Predictive factors of lethality and complications of deep fascial space infections of the neck.

Objective: to identify predictive factors for lethality and complications of deep fascial space infections of the neck (DFSIN), establishing an early and aggressive treatment in the neck before the progression to descending mediastinitis.

Methods: we retrospectively analyzed 133 cases of DFSIN treated at Discipline of Head and Neck Surgery of the Medicine School of Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo. We accessed demographic characteristics, associated diseases, clinical presentation, laboratorial tests, length of hospital stay, number of involved anatomic neck spaces, intra-operative and microbiology findings.

Total thyroidectomy with ultrasonic scalpel: a multicenter, randomized controlled trial.

Background: The ultrasonic scalpel is a recently introduced device in head and neck surgery. Total thyroidectomy is the most common endocrine procedure performed by surgeons.

Methods: This was an open, phase IV, multicenter, randomized controlled trial (RCT) that compared the use of an ultrasonic scalpel with a conventional technique in patients who underwent total thyroidectomy.

Pharyngocutaneous fistulae following total laryngectomy comparison between manual and mechanical sutures.

The extension of the surgery and closure type of the pharynx can be the determinants in the pharyngocutaneous fistula development. The objective of the study is to evaluate the incidence of pharingocutaneous salivary fistulae after total laryngectomies comparing manual and mechanical sutures. The study is designed as non-randomized, prospective clinical study.

Deep neck infection: analysis of 80 cases.

Unlabelled: Deep neck infections are serious diseases that involve several spaces in the neck. The most dreadful complication is descending necrotizing fasciitis, which needs early diagnosis and aggressive treatment.

Aim: To analyze 80 treated cases of deep neck infection and propose a schematic guideline for managing this disease.

Surgical treatment of the substernal goitre.

This report describes the surgical experience gained from 32 patients with substernal goitre, operated on during January 1995 to December 1997. The material corresponds to 15.7% of the total thyroidectomies performed.