ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: The Amatsu tracheoesophageal shunt (ATES) represents a nonprosthesis surgical option for voice restoration in laryngectomized patients. However, data regarding the long-term efficacy of ATES are lacking. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective, single-institution study. METHODS: Between 2001 and 2010, 16 patients with laryngeal cancer underwent total laryngectomy with ATES at the Hyogo Cancer Center (Akashi, Hyogo, Japan). Of these, 11 achieved long-term tracheoesophageal speech that was maintained for a follow-up exceeding 5 years (range 75-161 months; median 95 months). All patients were male and ranged from 46 to 74 years of age at the time of ATES surgery. RESULTS: Of 11 eligible patients, eight were able to speak intelligibly with ATES at last follow-up. Regarding aspiration, three patients experienced no leakage, and six experienced mild leakage of saliva without medical intervention at last follow-up. Almost all patients maintained an unchanged degree of voice quality (9 of 11) and leakage (8 of 11). CONCLUSION: The favorable voice restoration and low aspiration rates achieved in this study appear to support the long-term efficacy of ATES. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4. Laryngoscope, 128:1395-1397, 2018.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/surgery , Head and Neck Neoplasms/surgery , Laryngeal Neoplasms/surgery , Laryngectomy/methods , Speech, Alaryngeal/methods , Tracheoesophageal Fistula/surgery , Aged , Esophagus/surgery , Fistula/surgery , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Laryngectomy/adverse effects , Male , Middle Aged , Retrospective Studies , Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck , Trachea/surgery , Treatment Outcome , Voice QualityABSTRACT
Bazex syndrome is a rare paraneoplastic dermatosis. The underlying malignancy frequently is squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract or cervical lymph nodes from an unknown primary site. We report a 63-year-old man with squamous cell carcinoma of cervical lymph nodes from an unknown primary site. He developed a mass on the right side of his neck, cutaneous lesions diagnosed as Bazex syndrome, hypoalbuminemia, and severe ascites. Right neck dissection was performed. After neck dissection, not only the cutaneous lesions, but also the severe hypoalbuminemia and severe ascites were improved. Bazex syndrome may be associated with hypoalbuminemia and ascites.