The peritonsillar abscess and its management - is incision and drainage only a makeshift to the tonsillectomy or a permanent solution?

Introduction: This study aims to examine the long-term management of peritonsillar abscess and compare needle aspiration, incision with drainage, and tonsillectomy in terms of comorbidities, complication rates, and recurrences in the largest study cohort published to date. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients, both adults and children, who were treated for peritonsillar abscess between 2007 and 2019. Patient charts were analyzed to assess surgical treatment, infection and inflammation rates, risk of bleeding, recurrence rates, duration of illness, and sick certificates. Additionally, patient imaging and blood levels were compared. Postal questionnaires were sent to all patients to evaluate subjective success rates, complications, and long-term benefits of the different treatment regimens. General practitioners and ENT doctors in private practices were contacted to gather missing data on the long-term course of the disease. Results: A total of 821 patients with peritonsillar abscess were included in this study. Two patients had to be excluded due to incidental pathological findings. Of the remaining 819 patients, 180 were successfully treated with needle aspiration or incision. Among these patients, 37.7% required tonsillectomy during the same inpatient stay. Laboratory parameters such as leukocyte count or C-reactive protein levels were not indicative of the need for tonsillectomy. Furthermore, computed tomography was only necessary in cases of suspected parapharyngeal abscess, not in clear cases of peritonsillar abscess. Among the 641 patients who underwent tonsillectomy, 11.4% experienced postoperative bleeding requiring treatment. Only patients who underwent bilateral tonsillectomy reported recurrent episodes of sore throat and pharyngitis resulting in absence from work. The ipsilateral recurrence rate for peritonsillar abscess after needle aspiration or incision was 2.8%. There were no contralateral recurrences during the observation period. Conclusion: Due to the lower risk of postoperative bleeding, shorter absence from work, and shorter inpatient stay, incision and drainage are the preferable treatment for peritonsillar abscess. Additionally, patients who underwent bilateral tonsillectomy reported higher rates of work incapacity due to sore throat caused by pharyngitis. No patient met the clear indication for bilateral tonsillectomy due to recurrent acute tonsillitis. The recurrence rate after drainage without tonsillectomy was very low (2.8% ipsilaterally, no recurrence contralaterally).

Impact of a Multidisciplinary Head and Neck Tumor Board on Treatment and Survival in Laryngeal Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Pretherapeutic discussion in the head and neck tumor board (HNT) has been mandatory at the University Medical Center Freiburg since 01/2015, and it is intended to contribute to a survival benefit through interdisciplinary decision making. Prior to 2015, an optional HNT existed in which mainly advanced tumor stages were discussed. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of a pretherapeutic HNT on treatment and survival in laryngeal cancer. METHODS: A retrospective data analysis of 412 laryngeal carcinoma patients treated at the Head and Neck Cancer Center of the University Medical Center Freiburg between 01/2010 and 12/2020 was conducted. Differences regarding TNM status, UICC classification, tumor localization, gender and age at initial diagnosis, recurrence, secondary tumors, therapy, 5-year survival, and 5-year recurrence-free survival (5YSR/5Y-RFS) were assessed for therapy initiation with or without a pretherapeutic HNT. RESULTS: In total, 314 patients underwent a pretherapeutic HNT, and 98 received therapy initiation without an HNT. The HNT group showed significantly more advanced T stages and UICC classifications (p < 0.001; p = 0.003) and more frequent primary chemo/radiotherapy (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference regarding 5YSR (43 vs. 47 months, p = 0.96) or 5Y-RFS (48 vs. 52 months, p = 0.16). The time between initial diagnosis and therapy initiation was significantly longer when an HNT was performed (38 vs. 20 days, p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: The HNT group showed significantly more advanced tumor stages, suggesting that even before it became mandatory, it was frequently used for interdisciplinary case discussion in more complex cases. Due to the small number of T3/4 patients in the non-HNT group, a survival advantage of an HNT cannot be validly demonstrated in our study. However, the HNT led to broader patient counselling regarding their therapy options. At the same time, a significant delay in therapy initiation could be seen, suggesting that workflows between diagnosis, HNT presentation, and therapy initiation should be optimized.

[Posttherapeutic quality of life after treatment of salivary gland cancer]. / Posttherapeutische Lebensqualität nach Behandlung von Speicheldrüsenkarzinomen.

BACKGROUND: In addition to overall survival and recurrence-free interval, posttherapeutic quality of life has been established as an independent criterion for treatment evaluation. Thereby, both the specific changes in the head and neck region and their objectification represent a particular challenge for the assessment of quality of life. There are different validated questionnaires available. OBJECTIVE: Based on the literature, an overview of the relevant questionnaire instruments is given and the specific aspects in patients with salivary gland cancer are presented. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A selective literature search was conducted to collect publications dealing with the assessment of health-related quality of life in head and neck tumor patients. The papers were critically appraised and summarized. RESULTS: There are some validated questionnaires available to measure quality of life in patients with head and neck tumors as well as a few specific questionnaires for patients after parotidectomy. CONCLUSION: By assessing quality of life using standardized questionnaire instruments, disease and treatment consequences can be objectified. Thus, the need for supportive measures, e.g., for rehabilitation in facial nerve palsy, can be identified more reliably.

Biofunctionalization of porcine-derived collagen matrices with platelet rich fibrin: influence on angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo.

OBJECTIVES: Porcine-derived collagen matrices (CM) can be used for oral tissue regeneration, but sufficient revascularization is crucial. The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) on angiogenesis of different CM in vitro and in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three different CM (mucoderm®, jason®, collprotect®) were combined with PRF in a plotting process. Growth factor release (VEGF, TGF-ß) was measured in vitro via ELISA quantification after 1,4 and 7 days in comparison to PRF alone. In ovo yolk sac (YSM) and chorion allantois membrane (CAM) model, angiogenic potential were analyzed in vivo with light- and intravital fluorescence microscopy after 24 h, then verified with immunohistochemical staining for CD105 and αSMA. RESULTS: Highest growth factor release was seen after 24 h for all three activated membranes in comparison to the native CM (VEGF 24 h: each p < 0.05; TGF-ß: each p < 0.001) and the PRF (no significant difference). All activated membranes revealed a significantly increased angiogenic potential in vivo after 24 h (vessels per mm2: each p < 0.05; branching points per mm2: each p < 0.01; vessel density: each p < 0.05) and with immunohistochemical staining for CD105 (each p < 0.01) and αSMA (each p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: PRF improved the angiogenesis of CM in vitro and in vivo. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Bio-functionalization of CM with PRF could easily implemented in the clinical pathway and may lead to advanced soft tissue healing.