Safety of microvascular free tissue transfer reconstruction of the head and neck in the setting of chronic pharmacologic immunosuppression.

Background: Patients on chronic pharmacologic immunosuppressive therapy are at increased risk of wound infection and complications after surgery. There is a paucity of data examining perioperative complications after microvascular free tissue transfer (MVFTT) reconstruction of the head and neck in this patient population.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study performed at two tertiary referral centers between August 2016 and May 2020.

Inpatient Type 1 Thyroplasty Versus Injection Laryngoplasty for Vocal Fold Movement Impairment After Extent type I and II Aortic Repair.

Importance: Vocal fold motion impairment (VFMI) due to neuronal injury is a known complication following thoracic aortic repair that can impair pulmonary toilet function and post-operative recovery.

Objective: To demonstrate clinical outcomes of patients undergoing inpatient vocal fold medialization for VFMI after aortic surgery.

Design: A 15-year retrospective chart review (2005-2019) of 259 patients with postoperative VFMI after thoracic aortic surgery registry was conducted.

Surgical Management of Postradiation, Dropped Head Spinal Deformity in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer.

Background: Dropped head syndrome is a morbid condition that affects daily functionality, causing pain and dysphagia and respiratory compromise. Reported causes of dropped head syndrome include neuromuscular disorders, iatrogenic from cervical spine surgery, and idiopathic and postradiation for head and neck cancers. Management of this spinal disorder remains challenging, as the complication rates are high.

Free Flap Inset Techniques in Salvage Laryngopharyngectomy Repair: Impact on Fistula Formation and Function.

Objective: To characterize pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) rates and functional outcomes following microvascular free tissue transfer (MVFTT) reconstruction of salvage total laryngectomy (STL) with a review of two different flap inset techniques and a review of the literature.

Methods: Retrospective review.

Results: Review of the literature revealed 887 patients who underwent STL MVFTT from 14 references.

Prognostic factors associated with achieving total oral diet following osteocutaneous microvascular free tissue transfer reconstruction of the oral cavity.

Introduction: Osteocutaneous microvascular free tissue transfer (OMFTT) is the current standard in reconstruction of large bony defects of the oral cavity. Although being able to swallow ranks as a top priority for patients undergoing OMFTT, factors associated with achieving an oral diet following surgery remain unclear. We sought to describe the rate of total oral diet achievement, and to identify possible pre-, intra-, and post-operative factors associated with achievement in patients undergoing OMFTT.

Delayed Diagnosis of Giant Cell Arteritis in the Setting of Isolated Lingual Necrosis.

Background: Lingual necrosis is a rare complication of giant cell arteritis (GCA).

Methods: A 77-year-old woman presented for treatment of a painful and discolored tongue, odynophagia, and dehydration refractory to antimicrobials over 2 weeks. An extensive, well-demarcated necrotic area was visualized on the anterior tongue upon admission.

Tissue engineering of a composite trachea construct using autologous rabbit chondrocytes.

The repair of large tracheal segmental defects remains an unsolved problem. The goal of this study is to apply tissue engineering principles for the fabrication of large segmental trachea replacements. Engineered tracheal replacements composed of autologous cells (neotracheas) were tested in a New Zealand White rabbit model.

Anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy in awake transcervical injection laryngoplasty.

Objective: Vocal fold movement impairment (VFMI) due to neuronal injury occurs in 20% to 30% of surgeries in the region of the aortic arch. Early injection laryngoplasty can aid with postoperative pulmonary toilet in these high-risk cardiovascular patients. The purpose of this study is to determine whether continuing antiplatelet and anticoagulation therapy during awake transcervical injection laryngoplasty surgery is safe, and if there is any increase in bleeding complications in these patients.