Unmet supportive care needs in patients treated with total laryngectomy and its associated factors.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate unmet supportive care needs in patients treated with total laryngectomy and its associated factors.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 283 patients who underwent total laryngectomy completed questions on supportive care needs (Supportive Care Needs Survey [SCNS]). Median time since total laryngectomy surgery was 7 years (range 0-37 years).

Swallowing sparing intensity modulated radiotherapy (SW-IMRT) in head and neck cancer: Clinical validation according to the model-based approach.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to clinically validate a multivariable normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) model for grade 2-4 swallowing dysfunction at 6months after radiotherapy or chemoradiation (SWALM6) in head and neck cancer patients treated with swallowing sparing intensity modulated radiotherapy (SW-IMRT) and to test if SW-IMRT resulted in a reduction of the prevalence of SWALM6.

Materials And Methods: The primary endpoint was SWALM6. For all 186 patients, a standard IMRT (parotid sparing) and a SW-IMRT plan (additional constraints for swallowing organs at risk) was created.

Recent advances in surgery for head and neck cancer.

Purpose Of Review: This paper reviews the advances in surgery in head and neck cancer patients.

Recent Findings: Sentinel node biopsy is a promising diagnostic technique to detect occult lymph node metastases, especially in oral carcinomas. Fludeoxyglucose-PET seems to be useful in detecting recurrent (laryngeal) carcinoma after radiotherapy.

Gangplank flap reconstruction of the nose.

In subtotal nose reconstruction, different tissues have to be reconstructed. We report the case of a 51-year-old man with a severe deformity of the nose (shortening and collapse of the nose, retraction of the right alar area, and a total septal defect after surgery and radiotherapy for a septum nasi carcinoma). Reconstruction with good results was performed with a "gangplank" flap technique (using a U-shaped skin flap for inner lining and for lengthening), rib cartilage for the nasal skeleton, and skin coverage with a paramedian forehead flap.