Surveillance and control of African Swine Fever in free-ranging pigs in Sardinia.

African swine fever (ASF) is a notifiable infectious disease, caused by the ASF virus (ASFV), which is a DNA virus belonging to the family Asfarviridae, genus Asfivirus. This disease has gained importance in the last decade after its spread in several countries in Eastern and Central Europe, and more recently, in China. Despite the efforts made to eradicate it, ASF is still present on the Mediterranean island of Sardinia (Italy) and has been since 1978. ASF risk factors on the island have been analysed in previous studies; the role of free-ranging pigs in virus persistence has been suggested, but has not been fully elucidated. The most recent eradication plan provides more stringent measures to combat free-ranging pigs and any kind of illegality in the pig sector. From December 2017 to June 2018, a total of 29 depopulation actions were performed in 13 municipalities in central Sardinia, during which 2,281 free-ranging pigs were culled and more than 50% of them were tested for ASFV and antibody presence (1,218 and 1,416, respectively). A total of 651 pigs were seropositive, with a mean seroprevalence of 53.4% (CI 95% = 50.6-56.3), and 38 were ASFV positive (virus prevalence = 2.6%; CI 95% = 2.1-3.0). To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first to provide a complete evaluation of this millennial system of pig farming and ASFV prevalence in free-ranging pigs. Furthermore, it has emphasised the necessity of combining the maintenance of an epidemiological surveillance program with continuous education of farmers and other people involved in pig husbandry, based on cultural and economic aspects.

Bocca's hemipharyngo-total laryngectomy for hypopharyngeal carcinoma to avoid reconstruction with a pedicled flap.

BACKGROUND: Major pharyngeal defects after total pharyngolaryngectomy for hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) frequently demand reconstruction strategies that include myocutaneous pedicled flaps, such as the pectoralis major flap. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical charts of 24 patients with hypopharyngeal SCC treated with Bocca's hemipharyngo-total laryngectomy (HPTL) at our Institution. RESULTS: Eighteen patients (80%) experienced no disease recurrence after primary surgery and were alive with no evidence of disease after a mean follow-up of 43 months. The 2-year overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) rates in our sample were 69% and 82%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Bocca's HPTL enables an immediate neopharyngeal reconstruction, and is indicated in selected patients with intermediate to advanced hypopharyngeal tumors.

Two-stage CO2-laser-assisted bilateral cordectomy for cT1b glottic carcinoma.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present paper was to investigate the oncological safety of two-stage bilateral cordectomy for the treatment of cT1b glottic SCC, and to compare its oncological outcome and synechia development rate with those of single-stage procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was performed at the Otolaryngology Unit of Vittorio Veneto Laryngeal Cancer Center (Italy). The prognostic significance of clinical, pathological and surgical factors was also investigated, in terms of recurrence rate and disease-free survival, in a univariate statistical setting. RESULTS: Our results indicate that patients treated with primary two-stage bilateral cordectomy achieved local control in 96% of cases, with 95% disease-specific and 88% overall survival rates, and a 95% organ preservation rate, with anterior synechiae developing in 1 case. Involvement of the deep surgical margins correlated with a worse prognosis. Patients developed anterior synechiae less frequently after two-stage bilateral cordectomy, and experienced no higher recurrence rate or shorter disease-free survival than patients treated with a single-stage procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Two-stage bilateral cordectomy is a safe and effective procedure. In selected patients it could be considered the primary approach for the treatment of early glottic cT1b carcinomas.

Free-flap iliac crest in mandibular reconstruction following segmental mandibulectomy for squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity.

The aim of the study was to asses the anatomic and functional results and quality of life of a cohort of patients submitted to immediate reconstruction with the iliac osteomusculocutaneous free flap following composite resection for carcinoma of the oral cavity. Twelve patients affected by squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity were submitted to a single surgical procedure that included a segmental mandibulectomy in a composite resection, followed by primary reconstruction using a vascularized bone-containing free flap of the iliac crest. Reconstruction failed in one patient. Functional results as well as quality of life of 10/12 patients were evaluated using the Performance Status Scale and Functional Assessment Cancer Therapy General Scale questionnaires, appropriately modified for the pathology. The results were compared with those obtained in a group of five patients who underwent composite resection for oral carcinoma without mandibular reconstruction. Patients submitted to reconstruction noted a greater physical well being (score 22/78% vs. 16/53%; max. 28/100%), socio-family relationships (score 23/81% vs. 18/64%; max. 28/100%), emotional (score 18/90% vs. 14/70%; max. 20/100%) and general functional well-being (score 24/86% vs. 14/50%; max. 28/100%). Better recovery in functional mastication and swallowing was also observed (score 17/70% vs. 9/37%; max. 24/100%). A follow-up of longer than 6 months showed minimal donor site morbidity.