Complications after Functional Neck Dissection in Head and Neck Cancer Patients: An Observational, Retrospective, Single-Centre Study.

INTRODUCTION: Functional neck dissection (FND) represents a surgical procedure usually associated with less morbidity. METHODS: An observational, retrospective, analysis of patients diagnosed with any type of head and neck malignancy was designed to summarize and report the incidence of postoperative complications in patients undergoing FND including just those levels described for selective neck dissections in a tertiary university hospital between June 2016 and June 2019. RESULTS: 131 patients met the inclusion criteria. The total number of sides studied was 200. 40.5% of the patients suffer a complication in the postoperative period, being the spinal accessory nerve (SAN) injury the most common complication (10%). We did not find any statistical -correlation between the previous organ-preservation treatments and surgical complications (p = 0.207). An advanced T stage (p = 0.009) and the need of bilateral FND (p = 0.034) were significantly correlated with a higher risk of surgical complications. CONCLUSION: FND represents a useful technique. In this study, 40.5% of the patients suffer a complication in the postoperative period, being the SAN injury the most common complication. However, these data contribute to increasing our knowledge about surgical complications related to FND.

Functional Results of Transverse Extended Incision in Cervical Neck Dissection.

Introduction Multiple incisions have been described for the surgical approach of cervical neck nodes. All of these descriptions are associated with better or worse exposure of the surgical field as well as with different functional and aesthetic results, which are not always satisfactory. Objective Compare the transverse cervical incision with the classic incision in J or U. Methods This is a retrospective study of 47 patients who required cervical neck dissection between June 15, 2016 and June 15, 2017.A transversal incision was made in these surgeries, and their results were then compared with those of a group of 57 patients treated between January 1, 2010 and January 1, 2012, in whose cases an incision in J or U was made. Results Regarding the incision type, complications were present in 4 (8.5%) cases in the transversal incision group, and in 7 (12.2%) patients of the group of traditional incisions in J or U, without statistical differences ( p = 0.078). The only variables associated with complications of healing in the two groups was body mass index (BMI) < 18.5. The patients showed subjective satisfaction with the aesthetic result of the transverse incision, with an average of 7.51 vs 6.20 in the J or U incision. Conclusion The transverse incision represents a safe, aesthetic, and oncologically adequate option, associated with a lower cicatricial retraction rate, without significant complication rate and allowing adequate exposure of the surgical field, similar to the obtained with the classic incision in J or U.

Functional Results of Transverse Extended Incision in Cervical Neck Dissection

Abstract Introduction Multiple incisions have been described for the surgical approach of cervical neck nodes. All of these descriptions are associated with better or worse exposure of the surgical field as well as with different functional and aesthetic results, which are not always satisfactory. Objective Compare the transverse cervical incision with the classic incision in J or U. Methods This is a retrospective study of 47 patients who required cervical neck dissection between June 15, 2016 and June 15, 2017.A transversal incision was made in these surgeries, and their results were then compared with those of a group of 57 patients treated between January 1, 2010 and January 1, 2012, in whose cases an incision in J or U was made. Results Regarding the incision type, complications were present in 4 (8.5 %) cases in the transversal incision group, and in 7 (12.2 %) patients of the group of traditional incisions in J or U, without statistical differences (p = 0.078). The only variables associated with complications of healing in the two groups was body mass index (BMI) < 18.5. The patients showed subjective satisfaction with the aesthetic result of the transverse incision, with an average of 7.51 vs 6.20 in the J or U incision. Conclusion The transverse incision represents a safe, aesthetic, and oncologically adequate option, associated with a lower cicatricial retraction rate, without significant complication rate and allowing adequate exposure of the surgical field, similar to the obtained with the classic incision in J or U.

Reconstrucción mediante colgajos basados en el sistema de la arteria facial. Un sistema vascular para múltiples usos en cirugía reconstructiva de cabeza y cuello / Reconstruction using facial artery system-based flaps. One vascular system for multiple purposes in head and neck reconstructive surgery

INTRODUCCIÓN: El objetivo del siguiente trabajo es la revisión de las modificaciones y avances en cirugía reconstructiva de tejidos blandos de la cavidad oral basándonos exclusivamente en los principales colgajos que dependen de arterias nominadas del sistema de la arteria facial. MÉTODOS: Revisión de la literatura y la experiencia propia respecto a reconstrucciones de cavidad oral basadas en colgajos del sistema de la arteria facial. DISCUSIÓN: La reconstrucción de la cavidad oral basada en colgajos dependientes del sistema de la arteria facial ofrece resultados satisfactorios y permite realizar reconstrucciones limitadas evitando la utilización de colgajos pediculados regionales o de colgajos libres. CONCLUSIONES: El conocimiento de las opciones reconstructivas utilizando el sistema de la arteria facial en cirugía de la cavidad oral permitirá a los cirujanos de cabeza y cuello ampliar las opciones de reconstrucción, adaptar de forma efectiva las reconstrucciones a los defectos quirúrgicos, permitiendo un abordaje de alta calidad, seguro y con menor consumo de recursos

INTRODUCTION: to review the modifications and advances in reconstructive surgery of the soft tissues of the oral cavity exclusively based on flaps that depend on the facial artery system. METHODS: review of the literature regarding oral cavity reconstructions based on main facial artery system flaps. DISCUSSION: The reconstruction of the soft tissues of the oral cavity, based on facial artery system flaps, offers satisfactory results and allows limited reconstructions avoiding the use of pedicled regional flaps or free flaps. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of reconstructive options using the facial artery system in oral cavity surgery allows expanding reconstructive options for head and neck surgeons, enabling safe, high quality and effective reconstructions, with limited resources consumption

Reconstruction using facial artery system-based flaps. One vascular system for multiple purposes in head and neck reconstructive surgery. / Reconstrucción mediante colgajos basados en el sistema de la arteria facial. Un sistema vascular para múltiples usos en cirugía reconstructiva de cabeza y cuello.

INTRODUCTION: to review the modifications and advances in reconstructive surgery of the soft tissues of the oral cavity exclusively based on flaps that depend on the facial artery system. METHODS: review of the literature regarding oral cavity reconstructions based on main facial artery system flaps. DISCUSSION: The reconstruction of the soft tissues of the oral cavity, based on facial artery system flaps, offers satisfactory results and allows limited reconstructions avoiding the use of pedicled regional flaps or free flaps. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of reconstructive options using the facial artery system in oral cavity surgery allows expanding reconstructive options for head and neck surgeons, enabling safe, high quality and effective reconstructions, with limited resources consumption.

Granular Cell Tumors of the Larynx: A Clinicopathologic Study of Five Patients.

Granular cell tumors (GCT) are uncommon neoplasms that may involve the larynx. Patients affected with a laryngeal GCT usually complain of dysphonia. When they involve the larynx, these tumors have predilection for the posterior half of the vocal cords. Between 2006 and 2018, we have experienced five cases of GCT involving the right true vocal cord. They were diagnosed and successfully treated with microsurgical resection. Here we present this 5-case series and a retrospective review of literature.

Marginal mandibular nerve injury during neck dissection of level IIa, and the influence of different types of dissection: diathermy versus cold knife.

INTRODUCTION: Post-operative injury of the marginal mandibular branch of the facial nerve is consider a complication in neck dissection and can be related to different factors including traction, devascularisation or the conduction block due to diathermy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective, crossover study including patients treated bilateral selective neck dissection of level IIa during a 12 months-period, was performed to evaluate the efficacy of the Hayes-Martin manoeuvre to prevent nerve injury during the use of cold or monopolar diathermy dissection. RESULTS: 20 patients met the inclusion criteria (40 neck dissections). Just one case of a right temporal MMN weakness in the post-operative period was observed (1/40 = 2,5%). There were no cases of permanent marginal mandibular nerve weakness using the Hayes-Martin manoeuvre Conclusion: The Hayes-Martin manoeuvre is a safe way to preserve MMN during neck dissection of level IIa, regardless of the type of dissection.

Vestibulo-ocular reflex gain values in the suppression head impulse test of healthy subjects.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether there are differences in vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gain for suppression head impulse (SHIMP) and head impulse (HIMP) video head impulse test paradigms, and if so, what are their causes. METHODS: Prospective multicenter observational double-blind nonrandomized clinical study was performed by collecting 80 healthy subjects from four reference hospitals. SHIMP data was postprocessed to eliminate impulses in which early SHIMP saccades were detected. Differences between HIMP and SHIMP VOR gain values were statistically evaluated. Head impulse maximum velocity, gender, age, direction of impulse, and hospital center were considered as possible influential factors. RESULTS: A small significant statistical difference between HIMP and SHIMP VOR gain values was found on repeated measures analysis of variance (-0.05 ± 0.006, P < 0.001). Optimized linear model showed a significant influence of age variable on the observed differences for HIMP and SHIMP gain values and did not find influence between gain values differences and maximum head impulse velocity. Both HIMP and SHIMP VOR gain values were significant lower (-0.09, P < 0.001) when the impulses were performed to the left side. CONCLUSION: We had observed a difference in SHIMP and HIMP gain values not adequately explained by known gain modification factors. The persistence of this slight but significant difference indicates that there are more factors causing lower SHIMP VOR gain values. This difference must to be considered in further studies as well as in the clinical SHIMP testing protocols. We hypothesized that VOR phasic response inhibition could be the underlying cause of this difference. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2b. Laryngoscope, 128:2383-2389, 2018.

Efficacy of the myofascial pectoralis major flap in the reduction of salivary fistulas after salvage total laryngectomy. / Efectividad del colgajo de músculo pectoral mayor miofascial en la reducción de fístulas salivares tras laringectomía total de rescate.

INTRODUCTION: Pharyngocutaneous fistula is the most frequent complication after total laryngectomy. Its incidence varies between 9%-25% in post primary total laryngectomy patients, to 14%-57% in salvage laryngectomy post radiotherapy or post chemotherapy + radiotherapy. The pectoralis major myofascial flap (PMMF)is postulated as a useful tool to decrease the incidence of this complication. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Retrospective analysis of a group of patients treated by salvage laryngectomy, associated or not with pharyngeal closure reinforcement with PMMF. RESULTS: Twenty patients were included, 18 males (90%) and 2 females (10%), in 10 of whom the PMMF was used. The average age was 66.65 years. Seventeen (85%) had a laryngeal tumour and 3 (15%) had a hypopharyngeal tumour. Eight (80%) patients in the non-PMMF group had postoperative fistula, whereas only 2 (20%) patients in the PMMF group had a fistula during the postoperative period (P=.005). The mean time for fistula closure was significantly shorter in the cases where PMMF flap was used (16±11 days vs. 76.8±67 days, P=.001), as was hospital stay (19. 6±18 days vs. 83.9±77 days, P=.001). CONCLUSION: The use of PMMF in our series is associated with a lower rate of post salvage laryngectomy fistulas in patients treated primarily by organ preservation protocol for laryngeal/hypopharyngeal cancer. In turn, it promotes local healing by decreasing the mean duration of fistula closure and the mean hospital stay.