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Constantin Stan,1,2 Doiniţa Vesa,2 Mihai Ionuț Tănase,1 Mara Bulmaci,1 Sever Pop,1 Doinel Gheorghe Rădeanu,1 Marcel Cosgarea,1 Alma Maniu1 1Department of ENT, “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, România; 2Department of Surgical Clinical, “Dunărea de Jos” University, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Galați, RomâniaCorrespondence: Doinel Gheorghe Rădeanu, Department of ENT, “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Migdalului Street No. 6, Cluj-Napoca, 400209, România, Tel +40723025325, Email dr.radeanu@gmail.com; doinel.radeanu@gmail.comAbstract: Simulation in endoscopic sinus surgery allows residents to learn anatomy, to achieve the correct handling of various rhinological instruments, and to practice different surgical procedures. Physically or non-virtual reality models are the main items in endoscopic sinus surgery simulation. The objective of this review is to identify and make a descriptive analysis of non-virtual endoscopic sinus surgery simulators which have been proposed for training. As a new state of the art, surgical simulators are developed continuously, so they can be used to learn basic endoscopic surgery skills by repetitive maneuvers, permitting detection of surgical error and incidents without risk for the patient. Of all training physical models, the ovine model stands out because of the similarities of the sinonasal pathways, the wide availability, and the low costs. Considering the similar nature of the tissues involved, the techniques and surgical instruments can be used almost interchangeably with minimal differences. Every surgical technique studied until now has a degree of risk and the only aspects that consistently reduced the number of complications are training, repetition, and hands-on experience.Keywords: simulator, training, physical, rhinology

Cutaneous squamous scell carcinoma (cSCC) is a frequent non-melanoma skin cancer that originates from keratinocytes with increased prevalence. cSCC can be either in situ, as in Bowen's disease, or extended. Advanced age, accumulated sun exposure, light pigmentation, and prior skin cancer diagnosis are all significant risk factors for cSCC. Although most cSCCs can be treated surgically, some recur and metastasize, resulting in death. The role of immune status is not yet determined in the prognosis of these patients. Objective . Immunosuppressed patients are more likely to develop cSCC, which is often characterized by more aggressive, multifocal lesions. This study aimed to determine the risks of mortality in patients with cSCC and immunosuppression versus non immunosuppression and to compare variations in overall survival based on different clinical features. Method . We evaluated clinical cases of patients at "Sfantul Apostol Andrei" Emergency Hospital of Galati, Romania, from 1 March 2018 to 1 April 2024. Subjects in the trial had to be at least 18 years old and have a pathologically confirmed diagnosis of cutaneous head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (cHNSCC). We divided the patients into two different categories based on whether they had immunosuppression. Results. In this cohort of 68 subjects with cSCC, patients with immunosuppression had significantly lower overall survival, as well as lower three- and five-year survival rates compared with those without immunosuppression, even after adjustment for age, sex, stage, and previous surgical treatment. The median survival time for immunosuppressed individuals ranged from 11 to 21 months, varying based on their particular characteristics, and most critically, on the presence of other malignancies, while that of immunocompetent patients ranged from 18 to 51 months. In addition, immune-deficient patients with early-stage disease had a 21-month median survival rate that changed to11 months for advanced-stage cases. In a similar manner, immunocompetent patients with early-stage cancer had a significantly better median survival than those withadvancedstages,43 versus 18months. Our results indicate that immunosuppression is a distinct risk factors associated with a less favorable outcome in patients with cHNSCC.

According to current predictions, one-fifth of all Americans will develop skin cancer during their lifetime. Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) most commonly occurs in the head and neck region, which is the area of the body with the highest level of sun exposure. High-risk head and neck cSCC (HNcSCC) is a broad category with numerous high-risk factors that are associated with unfavorable results. In cSCC staging systems, clinical and tumor traits that are likely to result in poor outcomes are identified. Metastasis occurs in ~2.5% of patients with cSCC, most often in the local lymph nodes, and there is some indication that lymph node metastasis has a distinct pattern based on the tumor site. Current findings on tumor molecular targets have suggested the use of systemic treatments, particularly immunotherapy (such as cemiplimab, pembrolizumab and nivolumab), over radiotherapy or chemotherapy for this type of metastasis. However, when used simultaneously with immunotherapy, radiotherapy may be beneficial in the treatment of metastatic HNcSCC by improving the efficacy of immunotherapy. The present review aims to assess the existing literature on metastatic HNcSCC pathways and treatment options, in order to define current and future directions. Notably, there is an urgent need to identify patients who may benefit from local or systemic cancer treatments. The treatment of lymph node metastasis presents a therapeutic challenge and requires comprehensive management., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (Copyright: © 2024 Iancu et al.)

Background and Objectives : This study aims to establish the sheep head as a viable anatomical model for training in functional endoscopic sinus surgery through comprehensive anatomical examination and training-based assessment of participants' satisfaction. Materials and Methods : Participants were divided into three groups according to their prior experience in endoscopic sinus surgery; in total, 24 participants were included. Each participant in the study was assigned to perform the designated procedures on a single sheep's head. Following the completion of the procedures, each participant was provided with a 14-item comprehensive satisfaction questionnaire with a scale attributed from 1 to 5. The normality of distribution was checked by applying the Shapiro-Wilk Test. The Kruskal-Wallis test was applied to compare study group sentiment of agreement towards individual procedures. Results : No significant differences were noted between the answers of the different groups. For the resident group, the average satisfaction score was 4.09 ± 0.54; junior specialist group 4.00 ± 0.55; for the senior specialist group overall satisfaction average score was 4.2 ± 0.77. Conclusions : The sheep's head can be successfully used for learning and practicing manual skills and the use of instruments specific to functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Moreover, the sheep head model can be used for training in other diagnostic or surgical procedures in the field of otorhinolaryngology, such as endoscopy of the salivary glands, open laryngotracheal surgery, or in otologic surgery, but also in other different surgical fields such as neurosurgery, ophthalmology or plastic surgery. Despite the differences between the ovine model and human anatomy, it provides a resourceful and cost-effective model for beginners in endoscopic nasal surgery.

To improve the outcome and quality of life for patients with head and neck carcinoma, an increasing amount of research has been performed on the particularities of this type of cancer and its treatment methods. Starting from clinical aspects, including histology and imaging features, up-to-date studies from different parts of the world have determined new data leading to a better understanding of the mechanisms behind the disease and proposed new treatment protocols. The head and neck areas are predisposed to almost all skin neoplasms, most commonly those related to ultraviolet exposure. Squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma account for almost 90% of non-melanoma skin cancers in this region; therefore, reviewing the literature on cutaneous carcinomas of the head and neck area and sharing particular aspects of their physiopathology are beneficial for a great number of patients., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (Copyright © 2020, Spandidos Publications.)

Serous otitis media (SOM) occurs in children and constitutes one of the most significant causes of hearing loss in young age, posing as an important risk factor for long-term hearing loss. SOM is underdiagnosed, most frequently in infants, or the appointment to the ENT doctor is delayed due to non-acute symptomatology. The aim of the present study was to assess 285 patients with SOM diagnosed within a two-year span. The etiology and pathology of hearing loss in patients with different age groups were examined. The importance of a clinical examination and tympanometry was emphasized as absolutely necessary for a correct diagnosis. Treatment targeted Eustachian Tube permeabilization for satisfactory long-term middle ear aeration. Nasal drops with vasoconstrictor drugs (phenylephrine) and disinfectant (colloidal silver 1%) were commonly used, but some patients also benefitted from dexamethasone intratympanic injection. Patients were evaluated at the end of the treatment and follow-up occurred at one month, one year and three years later., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (Copyright: © Mârțu et al.)

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is an epithelial tumor, which develops most frequently from the lateral pharyngeal recess and holds some complex epidemiological characteristics. Its unusual race and geographic distribution suggests that not only the environmental factors are a contributing factor to the development of this rare cancer type, but also the genetic traits play an important role, along with nitrosamine-containing food consumption and Epstein-Barr virus infection. The signs and symptoms which a patient can present and suffer from are various and include nasal, otic, neurological as well as general ones; the way this tumor manifests being dependent on the stage of the tumor. The therapeutic management applicable in NPC needs to be established according to the case of the patient and include radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgery, immune therapy, targeted therapy or combined treatment. The main objective of the treatment is local and regional tumor control; relapse is an important factor for future development of distant metastases. New therapeutic concepts are always sought of, current research focusing on precision medicine, meaning systemic treatment with a personalized radiotherapy approach according to the characteristics of the tumor., Competing Interests: The authors declare they have no competing interests., (Copyright: © Jicman (Stan) et al.)

Background: Efficient postoperative pain management, which is aimed at decreasing the risk of complications and drug-induced side effects, without affecting the quality of analgesia, is part of today's concept of enhanced recovery after surgery, that is, fast-track surgery., Study Question: The objective of this study was to determine whether effective management of acute postoperative pain was possible without opioids, while avoiding complications, drug-induced side effects, and suboptimal treatment. Introduction of metamizole, which has regained popularity, into a multimodal analgesia regimen was used, as opioids are not routinely administered., Study Design: The study was prospective, observational, unrandomized, and without the control group., Measures and Outcomes: This study was performed in a pediatric hospital with 300 beds and an average of 1700 annual surgical interventions. The study group comprised 378 patients aged 1-17 years, undergoing lower abdominal or limb surgery between June 2016 and June 2017. Children underwent subarachnoid anesthesia combined with intravenous sedation and received not routinely but on demand postoperative opioid analgesia. The pain was self-assessed by the pediatric patient or was assessed by the nurse using pain scores., Results: Metamizole proved to be safe, efficient, and very well tolerated by children. Multimodal analgesia using acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug with metamizole for the treatment of moderate to severe pain in children undergoing surgery, required a single opioid dose in 292 patients (77.24%) of the 378 in this study., Conclusions: In pediatric patients undergoing surgery, subarachnoid anesthesia combined with intravenous sedation, multimodal analgesia that includes metamizole, and nonpharmacological complementary therapies in pain management enable avoidance or reduction of opioids to a single dose, without undertreatment. There is also a minimum of anesthesia, accelerated children's recovery and a rapid return to presurgical levels of function.

This paper presents the results of a surgical and histopathological study regarding the microanatomical modifications of the thoraco-abdominal diaphragm and of the peri-esophageal structures in the hiatal hernias, establishing a cause-effect relationship between these structural modifications and the hiatal hernia. The study was represented by two groups of patients: a control group and a group with hiatal hernia. The study method consisted in intraoperatory biopsy of fragments from the diaphragm as well as from the tissue around the esophagus, which were studied from the histopathological viewpoint, using histological methods and quantitative microanatomy. In the end, the results obtained from the two groups were compared. The microscopic examination revealed the presence of an inflammatory infiltrate located between muscle fibers, especially near blood vessels, at the level of the diaphragm crura and the phreno-esophageal membrane. Also, they found red blood cell at this level, most likely due to pressure from the hernia at this level. From the quantitative micro-anatomical viewpoint, there has been noticed an increase in the percent of the vascular lumen (accentuated vasodilatation) as well as the interstices occupied with the edema and hemorrhage, to the detriment of the muscle fibers, the most significant modifications being met at the level of the crura.