End-to-patch anastomosis for microvascular transfer of free flaps with small pedicle.

Background: Although perforator-to-perforator anastomosis in supermicrosurgery may be used in transferring free flaps with small vessels, it is still difficult in certain situations that include potentially infected wounds. Moreover, it is limited to smaller flaps. Anastomosis of large vessels is still safer for transfer of a large flap for most surgeons.

Early results of robotic assisted nasopharyngectomy for recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Background: Minimally invasive nasopharyngectomy with the da Vinci surgical robot has been shown to be a feasible operation for salvage of recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The current case series presents the early results of robotic nasopharyngectomy.

Methods: We conducted a prospective series of patients who underwent robotic nasopharyngectomy for recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma in a single institution.

Stenting of the eustachian tube to prevent otitis media with effusion after maxillary swing approach nasopharyngectomy.

Objectives/hypothesis: Our previous report recommended that the management of ipsilateral otitis media with effusion (OME) after maxillary swing nasopharyngectomy was observation. The idea of introducing a stent into the eustachian tube (ET) at the nasopharyngeal side after nasopharyngectomy may prevent postoperative OME. The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of intraoperative ET stenting and the efficacy of preventing ipsilateral OME formation.

The role of myringotomy and ventilation tube insertion in maxillary swing approach nasopharyngectomy: review of our 10-year experience.

Objectives/hypothesis: The use of myringotomy with ventilation tube insertion after maxillary swing nasopharyngectomy was originally described to prevent the occurrence of otitis media with effusion. The outcome of this otologic procedure has never been reviewed and discussed. The purpose of this study is to examine the role of myringotomy with ventilation tube insertion in this group of patients.

Long-term hearing results and otological complications of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients: comparison between treatment with conventional two-dimensional radiotherapy and intensity-modulated radiotherapy.

Objective: To assess the long-term audiological outcome and otological complications of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients who have received intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) versus conventional two-dimensional radiotherapy (2 DRT).

Study Design: Prospective study on the audiological outcome and otological complications 5-9 years after radiotherapy.

Methodology: Patients had pure-tone audiogram before radiotherapy and 5 years after radiotherapy.

Secondary head and neck cancer in patients with history of hematological malignancy.

Background: Head and neck cancer is a common second cancer in patients with a history of hematological malignancies. The purpose of this study was present the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of this group of patients.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted of all patients who had a history of hematological malignancy and developed head and neck cancer in a 10-year period.

Natural course and tumor doubling time of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. A study of 15 patients.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a non-lymphomatous carcinoma that develops in the epithelial lining of the nasopharynx. The knowledge of natural course of tumor progression has been based on anatomical model without clinical correlation. This study is the first to describe and analyze the natural progression of NPC based on clinical information and calculate the tumor growth rate of NPC.

Efficacy of neck dissection for locoregional failures versus isolated nodal failures in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Background: Neck dissection has been shown to be effective in controlling nodal failures in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Its efficacy in controlling the disease in patients with synchronous locoregional failure is, however, not documented.

Method: A retrospective review of all patients who underwent neck dissection for nodal failures with or without treated local failure within 6 months was conducted for this study.

Is virtual endoscopy of the middle ear useful?

Virtual endoscopy is a relatively new imaging technology in otology, and therefore data on its efficacy in clinical situations are limited. We conducted a prospective study to evaluate the clinical relevance of radiologic diagnoses based on virtual endoscopy of the middle ear. Our patient population was made up of 30 adults who were scheduled to undergo surgery to correct conductive hearing loss of unknown etiology.

Prediction of surgical outcome using plasma Epstein-Barr virus dna and (18)F-FDG PET-CT scan in recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Background: This study was carried out to determine the role of plasma Epstein-Barr virus (pEBV)-DNA and positron-emission tomography (PET)-CT scan in predicting the outcome of nasopharyngectomy and cervical lymphadenectomy for recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Methods: Between 2007 and 2009, we recruited patients who had local or regional recurrent NPC after radiotherapy. The relationship between preoperative pEBV-DNA level, maximal standard uptake value (SUVmax), and surgical outcome was analyzed.

Second primary squamous cell carcinoma arising in the skin of a pectoralis major myocutaneous flap 12 years after floor of mouth reconstruction.

Second primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in the skin of a flap used for reconstruction of floor of mouth is rare. A case of SCC arising in the pectoralis major myocutaneous flap that was used to reconstruct the floor of mouth 12 years after subtotal glossectomy and resection of the floor of mouth is reported. The tumour is a second primary SCC arises in the skin of a myocutaneous flap without any obvious risk factors.

Ultrasonographic screening for occult thyroid cancer.

Background: It has been shown that occult thyroid carcinoma can be identified in about 10% of thyroid glands in autopsy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of asymptomatic thyroid carcinoma in the Hong Kong Chinese population by ultrasonographic screening.

Methods: Volunteer subjects without symptoms of thyroid disease were recruited for ultrasonographic screening for thyroid cancer.

Prospective randomized study of selective neck dissection versus observation for N0 neck of early tongue carcinoma.

Background: There are controversies on the benefits of elective neck dissection (END) for oral tongue carcinoma.

Method: This is a prospective randomized study of elective selective I, II, III neck dissection versus observation for N0 neck of stage I to II oral tongue carcinoma. There were 35 patients on the observation arm and 36 patients on the END arm.

Ear surgery in infants under one year of age: its risks and implications for cochlear implant surgery.

Objective: Neonatal hearing screening programs allow early identification of infants with congenital severe hearing impairment. Increasing evidence suggests that early cochlear implantation (CI) facilitates auditory rehabilitation and bilateral implantation exceeds the benefit of unilateral CI fitting. Elective surgery before the age of 12 months has, therefore, become increasingly popular.

Preoperative measurement of tumor thickness of oral tongue carcinoma with intraoral ultrasonography.

Background: Tumor thickness of oral tongue carcinoma is an important independent prognostic factor for local recurrence, subclinical nodal metastasis, and survival. An accurate preoperative assessment of tumor thickness is therefore essential in optimizing treatment algorithm. The present study aims at evaluating the accuracy of intraoral ultrasonography in preoperative measurement of tumor thickness.

Thyroid dysfunction in laryngectomees-10 years after treatment.

Background: Hypothyroidism is 1 of the complications that follow treatment of various head and neck cancers. In the literature, reviews using different primary sites and differences in treatment modalities make comparison of post-treatment hypothyroidism not possible. The objective of this study was to evaluate the incidence of hypothyroidism in a homogenous group of patients who were treated with total laryngectomy and irradiation for laryngeal carcinoma and to assess the importance of different variables in the occurrence of hypothyroidism.

The skin prick test results of 977 patients suffering from chronic rhinitis in Hong Kong.

Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of aetiological allergens identifiable by skin prick test alone in patients suffering from chronic rhinitis in Hong Kong, and also compare the clinical history and symptoms of skin prick test-positive versus skin prick test-negative patients.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Otorhinolaryngology clinic in Queen Mary Hospital of Hong Kong.

Long-term performance of indwelling tracheoesophageal speaking valves in Chinese patients undergoing laryngectomy.

Objectives: To assess the use of indwelling tracheoesophageal speaking valves in Chinese patients undergoing laryngectomy, to identify the clinicopathologic factors for favorable outcome, and to evaluate the factors that determine prosthesis lifetime.

Design: Retrospective review.

Setting: Tertiary care institution.