PiCO2 monitoring of transferred jejunum perfusion using an air tonometry technique after hypopharyngeal cancer surgery.

This study aimed to investigate the usefulness of intraluminal PCO2 (PiCO2) monitoring by air tonometry for the assessment of the vascular condition of the transferred jejunum after surgery for hypopharyngeal cancer.PiCO2 in the transplanted jejunum of 24 patients was monitored using air tonometry after radical surgery for hypopharyngeal cancer from 2003 to 2010.All but 1 patient, who removed the catheter before monitoring began, were monitored safely.

[Drainage pathways of the frontal sinus on oblique multi-planar reconstruction CT scans].

Oblique reconstruction CT images of frontal sinus drainage pathways were created with ONIS which is free DICOM viewer software. By placing the slice line of the cross sectional image on the drainage pathway of the frontal sinus in the sagittal view, the key oblique CT image could be generated in 96.9% of 65 normal paranasal sinuses that showed the frontal sinus and its drainage pathway simultaneously in one slice.

Transoral closure of pharyngeal perforation caused by gastrointestinal endoscopy.

Objective: We present a case of pharyngeal perforation caused by gastrointestinal endoscopy that was successfully repaired with transoral mucosal sutures. This is the first report of a transoral surgical closure of a perforation caused by an endoscope. We describe the repair procedure, the necessary equipment, and the effectiveness of suturing pharyngeal perforations.

[Surgical management of parapharyngeal space tumors].

Despite its rarity, information on the diagnosis of parapharyngeal space tumors such as through imaging and aspiration biopsy cytology, is slowly accumulating. Little detailed examination has been conducted, however, on surgical approach, complications, and sequelae. We report the results of a retrospective review of 27 patients with primary parapharyngeal space tumors-25 with benign disease and 2 with malignant lesions-treated surgically.

Selective reconstructive options for the anterior skull base.

Carcinomas of the ethmoid, frontal, or maxillary sinuses sometimes invade the anterior skull base. It is necessary to perform en-bloc resection for this invasive carcinoma according to the concepts of surgical treatment for head and neck cancer. The anterior skull base consists of two parts, the orbital roof as the lateral portion and the roofs of the frontal sinus, ethmoid sinus, and/or sphenoid sinus as the central portion.

Intramucosal PCO2 measurement as a new monitoring method of free jejunal transfer following pharyngo-laryngo-esophagectomy.

The choices for practical monitoring of free jejunal transfer have been quite limited because of its own characteristics, such as buried form, lack of skin surface, and the structure of a hollow viscous tract. Physiologically, it is known that tissue hypoxia caused by compromised perfusion leads to an increase of partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2). Because of its physiological properties, the diffusion of carbon dioxide is always equilibrated between the mucosa of a hollow viscous organ and its lumen.