The pedicled levator labii superioris alaeque nasi flap: A durable single-stage option for reconstruction of full-thickness nasal defects.

IMPORTANCE: Repair of full-thickness nasal defects can often be associated with multi-stage operations that can result in significant physical and psychological morbidity for patients. We present a single-stage option for reconstruction of these defects. OBJECTIVE: Demonstrate the utility of the pedicled levator labii superioris alaeque nasi flap and consistency of its vascular pedicle. DESIGN: Anatomical study using fresh cadavers. SETTING: Academic medical center. MAIN OUTCOME AND MEASURES: Evaluation of vascular anatomy of pedicled flap and measurements of distances with relationship to facial anatomic landmarks. RESULTS: With few noted anatomic variations, the vascular pedicle of the pedicled levator labii superioris alaeque nasi flap arises from the superior labial artery and is reliably located within 1 cm lateral and inferior of the nasal sill. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: As a robust single-stage option, the pedicled levator labii superioris alaeque nasi flap can serve as a powerful option in the arsenal of the reconstructive surgeon. The technique for harvest is simple with attention to a few anatomic variations as described herein, and excellent results can be obtained with proper application.

Dynamics of early stem cell recruitment in skin flaps subjected to ischemia reperfusion injury.

OBJECTIVE: Bone marrow-derived stromal cell (BMSCs) therapy improves survival of skin flaps subject to ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. However, very little is known about the trafficking and distribution of BMSCs in post-ischemic skin tissue following intravenous administration. The aim of this study was to assess the behavior of BMSCs in post-ischemic skin flaps and to compare the magnitude and kinetics of accumulation of BMSCs and leukocytes following I/R. METHODS: Cutaneous flaps perfused by the inferior epigastric vessels were created in C57Bl6 mice. The flaps were subjected to 3.5h of ischemia followed by reperfusion. Wound healing and vascular perfusion were assessed in 3 groups of mice (sham, I/R, and I/R+BMSCs treatment) on days 3, 5, 7 and 14 post-reperfusion. The kinetics and magnitude of BMSCs and leukocyte recruitment were quantified in additional 2 groups (Sham and I/R) after I/R using intravital fluorescence microscopy at 2 and 4h after the intravenous injection of fluorescently labeled BMSCs. RESULTS: Wound healing after I/R was significantly enhanced in skin flaps of mice treated with BMSCs, compared to controls. The rolling velocity of BMSCs was higher compared to leukocytes both in control mice (32.4±3.7µm/s vs 24.0±2.2µm/s, p<0.05) and in I/R mice (34.6±3.8µm/s vs 20.2±2.3µm/s, p<0.005). However, the rolling velocity of both cell populations was not altered by I/R. The firm adhesion and transendothelial migration of BMSCs did not differ from the values detected for leukocytes for both control and I/R mice. CONCLUSIONS: The magnitude and kinetics of BMSCs recruitment in skin flaps subjected to I/R are not significantly different from the responses noted for leukocytes, suggesting that similar mechanisms may be involved in the recruitment of both cell populations following I/R.

Sinonasal teratocarcinosarcoma with yolk sac elements: a neoplasm of somatic or germ cell origin?

Sinonasal teratocarcinosarcoma is an uncommon, aggressive, morphologically heterogenous tumor composed of cells derived from the 3 somatic layers. A histogenetic origin from a multipotential adult somatic stem cell with divergent differentiation has been favored over a germ cell origin. This assumption has been based on the lack of germ cell elements and, until recently, the absence of demonstrable amplification of 12p. We report a case that exhibited foci of yolk sac elements with papillary structures and intracytoplasmic periodic acid-Schiff-positive, diastase-resistant, α-fetoprotein-positive, hyaline globules. An expanded area of undifferentiated cells, likely precursor cells, in the basal layer of the overlying mucosal epithelium transitions into and merges with the immature epithelial, neuroepithelial, and mesenchymal components. These previously unreported histomorphological features support the hypothesis that this tumor is a teratomatous tumor arising from pluripotent embryonic stem cells in the basal layer of the sinonasal epithelium. That notion is further supported by fluorescence in situ hybridization cytogenetic analysis, which showed a distinct subpopulation of the tumor cells with an extra copy of chromosome 12p13.

Vascular anatomy of anterolateral thigh flap.

OBJECTIVES: To understand the vascular anatomy of the anterolateral thigh (ALT) free flap. To anatomically determine whether including a 2-cm cuff of vastus lateralis muscle (VLM) incorporates musculocutaneous perforators in the harvest of the ALT free flap. STUDY DESIGN: Anatomic study on human cadavers. METHODS: Twenty-seven cadaver thighs were dissected. Musculocutaneous perforators from the vascular pedicle of the ALT free flap were identified. The distance from the anterior border of the VLM to the point where perforators entered the muscle was measured. RESULTS: An average of four musculocutaneous perforators to the ALT free flap were identified per thigh. The distance from the anterior border of the VLM to the point where perforators entered the muscle ranged from 0.1 to 7 cm, with the mean distance being 1.80 cm. Sixty-four percent of perforators entered the VLM within 2 cm of the muscle's anterior border. At least one perforator entered the VLM within 2 cm of the muscle's anterior border per thigh. CONCLUSIONS: Most musculocutaneous perforators to the ALT free flap enter the VLM within 2 cm of the muscle's anterior border, thus providing for an anatomic basis for including a 2 cm cuff of VLM when harvesting the ALT free flap. By including a 2 cm cuff of VLM, tedious dissection of individual musculocutaneous perforators is unnecessary, thereby increasing the ease of dissection and expediting the harvest of the ALT free flap.

Stem cells enhance reperfusion following ischemia: Validation using laser speckle imaging in predicting tissue repair.

OBJECTIVES: The lack of real-time assessment of vascular perfusion changes remains a major weakness in assessing the efficacy of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) therapeutic ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury. This study provides for the first time the real-time in vivo perfusion monitoring in I/R mice with BMSC therapy. STUDY DESIGN: Animal model. METHODS: Surgically created cutaneous flaps perfused by the inferior epigastric vessels were subjected to 3.5 hours of ischemia/reperfusion. Wound healing and vascular perfusion were assessed by Image-J and laser speckle contrast analysis (LSCA) in three groups (sham, I/R, and I/R + BMSC). BMSC tracking was quantified in an additional two groups (with/without I/R) using intravital fluorescent microscopy. The histopathology of skin flaps was examined by hematoxylin and eosin stain. Infiltrated macrophages were analyzed by confocal immunofluorescent microscopy. RESULTS: Postischemic tissues treated with BMSC demonstrated significantly greater survival than I/R control. On days 3 to 7 postreperfusion, both proximal and distal areas in BMSC-treated flaps demonstrated greater levels of perfusion than untreated I/R flaps (P < 0.05). Intravital fluorescent microscopy revealed that numbers of labeled BMSC were significantly increased in the distal area compared to the proximal area in both with and without ischemic mice. Histological examination showed lower necrosis and infiltrated inflammatory cells in I/R + BMSC-treated mice versus I/R controls. CONCLUSION: BMSC accumulated in I/R flaps and exerted beneficial effects including: 1) improving vascular perfusion and 2) attenuating inflammatory cell infiltration. LSCA facilitates monitoring of the real-time restitution of perfusion during flap wound healing in experimental animals and could also similarly applied in clinical investigations. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA. Laryngoscope, 128:E198-E205, 2018.

Total laryngectomy and T3-T4 laryngeal cancer without other adverse histopathology.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the postoperative management, incidence of tumor recurrence in the neck, and outcome in laryngeal cancer patients whose risk for tumor relapse is not clear. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Thirty patients (27 of whom had transglottic tumors) met the study criteria (resected T3-T4 laryngeal cancer, histologically negative cervical nodes, and no other adverse histopathology). A group of 12 patients who underwent surgery alone was compared with a second group of 18 patients with similar characteristics but who received postoperative radiotherapy. RESULTS: Overall survival at five years was 50% in the surgery alone group and 61% in the combined therapy group (P=0.63). Among the 28 evaluable patients with a median follow-up of 44 months, the relapse rate in the neck was 25% in the surgery alone group and was 0% in the postoperatively irradiated group (P=0.07). Recurrences in the neck remained uncontrolled in two of the three patients at the time of death. CONCLUSION AND SIGNIFICANCE: Postoperative radiotherapy deserves consideration in selected cases of T3-T4 laryngeal cancer without adverse histopathology.

Follicular dendritic cell sarcoma of the tonsil: a case report and literature review.

We describe a case of follicular dendritic cell sarcoma (FDCS) of the tonsil in a 59-year-old woman. She was successfully treated with excision of the mass and postoperative radiation therapy. According to our review of the literature, only 25 cases of extranodal FDCS in the head and neck have been previously reported, including only 10 cases that involved a tonsil. We briefly review these earlier reports, and we discuss the diagnosis and management of FDCS.

Transnasal Endoscopic Eustachian Tube Surgery.

The purpose of this article is to give a contemporary review of transnasal endoscopic surgery for Eustachian tube disorders. The authors' perspective of the relevant anatomy, pathophysiology, and evaluation of Eustachian tube disorders as related to surgical intervention also is provided.

Interobserver agreement of confocal laser endomicroscopy for detection of head and neck neoplasia.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: We have described the feasibility of using the probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE) in differentiating benign from malignant lesions of the head and neck. Therefore, we wanted to determine the interobserver agreement of pCLE offline images of noncancerous, precancerous, and cancerous lesions of the head and neck. STUDY DESIGN: Single tertiary referral center. METHODS: In the feasibility study, image criteria for nondysplasia, dysplasia, and cancer were defined. The pCLE was performed before lesions were biopsied. Fifty offline images and 10 videos of good quality were selected. Seven surgeons and one pathologist were asked to review and categorize the images into the three categories above. The overall accuracy of 29 offline pCLE images and six videos were compared with histopathology. Interobserver agreement and accuracy kappa (κ) scores were measured with 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: There were six nondysplasia, seven dysplasia, and 11 squamous cell carcinoma (SCCA) cases, each with multiple images. There was substantial agreement between the eight reviewers on the pCLE images and videos (κ = 0.66; 95% CI 0.51-0.82 and κ = 0.71; 95% CI 0.42-0.97, respectively). The overall agreement with the final histopathology was also substantial for both the images and video sequences (κ = 0.70; 95% CI 0.50-0.88 and κ = 0.73; 95% CI 0.39-1.00, respectively). CONCLUSION: The ability to differentiate normal mucosa, dysplasia, and invasive SCCA using pCLE with high accuracy and reliability was demonstrated. This technology has the potential to decrease sampling error of lesions in the head and neck. This is the first study to test the reliability of this technology in mucosal lesions of the head and neck. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA. Laryngoscope, 126:632-637, 2016.

Predictive factors for posterior triangle metastasis in HNSCC.

OBJECTIVE: Surgical modifications sparing uninvolved structures such as the spinal accessory nerve have been implemented since the advent of the radical neck dissection in 1906. The increased morbidity to the spinal accessory nerve involved with the dissection of level V lymph nodes has led to much controversy. In this study, we examine the incidence of nodal metastasis to all nodal levels involved with upper aerodigestive squamous cell carcinoma and attempt to determine when level V dissection is indicated. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. METHODS: A study of all radical and modified radical neck dissections was performed at Louisiana State University - Shreveport Health Sciences Center and Overton Brooks Veterans Administration Hospital between 1996 and 2003 for upper aerodigestive squamous cell carcinoma. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine which neck and patient factors were significantly associated with level V metastasis. RESULTS: Seventy-nine patients with a total of 94 neck dissections were analyzed. The prevalence of level V metastasis was 7.4% of the total neck dissections. Multivariate analysis found that positive lymph nodes involving levels II, III, and IV was the only independent significant factor for level V metastasis (P = .0003). CONCLUSION: Our study is in concordance with other studies in the literature, revealing a low prevalence of level V metastasis in upper aerodigestive squamous cell carcinoma. Unlike other studies, we have found if levels II, III, and IV lymph nodes are found to be positive, dissection of level V is warranted.

African American rhinoplasty.

This article describes the topographic and surgical anatomy of the African American nose and the surgical techniques used in the authors' practice.

Enhanced Systemic Bioavailability of Curcumin Through Transmucosal Administration of a Novel Microgranular Formulation.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Curcumin is a promising nutraceutical for chemoprevention of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Capsular formulations of curcumin demonstrate low systemic bioavailability. We aimed to determine if curcumin levels were higher in healthy volunteers and cancer patients with microgranular curcumin that allows for transmucosal absorption and identify a consistent biomarker. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eight healthy volunteers and 15 HNSCC patients completed the trials. Serum levels of curcumin were measured by HPLC. Biological activity of curcumin was assessed with Multiplex Immunoassay and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: We achieved higher serum levels of curcumin compared to trials using capsular formulation. In cancer patients a significant decrease in expression of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) in post-biopsy samples and decreased serum levels of FGF-2, granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin-17 (IL-17) (p<0.05) was observed. CONCLUSION: Transmucosal administration of microgranular curcumin leads to enhanced curcumin bioavailability that is associated with significant biological effects.

Long-term Functional Outcomes of Total Glossectomy With or Without Total Laryngectomy.

IMPORTANCE: The optimal reconstruction of total glossectomy defects with or without total laryngectomy is controversial. Various pedicled and free tissue flaps have been advocated, but long-term data on functional outcomes are not available to date. OBJECTIVES: To compare various total glossectomy defect reconstructive techniques used by multiple institutions and to identify factors that may lead to improved long-term speech and swallowing function. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A multi-institutional, retrospective review of electronic medical records of patients undergoing total glossectomy at 8 participating institutions between June 1, 2001, and June 30, 2011, who had a minimal survival of 2 years. INTERVENTION: Total glossectomy with or without total laryngectomy. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Demographic and surgical factors were compiled and correlated with speech and swallowing outcomes. RESULTS: At the time of the last follow-up, 45% (25 of 55) of patients did not have a gastrostomy tube, and 76% (42 of 55) retained the ability to verbally communicate. Overall, 75% (41 of 55) of patients were tolerating at least minimal nutritional oral intake. Feeding tube dependence was not associated with laryngeal preservation or the reconstructive techniques used, including flap suspension, flap innervation, or type of flap used. Laryngeal preservation was associated with favorable speech outcomes, such as the retained ability to verbally communicate in 97% of those not undergoing total laryngectomy (35 of 36 patients) vs 44% (7 of 16) in those undergoing total laryngectomy (P < .001), as well as those not undergoing total laryngectomy achieving some or all intelligible speech in 85% (29 of 34 patients) compared with 31% (4 of 13) undergoing total laryngectomy achieving the same intelligibility (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In patients with total glossectomy, feeding tube dependence was not associated with laryngeal preservation or the reconstructive technique, including flap innervation and type of flap used. Laryngeal preservation was associated with favorable speech outcomes such as the retained ability to verbally communicate and higher levels of speech intelligibility.

Clinical Consensus Statement: Septoplasty with or without Inferior Turbinate Reduction.

OBJECTIVE: To develop a clinical consensus statement on septoplasty with or without inferior turbinate reduction. METHODS: An expert panel of otolaryngologists with no relevant conflicts of interest was assembled to represent general otolaryngology and relevant subspecialty societies. A working definition of septoplasty with or without inferior turbinate reduction and the scope of pertinent otolaryngologic practice were first established. Patients 18 years and older were defined as the targeted population of interest. A modified Delphi method was then used to distill expert opinion into clinical statements that met a standardized definition of consensus. RESULTS: The group defined nasal septoplasty as a surgical procedure designed to correct a deviated nasal septum for the purpose of improving nasal function, form, or both. After 2 iterative Delphi method surveys, 20 statements met the standardized definition of consensus, while 13 statements did not. The clinical statements were grouped into 8 categories for presentation and discussion: (1) definition and diagnosis, (2) imaging studies, (3) medical management prior to septoplasty, (4) perioperative management, (5) surgical considerations, (6) adjuvant procedures, (7) postoperative care, and (8) outcomes. CONCLUSION: This clinical consensus statement was developed by and for otolaryngologists and is intended to promote appropriate and, when possible, evidence-based care for patients undergoing septoplasty with or without inferior turbinate reduction. A complete definition of septoplasty with or without inferior turbinate reduction was first developed, and additional statements were subsequently produced and evaluated addressing diagnosis, medical management prior to septoplasty, and surgical considerations, as well as the appropriate role of perioperative, postoperative, and adjuvant procedures, in addition to outcomes. Additionally, a series of clinical statements were developed, such as "Computed tomography scan may not accurately demonstrate the degree of septal deviation," "Septoplasty can assist delivery of intranasal medications to the nasal cavity," "Endoscopy can be used to improve visualization of posterior-based septal deviation during septoplasty," and "Quilting sutures can obviate the need for nasal packing after septoplasty." It is anticipated that the application of these principles will result in decreased variations in the care of septoplasty patients and an increase in the quality of care.

Otoplasty: an analysis of technique over a 33-year period.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the merits of otoplasty technique with a diverse patient population as experienced spanning a period greater 30 years. STUDY DESIGN: A review of a series of otoplasty cases that occurred in two distinctly different clinical settings during a 33-year period. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 211 patients undergoing otoplasty from 1969 to 1982 in a military hospital setting was compared with 118 patients receiving otoplasty from 1982 to 2002 in a university/private practice setting. The patient population consisted of 180 adults and 149 children. RESULTS: Otoplasty patients in the military setting were primarily adults, whereas those in the university/private practice setting were primarily children. In the adult population, 98.9% of patients required use of lateral conchal cartilage resection combined with a mattress suture technique. In the pediatric population, all patients required use of a mattress suture technique and in 83.2% of selected cases limited lateral conchal cartilage resection was required. CONCLUSION: Otoplasty technique involving lateral conchal cartilage resection, mattress suture fixation, or a combination of both is applicable to diverse patient populations.

Management of the keel nose and associated valve collapse.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the anatomical abnormality of the keel nose and correlate the findings with etiologic maneuvers of a routine rhinoplasty procedure; to identify the contributing factors and offer suggestions to avoid or decrease the severity of these surgical complications; and to present an effective revisional procedure to correct the functional and cosmetic consequences of this deformity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 47 patients (31 women and 16 men; age range, 18-71 years) with a keel-appearing nose presented for revision rhinoplasty. All had undergone at least 1 rhinoplasty procedure, and 39 had undergone 2 or more previous nasal procedures. All patients had bilateral lateral nasal wall collapse and an associated severely compromised internal nasal valve. All patients underwent reconstruction with a conchal cartilage overlay graft. RESULTS: All patients had a moderate to excellent cosmetic improvement; the subjective improvement in nasal airway was more dramatic. Since patients with a keel nose have an associated internal valve collapse, both abnormalities are addressed simultaneously with the conchal cartilage overlay repair, which results in minimal morbidity with no major complications. CONCLUSIONS: Conchal cartilage overlay repair uses a cartilage graft from the auricle with a recommended external rhinoplasty for placement. Appropriate sizing and fashioning precede the precise placement and suture fixation. This technique addresses both functional and cosmetic abnormalities.

Salvage treatment of recurrent skin cancer of the midface.

Nine patients with recurrent cutaneous cancers of the midface were treated by definitive surgery (with adjuvant radiotherapy in five individuals). The clinical courses were marked by local and regional relapses in six cases. Although the prognosis may be generally poor, aggressive therapy, as feasible, seems warranted in these patients because death was not typically rapid after reappearance of disease in several patients.

Induction chemotherapy followed by concomitant chemoradiation-induced regression of advanced cervical lymphadenopathy in head and neck cancer as a predictor of outcome.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine whether induction chemotherapy followed by concomitant chemoradiation (ICCR)-induced advanced neck disease regression could predict outcome, especially the need for complete neck dissection in patients with N2-3 stage IV head and neck cancer (HNC). METHODS: A retrospective study of 339 patients evaluated for treatment of stage IV HNC during the years 1988 to 1997 revealed 36 individuals with N2-3 cervical lymphadenopathy who were treated with ICCR. Responses to treatment, patterns of failure, and survival rates were analyzed. RESULTS: Primary and regional tumor regressions were complete in 21 patients (58%), partial in 9 (25%), and absent in 6 (17%); the corresponding local failure rates were 5%, 44%, and 33% (P < 0.02). The regional failure rates were 24%, 89%, and 83%, respectively (P < 0.001); distant failure rates were 10%, 0%, and 0% (P > 0.99). The estimated 2-year survival rates for complete and partial/nonresponders were 57% and 20%, respectively (P < 0.02). CONCLUSION: Patients with advanced regional metastases of HNC who respond completely to ICCR have an excellent chance for survival. However, such ICCR-induced complete regression of regional tumor cannot reliably predict ultimate neck disease control.

The use of percutaneous sutures for graft fixation in rhinoplasty.

We reviewed our 10-year experience using percutaneous suturing to secure cartilage grafts in rhinoplasty. A total of 382 patients having up to 4 percutaneous sutures per surgery were analyzed. Cases using this suture technique included lower lateral onlay grafts, dorsal onlay grafts, tip grafts, and intact conchal cartilage grafts to repair nasal valve collapse. Sutures are ideally placed in a horizontal mattress fashion beginning at the skin surface, continuing into the nasal cavity, and then out through the skin. Sutures are strategically placed to secure the graft and at times stent open the nasal valve. The suture is tied loosely over the skin taking in to consideration the anticipated edema formation. There is no need to use a bolster technique. Sutures are removed at the second postoperative visit. Long-term follow-up reveals precise graft placement. There are in most instances no visible suture marks and our results achieve over 95% patient satisfaction. Percutaneous suture placement is a simple technique that allows precise graft placement and fixation without resultant scarring. It coapts the skin and soft tissues to the grafted nasal skeleton and prevents fluid accumulation, hematoma formation, and graft migration. We believe that it aids in decrease long-term tissue edema and excessive fibrosis, therefore promoting quicker healing. Our patients are both functionally and cosmetically pleased.

Improved wound healing of postischemic cutaneous flaps with the use of bone marrow-derived stem cells.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To determine if the intravascular delivery of mesenchymal stem cells improves wound healing and blood perfusion to postischemic cutaneous flap tissues. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled study. METHODS: A murine model of a cutaneous flap was created based on the inferior epigastric vessels. Mice (n = 14) underwent 3.5 hours of ischemia followed by reperfusion. Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) 1 × 10(6) were injected intravenously. Wound healing was then assessed measuring percent flap necrosis, flap perfusion, and tensile strength of the flap after a period of 14 days. Localization of BMSCs was determined with radiolabeled and fluorescent labeled BMSCs. RESULTS: Postischemic cutaneous flap tissues treated with BMSCs demonstrated significantly less necrosis than control flaps (P <0.01). Beginning on postoperative day 5, BMSC-treated flaps demonstrated greater blood perfusion than untreated flaps (P <0.01). Tensile strength of BMSC-treated cutaneous flaps was significantly higher (P <0.01), with a mean strength of 283.4 ± 28.4 N/m than control flaps with a mean of 122.4 ± 23.5 N/m. Radiolabeled BMSCs localized to postischemic flaps compared to untreated tissues (P = 0.001). Fluorescent microscopy revealed incorporation of BMSCs into endothelial and epithelial tissues of postischemic flaps. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that the intravascular delivery of BMSCs increases wound healing and promotes flap survival following ischemia-reperfusion injury of cutaneous tissue flaps.