Predictive factors of lethality and complications of deep fascial space infections of the neck.

Objective: to identify predictive factors for lethality and complications of deep fascial space infections of the neck (DFSIN), establishing an early and aggressive treatment in the neck before the progression to descending mediastinitis.

Methods: we retrospectively analyzed 133 cases of DFSIN treated at Discipline of Head and Neck Surgery of the Medicine School of Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo. We accessed demographic characteristics, associated diseases, clinical presentation, laboratorial tests, length of hospital stay, number of involved anatomic neck spaces, intra-operative and microbiology findings.

Predictive factors for late cervical metastasis in stage I and II squamous cell carcinoma of the lip.

Purpose: Many authors have described clinicopathologic parameters as factors related to cervical lymph node metastasis development in N0 stage lip cancer. However, predictive factors for occult lymph node metastasis and criteria for elective neck dissection, especially for early tumour, remain undefined.

Methods: A multi-institutional study with 193 consecutive patients with early lip SCC treated from January 1990 to March 2006 was carried out retrospectively to determine factors predicting occult metastasis.

Pectoralis major myocutaneous flap in Head And Neck Surgery reconstructions: critical analysis.

Objective: to evaluate the results of the use of the pectoralis major flap in the reconstruction of head and neck surgeries.

Methods: we conducted a retrospective study with data bank analysis and review of medical records of patients with head and neck cancer operated at the Discipline of Head and Neck Surgery, Surgery Department, São Paulo Holy Home of Mercy, using the pectoralis major flap for reconstruction, in a period of 16 years. We analyzed age, gender, primary site of neoplasia, clinical staging, preoperative radiotherapy (RT) and complications, classified as major and minor.

Pharyngocutaneous fistulae following total laryngectomy comparison between manual and mechanical sutures.

The extension of the surgery and closure type of the pharynx can be the determinants in the pharyngocutaneous fistula development. The objective of the study is to evaluate the incidence of pharingocutaneous salivary fistulae after total laryngectomies comparing manual and mechanical sutures. The study is designed as non-randomized, prospective clinical study.

Deep neck infection: analysis of 80 cases.

Unlabelled: Deep neck infections are serious diseases that involve several spaces in the neck. The most dreadful complication is descending necrotizing fasciitis, which needs early diagnosis and aggressive treatment.

Aim: To analyze 80 treated cases of deep neck infection and propose a schematic guideline for managing this disease.