Purpose In a highly competitive and globalised era, agile organisations proactively steer towards sustainability. This situation persuaded the organisations to align Quality Management (QM) ...initiatives to achieve sustainable outcomes. This study aims to explore quality–sustainability linkage, explicitly focusing on attaining the prestigious IAQ Quality Sustainability Award. Further it investigates, the impact of QM as a strategy for promoting sustainability to meet sustainable development goals (SDGs). Design/methodology/approach Due to the lack of substantial literature connecting QM to sustainability, the current research adopted an explanatory multiple-case study. Six cases were purposively chosen for the study. Three cases of those who have achieved the prestigious IAQ Quality Sustainability Award and remaining have been selected that have fallen short of receiving the award. A detailed within-case and cross-case examinations involving six cases that reported their QM achievements aligned with SDGs. Findings The findings demonstrate the significant role of QM adoption in achieving positive results from the perspective of SDGs, such as reduced environmental impacts, improved operational efficiency and enhanced quality of life. Effective stakeholder collaboration, proficiency in analytical tools and strategic alignment with SDGs emerged as critical success factors. Conversely, weak linkage with sustainability and unclear approaches were crucial challenges in attaining the IAQ Quality Sustainability Award. Research limitations/implications This paper outlines essential commandments for organisations actively seeking to promote sustainability. It offers valuable insights for decision-makers, facilitating a profound understanding of the challenges and opportunities in pursuing sustainable performance. Originality/value The distinctive nature of this study lies in its dedicated exploration of the intricate relationship between QM deployment and its true impact on the achievement of the SDGs.
We conducted a retrospective review to assess the role of the temporoparietalis fascia flap (TPFF), comparing rates of postoperative pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) and functional outcomes with those ...of pectoralis major myocutaneous flap (PMMF) and primary closure of the pharynx, in a population of patients treated with salvage total laryngectomy (STL). Patients were divided in three groups depending on the pharynx reconstruction technique after primary closure: no vascularised tissue augmentation (group 1), PMMF patch (group 2), or TPFF patch (group 3). The main outcomes analysed were overall fistula rate, fistula requiring reoperation and speech and swallowing function at 6 months. Factors influencing the incidence of fistulas were also evaluated. 39 patients respected inclusion criteria: 14, 11 and 14 patients in the three groups, respectively. Nine patients of 39 (23.1%) experienced a PCF. No statistically significant differences were noted between the three groups, except for a longer surgical operation time and a trend for better functional results in group 3. None of the factors analysed significantly influenced the overall rate of fistula. TPFF patch thus represents a reliable alternative to PMMF in preventing PCF in the setting of STL, with minor donor-site morbidity and good functional outcomes.
Squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal vestibule (NV SCC) is a head and neck malignancy for which there is no established consensus on most aspects of clinical management. The purpose of this document ...is to give updated recommendations that incorporate recent evidence on its clinical characteristics and the high efficacy of brachytherapy as primary treatment modality.
A working group consisting of the members of the Scientific Committee for Oncology and Reconstructive Surgery of the Italian Society of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery and radiation oncologists expert in brachytherapy was formed to achieve a consensus.
Consensus was reached on a set of recommendations, proposing a refined anatomical definition of the nasal vestibule, a novel T staging system of the NV SCC, and brachytherapy as standard of care, with a new method for catheter implantation.
The Committee emphasises the critical role of an accurate classification in clinical practice and encourages further research to validate the novel staging system and further improve treatment strategies. Where appropriate, it is recommended that patients be referred to centres with specific experience in brachytherapy for NV SCC.
Background
To retrospectively evaluate oncological outcomes in two groups of patients with pT4aN0 glottic SCC treated with total laryngectomy (TL) and neck dissection (ND) who underwent postoperative ...radiotherapy or exclusive clinical and radiological follow‐up.
Methods
It includes patients with pT4N0 glottic SCC who underwent TL and unilateral or bilateral ND with or without PORT. Divided in two comparison groups: the first group underwent adjuvant RT (TL‐PORT); the second group referred to clinical and radiological follow‐up (TL).
Results
PORT was associated with a better OS while no differences were found in terms of DSS. A better local control is achieved when PORT is administered while no differences in terms of regional and distant control rates were found. Bilateral ND positively impacts on the regional control while the PNI negatively impact the regional control.
Conclusions
A tailored PORT protocol might be considered for pT4N0 glottic SCC treated with TL and ND, both considering the ND's extent and presence of PNI.
Our study investigated the presence of IL-8 in pleural exudates from tuberculosis patients (TBP) (
n = 13), and evaluated whether it was related with the profile of major immunocompetent cells ...present in their pleural and peripheral compartments. To allow comparisons, an additional group of patients with parapneumonic pleural effusions (PNE) (
n = 7) was included. Blood peripheral immunophenotypic studies were also carried out in 12 age-matched health controls (Co), and 39 tuberculosis patients classified, according to the extent of pulmonary involvement, into mild (
n = 9), and advanced (
n = 30) cases. Patients were recruited before starting therapy, had HIV negative serology, and showed no age differences among groups (mean ± S.D., 40.7 ± 14.7 years). IL-8 concentrations were measured by an ELISA method while immunophenotypic analysis was performed by using FITC-conjugated monoclonal antibodies reacting against the following cell surface molecules: CD3, CD4, CD8, CD25 (IL-2R
+ cells), CD19, and CD68. IL-8 was detected in all pleural exudates though levels in the TB patients, 384 ± 110 pg/ml, appeared significantly higher than the PNE group, 185 ± 110 pg/mg, (
P < 0.015, mean ± S.D.). In turn, the former group presented values of pleural CD3
+, CD4
+, and CD25, which were found increased in comparison with PNE patients (
P < 0.01). Unlike the pleural compartment, patients with TBP showed a marked and significant decrease in their circulating levels of cells bearing the CD3, CD4, CD19, CD25, and CD68 phenotypes not only when comparing with Co but also with PNE and mild patients. Differences between the levels of pleural and peripheral T-cells from TBP patients may be the reflection of an important influx of T-lymphocytes from the circulatory system to the pleural cavity, probably linked to the presence of chemotactic factors within the pleural fluid like IL-8.
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