Edge De-epithelialization for Reducing Pharyngocutaneous Fistula in Patch Free Flap Reconstructions for Salvage Total Laryngectomy Defects: A Case-Control Study.

BACKGROUND: The leakage of saliva through the deep neck region from a pharyngocutaneous fistula could cause devastating complications, including vascular ruptures leading to mortality. While a partial pharyngoesophageal defect is created after total laryngectomy, a patch pattern of hypopharyngeal reconstruction is required, for which a fasciocutaneous free flap is usually applied. If radiotherapy fails to cure pharyngeal cancer, salvage total laryngectomy (STL) is needed. However, postradiation tissues tend not to heal well, and the incidence of pharyngocutaneous fistula therefore increases. We proposed an edge-epithelialization method to address this problem and conducted a retrospective study for comparison. METHODS: The inclusion criteria were patients with head and neck cancer who underwent total laryngectomy that immediately required patch free flap reconstruction at a single medical center (January 2012-December 2021). Receipt of presurgical radiotherapy, hospitalization duration, and the presence of postoperative complications were recorded. RESULTS: The included patients were separated into two groups: Group A (edge de-epithelialization not adopted) (n = 79) and Group B (edge de-epithelialization adopted) (n = 51). Forty-four and twenty-two patients in Groups A and Group B, respectively, received preoperative radiotherapies and simultaneous STL and fasciocutaneous free flap reconstructions. The incidence of pharyngocutaneous fistula was significantly lower in Group B (p = 0.0145). This phenomenon was the same for patients who underwent preoperative radiotherapy only (p = 0.0470) but not for patients who did not receive preoperative radiotherapy (p = 0.2363). CONCLUSIONS: Edge de-epithelialization is an effective method for reducing pharyngocutaneous fistula formation in patch free flap reconstructions after STLs.

Association between operation- and operator-related factors and surgical complications among patients undergoing free-flap reconstruction for head and neck cancers: A propensity score-matched study of 1,865 free-flap reconstructions.

OBJECTIVE: Efforts have been devoted to clarify the possible factors related to postoperative complications in free-flap reconstruction. While patient-related factors have been widely discussed, studies regarding the operation/operator-related factors are rather limited in the literature. This study was designed to investigate the relationship between operation/operator-related factors and the surgical complications in free-flap reconstruction following head and neck cancer resection. METHODS: Data of 1,841 patients with a total of 1,865 free-flap reconstructions (24 double free-flap reconstructions) between March 2008 and February 2017 were retrieved from the registered microsurgery database of the hospital. The association of operation/operator-related factors (including flap length and length-width ratio, flap types, use of vein graft, opposite side microanastomosis, number of microanastomoses, operators, operator experience, and operation time) with surgical complications was assessed by 1:1 propensity score-matched study groups. RESULTS: After propensity score matching of the patient-related factors, the rate of vein grafting was significantly higher (0.6% vs. 2.2%, p = .038) and the operation time was longer (7.0 [5.8-8.5] vs. 7.4 [6.1-8.8] hr, p = .006) in the complication group. In addition, flap length and length-width ratio, flap types, opposite side microanastomosis, number of microanastomoses, operators, and operator experience were not associated with surgical complications. CONCLUSIONS: In a hospital that consisted of surgeons with high-volume or very-high-volume experience, the operators or operation experience were not significantly associated with the surgical complications. Only a longer operation time was associated with surgical complications in the patients who underwent free-flap reconstruction for head and neck cancer.

Assessing the Predictive Utility of the C-Reactive Protein-to-Lymphocyte Ratio for Mortality in Isolated Traumatic Brain Injury: A Single-Center Retrospective Analysis.

Introduction: Early identification of high-risk traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients is crucial for optimizing treatment strategies and improving outcomes. The C-reactive protein-to-lymphocyte ratio (CLR) reflects systemic immunology and inflammation function and serves as a new biomarker for patient stratification. This study aimed to assess the predictive value of the CLR for mortality in patients with isolated moderate to severe TBI. Methods: A retrospective analysis of trauma registry data from 2009 to 2022 was conducted, including 1641 adult patients with isolated moderate to severe TBI. Patient demographics, the CLR, injury characteristics, and outcomes were compared between deceased and surviving patients. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify mortality risk factors. The optimal CLR cut-off value for predicting mortality was determined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: The CLR was significantly higher in deceased patients compared to survivors (60.1 vs. 33.9, p < 0.001). The optimal CLR cut-off value for predicting mortality was 54.5, with a sensitivity of 0.328 and a specificity of 0.812. The area under the ROC curve was 0.566, indicating poor discriminative ability. In the multivariate analysis, the CLR was not a significant independent predictor of mortality (OR 1.03, p = 0.051). After propensity score matching to attenuate the difference in baseline characteristics, including sex, age, comorbidities, conscious level, and injury severity, the high-CLR group (CLR ≥ 54.5) did not have significantly higher mortality compared to the low-CLR group (CLR < 54.5). Conclusion: While the CLR was associated with mortality in TBI patients, it demonstrated poor discriminative ability as a standalone predictor. The association between a high CLR and worse outcomes may be primarily due to other baseline patient and injury characteristics, rather than the CLR itself.

Evaluating the Impact of Nutritional Risk on Stress-Induced Hyperglycemia and Trauma Patient Outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Stress-induced hyperglycemia (SIH) and malnutrition are common in trauma patients and are linked to worse outcomes. This study examined the influence of nutritional status, determined by the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), on the incidence of SIH in trauma patients. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on adult trauma patients admitted to a Level I trauma center from 1 January 2009 to December 31, 2021. Patients were categorized into four groups: SIH, diabetic hyperglycemia (DH), diabetic normoglycemia (DN), and non-diabetic normoglycemia (NDN). Nutritional status was assessed using GNRI: high risk (GNRI < 82), moderate risk (82 ≤ GNRI < 92), low risk (92 ≤ GNRI ≤ 98), and no risk (GNRI > 98). Incidence of SIH and outcomes were analyzed across GNRI groups. RESULTS: SIH was associated with higher mortality across all GNRI groups compared to NDN, with the highest rate (45.7%) in the high-risk group. Mortality decreased as GNRI increased in all glucose groups. NDN patients had the lowest mortality rates across GNRI groups. There was no correlation between GNRI and SIH incidence (p = 0.259). CONCLUSION: SIH significantly influenced mortality across all nutritional status groups, with the highest impact in malnourished patients. Although malnutrition did not affect SIH incidence, both SIH and poor nutritional status independently contributed to worse trauma outcomes. Targeted management of hyperglycemia and nutritional deficiencies is crucial for improving survival.

Comparative Efficacy of Fractional CO2 Laser Combined with Topical Steroid Cream versus Solution for Post-Thyroidectomy Scar Treatment: A Prospective Study.

BACKGROUNDS: Post-thyroidectomy scarring is a common illness impacting patient quality of life. Fractional carbon dioxide (CO2) lasers and topical steroids delivered via laser-assisted drug delivery (LADD) have shown potential for scar treatment. However, ideal steroid formulations (cream vs. solution) when combined with laser therapy remain unclear. METHODS: This study included 12 patients receiving fractional CO2 laser on post-thyroidectomy scars. After laser treatment, one scar half received topically applied steroid cream, while the other half received steroid solution. The Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) was used to measure the scar conditions at the time prior to the first treatment and one year later by the patients themselves and by the surgeon who did the laser treatment. Scar appearance was photographically assessed at baseline and 6 months post-treatment by four blinded evaluators using scales. RESULTS: This study discovered a modest improvement in the appearance of post-thyroidectomy scars when combining fractional CO2 laser treatment with either topical steroid cream or solution. Patients and treating physicians examined the POSAS scores one year after treatment found significant improvements in all aspects of the scar conditions, with high efficacy and satisfaction levels reported by patients. CONCLUSIONS: Fractional CO2 laser combined with topical steroid delivery, either cream or solution form, significantly enhanced post-thyroidectomy scar appearance with modest effect and high patient satisfaction. This approach may represent a promising scar management strategy along with current scar treatment for the post-thyroidectomy scar.

Geriatric Trauma Outcome Score as a Mortality Predictor in Isolated Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: A Single-Center Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of mortality and disability worldwide, with severe cases significantly increasing the risk of complications and long-term mortality. The Geriatric Trauma Outcome Score (GTOS), based on age, injury severity, and transfusion need, has been validated for predicting mortality in older trauma patients, but its utility in predicting mortality for TBI patients remains unexplored. METHODS: This retrospective study included 5543 adult trauma patients with isolated moderate to severe TBI, defined by head Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) scores of ≥ 3, from 1998 to 2021. GTOS was calculated with the following formula: age + (Injury Severity Score × 2.5) + 22 (if transfused within 24 h). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) assessed GTOS's ability to predict mortality. The optimal GTOS cutoff value was determined using Youden's index. Mortality rates were compared between high- and low-GTOS groups, separated by the optimal GTOS cutoff value, including a propensity score-matched analysis adjusting for baseline characteristics. RESULTS: Among 5543 patients, mortality was 8.3% (462 deaths). Higher mortality is correlated with male sex, older age, higher GTOS, and comorbidities like hypertension, coronary artery disease, and end-stage renal disease. The optimal GTOS cut-off for mortality prediction was 121.5 (AUC = 0.813). Even when the study population was matched by propensity score, patients with GTOS ≥121.5 had much higher odds of death (odds ratio 2.64, 95% confidence interval 1.93-3.61, p < 0.001) and longer hospital stays (mean 16.7 vs. 12.2 days, p < 0.001) than those with GTOS < 121.5. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the idea that GTOS is a useful tool for risk stratification of in-hospital mortality in isolated moderate to severe TBI patients. However, we encourage further research to refine GTOS for better applicability in TBI patients.

The Value of the Nutritional Indicators in Predicting Free Flap Failure From a Multicentre Database.

OBJECTIVE: Nutritional and inflammatory statuses have been associated with complications in microvascular-free flaps during head and neck surgeries. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of nutritional indicators in predicting postoperative free flap complications. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a 20-year retrospective, case-control study within a defined cohort. SETTING: The study involved head and neck cancer patients from the Chang Gung Research Database who underwent simultaneous tumor ablation and free flap wound reconstruction between January 1, 2001, and December 31, 2019. METHODS: We employed logistic regression and stratified analysis to assess the risk of free flap complications and the subsequent need for flap revision or redo in relation to nutritional indicators and other clinical variables. RESULTS: Of the 8066 patients analyzed, 687 (8.5%) experienced free flap complications. Among these, 197 (2.4%) had free flap failures necessitating a redo of either a free flap or a pedicled flap. Beyond comorbidities such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, end-stage renal disease, and a history of prior radiotherapy, every 10-unit decrease in the preoperative prognostic nutritional index (PNI) was consistently associated with an increased risk of both free flap complications and failure. The covariate-adjusted odds ratios were 1.90 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.42-2.54) and 1.89 (95% CI: 1.13-3.17), respectively. CONCLUSION: A lower preoperative PNI suggests a higher likelihood of microvascular free flap complications in head and neck surgeries. Further randomized controlled trial designs are required to establish causality.

Risk factors for pressure ulcer recurrence following surgical reconstruction: A cross-sectional retrospective analysis.

Many studies on the recurrence of pressure ulcers after surgical reconstruction have focused on surgical techniques and socioeconomic factors. Herein, we aimed to identify the risk factors of the associated comorbidities for pressure ulcer recurrence. We enrolled 147 patients who underwent pressure ulcer reconstruction and were followed up for more than three years. The recurrence of pressure ulcers was defined as recurrent pressure ulcers with stage 3/4 pressure ulcers. We reviewed and analyzed systematic records of medical histories, including sex, age, associated comorbidities such as spinal cord injury (SCI), diabetes mellitus (DM), coronary artery disease, cerebral vascular accident, end-stage renal disease, scoliosis, dementia, Parkinson's disease, psychosis, autoimmune diseases, hip surgery, and locations of the primary pressure ulcer. Patients with recurrent pressure ulcers were younger than those without. Patients with SCI and scoliosis had higher odds, while those with Parkinson's disease had lower odds of recurrence of pressure ulcers than those without these comorbidities. Moreover, the decision tree algorithm identified that SCI, DM, and age < 34 years could be risk factor classifiers for predicting recurrent pressure ulcers. This study demonstrated that age and SCI are the two most important risk factors associated with recurrent pressure ulcers following surgical reconstruction.

Approaching patients with panfacial fractures by using an anatomical reference: A novel concept and preliminary study.

Panfacial fractures are challenging for craniofacial surgeons. Aside from involving multiple subunits, they also lack the reliability of a useful landmark of the facial skeleton. Properly, reducing and fixing palatal fracture to re-establish the premorbid maxillary dental arch is important. This was a retrospective study conducted from 2015 to 2020. All patients underwent computed tomography (CT) scan for surgical planning of orthognathic surgery due to either esthetic or occlusion concerns. The classification of occlusion was recorded as class I, II, and III. The parameters measured on CT were the distance between the midpoint of the supra-orbital foramen/notch (IS), mesio-buccal cusp tips (IB), central fossa (IC), palatal cusp tips (IP), and the midpoint of the palatal marginal gingiva (IM) of the bilateral maxillary first molars. The IS was compared with the IB, IC, IP, and IM. The results were analyzed by using one-way repeated measurement analysis of variance. Eighty-seven patients (36 men and 51 women) were included in the study. There were 13 patients of class I malocclusion, 8 of class II malocclusion, and 66 of class III malocclusion. The IS was comparable to the IC in all three groups. The IS can predict the IC, regardless of the patient's occlusion, and can be subsequently used to decide the width of maxillary dental arch in panfacial fracture management. Further studies are necessary to obtain more definite results.

Supermicrosurgical Lymphaticovenous Anastomosis as an Alternative Treatment Option for Patients with Lymphorrhea.

BACKGROUND: Lymphorrhea is probably the most appalling form of lymphedema and is difficult to treat. Intractable lymphorrhea is prone to infection because of skin breakdown. It is believed that supermicrosurgical lymphaticovenous anastomosis is unsuitable for treating such severe disease. Only a few lymphorrhea patients treated with lymphaticovenous anastomosis have been reported. Whether it can be used to treat lymphorrhea has remained inconclusive. METHODS: From September of 2015 to June of 2018, 105 patients underwent supermicrosurgical lymphaticovenous anastomosis (n = 746) in the authors' hospital. These patients are divided into the nonlymphorrhea group (three male and seven female patients) and the nonlymphedema group (lymphedema patients without lymphorrhea) (11 male and 84 female patients). Retrospective chart review with demographic data and intraoperative findings were recorded and analyzed. Post-lymphaticovenous anastomosis outcomes for lymphorrhea patients were also recorded. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in patient age, sex, or affected limbs between these two groups. As for intraoperative findings, no differences were found in the percentage of indocyanine green-enhanced lymphatic vessels (52.7 ± 41.1 percent versus 67.3 ± 36.7 percent; p = 0.227) or the pathologic changes of lymphatic vessels based on the normal, ectasis, contraction, and sclerosis type classification (2.2 ± 1.0 versus 2.1 ± 1.0; p = 0.893) between the lymphorrhea and nonlymphorrhea groups, respectively. The average follow-up period was 14.5 months (range, 3 to 31 months). Five lymphorrhea patients (50 percent) showed complete recovery without relapse; significant lymphorrhea reduction was found in three patients (30 percent), and two patients showed minimal improvements (20 percent). CONCLUSION: With comparable functional lymphatic vessels identified in lymphorrhea patients, supermicrosurgical lymphaticovenous anastomosis is a viable option for lymphorrhea treatment, with satisfactory results. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.