Christopher Okpaleke
The University of British Columbia, Surgery, Department Member
Research Interests:
Background Patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) have a high risk of disease recurrence and revision surgery. The ability to predict a polyp recurrence in this patient population is critical in order to provide... more
Background Patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) have a high risk of disease recurrence and revision surgery. The ability to predict a polyp recurrence in this patient population is critical in order to provide adequately tailored postoperative management. Objective We aim to explore the role of appropriate postoperative care in the prognosis of CRSwNP patients in relation to preoperative eosinophil and basophils levels. Methods This was a retrospective case series; data were collected for 102 CRSwNP patients over a period of 15 months after surgery. Baseline eosinophil and basophil levels were compared between patients with and without polyp recurrences. The analysis was then stratified based on clinical diagnosis, comorbidities (atopy, asthma, and aspirin allergy), a single versus multiple episodes of sinonasal polyp recurrences, and medication adherence. Results Of the 102 included patients, 65 (63.7%) of the patients experienced no recurrences, 26 (25.5...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Spacers are inserted into the middle meatal space (MMS) following functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) to prevent lateralization of the middle turbinate, scarring, and synechiae. Our objective was to determine if the incidence of... more
Spacers are inserted into the middle meatal space (MMS) following functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) to prevent lateralization of the middle turbinate, scarring, and synechiae. Our objective was to determine if the incidence of postoperative synechiae, facial pain/discomfort, pain during spacer removal, scarring, and discharge differed between nasal cavities receiving Silastic or gloved-Merocel (GM) spacers following FESS. A double-blind, randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted in adults requiring bilateral FESS for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) ± nasal polyposis. Participants served as their own controls, with each subject receiving both a Silastic and GM spacer. Spacers were inserted into the MMS during FESS and left in situ for 6 days. Participants were reviewed at 6 days, 5 weeks, and 12 weeks postoperatively. The presence of synechiae and scarring were evaluated endoscopically. Inflammation, discharge, and pain during spacer removal were assessed using a visual a...
Research Interests:
Numerous reconstructive techniques and materials have been reported for repair of skull base defects, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks, and coverage of denuded bone, including pedicled vascularized flaps and free mucosal grafts. This study... more
Numerous reconstructive techniques and materials have been reported for repair of skull base defects, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks, and coverage of denuded bone, including pedicled vascularized flaps and free mucosal grafts. This study described our technique of harvesting and transferring a free nasal floor mucoperiosteal graft and discussed our experience with the application of this technique. A retrospective review of 19 patients (mean age, 53.7 years; 13 men, 6 women) treated with image-guided endoscopic sinus surgery for chronic rhinosinusitis or tumors. Intraoperative free mucosal graft repair was performed for large skull base defects after resection of skull base tumor (n = 7), CSF leak (n = 12), and iatrogenic CSF leak (n = 7). Repair was performed in an overlay or an underlay fashion, with a multilayer approach in cases of a large skull base defect. Patients underwent endoscopic assessment at 6 days, 5 weeks, and 12 weeks after surgery for assessment of healing and of ...
Research Interests:
Although short-term use (≤2 months) of atomized topical nasal steroids has been shown to be safe and effective, the long-term safety has yet to be demonstrated. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of long-term topical... more
Although short-term use (≤2 months) of atomized topical nasal steroids has been shown to be safe and effective, the long-term safety has yet to be demonstrated. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of long-term topical budesonide treatment via the mucosal atomization device (MAD) on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA) and intraocular pressure (IOP). A cross-sectional study of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), with or without nasal polyposis, managed with daily nasal budesonide via MAD was conducted at a tertiary rhinology center. Patients using systemic steroids within 3 months of assessment were excluded. HPAA impact was assessed using the cosyntropin stimulation test for adrenal function and a survey of relevant symptomatology. Patients also underwent tonometry to assess for elevated IOP potentially related to corticosteroid use. Treatment adherence was subjectively assessed using a medication adherence scale (MMAS-8) to evaluate the validity of s...
Research Interests: Pharmacology, Otolaryngology, Medicine, Rhinology, Humans, and 15 moreChronic Disease, Female, Male, Intraocular Pressure, Anti-inflammatory agents, Aged, Middle Aged, Sinusitis, Intranasal Administration, Budesonide, Glucocorticoids, Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Rhinitis, Chronic Rhinosinusitis, and Nasal Polyps
Research Interests: Otolaryngology, Hemostasis and Thrombosis, Animal Studies, Treatment Outcome, Medicine, and 12 moreRhinology, Platelet, Thrombin, Animals, Rhinosinusitis and endoscopic surgery, Paranasal Sinuses, Clinical Sciences, Hemostasis, Hemostatic Agent, CAROTID ARTERY INJURIES, Random Allocation, and Tranexamic acid
Background Many reconstructive techniques and materials have been reported for repair of skull base defects after sinonasal tumor excision, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks, and coverage of denuded bone. Synthetic materials have been... more
Background Many reconstructive techniques and materials have been reported for repair of skull base defects after sinonasal tumor excision, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks, and coverage of denuded bone. Synthetic materials have been developed for endoscopic skull base repair to avoid donor-site morbidity. Polydioxanone plate is a bioabsorbable implant designed for nasal septal reconstruction and has the ability to retain strength for at least 10 weeks and absorbs in 6 months. Objectives This study aimed to describe the use of polydioxanone plates in endoscopic skull base defect and CSF leak repair, and to describe our experience with the surgical technique and postoperative management. Methods This was a retrospective case series of patients who, between May 2013 and December 2015, underwent endoscopic sinus surgery and skull base repair for CSF leak or after excision of a skull base tumor by using polydioxanone plates. Patients who presented with sinonasal inflammatory disease or s...
Research Interests: Treatment Outcome, Endoscopy, Humans, Female, Male, and 11 moreParanasal Sinuses, Follow-up studies, Skull Base, Clinical Sciences, Middle Aged, Retrospective Studies, Biocompatible Materials, Polydioxanone, Postoperative Complications, Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak Repair, and Reconstructive Surgical Procedures
Objectives: Despite many publications describing sheep models for functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) procedures, accurate endoscopic anatomical studies are lacking. There are no publications correlating computed tomography (CT)... more
Objectives: Despite many publications describing sheep models for functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) procedures, accurate endoscopic anatomical studies are lacking. There are no publications correlating computed tomography (CT) and 3D models with endoscopic anatomical descriptions. This study evaluates and describes the endoscopic anatomy of a sheep model. Methods: Ten live sheep (20-sides) were included. Two cadaveric specimens, imaged using thin slice CT for 3D reconstruction correlation were also included. Using endoscopy, anatomical structures were measured and described. Measurement of the same structures was carried out using the 3D imaging model. Results: Three sets of turbinates were identified at 2.3, 5.1 and 8.5 cm from the anterior nasal sill. Frontal recess and uncinate process were identified at 12.7 cm. The septum has a bony and cartilaginous component and measures 10.5 cm. The sphenopalatine foramen was measured at 12.1 cm. All anatomical measurements were correlated with the measurements on the CT scan 3D volume-rendering model, thereby allowing for an accurate description of the sheep sinona-sal anatomy. Conclusion: This study describes the endoscopic sinonasal anatomical measurements of the adult sheep. It is the first study to evaluate the sheep CT and endoscopic anatomy in order to determine its feasibility as an animal model for research in FESS.
Research Interests:
Background: Spacers are inserted into the middle meatal space (MMS) following functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) to prevent lateralization of the middle turbinate, scarring, and synechiae. Our objective was to determine if the... more
Background: Spacers are inserted into the middle meatal space (MMS) following functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) to prevent lateralization of the middle turbinate, scarring, and synechiae. Our objective was to determine if the incidence of postoperative synechiae, facial pain/discomfort, pain during spacer removal, scarring, and discharge differed between nasal cavities receiving Silastic or gloved-Merocel (GM) spacers following FESS.
Research Interests:
Objectives/Hypothesis: Bleeding during endoscopic sinus surgery and open surgeries can easily obstruct the surgeons' field of view and increase morbidity and risk of intraoperative complications. Intraoperative bleeding could potentially... more
Objectives/Hypothesis: Bleeding during endoscopic sinus surgery and open surgeries can easily obstruct the surgeons' field of view and increase morbidity and risk of intraoperative complications. Intraoperative bleeding could potentially be addressed by a hemostatic agent that safely disperses itself through the escaping blood. We tested the safety and efficacy of a self-propelling formulation of thrombin and tranexamic acid (SPTT) in stopping bleeding in a paranasal sinus injury and in an open surgical carotid injury sheep model. Study Design: Interventional animal study. Methods: SPTT was tested in the sinonasal space following endoscopic injury to the inferior turbinate of six sheep, and to the common carotid artery following open surgical injury in eight sheep. In the nasal cavity, bleeding time and local inflammation were measured and compared to plain gauze. Following carotid arteriotomy, successful hemostasis and markers of thrombosis and coagulopathy were compared to Floseal. Results: SPTT significantly decreased bleeding times in the sinonasal space compared to plain gauze (mean difference 5 3.8 minutes, P 5 .002). All of the carotid bleeds (100%) were successfully controlled with SPTT after 10 minutes of application under pressure, compared to 25% with Floseal. No adverse events were noted, and there was no evidence of thromboembolism. Conclusions: SPTT significantly reduced bleeding time in a sheep model of surgical sinus bleeding and successfully stopped bleeding following catastrophic carotid artery injury, with no adverse events observed.