Associations between hypopharyngeal defect closure and quality of life in long-term total laryngectomy survivors.

Background: Few studies have examined health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes in long-term total laryngectomy survivors in relation to the type of hypopharyngeal defect.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in long-term total laryngectomy survivors, treated between 2000 and 2020. The primary outcome was HRQOL, assessed using the FACE-Q Head and Neck Cancer Module, in relation to the type of hypopharyngeal closure (primary closure, partial or circumferential reconstruction).

Surgical Outcomes after Full Thickness Chest Wall Resection Followed by Immediate Reconstruction: A 7-Year Observational Study of 42 Cases.

Introduction: Reconstruction of full thickness chest wall defects is challenging and is associated with a considerable risk of complications. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the surgical outcomes and their associations with patient and treatment characteristics following full thickness chest wall reconstruction.

Patients And Methods: A retrospective observational study was performed by including patients who underwent reconstruction of full thickness chest wall defect at the Erasmus MC between January 2014 and December 2020.

Quality of life in 583 head and neck cancer survivors assessed with the FACE-Q head and neck cancer module.

Objectives: Long-term health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is frequently affected in head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors. Due to the shortage of studies investigating long-term patient-reported outcomes, we investigated long-term HRQOL using the novel FACE-Q HNC Module.

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional single-center study was performed, including all patients who underwent curative treatment for HNC between 2006 and 2013.

Quality of life after surgical treatments for facial palsy: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Facial palsy profoundly affects patients' quality of life (QoL). We evaluated the effect of various surgical procedures on QoL using patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) to provide evidence-based recommendations for improved care.

Methods: Embase, Medline, Web of Science, Cochrane, and CINAHL were searched for studies on QoL in patients with facial palsy who had undergone reconstructive surgery with preoperative and postoperative data from validated PROMs.

Clinical efficacy and patients' perception of virtual reality during wound care in adults: A systematic review with meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials.

This study was aimed to review Virtual Reality's (VR) impact on pain, anxiety, opioid usage, physiological and behavioural responses, and patients' experience during wound care (WC) in adults. We searched multiple databases (Embase, Medline ALL, Web of Science Core Collection, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL, Scopus and Google Scholar) from inception until January 27th, 2023. Included studies compared VR alone or as an adjunct to standard WC with standard WC or other distraction methods, in adults with burn or non-burn-related wounds.

Efficacy of a Decision Aid in Breast Cancer Patients Considering Immediate Reconstruction: Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Breast cancer patients face complex decisions about immediate breast reconstruction (BR) after mastectomy. The authors evaluated the efficacy of an online decision aid in improving the decision-making process, decision quality, and health outcomes in breast cancer patients considering immediate BR.

Methods: In a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial, patients were allocated to either the intervention group, receiving care as usual with access to an online decision aid, or the control group, receiving care as usual with an information leaflet.

3D surface imaging technology for objective automated assessment of facial interventions: A systematic review.

Background: The incidence of facial skin cancer increases worldwide, resulting in more surgical resections and reconstructions. Reconstructive surgery aims to approach a normal facial anatomy to optimize the quality of life. Objective automated assessment of the esthetic outcome of facial reconstructions could provide feedback for the improvement of surgical techniques and preoperative patient expectation management.

Development of a patient decision aid for patients with breast cancer who consider immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to develop a patient decision aid (pDA) that could support patients with breast cancer (BC) in making an informed decision about breast reconstruction (BR) after mastectomy.

Methods: The development included four stages: (i) Establishment of a multidisciplinary team; (ii) Needs assessment consisting of semi-structured interviews in patients and a survey among healthcare professionals (HCPs); (iii) Creation of content, design and technical system; and (iv) Acceptability and usability testing using a think-aloud approach in patients and interviews among HCPs and representatives of the Dutch Breast Cancer Patient Organization.

Results: From the needs assessment, three themes were identified: Challenging period to make a decision, Diverse motivations for a personal decision and Information needed to make a decision about BR.

Long-term outcomes of two-stage, immediate and delayed breast reconstruction with polyurethane-covered versus textured implants: protocol of a prospective, multicentre randomised controlled trial (TIPI trial).

Introduction: Two-stage implant-based breast reconstruction is the most commonly performed postmastectomy reconstructive technique. During the first stage, a tissue expander creates a sufficiently large pocket for the definite breast implant placed in the second stage. Capsular contracture is a common long-term complication associated with implant-based breast reconstruction, causing functional complaints and often requiring reoperation.

Decisional conflict in breast cancer patients considering immediate breast reconstruction.

Background: Breast cancer (BC) patients who are treated with mastectomy are frequently offered immediate breast reconstruction. This study aimed to assess decisional conflict in patients considering immediate breast reconstruction, and to identify factors associated with clinically significant decisional conflict (CSDC).

Methods: Baseline data of a multicenter randomized controlled trial evaluating the impact of an online decision aid for BC patients considering immediate breast reconstruction after mastectomy were analyzed.

A systematic review on the sensory reinnervation of free flaps for tongue reconstruction: Does improved sensibility imply functional benefits?

Background: Tongue reconstruction after (hemi)glossectomy including sensory recovery is challenging. Although sensory recovery could improve functional outcome, no consensus on the need for reinnervation of the neo-tongue exists. Therefore, a systematic review was performed to determine if sensory reinnervation of free flaps in tongue reconstruction is better than no sensory reinnervation.

The split radial forearm flap for lower leg defects.

The conventional free radial forearm flap is a very reliable, long-pedicled flap with thin, pliable skin. These properties make it an excellent choice for high-risk reconstructions or defects requiring only a thin cover. The split radial forearm flap allows primary closure of the donor site and has a large variability in shape and size.

Clinical outcome after pedicled segmental pectoralis major island flaps for head and neck reconstruction.

The pectoralis major is reliable for reconstruction of large defects in the head and neck area. In 2001, we introduced a muscle-sparing technique with preservation of the clavicular part of the muscle. So far, we did not report on its reliability and clinical outcome at the receptor site.

Clinical application and outcome of the segmental pectoralis major free flap in five head and neck patients.

Background: Although microsurgical transplantation of the sternocostal segment of the pectoralis major muscle shares most of the advantages of the latissimus dorsi free flap, the latter has become a workhorse of microsurgery and the segmental pectoralis major free flap has not. By presenting their clinical experience with primary transplantations of this free flap to reconstruct craniofacial defects, the authors intend to draw more attention to its application and promote its use in reconstructive surgery.

Methods: Segmental pectoralis major free flaps were used for reconstruction of craniofacial defects in four male oncologic patients and one female trauma patient with a mean age of 55 years (range, 37 to 68 years).

Function of the clavicular part of the pectoralis major muscle after transplantation of its sternocostal part.

Background: Muscle-sparing transplantation of the sternocostal part of the pectoralis major muscle while preserving the clavicular part of the muscle may reduce donor-site morbidity, particularly in cases where dissection of the lymph nodes of the neck has been performed. The nerve supply and motor function of the clavicular part is alleged to be preserved when the sternocostal part is transposed through the deltopectoral groove. This study aims to objectify such preservation.

The segmental pectoralis major free flap: anatomical features of its vascular pedicle.

Background: The pectoralis major muscle may be suited for free transplantation of a segment of the muscle. We investigated the length and diameter of its vascular pedicle to determine its feasibility.

Methods: The length of the pedicle, its arterial diameter, and its entry point into the muscle were determined in 17 cadaveric flaps.

Pisotriquetral instability causing an unusual flexor tendon rupture.

We present a case of a closed rupture of the flexor digitorum profundus tendon of the small finger. It is our hypothesis that because of pisotriquetral instability as a result of a lesion of the pisotriquetral ligaments the flexor digitorum profundus tendon was entrapped repeatedly between the pisiform and triquetrum. This resulted in an attritional lesion of the tendon.

The nerve supply to the clavicular part of the pectoralis major muscle: an anatomical study and clinical application of the function-preserving pectoralis major island flap.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the nerve supply to the clavicular part of the pectoralis major muscle so that the innervation to this part can be maintained in the muscle-preserving pectoralis major island-flap transfer. Although methods have been described that include a limited portion of the muscle while leaving the upper parts undisturbed with an intact motor innervation, reports on anatomical studies of this nerve supply are brief. The distal distribution of the nerves, the spatial relationship to the main vascular pedicle, and the ways to preserve them during surgical procedures remain unclear.