Stapler-Assisted Pharyngeal Closure After Total Laryngectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) remains the most frequent complication following total laryngectomy (TL). Pharyngeal closure with a surgical stapler (SAPC) has been proposed as an effective closure technique that decreases the rate of PCF, reduces surgical time, decreases the length of hospital stay, and shortens the time required before safely initiating oral feeding. METHODS: This study involved a systematic review and meta-analysis of patients with laryngeal cancer who underwent TL and with subsequent stapler pharyngeal closure, in order to analyse the current literature regarding the role of SAPC after TL. RESULTS: The incidence of PCF in the stapler-assisted suture group (SASG) was 9.5% (95% CI 8.2-15.9%), with a mean absolute deviation of 1.12, while in the hand-suture group (HSG) group the incidence was 23.4% (95% CI 23-26.1%), with a mean absolute deviation of 5.71 (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: SAPC may decrease the risk of PCF in patients following TL. Based on the current data, SAPC appears to shorten the surgical time and the length of hospital stay. Nevertheless, prospective randomized trials are required to validate these findings.

T1b Glottic Tumor and Anterior Commissure Involvement: Is the Transoral CO2 Laser Microsurgery a Safe Option?

OBJECTIVES: Transoral CO2 laser therapy represents the treatment of choice for early-stage laryngeal tumors. The anterior commissure involvement (ACI) is related to a worse local control and a lower rates of organ preservation. The objective of this study is to analyze the differences in survival, local control, and organ preservation in T1b glottic patients according to the presence of ACI. METHODS: Observational prospective study in pT1b treated with transoral CO2 laser between 2009 and 2014. RESULTS: Forty patients (37 male and 3 female) with a mean age of 66.43 ± 8.16 years were recruited. Anterior commissure involvement was present in 70% of the patients. The 5-year specific cause survival was 91.66%, with 32.50% of local recurrences. Laryngeal preservation was 80%, being lower in the group with local recurrence (P < .000). The involvement of the anterior commissure does not influence the organ preservation (P = .548), the appearance of local recurrences (P = .391), or the survival (P = .33). CONCLUSIONS: Transoral CO2 laser therapy is an effective and reproducible treatment for early-stage laryngeal tumors. The results obtained are similar to previous studies, although they present discrepancies in relation to the role of the ACI. Prospective randomized trials are required focusing also on the patients' quality of life and functional outcome in order to clarify the role of the ACI and the need to implement changes in its evaluation, staging, and evolution.

[Oropharynx and hypopharynx reconstruction. What have we learnt?]. / Reconstrucción de orofaringe e hipofaringe. Qué hemos aprendido?

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal reconstructions require significant human and technical resources. This study analysed our reconstruction program over the last 13 years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study in a tertiary reference centre. RESULTS: Forty-three reconstruction procedures, of which 67.4 % (29/43) were microvascular (radial forearm 17, rectus abdominis 10, scapular 1, jejunum 1) and 42.6% (14/43) myocutaneous (pectoralis major 13, latissimus dorsi 1). Of these reconstructions, 83% (37/43) were for oropharyngeal defects and 17% (6/43) for hypopharyngeal defects, with 70% Stage iv (30/43), 26% Stage iii (11/43) and 4% (2/43) Stage ii. Mean Hospital stay was 54 days. Complications were present in 74.4% (32/43), salivary fistula being the most frequent (62.5%; 20/32). Ischemic necrosis was present in 20% (6/29) of the microvascular flaps. One microvascular flap was performed every 5.5 months, and one myocutaneous every 11.1 months. Previous radiotherapy and salvage surgery did not significantly increase the rate of complications. CONCLUSIONS: Reconstruction of pharyngeal defects is a challenging and demanding task, one that is great when everything runs perfectly and disastrous when failure takes place, mainly for the patient. Disciplines related with head and neck reconstruction should create multidisciplinary teams to increase experience, particularly in centres where the number of patients available makes it difficult to get the expertise and confidence this surgery demands for accomplishing the objectives of patient satisfaction and functional restoration.

[Surgical treatment of subglottic stenosis]. / Tratamiento quirúrgico de las estenosis subglóticas.

INTRODUCTION: Subglottic stenosis is rare, its primary pathogenic mechanism being tracheal intubation. Its incidence has declined in recent decades due to improved material and reduced intubation time. The objective of this study was to analyse the experience in treating this disease, emphasising the type of treatment used, the rate of decannulation obtained, symptomatic changes after treatment, and the total number of procedures performed per patient. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 16 patients diagnosed and treated for subglottic stenosis in our department from 1995 to 2007. Clinicopathologic data were collected including: age, sex, etiology and severity (the Cotton classification), diagnostic methods used, type of treatment, progression of symptoms, decannulation and number of procedures performed per patient. To identify changes, morbidity and success rate with the proposed treatment, we analysed our results, comparing them with those collected in other studies. RESULTS: Of the cases analysed, 75% were women, with a mean age of 60 years; 75% of the total cases had a history of prolonged intubation. The presenting symptom was dyspnea (94%), and 69% required an emergency tracheotomy. Ten patients were treated surgically: 7/10 CO(2) laser, 2/10 dilation and 1/10 open surgery. Decannulation after surgery was possible in 60% of the total. The number of procedures per patient was 1.37. CONCLUSIONS: Subglottic stenosis treatment must be individualised based on patient characteristics, type of stenosis and severity. The use of endoscopic laser provides the best results in mild to moderate degrees with low morbidity. Open surgery was reserved for severe degrees, and after the failure of the CO(2) laser.

[Phonation fistulas today]. / Fístulas fonatorias hoy.

OBJECTIVE: To describe our experience with the use of trachea-oesophageal puncture (TEP) after total laryngectomy. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We have studied retrospectively 96 patients who received a voice prosthesis through tracheoesophageal puncture between October 2000 and December 2005. RESULTS: The punctures effected were 86 primary (89.6 %) and 10 secondary (10.4 %); of the prostheses, 81 (84.4 %) were Provox(R) type and 74 % of patients used it as their normal means of communication. Reasons for withdrawal included insufficiency and aspiration in 66.7 % (14/21), lack of use in 23.8 % (2/21), granulation tissue, and inflammation in 4.7 % (1/21). CONCLUSIONS: Voice rehabilitation by TEP and prosthesis was successful in 74 % of our patients with acceptable complications and better results than those obtained by tracheaoesophageal speech. We recommend the use of TEP in those patients who have the motivation and a good oncological and physical assessment.