Gracilis free flap in head and neck reconstruction beyond facial palsy reanimation.

INTRODUCTION: The gracilis muscle free flap has gained popularity in head and neck reconstruction due to minimal donor-site morbidity, reliable vascular pedicle, strong muscular component, and possibility to perform nerve coaptation. However, almost all the existing evidence in the literature is related to its use for facial palsy reanimation. The aim of this study was therefore to review and provide a comprehensive summary of all the possible indications and outcomes of this versatile free flap in head neck reconstructive surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was conducted including articles from 1970 to 2019. All articles were examined and described. RESULTS: Twenty-seven papers published between 1994 and 2019 were identified for analysis. The evidence highlights the use of the gracilis muscle free flap for parotid, forehead and midface defects, oral tongue, oral sphincter, lower and upper lip, cheek, and oral commissure defects, among others, as the most common defects reconstructed. CONCLUSION: This flap represents an easy to harvest and versatile free flap with low donor-site morbidity and multiple proven uses in head & neck reconstruction. We therefore encourage reconstructive surgeons to include this flap in their armoury, either as a first or as a second-line option.

Gracilis free flap in head and neck reconstruction beyond facial palsy reanimation

Introduction: The gracilis muscle free flap has gained popularity in head and neck reconstruction due to minimal donor-site morbidity, reliable vascular pedicle, strong muscular component, and possibility to perform nerve coaptation. However, almost all the existing evidence in the literature is related to its use for facial palsy reanimation. The aim of this study was therefore to review and provide a comprehensive summary of all the possible indications and outcomes of this versatile free flap in head neck reconstructive surgery.Materials and methodsA systematic review of the literature was conducted including articles from 1970 to 2019. All articles were examined and described.ResultsTwenty-seven papers published between 1994 and 2019 were identified for analysis. The evidence highlights the use of the gracilis muscle free flap for parotid, forehead and midface defects, oral tongue, oral sphincter, lower and upper lip, cheek, and oral commissure defects, among others, as the most common defects reconstructed.ConclusionThis flap represents an easy to harvest and versatile free flap with low donor-site morbidity and multiple proven uses in head & neck reconstruction. We therefore encourage reconstructive surgeons to include this flap in their armoury, either as a first or as a second-line option. (AU)

Introducción: El colgajo libre de músculo gracilis ha ganado popularidad en la reconstrucción de cabeza y cuello debido a una mínima morbilidad en el sitio donante, un pedículo vascular confiable, un componente muscular fuerte y la posibilidad de realizar una coaptación nerviosa. Sin embargo, casi toda la evidencia existente en la literatura está relacionada con su uso para la reanimación de la parálisis facial. El objetivo de este estudio fue, por tanto, revisar y proporcionar un resumen completo de todas las posibles indicaciones y resultados de este versátil colgajo libre en cirugía reconstructiva de cabeza y cuello.Materiales y métodosSe realizó una revisión sistemática de la literatura incluyendo artículos de 1970 a 2019. Todos fueron examinados y descritos.ResultadosSe identificaron 27 artículos publicados entre 1994 y 2019 para su análisis. La evidencia destaca el uso del colgajo libre de músculo gracilis para defectos de parótida, frente y región medio facial, lengua oral, esfínter oral, labio inferior y superior, defectos de mejilla y comisura oral, como los defectos reconstruidos más comunes.ConclusiónEste colgajo representa un colgajo libre versátil y fácil de elevar con baja morbilidad a nivel del sitio donante y múltiples posibilidades en la reconstrucción de cabeza y cuello. Por lo tanto, representa una herramienta útil en el arsenal reconstructivo de cualquier cirujano, ya sea como una opción de primera o de segunda línea. (AU)

Translation and Validation of the Facial Clinimetric Evaluation Scale to Spanish.

OBJECTIVE: Peripheral facial palsy is a disabling condition; thus, assessing its impact on quality of life is one of the greatest challenges within this discipline. The Facial Clinimetric Evaluation (FaCE) Scale has been validated for this purpose. The aim of this study is to translate and validate the Spanish version of the FaCE Scale. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a forward-backward translation of the original English FaCE Scale. A pilot test and a posterior prospective validation study were performed. SETTING: A pilot test and a posterior prospective validation study were conducted in a specialized facial palsy unit in a tertiary hospital. METHODS: A validation study was carried out in 85 patients to calculate the scale's internal consistency and validity and to compare outcomes with the Sunnybrook Facial Grading System and the Facial Disability Index (FDI). RESULTS: Internal consistency was evaluated by Cronbach's α coefficient, which showed a value of 0.841 (95% CI, 0.786-0.886). The total FaCE Scale score correlates well with the Sunnybrook, FDI physical function, and FDI social/well-being function scores: r = 0.773, r = 0.883, and r = 0.523, respectively. The FDI social/well-being function has the highest correlation with the FaCE Scale social function domain (r = 0.595). CONCLUSION: The Spanish version of the FaCE Scale demonstrated a high psychometric property that allows it to be used for clinical practice to assess the quality of life of Spanish-speaking patients with peripheral facial palsy.

Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumor: A Rare Location in the Parotid Gland.

Desmoplastic small round cell tumor represents an unusual variety of tumors that affects mostly children and young males. In this report we present a case of a desmoplastic small round cell tumor involving the parotid gland of a young male. The tumor was excised, and definitive histology showed features of desmoplastic small round cell tumor confirming the diagnosis.

Parálisis facial: guía de práctica clínica de la Sociedad Española de ORL / Facial paralysis: Clinical practice guideline of the Spanish Society of Otolaryngology

La parálisis de Bell es la forma más común de paresia o parálisis facial. Sin embargo, no todos los pacientes con parálisis facial tienen una parálisis de Bell. Otras causas frecuentes incluyen las secuelas del tratamiento del neurinoma del VIII par, el cáncer de cabeza y cuello, la iatrogenia, el zóster ótico y los traumatismos. El abordaje de cada una de estas situaciones es totalmente diferente. El objetivo de esta guía es servir de consejo para el tratamiento y el seguimiento de los pacientes con parálisis facial. Nuestra idea es que la guía sea práctica, haciendo hincapié en recomendaciones efectivas y útiles en el manejo diario de los pacientes. Esta guía ha sido promovida por la Sociedad Española de ORL y escrita por médicos con experiencia en la enfermedad del nervio facial, incluyendo al menos un especialista de cada comunidad autónoma. Redactada en un formato de preguntas y respuestas, incluye 56 cuestiones relevantes relacionadas con el nervio facial

Bell's palsy is the most common diagnosis associated with facial nerve weakness or paralysis. However, not all patients with facial paresis/paralysis have Bell's palsy. Other common causes include treatment of vestibular schwannoma, head and neck tumours, iatrogenic injuries, Herpes zoster, or trauma. The approach to each of these conditions varies widely. The purpose of this guideline is to provide clinicians with guidance on the treatment and monitoring of patients with different causes of facial paralysis. We intend to draft a practical guideline, focusing on operationalised recommendations deemed to be useful in the daily management of patients. This guideline was promoted by the Spanish Society of Otolaryngology and developed by a group of physicians with an interest in facial nerve disorders, including at least one physician from each Autonomous Community. In a question and answer format, it includes 56 relevant topics related to the facial nerve

Facial paralysis: Clinical practice guideline of the Spanish Society of Otolaryngology. / Parálisis facial: guía de práctica clínica de la Sociedad Española de ORL.

Bell's palsy is the most common diagnosis associated with facial nerve weakness or paralysis. However, not all patients with facial paresis/paralysis have Bell's palsy. Other common causes include treatment of vestibular schwannoma, head and neck tumours, iatrogenic injuries, Herpes zoster, or trauma. The approach to each of these conditions varies widely. The purpose of this guideline is to provide clinicians with guidance on the treatment and monitoring of patients with different causes of facial paralysis. We intend to draft a practical guideline, focusing on operationalised recommendations deemed to be useful in the daily management of patients. This guideline was promoted by the Spanish Society of Otolaryngology and developed by a group of physicians with an interest in facial nerve disorders, including at least one physician from each Autonomous Community. In a question and answer format, it includes 56 relevant topics related to the facial nerve.

Utility of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of cholesteatoma and the influence of the learning curve.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to assess the usefulness and reliability of this technique in our center, correlating the radiological and surgical findings and to study the influence of the learning curve by comparing the initial results with a radiological analysis performed 3 years after. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: 67 patients with clinical cholesteatoma suspicion were included in the study, 24 with previously not operated cholesteatoma and 43 with suspicion of recurrent or residual cholesteatoma. All of them underwent diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging, comparing these results with the histological confirmation after surgery. At 3 years, a blind radiological review of these cases was performed and the results were compared with those obtained after the first assessment to objectify the influence of the learning curve. RESULTS: The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the total sample were 93.9, 77.8, 92 and 82.4. The overall results after the blind review of the cases were 95.9, 94.4, 97.9 and 89.5, respectively. CONCLUSION: The diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging is a very useful technique during the diagnostic process of doubtful cases of cholesteatoma, especially in cases of follow-up. As for the influence of the learning curve, we observed a clear improvement in the specificity of the test.

Porcine experimental model for perforator flap raising in reconstructive microsurgery.

BACKGROUND: Perforator free flap-based reconstruction of the head and neck is a challenging surgical procedure and needs a steep learning curve. A reproducible mammal large animal model with similarities to human anatomy is relevant for perforator flap raising and microanastomosis. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of a swine model for perforator-based free flaps in reconstructive microsurgery. METHODS: Eleven procedures were performed under general anesthesia in a porcine model, elevating a skin flap vascularized by perforating musculocutaneous branches of the superior epigastric artery to evaluate the relevance of this model for head and neck reconstructive microsurgery. RESULTS: The anterior abdominal skin perforator-based free flap in a swine model irrigated by the superior epigastric artery was elevated in eleven procedures. In six of these procedures, we could perform an arterial and venous microanastomosis to the great vessels located in the base of the neck. CONCLUSIONS: The porcine experimental model of superior epigastric artery perforator-based free flap reconstruction offers relevant similarities to the human deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap. We could demonstrate this model as acceptable for perforator free flap training due to the necessity of perforator and pedicle dissection and transfer to a distant area.

Cochlear implantation in the elderly: outcomes, long-term evolution, and predictive factors.

OBJECTIVE: Our goal in this study is to find out the outcomes of cochlear implantation in elderly (> 60 years) and check if this improvement is similar to that of their younger counterparts in short- and long-term evolution. In addition, we have attempted to ascertain the predictive factors that might affect the verbal comprehension results of older patients. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: Ninety-four patients older than 40 years, divided into two groups. 40-60 years n = 55 and > 60 years n = 39. A pure-tone audiometry, a disyllabic word test, and the test of phonetically balanced sentences of Navarra were made in silence to each patient. These measurements were made pre-implantation and 1, 5, and 10 year post-implantation. Peri- and postoperative complications were registered. The hypothetic predictive factors of post-implanted performance were evaluated in the elderly. RESULTS: Our study shows no significant difference between young and old adult´s outcomes in short- and long-term evolutions, nor in the complication rate. Furthermore, we proved the significant influence of the side of implantation, use of hearing aids, and duration of hearing loss in the short- and long-term results in the elderly. CONCLUSION: This study shows that cochlear implantation in the elderly is as safe, useful, and worthwhile as in young adults. Age has a low influence in cochlear implant outcomes; however, we have found the significant influence of the side of implantation, the use of hearing aids, and the duration of hearing loss in the short- and long-term results.

Evaluación del cambio en el umbral de la vía ósea en pacientes operados de estapedectomía / Study of the improvement in bone conduction threshold after stapedectomy

Introducción y objetivos: La alteración del umbral auditivo de la vía ósea no solo corresponde a enfermedad localizada en el oído interno y nervio coclear, sino que puede ser secundaria a enfermedad presente en el oído medio, como ocurre en la otosclerosis. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar el resultado audiológico posquirúrgico y evaluar el efecto de la estapedectomía en el umbral auditivo de la vía ósea en pacientes con otosclerosis. Material y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo de 95 pacientes (116 oídos) con hipoacusia de transmisión y mixta, diagnosticados de otosclerosis e intervenidos de forma consecutiva con la misma técnica de estapedectomía con platinectomía total. Se realizó audiometría tonal de las frecuencias 500, 1.000, 2.000 y 4.000Hz para la vía aérea y ósea en todos los casos de forma pre- y posquirúrgica (al mes y al año del procedimiento). Resultados: Se obtuvo un cierre del umbral diferencial de audición, con un valor residual<10dB en el 92,2% de los pacientes y<5dB en el 79,3%. La ganancia media obtenida en la vía aérea fue de 25dB. Los pacientes con afectación preoperatoria de la vía ósea mostraron una mejoría significativa en las frecuencias 1.000 (6dB) y 2.000 (12dB), con desaparición del escotoma de Carhart. Estos resultados se mantuvieron sin cambios al año de seguimiento. Conclusiones: Comprobamos una mejoría significativa de la vía ósea en las frecuencias 1.000 y 2.000Hz, con desaparición del escotoma de Carhart tras estapedectomía en pacientes diagnosticados de otosclerosis que presentan hipoacusia mixta (AU)

Introduction and objectives: Bone conduction threshold depression is not always a result of inner ear and cochlear nerve pathology. In fact, middle ear pathologies may be responsible for such threshold depression, as occurs in otosclerosis. The aims of this study were to evaluate the improvement of bone conduction threshold in patients with otosclerosis that underwent stapedectomy and to study the postoperative audiological results. Material and methods: This was a retrospective study on 95 patients (116 ears) diagnosed with otosclerosis having conductive or mixed hearing loss that received surgery (stapedectomy and complete removal of the footplate) consecutively. Audiometry was performed on all patients pre- and postoperatively (one month and one year after surgery). Bone and air conduction thresholds were measured at 4 frequencies (500, 1000, 2000 and 4000Hz). Results: The air-bone gap was closed, with a residual air-bone gap below 10dB in 92.2% of the patients and below 5dB in 79.3% of the cases. The air conduction threshold improved an average of 25dB. The patients that had an affected bone conduction threshold preoperatively improved bone conduction postoperatively at the frequencies of 1000 and 2000Hz (6 and 12dB, respectively). Consequently, the Carhart notch disappeared on the audiogram. These results were maintained at one year of follow up. Conclusions: We found a significant improvement in the bone conduction threshold at the frequencies of 1000 and 2000Hz and a disappearance of the Carhart notch in the audiogram after stapedectomy and total footplate removal in patients diagnosed with otosclerosis having mixed hearing loss (AU)

Study of the improvement in bone conduction threshold after stapedectomy. / Evaluación del cambio en el umbral de la vía ósea en pacientes operados de estapedectomía.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Bone conduction threshold depression is not always a result of inner ear and cochlear nerve pathology. In fact, middle ear pathologies may be responsible for such threshold depression, as occurs in otosclerosis. The aims of this study were to evaluate the improvement of bone conduction threshold in patients with otosclerosis that underwent stapedectomy and to study the postoperative audiological results. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study on 95 patients (116 ears) diagnosed with otosclerosis having conductive or mixed hearing loss that received surgery (stapedectomy and complete removal of the footplate) consecutively. Audiometry was performed on all patients pre- and postoperatively (one month and one year after surgery). Bone and air conduction thresholds were measured at 4 frequencies (500, 1000, 2000 and 4000Hz). RESULTS: The air-bone gap was closed, with a residual air-bone gap below 10dB in 92.2% of the patients and below 5dB in 79.3% of the cases. The air conduction threshold improved an average of 25dB. The patients that had an affected bone conduction threshold preoperatively improved bone conduction postoperatively at the frequencies of 1000 and 2000Hz (6 and 12dB, respectively). Consequently, the Carhart notch disappeared on the audiogram. These results were maintained at one year of follow up. CONCLUSIONS: We found a significant improvement in the bone conduction threshold at the frequencies of 1000 and 2000Hz and a disappearance of the Carhart notch in the audiogram after stapedectomy and total footplate removal in patients diagnosed with otosclerosis having mixed hearing loss.