Metastatic Ductal Eccrine Adenocarcinoma with Excellent Response to Immunotherapy.

Eccrine carcinoma, a subtype of which is ductal eccrine adenocarcinoma (DEA), is a rare cutaneous malignancy. For metastatic eccrine carcinoma, there are very limited data to guide treatment. Conventional chemotherapy is of limited benefit and there is only a small body of evidence for the use of immunotherapy in non-DEA eccrine carcinomas.

Systematic review of head and neck lymphedema assessment.

Head and neck lymphedema (HNL) is an increasingly recognized complication of head and neck cancer and its treatment. However, no consensus exists on the "gold-standard" assessment tool for the purposes of diagnosis, classification, or monitoring of HNL. We conducted a systematic review of the literature regarding HNL assessment to determine the optimal method/s of assessment for patients with HNL.

Timing of Ansa Cervicalis-to-recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Reinnervation: A Systematic Review.

Background: Ansa cervicalis-to-recurrent laryngeal nerve anastomosis (ARA) is an established technique for the treatment of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury after head and neck surgery. However, the optimal timing of ARA remains unclear, and the evidence bases for ARA performed at each timepoint after RLN injury have not previously been clearly distinguished. We conducted a systematic review of the literature to evaluate the efficacy of ARA performed at different timepoints on postoperative voice outcomes.

Does Direct Surgical Decompression After Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury Influence Post-Traumatic Syringomyelia Rates? An 18-Year Single-Center Experience.

Objective: Risk factors for post-traumatic syringomyelia (PTS) development after traumatic spinal cord injury (tSCI) are incompletely understood. This study aimed to investigate the influence of direct surgical decompression after tSCI, as well as demographic, clinical, and other management-related factors, on rates of PTS development.

Methods: A single-center case-control study was conducted on patients who presented with tSCI to a tertiary referral center over an 18-year period and received adequate follow-up.

Systematic review of laryngocele and pyolaryngocele management in the age of robotic surgery.

Objective: A laryngocele is a space that develops as a result of pathological dilatation of the laryngeal saccule. However, the reported management of laryngoceles varies. We conducted a systematic review of the literature regarding the surgical management of laryngoceles and pyolaryngoceles, to understand the evolving nature of treatment for this rare condition.

Meta-analysis on the rate of pharyngocutaneous fistula in early oral feeding in laryngectomy patients.

Background: Laryngectomy remains a common operation in head and neck units. The operation holds significant risk of post-operative morbidity including swallowing dysfunction. The most significant post-operative concern is the formation of a pharyngocutaneous fistula [PCF], the reported incidence of which is between 3% and 65%.

Systematic review of cortical bone trajectory versus pedicle screw techniques for lumbosacral spine fusion.

Fusion of the lumbosacral spine is a common surgical procedure to address a range of spinal pathologies. Fixation in lumbar fusion has traditionally been performed using pedicle screw (PS) augmentation. However, an alternative method of screw insertion via cortical bone trajectory (CBT) has been advocated as a less invasive approach which improves initial fixation and reduces neurovascular injury.

Effect of Smoking Status on Successful Arthrodesis, Clinical Outcome, and Complications After Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF).

Background: Anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) is a surgical technique indicated for the treatment of several lumbar pathologies. Smoking has been suggested as a possible cause of reduced fusion rates after ALIF, although the literature regarding the impact of smoking status on lumbar spine surgery is not well established. This study aims to assess the impact of perioperative smoking status on the rates of perioperative complications, fusion, and adverse clinical outcomes in patients undergoing ALIF surgery.

Epidural Steroids at Closure After Microdiscectomy/Laminectomy for Reduction of Postoperative Analgesia: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: This review assessed the efficacy of epidural steroid administration on the reduction of pain, hospital stay time, and use of opioid analgesics postoperatively.

Methods: We searched Medline, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews for studies using epidural steroids through any route after lumbar surgery. The primary study outcomes included preoperative and postoperative pain as assessed with a visual analogue scale (VAS), length of hospital stay (LOS), and postoperative use of opioid analgesics.