[Temporalis myofascial flap: technique description and results in our patients]. / Colgajo miofascial del músculo temporal: descripción de la técnica y resultados en nuestros pacientes.

INTRODUCTION: Surgical treatment of intraoral and maxillary sinus carcinomas requires a reconstructution of the defect. It is better to do it in one time in order to decrease the morbidity for the patient and the sanitary cost. The temporalis myofascial flap is used for reconstruction of oral cavity, skull base, periorbital region and maxilla because of its feasibility. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We describe the surgical technique and present our results of the reconstructions after total or partial maxillectomy using the temporalis muscle flap in 22 patients. RESULTS: No total necrosis of the flap was seen in any case, a partial necrosis was seen in four cases. CONCLUSION: The temporalis myofascial flap is an excellent choice for oral and maxillary reconstruction.

[Treatment of the NO neck in supraglottic cancer]. / Tratamiento del cuello NO en el cáncer supraglótico.

INTRODUCTION: Occult regional metastases in supraglottic cancer NO are the object of classical controversies. The aim of our study is to provide our experience in order to determine how neck treatment affects on regional recurrence of NO supraglottic cancer. METHODS: A retrospective study of 246 patients with NO supraglottic cancer treated in our service between 1977 to 1999 is presented. RESULTS: 11.4% of patients did not have any cervical treatment, with a 23% of neck recurrence amongst the evolution. 66.7% of patients were treated with a modified radical neck dissection, 24% of these presented occult metastases in the histopathological study. Global regional recurrence was 2.9% in early stages (T1/T2) and 13.1% in advanced stages (T3/T4). In pN+ patients, 85% underwent postoperative radiotherapy, with a regional recurrence of 8.8%. Postoperative clinical control without any other treatment in pN0 patients showed a neck recurrence of 6.1%. We performed a unilateral neck dissection in those patients with clear-lateral tumours. In these cases the clinical control of the contralateral neck gave a 5.5% recurrencies on that side. Patients treated with elective primary radiotherapy suffered a 5.5% of regional recurrence. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS: Neck treatment of the NO supraglottic cancer is recommended. We treat neck in the same way of primary tumour (surgery or radiotherapy) with good control of regional recurrencies, less than 10%. In case of a negative pathological study of the neck careful, watching is the elective attitude. In the positive pathological study of the neck (pN+), radiotherapy is the elective treatment in those with three or more affected nodes or capsular breakdown in any of them.

[Changes in immunoglobulin levels following adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy]. / Alteraciones de la inmunidad tras adenoidectomía y amigdalectomía.

INTRODUCTION: Lymphoid tissue from Waldeyer's ring produces all types of immunoglobulins, mainly G and A, and between 4 to 10 years, of age. In other words, the age in which the adenoid and tonsillar surgery is carried out. Our study tries to analyze the impact of the tonsillar surgery on the serum levels of immunoglobulins. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We present a prospective study with 89 healthy children aged between 4 to 10 years. Immunoglobulin G, A and M levels were measured preoperatively, at a month and at four months after adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy. RESULTS: Serum IgG levels dropped after surgery, but partially recovered four months later. IgA dropped less significantly and IgM did not change its levels. No one of the studied inmunoglobulins dropped below the normal serum levels. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSIONS: Adenoid and tonsilar surgery cause a fall of postoperative immunoglobulin G and A serum levels, partially recovering after four months. Serum levels never dropped below normal levels, and of the studied children suffered a postoperative disease due to immunodeficiency.