Fast-Tracking of Publication Times of Otolaryngology Papers During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Introduction The outbreak of COVID-19 has produced an unprecedented number of trials and articles. Objective To study the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on otolaryngology-head and neck surgery (ORL-HNS) journal processing times. Methods Original papers search of published in selected ORL-HNS journals in terms of times from submission-to-acceptance (S-A), acceptance-to-first online publication (A-P), and submission-to-online publication (S-P). Papers were divided into those published in the pre-COVID-19 era and those during the COVID-19 era. The latter were further divided into unrelated to COVID-19 and related to COVID-19. Results A total of 487 articles from 5 selected ORL-HNS journals were included, of which 236 (48.5%) were published during the pre-COVID-19 era and 251 (51.5%) were published during the COVID-19 era. Among them, 180 (37%) papers were not related to COVID-19, and 71 (14.5%) were related to COVID-19. The S-A duration of COVID-19-related articles was significantly shorter compared with that of papers submitted in the pre-COVID-19 era and to papers submitted in the COVID-19 era but unrelated to COVID-19 (median 6 to 34 days compared to 65 to 125 and 46 to 127, respectively) in all 5 journals. The most prominent reductions in S-A and S-P times were documented in the laryngology and otology/neurotology disciplines, respectively. Conclusions Processing times of the included papers were significantly shorter in most of the selected ORL-HNS journals during the COVID-19 era compared with the pre-COVID-19 era. COVID-19-related papers were processed more rapidly than non-COVID-19-related papers. These findings testify to the possibility of markedly expediting S-P times and hopefully set a precedent for postpandemic publishing schedules. Level Of Evidence: 5.

Lateral Neck Dissection for Well-Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma: Is Prophylactic Level V Neck Dissection Necessary? A Retrospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: The presence of clinically detectable papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) metastases in the lateral neck is an indication for neck dissection (ND) and thyroidectomy. Although there is a consensus regarding the importance of therapeutic selective ND of involved levels II to IV in patients with clinically evident locoregional metastatic disease, the prognostic benefit of level V prophylactic ND remains debatable. METHODS: All patients who underwent thyroidectomy with ND for metastatic PTC between 2006 and 2019 were included in a single-institution retrospective study. Preoperative characteristics at initial presentation, imaging workup, intraoperative findings, and the final histopathological reports were retrieved from the institutional database. RESULTS: A total of 189 patients with locally advanced PTC were identified, of whom 22 (11.6%) patients underwent therapeutic selective ND at levels II to IV together with level V dissection due to clinical involvement. Comparison of the patients who were operated on level V to those who were not revealed no significant difference. The disease recurrence rate was 20.1% throughout an average follow-up of 5.1±3.1 years. No significant differences in recurrence rate were found between patients who underwent and those who did not undergo level V ND (22.7% vs 19.8%, P = .648). No recurrence at resected level V was detected during follow-up, while recurrence at level V was found in 4 (2.1%) patients who did not undergo level V dissection. Evidence of macroscopic and microscopic extrathyroidal extension was significant predictors of disease recurrence risk. CONCLUSION: There were no significant associations between level V dissection and risk for recurrence. Recurrence at level V was rare (4/189 patients, 2.1%). Our study's findings suggest a low prophylactic benefit of an elective level V ND. Elective level V ND should not be done routinely when lateral ND is indicated but should rather be considered after careful evaluation in high-risk patients.

Fast-Tracking of Publication Times of Otolaryngology Papers During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

To study the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on journal processing times before publication in the field of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery (ORL-HNS). Online search of original papers published in selected ORL-HNS journals in terms of times from submission to acceptance (S-A), acceptance to first online publication (A-P), and submission to online publication (S-P). Papers were divided into those published in the pre-COVID-19 era and those during the COVID-19 era. The latter were further divided into unrelated to COVID-19 and related to COVID-19. A total of 487 articles from 5 selected ORL-HNS journals were included, of which 236 (48.5%) were published during the pre-COVID-19 era and 251 (51.5%) were published during the COVID-19 era. Among them, 180 (37%) papers were not related to COVID-19, and 71 (14.5%) were related to COVID-19. The S-A duration of COVID-19-related articles was significantly shorter compared to papers submitted in the pre-COVID-19 era and to papers submitted in the COVID-19 era but unrelated to COVID-19 (median 6-34 days compared to 65-125 and 46-127, respectively) in all 5 journals. The most prominent reductions in S-A and S-P times were documented in the laryngology and otology/neurotology disciplines, respectively. Processing times of the included papers were significantly shorter in most of the selected ORL-HNS journals during the COVID-19 era compared to the pre-COVID-19 era. COVID-19-related papers were processed more rapidly than non-COVID-19-related papers. These findings testify to the possibility of markedly expediting S-P times and hopefully set a precedent for post-pandemic publishing schedules.

Histopathological Characteristics of N1b Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma are Associated with Risk of Recurrence.

BACKGROUND: The presence of cervical lymph node (LN) metastasis at the initial presentation of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) constitutes an independent risk factor for disease recurrence, increases the risk for mortality, and impacts overall outcome. The 2016 American Joint Committee on Cancer raised the age cutoff for PTC staging from 45 to 55 years for better prediction of overall survival. Age > 55 years is considered a significant risk factor for a more aggressive and advanced disease with worse outcomes. We identified histopathological factors for disease recurrence in PTC patients younger and older than 55 years of age. METHODS: Data on all patients who underwent thyroid surgery due to PTC between 2006 and 2018 in the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center were retrieved for this retrospective cohort study. Patients with lymph node (LN) metastases were further investigated for preoperative presentation, pathological characteristics, and recurrence. A multivariate analysis was used to detect predictors for recurrence and patient outcome for each age-group. RESULTS: Twenty-two of the 183 patients (12%) with PTC who met the inclusion criteria and had sufficient follow-up period sustained recurrence. The predictors of recurrence varied between the two age-groups. The size of thyroid lesions (p = 0.003) was identified as a risk factor in the older group, while the number of metastatic cervical LNs (p = 0.001) and the ratio of metastatic-to-total dissected cervical LNs (p = 0.027) were the main predictors of recurrence for the younger group. CONCLUSION: The histopathological factors predictive for disease recurrence differed among PTC patients younger and older than 55 years of age.

The role of voice rest after micro-laryngeal surgery for benign vocal fold lesions.

PURPOSE: To compare post-operative vocal outcomes of a voice rest regimen versus no voice restrictions following micro-laryngeal surgery for benign glottic lesions. METHODS: This was a combined prospective and retrospective cohort study on 167 patients who underwent micro-laryngeal surgery for benign focal fold lesion removal. Participants were divided into two regimens: standard voice rest (n = 92) or no voice restriction (n = 75). The primary outcome was post-operative vocal improvement, evaluated using voice handicap index questionnaire (VHI-10), GRBAS scale, and computerised acoustic analysis (shimmer, jitter, and the harmonic-to-noise ratio). The secondary outcome was emergence of vocal fold mucosal abnormalities in the immediate post-operative period. Parameters were collected at baseline and at the last clinical visit. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the voice rest and no-voice rest groups regarding baseline parameters of age, gender, laryngeal pathology, and voice use. Improvement in GRBAS scale values and VHI-10 scores between pre- and post-operative periods between groups did not demonstrate any statistically significant differences (P = 0.5303 and P = 0.1457, respectively). Similarly, the results of computerized voice analysis also showed no differences between groups in terms of shimmer (P = 0.9590), jitter (P = 0.5692), and harmonic-to-noise ratio (P = 0.1871). No correlation was found between the post-operative vocal fold's mucosal abnormalities and the type of voice rest regimen. CONCLUSION: Voice quality and wound healing were similar regardless of the type of voice rest regimen applied. No voice rest at all was as good as voice rest after micro-laryngeal surgery.

To patch or not to patch acute isolated traumatic tympanic membrane perforations: a case series and systematic literature review.

OBJECTIVE: To date, there is no consensus about the benefits of paper patching over spontaneous healing in the management of isolated acute traumatic tympanic membrane perforations (IATTMP). In this systematic literature review and case series, we compared paper patching of IATTMP to spontaneous healing in terms of healing rate and time to heal. DATABASES REVIEWED: A systematic literature search of English-language studies published from 1/1975 to 9/2020 was conducted using PubMed via MEDLINE, and 201 studies were identified. Another 346 studies were derived from the references of those articles. Twenty-four studies remained after omitting duplications and articles that did not meet the inclusion criteria. METHODS: Demographics, medical history, physical examination, and audiometric results in the selected publications and in a new series of patients treated for IATTMP between 1/2018 and 1/2021 in a single tertiary referral center were retrieved and analyzed. RESULTS: The literature review yielded 2796 ears of which 466 underwent paper patching (intervention arm). Complete perforation healing was documented in 67-97% of control arm and 92-93% of intervention arm. Our new series included 29 ears of which six underwent paper patching. Complete healing was observed in 83% and 78% in the interventional and control arms, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although paper patching and watchful waiting had similar success rates in patients with IATTMP, healing after paper patching was slightly quicker among our patients. Patching is a readily applicable and technically simple office-based intervention that should be preferentially considered for IATTMP.

The incidence of postoperative re-stratification for recurrence in well-differentiated thyroid cancer-a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: After diagnosing well-differentiated thyroid cancer (WDTC), assessment of the risk for disease-specific recurrence is essential for deciding between hemi-thyroidectomy (HT) and total thyroidectomy (TT). The American Thyroid Association (ATA) 2015 guidelines suggest that patients with 1-4 cm WDTC without suspicious features may be suitable for HT. Patients' preoperatively determined risk levels are re-stratified according to surgical and final histopathological findings. The incidence and clinical implications of high-risk features discovered postoperatively in patients with preoperatively determined low-risk WDTC are yet to be better defined. METHODS: Thyroidectomies performed in the Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center (TASMC) [2006-2018] were included. Patients with 1-4 cm WDTC without evidence of positive cervical lymph nodes, invasion to adjacent structures, or high-risk cytology were considered at low risk for disease-specific recurrence-suitable for lobectomy. Patients were stratified according to their risk for disease-specific recurrence, pre- and postoperatively, and the rate of completion thyroidectomy was determined. RESULTS: In total, 301 (21%) patients were preoperatively stratified as low risk. Forty-six of them (15%) were re-stratified postoperatively as intermediate-to-high-risk. There were no significant differences in the characteristics of the patients who maintained their original stratification to patients who were upscaled to a higher risk level postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: We report a 15% rate of postoperative risk escalation of patients who required completion thyroidectomy according to current ATA guidelines. In our opinion, this rate of postoperative WDTC upscaling of risk requiring more radical surgery than originally planned, is acceptable. Meticulous preoperative personalized evaluation by an experienced multidisciplinary dedicated team is essential.

Free flap transfers for head and neck and skull base reconstruction in children and adolescents - Early and late outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: Reconstruction of surgical defects by free tissue transfer following resection of head and neck tumors in children are sparse. This study aims to assess the feasibility and safety of free flap reconstruction following surgical ablation of head and neck and skull base tumors in children based on our experience and the recent literature. METHODS: Data from medical files of all children and adolescents <18 years of age who underwent free flap reconstruction following resection of head and neck and skull base tumors at our tertiary center between 2000 and 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Data on early and late complications at the primary and donor sites, functional and aesthetic outcome, and tumor control were analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty-four children (mean age 11.3 ± 5.1 years) were enrolled. Early complications occurred in 14 (56%) and late complications occurred in 8 (32%) of the procedures, with surgical intervention required in 4 (16%). Prior chemoradiation, sarcoma, non-reanimation procedures, and the use of rectus abdominis free flaps were associated with higher complication rates. The final functional and cosmetic outcomes, including mastication, deglutition, and speech, were satisfactory in all patients with one exception. CONCLUSIONS: Free flap transfer is a safe and feasible technique for reconstructing head and neck and skull base defects following surgical excision of tumors in children. Early identification and precautionary measures against the effects of potential causes of complications may improve outcome. Larger international cohort studies are warranted.

The COVID-19 pandemic - from great challenge to unique opportunity: Perspective☆.

The 2019 novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and the disease it causes - coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have rapidly swept across the world since the first known human manifestation on December 8, 2019 in Wuhan (Hubei Province, China)1,2. The epidemic of the COVID-19 has presented as a grim and complex situation, causing great impact on economy and society, and seriously interfering with ordinary medical practice, threatening to exceed healthcare capacity in many countries over the globe. With no doubt, dealing with the COVID-19 has caused great social and medical crisis that presented great challenges to the medical and healthcare society, forcing it to face unprecedented times, and to reconceptualize how to provide quality health care while enforcing public health measures necessary for pandemic containment and optimal allocation of healthcare resources. However, along with this unparalleled time challenges, came great opportunities for changes and improvements, for innovations and creative solutions, some of which should be adopted and incorporated to the daily medical practices and social routine, even in the post-COVID-19 pandemic era.

Correction to: Total thyroidectomy with therapeutic level II-IV neck dissection for papillary thyroid carcinoma: level VI recurrence patterns.

The original article can be found online.

Minimally Invasive Approaches for Thyroid Surgery-Pitfalls and Promises.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To provide an overview of the feasibility and safety of current minimally invasive remote-access approaches for thyroid surgery, in view of the amounting new challenges and paradigm shifts in the management of thyroid pathologies. RECENT FINDINGS: Over the past two decades, several remote-access approaches for thyroid surgery have been developed to improve cosmesis; however, none has been widely adopted extensively in the Western world. The recently emerged transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy via vestibular approach (TOETVA) is the only true minimally invasive approach, completely avoiding skin incisions. It has a relatively short learning curve, midline surgical view, accessible surgical equipment, and relatively broad inclusion criteria with promising surgical outcomes as reported to date. TOETVA has proven to be safe and feasible for carefully selected patients. Further experience and long-term follow-up are needed to define the added value of TOETVA except for improved cosmetic outcome.

Total thyroidectomy with therapeutic level II-IV neck dissection for papillary thyroid carcinoma: level VI recurrence patterns.

OBJECTIVE: Lateral and central compartments cervical lymph nodes metastases are common among patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Elective level VI neck dissection during thyroidectomy and lateral neck dissection (LND) for the treatment of PTC with lateral compartment lymph node metastases is controversial because of the uncertain benefit in clinical outcomes and increased risks of surgical morbidity. We aimed to determine the potential benefit of elective level VI neck dissection in patients with cN1 papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) by investigating the rate and pattern of locoregional recurrence in PTC patients who underwent total thyroidectomy and therapeutic lateral node dissection (LND; levels II-IV) without elective level VI dissection. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study. Data on demographics, clinical presentation and workup, intraoperative and pathological report, postoperative course, adjuvant therapy, recurrence patterns, and overall survival were retrieved from the medical charts of patients who underwent thyroid surgery in our hospital between January 2006 and December 2017. RESULTS: A total of 1415 thyroidectomies were performed during the study period, of which 802 (56.67%) were for PTC. Of those PTC patients, 228 (28.42%) also underwent LND (levels II-VI) during the same thyroidectomy procedure. Thirty-four (14.91%) of those 228 patients, underwent total thyroidectomy with therapeutic lateral ND II-IV without elective level VI ND. During the follow-up period, five (14.7%) of the latter cohort were diagnosed with recurrence in central neck (level VI) lymph nodes, and four of them (11.7%) were diagnosed with ipsilateral recurrence at level VI. CONCLUSION: Our results revealed 11.7% rate of clinically significant recurrent disease in ipsilateral level VI which, in our opinion, does not justify routine prophylactic level VI ND dissection when the ipsilateral lateral neck is operated for metastases.

Surgical approaches for infratemporal fossa tumor resection: Fifteen years' experience of a single center.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study were to report our center's experience with infratemporal fossa (ITF) tumors, to review the treatment modalities and outcomes. METHODS: Data of patients that underwent resection of ITF tumors in a single tertiary referral medical center were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Sixty-three patients were included. Sarcoma was the most common pathology (18; 29%). The most common surgical approach was the preauricular-orbitozygomatic approach (24; 38%), followed by endoscopic, craniofacial resection, and combined approaches. Forty-seven patients (75%) required reconstruction, 23 (49%) involving free tissue transfer. Thirty-five patients (76%) with malignant lesions required adjuvant therapy consisting of radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or both. Thirty-three patients suffered from complications related to surgery or adjuvant therapy. The three- and five-years survival rates for malignancy were 82% and 66%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Complete surgical resection of ITF involving tumors is feasible, providing good long-term survival. Multidisciplinary approach is the key for success.

Artificial Intelligence Algorithms to Assess Hormonal Status From Tissue Microarrays in Patients With Breast Cancer.

Importance: Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is the most widely used assay for identification of molecular biomarkers. However, IHC is time consuming and costly, depends on tissue-handling protocols, and relies on pathologists' subjective interpretation. Image analysis by machine learning is gaining ground for various applications in pathology but has not been proposed to replace chemical-based assays for molecular detection. Objective: To assess the prediction feasibility of molecular expression of biomarkers in cancer tissues, relying only on tissue architecture as seen in digitized hematoxylin-eosin (H&E)-stained specimens. Design, Setting, and Participants: This single-institution retrospective diagnostic study assessed the breast cancer tissue microarrays library of patients from Vancouver General Hospital, British Columbia, Canada. The study and analysis were conducted from July 1, 2015, through July 1, 2018. A machine learning method, termed morphological-based molecular profiling (MBMP), was developed. Logistic regression was used to explore correlations between histomorphology and biomarker expression, and a deep convolutional neural network was used to predict the biomarker expression in examined tissues. Main Outcomes and Measures: Positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and area under the receiver operating characteristics curve measures of MBMP for assessment of molecular biomarkers. Results: The database consisted of 20 600 digitized, publicly available H&E-stained sections of 5356 patients with breast cancer from 2 cohorts. The median age at diagnosis was 61 years for cohort 1 (412 patients) and 62 years for cohort 2 (4944 patients), and the median follow-up was 12.0 years and 12.4 years, respectively. Tissue histomorphology was significantly correlated with the molecular expression of all 19 biomarkers assayed, including estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and ERBB2 (formerly HER2). Expression of ER was predicted for 105 of 207 validation patients in cohort 1 (50.7%) and 1059 of 2046 validation patients in cohort 2 (51.8%), with PPVs of 97% and 98%, respectively, NPVs of 68% and 76%, respectively, and accuracy of 91% and 92%, respectively, which were noninferior to traditional IHC (PPV, 91%-98%; NPV, 51%-78%; and accuracy, 81%-90%). Diagnostic accuracy improved given more data. Morphological analysis of patients with ER-negative/PR-positive status by IHC revealed resemblance to patients with ER-positive status (Bhattacharyya distance, 0.03) and not those with ER-negative/PR-negative status (Bhattacharyya distance, 0.25). This suggests a false-negative IHC finding and warrants antihormonal therapy for these patients. Conclusions and Relevance: For at least half of the patients in this study, MBMP appeared to predict biomarker expression with noninferiority to IHC. Results suggest that prediction accuracy is likely to improve as data used for training expand. Morphological-based molecular profiling could be used as a general approach for mass-scale molecular profiling based on digitized H&E-stained images, allowing quick, accurate, and inexpensive methods for simultaneous profiling of multiple biomarkers in cancer tissues.

Long-term swallowing performance following transoral robotic surgery for obstructive sleep apnea.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: This study aimed to evaluate the long-term swallowing performance following transoral robotic surgery (TORS) to the base of tongue (BOT) in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective and prospective cohort study. METHODS: Data analysis of 39 patients who underwent BOT reduction via TORS to treat OSA at our center from September 2013 to April 2016. Long-term swallowing functions were assessed using subjective self-evaluated swallowing disturbances questionnaire (SDQ) and objective fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES). RESULTS: Seven patients underwent TORS BOT reduction alone, whereas 32 had also uvulopalatoplasty ± tonsillectomy, with a surgical success rate of 71.4%. Mean time for swallowing evaluation was 27.4 ± 9.43 months. Twenty-five patients completed the SDQ with an average score of 9.26 ± 10.05. In 32%, the SDQ was positive for dysphagia. In 10 out of 14 patients who underwent FEES, swallowing problems were noticed. The most common pathological findings were food residue in the vallecula followed by early spillage of food into the hypopharynx, penetration of solid food and liquid on the vocal folds surface, and aspiration. CONCLUSIONS: BOT reduction via TORS has a negative effect on long-term swallowing function. A self-assessment questionnaire can help detect patients who suffer from swallowing impairment. Postoperative objective swallowing tests are essential not only in the immediate postoperative period but also during late routine follow-up. Proper patient selection and detailed information about surgery and possible late-swallowing effect are important factors before scheduling BOT reduction via TORS for OSA treatment. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 129:422-428, 2019.

Modified ex utero intrapartum treatment procedure in a bicornuate uterus breech presentation Pierre Robin fetus with severe micrognathia and cleft palate.

Thorough prenatal evaluation allows for identification of fetuses with compromised airway. The ex utero intrapartum treatment procedure enables maintaining uteroplacental circulation during cesarean section while securing a potentially obstructed fetal airway, converting a potentially catastrophic situation into a controlled one. An expert multidisciplinary team is the key to success.

Warthin tumor of the larynx: A case report and review of the literature.

Warthin tumor (papillary cystadenoma lymphomatosum) is a benign salivary gland tumor that occurs almost exclusively in the parotid gland. As far as we know, only 15 cases of laryngeal Warthin tumor have been previously reported worldwide. We describe the case of a 75-year-old woman with a supraglottic tumor that mimicked a mucoepidermoid carcinoma. The tumor was completely excised via a transcervical approach. Pathology identified it as a Warthin tumor. At follow-up, the patient maintained good oral intake. Computed tomography 3 months postoperatively confirmed complete tumor resection and detected no evidence of residual disease or recurrence. We also discuss our review of the literature on benign laryngeal salivary gland tumors, which included an analysis of 112 cases. The most common tumors were oncocytic cystadenomas (n = 65), pleomorphic adenomas (n = 28), and Warthin tumors (n = 15); we also found 2 cases each of basal cell adenomas and myoepitheliomas. The most common single tumor site was the glottis (n = 25), followed by the supraglottis (n = 24), and the subglottis (n = 22); 5 cases occurred in multiple sites, and the specific site was not reported in 36 cases. Benign laryngeal neoplasms of salivary gland origin should be carefully evaluated. Distinguishing these tumors from malignant lesions and establishing the correct diagnosis are crucial for treatment planning. Large lesions with extralaryngeal extension can be resected completely via an open external approach.

Minimally Invasive Surgery for Resection of Parapharyngeal Space Tumors.

Background Surgical removal of parapharyngeal space tumors (PPST) poses challenges due to the complex anatomy of the region. PPSTs are routinely resected by a transcervical approach using blind finger dissection. Large PPSTs or those located high at the skull base, often require transmandibular or infratemporal fossa approaches, associated with considerable morbidity. Objective Here, we describe an approach for PPST removal that comprises transcervical endoscopic, with or without transoral robotic technique. Materials and Methods We retrospectively studied the demographic, clinical, surgical, and outcome data of 11 consecutive patients who underwent PPST excision between June 2013 and July 2017 at our center. Patients either underwent a transcervical endoscopic procedure ( n = 4), a transoral robotic procedure ( n = 2) or a combination of the two procedures ( n = 5). Results Complete tumor excision was achieved in all cases, with no intra-, peri-, or postoperative complications. Final histopathologic findings demonstrated pleomorphic adenoma for seven patients, cavernous hemangioma for one patient, and malignant tumors for three patients. The average tumor size was 44.22 ± 31.9 cm 3 (range: 7.5-111 cm 3 ). At follow-up (range: 3-42 months), there was no evidence of recurrence. Conclusions The approach described provides improved visualization and safe vascular control with minimum tumor stress, preventing the need for blind finger dissection, and allowing complete tumor removal while minimizing tumor spillage, nerve injury, and blood loss, maintaining excellent cosmetic and functional results. This approach could be utilized for the removal of large benign PPST, or small PPST located high.

Iatrogenic seeding of osteosarcoma in a tracheotomy tract - a case report.

Here, we describe the first reported case of osteosarcoma occurring postsurgically in a tracheotomy tract, highlighting the possibility of osteosarcoma seeding during head and neck surgery. Preventative measures such as performing the tracheostomy after the tumor resection while walling off the tracheostomy site from the operative field should be considered.

Skull Base Reconstruction in the Pediatric Patient.

Introduction Pediatric skull base and craniofacial reconstruction presents a unique challenge since the potential benefits of therapy must be balanced against the cumulative impact of multimodality treatment on craniofacial growth, donor-site morbidity, and the potential for serious psychosocial issues. Objectives To suggest an algorithm for skull base reconstruction in children and adolescents after tumor resection. Materials and Methods Comprehensive literature review and summary of our experience. Results We advocate soft-tissue reconstruction as the primary technique, reserving bony flaps for definitive procedures in survivors who have reached skeletal maturity. Free soft-tissue transfer in microvascular technique is the mainstay for reconstruction of large, three-dimensional defects, involving more than one anatomic region of the skull base, as well as defects involving an irradiated field. However, to reduce total operative time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, and donor-site morbidity, locoregional flaps are better be considered the flap of first choice for skull base reconstruction in children and adolescents, as long as the flap is large enough to cover the defect. Our "workhorse" for dural reconstruction is the double-layer fascia lata. Advances in endoscopic surgery, image guidance, alloplastic grafts, and biomaterials have increased the armamentarium for reconstruction of small and mid-sized defects. Conclusions Skull base reconstruction using locoregional flaps or free flaps may be safely performed in pediatrics. Although the general principles of skull base reconstruction are applicable to nearly all patients, the unique demands of skull base surgery in pediatrics merit special attention. Multidisciplinary care in experienced centers is of utmost importance.