Clinical outcomes in relapsed oropharyngeal cancer after definitive (chemo) radiotherapy.

OBJECTIVES: To report clinical outcomes of relapsed oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) after definitive intensity-modulated (chemo)radiotherapy [(C)RT]. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data for all relapsed patients treated for OPSCC with definitive (C)RT between 2010 and 2016 were collected. Primary end-point was post-failure survival (PFS). RESULTS: Overall, 273 OPSCC patients completed definitive (C)RT. Of these, 42 cases (n = 26 human papilloma virus (HPV)-negative; n = 16 HPV-positive) had relapsed (n = 23 persistent disease; n = 19 recurrent disease) and were included in the final analysis. Two-year PFS for the entire population was 30.6%; 20.5% for HPV-negative and 43.8% for HPV-positive patients. Salvage curative surgery was associated with a significantly higher 2 years PFS rate (56.2%) compared with palliative treatment (22.9%) and best supportive care (0%) (p < 0.001). A positive trend in 2 years PFS was recorded in the early complete response cases (49.5%) versus patients who did not achieve a complete response within 3 months of the end of (C)RT (23.0%) (p = 0.11). CONCLUSION: A higher PFS rate is achieved when relapsed OPSCC cases are treated with salvage curative intent. HPV-positive disease and early complete response within 3 months from the end of (C)RT may be related to better PFS.

Water soluble swallow for leak detection after total laryngectomy post radiotherapy.

AIM: Pharyngeal leak (PL) and pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) are serious complications following total laryngectomy and their incidence is higher in the salvage setting. The aim of this study is to describe the accuracy of water soluble swallow (WSS) to rule out salivary postoperative leak after salvage total laryngectomy (STL) to expedite start of oral intake. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study including patients undergoing STL between 2008 and 2021 at Guy's Hospital. WSS was routinely performed within 15 days post operation. RESULTS: Sixty-six patients underwent STL. Nine developed clinically diagnosed PCF; one died before having WSS. Fifty-six patients underwent WSS post STL. WSS was performed within 15 days after STL when no postoperative complications occurred (76.8%). Among patients undergoing WSS with no clinical suspicion for fistula (56), PL was identified in 15 cases (26.8%). They were managed conservatively; PCF was avoided in 7(46.7%) cases. Three patients (7.3%) developed PCF after having started oral intake with a negative WSS. These three cases were further analysed, 2 cases where recorded at the beginning of the studied period when less experience was available possibly leading to incorrect results. Sensitivity and negative predictive value (NPV) for fistula prediction were 72.7% and 92.7%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Taking into account the high NPV of WSS, it is safe to start oral intake after negative WSS. Further studies to evaluate its accuracy earlier on after SLT are justified taking into account the results and the impact that delayed feeding has on patient's quality of life.

The impact of 2 weeks wait referral on survival of head and neck cancer patients.

PURPOSE: This study aims to evaluate the association between 2 weeks wait referral and survival in the head and neck cancer. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of consecutively discussed new head and neck cancer patients at large United Kingdom Cancer Alliance including two tertiary referral hospitals and two district general hospital. RESULTS: A total of 276 cancer patients were included for analysis. Patients referred under the 2 weeks wait had were seen and diagnosed sooner from referral (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0001 respectively). However, this did not translate into better survival outcomes. No survival differences were seen between those patients that were managed within the proposed cancer targets and those that were not. CONCLUSIONS: The 2 weeks wait head and neck cancer pathway did not offer a survival advantage. Targeting the delay in referral as well as delay in treatment to prevent late-stage cancer presentation is paramount. Fulfilment of cancer time targets do not translate into better outcomes and should not be prioritised to clinical judgement.

Radical cancer treatment is safe during COVID-19: the real-world experience of a large London-based Comprehensive Cancer Centre during the first wave.

BACKGROUND: During the COVID pandemic, there was a paucity of data to support clinical decision-making for anticancer treatments. We evaluated the safety of radical treatments which were delivered whilst mitigating the risks of concurrent COVID-19 infection. METHODS: Using descriptive statistics, we report on the characteristics and short-term clinical outcomes of patients undergoing radical cancer treatment during the first COVID-19 wave compared to a similar pre-pandemic period. RESULTS: Compared to 2019, the number of patients undergoing radical treatment in 2020 reduced by: 28% for surgery; 18% for SACT; and 10% for RT. Within SACT, 36% received combination therapy, 35% systemic chemotherapy, 23% targeted treatments, 5% immunotherapy and 2% biological therapy. A similar proportion of RT was delivered in 2019 and 2020 (53% vs. 52%). Oncological outcomes were also similar to pre-COVID-19. The COVID-19 infection rates were low: 12 patients were positive pre surgery (1%), 7 post surgery (<1%), 17 SACT patients (2%) and 3 RT patients (<1%). No COVID-19-related deaths were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Whilst there were fewer patients receiving radical anticancer treatments, those who did receive treatment were treated in a safe environment. Overall, cancer patients should have the confidence to attend hospitals and be reassured of the safety measures implemented.

Revisiting the role of surgery in the treatment of Graves' disease.

Graves' disease (GD) can be managed by antithyroid drugs (ATD), radioactive iodine (RAI) and surgery. Thyroidectomy offers the highest success rates for both primary and persistent disease, yet it is the least recommended or utilized option reaching <1% for primary disease and <25% for persistent disease. Several surveys have found surgery to be the least recommended by endocrinologists worldwide. With the development of remote access thyroidectomies and intraoperative nerve monitoring of the recurrent laryngeal nerve, combined with current knowledge of possible risks associated with RAI or failure of ATDs, revaluation of the benefit to harm ratio of surgery in the treatment of GD is warranted. The aim of this review is to discuss possible reasons for the low proportion of surgery in the treatment of GD, emphasizing an evidence-based approach to the clinicians' preferences for surgical referrals, surgical indications and confronting traditional reasons and concerns relating to the low referral rate with up-to-date data.

Methodology for the development of National Multidisciplinary Management Recommendations using a multi-stage meta-consensus initiative.

BACKGROUND: Methods for developing national recommendations vary widely. The successful adoption of new guidance into routine practice is dependent on buy-in from the clinicians delivering day-to-day patient care and must be considerate of existing resource constraints, as well as being aspirational in its scope. This initiative aimed to produce guidelines for the management of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary (HNSCCUP) using a novel methodology to maximise the likelihood of national adoption. METHODS: A voluntary steering committee oversaw 3 phases of development: 1) clarification of topic areas, data collection and assimilation, including systematic reviews and a National Audit of Practice; 2) a National Consensus Day, presenting data from the above to generate candidate consensus statements for indicative voting by attendees; and 3) a National Delphi Exercise seeking agreement on the candidate consensus statements, including representatives from all 58 UK Head and Neck Multidisciplinary Teams (MDT). Methodology was published online in advance of the Consensus Day and Delphi exercise. RESULTS: Four topic areas were identified to frame guideline development. The National Consensus Day was attended by 227 participants (54 in-person and 173 virtual). Results from 7 new systematic reviews were presented, alongside 7 expert stakeholder presentations and interim data from the National Audit and from relevant ongoing Clinical Trials. This resulted in the generation of 35 statements for indicative voting by attendees which, following steering committee ratification, led to 30 statements entering the National Delphi exercise. After 3 rounds (with a further statement added after round 1), 27 statements had reached 'strong agreement' (n = 25, 2, 0 for each round, respectively), a single statement achieved 'agreement' only (round 3), and 'no agreement' could be reached for 3 statements (response rate 98% for each round). Subsequently, 28 statements were adopted into the National MDT Guidelines for HNSCCUP. CONCLUSIONS: The described methodology demonstrated an effective multi-phase strategy for the development of national practice recommendations. It may serve as a cost-effective model for future guideline development for controversial or rare conditions where there is a paucity of available evidence or where there is significant variability in management practices across a healthcare service.

Microscopic positive surgical margins in thyroid carcinoma: a proposal for thyroid oncology teams.

PURPOSE: In the case of well-differentiated thyroid cancer, the importance of microscopic margin status remains controversial. We discuss the relevance of the effect of microscopic positive surgical margins in the early stages of differentiated thyroid cancer. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search and review of available evidence in English literature was undertaken. RESULTS: A previous meta-analysis did not find an association between microscopic positive surgical margins and local recurrence. Heterogeneity of definitions and differences between microscopic surgical margins and extrathyroid extension are discussed. Impact on clinical decision-making is explored. CONCLUSION: The finding of microscopic positive surgical margins in a patient with a thyroid tumor without intraoperative evidence of macroscopic invasion to adjacent structures, with complete resection made by the surgeon and without pathological report of extrathyroid extension, does not have a worse prognostic effect. We present a classification of surgical margins that may help thyroid oncology teams to tailor further management in patients with thyroid cancer.

European Laryngological Society position paper on laryngeal dysplasia Part I: aetiology and pathological classification.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To give an overview of the current knowledge regarding the aetiology, epidemiology, and classification of laryngeal dysplasia (LD) and to highlight the contributions of recent literature. As most cases of dysplasia occur at the glottic level and data on diagnosis and management are almost exclusively from this location, laryngeal dysplasia in this position paper is taken to be synonymous with dysplasia of the vocal folds. LD has long been recognized as a precursor lesion to laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Tobacco and alcohol consumption are the two single most important etiological factors for the development of LD. There is currently insufficient evidence to support a role of reflux. Although varying levels of human papillomavirus have been identified in LD, its causal role is still uncertain, and there are data suggesting that it may be limited. Dysplasia has a varying presentation including leukoplakia, erythroleukoplakia, mucosal reddening or thickening with exophytic, "tumor-like" alterations. About 50% of leukoplakic lesions will contain some form of dysplasia. It has become clear that the traditionally accepted molecular pathways to cancer, involving accumulated mutations in a specific order, do not apply to LD. Although the molecular nature of the progression of LD to SCC is still unclear, it can be concluded that the risk of malignant transformation does rise with increasing grade of dysplasia, but not predictably so. Consequently, grading systems are inherently troubled by the weak correlation between the degree of the dysplasia and the risk of malignant transformation. The best data on LD grading and outcomes come from the Ljubljana group, forming the basis for the World Health Organization classification published in 2017.

European Laryngological Society position paper on laryngeal dysplasia Part II: diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To give an overview of the current knowledge regarding the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of laryngeal dysplasia (LD) and to highlight the contributions of recent literature. The diagnosis of LD largely relies on endoscopic procedures and on histopathology. Diagnostic efficiency of endoscopy may be improved using videolaryngostroboscopy (VLS) and bioendoscopic tools such as Narrow Band Imaging (NBI) or Storz Professional Image Enhancement System (SPIES). Current histological classifications are not powerful enough to clearly predict the risk to carcinoma evolution and technical issues such as sampling error, variation in epithelial thickness and inflammation hamper pathological examination. Almost all dysplasia grading systems are effective in different ways. The 2017 World Health Organization (WHO) system should prove to be an improvement as it is slightly more reproducible and easier for the non-specialist pathologist to apply. To optimize treatment decisions, surgeons should know how their pathologist grades samples and preferably audit their transformation rates locally. Whether carcinoma in situ should be used as part of such classification remains contentious and pathologists should agree with their clinicians whether they find this additional grade useful in treatment decisions. Recently, different studies have defined the possible utility of different biomarkers in risk classification. The main treatment modality for LD is represented by transoral laser microsurgery. Radiotherapy may be indicated in specific circumstances such as multiple recurrence or wide-field lesions. Medical treatment currently does not have a significant role in the management of LD. Follow-up for patients treated with LD is a fundamental part of their care and investigations may be supported by the same techniques used during diagnosis (VLS and NBI/SPIES).

Tracheostomy care and decannulation during the COVID-19 pandemic. A multidisciplinary clinical practice guideline.

PURPOSE: Traditional critical care dogma regarding the benefits of early tracheostomy during invasive ventilation has had to be revisited due to the risk of COVID-19 to patients and healthcare staff. Standard practises that have evolved to minimise the risks associated with tracheostomy must be comprehensively reviewed in light of the numerous potential episodes for aerosol generating procedures. We meet the urgent need for safe practise standards by presenting the experience of two major London teaching hospitals, and synthesise our findings into an evidence-based guideline for multidisciplinary care of the tracheostomy patient. METHODS: This is a narrative review presenting the extensive experience of over 120 patients with tracheostomy, with a pragmatic analysis of currently available evidence for safe tracheostomy care in COVID-19 patients. RESULTS: Tracheostomy care involves many potentially aerosol generating procedures which may pose a risk of viral transmission to staff and patients. We make a series of recommendations to ameliorate this risk through infection control strategies, equipment modification, and individualised decannulation protocols. In addition, we discuss the multidisciplinary collaboration that is absolutely fundamental to safe and effective practise. CONCLUSION: COVID-19 requires a radical rethink of many tenets of tracheostomy care, and controversy continues to exist regarding the optimal techniques to minimise risk to patients and healthcare workers. Safe practise requires a coordinated multidisciplinary team approach to infection control, weaning and decannulation, with integrated processes for continuous prospective data collection and audit.

Open versus percutaneous tracheostomy in COVID-19: a multicentre comparison and recommendation for future resource utilisation.

PURPOSE: The COVID-19 pandemic placed an unprecedented demand on critical care services for the provision of mechanical ventilation. Tracheostomy formation facilitates liberation from mechanical ventilation with advantages for both the patient and wider critical care resource, and can be performed using both percutaneous dilatational and surgical techniques. We compared outcomes in those patients undergoing percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy to those undergoing surgical tracheostomy and make recommendations for provision of tracheostomy services in any future surge. METHODS: Multicentre multidisciplinary retrospective observational cohort study including 201 patients with COVID-19 pneumonitis admitted to an ICU in one of five NHS Trusts within the South London Adult Critical Care Network who required mechanical ventilation and subsequent tracheostomy. RESULTS: Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy was performed in 124 (62%) of patients, and surgical tracheostomy in 77 (38%) of patients. There was no difference between percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy and surgical tracheostomy in either the rate of peri-operative complications (16.9 vs. 22.1%, p = 0.46), median [IQR(range)] time to decannulation [19.0 (15.0-30.2 (5.0-65.0)] vs. 21.0 [15.5-36.0 (5.0-70.0) days] or mortality (13.7% vs. 15.6%, p = 0.84). Of the 172 patients that were alive at follow-up, two remained ventilated and 163 were decannulated. CONCLUSION: In patients with COVID-19 pneumonitis that require tracheostomy to facilitate weaning from mechanical ventilation, there was no difference in outcomes between those patients that had percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy compared with those that had surgical tracheostomy. Planning for future surges in COVID-19-related critical care demands should utilise all available resource and expertise.

Tracheostomy, ventilatory wean, and decannulation in COVID-19 patients.

PURPOSE: COVID-19 patients requiring mechanical ventilation can overwhelm existing bed capacity. We aimed to better understand the factors that influence the trajectory of tracheostomy care in this population to facilitate capacity planning and improve outcomes. METHODS: We conducted an observational cohort study of patients in a high-volume centre in the worst-affected region of the UK including all patients that underwent tracheostomy for COVID-19 pneumonitis ventilatory wean from 1st March 2020 to 10th May 2020. The primary outcome was time from insertion to decannulation. The analysis utilised Cox regression to account for patients that are still progressing through their tracheostomy pathway. RESULTS: At the point of analysis, a median 21 days (IQR 15-28) post-tracheostomy and 39 days (IQR 32-45) post-intubation, 35/69 (57.4%) patients had been decannulated a median of 17 days (IQR 12-20.5) post-insertion. The overall median age was 55 (IQR 48-61) with a male-to-female ratio of 2:1. In Cox regression analysis, FiO2 at tracheostomy ≥ 0.4 (HR 1.80; 95% CI 0.89-3.60; p = 0.048) and last pre-tracheostomy peak cough flow (HR 2.27; 95% CI 1.78-4.45; p = 0.001) were independent variables associated with prolonged time to decannulation. CONCLUSION: Higher FiO2 at tracheostomy and higher pre-tracheostomy peak cough flow are associated with increased delay in COVID-19 tracheostomy patient decannulation. These finding comprise the most comprehensive report of COVID-19 tracheostomy decannulation to date and will assist service planning for future peaks of this pandemic.

Salvage carbon dioxide transoral laser microsurgery for laryngeal cancer after (chemo)radiotherapy: a European Laryngological Society consensus statement.

PURPOSE: To provide expert opinion and consensus on salvage carbon dioxide transoral laser microsurgery (CO2 TOLMS) for recurrent laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) after (chemo)radiotherapy [(C)RT]. METHODS: Expert members of the European Laryngological Society (ELS) Cancer and Dysplasia Committee were selected to create a dedicated panel on salvage CO2 TOLMS for LSCC. A series of statements regarding the critical aspects of decision-making were drafted, circulated, and modified or excluded in accordance with the Delphi process. RESULTS: The expert panel reached full consensus on 19 statements through a total of three sequential evaluation rounds. These statements were focused on different aspects of salvage CO2 TOLMS, with particular attention on preoperative diagnostic work-up, treatment indications, postoperative management, complications, functional outcomes, and follow-up. CONCLUSION: Management of recurrent LSCC after (C)RT is challenging and is based on the need to find a balance between oncologic and functional outcomes. Salvage CO2 TOLMS is a minimally invasive approach that can be applied to selected patients with strict and careful indications. Herein, a series of statements based on an ELS expert consensus aimed at guiding the main aspects of CO2 TOLMS for LSCC in the salvage setting is presented.

Recommendation of a practical guideline for safe tracheostomy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

PURPOSE: The COVID-19 pandemic is placing unprecedented demand upon critical care services for invasive mechanical ventilation. There is current uncertainty regarding the role of tracheostomy for weaning ventilated patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. This is due to a number of factors including prognosis, optimal healthcare resource utilisation, and safety of healthcare workers when performing such a high-risk aerosol-generating procedure. METHODS: Literature review and proposed practical guideline based on the experience of a tertiary healthcare institution with 195 critical care admissions for COVID-19 up until 4th April 2020. RESULTS: A synthesis of the current international literature and reported experience is presented with respect to prognosis, viral load and staff safety, thus leading to a pragmatic recommendation that tracheostomy is not performed until at least 14 days after endotracheal intubation in COVID-19 patients. Practical steps to minimise aerosol generation in percutaneous tracheostomy are outlined and we describe the process and framework for setting up a dedicated tracheostomy team. CONCLUSION: In selected COVID-19 patients, there is a role for tracheostomy to aid in weaning and optimise healthcare resource utilisation. Both percutaneous and open techniques can be performed safely with careful modifications to technique and appropriate enhanced personal protective equipment. ORL-HNS surgeons can play a valuable role in forming tracheostomy teams to support critical care teams during this global pandemic.

Imaging checklist for preoperative evaluation of laryngeal tumors to be treated by transoral microsurgery: guidelines from the European Laryngological Society.

INTRODUCTION: The modern availability in daily practice of different DICOM viewers allows physicians to routinely evaluate computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) scans of patients in the pre-, intra-, and postoperative settings. Their systematic use, together with a close surgeon-radiologist cooperation, may greatly improve outcomes of patients to be treated by transoral microsurgery for laryngeal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We herein propose guidelines for systematic evaluation of CT/MR images taken from patients affected by supraglottic and glottic cancer to be treated by transoral microsurgery. RESULTS: A methodical, step-by-step approach focused on laryngeal anatomy, systematically looking at each true and false vocal folds, anterior commissure, laryngeal ventricle, subglottic area, epiglottis, thyroid, cricoid, and arytenoid cartilages, posterior commissure, crico-arytenoid unit, paraglottic and pre-epiglottic spaces, and possible extra-laryngeal extension is proposed. This checklist may be useful before imaging performance (to focus on specific issues to be detailed by the radiologist), as well before and during surgery for the specific evaluation of details to be cleared during transoral microsurgery. CONCLUSION: Detailed preoperative evaluation of supraglottic and glottic anatomy is essential prior to any transoral approach for neoplastic disease. The proposed imaging checklist described herein represents a step-by-step guide to surgeons performing this kind of interventions and an aid in achieving a meticulous approach from a surgical perspective.

Facial nerve electrodiagnostics for patients with facial palsy: a clinical practice guideline.

PURPOSE: Facial nerve electrodiagnostics is a well-established and important tool for decision making in patients with facial nerve diseases. Nevertheless, many otorhinolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons do not routinely use facial nerve electrodiagnostics. This may be due to a current lack of agreement on methodology, interpretation, validity, and clinical application. Electrophysiological analyses of the facial nerve and the mimic muscles can assist in diagnosis, assess the lesion severity, and aid in decision making. With acute facial palsy, it is a valuable tool for predicting recovery. METHODS: This paper presents a guideline prepared by members of the International Head and Neck Scientific Group and of the Multidisciplinary Salivary Gland Society for use in cases of peripheral facial nerve disorders based on a systematic literature search. RESULTS: Required equipment, practical implementation, and interpretation of the results of facial nerve electrodiagnostics are presented. CONCLUSION: The aim of this guideline is to inform all involved parties (i.e. otorhinolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons and other medical specialists, therapeutic professionals and the affected persons) and to provide practical recommendations for the diagnostic use of facial nerve electrodiagnostics.

A multicentre validation study for the EU-TIRADS using histological diagnosis as a gold standard.

OBJECTIVE: Many systems for risk stratification of thyroid nodule with ultrasound (US) have been proposed and the EU-TIRADS issued by the ETA in 2017 was the last to have been published. The present study was undertaken to evaluate whether the malignancy risk of each category corresponded to the given range of the guidelines and assess the diagnostic value of EU-TIRADS in a multi-institutional trial with histology as gold standard. DESIGN: Three institutions in Switzerland, France and United Kingdom shared this retrospective study. Enrolment period was 2013-2017. Included were patients who had undergone surgery with a detailed preoperative thyroid US. METHODS: Cancer risk was calculated for each EU-TIRADS score. Predictivity tests were estimated. Nonparametric statistical analysis was used. RESULTS: The final series included 1058 nodules of which 257 (24.3%) carcinomas. Nodules were classified as EU-TIRADS 2, 3, 4 and 5 in 6.7, 46.4, 26.2 and 20.7%, respectively. Cancer prevalence was 1.4, 3.5, 17 and 87.7% in classes 2-5, respectively (P < 0.0001). EU-TIRADS 5 had a significantly higher cancer rate than the other summed categories (7.7%; P < 0.0001) with OR 84.7. When EU-TIRADS 4 and 5 were combined, 93% sensitivity and 97% NPV were found and findings of the three institutions were quite similar. Using the recommended criteria for FNA negative predictive value was 90.9%. CONCLUSIONS: The cancer rate was within or close to the given range described in the EU-TIRADS guidelines. The diagnostic value was satisfactory. The results were similar in the three institutions participating in the study.

Outcomes of salvage surgery for the oropharynx and larynx: a contemporary experience in a UK Cancer Centre.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to review our recent experience of salvage surgery, comparing larynx and oropharynx recurrence patterns. METHODS: A single centre, retrospective review of salvage surgery for recurrent head and neck cancer including patients between 2008 and 2016. RESULTS: 61 patients were identified, 36 underwent salvage laryngectomy and 25 received oropharyngeal resections. The median overall survival of oropharyngeal recurrent tumors was 26 months (95% CI 15-118 months) and for laryngeal tumors was 23 months (95% CI 11-38 months), p = 0.1008. There was a significant overall survival benefit in patients with negative resection margin. The median survival in the negative margin group was 38 months (95% CI 25-108 months) compared to the positive margin group, 9 months (95% CI 5-15 months), p < 0.0001. CONCLUSION: Survival results following surgical salvage in the larynx and oropharynx appear to be similarly poor. Those patients with clear margins appear to have a significantly better prognosis.

Surgical management of intrathoracic goitres.

BACKGROUND: Intrathoracic goitres (ITG) often present with compressive symptoms and require specialised care by experienced surgical teams. Most ITG can be accessed by a transcervical approach (TCA) and only between 1 and 15% will require an extracervical approach (ECA). Many controversies exist regarding the clinical presentation, evaluation, selection of cases for ECA, surgical technique and outcomes. This paper reviews the recent literature on the management, outcomes and evidence-based treatment strategies of ITG. METHODS: We conducted a review of the literature on the evaluation, management and outcomes of surgery for ITGs. RESULTS: The incidence of cancer in the ITGs ranges between 4 and 20%. Multiplanar CT scanning offers the best preoperative evaluation and aids to determine the approach. Most ITG can be accessed by TCA and ECA are only needed in maximum 15% of cases. In experienced hands, the outcome of these surgeries is comparable to thyroid surgery for non-ITG. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery for ITG is challenging. The experienced surgeon however, with few exceptions can address ITG via TCA, with outcomes comparable to those of uncomplicated thyroid surgery.

Do salivary bypass tubes lower the incidence of pharyngocutaneous fistula following total laryngectomy? A retrospective analysis of predictive factors using multivariate analysis.

Salivary bypass tubes (SBT) are increasingly used to prevent pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) following laryngectomy and pharyngolaryngectomy. There is minimal evidence as to their efficacy and literature is limited. The aim of the study was to determine if SBT prevent PCF. The study was a multicentre retrospective case control series (level of evidence 3b). Patients who underwent laryngectomy or pharyngolaryngectomy for cancer or following cancer treatment between 2011 and 2014 were included in the study. The primary outcome was development of a PCF. Other variables recorded were age, sex, prior radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy, prior tracheostomy, type of procedure, concurrent neck dissection, use of flap reconstruction, use of prophylactic antibiotics, the suture material used for the anastomosis, tumour T stage, histological margins, day one post-operative haemoglobin and whether a salivary bypass tube was used. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed. A total of 199 patients were included and 24 received salivary bypass tubes. Fistula rates were 8.3% in the SBT group (2/24) and 24.6% in the control group (43/175). This was not statistically significant on univariate (p value 0.115) or multivariate analysis (p value 0.076). In addition, no other co-variables were found to be significant. No group has proven a benefit of salivary bypass tubes on multivariate analysis. The study was limited by a small case group, variations in tube duration and subjects given a tube may have been identified as high risk of fistula. Further prospective studies are warranted prior to recommendation of salivary bypass tubes following laryngectomy.