Complications in lymph node excision in the head and neck area.

Background: Although needle biopsy is widely used in work-up of lymphadenopathy, lymph node excision (LNE) is often required especially in lymphoma diagnostics. LNE is an invasive procedure, which carries a potential risk of complications. However, comprehensive studies evaluating the spectrum and occurrence of complications are lacking.

Long-term Quality of Life After Treatment of Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Objectives: To analyze the long-term quality of life (QOL) among oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) survivors.

Study Design: Retrospective chart analysis and patient response to European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire, Core Module (EORTC QLQ-C30), Head and Neck Module (EORTC QLQ-H&N35), and M.D.

Comparison of intubation and tracheotomy in adult patients with acute epiglottitis or supraglottitis.

Purpose: In acute epiglottitis (AE) or acute supraglottitis (AS), the management of the airway is crucial. We hypothesized that tracheotomized patients recover faster than intubated patients do.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all adult AE and AS patients, who underwent intubation or tracheotomy between 2007 and 2018 in a tertiary care center.

De-escalation of post-treatment surveillance in oropharyngeal cancer.

Background: The majority of new oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) cases are associated with human papillomavirus and favorable prognosis. Post-treatment follow-up should be targeted to patients at greatest risk for disease recurrence.

Methods: To assess the benefits of routine clinical surveillance in OPSCC, we reviewed all follow-up visits conducted in 2014 at Helsinki University Hospital Department of Otorhinolaryngology.

Sacrifice and extracranial reconstruction of the common or internal carotid artery in advanced head and neck carcinoma: Review and meta-analysis.

Background: Sacrifice and reconstruction of the carotid artery in cases of head and neck carcinoma with invasion of the common or internal carotid artery is debated.

Methods: We conducted a systematic search of electronic databases and provide a review and meta-analysis.

Results: Of the 72 articles identified, 24 met the inclusion criteria resulting in the inclusion of 357 patients.

The feasibility of NBI in patients with suspected upper airway lesions: A multicenter study.

Objective: Narrow band imaging (NBI) improves diagnosis of laryngopharyngeal cancer, but most reported NBI studies are from experienced centers. Feasibility reports on use at everyday outpatient departments are needed.

Study Design: Researcher-initiated, prospective, multicenter.

A patient with intraoral fire during tonsillectomy.

Perioperative fires inside the mouth can have long-lasting sequelae. They are potentially dangerous both to the patient and to the operation room staff as well. Herein, we present a flash fire in the oropharynx, secondary to electrosurgery during a tonsillectomy operation in a young child.

Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tube placement by otorhinolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons.

Conclusion: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube placement by an otorhinolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon is a feasible procedure with logistical advantages for the patient. Patient selection, co-morbidities, and the prognosis of the underlying disease are factors determining the outcome. Patient evaluation by a multidisciplinary team, with a gastroenterologist surgeon as a technical adviser, is proposed.

The impact of pretreatment assessment of oropharynx on interstitial soft palate radiofrequency surgery outcome--a multi-center study in patients with habitual snoring.

Purpose: Interstitial radiofrequency (RF) surgery of the soft palate (SP) is an established option in the treatment of habitual snoring. The decision-making process in the management of habitual snoring would benefit from diagnostic guidelines for oropharyngeal findings. Our aim was to investigate the correlation of systematic clinical pretreatment oropharyngeal examination scores with the efficacy of interstitial RF surgery of SP in a multi-center study.

Complication rates of radiofrequency surgery in the upper airways: a single institution experience.

Conclusion: Radiofrequency (RF) surgery of the upper airways appears to be a safe procedure with an acceptable incidence of minor and moderate complications.

Objectives: RF surgery is increasingly used in the treatment of patients with sleep disordered breathing and inferior turbinate hypertrophy. Our aim was to investigate the incidence and the severity of the complications of RF surgery in the upper airways.

Radiofrequency surgery of the soft palate in the treatment of mild obstructive sleep apnea is not effective as a single-stage procedure: A randomized single-blinded placebo-controlled trial.

Objectives/hypothesis: Radiofrequency (RF) surgery of the soft palate (SP) is an established treatment option for the treatment of snoring. Due to its minimally invasive character, it has received attention in the management of mild obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS).

Study Design: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and the occurrence of adverse events after single-stage SP RF surgery in patients with mild OSAS in a randomized single-blinded placebo-controlled trial in an outpatient department at a tertiary care center, academic teaching hospital.

Radiofrequency ablation treatment of soft palate for patients with snoring: a systematic review of effectiveness and adverse effects.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness and adverse effects of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of soft palate (SP) in snoring.

Study Design: Systematic search of electronic databases. Only articles published in peer-reviewed journals were evaluated.

Radiofrequency thermal ablation for patients with nasal symptoms: a systematic review of effectiveness and complications.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a relatively new method for the reduction of submucosal tissue. The method has gained increasing popularity in the treatment of snoring, tonsillar hypertrophy, tongue base hypertrophy, and nasal obstruction secondary to non-allergic or allergic rhinitis. We present a systematic literature review of current knowledge on the effectiveness, and complications of nasal radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFA) in the treatment of nasal obstruction.

Hypertonic saline injections to enhance the radiofrequency thermal ablation effect in the treatment of base of tongue in obstructive sleep apnoea patients: a pilot study.

Conclusion: Hypertonic saline (HS) infiltration in the base of the tongue (BOT) in multilevel radiofrequency ablation (RFA) treatment was followed by significant acute complications in terms of soft tissue swelling. Three patients were defined as cured. No significant changes in the measured parameters were encountered, although, several of them showed a clear trend.

Nitrous oxide for applying local anesthesia in nasal operations: a randomized placebo-controlled single-blinded study.

Conclusions: In our study setting nitrous oxide (N(2)O) did not show any clinical benefit in discomfort experienced when applying local anesthesia for nasal operations. Further studies with longer inhalation times are needed to elucidate the role of N(2)O in application of local anesthesia in nasal surgery.

Objectives: N(2)O inhalation reduces the discomfort experienced in various medical procedures.

CT of the chest and abdomen in patients with newly diagnosed head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: The benefits of CT scanning of the chest and abdomen as a routine screening method for patients with newly diagnosed head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remain unclear.

Methods: Consecutive patients with a primary HNSCC (T classification, T2-T4) and or regionally metastatic disease (ie, N+) were eligible for inclusion. Patients who were considered incurable and patients with recurrent disease were excluded.

Submucosal bipolar radiofrequency thermal ablation of inferior turbinates: a long-term follow-up with subjective and objective assessment.

Objective: To assess the efficacy and morbidity of bipolar radiofrequency thermal ablation of the inferior turbinates in patients with nasal obstruction caused by turbinate hypertrophy.

Study Design: Prospective, nonrandomized study and outpatient treatment.

Methods: Twenty patients (age range, 23-77 y; median age, 52 y) enrolled in the study.

Bipolar radiofrequency thermal ablation of the soft palate in habitual snorers without significant desaturations assessed by magnetic resonance imaging.

Sleep-disordered breathing, including habitual snoring, is a major health problem. Treatment of primary habitual snoring should be individualized using both conservative and active treatment methods. Active surgical interventions are, however, associated with significant morbidity.