Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery

Tonsillectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures carried out in ENT since ancient time, is associated with several morbidities in which the pain and bleeding being the commonest and can cause considerable delay in starting oral intake and discharge from the hospital. Different methods have been used to reduce posttonsillectomy pain including use of opioids, sucralfate and local anaesthetics. Local anaesthetics in the form of pre-incisional or post-incisional peritonsillar infiltration and also topical post-incisional spray or packing are some of the most effective methods for post-tonsillectomy pain management. In our hospital, a study was carried out for preincisional peritonsillar infiltration of 0.5% bupivacaine in tonsillectomy patients for post operative pain relief. Written informed valid consent was taken, all routine investigations were done. Pre anaesthetic check up was done and bupivacaine test dose was given, none of the patients showed allergic reactions. Our study showed that this is effective method of controlling post operative pain. Patients receiving bupivacaine showed lower pain scores 6 h post operatively. The mean pain scores for Bupivacaine group were 2.85, 5.52 and 7.04 versus 5.04, 7.04 and 7.61 in saline group at 2, 4, and 6 h post operatively (t value significant). Pre incisional peritonsillar infiltration of 0.5% bupivacaine significantly reduces postoperative pain till 6 h, thereby reducing the need of analgesics intraoperatively and post operatively. Oral intake was also earlier without any adverse effects in our study.

Erythema multiforme is an acute inflammatory mucocutaneous disease manifested as macules, vesicles, bullae, erosion, and papular lesions. In the present case, a 55-year-old female patient reported painful growth in the oral cavity and difficulty in mastication. The patient gave a history of prodromal symptoms before the onset of lesions On intra-oral examination, elevated plaque-like lesions were present bilaterally on lateral borders of the tongue and buccal mucosa near the retromolar region. Extraoral examination revealed concentric erythematous target (or) bull’s eye lesions in palms, forearm, and foot. Based on history, clinical examination, and laboratory investigations, recurrent herpes-associated erythema multiforme was diagnosed. We report a rare clinical presentation of recurrent herpes-associated erythema multiforme manifesting as an extensive plaque-like lesion intra-orally.

Schwannoma in larynx is a rare presentaion. Laryngeal schwannomas are characterstically slow growing benign tumour usually arising from false cord and aryepiglottic fold with globus sensation being the most common presentation. Seldom it can present as stridor which need immediate intervention for survival of the patient. We present a case of 53 year female who presented with stridor at emergency and emergency tracheostomy was done. This patient had a history of dysphagia to solid food, hoarseness of voice and symptoms of aspirations. 70 degree rigid endoscopy and CEMRI of neck was performed to see the extent of the laryngeal lesion causing stridor. Tumor was excised completely by external transcervical approach. Histopathological reports suggested this tumor as schwannoma. Large obstructive laryngeal schwannoma though a unusual presentation but with immediate tracheostomy, proper diagnostic work up and precise surgical approach can give excellent recovery and post operative outcome for the patient.

A basic step of Functional Endoscopic sinus surgery—the most modern and revolutionary surgical treatment for chronic and recurring sinusitis, is removal of uncinate process to expose the infundibulum. The purpose of this study is to explore the functional role of uncinate process with special reference to endoscopic sinus surgery. A fixed dose of sterile methylene blue was sprayed into the nasal cavities of post endoscopic sinus surgery cases, 20 without uncinate process preservation and 20 with uncinate process preservation. The area of staining/deposition of the stain in the ethmoidal cavity and the maxillary sinuses was endoscopically observed. Deposition of methylene blue was consistently found to be occurring in a larger area of the ethmoidal cavity including the maxillary sinus in post endoscopic sinus surgery cases without uncinate process preservation. Uncinate proces probably acts as a protective wall by directing the allergen bearing and contuminated inspired air away from the sinuses and facilitating ventilation of the sinuses in the mucocilliary pretreated expiratory phase. Injudictious removal of the uncinate process especially in cases with allergic rhinosinusitis should thus expose the sinus mucosa to contaminated air.

Laryngeal chondrometaplasia (LCM) is a rare clinically asymptomatic entity with reported incidence in autopsy studies of 1–2% only. Foci of metaplastic cartilage seen on histology need to be distinguished from other benign cartilaginous tumours of larynx. We present a case of LCM in an elderly male adequately managed by microlaryngeal surgery (MLS).