Does Fibula Free Flap Harvesting Affect Donor Site of Patients in Facial Reconstructions: A Gait Analysis Study.

BACKGROUND: Vascularized fibula free flap (VFFF) remains gold standard for reconstruction of bony defects of the maxilla or mandible. Research and publications in recent years essentially focused on the evolution and improvement of the recipient reconstructed area but very few concerning the donor site morbidity. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to analyze walking ability of patients following VFFF operation and to determine if there are long term walking disabilities. STUDY DESIGN, SETTING, SAMPLE: The retrospective cohort study involved healthy controls and patients who had undergone VFFF between 2012 and 2019 at the oral and maxillo-facial department of the University Hospital in Lausanne, Switzerland. Patients with cardiovascular, pulmonary, neuromuscular or musculoskeletal pathologies that could impair walking were excluded from the study. PREDICTOR/EXPOSURE/INDEPENDENT VARIABLE: Primary predictor is the reconstruction status, VFFF versus healthy patients (controls). MAIN OUTCOME VARIABLES: Main outcomes were gait parameters. Objective evaluation of walking abilities was assessed using the Gait Up system (Gait Up SA, EPFL Innov'Park-C, Lausanne, Switzerland), which are wearable motion sensors that provides 3D analytics of the gait. COVARIATES: Covariates implied patient characteristics such as age, sex, time after surgery and subjective evaluation of the gait obtained with two orthopedic validated questionnaires. RESULTS: This study implied 10 healthy controls and 11 patients who had undergone VFFF. Results showed statistically significant differences in the speed [m/s] (1.3 vs 1.1 for a P value of .001), the stride length [m] (1.4 vs 1.2 for a P value of 0.003), the flat foot phase [%] (55.0 vs 63.3 for a P value of .006) and the pushing phase [%] (34.1 vs 25.1 for a P value of .008). CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: Reconstruction using vascularized autograft in maxillofacial surgery is substantial and well described. Our attention focusing on donor site morbidity has demonstrated subjective and objective long-term alterations. These results will have to be confirmed with gait analysis in a prospective project including preoperative and postoperative analysis of the gait of the patient acting himself as his own control, with a larger scale of patients.

External laryngotracheal trauma: a case series and an algorithmic management strategy.

OBJECTIVES: External laryngotracheal trauma (ELT), blunt or penetrating, is a rare but potentially life-threatening injury. Immediate care in the emergency department can be challenging because it requires managing a potentially unstable airway and may have associated vascular injuries with massive bleeding. Here, we look at the details of injury, treatment measures, and outcomes in patients following ELT. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 22 patients treated at our center for ELT from January 2005 up to December 2021 with varying grades of injury. We looked at their status at presentation, management strategy and functional status. RESULTS: In our report, we include 18 men and 4 women having varying Schaefer injury grades. Eight patients had tracheostomy at presentation and eight had vocal fold immobility. Two patients were treated endoscopically, 12 had open surgery and 8 received no treatment. Of the patients undergoing open surgery, thyroid cartilage fracture was seen in 9 patients, thyroid plus cricoid fracture and cricotracheal separation were seen in 3 patients each. All patients were safely decannulated and spontaneous recovery of vocal cord palsy was seen in some patients. CONCLUSION: The success of managing ELT relies on fast decision-making, correct patient evaluation, securing the airway and maintaining the hemodynamic stability. Early surgical intervention must be aimed at optimally treating the larygotracheal injuries to prevent long-term disastrous consequences.

Oncologic Panendoscopy: Description of an Optimized Procedure Based on Our Experience.

Introduction All patients with a new head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) undergo diagnostic panendoscopy as part of the screening for synchronous second primary tumors. It includes a pharyngolaryngoscopy (PLS), a tracheobronchoscopy and esophagoscopy, and a stomatoscopy. Rigid techniques are risky, with long learning curves. Objective We propose a precise description of the panendoscopy protocol. We include an optimization of the PLS technique that completes the flexible esophagoscopy when rigid esophagoscopy isn't performed. Methods The present retrospective observational study includes 122 consecutive patients with a new primary HNSCC who underwent traditional panendoscopy and the new PLS technique between January 2014 and December 2016. A two-step procedure using a Macintosh laryngoscope and a 30° telescope first exposes panoramically the larynx, the upper trachea, and the oropharynx; then, in a second step, the hypopharynx is exposed down to the upper esophageal sphincter. Broncho-esophagoscopy is performed with a rigid and flexible scope. Results In total, 6 (5%) patients presented synchronous tumors (3 in the esophagus, 2 in the oral cavity, and 1 in the larynx 1). Rigid endoscopy was complicated by 2 (1,6%) dental lesions, and had to be completed with a flexible scope in 38 (33%) cases for exposition reasons. The two-step PLS offered a wide-angle view of the larynx, upper trachea, and oro- and hypopharynx down to the sphincter of the upper esophagus. The procedure was easy, reliable, safe, repeatable, and effectively completed the flexible endoscopies. Conclusion Rigid esophagoscopy remains a difficult procedure. Two-step PLS combined with flexible broncho-esophagoscopy offers good optical control.

Intubation Related Laryngeal Injuries in Pediatric Population.

Introduction: Laryngeal intubation related lesions (LIRL) in pediatric patients cause extreme morbidity in both elective and emergency settings. It has a wide range of presentations from minor laryngeal edema to a life-threatening airway obstruction. We report here our units' experience with LIRL in neonates, infants, and small children. Material and Methods: This is a retrospective monocentric cohort study between January 2013 and April 2019. Results: Thirty-nine patients with intubation lesions were included in the study. We looked at the lesions type, characteristics, management, and outcome. Half the patients were premature and having comorbidities. Main LIRL were subglottic stenosis (31%), ulcers (26%), granulations (18%), retention cysts (18%), posterior glottic stenosis (13%), and vocal cords edema (5%). Unfavorable lesions causing airway stenosis were associated with an intubation duration of over 1 week and were an important factor in causing airway stenosis (p < 0.05). The endoscopic treatment performed for these lesions was lesion and anatomical site-specific. Tracheostomy was needed in five patients, and was avoided in another two. Seven patients (18%) received open surgery prior to their decannulation. Conclusions: LIRL management is challenging and stressful in the pediatric population and optimal treatment could avoid extreme morbidity in them. Intubation duration and associated comorbidities are important factors in deciding the severity of these lesions. Protocols to prevent the formation of these lesions are critical.

Mucosal Melanoma of the Head and Neck: A Retrospective Review and Current Opinion.

Introduction: Head and Neck Mucosal Melanoma (HNMM) is an uncommon malignancy that arises in decreasing order in the nasal cavity, the paranasal sinuses, and the oral cavity. Although radical surgery followed by eventual radiotherapy is acknowledged as the mainstay treatment, patients with advanced stages or multi-focal tumors benefit from new systemic therapies. We wish to share our experience with these treatments and review the current literature. Materials and Methods: We present a case review of every patient treated in our center for an HNMM over the past 10 years, including every patient treated in our center for an HNMM over the past 10 years. We analyzed clinical characteristics, treatment modalities, and outcomes. Results: We included eight patients aged from 62 to 85 years old. We found six MM in the nasal cavity, one in the sphenoidal sinus, and one in the piriform sinus. Six patients underwent endoscopic surgery with negative margins, six underwent radiotherapy with variable modalities. Immunotherapy or targeted therapy was given in cases extensive tumors without the possibility of a surgical treatment or in two patient as an adjuvant treatment after R0 surgery. The three-year overall survival was 50%, and three patients (37.5%) are in remission. Conclusions: HNMM is associated with poor oncologic outcomes regarding the concerned patients of our review, as reported in the literature. New treatments such as immunotherapies or targeted therapies have not significantly changed the prognosis, but they may offer new interesting perspectives. Our small series of cases seems to confirm that surgical resection with negative margins improves overall survival.

Role of Unilateral Vocal Cord Palsy in Causing Recurrent Tracheobronchial Foreign Bodies.

Background: Foreign body (FB) aspiration in children is a frequent condition managed by ENT pediatric surgeons and pediatric pulmonologists. Methods: We present the case of a 20-months-old child who presented with three recurrent episodes of FB aspiration. Results: At the time of FB removal, an initial dynamic examination of the larynx revealed a unilateral vocal cord palsy (UVCP). Conclusion: For recurrent tracheobronchial FB inhalation, we recommend a systematic dynamic airway endoscopy.

Graves Disease Causing Pancytopenia: Case Report and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Graves disease or other causes of thyrotoxicosis are frequently associated with cytopenia. Although anemia is the most common, other cell lineage can be affected. Pancytopenia is a rare complication of thyrotoxicosis. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 33-year-old Chinese man who presented a nonsevere pancytopenia in the context of a newly diagnosed Graves disease. Restauration of euthyroid state led to progressive correction of pancytopenia. CONCLUSIONS: Literature review shows other rare cases of pancytopenia. It is usually nonsevere with just extremely rare cases of transfusion reported. Evolution was always favorable after achievement of euthyroid state. Its mechanism remains poorly understood, especially because those patients have no vitamin or iron deficiency. The exact physiopathological process remains unclear but 2 causes seem to overlap: reduced production of hematopoietic cells from the bone marrow and increased destruction or sequestration of mature hematopoietic cells. Despite unclear mechanism, the presence of hematologic abnormalities including pancytopenia must not be considered as a contraindication to antithyroid drug therapy.

Acute pulmonary edema induced by non-ionic low-osmolar radiographic contrast media.

BACKGROUND: Non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema (NCPE) after intravenous (iv) administration of non-ionic radiocontrast media (RCM) is a rare but life-threatening complication. In a context of emergency, its diagnosis is difficult. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 55-year-old woman who developed an acute pulmonary edema following iv infusion of non-ionic, low-osmolar RCM during abdominal CT scan. She needed a 24-hour hospitalization in intensive care unit for an acute hypoxemic dyspnea. She was falsely treated at first for an anaphylactic reaction, and then for a cardiac failure. She improved with cortisone and diuretic treatment. CONCLUSION: Although NCPE has been rarely reported after RCM injection, it remains an acute severe complication that has to be considered. The differential diagnosis involves multiple pathogenic patterns giving furthermore complexity in choosing an appropriate treatment.

Oncologic Panendoscopy: Description of an Optimized Procedure Based on Our Experience

Abstract Introduction All patients with a new head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) undergo diagnostic panendoscopy as part of the screening for synchronous second primary tumors. It includes a pharyngolaryngoscopy (PLS), a tracheobronchoscopy and esophagoscopy, and a stomatoscopy. Rigid techniques are risky, with long learning curves. Objective We propose a precise description of the panendoscopy protocol. We include an optimization of the PLS technique that completes the flexible esophagoscopy when rigid esophagoscopy isn't performed. Methods The present retrospective observational study includes 122 consecutive patients with a new primary HNSCC who underwent traditional panendoscopy and the new PLS technique between January 2014 and December 2016. A two-step procedure using a Macintosh laryngoscope and a 30° telescope first exposes panoramically the larynx, the upper trachea, and the oropharynx; then, in a second step, the hypopharynx is exposed down to the upper esophageal sphincter. Broncho-esophagoscopy is performed with a rigid and flexible scope. Results In total, 6 (5%) patients presented synchronous tumors (3 in the esophagus, 2 in the oral cavity, and 1 in the larynx 1). Rigid endoscopy was complicated by 2 (1,6%) dental lesions, and had to be completed with a flexible scope in 38 (33%) cases for exposition reasons. The two-step PLS offered a wide-angle view of the larynx, upper trachea, and oroand hypopharynx down to the sphincter of the upper esophagus. The procedure was easy, reliable, safe, repeatable, and effectively completed the flexible endoscopies. Conclusion Rigid esophagoscopy remains a difficult procedure. Two-step PLS combined with flexible broncho-esophagoscopy offers good optical control.

Differential protein modulation in midguts of Aedes aegypti infected with chikungunya and dengue 2 viruses.

BACKGROUND: Arthropod borne virus infections cause several emerging and resurgent infectious diseases. Among the diseases caused by arboviruses, dengue and chikungunya are responsible for a high rate of severe human diseases worldwide. The midgut of mosquitoes is the first barrier for pathogen transmission and is a target organ where arboviruses must replicate prior to infecting other organs. A proteomic approach was undertaken to characterize the key virus/vector interactions and host protein modifications that happen in the midgut for viral transmission to eventually take place. METHODOLOGY AND PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Using a proteomics differential approach with two-Dimensional Differential in-Gel Electrophoresis (2D-DIGE), we defined the protein modulations in the midgut of Aedes aegypti that were triggered seven days after an oral infection (7 DPI) with dengue 2 (DENV-2) and chikungunya (CHIKV) viruses. Gel profile comparisons showed that the level of 18 proteins was modulated by DENV-2 only and 12 proteins were modulated by CHIKV only. Twenty proteins were regulated by both viruses in either similar or different ways. Both viruses caused an increase of proteins involved in the generation of reactive oxygen species, energy production, and carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Midgut infection by DENV-2 and CHIKV triggered an antioxidant response. CHIKV infection produced an increase of proteins involved in detoxification. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Our study constitutes the first analysis of the protein response of Aedes aegypti's midgut infected with viruses belonging to different families. It shows that the differentially regulated proteins in response to viral infection include structural, redox, regulatory proteins, and enzymes for several metabolic pathways. Some of these proteins like antioxidant are probably involved in cell protection. On the other hand, we propose that the modulation of other proteins like transferrin, hsp60 and alpha glucosidase, may favour virus survival, replication and transmission, suggesting a subversion of the insect cell metabolism by the arboviruses.