Transoral laser microsurgery for early glottic cancer at a tertiary hospital in Mexico City.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to analyze the results of endoscopic laser microsurgery for early glottic carcinoma treatment (Stages I and II) at a Tertiary Center in Mexico City. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Descriptive, retrospective review of 40 patients with early glottic carcinoma who were treated with endoscopic laser microsurgery with curative intent at our institution from November 2003 to December 2013. RESULTS: The study yielded 4 pTis, 19 pT1a, 8 pT1b, and 9 pT2 patients. Mean patient follow-up time was 7.4 years (range 3-12.9 years). Post-operative bleeding requiring surgical intervention occurred in 1 (2.5%) patient. Kaplan-Meier results at 3 and 5-year estimates were as follows: overall survival was 92.5 and 87%, respectively; laser only local control was 94.9 and 91.6%, respectively; and disease specific survival and ultimate local control rate were 97.5% for both time periods. We found a 97.5% (39/40) organ preservation rate. CONCLUSIONS: Laser microsurgery for glottic carcinoma treatment is an emerging technique in Mexico. Our results are promising as reported by other authors in Europe and United States of America, which support the replicability of the surgical technique refined by Dr. Wolfgang Steiner.

OBJETIVO: Analizar los resultados del tratamiento del carcinoma glótico temprano (estadios I y II) con microcirugía láser en un hospital de tercer nivel en Ciudad de México. MÉTODO: Estudio descriptivo y retrospectivo en 40 pacientes con cáncer glótico temprano tratados con microcirugía láser de noviembre de 2003 a diciembre de 2013. RESULTADOS: Se estudiaron 4 pTi, 19 pT1a, 8 pT1b y 9 pT2. El tiempo promedio de seguimiento fue de 7.4 años (rango: 3 - 12.9). Se presentó un sangrado posoperatorio con revisión quirúrgica (2.5%). Las curvas de Kaplan-Meier de estimación a 3 y 5 años mostraron una sobrevida total del 92.5 y 87%, respectivamente; control local solo con láser del 94.9 y 91.6%, respectivamente; sobrevida específica de la enfermedad y control local global del 97.5%, para ambos periodos de tiempo. El porcentaje de conservación del órgano fue del 97.5% (39/40). CONCLUSIONES: La microcirugía láser para el tratamiento del cáncer glótico temprano es una técnica que se aplica paulatinamente en México. Nuestros resultados son prometedores y equiparables a los reportados por otros autores en Europa y en los Estados Unidos de América, lo que sustenta la reproducibilidad de la técnica quirúrgica implementada por el Dr. Wolgang Steiner.

Supracricoid partial laryngectomy with cricohyoidoepiglottopexy in patients with radiation therapy failure.

BACKGROUND: To assess functional results, complications, and success of larynx preservation in patients with recurrent squamous cell carcinoma after radiotherapy. METHODS: From a database of 40 patients who underwent supracricoid partial laryngectomy (SCPL) with cricohyoidoepiglottopexy (CHEP) from June 2001 to April 2006, eight patients were treated previously with radiotherapy due to squamous cell carcinoma of the glottic region and were treated for recurrence at the site of the primary cancer. RESULTS: SCPL with CHEP was performed in six men and two women with a mean age of 67 years due to recurrence and/or persistence at a mean time of 30 months postradiotherapy (in case #8 after concomitant chemoradiotherapy). Bilateral neck dissection at levels II-V was performed in six patients. Only case #8 presented metastasis in one node. In case #5, Delphian node was positive. It was possible to preserve both arytenoids in five cases. Definitive surgical margins were negative. Complications were encountered in seven patients. Follow-up was on average 44 months (range: 20-67 months). Organ preservation in this series was 75%, and local control was 87%. Overall 5-year survival was 50%. CONCLUSIONS: In selected patient with persistence and/or recurrence after radiotherapy due to cancer of the larynx, SCPL with CHEP seems to be feasible with acceptable local control and toxicity. Complications may occur as in previously non-irradiated patients. These complications must be treated conservatively to avoid altering laryngeal function.

Quality of life and functional evaluation after supracricoid partial laryngectomy with cricohyoidoepiglottopexy in Mexican patients.

This study assessed the functional results in patients treated primarily through supracricoid partial laryngectomy (SCPL) with cricohyoidoepiglottopexy (CHEP). Fifteen patients with a diagnosis of epidermoid carcinoma of the glottis region admitted to the Instituto Nacional de Cancerología (México) between June 2001 and September 2002 were studied. Three patients were at stage I, five at stage II, six at stage III, and one at stage IV. Both cricoarytenoid units were preserved in 12 patients, and only one in three. Each case was assessed through the clinical grading postoperative aspiration (CGPA) scale, the performance status scale for head and neck cancer (PSS-HNC), and the Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS). Likewise, voice quality of the patients was assessed regarding tone and intensity using the SpeechViewer version 1 (IBM) and data were obtained with the Cool Edit 2000 software. Twelve patients received phoniatric rehabilitation and three were left without rehabilitation. The average time for decannulation was 12 days and 23 days for removal of the nasogastric catheter. The degree of aspiration was 0 in four patients and one in 11. According to PSS-HNC, the mean for normalcy in the diet was 95 and the mean for those eating in public was 91. Intelligibility reached an average of 90. Karnofsky's assessment was related to the disease and not to the treatment, as it remained at 100 per cent in most patients and was never below 80 per cent. The mean intensity of quality of voice was -18 dB below normal; however, the mean frequency was 243.7 Hz. SCPL and CHEP allows the preservation of the basic function of the larynx; however, a clear alteration in voice occurs after the procedure, although normal frequency is kept when both arytenoids are preserved. Likewise, preservation of both arytenoids shortens the time needed for cannula and feeding catheter removal. PSS-HNC, Karnofsky, and CGPA assessments demonstrated that patients can reach an almost normal bio-psycho-social integration. It is recommended that all patients be subjected to phoniatric rehabilitation.

[Supracricoid laryngectomy with cricohyoidoepiglotopexy (CHEP). Preliminary report of the National Institute of Cancer]. / Laringectomía supracricoidea con cricohioidoepiglotopexia (CHEP). Reporte preliminar del Instituto Nacional de Cancerología.

OBJECTIVE: To present the preliminary results in our institute with supracricoid laryngectomy with cricohyoidoepiglotopexy (CHEP), as well as to evaluate possible short-term complications. METHODS: This study included eight patients with diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx glottic region (three patients were in stage I, two in II and three in III). Histologic grade was well differentiated in three patients, moderately differentiated in four and poorly differentiated in one. RESULTS: Supracricoid laryngectomy with cricohyoidoepiglotopexy were performed in all cases, and bilateral elective functional neck dissection was done in 6 patients. Both cricoarytenoid units were preserved in 6 patients and only one in the other two cases. Mean time of hospitalization was 11 days. Mean time of decanulation was 12 days for the whole group; however, in those patients that preserved both cricoarytenoid units, the mean time of decanulation was 6 days, and in those that preserved one cricoarytenoid unit it was 31 days. Physiologic phonation was achieved in all patients at the moment of decanulation. Mean time for remotion of nasogastric sonde was 25 days, and it was 17 days for those who preserved both cricoarytenoid units and for patients with one cricoarytenoid unit it was 46 days. CONCLUSIONS: Supracricoid laryngectomy with cricohyoidoepiglotopexy allows to preserve the basic functions of the larynx (respiration, degluttion and phonation), as well as the reintegration of affected patients to social life. All patients must be evaluated carefully in order avoid changing the stage or the surgical plan due to substadification of the tumor.

[Dysphagia secondary to lingual thyroid]. / Disfagia secundaria a tiroides lingual.

BACKGROUND: Lingual thyroid is a rare developmental anomaly originating from aberrant embryogenesis during descent of the gland from its site of origin, the foramen caecum, to its eutopic location. OBJECTIVE: We present the case of a 30-year-old female with a history of dysphagia and pharyngeal foreign body sensation over the past 12 months, associated with hypothyroidism. METHODS: Diagnostic and therapeutic approaches are discussed. RESULTS: Diagnosis of lingual thyroid was made and transoral thyroidectomy was performed as procedure-of-choice. Microscopic analysis revealed normal thyroid tissue with abundant colloid. The patient had an uneventful recovery and was discharged 2 days after surgery. Gamma-gram with Tc99m was scheduled for postoperative follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Transoral lingual thyroidectomy followed by life-long hormonal therapy is the appropiate approach for patients with severe symptoms due to lingual thyroid hypertrophy associated with hypothyroidism.

Experiencia en el tratamiento de la otomastoiditis crónica colesteatomatosa / Our experience in athe treatment of chronic otomastoiditis with cholesteatoma

Se presenta la experiencia de nuestro hospital en el manejo de la otomastoiditis crónica colesteatomatosa en el periodo de 1985 a 1995 mediante el estudio retrospectivo de 160 pacientes. Setenta y tres pacientes (84 oídos) cumplieron los criterios de inclusión, a quienes se les practicaron 107 cirugías. Se realizó mastoidectomía radical en el 77.5 por ciento de los casos, cirugía conservadora en el 18.7 por ciento y a un pequeño porcentaje 3.73 por ciento, cirugía de revisión o funcional. El control de la enfermedad fue mejor en el grupo de cirugía radical, con una recidiva de 13 por ciento, mientras que en procedimientos conservadores fue el 61 por ciento. Dentro de las causas de fracaso de mastoidectomía radical se encontró un meato insuficiente en el 57 por ciento, muro alto en el 43 por ciento y celdillas residuales en el 43 por ciento. Consideramos que la mastoidectomía radical (clásica o modificada) ofrece mejor control de la enfermedad, sin embargo, cada caso debe de individualizarse.