follow-up results of postoperative MBS,no aspiration was found in all children, and 2 children had intermittent cough when drinking large amounts of water. During the follow-up, there were 2 cases of recurrence, and the cracks were completely repaired after the second endoscopic surgical repair treatment,and no recurrence has been observed so far. Conclusion:Endoscopic surgical repair can be applied to some children with type Ⅲ laryngeal clefts with less intraoperative bleeding and fewer operative complications. It can significantly improve the symptoms such as swallowing dysfunction and recurrent pneumonia. It is a safe and effective surgical treatment.
Child ; Humans ; Laryngoscopy/methods* ; Laryngoscopes ; Retrospective Studies ; Larynx/surgery* ; Pneumonia ; Congenital Abnormalities/surgery*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effect the treatment of arthroscopy-assisted calcaneal spur resection combined with plantar fascia release and calcaneal decompression in the treatment of the patients with intractable calcaneal pain. METHODS: The clinical data of 50 patients with intractable heel pain from January 2016 to January 2019 were retrospectively analyzed, including 20 males and 30 females;aged from 40 to 68 years old with an average of (50.12±7.35)years old, the medical history ranged from 1 to 4 years. All patients underwent arthroscopy-assisted calcaneal spur resection combined with plantar fascia release and calcaneal decompression, and were followed up, the duration ranged from 24 to 60 months with an average of(42.00±3.28) months. All patients had obvious heel pain before surgery, and X-ray examinations often showed the presence of calcaneal spurs. In addition to the routine foot examination, the changes in the height and angle of the arch of the foot were also measured pre and post-operatively by X-ray, for the evaluation of clinical effect. The VAS system was used to evaluate the degree of foot pain;the AOFAS scoring system was used to comprehensively evaluate the foot pain, voluntary movement, gait and stability. RESULTS: The VAS decreased from (8.75±1.24) before surgery to (5.15±2.35) at 3 months after surgery, (4.07±2.53) at 6 months after surgery, and (3.95±2.44) at the last fllow-up(P<0.05). The AOFAS score increased from (53.46±4.17) before surgery to(92.46±2.53) at 3 months after surgery, (96.33±2.46) at 6 months after surgery, and (97.05±2.37) at the last follow-up(P<0.05). The arch height was (41.54±1.15) mm before operation and (41.49±1.09) mm after the operation, the difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05). The internal arch angle of the foot arch was (121±6)° before operation and (122±7)° after operation. The difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05). CONCLUSION Arthroscopy-assisted calcaneal bone spurs resection combined with plantar fascia release and calcaneal decompression exhibited great clinical effect for treating intractable heel.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Heel/surgery* ; Heel Spur/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Calcaneus/surgery* ; Foot Diseases ; Pain ; Endoscopes ; Treatment Outcome

Objective:To investigate the feasibility and clinical effect of the surgical approach and method of transnasal fenestration under nasal endoscope for the treatment of maxillary odontogenic cyst. Methods:The clinical data of 23 cases with maxillary odontogenic cysts treated by nasal endoscopy through nasal fenestration were retrospectively analyzed. All cases underwent nasal endoscopy and CT examination before the operation. The mucosal membrane of the parietal wall of the cyst was excised through fenestration of the nasal base. The cyst fluid was removed by decompression, and the bony opening of the nasal base was trimmed and enlarged to the edge of the cyst. The intraoperative and postoperative effects were observed. Results:All cases were well exposed under the direct vision of nasal endoscope. The top wall of the cyst was removed to maximize the communication between the cyst cavity and the nasal floor. There were no complications such as nasolacrimal duct injury, turbinate atrophy, necrosis, and facial numbness. All patients were followed up for 6-12 months, and the clinical symptoms gradually disappeared after surgery. The inferior turbinate was in good shape, the cyst cavity was smooth, the cyst wall was determined, and no cyst recurrence was observed. Conclusion:The treatment of odontogenic cyst of maxilla under nasal endoscope through nasal fenestration is convenient. It has less trauma, fewer complications and a satisfactory curative effect, which is worthy of clinical promotion.
Humans ; Maxilla ; Retrospective Studies ; Odontogenic Cysts/surgery* ; Endoscopy ; Turbinates/surgery* ; Endoscopes

Objective: To investigate the effects of primary preventive treatment under endoscope for esophageal and gastric varices on bleeding rate and its relevant factors. Methods: 127 cases with liver cirrhosis accompanied with esophageal and gastric varices without bleeding history were included in the endoscopic and non-endoscopic treatment group, respectively. Informed consent was obtained from both groups. Gastric varices (Lgf) and esophageal varices (Leg) were diagnosed according to LDRf classification criteria, and the corresponding treatment scheme was selected according to the recommended principle of this method.The incidence rate of bleeding from ruptured esophageal varices were observed at 3, 6 months, and 1, and 2 years in the treated and the untreated group, and the patients with different Child-Pugh scores were followed-up for 2 years. Gender, age, etiology, varicose degree, Child-Pugh grade, platelet count, prothrombin activity, portal vein thrombosis, collateral circulation, portal vein width and other factors affecting the bleeding rate were assessed. Measurement data were described as mean ± standard deviation (x¯±s), and qualitative data of categorical variables were expressed as percentage (%), and χ² test was used. Results: 127 cases were followed up for 2 years. There were 55 cases in the endoscopic treatment group (18 cases underwent band ligation, 2 cases underwent band ligation combined with tissue adhesive embolization, 28 cases underwent sclerotherapy, and 7 cases underwent sclerotherapy combined with tissue adhesive embolization). Recurrent bleeding and hemorrhage was occurred in 5 (9.1%) and 28 cases (38.9%), respectively (P<0.05). In addition, there were 72 cases in the untreated group (P<0.05). Severe varicose veins proportions in treated and untreated group were 91.1% and 85.1%, respectively (P>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in liver cirrhosis-related medication and β-blocker therapy between the treated and untreated group (P>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the bleeding rate between the different treated groups (P>0.05). The bleeding rates at 3, 6 months, 1, and 2 years in endoscopic treated and untreated group were 2.00% vs. 2.59% (P>0.05), 2.30% vs. 5.88% (P>0.05), 3.10% vs. 7.55% (P>0.05) and 4.00% vs. 21.62% (P<0.05), respectively. All patients with Child-Pugh grade A, B and C in the treated and the untreated group were followed-up for 2 years, and the bleeding rates were 1.8% vs. 8.1% (P<0.05), 1.1% vs. 9.4% (P<0.05) and 9.1% vs. 10.1% (P>0.05), respectively. There were statistically significant differences in the rupture and bleeding of esophageal and gastric varices, varices degree, Child-Pugh grade and presence or absence of thrombosis formation in portal vein (P<0.05); however, no statistically significant differences in gender, age, etiology, platelet count, prothrombin activity, collateral circulation and portal vein width (P>0.05). There was no intraoperative bleeding and postoperative related serious complications in the treated group. Conclusion: The risk of initial episodes of bleeding from esophageal and gastric varices is significantly correlated with the varices degree, Child-Pugh grade, and portal vein thrombosis. Primary preventive treatment under endoscope is safe and effective for reducing the long-term variceal bleeding risk from esophageal and gastric varices.
Endoscopes ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices/complications* ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/surgery* ; Humans ; Hypertension, Portal/complications* ; Ligation ; Liver Cirrhosis/complications* ; Prothrombin ; Sclerotherapy ; Tissue Adhesives ; Varicose Veins ; Venous Thrombosis/complications*