Indocyanine green fluorescence video-angiography for flap perfusion assessment in head and neck reconstruction: a prospective study.

PURPOSE: Managing postoperative complications is crucial in reconstructive surgery. Indocyanine green fluorescence video-angiography (ICGA) aids in assessing flap vascularization intraoperatively, potentially reducing complications. METHODS: An ambispective study enrolled head and neck cancer patients undergoing ablative surgery with soft tissue reconstruction. An experimental arm (March 2021-May 2023) used ICGA, while a control arm (January 2017-December 2020) did not. Complications were graded by Clavien-Dindo classification. We also evaluated the effect of systemic inflammation on the sensitivity of ICGA in detecting hypoperfused areas of the flap. RESULTS: Complications were less frequent in the experimental arm, both overall (11.4% vs. 36.4%) and major ones (Clavien-Dindo ≥ 3) (8.6% vs. 30.9%). ICGA showed a protective effect in univariate and multivariate analyses. Previous radiation and ICGA were independent predictors of major complications. ICGA altered the surgical strategy in 25.7% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Real-time perfusion assessment, particularly with ICGA, can improve outcomes in head and neck cancer patients undergoing soft tissue reconstruction by reducing complications. Further research with larger cohorts is warranted for validation.

The use of near-infrared autofluorescence during total laryngectomy with hemi- or total thyroidectomy.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to describe the use of near-infrared autofluorescence (NIR-AF) to identify and preserve parathyroid glands (PGs) in a group of patients with advanced hypopharyngeal/laryngeal cancer undergone total (pharyngo)laryngectomy with hemi- or total thyroidectomy. METHODS: At San Raffaele Hospital, Milan (Italy), from January 2021 to May 2021, 7 patients affected by cT4a laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) underwent surgery using an autofluorescence detection system (Fluobeam-Fluoptics®). For proper surgical planning, the demolition phase envisaged extension of the intervention to 4 hemithyroidectomies and 3 total thyroidectomies associated, respectively, with homolateral or bilateral CCND. Serum calcium, ionized calcium, and parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels at post-operative day (POD) 1 and 2 and at 2 weeks after surgery were monitored. Finally, we compared the data obtained with a cohort of patients who underwent surgery without the adoption of NIR-AF. RESULTS: With the use of NIR-AF, 18/20 PGs were identified, of which 7/18 were preserved exclusively thanks to the use of autoflorescence. The technique also made it possible to identify and isolate three PGs from the surgical specimen, which were subsequently transplanted only after intraoperative histological confirmation. On POD-1, 3/7 patients (42.8%) were hypocalcemic; on POD-2 and after 2 weeks only 1/7 patient (14.2%) was hypocalcemic. Comparing the two groups, we highlighted that the utilization of NIR-AF was related to a significant decrease of median serum (p = 0.026) and ionized calcium levels (p = 0.017) 2 weeks after surgery. Using this new technology, in no case did definitive histological examination reveal the presence of PGs in the surgical specimen, reaching an accuracy of 100%. CONCLUSIONS: In our cohort of patients who underwent total (pharyngo)laryngectomy with hemi- or total thyroidectomy, the use of near-infrared autofluorescence improved medium term postoperative hypocalcemia rates. This new technology helps to achieve a better calcemic outcome compared to the standard naked eye approach, since it helps the surgeon to identify and preserve parathyroid glandular tissue with a lower incidence of post-operative hypocalcemia.

Olfactory function in patients with obstructive sleep apnea: a meta-analysis study.

PURPOSE: This meta-analysis study was designed to analyze the olfactory function in obstructive sleep apnea patients (OSA). METHODS: A comprehensive review of the English language literature regarding OSA patients and olfactory function/dysfunction was performed. The papers assessing olfactory dysfunction with Sniffin' Sticks test were taken into consideration. RESULTS: A total of 420 OSA patients were judged eligible for the study. The average TDI score was found to be 24.3 ± 5.6. The olfactory identification (OD), the olfactory discrimination (OD), and the olfactory threshold (OT) average values were calculated resulting 9.9 ± 2.1, 9.8 ± 1.5, and 5.3 ± 2, respectively. There were 161 healthy control subjects in this meta-analysis. The average TDI of the control group was 30.7 ± 6.0 showing a statistical difference with the group of OSA patients (p = 0.03). A linear correlation between Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) increase and TDI decrease (R2 = 0.1, p = 0.05) was detected. Finally, the average values of TDI of 151 patients classified as mild-moderate OSA and 159 patients considered as severe OSA were calculated. The difference between these two groups resulted not statistically significant (p = 0.3). CONCLUSION: The comparison between OSA patients and healthy subjects using Sniffin' Sticks test showed lower values of the various olfactory parameters. Although a linear correlation between AHI increase and olfactory dysfunction was observed, no statistical difference between mild-moderate and severe OSA patients in terms of the severity of olfactory dysfunction could be proved.

Management of two rare cases of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans arising in the parotid region.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare cutaneous tumour, accounting for less than 1% of malignant tumours of the head and neck region. This tumour rarely presents metastatic disease, but has a high recurrence rate. Therefore, wide surgical excision with microscopically free margins is the therapeutic gold standard. Only five cases are described in literature of this tumour arising in the parotid region, a site that presents challenges both in achieving a wide demolition and in reconstructing the resulting defect. Here we describe two cases of DFSP arising in the parotid region that were treated surgically, achieving microscopically free margins. Reconstruction of the vast skin defect was achieved by means of a supraclavicular artery island flap, with good functional and aesthetic results.

Non-Syndromic Sensorineural Prelingual and Postlingual Hearing Loss due to COL11A1 Gene Mutation.

This paper aims to present a third world case of Non-Syndromic sensorineural hearing loss (NSHL) due to a novel missense variant in COL11A1 gene, defined as DFNA37 non-syndromic hearing loss. The clinical features of a 6-year-old boy affected by a bilateral moderate to severe down-sloping sensorineural hearing loss are presented, as well as the genetic analysis, the latter identifying a heterozygous missense variation in the COL11A1 gene. In addition, in families with autosomal dominant transmission, COL11A1 gene should be considered in the genetic workup of the NSHL with prelingual onset.

Overview of different modified full-face snorkelling masks for intraoperative protection.

OBJECTIVE: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant impact on healthcare systems worldwide. The rate of infected healthcare workers is > 10% in Italy. Within this dramatic scenario, the development of new personal protective equipment (PPE) devices is mandatory. This study focuses on validation of modified full-face snorkel masks (MFFSM) as safe and protective equipment against SARS-CoV-2 infection during diagnostic and therapeutic procedures on the upper aerodigestive tract. METHODS: Five different MFFSM were tested during otolaryngological surgery and in anaesthesia procedures. Data were collected through an online survey to assess the feedback of operators. pO2 and pCO2 monitoring values during procedures were recorded in selected cases. RESULTS: All five MFFSM tested were easy to use and gave all operators a sound "feeling" of protection. All clinicians involved had common agreement regarding safety and the user-friendly format. CONCLUSIONS: In the future, specific development of different type of masks for protection in the operating room, intensive care units and/or office will be possible as a joint venture between clinicians and developers. Goals for clinicians include better definition of needs and priorities, while developers can devote their expertise to produce devices that meet medical requirements.