[Evolution of laryngectomy based on a comparison of two cohorts a century apart: an illustration of the progress, difficulties and conflicts encountered in medicine].

Based on a comparison of two cohorts of patients with laryngeal cancer managed by laryngectomy one century apart, and an analysis of original textbooks from the end of the nineteenth century, we examine the development of laryngectomy, the difficulties encountered in this first therapeutic approach to laryngeal carcinoma, and the conflicts it generated. The overall death rate changed little over the course of a century, although the 5-year actuarial survival estimate improved from 22.6% in 1888 to 75.

Sinus mucocele: natural history and long-term recurrence rate.

Objective: To define the natural history, clinical signs, treatment and the modalities of medium- and long-term follow-up of patients operated for sinus mucocele.

Patients And Method: Retrospective study of all patients operated for sinus mucocele between January 1993 and December 2009 (n=68). Demographic data, symptoms, medical imaging findings, surgical treatment and results were recorded.

Functional organ preservation for laryngeal cancer: past, present and future.

Objective: Management of laryngeal cancer has focused on improving survival while preserving function. Over the past 20 years, the trends have shifted from surgery to chemoradiotherapy and presently we are facing various challenges. It is imperative to re-examine what has happened and what can be done.

Medical information prior to invasive medical procedures in otorhinolaryngology-head and neck surgery in France.

Based on a review of the medical literature (PubMed database, keywords: medical information, informed consent), the authors analyse the main medicolegal aspects concerning the patient information that must be provided in France prior to any invasive diagnostic or therapeutic medical procedures in otorhinolaryngology head and neck surgery, as well as the patient's perception and recall of the information provided, the quality of the information provided and problems encountered in providing this information. In the light of this review, several solutions are recommended to improve this essential phase prior to obtaining the patient's informed consent.

Adenocarcinoma of the ethmoid sinus: retrospective study of 42 cases.

Objectives: Retrospective analysis of the oncological results and morbidity of ethmoid sinus adenocarcinoma surgery, and identification of survival factors.

Material And Methods: Forty-two patients were treated from 1990 to 2009. The study covered clinical presentation, medical imaging, histologic data, TNM grade, treatment, morbidity and overall recurrence-free survival.

Ultrasound-guided botulinum toxin injections for treatment of drooling.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of treatment of drooling by ultrasound-guided botulinum toxin injection of the salivary glands and to determine the optimal modalities of this procedure.

Patients And Methods: This study is a retrospective review of patients treated for drooling by injection of 100 units of Botox(®) into the parotid and submaxillary glands between 2002 and 2008. Efficacy was evaluated by a quality of life questionnaire six weeks after the injections.

[Isolated unilateral laryngeal nerve paralysis in adults. An inception cohort of 591 patients managed in a French--university--teaching hospital].

Unlabelled: We analyzed an inception cohort of 591 adults with isolated unilateral laryngeal paralysis managed at a French teaching hospital during the period 1990-2008. Symptoms, causes, treatment and outcome were compared between two periods (1990-2000 vs 2001-2008), using the Chi squared test and Mann Whitney U test. Dysphonia, swallowing impairment and respiratory impairment were present in respectively 98.

[Unilateral laryngeal paralysis in the adult patient].

Based on a review of the recent medical literature, the authors document the epidemiological evolution, pathophysisology diagnosis and recent advances in treatment for adult patients with unilateral laryngeal paralysis. Speech therapy, which used to be the only therapeutic option, is nowadays complemented by efficient surgical techniques, which have modified the management of many patients.

Honey in otorhinolaryngology: when, why and how?

In this review of the literature devoted to the use of honey, the authors analyse the composition, indications, benefits and adverse effects of this product in otorhinolaryngology and head and neck surgery. Published data indicate that honey applied topically to skin and mucosal wounds and/or burns and administered orally as antitussive medication (after the first year of life) is highly effective with no adverse effects. The physiological action of honey is the result of various mechanisms (osmotic, detersion, bactericidal action).

Early unilateral laryngeal paralysis after pulmonary resection with mediastinal dissection for cancer.

Background: The purpose of this study was to document the symptoms, evolution, management, and outcome in a large series of patients with an early unilateral laryngeal paralysis after mediastinal lymph node dissection and pulmonary resection for cancer.

Methods: In this retrospective series of 69 patients, treatment relied on isolated speech therapy in 18 patients and surgical medialization of the paralyzed vocal cord in 51 patients. Duration of follow-up varied from 2 to 109 months, with a mean duration of 15 months.

A not so solitary fibrous tumor of the liver.

Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is a rare neoplasm. Liver parenchyma is a rare location of SFT and, in this case, it usually follows a benign course. We report here the case of a 54-year-old man who presented a large SFT tumor of the right hepatic lobe.

Writing an article for the European Annals of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery: rights and responsibilities.

Based on a review of the literature published on medical writing, the authors discuss the rules to respect in terms of both structure and substance to facilitate publication of studies in the European Annals of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery. The main errors leading to an article's being rejected are detailed and analyzed.

Aspiration after supracricoid partial laryngectomy: Incidence, risk factors, management, and outcomes.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence, risk factors, management, and outcome of postoperative aspiration in patients managed with a supracricoid partial laryngectomy (SCPL) for selected invasive squamous carcinoma of the larynx.

Methods: In all, 457 patients underwent SCPL at an academic, tertiary referral care center, 1975-2000. The incidence of aspiration defined in accord with Pearson's scale was recorded.

Imported acute and isolated glottic paracoccidioidomycosis.

The current report documents the rare clinical presentation of an imported acute and isolated glottic paracoccidioidomycosis. We discuss the diagnosis, pathogenesis, and treatment of this laryngeal disease, emphasizing the role of modern antifungal treatment, and review the relevant literature.

Surgical therapy and olfactory function.

This report provides an overview of the relationship between olfaction and surgery. Surgery can be considered as treatment for some olfactory dysfunctions. Moreover, olfactory dysfunction can be analysed as a complication of some surgical procedures.

[Unilateral laryngeal immobility after surgery of the thyroid gland].

Background: The authors studied a cohort of 154 patients with unilateral vocal cord paresis following thyroidectomy, analyzing the pathogenesis, symptomatology, spontaneous evolution, and management of this complication.

Objective: This retrospective study distinguished between vocal cord paresis due to recurrent laryngeal nerve injury or due to injury of the cricoarytenoid articulation. We assessed the influence multiple variables on therapeutic management.

[Persistent stapedial artery with otosclerosis].

Objectives: A persistent stapedial artery is a rare vascular malformation. This diagnosis is based on CT scan and intraoperative findings.

Material And Methods: The case of a 19-year-old woman with a persistent stapedial artery found during stapes surgery is reported.

Extended lateral pharyngotomy for selected squamous cell carcinomas of the lateral tongue base.

Objectives: In a retrospective review of an inception cohort of 26 patients with an isolated, previously untreated, moderately to well-differentiated invasive squamous cell carcinoma of the lateral tongue base, consecutively managed with an extended lateral pharyngotomy approach at a single tertiary referral care center, the authors review the key surgical points, highlight the potential technical pitfalls, and document the complications and long-term functional and oncological outcomes in terms of survival and local control.

Methods: The adjunctive measures included induction chemotherapy, ipsilateral neck dissection, and postoperative radiotherapy, used in 96.1%, 96.

Platin-based exclusive chemotherapy for selected patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx and pharynx.

Background: The current study was conducted to determine the long-term outcomes of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx and pharynx who were treated with platin-based exclusive chemotherapy (EC) after they achieved a complete clinical response (CCR) to induction chemotherapy.

Methods: One hundred forty-two who achieved a CCR after platin-based induction chemotherapy were treated exclusively with additional chemotherapy, and 98.6% were followed for a minimum of 3 years or until death.

[Interpretation and memorization of information provided to the patient for parotidectomy].

Objective: A prospective analysis of patient memorization and perception of the preoperative information provided on the surgical risks related to parotidectomy for benign tumor.

Patients And Methods: A prospective study conducted in an academic tertiary care referral center. An inception cohort of 51 patients with a benign tumor of the parotid gland consecutively informed by the same surgeon over the period from 2003 to 2006.

[Transoral resection of thyroid cancer metastasis to retropharyngeal lymph node].

Objectives: Retropharyngeal lymph node metastasis from papillary thyroid carcinoma is uncommon. Traditional extirpative procedures include cervical, cervical-parotid, and transmandibular approaches. The authors report the case of a patient with a retropharyngeal node metastasis originating from papillary carcinoma of the thyroid gland that was successfully removed by a transoral approach.

Thyroid surgery: the sub-mental drain.

Objective: To propose an alternative site of thyroid drain placement.

Background: During thyroid surgery, post-operative drains are often placed. It is common practice to bring out the drain lateral to the wound, often creating an additional, unsightly scar.