[Development and evaluation of ultrasound navigation for free-hand biopsies of small masses in the head and neck area]. / Entwicklung und Evaluation einer Ultraschallnavigation für Freihandbiopsien kleiner Raumforderungen im Kopf-Hals-Bereich.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound is an important imaging method in the head and neck area. It is readily available, dynamic, inexpensive, and does not involve radiation exposure. Interventions in the complex head and neck anatomy require good orientation, which is supported by navigation systems. OBJECTIVE: This work aimed to develop a new ultrasound-controlled navigation system for taking biopsies of small target structures in the head and neck region. METHODS: A neck phantom with sonographically detectable masses (size: 8-10 mm) was constructed. These were automatically segmented using a ResNet-50-based deep neural network. The ultrasound scanner was equipped with an individually manufactured tracking tool. RESULTS: The positions of the ultrasound device, the masses, and a puncture needle were recorded in the world coordinate system. In 8 out of 10 cases, an 8­mm mass was hit. In a special evaluation phantom, the average deviation was calculated to be 2.5 mm. The tracked biopsy needle is aligned and navigated to the masses by auditory feedback. CONCLUSION: Outstanding advantages compared to conventional navigation systems include renunciation of preoperative tomographic imaging, automatic three-dimensional real-time registration that considers intraoperative tissue displacements, maintenance of the surgeon's optical axis at the surgical site without having to look at a navigation monitor, and working freely with both hands without holding the ultrasound scanner during biopsy taking. The described functional model can also be used in open head and neck surgery.

[Cervical CUP Syndrome: Diagnosis and Therapy]. / Zervikales CUP-Syndrom: Diagnostik und Therapie.

In CUP syndrome (CUP = cancer of unknown primary) there are 1 or more metastases of a primary tumor that cannot be localized despite extensive diagnostics. CUP syndrome accounts for 5% of all human malignancies, making it one of the 10 most common forms of cancer. In addition to inflammatory lymph node enlargement and benign changes such as cervical cysts, lymph node metastases are among the most common cervical masses. Cervical CUP syndrome is a histologically confirmed cervical lymph node metastasis with an unknown primary tumor. In addition to anamnesis, clinical examination and histological confirmation, diagnostics include radiological imaging using PET-CT and panendoscopy with histological primary tumor search. Treatment options include surgical therapy with neck dissection and chemoradiotherapy.

Gemeinsame Stellungnahme der Deutschen Gesellschaft für HNO-Heilkunde, Kopf- und Hals-Chirurgie (DGHNO-KHC) und des Deutschen Berufsverbandes der HNO-Ärzte (BVHNO) für ärztliches Personal in der Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde/Kopf- und Hals-Chirurgie zum Arbeiten in der Schwangerschaft und Stillzeit.

Working during pregnancy and breastfeeding is a special situation for both the employee and the employer/supervisor. The amended version of the Maternity Protection Act (MuSchG), which came into force on January 1st, 2018, protects the health of women and their children while working, training or studying during pregnancy, after giving birth and while breastfeeding. Women should be able to continue their employment or related activities during this time without jeopardising their health or that of their child. This law was furthermore reformed to prevent discrimination against the working mother during this time. In order to create the best and safest possible framework conditions for employment during pregnancy and breastfeeding, the DGHNO-KHC and the BVHNO would like to present a "general positive list" and a "positive list for surgical activities" as part of this statement, which should serve as a guideline for all relevant parties. This agreed positive list is intended to enable pregnant and breastfeeding doctors to carry out patient-related activities as well as head and neck surgeries in accordance with the MuSchG of 2018. Hereby, affected colleagues should have the opportunity to continue working self-determined.

Plasma-derived small extracellular vesicles unleash the angiogenic potential in head and neck cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: In Head and neck cancer (HNC) angiogenesis is essential for tumor progression and metastasis. Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) from HNC cell lines alter endothelial cell (EC) functions towards a pro-angiogenic phenotype. However, the role of plasma sEVs retrieved from HNC patients in this process is not clear so far. METHODS: Plasma sEVs were isolated on size exclusion chromatography columns from 32 HNC patients (early-stage UICC I/II: 8, advanced-stage UICC III/IV: 24), 12 patients with no evident disease after therapy (NED) and 16 healthy donors (HD). Briefly, sEVs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), BCA protein assays and Western blots. Levels of angiogenesis-associated proteins were determined using antibody arrays. The interaction of fluorescently-labeled sEVs with human umbilical vein ECs was visualized by confocal microscopy. The functional effect of sEVs on tubulogenesis, migration, proliferation and apoptosis of ECs was assessed. RESULTS: The internalization of sEVs by ECs was visualized using confocal microscopy. Based on antibody arrays, all plasma sEVs were enriched in anti-angiogenic proteins. HNC sEVs contained more pro-angiogenic MMP-9 and anti-angiogenic proteins (Serpin F1) than HD sEVs. Interestingly, a strong inhibition of EC function was observed for sEVs from early-stage HNC, NED and HD. In contrast, sEVs from advanced-stage HNC showed a significantly increased tubulogenesis, migration and proliferation and induced less apoptosis in ECs than sEVs from HD. CONCLUSIONS: In general, plasma sEVs carry a predominantly anti-angiogenic protein cargo and suppress the angiogenic properties of ECs, while sEVs from (advanced-stage) HNC patients induce angiogenesis compared to HD sEVs. Thus, tumor-derived sEVs within the plasma of HNC patients might shift the angiogenic switch towards angiogenesis.

Augmented reality during parotid surgery: real-life evaluation of voice control of a head mounted display.

PURPOSE: Augmented Reality can improve surgical planning and performance in parotid surgery. For easier application we implemented a voice control manual for our augmented reality system. The aim of the study was to evaluate the feasibility of the voice control in real-life situations. METHODS: We used the HoloLens 1® (Microsoft Corporation) with a special speech recognition software for parotid surgery. The evaluation took place in a audiometry cubicle and during real surgical procedures. Voice commands were used to display various 3D structures of the patient with the HoloLens 1®. Commands had different variations (male/female, 65 dB SPL)/louder, various structures). RESULTS: In silence, 100% of commands were recognized. If the volume of the operation room (OR) background noise exceeds 42 dB, the recognition rate decreases significantly, and it drops below 40% at > 60 dB SPL. With constant speech volume at 65 dB SPL male speakers had a significant better recognition rate than female speakers (p = 0.046). Higher speech volumes can compensate this effect. The recognition rate depends on the type of background noise. Mixed OR noise (52 dB(A)) reduced the detection rate significantly compared to single suction noise at 52 dB(A) (p ≤ 0.00001). The recognition rate was significantly better in the OR than in the audio cubicle (p = 0.00013 both genders, 0.0086 female, and 0.0036 male). CONCLUSIONS: The recognition rate of voice commands can be enhanced by increasing the speech volume and by singularizing ambient noises. The detection rate depends on the loudness of the OR noise. Male voices are understood significantly better than female voices.

[Hypoglossal Stimulation: Indication, Surgical Technique and Clinical Results]. / Hypoglossus-Stimulation: Indikation, operative Technik und klinische Ergebnisse.

Hypoglossal stimulation is a safe and effective treatment option for patients with obstructive sleep apnea and unsuccessful PAP therapy. A number of criteria must be met for the indication: proof of failed PAP therapy and ineffectiveness of the other therapy alternatives, AHI of 15-65/h (a relevant number of central and/or mixed apneas should be excluded) and BMI up to max. 35kg/m2. In the case of the respiratory-synchronous and bilateral stimulation system, a complete concentric collapse at the velum level should currently be ruled out in DISE. In the future, stimulation of the branch of the ansa cervicalis innervating the sternothyroid muscle and the ramus internus of the superior laryngeal nerve could open up additional treatment options.

[Intratympanic Drug Application - Indication and Procedure]. / Intratympanale Medikamentenapplikation ­ Indikationen und Ablauf.

Neurootologic disorders of the inner ear associated with symptoms such as tinnitus, vertigo, and hearing loss are common and often cause significant distress to affected patients. Treatment options are usually limited. There are now some indications for which intratympanic drug application is a possible treatment option. Intratympanic drug administration is a simple, inexpensive therapy option with few side effects that can be used on an outpatient basis. Therefore, it should not be disregarded when indicated.

[The potential of complementary music interventions in patients with head and neck cancer]. / Das Potenzial komplementärer Musikinterventionen bei Patienten mit malignen Kopf-Hals-Tumoren.

PURPOSE: The established treatment regimen for patients suffering from cancer in the head and neck region often leads to physical and mental health problems and therefore can significantly reduce the quality of life (QoL) in these patients. The available data indicate that additional complementary treatments, such as music interventions, may improve patients' QoL and compliance and reduce symptoms during therapy. METHODS: Anonymous data collection using a self-designed questionnaire was conducted in patients suffering from cancer in the head and neck area in our outpatient department. The questionnaire particularly asked the patients about their need and interest in music interventions during therapy. RESULTS: In total, 138 patients were consecutively enrolled in the study. The mean age was 64.9 years, including 68.1% men and 31.9% women. Only 11.5% listened to music regularly during their therapy at the time of data collection, yet 52.2% stated that they would be interested in music interventions. Patients especially conceived the relaxing and encouraging effects from listening to music. Most patients would prefer group therapies (56%) or listening to their own music (36.6%). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that there is a need for music interventions in patients suffering from cancer in the head and neck, as they anticipate they would experience positive effects, including reduced somatic and non-somatic symptoms and improved QoL. The lack of homogenous data emphasizes the need for further trials in the field of complementary music interventions to establish science-based concepts in the future.

[Recommendations of the German Society of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (DGHNO-KHC) for the granting of resident training program authorizations]. / Empfehlungen der Deutschen Gesellschaft für HNO-Heilkunde, Kopf- und Hals-Chirurgie (DGHNO-KHC) für die Erteilung der fachspezifischen Weiterbildungsbefugnis.

The 2018 template for otorhinolaryngology specialist training of the German Medical Association is increasingly implemented by the federal associations. In this regard, the German Society recommended an otorhinolaryngology resident training plan for Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (DGHNO-KHC) together with the Professional Association of German Otorhinolaryngologists as a suggested guideline for the federal medical associations. In this context, the state medical associations currently work on criteria on the basis of which otorhinolaryngologists and their training institutions can be granted authority for such a certified otorhinolaryngology resident training program.The DGHNO-KHC last made recommendations for the granting of authorizations for specialist training in otorhinolaryngology in 1999. Many contents have changed as a result of the 2018 model specialist training regulations. Therefore, a scientifically formulated proposal for the granting of continuing education authorizations is herewith provided as recommendation to the federal state medical associations.

Optimisation of Conditions for the Formation of Spheroids of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Lines for Use as Animal Alternatives.

The use of in vitro 3-D cell culture models in cancer research has yielded substantial gains in knowledge on various aspects of tumour biology. Such cell culture models could be useful in the study of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), where mimicking intratumoral and intertumoral heterogeneity is especially challenging. Our research aims to establish 3-D spheroid models for HNSCC that reproduce in vitro the connections between tumour cells and the surrounding microenvironment. The aims of this study were to determine the optimal conditions for the culture and use of spheroids from HNSCC cell lines and optimal timepoint for using the spheroids obtained, to evaluate the effects of coculture with tumour-specific fibroblasts on spheroid formation, and to investigate spheroid responses to cisplatin treatment. Four HNSCC cell lines (UMSCC-11A, UMSCC-11B, UMSCC-22B and UD-SCC-01) were seeded in flat or round bottom well ultra-low attachment spheroid plates, and spheroid formation was evaluated. The HNSCC cell lines were then cocultured with stromal cells of the tumour microenvironment, producing an accelerated formation of dense spheroids. The viability of cells within the spheroids was assessed during cell culture by using a fluorescent dye. Our results suggest that: three out of the four cell lines tested could form usable spheroids with acceptable viability; the addition of stromal cells did not improve the number of viable cells; and the use of round bottom well plates supported the formation of a single spheroid, whereas flat bottom well plates led to the formation of multiple spheroids of different sizes.

[Professional teamwork and communication in the operating room-A narrative review]. / Professionelle Teamarbeit und Kommunikation im Operationssaal ­ Eine narrative Übersicht.

BACKGROUND: A team in the operating room (OR) is a hierarchically structured, gender-mixed group of people belonging to different professional categories. Disparities in the objectives of the different team members under economic pressure to perform, are sources of potential conflict in the daily work routine. This may have a negative impact on patient safety and commercial efficiency of hospital management. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this summary is to sensitize the reader to the complex of problems in daily life in the OR and to increase awareness of possible approaches to solve the difficulties in an OR. Problem solutions might be approached by improvement of communication and team building. METHODS: Narrative review of current literature and expert recommendations by a literature search in PubMed and Medline; keywords included teamwork, communication, operating room, team building. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Communication and teamwork in the OR are of immense importance for patient safety and the economic development of a hospital. Improvements in communication structure, among other things due to the implementation of a team time out and moderation from outside (OR manager) offer solutions to avoid conflicts in everyday clinical practice.

[Time management in operating rooms-a cross-sectional study to evaluate estimated and objective durations of otorhinolaryngologic surgical procedures]. / Zeitmanagement im OP ­ eine Querschnittstudie zur Bewertung der subjektiven und objektiven Dauer chirurgischer Prozeduren im HNO-Bereich.

BACKGROUND: Accurate planning of operating times in surgical clinics is essential. Moreover, high-capacity utilization of operating rooms (ORs) is necessary for economic efficiency. OBJECTIVE: Most planning of operating times is performed by surgeons. Herein, surgeons' estimated times and the objective times for performing surgical procedures were compared to detect sources of error. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a retrospective analysis, the durations of 1809 operations using general anesthesia (22 types of surgery) by 31 surgeons (12 specialists and 19 residents) were compared. Comparisons were analyzed by Mann-Whitney U­tests. RESULTS: The comparison of objective times of surgical action showed significant differences between specialists and residents in 6 of 15 types of surgeries. The post-processing times estimated by specialists deviated from the objective times in 2 out of 22 surgery types, while the post-processing times estimated by residents deviated in 7 of 15 types. Specialists misjudged the incision-to-suture times in 7 of 22 surgery types, and residents misjudged these times in 3 of 15 types. The preparation times estimated by specialists deviated from the objective times in 16 of 22 types of surgeries and in 7 of 15 types estimated by residents. CONCLUSION: A surgeon's routine must be carefully considered in order to estimate operating times. Specialists generally underestimated preparation and post-processing times and overestimated incision-to-suture times, whereas residents underestimated all three. Preparation and post-processing times must be considered in planning and, ideally, determined together with anesthesiologists and surgical assistants.

[Validity of SARS-CoV-2 swabs taken preoperatively in children]. / Validität präoperativ entnommener SARS-CoV-2-Abstriche bei Kindern.

BACKGROUND: Due to the limited compliance, the technically correct collection of a pooled nasopharyngeal swab is significantly more difficult in children. Especially during operations in the area of the upper respiratory tract, there is a significantly increased risk of infection with COVID-19 for everyone present in the operating room. The aim of the study is to analyze the validity of SARS-CoV-2 swabs taken preoperatively under suboptimal conditions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective comparison of the PCR results of SARS-CoV-2 swaps taken preoperatively and intraoperatively from 62 children in the period from April to July 2020. Median age was 4.49 years. The PCR diagnosis was carried out one or two days preoperatively (in the case of emergency interventions on the same day) and again intraoperatively using a pooled nasopharyngeal swab. RESULTS: All 62 preoperatively taken swabs were negative. Deviating from the preoperative test result, one intraoperatively obtained swab was positive. CONCLUSIONS: Due to limited compliance, a correct preoperative swab technique (preanalytics) cannot always be assumed for children. Sufficient protective measures for everyone present in the operating room are therefore imperative. Intraoperative test should be considered if the preoperative test was performed under difficult conditions.

[Considerations for the Performance and Quality Assurance of Outpatient Surgery in Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery in Germany]. / Erwägungen zur Durchführung und Qualitätssicherung ambulanter Operationen im HNO-Bereich in Deutschland.

BACKGROUND: German health policy has propagated an expansion of outpatient surgeries and procedures and initiated the discussion about this. Otorhinolaryngology, head and neck surgery offers opportunities to provide currently inpatient procedures on an outpatient basis. METHODS: The German Society of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, and the German Professional Association of Otorhinolaryngologists established working groups to assess and evaluate the ENT-specific aspects of shifting services to the outpatient setting. The working groups were given the task of developing and considering organizational, structural and personnel definitions of quality assurance. RECOMMENDATION: Facts were determined in detail, which exclude an ambulatory operation in the ENT-specialty. This was based on both surgery-related and patient-related facts. Finally, operations were named which can be performed as outpatient operations. DISCUSSION: An evaluation was performed from the ENT specialist's perspective. A prerequisite for outpatient treatment is a reorganization of remuneration. The current DRG and EBM system do not provide a satisfactory framework for this, and the EBM does not allow for the economic provision of surgical interventions in otorhinolaryngology, head and neck surgery. The development of an appropriate financing model is as imperative for a successful implementation as the integration and financing of further training of ENT physicians.

[Differential diagnosis of intraorbital masses - a narrative review]. / Differentialdiagnostik intraorbitaler Raumforderungen ­ eine Übersicht.

OBJECTIVE: Intraorbital masses represent a condition that is frequently threatening for the visual system. A rigorous differential diagnosis is essential to promptly initiate appropriate therapy and optimize prognosis. MATERIALS/METHODS: Narrative review of current literature and expert recommendations. For further illustration we describe the case of a 71-year-old male admitted to our department three months after sinus surgery. Postoperative intraorbital hematoma of the right orbit had been treated conservatively with antibiotics/corticosteroids, leading to a near-complete unilateral visual loss. The immediate surgical intervention aimed at decompression of the orbit and the optical nerve. Due to the delay, the intervention could not prevent formation of a lipogranuloma. Inflammatory phases associated with the lipogranuloma are successfully managed by conservative treatment based on multidisciplinary recommendations. RESULTS: In the case reported, delay of surgical therapy acted as a cause of intraorbital lipogranuloma formation. Literature supports our recommendation of immediate surgical intervention in case of acute retrobulbar hematoma. Besides acute conditions, intraorbital masses can be a sign of systemic disease. In every case, a multidisciplinary therapeutic approach is required for adequate management. CONCLUSIONS: Intraorbital masses can occur as a complication of trauma or e.g. sinus surgery. On the other hand they can be a sign of systemic disease. Timely diagnosis and treatment prevents from visual loss. That is why rigorous differential diagnosis is essential for every discipline managing intraorbital lesions.

Presence of gustatory and olfactory dysfunction in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: The unexpected outbreak of the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused more than 49 million cases and an estimated 2,000,000 associated deaths worldwide. In Germany, there are currently more than 2,000,000 laboratory-confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases including 51,800 deaths. However, regional differences also became apparent and with the second wave of infections, the detailed characterization of COVID-19 patients is crucial to early diagnosis and disruption of chains of infections. METHODS: Handing out detailed questionnaires to all individuals tested for COVID-19, we evaluated the clinical characteristics of negative and positive tested individuals. Expression of symptoms, symptom duration and association between predictor variables (i.e. age, gender) and a binary outcome (olfactory and gustatory dysfunction) were assessed. RESULTS: Overall, the most common symptoms among individuals who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 were fatigue, headache, and cough. Olfactory and gustatory dysfunction were also reported by many SARS-CoV-2 negative individuals, more than 20% of SARS-CoV-2 negative tested individuals in our study reported olfactory and gustatory dysfunction. Independent of SARS-CoV-2 status, more females displayed symptoms of gustatory (29.8%, p = 0.0041) and olfactory dysfunction (22.9%, p = 0.0174) compared to men. CONCLUSIONS: Bringing early SARS-CoV-2 tests to the populations at risk must be a main focus for the upcoming months. The reliability of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction in COVID-19 negative tested individuals requires deeper investigation in the future.

Augmented reality with HoloLens in parotid surgery: how to assess and to improve accuracy.

PURPOSE: Augmented reality improves planning and execution of surgical procedures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a 3D augmented reality hologram in live parotic surgery. Another goal was to develop an accuracy measuring instrument and to determine the accuracy of the system. METHODS: We created a software to build and manually align 2D and 3D augmented reality models generated from MRI data onto the patient during surgery using the HoloLens® 1 (Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, USA). To assess the accuracy of the system, we developed a specific measuring tool applying a standard electromagnetic navigation device (Fiagon GmbH, Hennigsdorf, Germany). RESULTS: The accuracy of our system was measured during real surgical procedures. Training of the experimenters and the use of fiducial markers significantly reduced the accuracy of holographic system (p = 0.0166 and p = 0.0132). Precision of the developed measuring system was very high with a mean error of the basic system of 1.3 mm. Feedback evaluation demonstrated 86% of participants agreed or strongly agreed that the HoloLens will play a role in surgical education. Furthermore, 80% of participants agreed or strongly agreed that the HoloLens is feasible to be introduced in clinical routine and will play a role within surgery in the future. CONCLUSION: The use of fiducial markers and repeated training reduces the positional error between the hologram and the real structures. The developed measuring device under the use of the Fiagon navigation system is suitable to measure accuracies of holographic augmented reality images of the HoloLens.

Augmented Reality with HoloLens® in Parotid Tumor Surgery: A Prospective Feasibility Study.

INTRODUCTION: Augmented reality can improve planning and execution of surgical procedures. Head-mounted devices such as the HoloLens® (Microsoft, Redmond, WA, USA) are particularly suitable to achieve these aims because they are controlled by hand gestures and enable contactless handling in a sterile environment. OBJECTIVES: So far, these systems have not yet found their way into the operating room for surgery of the parotid gland. This study explored the feasibility and accuracy of augmented reality-assisted parotid surgery. METHODS: 2D MRI holographic images were created, and 3D holograms were reconstructed from MRI DICOM files and made visible via the HoloLens. 2D MRI slices were scrolled through, 3D images were rotated, and 3D structures were shown and hidden only using hand gestures. The 3D model and the patient were aligned manually. RESULTS: The use of augmented reality with the HoloLens in parotic surgery was feasible. Gestures were recognized correctly. Mean accuracy of superimposition of the holographic model and patient's anatomy was 1.3 cm. Highly significant differences were seen in position error of registration between central and peripheral structures (p = 0.0059), with a least deviation of 10.9 mm (centrally) and highest deviation for the peripheral parts (19.6-mm deviation). CONCLUSION: This pilot study offers a first proof of concept of the clinical feasibility of the HoloLens for parotid tumor surgery. Workflow is not affected, but additional information is provided. The surgical performance could become safer through the navigation-like application of reality-fused 3D holograms, and it improves ergonomics without compromising sterility. Superimposition of the 3D holograms with the surgical field was possible, but further invention is necessary to improve the accuracy.

The Keloid Intervention Benefit Inventory 21: A New Assessment Tool for the Quality of Life of Patients with Auricular Keloids.

The assessment of the quality of life (QoL) of patients with chronic diseases before and after medical interventions has gained increasing importance in recent decades. Particularly for patients with visible keloid scars in the head and neck region, standardized measurement tools are either absent or have been shown to be insufficient. The aim of the present study was to create a new standardized questionnaire that is specific to auricular keloid patients and reflects their clinical symptoms and QoL. The Keloid Intervention Benefit Inventory 21 (KIBI-21) questionnaire was developed in two stages. First, a group of experts identified a pool of 26 questions and modified and supplemented the items through a comparison with existing QoL assessments so that they related to keloid-specific clinical symptoms and the QoL of patients with auricular keloids before and after a medical intervention. This questionnaire was distributed to 27 outpatients who had undergone medical interventions for visible auricular keloids. Second, a sequential statistical analysis was conducted. This included a single-item assessment and reduction, analysis for internal consistency, construct validity, and divergence validity as well as a factor analysis. The analyses were performed for the entire questionnaire and for the items in the subcategories General Health, Physical Symptoms, Self-Esteem, and Social Impact. The final version of this newly validated and standardized KIBI questionnaire consisted of 21 items, of which each item was assigned to only one subscale. The questionnaire showed a Cronbach's α of 0.84 with a good internal consistency. In the item correlation validity, strong associations were found in all subscales, except for the Social Impact Subscale. The keloid-specific QoL questionnaire KIBI-21 proved to be a reliable and reproducible instrument to assess the QoL and clinical symptoms in patients suffering from auricular keloids before and after a medical treatment.

[Surgical Management of Salivary Gland Carcinoma]. / Chirurgisches Vorgehen bei Speicheldrüsenkarzinomen.

Salivary gland carcinomas are very threatening diseases. The patient's survival depends to a large extent on planning and performing the resection. This article provides assistance with the most important surgical decisions. Using illustrative examples and practical tips the article shows how oncological salivary gland surgery can be successful.