Cartilaginous tumors of the larynx are uncommon, with approximately 250 having been reported in the literature. Only 28% of these were chondrosarcomas, and the remainder, chondromas. Cartilaginous tumors occur even more rarely in the trachea, with eight chondromas and four chondrosarcomas having been reported. A review of the literature with an outline of a reasonable treatment philosophy for these tumours is presented, as well as three case reports of chondrosarcoma of the larynx and one of chondroma of the trachea, which demonstrate common characteristics of these tumors. We also describe a new technique used on one of these patients in which an autologous rib cartilage graft and pyriform fossa mucosal flap are used to reconstruct the cricoid ring after resection of more than two thirds of its circumference, allowing decannulation and good voice postoperatively.
A comparison of incisions made with a surgical scalpel and a continuous carbon dioxide laser was done. The hog was the subject animal because of its similarity to human skin. The short-term stage of the experiment showed that the laser incisions were far better in terms of tissue repair. However, after several days, the incisions made by the scalpel exhibited better tissue reconstruction. But around the 30th day, both systems displayed similar results. This information may aid a surgeon in making a decision on whether a laser may be used safely in an operation.
Three types of commercially available caloric irrigation units—air, water, and closed-loop—were evaluated for nystagmus response patterns and comfort. Electronystagmographic recordings were analyzed for slow-phase velocity, response duration, amplitude, frequency, and test-retest reliability. Significant differences were found among the three types of irrigators, between warm and cool irrigators, and between male and female subjects. Test-retest reliability was adequate for all three units. Subjects clearly favored the closed-loop system over the water and air irrigators, but the water irrigator yielded the most robust caloric response.
A quantitative study on the survival of bacteria following exposure to the CO2 laser was determined at the skin surface and in the plume. Known quantities of bacteria were inoculated onto the surface of fresh pig skin and exposed to timed bursts of the radiation. Results indicate that the bacterial population at the skin surface was reduced by several orders of magnitude while the potential for spread of bacteria by the plume of smoke was negligible.
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