Objectives
Margin status interpretation following transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is challenging. This study aims to assess the discrepancy between ...status of margins as reported by the pathologist versus as determined by multi‐disciplinary team review (MDTB).
Methods
A retrospective study of 57 patients with OPSCC who underwent TORS from January 2010 to December 2016 was conducted. Our primary outcome measure was the discrepancy between the surgical specimen margins as described in the pathology report versus final margin status that was determined after the multi‐disciplinary team discussion. Fisher's exact test was used.
Results
Based on the pathologist‐report, 29 subjects (51%) had positive margins, compared to 2 (4%) after multi‐disciplinary team discussion. Receipt of chemotherapy correlated with final margin status as determined by MDTB, not with initial main specimen margins (p = .02 and p = .08, respectively). With a median follow up of 28.4 months, two subjects (4%) had loco‐regional recurrence.
Conclusion
Following TORS, there was a significant discrepancy between status of margins as reported by the pathologist versus as determined by MDTB review. Chemotherapy was avoided in 93.1% of cases that were originally reported as positive margins by the pathologist with an acceptably low recurrence rate.
Level of evidence
4.
Margin status can be difficult to determine due to multiple factors. Determination is important to avoid unnecessary treatment. TORS surgeons should be intimately involved in discussion of final marginal status.
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FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
•TORS work-up of the unknown primary led to a reduction in treatment volume and dosing of radiotherapy.•Resection of the primary tumor by TORS was associated with avoidance of chemotherapy.
Our ...primary objective is to describe the post- operative management in patients with an unknown primary squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC) treated with trans-oral robotic surgery (TORS).
We conducted a retrospective multi-institutional case series including all patients diagnosed with an unknown primary HNSCC who underwent TORS to identify the primary site from January 1, 2010 to June 30, 2016. We excluded those with recurrent disease, ≤6months of follow up from TORS, previous history of radiation therapy (RT) to the head and neck, or evidence of primary tumor site based on previous biopsies. Our main outcome measure was receipt of post-operative therapy.
The tumor was identified in 26/35 (74.3%) subjects. Post-TORS, 2 subjects did not receive adjuvant therapy due to favorable pathology. Volume reduction of RT mucosal site coverage was achieved in 12/26 (46.1%) subjects who had lateralizing tumors, ie. those confined to the palatine tonsil or glossotonsillar sulcus. In addition, for 8/26 (30.1%), the contralateral neck RT was also avoided. In 9 subjects, no primary was identified (pT0); four of these received RT to the involved ipsilateral neck nodal basin only without pharyngeal mucosal irradiation.
Surgical management of an unknown primary with TORS can lead to deintensification of adjuvant therapy including avoidance of chemotherapy and reduction in RT doses and volume. There was no increase in short term treatment failures. Treatment after TORS can vary significantly, thus we advocate adherence to NCCN guideline therapy post-TORS to avoid treatment-associated variability.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
Identification of the primary site in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is crucial because it improves the patient's prognosis and minimizes morbidity from treatment.
To determine the ...efficacy of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) in identifying unknown primary sites of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
Retrospective, multi-institutional case series from January 1, 2010, to February 28, 2013, in which data were pooled from the following 6 institutions: University of Washington Medical Center, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Alabama-Birmingham Hospital, The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, Johns Hopkins Hospital, and Oregon Health Sciences University. All patients diagnosed as having HNSCC of an unknown primary site who underwent TORS to identify the primary site were included in the study. We excluded those with recurrent disease, a history of radiation therapy to the head and neck, or evidence of a primary tumor site based on previous biopsy results.
Identification of the primary tumor site.
Forty-seven patients were eligible for the study. The tumor site was identified by TORS in 34 of 47 patients (72.3%). The primary site was located in the base of tongue for 20 patients (58.8%) and the palatine tonsil for 13 patients (38.2%), with 1 patient having a primary site in both the base of tongue and the palatine tonsil. Suspicious physical examination findings were present in 23 of 47 patients (48.9%), with positive and negative predictive values of 56.5% and 25.0%, respectively. Of those who underwent any imaging, 16 patients had suspicious findings, with positive and negative predictive values of 50.0% and 16.7%, respectively. In 18 of 47 patients (38.3%), both preoperative radiographic and physical examination failed to suggest a primary site. Of these 18 patients, 13 (72.2%) were identified after undergoing TORS.
We demonstrate that TORS is a useful approach to identify and treat the primary site in patients with HNSCC who present with an unknown primary site.
To review the recent literature in regards to complications after reconstruction of Mohs defects, outline common pitfalls and to discuss the literature on avoiding complications as outlined per ...aesthetic subunit.
Complications in facial Mohs reconstruction commonly consist of infection, wound necrosis and dehiscence, hematoma and suboptimal scarring. However, site-specific complications such as hairline or eyebrow distortion, eyelid retraction or ectropion, nasal contour abnormality, alar retraction, nasal valve compromise, significant facial asymmetry or even oral incompetence must also be considered.
A successful reconstruction mimics the premorbid state and maintains function. The use of perioperative antibiotics, sterile technique, meticulous hemostasis, subcutaneous dissection and deep sutures to minimize wound tension should be considered for all Mohs reconstructions. Cartilage grafting can minimize nasal deformity and obstruction. Reconstruction near the lower eyelid should employ periosteal suspension sutures to minimize downward tension and lid retraction. Perioral complications, such as microstomia and oral incompetence, typically improve with time and therapy. Always consider secondary procedures such as dermabrasion, steroid injection, scar revision and laser resurfacing to help optimize aesthetic outcome.
Abstract
Introduction
Paranasal sinus mucoceles result from obstruction of mucous glands resulting in a cystic fluid collection that expands and encroaches upon surrounding structures. Transnasal ...endoscopic marsupialization has largely replaced open resection. However, mucoceles located in the orbital region or the lateral frontal sinus continue to be difficult to approach via the transnasal approach alone and often require additional approaches, such as the frontal trephine. This study sought to investigate the feasibility of the transorbital technique as an adjunct to traditional transnasal approaches in the management of paranasal sinus mucoceles.
Methods
A retrospective case series of paranasal sinus mucoceles approached with a transorbital technique from a tertiary care center.
Results
From 2008 to 2016, 17 patients were treated with a transorbital approach for 20 mucoceles. Of note, 24% of the patients in our series had undergone previous surgical management of the mucocele (nontransorbital approach), representing revision cases. Most mucoceles involved the frontal sinus (82%). The total complication rate was 6%. We observed no new or worsened diplopia, ptosis, or permanent visual loss. Recurrence rate was 6%.
Conclusions
The endoscopic transorbital approach is a feasible complement to transnasal approaches for treatment of mucoceles located in technically challenging locations. We have demonstrated that transorbital approaches can be performed with no resultant orbital damage, visual change, ptosis, or permanent diplopia. While most patients can be treated with a standard transnasal approach, the transorbital approach can be used as part of a multiportal strategy for those with difficult to access mucoceles. Future prospective studies are needed to further characterize patient selection and outcomes.
Free tissue transfer is a reliable method for reconstruction of head and neck defects. With the growing number of octogenarians in the population, it is important to understand how these patients ...respond to these procedures.
Through a retrospective chart review of patients who underwent a free-flap reconstruction from 2000 to 2010 at an academic medical center, 48 patients, aged 80 years and older, were compared with a control group consisting of 97 similar patients, aged younger than 80 years. We compared the intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay, overall hospital stay, and the incidence of perioperative complications between the cohorts.
The average length of stay in the ICU was significantly longer for the octogenarian group as compared with the younger group (101 vs. 41 hours, p-value = 0.007). The average length of hospital stay was not significantly different between the two groups (difference = 40 hours, p-value = 0.102). The incidence of perioperative complication was 75% in the octogenarian group and 60% in the younger group (p-value = 0.095). There were two flap failures in the younger group, and none in the octogenarian group. There was a significantly higher rate of death within 30 days in the octogenarian group.
Microvascular free tissue transfer is a reliable and safe method of reconstruction of head and neck defects in patients over 80 years of age. Patients should be counseled about the potential risks of increased incidence of medical complications, ICU length of stay, and rate of perioperative death when recommended to undergo free tissue transfer reconstruction.
Objectives/Hypothesis
To determine whether the timing of tracheotomy placement impacts ventilation weaning status and mortality.
Study Design
Multi‐institution retrospective cohort study.
Methods
...Demographic data, procedural details, and clinical outcomes were recorded for patients undergoing tracheotomy for prolonged mechanical ventilation across eight sites. The study group was divided into two groups: those undergoing tracheotomy within 14 days of initiation of mechanical ventilation and those undergoing tracheotomy at or after 14 days. Groups were compared for primary outcome measures of mortality and ability to wean from mechanical ventilation within the study period.
Results
Of the 539 patients intubated for ventilator dependence with complete data available, 280 (51.9%) underwent tracheotomy within 14 days. Patients who underwent late tracheotomy were 1.72 times more likely to remain ventilator dependent during the follow‐up period (95% confidence interval CI: 1.12‐2.66), and had a 40% increased risk of death (odds ratio: 1.4, 95% CI: 0.96‐1.99).
Conclusions
In this multicenter retrospective review of tracheotomy outcomes, late tracheotomy placement (>14 days) was associated with increased mortality and prolonged ventilator dependence. Standardized multidisciplinary management protocols for prolonged mechanical ventilation are recommended, and future work should confirm these results in a prospective manner.
Level of Evidence
4 Laryngoscope, 125:2134–2138, 2015
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Disk battery ingestion is common in the pediatric population, with over 50,000 ingestions reported annually. In the upper aerodigestive tract, consequences of such ingestions vary widely from ...superficial mucosal ulcerations to death from erosion through vital structures. This report describes a battery ingestion complication, vocal cord paralysis, to our knowledge not previously described in the otolaryngology literature.
We describe a patient who presented with biphasic stridor and drooling after upper esophageal disk battery ingestion. The battery was removed 5 hours after ingestion, but stridor with respiratory distress persisted. To stabilize the airway, a tracheotomy was performed after a several-week period of inpatient observation. Two years after ingestion, the patient is tracheostomy dependent.
Disk battery ingestion has the potential for recurrent laryngeal nerve damage and vocal cord paralysis. Expeditious battery removal and long-term care are crucial for successful ingestion management, as ingestion complications can be significant.
Reconstruction with autologous costochondral cartilage is one of the mainstays of surgical management of congenital microtia. We review the literature, present our current technique for microtia ...reconstruction with autologous costochondral graft, and discuss the evolution of our technique over the past 20 years. We aim to minimize donor site morbidity and create the most durable and natural appearing ear possible using a stacked framework to augment the antihelical fold and antitragal-tragal complex. Assessment of outcomes is challenging due to the paucity of available objective measures with which to evaluate aesthetic outcomes. Various instruments are used to assess outcomes, but none is universally accepted as the standard. The challenges we continue to face are humbling, but ongoing work on tissue engineering, application of 3D models, and use of validated questionnaires can help us get closer to achieving a maximal aesthetic outcome.
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