Transoral robotic surgery for oropharyngeal cancer: a systematic review on the role of margin status.

INTRODUCTION: Nowadays, robotic surgery finds application in the field of head and neck in the treatment of oropharyngeal tumors. The aim of this work is to examine the efficacy of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) in performing safe oncological resections of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), with particular attention to the status of margins. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Literature search of English-language studies focused on TORS through PubMed, the Cochrane Library and EMBASE databases. A total of 431 papers returned to search, but only 24 met the inclusion criteria. The review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) Guidelines. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Within the selected studies, the overall rate of OPSCC positive margins following TORS is minimal, especially when patient selection is adequate and when TORS is used by high volume centers. CONCLUSIONS: TORS is a very precise and viable therapeutic tool that provides good results in terms of surgical radicality with low positive margin rates and good results in terms of overall survival and disease-free survival; however, there is still a great heterogeneity in margins definition within the available literature. Consequently, even if this surgical approach is very promising, it is still challenging to draw firm conclusions nowadays.

Outcomes of Pressure Sore Surgery in Patients with Spinal Cord Injury and Spasticity.

Background: Spasticity is a serious complication of spinal cord injury/disease (SCI/D) that affects 60%-80% of patients with this condition. The presence of spasticity can have a significant impact on the outcomes of reconstructive surgical interventions, such as those on pressure sores (PSs). Moreover, in the conservative treatment of PSs, spasticity may prevent maintaining adequate postures to avoid skin friction or traction. The aim of this study is to describe the PS reconstruction outcomes in a cohort of patients with SCI/D affected by spasticity. Methods: In this retrospective study of patients with SCI/D consecutively admitted to Montecatone Rehabilitation Institute between October 2013 and March 2022, 54 PSs were treated in 46 people with spasticity. Results: Postsurgery complications occurred in 26 of 54 treated PS, of which seven were major. Eleven patients experienced more than one complication. The overall incidence of postsurgical complications was 48.1%, and the incidence of major complications was 13%. Median length of hospital stay was 3.8 versus 1.8 months. Compared with other reports in the literature of PS reconstruction in patients with SCI/D, we found higher rates of overall, minor, and major complications. Conclusions: Spasticity proved to be an important condition to consider, and its treatment requires specialized physicians. The collaboration between plastic surgeons and spasticity specialists is crucial to define the best treatment to reduce postoperative complications.

Single centre analysis of perioperative complications in trans-oral robotic surgery for oropharyngeal carcinomas.

Trans Oral Robotic Surgery (TORS) is a modality in the management of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma(OPSCC). This study was conducted to show the rates of peri-operative complications after TORS for OPSCC in our experience. Single centre retrospective analysis of consecutive OPSCC treated with TORS. The surgical complication severity was recorded according to Clavien-Dindo criteria (CDC). Eighty-seven OPSCC were operated with TORS. According to CDC, grade I, grade II and IIIb were registered in 8%, 4.6% and 11.5% of cases, respectively. The postoperative pain, registered with visual-analogue scale (VAS) score, was 8 ± 1.2 for the secondary healing wounds and 6.2 ± 1.5 for the flap reconstructions (p < 0.01). The impact on swallowing function was not significant between secondary healing and flap reconstructions(p = 0.96). Any major or life-threatening intraoperative complications have not been recorded. Only one patient had postoperative bleeding into the neck whilst 13.3% of patients had postoperative bleeding from the primary tumor. No total local or free flap failure were registered. The mean duration of tracheostomy use was 7.4 ± 2.6 days, and nasogastric tube 14.3 ± 6.9 days. Only one patient, who had also reconstruction with flap, experienced a postoperative severe dysphagia with severe aspiration, needing a permanent tracheostomy tube and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy feeding. TORS for OPSCC showed less morbidity, lower risk of severe complication and mortality. Thus, this treatment modality could be offered as first line treatment in selected cases.

Trans oral robotic surgery for oropharyngeal cancer: A multi institutional experience.

OBJECTIVES: Trans Oral Robotic Surgery (TORS) has proved to be a safe and feasible treatment for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). The aim of this study is to analyse oncological outcomes of OPSCC patients treated with TORS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study involved 139 patients with OPSCC, treated with TORS between 2008 and 2020. Clinicopathological characteristics, treatment details and oncological outcomes were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: The management strategies included TORS alone in 42.5%, TORS-RT in 25.2% and TORS-CRT in 30.9%. The ENE was noted in 28.8% of neck dissections. In 19 patients clinically classified as unknown primaries, the primary was found in 73.7%. Rates of local, regional relapses and distant metastasis were 8.6%, 7.2%, and 6.5%, respectively. The 5 year- Overall Survival and Disease Free Survival were 69.6% and 71.3%, respectively. CONCLUSION: TORS fits well in the modern management of OPSCC. Although definitive CRT remains a milestone, TORS is proving to be a valid and safe treatment option. The choice of the therapeutic strategy requires evaluation by a multidisciplinary team.

Reconstructive Options after Oncological Rhinectomy: State of the Art.

BACKGROUND: The nose is a central component of the face, and it is fundamental to an individual's recognition and attractiveness. The aim of this study is to present a review of the last twenty years literature on reconstructive techniques after oncological rhinectomy. METHODS: Literature searches were conducted in the databases PubMed, Scopus, Medline and Google Scholar. "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA)" for scoping review was followed. RESULTS: Seventeen articles regarding total rhinectomy reconstruction were finally identified in the English literature, with a total of 447 cases. The prostheses were the reconstructive choice in 213 (47.7%) patients, followed by local flaps in 172 (38.5%) and free flaps in 62 (13.8%). The forehead flap (FF) and the radial forearm free flap (RFFF) are the most frequently used flaps. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that both prosthetic and surgical reconstruction are very suitable solutions in terms of surgical and aesthetic outcomes for the patient.

Ultra-Rare Variants Identify Biological Pathways and Candidate Genes in the Pathobiology of Non-Syndromic Cleft Palate Only.

In recent decades, many efforts have been made to elucidate the genetic causes of non-syndromic cleft palate (nsCPO), a complex congenital disease caused by the interaction of several genetic and environmental factors. Since genome-wide association studies have evidenced a minor contribution of common polymorphisms in nsCPO inheritance, we used whole exome sequencing data to explore the role of ultra-rare variants in this study. In a cohort of 35 nsCPO cases and 38 controls, we performed a gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) and a hypergeometric test for assessing significant overlap between genes implicated in nsCPO pathobiology and genes enriched in ultra-rare variants in our cohort. GSEA highlighted an enrichment of ultra-rare variants in genes principally belonging to cytoskeletal protein binding pathway (Probability Density Function corrected p-value = 1.57 × 10-4); protein-containing complex binding pathway (p-value = 1.06 × 10-2); cell adhesion molecule binding pathway (p-value = 1.24 × 10-2); ECM-receptor interaction pathway (p-value = 1.69 × 10-2); and in the Integrin signaling pathway (p-value = 1.28 × 10-2). Two genes implicated in nsCPO pathobiology, namely COL2A1 and GLI3, ranked among the genes (n = 34) with nominal enrichment in the ultra-rare variant collapsing analysis (Fisher's exact test p-value < 0.05). These genes were also part of an independent list of genes highly relevant to nsCPO biology (n = 25). Significant overlap between the two sets of genes (hypergeometric test p-value = 5.86 × 10-3) indicated that enriched genes are likely to be implicated in physiological palate development and/or the pathological processes of oral clefting. In conclusion, ultra-rare variants collectively impinge on biological pathways crucial to nsCPO pathobiology and point to candidate genes that may contribute to the individual risk of disease. Sequencing can be an effective approach to identify candidate genes and pathways for nsCPO.

Multidisciplinary treatment protocol for ischiatic, sacral, trochanteric or other pressure injuries in people with spinal cord injury: a retrospective cohort study.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study Objectives: to describe the incidence and the associated risk factors of post-surgical complications and recurrence in individuals with spinal cord injury/disorder (SCI/D) presenting deep pressure injuries (PIs), treated with a specific surgical and rehabilitation treatment protocol. SETTING: Tertiary Rehabilitation Hospital for SCI/D in Italy. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of the medical records of adult individuals with SCI/D, who developed a PI after the first discharge from a Spinal Unit, underwent flap surgery for PI between July 2011 and January 2018. The statistical unit of analysis was the surgical intervention. Logistic regression analysis with robust standard errors was performed to assess risk factors of post-surgical complications. RESULTS: 434 surgical intervention records were included, for a total of 378 patients. The treated PIs were ischiatic in 56.2% of the cases, sacral in 32.5%, trochanteric in 15.7%, and 5.8% were in other sites. In 239 cases (55.1%) a histological diagnosis of osteomyelitis was confirmed. Minor complications occurred in 13.6% of interventions, while major complications were 3.9%. Sacral PI (OR = 2.55, 95%CI: 1.50-4.35) and muscular/musculocutaneous flap (OR = 2.12, 95%CI: 1.05-4.28) were significant factors associated with risk of post-surgical complications. After a mean follow-up of 21 months (range 12-36), six people (1.4%) had a recurrence. Patients with a recurrence had at least one comorbidity compared to 57% of people without recurrences (p = 0.036). CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that complication and recurrence rates can be minimized when an established interdisciplinary and rehabilitation protocol is integrated in the clinical management.

Reconstructive Surgery of Pressure Injuries in Spinal Cord Injury/Disorder Patients: Retrospective Observational Study and Proposal of an Algorithm for the Flap Choice.

Pressure injuries (PIs) are a common complication in patients with spinal cord injury/disorder (SCI/D), and deep PIs require surgical treatment consisting of wide debridement and adequate reconstruction. We conducted a retrospective observational study at a tertiary rehabilitation hospital for SCI/D in Italy with the aim of describing the incidence and associated risk factors of postoperative complications in individuals with SCI/D presenting with chronic deep PIs, treated with a specific flap selection algorithm based on the site of the defect, the presence of scars from previous surgeries, and the need to spare reconstructive options for possible future recurrences. Medical records of surgical procedures performed on SCI/D patients with fourth-degree PIs, according to NPUAP classification (National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel), between July 2011 and January 2018 were reviewed. A total of 434 surgical procedures for fourth-degree PIs in 375 SCI/D patients were analyzed. After a mean follow-up of 21 months (range 12-36), 59 PIs (13.6%) had minor complications, and 17 (3.9%) had major complications requiring reoperation. The sacral site and muscular and musculocutaneous flaps were significant risk factors for postoperative complications. Six patients (1.4%) had a recurrence. The choice of flap correlates with the outcome of decubitus reconstruction. Therefore, reconstructive planning should be based on established principles.

The sternum reconstruction: Present and future perspectives.

Sternectomy is a procedure mainly used for removing tumor masses infiltrating the sternum or treating infections. Moreover, the removal of the sternum involves the additional challenge of performing a functional reconstruction. Fortunately, various approaches have been proposed for improving the operation and outcome of reconstruction, including allograft transplantation, using novel materials, and developing innovative surgical approaches, which promise to enhance the quality of life for the patient. This review will highlight the surgical approaches to sternum reconstruction and the new perspectives in the current literature.

Tracheal reconstruction: mini-review and anatomical study on the use of antero lateral thigh fascial flap for heterotopical transplantation.

Background: The reconstructive tracheal options for extensive lesions still remain limited and although a valid substitute is required unfortunately, the biomechanical tracheal characteristics do not allow an easy replacement. In this study we reviewed the described options and investigated, in human cadaver model, whether thigh fascia can be used, as an alternative to forearm fascia, as recipient site for trachea graft heterotopical allotransplantation. Anatomical study: In three fresh cadavers, 3 tracheal graft, 6 radial forearm (RF) fascial flaps and 6 antero-lateral thigh (ALT) fascial flaps were harvested. For each flap we simulated the heteretopical transplantation of the trachea in each fascial flap, and the harvesting of the composite graft as a free flap. The composite graft was finally decomposed at bench and the pedicle was injected to confirm fascial vascularization. The main measured outcomes were: flap fascia vascularization after pedicle injection, average time of flap harvesting, number of perforators included in ALT fascial flap and diameter of the vessels for anastomosis. Difficulties were noted, in order to compare RF flap and ALT flap. Results: Fascia vascularization was confirmed in all cases by pedicle injection. The main difficulty with radial flap was to harvest the fascial layer due to its thinness and its strong adherence to palmaris longus tendon, while the main difficulty with ALT flap was to prevent any traction on the perforators. The average time of flap harvesting and graft inset (by a junior plastic surgeon) was 1 h and 30 min for radial forearm flap and 2 h and 10 min for ALT flap. Conclusion: Despite many different techniques proposed in the literature, tracheal heterotopical allotransplantation still seemed the most promising, and ALT flap promised be a feasible alternative for heterotopical transplantation of trachea.

Prevention of Surgical Site Infections in Neonates and Children: Non-Pharmacological Measures of Prevention.

A surgical site infection (SSI) is an infection that occurs in the incision created by an invasive surgical procedure. Although most infections are treatable with antibiotics, SSIs remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality after surgery and have a significant economic impact on health systems. Preventive measures are essential to decrease the incidence of SSIs and antibiotic abuse, but data in the literature regarding risk factors for SSIs in the pediatric age group are scarce, and current guidelines for the prevention of the risk of developing SSIs are mainly focused on the adult population. This document describes the current knowledge on risk factors for SSIs in neonates and children undergoing surgery and has the purpose of providing guidance to health care professionals for the prevention of SSIs in this population. Our aim is to consider the possible non-pharmacological measures that can be adopted to prevent SSIs. To our knowledge, this is the first study to provide recommendations based on a careful review of the available scientific evidence for the non-pharmacological prevention of SSIs in neonates and children. The specific scenarios developed are intended to guide the healthcare professional in practice to ensure standardized management of the neonatal and pediatric patients, decrease the incidence of SSIs and reduce antibiotic abuse.

Surgical Antimicrobial Prophylaxis in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Plastic Surgery: A RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method Consensus Study.

For many years, it was clearly shown that surgical procedures might be associated with surgical site infection (SSI). Many scientific institutions prepared guidelines to use in surgery to reduce abuse and misuse of antibiotics. However, in the general guidelines for surgical antibiotic prophylaxis, plastic surgical procedures are not addressed or are only marginally discussed, and children were almost systematically excluded. The main aim of this Consensus document is to provide clinicians with recommendations on antimicrobial prophylaxis for pediatric patients undergoing plastic surgery. The following scenarios were considered: clean plastic surgery in elective procedures with an exclusive skin and subcutis involvement; clean-contaminated/contaminated plastic surgery in elective procedures with an exclusive skin and subcutis involvement; elective plastic surgery with use of local flaps; elective plastic surgery with the use of grafts; prolonged elective plastic surgery; acute burns; clean contused lacerated wounds without bone exposure; high-risk contused lacerated wounds or with bone exposure; contused lacerated wound involving the oral mucosa; plastic surgery following human bite; plastic surgery following animal bite; plastic surgery with tissue expander insertion. Our Consensus document shows that antimicrobial perioperative prophylaxis in pediatric patients undergoing plastic surgery is recommended in selected cases. While waiting the results of further pediatric studies, the application of uniform and shared protocols in these procedures will improve surgical practice, with a reduction in SSIs and consequent rationalization of resources and costs, as well as limiting the phenomenon of antimicrobial resistance.

Neck dissection and trans oral robotic surgery for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: Trans Oral Robotic Surgery (TORS) is a modality in the management of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma(OPSCC). This study was planned to determine whether Selective Neck Dissection (SND) is oncological safe procedure even in patients with lymph node metastases. METHODS: OPSCC patients were divided into Modified Radical Neck Dissection (MRND) and SND groups. The outcome measures were overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS) and regional recurrence free survival (RRFS). RESULTS: Thirty-seven SNDs and 18 MRNDs were performed. Regional relapse rate was 6.1% in SND group whilst 18.8% in MRND group(p=0.19). The 5-year OS, DFS and RRFS rates' differences were not statistically significant between SND and MRND groups (p=0.40, p=0.42 and p=0.18, respectively). At multivariate analysis, advanced stage impacted the 5-year OS and DFS(HR=9.39, p<0.01 and HR=11.03, p=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The SND seems to be effective in a TORS framework. The indication should be accurately discussed by the multidisciplinary tumor board.

Safety of Reconstructive Microsurgery in the Elderly Population: a Multicentric Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Safety of reconstructive microsurgery in elderly patients is still a topic of debate, because no conclusive evidence exists that provides indications and risk evaluation in elderly patients. The purpose of this study, which the Italian Society for Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery (SICPRE) has promoted, is to evaluate the safety and the complication risk of elective reconstructive microsurgery in elderly patients as well as to identify patient- or procedure-related risk factors. The secondary aim is to evaluate the predictive role for complications of the Geriatric 8 score (G8). METHODS: A total of 194 consecutive patients from 18 centers, aged 65 or older, who received an elective microsurgical flap between April 2018 and April 2019 were prospectively evaluated. Patient-related, treatment-related, and outcomes data were recorded and statistically analyzed through multiple-adjusted logistic regression models. RESULTS: Our study showed an increased risk of complications and a longer hospitalization in patients aged ≥75 years with the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score ≥3 (or G8 score ≤11) as compared to patients >65 years of age and <75 years of age who undergo reconstruction with a microsurgical flap. Instead, flap survival did not significantly vary with age, but was associated only with ASA score ≥3 (or G8 score ≤11) and surgeries that last longer than 480 min; however, flap survival (92.3%) was slightly lower than that commonly reported for in the general population. CONCLUSIONS: Reconstructive microsurgery in the elderly is generally safe. The ASA score is easier and quicker than the G8 score and equally useful for risk stratification.

Sub-muscular Reconstruction after NAC Sparing Mastectomy: Direct to Implant Breast Reconstruction with Human ADM Versus Tissue Expander.

BACKGROUND: Nipple areola complex (NAC) sparing mastectomy allows good oncological and aesthetic results. The study compares the results, in terms of self-evaluated satisfaction and symmetry, of direct to implant (DTI) sub-muscular breast reconstruction, with the aid of human acellular dermal matrix (ADM) versus two-stage reconstruction with sub-muscular tissue expander, followed by implant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective, observational, single-center, non-randomized, case-control study. Inclusion criteria were: unilateral NAC sparing mastectomy at Forlì Hospital between 2014 and 2018; sub-muscular reconstruction; minimum follow-up of 12 months from the reconstructive stage; no history of radiotherapy. Patients were divided into two groups: group A included patients who underwent DTI breast reconstruction with the aid of human ADM; group B were those who underwent a two-stage reconstruction with tissue expander then implant. We collected data on: (1) Self-evaluated satisfaction by Breast Q questionnaire (scores from 0 to 100). (2) Observer-evaluated symmetry. Bi-dimensional photographs were collected and evaluated by 11 breast surgeons blinded to each other, who assigned a score for symmetry (from 0 to 10). (3) Symmetry of anthropometric measures collected by hand and volume estimated by Breast V application. RESULTS: Group A included 28 patients; group included B 26 patients. Breast-Q questionnaires reported the following results: satisfaction with breasts in group A 65 ± 12 versus group B 68 ± 14; satisfaction with outcome in group A 88 ± 16 versus group B 93 ± 11; psychosocial well-being in group A 71 ± 20 versus group B 76 ± 17; sexual well-being in group A 63 ± 26 versus group B 60 ± 13; physical well-being in group A 68 ± 15 versus group B 60 ± 12. The average symmetry breast score assigned to group A was 6.9, versus group B 7.2. Regarding the anthropometric measures in group A, the differences between right and left were major to those in group B. Regarding breast volume, the mean difference between right and left in group A was 31.89 cc ± 24.97, whereas in group B was 25.46 cc ± 23.59. CONCLUSION: Our data show better symmetry and better psychosocial well-being in the two-stage reconstruction, and higher satisfaction with sexual and physical well-being in DTI reconstructions. These aspects should be discussed with the patient while collecting the informed consent. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Olfactory function in patients with obstructive sleep apnea: a meta-analysis study.

PURPOSE: This meta-analysis study was designed to analyze the olfactory function in obstructive sleep apnea patients (OSA). METHODS: A comprehensive review of the English language literature regarding OSA patients and olfactory function/dysfunction was performed. The papers assessing olfactory dysfunction with Sniffin' Sticks test were taken into consideration. RESULTS: A total of 420 OSA patients were judged eligible for the study. The average TDI score was found to be 24.3 ± 5.6. The olfactory identification (OD), the olfactory discrimination (OD), and the olfactory threshold (OT) average values were calculated resulting 9.9 ± 2.1, 9.8 ± 1.5, and 5.3 ± 2, respectively. There were 161 healthy control subjects in this meta-analysis. The average TDI of the control group was 30.7 ± 6.0 showing a statistical difference with the group of OSA patients (p = 0.03). A linear correlation between Apnea-Hypopnea Index (AHI) increase and TDI decrease (R2 = 0.1, p = 0.05) was detected. Finally, the average values of TDI of 151 patients classified as mild-moderate OSA and 159 patients considered as severe OSA were calculated. The difference between these two groups resulted not statistically significant (p = 0.3). CONCLUSION: The comparison between OSA patients and healthy subjects using Sniffin' Sticks test showed lower values of the various olfactory parameters. Although a linear correlation between AHI increase and olfactory dysfunction was observed, no statistical difference between mild-moderate and severe OSA patients in terms of the severity of olfactory dysfunction could be proved.

Multiple Flaps for Trochanteric Pressure Sore Reconstruction: A Case Series.

Trochanteric pressure sores can be quite difficult to treat, especially in cases of large bone involvement requiring a wide debridement. The residual wound is large and deep, and the reconstruction must ensure a complete fill of all dead spaces, then must be covered with adequate tissue to allow for healing, and reduce the risk of recurrence. We report a case series of spinal cord-injured patients affected by a trochanteric pressure sore. The reconstruction was achieved using a combination of muscle and a cutaneous muscle flap from the thigh. The result was complete healing of the wound with no recurrence at 18 months. In these cases, muscle or musculocutaneous flaps are the better choices because they permit the use of a good volume of viable tissue. In some cases, the flap can be combined to obtain a better result.

"Imola-Montecatone" subtotal colectomy to improve bowel management in spinal cord injury patients. Retrospective analysis in 19 cases.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective single-center study. OBJECTIVES: Persons with spinal cord injury live with neurogenic bowel dysfunction. Difficulties with management of neurogenic bowel can increase over time with age and time post injury, with a negative impact on autonomy and quality of life. Many conservative treatments are available to improve bowel management; however, in case of failure, a colostomy may be considered. SETTING: Specialized Care Unit, Montecatone Rehabilitation Institute and General Surgery Division, Imola Hospital, Imola, Italy. METHODS: From 2016 to 2019, selected patients affected by SCI and bowel dysfunction failing conservative care were treated with subtotal colectomy associated with placement of a bioabsorbable prosthesis, to prevent parastomal hernia. The surgical procedure is presented along with results. RESULTS: Overall, 19 individuals underwent the described procedure; after 1 year of follow-up, we observed four minor complications: two cases of dehiscence of the abdominal incision, easily treated during hospital stay, and two cases of leakage of mucorrhoea. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate the efficacy of the procedure to improve bowel management in persons with spinal cord injury.