Totally laparoscopic feeding jejunostomy.

BACKGROUND: A feeding jejunostomy should be used for nutritional support in a small subset of patients. Minimal-access approaches for the placement of jejunal tubes have been described, but they often require special equipment not common to all operating theaters. We describe a technique of totally laparoscopic jejunostomy tube (LJT) placement using equipment found in most operating theaters. METHODS: Thirty-five patients underwent LJT over a 12-month period. Indications included gastroparesis, anorexia nervosa, oral cancer, cerebral palsy, and Huntington's chorea. The technique involved three incisions for trocars (one for a 10-mm camera and two for 5-mm working ports) and one small incision for the tube. A 16-Fr T-tube was passed transabdominally under direct vision, and a jejunotomy was made approximately 20 cm distal to the ligament of Trietz. Each limb of the T-tube was passed into the lumen of the bowel, and a purse-string suture was placed around the enterotomy and tied intracorporeally. After insertion, the serosa surrounding the insertion site is tacked to the anterior abdominal wall in four places with a reusable stainless steel suture passer. To test whether the tube was watertight, we injected methylene blue solution into the tube. RESULTS: All of the patients tolerated the procedure well. There were no operative deaths. Five LJTs were electively removed in the office. One patient was reoperated on 10 days postoperatively because of intractable pain, but the source of pain was not found and the LJT was intact. CONCLUSIONS: LJT may be placed safely using the described technique. No significant morbidity or mortality occurred in our series. The results of this study have prompted us to consider LJT for any patient requiring access to the jejunum for feeding.

Quality of life after treatment for advanced laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancer.

OBJECTIVES: To compare health-related quality of life measures after treatment for advanced (stages III and IV) laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review and patient response to Health Status Questionnaire-12 (HSQ-12). METHODS: Our study included 54 patients identified from the Tumor Registry of the University of Louisville Brown Cancer Center who were diagnosed and treated between 1995 and 2000. Demographics, tumor data, and treatment information were obtained from the Tumor Registry database. Questionnaires were mailed to all patients and included telephone follow-up. Comparative data and responses were analyzed for the 24 patients who responded to the survey. RESULTS: Fifteen patients were treated with chemotherapy and radiation therapy (CRT). Six patients underwent surgery with postoperative radiation therapy (SRT). The remaining three patients were treated with radiation therapy but were not used in this analysis. The average follow-up was 35 months after treatment. The CRT and SRT groups were statistically similar regarding age, sex, duration of follow-up, tumor grade, and tumor stage. Laryngeal primary tumors were more common in the SRT group than in the CRT group (P =.005). Eight domains were assessed by the HSQ-12: physical functioning, role-physical, bodily pain, health perception, energy/fatigue, social functioning, role-mental, and mental health. No statistical differences were found between the CRT and SRT groups, except for role limitations attributable to physical health (P =.007). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that only one of eight domains differs significantly between treatment groups when using the HSQ-12. Two-year survival end-point analysis of global health assessment may represent a simplified and meaningful way to compare treatment modalities in patients with advanced-stage head and neck cancer.

Minimally invasive radioguided parathyroidectomy.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive radioguided parathyroidectomy (MIRP) combines technetium sestamibi scan, intraoperative gamma probe, methylene blue dye, and measurement of circulating parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels. STUDY DESIGN: All patients presented with biochemically proved primary hyperparathyroidism. A technetium sestamibi scan was performed preoperatively. Technetium sestamibi and methylene blue dye (7.5 mg/kg) were administered IV on the day of operation. Operative dissection was directed by the gamma probe. Blood samples for PTH assay were obtained before and after excision of an abnormal gland. When an appropriate decrease in the PTH assay was obtained, the exploration was concluded. Persistent PTH elevation instigated further neck exploration. RESULTS: Thirty-six consecutive patients were explored for untreated primary hyperparathyroidism and three for recurrent hyperparathyroidism. Hypercalcemia was corrected in all 39 patients. A single adenoma was found in 32 of 36 patients with untreated primary hyperparathyroidism, and a single abnormal gland was identified in all of those with recurrent hyperparathyroidism. Persistently elevated PTH prompted further exploration in two patients, identifying a second abnormal gland in one and hyperplasia in the other. Minor local complications occurred in 8% (3 of 39) of the patients. Forty-four percent (16 of 36) of the patients were discharged on the day of operation and 83% (30 of 36) within 23 hours after the initial neck exploration for primary hyperparathyroidism. Comparison of charges for MIRP with charges for "standard" neck exploration revealed lower costs with MIRP because of decreased duration of the operation, anesthesia, and hospital stay, and elimination of intraoperative histologic analysis. CONCLUSIONS: MIRP is a safe and effective procedure, resulting in the correction of hypercalcemia in all patients. The combination of intraoperative gamma probe and methylene blue dye allows rapid identification of the abnormal gland with minimal dissection through a small incision. PTH assay after excision provides biochemical confirmation that the abnormal gland has been removed. Most patients undergoing MIRP can be treated on an outpatient basis. Low postoperative complications, a small incision, and rapid return to normal activities resulted in very high patient acceptance of the procedure.

Penetrating injuries of the visceral compartment of the neck.

Penetrating injuries of the visceral compartment of the neck are uncommon but potentially life threatening. A retrospective review of patients who sustained penetrating trauma to the laryngotracheal complex was conducted at the Level I trauma center of the University of Louisville Hospital in Kentucky. Sixteen patients were identified and their records reviewed for type of injuries, treatment, complications, and 1-year follow-up. The majority of patients were men who sustained injuries that were violent in nature. Zone II of the anterior neck was the most commonly injured area, with the trachea (69%), esophagus (38%), and larynx (31 %) the most commonly injured structures. Although 31% underwent angiograms, only 13% showed vascular injuries. Eighty-one percent of the patients had injuries involving more than 1 major structure of the neck. Neck exploration was performed in 81% of the patients and tracheotomies in 75% as well as repair of the trachea (50%), larynx (31%), and esophagus (38%). There is significant mortality associated with these injuries (13% in our study), and many of the patients have long-term sequelae such as dysphagia, hoarseness, and prolonged tracheotomy.

Patterns of maxillofacial injuries as a function of automobile restraint use.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the pattern and severity of maxillofacial injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident (MVA) resulting from automobile restraint use. DESIGN: Retrospective database review of patients injured in a MVA who were admitted to the level I trauma center at the University of Louisville Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky. METHODS: Demographic data, drug and alcohol impairment screening, and comorbidity data were obtained from database searches of trauma records. Forty-four patients had an airbag deployed, 34 patients wore seat belts, and 94 patients were unrestrained. All maxillofacial Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) ratings were compared among the three groups. RESULTS: Twenty-two of the 44 patients (50%) in the airbag group sustained only facial injuries. Fifteen of them had lacerations; four others had only facial abrasions. Three of the airbag patients had moderate facial injuries (AIS = 2); none required operative management. The airbag group had a mean AIS rating of 1.13, the seat belt group a mean AIS of 1.29, and the unrestrained group a mean AIS of 1.46. Patients using either seat belts (mean age, 40.5 y) or airbags (mean age, 44.9 y) were older than the unrestrained group (mean age, 39.6 y). Drug and/or alcohol impairment was significantly greater in the unrestrained group (mean, 38%) compared with the seat belt group (mean, 26%) and the airbag group (mean 11%.). CONCLUSIONS: Use of airbags is associated with less severe maxillofacial injuries compared with either a seat belt alone or no restraint. There is an inherent risk of minor maxillofacial injuries with airbag usage, but the severity of injury is distinctly reduced.

Basal cell carcinoma of the head and neck: identification of predictors of recurrence.

The goal of this retrospective study was to identify factors that predict the recurrence of basal cell carcinoma of the head and neck. We reviewed the medical records of 165 patients who had undergone a wide surgical excision (negative margins) of one or more basal cell carcinomas of the head and neck. Univariate analysis revealed that recurrence was significantly influenced by the patient's gender (p < 0.01), the presence of preoperative risk factors (p < 0.05), the presence of multiple lesions (p < 0.01), and their histopathologic subtype (p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that the best predictors of recurrence were the presence of preoperative risk factors and the presence of multiple lesions (p < 0.01); the lesion's histologic subtype approached but did not reach statistical significance in predicting recurrence (p = 0.06).

Early postoperative esophageal obstruction caused by enteral feeding concretions in patients who have undergone laryngectomy.

We report two cases of tube-feeding concretions causing esophageal obstruction in patients after laryngectomy. The cause of tube-feeding concretions is unknown at this time but probably involves esophageal stasis caused by esophageal dysmotility, protein precipitation by acidic gastric contents, tube damage, and concomitant use of sucralfate and other antacids. Although this is a rare complication of nasogastric feedings, the diagnosis should be entertained in cases in which postoperative esophageal obstruction is noted in head and neck surgical patients.

Percutaneous dilational tracheostomy for airway control.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic percutaneous dilational tracheostomy (PDT) is a good alternative to obtain safe and secure long-term airway control, and is associated with minimal morbidity and mortality. STUDY DESIGN: During a 14-month period, we prospectively studied 35 intensive care unit (ICU) trauma patients who underwent early PDT for the sole purpose of obtaining long-term airway control. All patients were determined to need a tracheostomy owing to extubation inability, need to maintain a patent airway, or need for continuous airway access for management of secretions. RESULTS: All patients had sustained multiple injuries with an average Injury Severity Score (ISS) of 29. The time from ICU admission to placement of the PDT was 8 +/- 5 days. The mean Glasgow Coma Scale at the time of the PDT was 10 (range 4 to 15), and 11 patients (31%) had an intracranial pressure device in place. The procedure was completed with bronchoscopic guidance in 33 patients, and in 2 it was converted to surgical tracheostomy (ST). There were no significant complications associated with the placement of the PDT. Two deaths were documented, neither related to the PDT placement. Compared with standard ST, charges were reduced by $1,750. CONCLUSIONS: Bedside endoscopic PDT for selected critically ill trauma patients is justified as a safe and effective alternative to ST. The low incidence of complications in PDT suggests that it can be done safely at bedside in the ICU.

Applications of image-guided navigation in the middle cranial fossa: an anatomic study.

Determining the location of pertinent anatomic structures (ie, the internal auditory canal [IAC]) in middle cranial fossa surgery is commonly based on indirect inferences from bony landmarks. Several methods have been proposed for identification of the IAC, each using bony landmarks coupled with geometric formulation. Identification of the IAC based on bony architecture and geometry may be severely limited when a mass lesion is present. Image-guided surgery has the advantage of rapid localization and may be helpful in navigating a complex surgical field which has been distorted by tumor. This study evaluates the feasibility and accuracy of the ISG viewing wand in determining pertinent anatomic landmarks in the middle fossa of the human cadaver. High-resolution (1 mm) computed tomography was performed on a preserved human cadaver head in which fixed fiducial markers had been placed. Subsequently, the cadaver head was registered in a simulated operative field, and middle fossa craniotomy was performed. The foramen spinosum, foramen ovale, greater superficial petrosal nerve, internal carotid artery, arcuate eminence, and IAC were identified visually, and three independent localizations of each structure were performed with the viewing wand. Accurate localizations were consistently performed within 1 mm for each anatomic landmark. Image-guided navigation is both feasible and accurate in determining intraoperative landmarks in the middle fossa. Image-guidance may enhance surgical accuracy and efficiency. Further clinical studies evaluating image-guided techniques in the middle fossa are warranted.

The infected wound and its management.

The infected wound is one of the most frequent causes of delayed wound healing. Even in the face of appropriate antibiotic prophylaxis, infections can occur in 10% to 20% of clean-contaminated procedures in the head and neck. The authors describe their comprehensive approach to prevent and manage the infected wound at the head and neck area.

Staging of chronic hyperplastic rhinosinusitis: treatment strategies.

In 1990 we reported an initial prospective study of 100 patients using a four-stage system for classification of chronic rhinosinusitis. Between January 1988 and July 1992, we used this system in staging an additional 1814 patients, on whom 2980 intranasal sphenoethmoidectomies were performed. In this staging system a protocol trial of medication was given for 2 weeks, followed by axial and coronal computed tomography. Medication consisted of a second-generation cephalosporin antibiotic, usually cefuroxime; a 4-day burst of intraoral steroids, usually prednisone; and an antihistamine decongestant if not contraindicated. The stages of chronic hyperplastic rhinosinusitis included the stages described in the 1990 report (i.e., stage I, single-focus disease; stage II, discontiguous disease throughout the ethmoid labyrinth; stage III, diffuse disease responsive to medication; and stage IV, diffuse disease unresponsive to or poorly responsive to medication). The results of this study have shown that the computed tomography staging system based on computed tomography extent of disease after medical therapy is a simple, easily remembered, and very effective modality for the classification of chronic sinusitis. This system provides a rationale for discussing and planning surgery with patients and physicians and is a convenient reference for the reporting of end results. More importantly, a linear relationship between disease stage and outcomes is demonstrated. This statistically highly significant feature of the staging system provides a firm basis for the production of outcomes after various treatment strategies, particularly ethmoidectomy and the treatment of sinusitis.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas of the nose and paranasal sinuses in the pediatric population.

Paranasal and nasal neoplasms often elude early diagnosis in the pediatric population. This report examines 3 cases of nasal and paranasal sinus lymphomas out of 29 lymphomas and lymphoproliferative disorders seen from 1983 to 1990. Diagnostic delays are common. The development of orbital signs and symptoms often leads to diagnosis. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are important in delineating the extent of disease and allow appropriate staging. Transnasal biopsy yields the definitive diagnosis, with low associated morbidity. Aggressive chemotherapy and irradiation prolongs survival; with this regimen all of our patients have remained alive, although 1 has residual disease. B-cell lymphomas are more common than T-cell varieties in children. One patient demonstrated B-cell immunodeficiency and preleukemia prior to developing primary paranasal sinus non-Hodgkin's lymphoma; this case reiterates the systemic nature of lymphoma, Key differences between children and adults in the manifestations of nasal and sinus lymphomas are emphasized.

Cavernous sinus involvement in head and neck cancer.

Spread of tumor to intracranial structures is an infrequent and late manifestation of head and neck cancers. We recently encountered six patients with a distinct clinical syndrome due to involvement of the cavernous sinus, which forms the basis of this report. This syndrome was a source of significant morbidity and mortality, with a mean survival of only 4 months. The diagnosis is often elusive, but is now made more commonly than previously. Whether this reflects increased incidence (due to alterations in the natural history of disease by therapy) or improved diagnosis (due to modern imaging modalities) is unknown. Cavernous sinus involvement may be the first evidence of distant disease in head and neck cancer. Although survival is poor, palliation is worthwhile. Awareness of this syndrome can lead to earlier diagnosis and alteration of treatment.