Lateral approach contributes to shortened surgical time in video-assisted neck surgery (VANS) for thyroid nodule.

Background: Despite endoscopic thyroid surgery contributing to excellent cosmetic outcomes, it requires longer surgical time than open surgery. This study evaluates the factors associated with operative time in video-assisted neck surgery. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent hemithyroidectomy by video-assisted neck surgery at a single hospital between 2017 and 2021. The clinical parameters were evaluated: age, sex, body weight, body mass index, coexistence of Hashimoto thyroiditis, side of operation, surgical approach to thyroid (midline approach or lateral approach), operation time, amount of blood loss during surgery, maximum tumor diameter and tumor volume, and postoperative complications. These parameters were compared to investigate the association of operative time and surgical approach. Results: Seventy consecutive patients were enrolled in this study, the median age at operation was 50 years, and there were 6 (8.6%) men and 64 (91.4%) women. The median body weight and body mass index at operation were 56.6 kg and 21.5, respectively. Coexistence of Hashimoto thyroiditis was found in 17 (24.3%) patients. Significant differences were found between the groups with longer and shorter operation time than median 201 minutes in surgical approaches to the thyroid (P < .001) and the amount of bleeding during surgery (P = .039). There were no differences in other candidates between the groups. Median operation times were 242 minutes in midline approach and 131 minutes in lateral approach (P < .001). Conclusion: The lateral approach of video-assisted neck surgery to the thyroid can contribute to shortened surgical time in the case of benign thyroid nodules.

Impact of the practical guideline on appropriate usage of antimicrobial treatments for surgical site infections in reconstructive surgery of head and neck cancer.

OBJECTIVES: In 2016, Japanese Society of Chemotherapy and Japan Society for Surgical Infection presented the practical guideline for appropriate usage of antimicrobial agents to prevent postoperative infections. This study aims to exhibit the validity of the guideline as a series of effective strategies for prevention of surgical site infections (SSIs) during reconstructive surgery of the head and neck cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated patients who underwent head and neck reconstructive surgery with free or pedicle flaps in a single institute in Japan between July 2010 and July 2020. We evaluated the incidence of SSIs, patient backgrounds, and microbiological characteristics on the basis of antimicrobial prophylaxis recommended by the guideline. RESULTS: Enrolled in this study were 102 patients in our institution who underwent head and neck reconstructive surgery with free or pedicle flaps between July 2010 and July 2020. In the period between January 2018 to July 2020 after the SSI guideline was advocated (SSI guideline period), the ratio of administration of sulbactam/ampicillin (SBT/ABPC) was significantly higher (P < 0.001) and the duration of prophylactic antimicrobial treatment was significantly shorter than in the period between July 2010 to December 2017 before the SSI guideline was advocated (Pre-SSI guideline period) (P < 0.001). Incidence of SSIs were similar, even when antibiotic use was changed to be short-term single-agent administration in accordance with the practical guideline. CONCLUSIONS: Adherence to the current Japanese practical guideline on appropriate antimicrobial prophylaxis for SSIs can shorten the duration of usage of antimicrobial treatment without increasing the risk for occurrence of SSIs.

Recurrent bacterial translocation from gut and sepsis in Head and neck cancer patients and its prevention by probiotics.

Head and neck cancers are the 6th most common cancer type in human malignant tumors and treated with chemoradiotherapy and surgery. Chemotherapy during these treatment modalities leads to damage of intestinal epithelial barriers and results in translocation of intestinal bacteria in bloodstream through invasion in these damaged regions. In this report, we report two cases of hypopharyngeal cancer patients, both of whom received chemotherapy before surgery. The patients demonstrated repeated sepsis before and after surgery, supporting translocation of intestinal bacteria. Proper continuous probiotic use prevented proliferation and intestinal bacterial translocation. Hypothesis of bacterial translocation and prevention by probiotics are discussed.

Clinical effectiveness of ototopical application of mupirocin ointment in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus otorrhea.

OBJECTIVE: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) otorrhea has become an increasing problem with regard to infection through the tympanic membrane perforation and postsurgical infection. In particular, dry ear, at the preoperative stage, is considered to be a crucial factor in surgery. We evaluated how to control MRSA otorrhea before and after ear surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-six patients having MRSA otorrhea were enrolled in the present study and randomly divided into 2 groups, namely, mupirocin ointment therapy for 16 patients and ofloxacin ear drops for 10 patients. Approximately 0.6 mg of mupirocin ointment was administered locally to the tympanic membrane and the promontory around and through the perforation with its adjacent external ear canal 1 to 4 times for 2 or 3 weeks at the clinic. On the other hand, ofloxacin ear drops were administered daily by the patients for 2 or 3 weeks at home. RESULTS: Complete elimination of MRSA from the ear was obtained in all patients of the mupirocin group. This showed a significant improvement (p < 0.001) as compared with the ofloxacin group (improvement + cure rate, 40%). Local application of mupirocin did not aggravate hearing acuity of any patients who were evaluated by pure-tone audiometry before and after treatment. CONCLUSION: The present findings first indicate that minimally essential application of mupirocin ointment is an extremely useful ototopical agent against MRSA otorrhea without ototoxicity.

[Immuno-histological and-cytological examinations on distribution of newly reported co-stimulatory molecules in germinal center of human tonsils].

OBJECT: Co-stimulatory molecules are important for cell-cell interactions between immune cells, not only for cell activation, but for suppression. Several new co-stimulatory molecules have recently been discovered, and in this study we used immuno-histological and -cytological methods to investigate the distribution of such molecules in the germinal center of human tonsils. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tonsils surgically removed from patients with sleep apnea and habitual tonsillitis were examined. Expression of co-stimulatory molecules in immune cells was investigated immuno-histologically in frozen sections, and immuno-cytologically by flow cytometry. RESULTS: PD-L1 was found to be expressed on both GCDCs (germinal center dendritic cells) and FDCs (follicular dendritic cells). ICOS and PD-1 were expressed on activated CD4 T cells located in the light zone of the germinal centers. 4-1BB was expressed on the FDCs, in human tonsils, but not on activated T cells. CONCLUSION: GCDCs and FDCs are likely to function not only T cell activation but in negative regulation of T cells through PD-L1 expression. ICOS molecules contributing to positive signals, and PD-1 to negative signals were simultaneously expressed on a subset of activated T cells, suggesting that signal balance between ICOS and PD-1 is important for T-cell fate.