Comparison between the radial forearm and superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator free flaps for oral soft tissue reconstruction.

The radial forearm free flap (RFFF) is widely used for oral reconstruction. The superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator (SCIP) flap is an increasingly utilized alternative. The cases of 165 patients who received either an RFFF or SCIP flap for oral reconstruction at Chris O'Brien Lifehouse, Sydney were reviewed. The aim was to report on patient, pathology, treatment, and outcome variables and to compare these between the two flap groups. A RFFF was used in 126 patients and a SCIP flap in 39 patients. SCIP flap patients were younger (P < 0.001) and had shorter operative times (P < 0.001), shorter anaesthetic times (P < 0.001), and more frequent recipient site dehiscence (P = 0.005) when compared to RFFF patients. The SCIP flap was significantly less frequently used for composite resections including bone when compared to the RFFF (P < 0.001). The primary site distribution was more even for RFFF patients (P < 0.001). There were no SCIP flap failures; three RFFF failures occurred. SCIP flaps performed comparably in terms of operative and clinical outcomes. Most SCIP flaps were utilized in younger patients with partial glossectomy defects.

Phosphaturic Mesenchymal Tumors in the Head and Neck Demonstrate a Broad Clinical and Morphologic Spectrum.

Phosphaturic mesenchymal tumour (PMT) is a rare tumour that occurs in bone or soft tissue and is associated with production of fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) leading to tumor-induced osteomalacia. We report three cases of PMT involving the head and neck that highlight the broad spectrum of clinical and histologic features of PMT. One of these lesions from the hard palate demonstrated an admixture of epithelial and mesenchymal elements, a feature that can pose a diagnostic challenge. The diagnostic utility of immunohistochemistry including FGF23, somatostatin receptor 2A, SATB2, ERG and CD56 is discussed. The biochemical pathway in the development of PMT associated tumor induced osteomalacia and its role in investigations and management of PMT is also described.

Institutional-based and commercial virtual surgical planning in maxillomandibular reconstruction - Comparing the digital plan and postoperative scan.

BACKGROUND: Virtual surgical planning (VSP) is increasingly used in maxillomandibular osseous free flap reconstruction. Non-commercial ('in-house') VSP may offer the same level of accuracy and other benefits, without the inflated costs and time delays inherent in using commercial providers. Comparisons between commercial and in-house methods are lacking. This study aims to determine the accuracy of VSP, compare in-house and commercially planned cases, and explore predictors of the reconstruction error. METHODS: Seventy-six patients who had a virtually planned maxillomandibular reconstruction between January 2012 and July 2020 were retrospectively identified. The preoperative digital plan was compared to the postoperative CT scan in terms of length of bone segments, angle between adjacent segments and intercondylar, and intergonial angle distances (mandibular reconstructions only). RESULTS: Forty-four patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The mean intergonial and intercondylar distances error was 1.7 ± 1.01 mm, mean segment length error was 1.3 ± 1.40 mm, and mean angles error was 1.9 ± 2.32°. The difference in error of in-house VSP compared to commercial VSP was not statistically significant for intercondylar and intergonial distance (p = 0.76), segment length (p = 0.15), or angle between segments (p = 0.92). The increased error was associated with osteoradionecrosis as the indication for surgery, greater number of segments, and secondary reconstructions. CONCLUSION: VSP is an accurate method of maxillary and mandibular reconstruction. In-house VSP may be similar in accuracy to commercial VSP options. Higher levels of inaccuracy are likely to occur in more complex reconstructions, particularly secondary reconstructions, and in the setting of osteoradionecrosis.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of the complications of salvage total laryngectomy.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Management paradigms in laryngeal cancer have shifted to "organ preservation" chemoradiotherapy protocols. In the event of treatment failure, salvage total laryngectomy remains the only curative treatment option. However a comprehensive review of the complications of this procedure has not been reported. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was performed using keywords "salvage laryngectomy" to retrieve relevant publications between January 2000 and August 2015. RESULTS: Of the 407 articles retrieved from the literature search, 50 studies encompassing 3292 patients were included. Forty-nine studies reported pharyngocutaneous fistula which occurred in 859 patients (pooled incidence 28.9%; 95% confidence intervals 25.5-32.5%). Twenty-four studies reported complications in addition to PCF and these included wound complications (infection, dehiscence and necrosis), dysphagia, bleeding, and pharyngeal and stomal stenosis. CONCLUSIONS: Overall complication rate was 67.5%, Pharyngocutaneous fistula was the commonest complication with a pooled incidence of 28.9%.

Endoscopic vocal fold injection using a 25-gauge butterfly needle.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a useful technique for infiltrating a bulking agent using a butterfly needle, as part of a transoral endoscopic vocal fold medialisation procedure. METHODS: This paper describes the procedure of grasping the needle with phonosurgery forceps and administering the injectate to the vocal fold through careful application of the syringe plunger via a length of rubber tubing from outside the mouth. RESULTS: This procedure is performed routinely in our institution without complication. The advantages of this technique are discussed. CONCLUSION: This is a safe and easy method of injecting into a vocal fold.

Quality of life assessment in patients treated for metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

BACKGROUND: Treatment for metastatic cutaneous head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is usually multimodal and associated with morbidity. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of treatment on patients' quality of life. METHOD: Cross-sectional survey of 42 patients (35 men, 7 women) at least 6 months after metastatic cutaneous head and neck squamous cell carcinoma treatment, using two standardised quality of life questionnaires: the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy - Head and Neck questionnaire and the Facial Disability Index, with statistical analysis to identify potential predictors of outcome. RESULTS: Female gender correlated with significantly lower Facial Disability Index physical function scores (p = 0.017). Alcohol consumption correlated with significantly better scores for Functional Assessment social well-being (p = 0.016), general total score (p = 0.041) and overall total score (p = 0.033), and for Facial Disability Index physical function (p = 0.034). Marital status, education, employment, chemotherapy, time from last treatment, parotidectomy and facial nerve sacrifice did not affect quality of life. The commonest patient complaints were dry mouth (76 per cent), altered voice quality and strength (55 per cent), and physical appearance (45 per cent). CONCLUSION: Female gender predicts worse quality of life, while alcohol consumption (versus none) predicted for better quality of life.

In patients with metastatic cutaneous head and neck squamous cell carcinoma to cervical lymph nodes, the extent of neck dissection does not influence outcome.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare recurrence and survival in patients undergoing either selective neck dissection or modified radical neck dissection to treat metastatic cutaneous head and neck squamous cell carcinoma to the cervical lymph nodes (levels I-V) only. METHODS: Twenty-eight year, retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database from a tertiary referral hospital, with a minimum follow up of two years. RESULTS: There were 122 eligible patients: 96 males (79 per cent) and 26 (21 per cent) females (median age, 66 years). Sixty-six patients (54 per cent) underwent selective neck dissection and 56 (46 per cent) modified radical neck dissection. The former patients had a lower rate of regional recurrence compared with the latter (17 vs 23 per cent, respectively). There was no significant difference in five-year overall survival (61 vs 57 per cent, respectively) or five-year disease-free survival (74 vs 60 per cent, respectively), comparing the two groups. Overall survival and disease-free survival were significantly improved by the addition of adjuvant radiotherapy. CONCLUSION: We found no difference in outcome in patients undergoing selective versus modified radical neck dissection. Adjuvant radiotherapy significantly improved outcome.

Endoscopic treatment of glottic stenosis: a report on the safety and efficacy of CO2 laser.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of glottic stenosis is a considerable challenge to the otolaryngologist. Glottic airway patency can be compromised by bilateral vocal fold palsy, anterior webbing or a posterior segment scar, which may be significant enough to impair arytenoid movement. METHOD: A retrospective analysis of a prospective database of patients (n = 34) treated by a specialist airway surgeon. All patients underwent endoscopic treatment with a CO(2) laser in an attempt to improve airway calibre and, in 12 patients, to decannulate tracheostomy tubes. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients had bilateral vocal fold palsy and 13 had predominantly posterior glottic stenosis. A variety of pathology-directed treatment approaches were used to achieve good functional results. Four patients required a second endoscopic procedure. The overall revision rate was 5 per cent for bilateral fold palsy and 23 per cent for posterior glottic stenosis (p < 0.05). All patients had an adequate functional airway calibre, and all 12 tracheotomised patients were decannulated. DISCUSSION: Pathology-directed endoscopic laser surgery is safe and effective treatment for glottic stenosis. Rather prescriptive use of unilateral or bilateral cordotomy or combined cordo-arytenoidectomy, clinicians must perform the procedure that will treat the lesion most adequately. Our success rate compared favourably with the best reported results.

Metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the external ear: a high-risk cutaneous subsite.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the external ear may develop metastatic spread to the nearby ipsilateral parotid and/or upper cervical lymph nodes. The literature suggests that the external ear is a high-risk subsite for such tumours, due to nodal metastasis and its associated morbidity and mortality. METHODS: Between 1980 and 2007, 43 patients with a diagnosis of metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the external ear were treated with surgery alone, surgery plus adjuvant radiotherapy, or radiotherapy alone. RESULTS: Patients comprised 39 men and four women. Their median age at diagnosis was 72 years, with a median follow up of 35 months. The median size of the primary lesion was 21 mm, with a median thickness of 7 mm. Fifteen patients presented concurrently with nodal metastases. Thirty patients developed parotid metastases (with positive cervical nodes in six patients), while 13 developed cervical metastases only. Eight patients underwent surgery alone, 32 underwent surgery plus adjuvant radiotherapy, and three received radiotherapy alone. At the last follow up, 15 patients had relapsed and nine had died of their disease, with a median survival after relapse of 5.5 months. CONCLUSION: Patients with metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the external ear have a relatively poor outcome, with a significant number of patients experiencing nodal relapse and death after treatment.

Evaluating the effects of oral prednisolone on recovery after tonsillectomy: a prospective, double-blind, randomized trial.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the role of a 7-day course of oral prednisolone on recovery from tonsillectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial of 50 consecutive patients, aged 5 years and older, who had no previous or known contraindications to steroid therapy. METHODS: The patients were randomized at the time of surgery to either a 7-day course of daily placebo or prednisolone (dosage: 10 mg per day in patients aged 5-11 y, 0.5 mg/kg in those aged 12 and older). Age, sex, weight, diagnosis, tonsil size (in cm2), additional adenoidectomy, performing surgeon, method of dissection, length of procedure, total blood loss, intraoperative fluid requirement, and length of hospitalization were documented for each patient. During the first postoperative day, morning pain score, paracetamol use, oral fluid intake, temperature, presence of nausea and vomiting, level of activity (low, moderate, or normal), and type of diet (liquid, soft, or normal) were recorded. RESULTS: The steroid group consisted of a greater number of diathermy dissection cases and had significantly less intraoperative blood loss (P value = .022 and .017, respectively). On postoperative days 4 to 7, the steroid group experienced less nausea and vomiting (P value = .01, .04, .04, and .04, respectively). Paracetamol use was less in the steroid group on days 2, 7, and 8 (P value = .03, .02, and .02, respectively). There was no difference between the two groups for the other data measured. CONCLUSION: A 7-day course of corticosteroids may play a limited role in patients' recovery from tonsillectomy.

Fish bones at the cricopharyngeus: a comparison of plain-film radiology and computed tomography.

OBJECTIVES: To compare and contrast the use of plain film radiology and computed tomography (CT) scanning in the detection of fish bones at the level of the cricopharyngeus. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study of 30 different fish bones placed at the level of the cricopharyngeus in a fresh human cadaver head and neck specimen and imaged using both plain films and CT scans. METHODS: Thirty different bones from 10 different local species of fish were selected and grouped as small, medium, or large in size. Both plain-film and CT images of the bones were reported by a radiologist as A, easily seen; B, seen on close inspection; or C, not seen. Results were analyzed using McNemar's test. RESULTS: CT scanning was superior to plain-film radiology in demonstrating the presence of fish bones at the level of the cricopharyngeus (P < .0001, McNemar's test, df = 1 when comparing report type A with B and C). CONCLUSION: The superior usefulness of CT scans in demonstrating the presence of fish bones lodged at the cricopharyngeus has been clearly shown in this study; therefore we advocated its use in selected cases.