Clinical efficacy of styloid incision truncation via percutaneous punching in treating styloid process syndrome

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the clinical efficacy of styloid incision truncation via percutaneous punching in treating styloid process (styloid) syndrome. METHODS: The clinical data of 40 styloid syndrome patients treated in our hospital from July 2018 to August 2021 were chosen and divided into an observation group and a control group in a random manner, with 20 cases in each. The control group received treatment with styloid truncation via an external cervical approach, and the observation group received treatment with styloid incision truncation via percutaneous punching. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, length of truncated styloid, clinical efficacy, pain scores, postoperative complications and inflammatory cytokine levels were assessed in the both groups. RESULTS: The intraoperative blood loss, operation time, length of truncated styloid and hospital stay in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). VAS pain scores were higher in both groups after the operation compared to before the operation. However, the observation group showed a statistically significant reduction in comparison with the control group (P < 0.05). The treatment effectiveness and complication rates of the two groups exhibited significant differences (P < 0.05). After the operation, TNF-α, CRP, and IL-6 levels in both groups were elevated compared to those before the operation. The observation group, however, showed significant depletion compared to the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Styloid incision truncation via percutaneous punching was not only effective in treating styloid syndrome, but also caused less trauma and fewer complications. It promotes patient recovery and requires a simple operation, making it worthy of promotion in hospitals.