Blood flow analyses by intraoperative transit-time flow measurements of free flaps for head and neck reconstructions: A prospective single-center study.

BACKGROUND: The behavior of blood flow changes within free flaps following microvascular anastomosis is not well described in the literature. The aim of this study was to determine the immediate blood flow behavior of different free flaps as reference values for various clinical applications. METHODS: Intraoperative transit-time flow measurements were performed on patients receiving free flap transfer in the head and neck area comprising radial forearm flaps (RFF), peroneal artery perforator flaps (PAP), anterolateral thigh flaps (ALT), vastus lateralis flaps (VLF), parascapular flaps (PSF), latissimus dorsi flaps (LDF), fibula free flaps (FFF), deep circumflex iliac artery flaps (DCIA), and scapular flaps (SF). In accordance with a structured protocol, measurements took place at the pedicle directly before flap harvesting and at the recipient vessels 1 h after flap transfer. Heart rate, transplant weight, and other patient characteristics were recorded and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 129 were enrolled, comprising 66 RFF, 8 ALT, 6 PAP, 11 VLF, 3 PSF, 2 LDF, 24 FFF, 7 DCIA, and 2 SF. In most of the transplant groups, arterial perfusion increased after anastomosis at the recipient site. The arterial pulsatility index developed indirectly proportionally to arterial blood flow, whereas venous blood drainage did not show any statistically significant changes. Muscle flaps had the highest arterial perfusion before flap transfer. Composite transplants with hard and soft tissue presented the greatest increase in arterial perfusion. The lowest arterial blood flow after anastomosis was measured in PAP and RFF. In contrast, RFF and PAP presented the highest arterial perfusion per 100 g transplant weight. CONCLUSIONS: Arterial perfusion changed, whereas venous blood flow did not show any statistically significant variations in any transplant group. Perfusion of free flaps does not only depend on the recipient vessel and the recipient bed, but also on flap-specific anatomy and physiology.

Heat shock protein 70 and tumor-infiltrating NK cells as prognostic indicators for patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck after radiochemotherapy: A multicentre retrospective study of the German Cancer Consortium Radiation Oncology Group (DKTK-ROG).

Tumor cells frequently overexpress heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) and present it on their cell surface, where it can be recognized by pre-activated NK cells. In our retrospective study the expression of Hsp70 was determined in relation to tumor-infiltrating CD56+ NK cells in formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tumor specimens of patients with SCCHN (N = 145) as potential indicators for survival and disease recurrence. All patients received radical surgery and postoperative cisplatin-based radiochemotherapy (RCT). In general, Hsp70 expression was stronger, but with variable intensities, in tumor compared to normal tissues. Patients with high Hsp70 expressing tumors (scores 3-4) showed significantly decreased overall survival (OS; p = 0.008), local progression-free survival (LPFS; p = 0.034) and distant metastases-free survival (DMFS; p = 0.044), compared to those with low Hsp70 expression (scores 0-2), which remained significant after adjustment for relevant prognostic variables. The adverse prognostic value of a high Hsp70 expression for OS was also observed in patient cohorts with p16- (p = 0.001), p53- (p = 0.0003) and HPV16 DNA-negative (p = 0.001) tumors. The absence or low numbers of tumor-infiltrating CD56+ NK cells also correlated with significantly decreased OS (p = 0.0001), LPFS (p = 0.0009) and DMFS (p = 0.0001). A high Hsp70 expression and low numbers of tumor-infiltrating NK cells have the highest negative predictive value (p = 0.00004). In summary, a strong Hsp70 expression and low numbers of tumor-infiltrating NK cells correlate with unfavorable outcome following surgery and RCT in patients with SCCHN, and thus serve as negative prognostic markers.

Extended orbital exenteration, epithetic restoration, and patient supply: A cross-sectional study of a historic cohort.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical course and to redefine an optimized algorithm for OE cases until epithetic restoration. METHODS: Indication, defect type according to Kesting, reconstructive technique, incidence of postoperative complications and peri-implantitis, patients' quality of life, timing of periorbital implant insertion, incidence of and interval to implant loss, and time until epithetic restoration were analyzed in 43 patients. RESULTS: A significant correlation was detected between wound dehiscence and defect type. Out of 24 patients, 7 were implanted secondarily with a median time interval of 399 days (270-2015) after OE. Eleven out of 83 placed implants were lost in 8 patients with a median time interval of 586 days (264-4485) after insertion. The majority of epithesis carriers had no or few restrictions in their quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend our modified treatment algorithm to further improve and shorten the clinical course.

Mandibular reconstructions with free fibula flap using standardized partially adjustable cutting guides or CAD/CAM technique: a three- and two-dimensional comparison.

Background: Mandibular reconstruction with the fibula free flap (FFF) is performed freehand, CAD/CAM-assisted, or by using partially adjustable resection/reconstruction aids. The two latter options represent the contemporary reconstructive solutions of the recent decade. The purpose of this study was to compare both auxiliary techniques with regard to feasibility, accuracy, and operative parameters. Methods and materials: The first twenty consecutively operated patients requiring a mandibular reconstruction (within angle-to-angle) with the FFF using the partially adjustable resection aids between January 2017 and December 2019 at our department were included. Additionally, matching CAD/CAM FFF cases were used as control group in this cross-sectional study. Medical records and general information (sex, age, indication for surgery, extent of resection, number of segments, duration of surgery, and ischemia time) were analyzed. In addition, the pre- and postoperative Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine data of the mandibles were converted to standard tessellation language (.stl) files. Conventional measurements - six horizontal distances (A-F) and temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ) spaces - and the root mean square error (RMSE) for three-dimensional analysis were measured and calculated. Results: In total, 40 patients were enrolled (20:20). Overall operation time, ischemia time, and the interval between ischemia time start until end of operation showed no significant differences. No significant difference between the two groups were revealed in conventional measurements of distances (A-D) and TMJ spaces. The Δ differences for the distance F (between the mandibular foramina) and the right medial joint space were significantly lower in the ReconGuide group. The RMSE analysis of the two groups showed no significant difference (p=0.925), with an overall median RMSE of 3.1 mm (2.2-3.7) in the CAD/CAM and 2.9 mm (2.2-3.8) in the ReconGuide groups. Conclusions: The reconstructive surgeon can achieve comparable postoperative results regardless of technique, which may favor the ReconGuide use in mandibular angle-to-angle reconstruction over the CAD/CAM technique because of less preoperative planning time and lower costs per case.

Effect of segmental versus marginal mandibular resection on local and lymph node recurrences in oral squamous cell carcinoma: is tumorous bone infiltration or location and resulting soft tissue recurrences a long-term problem?

PURPOSE: Oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs) adjacent to the mandible or with clinically suspected bone infiltration are surgically treated either with marginal or segmental resections. This retrospective study compared both resections regarding local recurrence and lymph node recurrence or secondary lymph node metastases. METHODS: All consecutive primary OSCC cases between January 2007 and December 2015 that underwent mandibular marginal or segmental resection were included. Rates of local and lymph node recurrences or secondary metastases and possible risk factors such as tumor localization according to Urken's classification were recorded. RESULTS: In total, 180 patients with 85 marginal (group I) and 95 segmental (group II) mandibular resections were analyzed. The local recurrence rates were comparable between the groups (28.2% vs. 27.4%; p = 0.897). Lymph node recurrences or secondary metastases were higher in group I (9.4% (n = 8) vs. 6.2% (n = 6); p = 0.001). Tumor localization appears to affect the outcomes. Significantly fewer local and lymph node recurrences/metastases were found for Urken's classification SB and S calculated by two-proportion z-test (p = 0.014 and 0.056, respectively). Local recurrences mostly emerged from soft tissues, which should be resected more radically than the bones. CONCLUSION: While bone infiltration appears technically well controllable from an oncologic point of view, local recurrences and lymph node recurrences/metastases remain an issue. Regular clinical aftercare with imaging is crucial to detect recurrences.

Superficial Temporal Artery and Vein as Alternative Recipient Vessels for Intraoral Reconstruction With Free Flaps to Avoid the Cervical Approach With the Resulting Need for Double Flap Transfer in Previously Treated Necks.

Background: Microvascular reconstruction remains challenging in previously operated and irradiated patients, especially when double flaps seem to be the only solution due to osteoradionecrosis. An alternative reconstructive option could be microvascular anastomosis to the temporal vessels to avoid the obligatory cervical incision. Methods and Materials: All consecutive cases between January 2013 and 2020 that underwent either mandibular resection and reconstruction with a free fibula flap (FFF) and another soft tissue flap (group I) or pure intraoral resection and reconstruction with an FFF or radial forearm flap (RFF) with temporal microvascular anastomosis (group II) were included. Patients' general information, indication and extent of surgery, time of ischemia, time of total surgery, and duration of hospital stay as well as incidence of complications were retrospectively recorded and analyzed. Results: Seventeen (group I) and 11 (group II) cases were included. In group I, FFF was combined with RFF (n = 9), anterolateral thigh flap (ALT, n = 7), or latissimus dorsi flap (n = 1). Group II consisted of six FFFs and five RFFs. Operation time and hospitalization duration were significantly shorter in group II (p < 0.001 and p = 0.025), whereas ischemic time of FFF was significantly shorter in group I (p = 0.002). All patients in group I required a tracheostomy, while only four cases in group II did (p = 0.004). The complication rate regarding hematoma removal, revision of anastomosis, flap loss, delirium, sepsis, pleural effusion, pneumonia, and pulmonary artery embolism showed no significant differences between the two groups. Conclusions: The superficial temporal vessels served as versatile recipient vessels for intraoral mandibular and soft tissue reconstruction and led to reduced operation time, hospitalization duration, and indication for a primary tracheostomy. Thus, this approach may help to avoid cervical incision for reconstruction in irradiated patients.

Comparison of the composition of lymphocyte subpopulations in non-relapse and relapse patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck before, during radiochemotherapy and in the follow-up period: a multicenter prospective study of the German Cancer Consortium Radiation Oncology Group (DKTK-ROG).

BACKGROUND: Radiochemotherapy (RCT) has been shown to induce changes in immune cell homeostasis which might affect antitumor immune responses. In the present study, we aimed to compare the composition and kinetics of major lymphocyte subsets in the periphery of patients with non-locoregional recurrent (n = 23) and locoregional recurrent (n = 9) squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) upon primary RCT. METHODS: EDTA-blood of non-locoregional recurrent SCCHN patients was collected before (t0), after application of 20-30 Gy (t1), in the follow-up period 3 (t2) and 6 months (t3) after RCT. In patients with locoregional recurrence blood samples were taken at t0, t1, t2 and at the time of recurrence (t5). EDTA-blood of age-related, healthy volunteers (n = 22) served as a control (Ctrl). Major lymphocyte subpopulations were phenotyped by multiparameter flow cytometry. RESULTS: Patients with non-recurrent SCCHN had significantly lower proportions of CD19+ B cells compared to healthy individuals before start of any therapy (t0) that dropped further until 3 months after RCT (t2), but reached initial levels 6 months after RCT (t3). The proportion of CD3+ T and CD3+/CD4+ T helper cells continuously decreased between t0 and t3, whereas that of CD8+ cytotoxic T cells and CD3+/CD56+ NK-like T cells (NKT) gradually increased in the same period of time in non-recurrent patients. The percentage of CD4+/CD25+/FoxP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) decreased directly after RCT, but increased above initial levels in the follow-up period 3 (t2) and 6 (t3) months after RCT. Patients with locoregional recurrence showed similar trends with respect to B, T cells and Tregs between t0 and t5. CD4+ T helper cells remained stably low between t0 and t5 in patients with locoregional recurrence compared to Ctrl. NKT/NK cell subsets (CD56+/CD69+, CD3-/CD56+, CD3-/CD94+, CD3-/NKG2D+, CD3-/NKp30+, CD3-/NKp46+) increased continuously up to 6 months after RCT (t0-t3) in patients without locoregional recurrence, whereas in patients with locoregional recurrence, these subsets remained stably low until time of recurrence (t5). CONCLUSION: Monitoring the kinetics of lymphocyte subpopulations especially activatory NK cells before and after RCT might provide a clue with respect to the development of an early locoregional recurrence in patients with SCCHN. However, studies with larger patient cohorts are needed. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Observational Study on Biomarkers in Head and Neck Cancer (HNprädBio), NCT02059668. Registered on 11 February 2014, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02059668 .