Prognostic implication of sentinel lymph node biopsy in cutaneous head and neck melanoma.

Background: Current therapy for intermediate thickness melanoma involves wide local excision with sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). SLNB provides important prognostic information and immediate regional lymphadenectomy for a positive sentinel lymph node (SLN) may improve survival and identifies patients who are candidates for adjuvant therapy and/or clinical trials. The head and neck site is unique because of its complex lymphatic drainage pattern to multiple nodal basins and because of the risk of site-specific morbidity associated with regional lymphadenectomy when compared to other body sites.

A model for 532-nanometer pulsed potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) laser-induced injury in the rat larynx.

Objectives/hypothesis: The potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) laser is emerging as a potentially effective treatment for various vocal fold pathologies. To date, the precise mechanism(s) of action of this wavelength on the layered microarchitecture of the vocal fold remains unknown. The purpose of this study is to develop an in vivo model for the use of the KTP laser in the rat vocal fold and to characterize the potential of this model for future studies.

Incidence of alarplasty in primary and revision rhinoplasty in a private practice setting.

Objective: To evaluate the incidence of alarplasty in primary and revision rhinoplasty during a 3-year period.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective medical record review of patients undergoing primary and revision rhinoplasty between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2006. Patients were divided into the following categories: primary or revision rhinoplasty, alarplasty, and ethnicity.