Presence of postlaryngectomy pseudodiverticulum on barium swallow does not affect early dietary progression.

Background: The presence of a pseudodiverticulum of the anterior pharyngeal wall, or prominent "pharyngeal bar," is a well-known phenomenon that occurs following total laryngectomy, which can be visualized by nasolaryngoscopy or videofluoroscopy. Among the different techniques of pharyngeal reconstruction, there is higher incidence following primary vertical multilayered closure. It has been postulated to cause dysphagia and lack of dietary progression despite a paucity of data.

A quality assessment of YouTube as an information resource for tonsillectomy.

Purpose: Online resources are increasingly being utilised by patients to guide their clinical decision making, as an alternative or supplement to the traditional clinical-patient relationship. YouTube is an online repository of user and community generated videos, which is one of the most popular websites globally. We undertook a study to examine the quality of information presented in YouTube videos related to tonsillectomy.

Smell-related quality of life changes after total laryngectomy: a multi-centre study.

Purpose: A total laryngectomy creates an alternate airway for gas exchange that bypasses the upper aerodigestive tract. The subsequent reduction in nasal airflow, and therefore, reduction in deposition of particles to the olfactory neuroepithelium leads to hyposmia or anosmia. The aim of this study was to assess the quality of life impairment conferred by anosmia following laryngectomy and identify any specific patient-related risk factors that are associated with poorer outcomes.

Prelacrimal Window Approach in the Management of Odontogenic Maxillary Sinusitis from Dental Foreign Body.

The floor of the maxillary sinus is partly formed by the alveolar process of the maxilla, and this anatomical relationship forms an interface for collaboration between rhinologists, maxillofacial and dental surgeons, and dentists. Odontogenic maxillary sinusitis (ODMS) occurs secondary to infectious processes of the maxillary molar and premolar teeth or following complications from dental procedures. Extruded dental foreign bodies within the sinus can cause chronic mucosal irritation leading to mucociliary dysfunction and sinogenic symptoms.

Operative technique in laryngeal paraganglioma: A case series and literature review.

Background: Laryngeal paragangliomas (LP) comprise a rare subset of head and neck neoplasms and are an important differential in the patient with a submucosal laryngeal mass.

Methods: We discuss an operative technique using coblation assisted excision via laryngofissure in the cases of four confirmed LPs and discuss the current literature with respect to diagnosis and management of these patients.

Results: Our case series of four patients demonstrate the laryngofissure approach for LP is safe, provides oncological cure and preserves laryngeal function.

A Multidisciplinary Approach to Secondary Tracheoesophageal Puncture for Voice Prosthesis Insertion Using Flexible Esophagoscopy.

Background: Tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) with voice prosthesis (VP) insertion is the gold standard of surgical voice restoration in postlaryngectomy patients. The conventional technique involves rigid esophagoscopes and trocar performed by ENT surgeons alone, with technical limitations encountered in patients with cervical abnormalities - in particular those with free or rotational flap reconstructions and postradiotherapy strictures. We report our technique using flexible endoscopy which we show to be feasible and without major safety events, as a possible consideration in the anticipated difficult TEP.

Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Invasion by Thyroid Cancer: Laryngeal Function and Survival Outcomes.

Background: Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) invasion by thyroid carcinoma represents an advanced disease status with potentially significant co-morbidity.

Methods: In a retrospective single-center study, we included patients with invaded RLNs operated on while using nerve monitoring techniques. We studied pre-, intra-, and postoperative parameters associated with postoperative vocal cord paralysis (VCP); 5-year recurrence-free survival (RFS); and 5-year overall survival (OS) in addition to two subgroup analyses of postoperative VCP in patients without preoperative VCP and based on source of RLN invasion.

Ramsay Hunt syndrome with multiple cranial neuropathy: a literature review.

Background: Ramsay Hunt Syndrome (RHS) is a neurotological disorder involving the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in the geniculate ganglion of the facial nerve (Sweeney and Gilden in J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 71:149-154, 2001). The characteristic presentation involves ipsilateral lower motor neuron type facial paresis, auricular pain with or without hearing impairment, and vesicular lesions of the external auditory canal and outer ear. Involvement of the facial and vestibulocochlear nerve is typical in RHS, whilst multiple cranial neuropathies are rare and associated with poorer prognosis and systemic complications (Arya et al.

Meta-analysis on continuous nerve monitoring in thyroidectomies.

In the last decade, the introduction of continuous intraoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) monitoring (C-IONM) has enabled the operator to verify the functional integrity of the vagus nerve-recurrent laryngeal nerve (VN-RLN) axis in real-time. We aim to present the current evidence on C-IONM utility for thyroid surgery by conducting the first meta-analysis on this technique. A systematic review of literature was conducted by two independent reviewers via Ovid in the Medline, EMBASE, and Cochrane reviews databases.

Utility of narrowband imaging in the diagnosis of laryngeal leukoplakia: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the validity of narrowband imaging (NBI) in differentiating between low-risk leukoplakia and high-risk leukoplakia. Medline, EMBASE, Scopus, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects were searched. Studies evaluating the diagnostic accuracy of NBI in the assessment of laryngeal leukoplakia were included.

The value of narrowband imaging using the Ni classification in the diagnosis of laryngeal cancer.

Introduction: Narrowband imaging (NBI) is a special endoscopic optical enhancement setting allowing better visualization of mucosal microvasculature compared to white light endoscopy. This study evaluates the validity of NBI using the Ni classification in the detection and differentiation of severe dysplasia (SD) and glottic squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

Methods: Patients with suspicious vocal cord lesions underwent conventional white light endoscopy followed by clinically indicated biopsy.

Use of Purastat, a novel haemostatic matrix based on self-assembling peptides in the prevention of nasopharyngeal adhesion formation.

Introduction: Purastat is a novel haemostatic agent that has recently been used effectively in nasal procedures, specifically in functional endoscopic endonasal surgery in the prevention of post-operative epistaxis while minimising adhesion formation. This study presents a case of successful application of Purastat following division of a nasopharyngeal/palatal stenosis following radiotherapy.

Presentation Of Case: A 49-year-old male developed severe nasopharyngeal stenosis following concurrent chemoradiotherapy with curative intent a HPV positive base of tongue squamous cell carcinoma.

Risk factors associated with microbial colonisation and infection of tracheostomy tubes.

Background: A long-term tracheostomy tube has the potential to cause significant morbidity and mortality in both hospitalised patients and those in the community. This study aims to assess the rates of microbial colonisation and infection of tracheostomy tubes.

Materials And Methods: Consecutive patients were enrolled from both inpatient and outpatient settings during their routine tracheostomy changes.

Comparison of arytenoid vertical height discrepancy in normal versus patients with vocal cord palsy.

Objective: Cadaveric experiments and more recently clinical data have demonstrated that patients with vertical height discrepancy between their arytenoids experience poorer voice outcomes in patients with unilateral vocal cord palsy (UVP) after medialisation laryngoplasty. However, the presence or severity of height discrepancy in normal patients without UVP has not yet been clearly defined.

Study Design: Case-control study.

Respiratory Epithelial Adenomatoid Hamartoma: An Important Differential of Sinonasal Masses.

Background Respiratory epithelial adenomatoid hamartomas (REAH) are rare, glandular proliferations of the aerodigestive tract lined by ciliated respiratory epithelium. We report nine cases of REAH and devised a histopathological guide to differentiate these lesions from its main differentials. Methods Patients with biopsy-proven REAH were included in the series.

Survival outcome of tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) in the context of human papillomavirus (HPV): A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: The objective of our study was to assess whether HPV-positive TSCC had better survival and prognosis rates, when compared to HPV-negative TSCC.

Method: A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed comparing HPV status in TSCC patients. TSCC was confirmed with histopathology and HPV status was confirmed with PCR, immunohistochemistry and/or in-situ-hybridisation.

Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Survival in the Context of Human Papillomavirus: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Head and neck (H&N) squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a significant contributor to worldwide mortality and morbidity. Human papillomavirus (HPV) has been linked with H&N cancer and HPV-positive H&N SCC have been shown to have better survival outcomes.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of human papillomavirus (HPV) on laryngeal carcinoma (LSCC) survival outcomes and prognosis.

Outcomes of microvascular free flap reconstruction for mandibular osteoradionecrosis: A systematic review.

Introduction: Osteoradionecrosis of the mandible is a devastating complication of radiotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer. Many cases present at a late stage, from months to years following completion of radiation therapy. When medical treatment fails, surgery may be required with a variety of free flaps available for microvascular reconstructive techniques.

Thyroidectomy in the professional singer-neural monitored surgical outcomes.

Background: Voice changes commonly occur from thyroidectomy and may be due to neural or nonneural causes. Such changes can be a source of significant morbidity for any patient, but thyroidectomy in the professional singer carries special significance. We test the hypothesis that the career of singers and professional voice users is not impaired after neural monitored thyroid surgery.

Respiratory variation predicts optimal endotracheal tube placement for intra-operative nerve monitoring in thyroid and parathyroid surgery.

Background: Intra-operative nerve monitoring (IONM) of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) during thyroid and parathyroid surgery is thought to aid in identification and dissection of the RLN. While utilization of IONM is increasing, one area of variability in its application is the assessment of adequate endotracheal tube electrode placement for IONM during the case. The main objective of this study is to assess the overall success of utilizing respiratory variation to confirm proper endotracheal tube placement for RLN monitoring.

The vagus nerve, recurrent laryngeal nerve, and external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve have unique latencies allowing for intraoperative documentation of intact neural function during thyroid surgery.

Objectives/hypothesis: To define normative amplitude and latency of vagus, recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN), and external branch of superior laryngeal nerve (EBSLN) and to apply them to postoperative neural function documentation. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report electrophysiologic characteristics of all three nerves in a consecutive patient series.

Study Design: Prospective.

Continuous vagal IONM prevents recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis by revealing initial EMG changes of impending neuropraxic injury: a prospective, multicenter study.

Objectives/hypothesis: Existing intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) formats stimulate the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) intermittently, exposing it to risk for injury in between stimulations. We report electrophysiologic parameters of continuous vagal monitoring, utilizing a novel real-time IONM format, and relate these parameters to intraoperative surgical maneuvers that delineate nascent adverse but reversible electrophysiologic parameters to prevent nerve injury. These results are correlated with postoperative vocal cord functional outcome.