Application value of flexible endoscopy and rigid endoscopy in the clinical examination of chronic sinus tract wounds with different shapes

Abstract

Objective: To explore the application value of flexible endoscopy and rigid endoscopy in the clinical examination of chronic sinus tract wounds with different shapes. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted. From January 1 to December 23, 2019, a total of 46 patients with chronic sinus tract wounds, who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to the Wound Healing Center of Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, including 23 males and 23 females, aged 18-81 (48±21) years. On admission, computer tomography (CT) imaging and three-dimensional reconstruction were performed to examine the shapes of wound sinus tract and classify the wounds, with the lengths of wound sinus tract by CT imaging examination (hereinafter referred to as reference lengths) recorded. The lengths of wound sinus tract were examined and measured by rigid endoscopy and flexible endoscopy. The wounds with and without obviously curved sinus tract were classified into curve group and linear group respectively, and the deviation rates between the lengths of wound sinus tract measured by flexible endoscopy or rigid endoscopy and the reference lengths (hereinafter referred to as deviation rates of lengths) in each group were calculated. The difference between the deviation rates of lengths examined by flexible endoscopy and rigid endoscopy and the differences between the above two and the deviation rate of reference lengths (0) in each group were compared. Data were statistically analyzed with paired sample t test and Wilcoxon signed rank sum test. Results: CT imaging and three-dimensional reconstruction showed that there were 4 types of wound sinus tract, including tubular (36/46), lamellar (4/46), club-mallet (4/46), and irregular (2/46) shape. Tubular wounds were further divided into type I (23/36), type L (4/36), and type Y (9/36). Wounds with type I tubular, lamellar, and club-mallet sinus tract were classified into linear group (31/46), while those with type Y tubular, type L tubular, and irregular sinus tract were classified into curve group (15/46). In linear group, the deviation rates of lengths examined and measured by rigid endoscopy and flexible endoscopy were 0. In curve group, the deviation rate of lengths examined and measured by flexible endoscopy was 0 (0, 0.58%), which was significantly lower than 41.18% (31.68%, 48.41%) examined and measured by rigid endoscopy, Z=-3.408, P<0.01; the deviation rate of lengths examined and measured by rigid endoscopy (40±19)% was significantly higher than the deviation rate of reference lengths (t=8.343, P<0.01), while the deviation rate of the lengths examined and measured by flexible endoscopy was similar to the deviation rate of reference lengths (Z=-1.342, P>0.05). Conclusions: Compared with rigid endoscopy, flexible endoscopy can observe the internal characteristics of chronic sinus tract wounds in a wider range in the clinical examination of this kind of wound, especially for the exploration of curved chronic sinus tract wounds. The promotion of this method will be conducive to the diagnosis and treatment of chronic sinus tract wounds.