Clinical factors associated with severe surgical complications in patients with hypopharyngeal cancer: a single-center case-cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Surgical complications are a major concern in the surgical treatment of hypopharyngeal cancer. OBJECTIVE: To identify clinical factors that predispose patients with hypopharyngeal cancer to severe surgical complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The data of 449 patients who were underwent surgery as a part of the initial treatment with curative intent or as salvage treatment were retrospectively reviewed. The Chi-square test and logistic regression were used to evaluate the association of different factors with severe surgical complications. RESULTS: The incidence of severe complications was 22% (99/449), and 10 patients (2.2%) experienced rupture of the carotid artery. Multivariate analysis identified T3/4 stage (p = .002, odds ratio (OR) = 1.58, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.177-2.122), radiotherapy (RT) (p < .001, OR = 2.744, 95% CI 1.680-4.482), diabetes mellitus (DM) (p = .007, OR = 2.697, 95% CI 1.308-5.56), and nonprimary closure (p = .008, OR = 1.992, 95% CI 1.193-3.327) as significant risk factors for severe surgical complications. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: T3/4 stage, RT, nonprimary closure, and DM were independent predisposing factors for severe surgical complications in our study population of hypopharyngeal cancer patients. Taking measures to lower the tumor stage and simplify the surgical procedure may be crucial in reducing the incidence of severe surgical complications among these patients.

The BRAFT1799A mutation is not associated with occult contralateral carcinoma in patients with unilateral papillary thyroid microcarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The phenomenon of occult carcinoma maybe observed in patients with clinically unilateral papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC). Although many studies have reported that the BRAFT1799A mutation is associated with aggressive PTMC, the relationship between BRAFT1799A mutation and occult carcinoma is unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors, including BRAFT1799A mutation, for occult contralateral carcinoma in clinically unilateral PTMC accompanied by benign nodules in the contralateral lobe. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2011 to December 2013,we prospectively enrolled 89 consecutive PTMC patients with clinically unilateral carcinoma accompanied by benign nodules in the contralateral lobe who received a total thyroidectomy and cervical lymph node dissection. BRAFT1799A mutation was tested by pyrosequencing on postoperative paraffin specimens. The frequency and predictive factors for occult contralateral carcinoma were analyzed with respect to the following variables: age, gender, family history, tumor size, presence of Hashimoto thyroiditis, extrathyroidal extension, central lymph node metastasis, multifocality of primary tumor, or BRAFT1799A mutation. RESULTS: A total of 36 patients (40.4%) had occult PTMC in the contralateral lobe. The median diameter of the occult tumors was 0.33±0.21 cm. The BRAFT1799A mutation was found in 38 cases (42.7%). According to the univariate analysis, there were no significant differences between the presence of occult contralateral carcinoma and age, gender, family history, tumor size, presence of Hashimoto thyroiditis, extrathyroidal extension, central lymph node metastasis, multifocality of primary tumor, or BRAFT1799A mutation. CONCLUSIONS: Using current methods, it is difficult to preoperatively identify patients with PTMC, and further research is needed to determine predictive factors for the presence of occult contralateral carcinoma in patients with unilateral PTMC.

[Significance of selective neck dissection in patients with cN0 thyroid carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the significance of selective neck dissection in patients with cN0 thyroid carcinoma who have a high-risk of lateral neck lymph node metastasis. METHODS: Sixty three patients with cN0 thyroid carcinoma who have a high-risk of lateral neck lymph node metastasis were prospectively studied at the Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College between August 2006 and June 2011. The patients with cN0 thyroid carcinoma easy to occur neck lymph node metastasis include: The maximum diameter of primary tumor is ≥ 2 cm; The primary tumor invaded the thyroid capsule; Lymph node metastasis in level VI is found; Lymph node enlargement in level III or/and IV were detected preoperatively by ultrasonography, but not considered as metastasis. The surgical procedure is that the selective neck dissection in level III and IV is performed depending on the collar incision of thyroid surgery. The lymph node chosen from the specimen has a frozen section. If lymph node metastasis is found in the frozen section, a functional neck dissection should be performed through prolonging the collar incision. RESULTS: All cases were pathologically confirmed as thyroid papillary carcinoma. The occult metastasis rate of lateral neck lymph nodes was 39.7%. According to the univariate analysis, the patients with thyroid capsule invasion and lymph node metastasis in level VI were more likely to have lateral neck lymph node metastasis, and the occult metastasis rate was 46.9% and 54.3%, respectively (P = 0.028, P = 0.008), and there were statistically no significant difference in the primary tumor size and the preoperative neck lymph node status by ultrasonography with occult metastasis of lateral neck lymph nodes (P = 0.803 and P = 0.072). According to the multivariate analysis, there was a significant correlation only between the lymph node metastasis in level VI and occult metastasis of lateral neck lymph nodes (P = 0.017), but there was no significant correlation with the thyroid capsule invasion, primary tumor size and neck lymph node status by preoperative ultrasonography in prediction of occult metastasis of lateral neck lymph nodes (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Selective neck dissection is feasible for the patients with cN0 thyroid carcinoma who have a high-risk lateral neck lymph node metastasis and the lateral occult metastatic lymph node can be promptly found and removed. We suggest that the selective neck dissection for level III and IV should be routinely performed in cN0 thyroid carcinoma patients with thyroid capsule invasion and lymph node metastasis in level VI.

[Reconstruction of hypopharyngeal circumferential and cervical esophageal defects with free jejunal interposition in 112 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the results of reconstruction of hypopharyngeal circumferential and cervical esophageal defects with free jejunal transfer. METHODS: Retrospective review of 112 patients who underwent pharyngoesophageal reconstruction with free jejunal interposition. Analysis was confined to the patients with advanced hypopharyngeal, esophageal or recurrent laryngeal squamous cell cancer. Kaplan-Meier method was used to identify the accumulative survival rate. RESULTS: The free jejunal success rate was 94.6% (106/112). The pharyngocutaneous fistula rate and anastomoses narrow rate were 8.9% (10/112) and 12.5% (12/96) respectively. The perioperative mortality rate was 1.8% (2/112). Except 1 case of dead, 6 cases with flap failure and 2 cases with laryngeal preservation, other 103 cases had resumed oral feeding. CONCLUSIONS: The success rate of free jejunal transplantation is high and free jejunal interposition is an ideal reconstruction method for patients who have hypopharyngeal circumferential and cervical esophageal defects after tumor resection.

[Application of internal mammary artery perforator flap for tracheostoma and anterior cervical defect].

UNLABELLED: OBJECTIVE To investigate the application of pedicled internal mammary artery perforator (IMAP) flap for tracheostoma and anterior cervical defect. METHODS: From April to December 2009, 4 IMAP flaps, based on the second internal mammary artery perforator, were used for two cases of tracheostoma and two cases of anterior cervical skin defect. The flap size was (4-7) cm x (10-13) cm. RESULTS: 3 of 4 flaps survived completely. Partial necrosis happened in one flap. The defects at donor sites were closed directly. CONCLUSIONS: The IMAP flap is a new method for head and neck defect. It is very suitable for tracheostoma and cervical skin defect, with less morbidity at donor site.

[Cervical lymph node metastasis in clinical N0 papillary thyroid carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To study the patterns of cervical lymph nodes metastasis and the surgical managements of cervical lymph nodes in clinical N0 (cN0) papillary thyroid carcinoma. METHODS: Fifty-one consecutive patients with papillary carcinomas without clinical evidence of cervical lymph node involvement were included in the study between August 2007 and September 2010, in which 53 sides underwent neck lymph node dissection. Preoperative lymphoscintigraphy intra-operative hand-held gamma probe detecting and blue dye technique were used to detect the sentinel lymph node (SLN). SLNs were sent to frozen-section and the results were compared with specimen of routine selective neck dissection. All the pathologic specimens were reviewed by pathologists, counting the numbers of pathologic positive nodes and mapping the localization of positive nodes in level II, III, IV, V and VI respectively. The following criteria were used to study the predictive value of lateral neck compartment lymph node metastasis: age, multifocality of the tumor, extracapsular spread (ECS), tumor size, and the number of central compartment metastasis nodes. Univariate analysis with the χ2 test was used to analyze the statistical correlation between lateral neck compartment lymph node metastasis and the other clinical factors. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify the multivariate correlates of lateral neck compartment metastasis. RESULTS: The occult lymph node metastasis and lateral neck metastasis rates were 77.4% and 58.5% respectively, central compartment metastasis ≥3 nodes was the only independent predictive factor for the metastasis in lateral neck. Twelve sides were pN0 and other 41 sides were pN+ in all 53 side specimens. Of 41 sides with pN+, 17 sides (41.5%) involved single site and 24 sides (58.5%) involved multi-sites. The distribution of metastasis lymph nodes:level VI 62.3%, level III 52.8%, level IV 30.2%, level II 18.9%, and level V 0%. CONCLUSIONS: Cervical occult lymph node metastasis in cN0 papillary thyroid carcinoma mainly localizes in level VI, level III, level IV and level II.Selective neck dissection including level VI, III, IV, II is enough for papillary carcinoma without clinical evidence of cervical lymph node involvement.

[Sentinel lymph node biopsy in papillary thyroid cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the reliability and feasibility of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) of papillary thyroid carcinoma using combination of lymphoscintigraphy, the gamma probe and methylene blue staining techniques. METHODS: Twenty-three consecutive patients with thyroid papillary carcinoma were entered in the study between August 2007 and August 2009. All cases were without clinical evidence of cervical lymph node involvement. The (99)Tc(m)-dextran of 74 MBq (2mCi) was injected intratumorally under ultrasound guidance about 2 h to 5 h prior to surgery. Methylene blue was injected around the tumor during surgery. Preoperative lymphoscintigraphy, intra-operative hand-held gamma probe detecting and methylene blue staining techniques were used to detect the sentinel lymph node (SLN). SLN biopsies were sent to prepare frozen sections and the results were compared with specimen of routine selective neck dissection. RESULTS: The SLNs were identified in all cases with the combination techniques. The SLN identification rates were 87.0% and 100% with methylene blue staining and lymphoscintigraphy plus probe scanning, respectively. Metastases in SLNs were revealed by frozen-section histology in 12 patients. In one case, SLNs frozen-section were negative, but metastasis was detected in routine histology. In other case both SLN and routine histology were negative, but metastasis was detected in non-SLN (level VI) neck dissection. The overall accuracy of the SLN biopsy was 91.3%, positive predictive value 100% and negative predictive value 81.8%. CONCLUSION: The results seem the SLN biopsy technique is a feasible and valuable method for detecting cervical lymph node metastasis and is helpful to decide performing neck dissection in patients with cN0 papillary thyroid carcinoma.

[Role of parathyroid hormone measurement in prediction for symptomatic hypocalcaemia after total thyroidectomy].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and serum calcium in prediction for hypocalcaemia after total thyroidectomy. METHODS: One hundred and sixty-five patients undergoing total or complete total thyroidectomy were reviewed retrospectively. The indications included bilateral carcinoma, undifferential carcinoma, surroundings invasion, distant metastasis and huge benign lesions. Preoperative and postoperative PTH, calcium concentrations and their decline levels were compared between Jan. 2005 and May 2009. The role of PTH value and decline level predicting for symptomatic hypocalcaemia were analyzed by receiver operator characteristics (ROC) curve. RESULTS: After total thyroidectomy, 85 patients (51.5%) developed hypocalcemia. Symptoms were reported by 36 patients (21.8%). The mean concentration of PTH for normocalcaemia (80 cases), asymptomatic hypocalcaemia (49 cases) and symptomatic patients (36 cases) were 31.0 ng/L, 19.6 ng/L and 11.9 ng/L, respectively. The mean decline level for the three groups were 28.6%, 52.6% and 78.0%, respectively. PTH value and its decline level had a poor predicting value for symptomatic hypocalcaemia and high negative predicting value for asymptomatic patients. The serum calcium concentration more than 2.0 mmol/L, PTH level higher than 15 ng/L and PTH decline less than 50% had the good negative predicting value of 97.6%, 90.3% and 96.5%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative PTH and its decline level were significantly correlated with postoperative serum calcium concentration but had a low accuracy for predicting symptomatic hypocalcaemia. The serum calcium concentration more than 2.0 mmol/L, PTH level higher than 15 ng/L and PTH decline less than 50% had the good predicting value for asymptomatic patients. Calcium should be routinely supplemented in the first 24 h after total thyroidectomy to reduce the rate of hypocalcemia and the severity of hypocalcemia symptoms.

[Central compartment lymph node metastasis in cN0 papillary thyroid carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the incidence and the predictive factors for the metastasis of central compartment lymph nodes (level VI) in clinically node-negative (cN0) papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). METHODS: One hundred and eight patients with cN0 PTC underwent neck dissection for level VI between January 2003 and December 2006 were followed up and analyzed retrospectively. Univariate analysis with the χ² test was used to analyze the statistical correlation between central compartment lymph nodes metastasis and the other clinical factors. Multiple Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the multivariate correlates of central compartment metastasis. Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the accumulative survival rate, lateral neck recurrence and metastasis rate. RESULTS: Metastasis rate in level VI was 59.2% (64/108). Age below 45, tumor size > 3 cm and extracapsular spread were independent predictive factors for the metastasis in level VI (odds ratio were 5.514, 5.610 and 3.122, P < 0.05, respectively). There were low incidence of postoperative complications, 2 cases with transient nerve palsy (1.8%), 5 cases with transient hypoparathyroidism (4.6%) and 1 case with permanent hypoparathyroidism (0.9%). Six cases with ipsilateral neck recurrence, 1 case died. The 5-year lateral neck recurrence rate and accumulative survival rate were 4.8% and 99.1% respectively. CONCLUSION: Metastasis in level VI in the patients with cN0 PTC is common and selective neck dissection is necessary for the patients.

[Application of an extended collar incision in neck dissection for differentiated thyroid cancer].

OBJECTIVE: To explore a cosmetic incision in the neck dissection for differentiated thyroid carcinoma. METHODS: An extended collar incision was used for neck dissection in 82 consecutive patients with thyroid carcinoma from May 1999 to December 2006. The incision was designed to start as a conventional thyroid collar incision, and then to extend it along the skin crease to the anterior border of trapezium, so to avoid the vertical limb of conventional hockey stick incision. There were 60 females and 22 males in this series, with a median age of 40.5 years (range, 10 to 80 years). Ninety-six procedures of neck dissection were performed in 82 patients, including one radical neck dissection, one type I modified neck dissection, 8 type II modified neck dissections, and 86 type III modified neck dissections. RESULTS: The average time of anesthesia was 197 minutes. The average dissected lymph nodes were 37.5, with average metastasis in 8.8 nodes. Eight patients (9.8%) developed complications related to neck dissection. The follow-up period in these patients were 1 to 96 months with a median follow-up time of 23 months. Cervical recurrence was found in only one patient (1.2%). Neither death nor distant metastasis was observed in this series. CONCLUSION: It is feasible to perform a modified neck dissection for differentiated thyroid cancer through the extended collar incision. The preliminary results show that the above described incision is not only oncologically safe, but also offers a cosmetic benefit for the patient with thyroid carcinoma.