METHODS: Six children were recruited and underwent Bonebridge transcutaneous bone conduction implant surgery. The patients' audiometric thresholds for air conduction, bone conduction and sound-field tests were assessed pre-operatively and at six months post-operatively. Patients' satisfaction was assessed at six months post-operatively with the Hearing Device Satisfaction Scale.
RESULTS: No major complications were reported. Mean aided sound-field thresholds improved post-operatively by more than 30 dB for 0.5-4 kHz (p 0.05). All patients were satisfied (scores were over 90 per cent) with the implant in terms of functional outcome and cosmetic appearance.
CONCLUSION: Bonebridge transcutaneous bone conduction implant surgery is safe and effective among children with congenital aural atresia with conductive hearing loss.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial was carried out in eight patients with chronic rhinosinusitis or nasal polyposis who were planned for bilateral endoscopic sinus surgery. A Peri-operative Sinus Endoscopy (POSE) Score and Lund-Kennedy Endoscopic Score (LKES) were recorded. The use of hydrocortisone-impregnated Gelfoam dressing versus normal saline-impregnated Gelfoam dressing were compared. Scores were repeated post-operatively at one week, three weeks and three months interval.
RESULTS: For LKES, at the end of three months, 50% of the patients had the same score difference, 37.5% had better results on the study side while 12.5% had better results on the control side. Meanwhile, for POSE Score, at the end of three months, 75% of the patients had better score difference on the study side while 12.5% had better results on the control side.
CONCLUSION: Gelfoam can be used as nasal packing material to deliver topical steroid after endoscopic sinus surgery. Steroid-impregnated nasal dressing after endoscopic sinus surgery may not provide better long-term outcome.