ENT-specific therapy of obstructive sleep apnoea in adults : A revised version of the previously published German S2e guideline.

The German Society of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery recently has released the abbreviated version of its scientific guideline "ENT-specific therapy of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in adults", which has been updated in 2015 and can be found online at the Association of the Scientific Medical Societies (Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Wissenschaftlichen Medizinischen Fachgesellschaften, AWMF). A summary of the main recommendations is provided in this revised English version. All recommendations are based on a systematic literature research of articles published up until March 2014. Literature research followed the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Literature Research to create Guidelines published by the German Cochrane Centre. Studies were evaluated with respect to their scientific value according to the recommendations of the Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine, and grades of recommendation are provided regarding each intervention.

[The Current Role of Salvage-Surgery of Recurrent Tumors in the Larynx and Pharynx]. / Aktueller Stand Salvage-chirurgischer Therapiekonzepte bei Rezidivtumoren des Larynx und Pharynx.

Over the past 20 years, the therapeutic concepts for the treatment of head and neck cancer have evolved and non-surgical treatment strategies have gained in importance. However, despite improved organ preservation protocols and primary chemoradiation, tumor recurrence is still frequent. Under these conditions, salvage surgery if often the only remaining curative treatment option. Over the past 30 years, advancements in plastic-reconstructive surgery have broadened the surgical spectrum in the head and neck area, offering new treatment options for salvage surgery in recurrent cancer of the pharynx and larynx. Survival after salvage surgery mainly depends on the primary treatment modality as well as the localization and tumor stage at the time of initial diagnosis and local recurrence. For the reconstruction of defects after salvage surgery, pedicled flaps and microvascular free flaps may be utilized. The most frequently used flaps in these situations are the pectoralis major island- or the myocutaneous latissimus dorsi island flap. The radial forearm and the ALT-flap are potentially applicable free flaps. With the use of these flaps, vital tissue is transferred into the previously irradiated area, hereby allowing for reconstruction and functional preservation of the resected area and preventing complications such as fistulas. The expected morbidity and the likelihood of surgical success must be assessed thoroughly in every individual case prior to performing salvage surgery. This review aims to support decision making in these situations.

[S2e-guideline: "ENT-specific therapy of obstructive sleep apnea in adults" short version : Sleep Medicine Task Force of the German Society for Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery]. / Leitlinie: "HNO-spezifische Therapie der obstruktiven Schlafapnoe bei Erwachsenen" Kurzfassung : ArGe Schlafmedizin der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde, Kopf- und Hals-Chirurgie.

The present S2e-guideline is an update of the former S2e-guideline "treatment of obstructive sleep apnea in adults". The update was performed on behalf of the German Society for Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery by its Sleep Medicine Task Force. The long version of the guideline is valid from 5.9.2015 to 5.9.2020 and has been available (guideline No. 017-069) since November 2015 on the official AWMF website.The subsequently presented short version of the guideline summarizes the essentials in a legible way. For further information, please refer to the long version.

[Upper airway stimulation in obstructive sleep apnea]. / Stellungnahme der Taskforce "Neurostimulation bei Schlafapnoe" zur Stimulation der oberen Atemwege.

The stimulation of the upper airway represents an effective treatment option in case of CPAP failure in patients with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea. The stimulation with respiratory sensing (Inspire Medical Systems) has shown a high level of evidence in larger cohorts and longer follow-up studies. Whether the results of the stimulation without respiratory sensing (ImThera Medical) can be compared with the therapy with sensing, remains open up to now. Additional data are awaited after the planned phase III study THN#2. To optimize both procedure and to provide long term results, more studies are needed. The workgroup "sleep medicine" of the German Society of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery supports theses activities with the help of the newly founded task force "Neurostimulation in Sleep Apnea".

[The primary use of pectoralis myofascial flap in salvage laryngectomy]. / Die primäre Verwendung des myofaszialen M. pectoralis-major-Lappens bei der Salvage-Laryngektomie.

BACKGROUND: The salvage laryngectomy (SLE) is very often the only curative option in recurrent laryngeal or hypopharyngeal carcinomas. But the SLE is associated with an increased risk of complications such as the formation of salivary fistulas. To reduce the rate of fistulas a simultaneous elevation of the myofascial pectoralis major flap (PMML) is described. The aim of this study was to compare the SLE with and without the use of the PMML for prophylaxis of salivary fistulas. PATIENTS AND METHOD: 9 patients were included, suffering from a T4a larynx or hypopharynx carcinoma recurrence after RCT in the years 2012 and 2013 and subsequently treated by a SLE. An additional elevation of PMML was indicated due to the following criteria: end of RCT less than one year ago, tumor localization outside the glottis, infiltration of thyroid cartilage and prelaryngeal muscles. After PMML elevation the flap was sewed onto a primary closed pharynx. RESULTS: 6 out of 9 patients (2/3) received an additional covering of the pharynx by the PMML during SLE. In no case a postoperative salivary fistula was seen. In the remaining 3 patients (1/3) the pharynx was primarily closed without an additional covering by the PMML. In this group of patients one postoperative salivary fistula was seen. CONCLUSION: Due to the simultaneous application of the PMML in the context of SLE the rate of postoperative salivary fistula could be effectively reduced in our own patients. The PMML is suitable due to its safe elevation technique, the missing secondary thoracal cutaneous defect, and a good modelling possibility in the recipient area.

[The treatment of chronic wounds in the head and neck area after radiotherapy with medical honey]. / Die Behandlung chronischer Wunden im Kopf-Hals-Bereich nach Radiatio mit medizinischem Honig.

BACKGROUND: Wound healing problems and chronic wounds can be a therapeutic challenge are a frequent problem after radiotherapy. They can appear spontaneously or after further surgery. The permanently altered tissue is associated with recurrent bacterial infections with weeping wounds, which cannot be treated sufficiently by conventional conservative wound care. The topical application of medical honey seems to have a positive effect in such cases. The aim of this prospectively study is to check this effectiveness in the treatment of wound healing problems and chronic wounds in the head and neck area of irradiated patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In the period of July 2012 until August 2013 nine patients were treated with medical honey. All pa-tients had previously radiotherapy in the head and neck area. 5 patients had protracted wound healing problems after salvage surgery. The remaining 4 cases had spontaneously dehiscenced wounds at the beginning of the study. The wound healing was confirmed by measurement of the wound edges and depth and by adequate photo documentation. RESULTS: In all cases, the conventional wound care was unsuccessfully. In 8 of 9 cases, the wounds could be brought to cure by the application of medical honey over 3-8 weeks. Side effects or allergic reactions to the medical honey were not seen in any -cases. CONCLUSION: Based on our clinical experience we believe that the topical application of medical honey in non-healing or recurrent wounds in the head and neck area after radiotherapy is a reason-able and successful alternative therapy.

[Bipedicled flap technique according to Schultz-Coulon using open approach for septal defect repair]. / Septumdefektverschluss: Ergebnisse der Brückenlappentechnik nach Schultz-Coulon in offener Technik.

BACKGROUND: The successful closure of a nasal septal perforation is a surgical challenge, which applies especially to large defects with a diameter exceeding 2.0 × 2.0 cm. This retrospective study presents results using open septoplasty via a transcolumellar approach and bipedicled flaps according to Schultz-Coulon for closure. RESULTS: In 45/50 patients the perforation was closed successfully (90%) (CI 0.82-0.98). The survey of patients showed significant improvement rates for all questioned parameters. CONCLUSIONS: In our hands the bipedicled flap technique combined with open access to the nasal septum yields good success rates for closure and consecutive improvement of life quality, also for large defects exceeding 2.0 × 3.0 cm. The open approach provides cosmetically excellent results based on the appropriate suture techniques and is advantageous concerning intraoperative overview and suture of the mucosal flaps. Additionally it can be easily combined with an open septorhinoplasty.

[Surgical management of persisting fistulas after salvage-laryngectomy]. / Chirurgisches Management der persistierenden Speichelfistel nach Salvage-Laryngektomie.

BACKGROUND: The salvage-laryngectomy (SLE) has compared to the laryngectomy a high risk for complications. The salivary fistula is the most frequent complication with an incidence range from 3% to 65% according to the literature. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From 2004-2011 we included in this study 16 patients with a recurrent or secondary T4a-squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) of the larynx or pyriform sinus undergoing a SLE. 6 HNSCC were located at the pyriform sinus (44%) and 9 at the larynx (56%). The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze the risk of developing a postoperative fistula after SLE as well as to present our surgical concept of persisting fistula treatment. RESULTS: 6 out of these 16 patients (38%) had a persisting fistula which needed a secondary surgical closure. In all of these cases we used a "sandwich"-concept which included a reconstruction of the pharynx by the pectoralis myofascial flap and another regional rotation flap as the deltopectoral flap or the latissimus dorsi flap for skin reconstruction of the neck. With this concept we were able to successfully close the fistula after the SLE in all 6 cases. CONCLUSION: By using our "sandwich"-concept we provide a multi-layered fistula closure with insertion of vital muscle tissue and a double epithelium. This guarantees a secure barrier to the saliva and prevents effectively a further fistula.

[Transoral robotic surgery for head and neck tumors: a series of 17 patients]. / Transorale Roboter-assistierte Chirurgie von Kopf-Hals-Tumoren: Eine Fallserie mit 17 Patienten.

BACKGROUND: Within the last years transoral robotic surgery (TORS) has gained importance in the resection of head and neck tumors, especially in North America. In contrast only few groups in Germany have studied this system so far. In respect to potential future developments in surgical robotic systems it seems reasonable to deal with this system. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 17 patients with tumors of the oropharynx, the base of tongue or the supraglottic area were treated with TORS in our clinic, between May 2011 and June 2012. In a prospective study we analyzed the exposure, visualization and resectability of these tumors using the da Vinci-system. In addition, set up and operation time, as well as costs were evaluated. RESULTS: All neoplasms of the oropharynx (n=9) and the tongue base (n=5) could be well exposed, visualized and resected. In the supraglottic area (n=3) 2 tumors could not be properly exposed and therefore resection was converted to a transoral microscopic laser approach. Resection with the cautery spatula tip or the Tm:YAG-laser fibre caused wide coagulation zones, but resulted in good hemostasis. The costs for the medical equipment and the leasing rate were 6280 € per case at our institution. CONCLUSION: Tumors of the tongue base and oropharynx could be easily visualized with help of the da Vinci-system. The resection of supraglottic tumors can be challenging, due to the arrangement of the robotic-arms and the narrow anatomic conditions. Despite its high costs, the da Vinci-system is a potentially interesting supplementation to existing surgical techniques.