Flow-Through Flaps as a Robust Method for Advanced Free Flap Reconstruction in the Head and Neck: A Multi-Institutional Experience.

Background: Flow-through flaps (FTFs) are an advanced technique in which a free flap is anastomosed to the pedicle of another free flap to reconstruct extensive head and neck defects when recipient vessels are scarce.

Methods: A multi-institutional cohort of FTFs used for head and neck reconstruction were reviewed. For comparison, FTF outcomes were compared to free flaps that required vein grafts (VG) to reach distant recipient vessels.

Adverse Events Associated With Surgically Implanted Temporomandibular Joint Devices.

Introduction: Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is a common, yet potentially debilitating syndrome that negatively impacts patient quality of life. In patients with severe variants of TMD, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) devices have been utilized to replace the joint altogether. However, the risk profile and consequent cost-benefit ratio of these devices is largely debated.

Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index and Postoperative Outcomes Following Head and Neck Cancer Surgery.

Background: The geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) is a tool to assess preoperative nutritional status that can be calculated simply based on height, weight, and serum albumin. This study assesses the utility of GNRI in predicting postoperative complications in patients undergoing major head and neck cancer (HNC) surgery.

Methods: Retrospective review of the 2016-2020 National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database.

Treatment and Management of Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma: Appraisal of Clinical Practice Guidelines.

Objective: To appraise clinical practice guidelines for anaplastic thyroid carcinoma treatment and management using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II tool.

Methods: A literature search was performed using MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane, and Google Scholar. Four reviewers evaluated clinical practice guidelines utilising Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II, with domain scores requiring a threshold of greater than 60 per cent.

AGREE II Evaluation of Clinical Practice Guidelines on Generalized Cancer Pain Management.

Purpose: While several clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) exist to guide clinical decision-making in patients with generalized cancer pain, to date there has been no comprehensive review of their quality. Our aim was to address this deficiency via the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) tool.

Design: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guideline-based systematic literature search followed by AGREE II appraisal of identified CPGs.

Mode of Transport and Patient Status Upon Arrival at a Tertiary Pediatric Emergency Department in a Developing Country: A Prospective Observational Study.

Introduction In children with acute illness or injury, timely access to healthcare is crucial for optimal outcomes, including early identification, prompt stabilization, and appropriate referral. Prehospital transport practices often represent a weak link in the system and are frequently underreported. Enhancing these practices could greatly benefit pediatric care.

Primary site surgical resection in cM1 oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma.

Objective: To investigate primary site surgical resection and overall survival (OS) in clinically distantly metastatic (cM1) oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC).

Methods: The 2006-2018 National Cancer Database was queried for patients presenting with cM1 OCSCC who underwent chemotherapy. Binary logistic, Kaplan-Meier, and multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were implemented.

Isolated traumatic orbital floor fracture: An analysis of the National Trauma Data Bank.

Objectives: To date, no study provides a comprehensive analysis of traumatic orbital floor fractures across the United States. We aimed to characterize patient demographics, injury-related variables, and operative management in this population.

Method: The National Trauma Data Bank was queried for open or closed orbital floor fractures from 2008 to 2016.

Risk Factors for Plate Infection, Exposure, and Removal in Mandibular Reconstruction.

Objective: Mandibular plate reconstruction (MPR) is often indicated after tumor ablation, osteoradionecrosis excision, and traumatic bone loss to restore oral functionality and facial cosmetics. There are limited analyses identifying risk factors that lead to plate infection (PIn), exposure, and removal ("plate complications").

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Raman Hyperspectral Imaging as a Potential Tool for Rapid and Nondestructive Identification of Aflatoxin Contamination in Corn Kernels.

The potential of Raman hyperspectral imaging with a 785 nm excitation line laser was examined for the detection of aflatoxin contamination in corn kernels. Nine-hundred kernels were artificially inoculated in the laboratory, with 300 kernels each inoculated with AF13 (aflatoxigenic) fungus, AF36 (nonaflatoxigenic) fungus, and sterile distilled water (control). One-hundred kernels from each treatment were subsequently incubated for 3, 5, and 8 days.

Transoral Robotic Surgery-Assisted Removal of Upper Aerodigestive Tract Foreign Bodies with Intraoperative Localization.

Objective: To describe the use of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) in conjunction with intraoperative localization techniques for removal of challenging upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) foreign bodies.

Methods: Three cases were taken to the operating room for removal of UADT foreign bodies. Two of these cases had previously undergone failed surgery(s).

Accuracy of Salivary Circulating Tumor Human Papillomavirus DNA in Detecting Oropharyngeal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Importance: Circulating tumor human papillomavirus DNA (ctHPV DNA) has shown potential as a biomarker capable of improving outcomes in patients with HPV-related oropharyngeal (OP) cancer. It can be isolated from plasma or saliva, with the latter offering reduced invasiveness and theoretic reduction of lead time.

Objective: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis on the accuracy of salivary ctHPV DNA for detecting HPV-associated OP cancer.

Transcriptomic analysis-guided assessment of precision-cut tumor slices (PCTS) as an ex-vivo tool in cancer research.

With cancer immunotherapy and precision medicine dynamically evolving, there is greater need for pre-clinical models that can better replicate the intact tumor and its complex tumor microenvironment (TME). Precision-cut tumor slices (PCTS) have recently emerged as an ex vivo human tumor model, offering the opportunity to study individual patient responses to targeted therapies, including immunotherapies. However, little is known about the physiologic status of PCTS and how culture conditions alter gene expression.

MicroRNA (miRNA) profiling of maize genotypes with differential response to Aspergillus flavus implies zma-miR156-squamosa promoter binding protein (SBP) and zma-miR398/zma-miR394-F -box combinations involved in resistance mechanisms.

Maize (Zea mays), a major food crop worldwide, is susceptible to infection by the saprophytic fungus Aspergillus flavus that can produce the carcinogenic metabolite aflatoxin (AF) especially under climate change induced abiotic stressors that favor mold growth. Several studies have used "-omics" approaches to identify genetic elements with potential roles in AF resistance, but there is a lack of research identifying the involvement of small RNAs such as microRNAs (miRNAs) in maize-A. flavus interaction.

Early, precise, and safe clinical evaluation of the pharmacodynamic effects of novel agents in the intact human tumor microenvironment.

Drug development is systemically inefficient. Research and development costs for novel therapeutics average hundreds of millions to billions of dollars, with the overall likelihood of approval estimated to be as low as 6.7% for oncology drugs.

Systematic evaluation of Merkel cell carcinoma clinical practice guidelines using the AGREE II instrument.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare type of skin cancer that requires a multidisciplinary approach with a variety of specialists for management and treatment. Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) have recently been established to standardize management algorithms. The objective of this study was to appraise such CPGs via the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) instrument.

Appraisal of clinical practice guidelines for salivary gland cancer management utilizing AGREE II instrument.

Objective: Salivary gland cancers (SGC) are rare neoplasms which comprise 1-5 % of all head and neck cancers. SGCs can be managed by resection, radiosurgery, chemotherapy, or a combination of these. Our team appraised the quality of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for SGC treatment and management using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE-II) instrument.

Transoral robotic surgery with free flap reconstruction: Functional outcomes of 241 patients at a single institution.

Background: Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for oropharyngeal malignancy optimizes oncologic outcomes while preserving functionality. This study identifies patterns of functional recovery after TORS with free flap reconstruction (FFR).

Methods: Retrospective cohort study at a tertiary care center of patients with primary oropharyngeal tumors treated with TORS with FFR between 2010 and 2022.

The efficacy of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program surgical risk calculator in head and neck surgery: A meta-analysis.

Background: The National Surgical Quality Improvement Program surgical risk calculator (SRC) estimates the risk for postoperative complications. This meta-analysis assesses the efficacy of the SRC in the field of head and neck surgery.

Methods: A systematic review identified studies comparing the SRC's predictions to observed outcomes following head and neck surgeries.

Preoperative Circulating Tumor HPV DNA and Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Disease.

Importance: The utility of preoperative circulating tumor tissue-modified viral human papillomavirus DNA (TTMV-HPV DNA) levels in predicting human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPV+ OPSCC) disease burden is unknown.

Objective: To determine if preoperative circulating tumor HPV DNA (ctHPVDNA) is associated with disease burden in patients with HPV+ OPSCC who have undergone transoral robotic surgery (TORS).

Design, Setting, And Participants: This cross-sectional study comprised patients with HPV+ OPSCC who underwent primary TORS between September 2021 and April 2023 at one tertiary academic institution.

Modern internet search analytics and thyroidectomy: What are patients asking?

Objectives: Thyroidectomy is among the most commonly performed head and neck surgeries, however, limited existing information is available on topics of interest and concern to patients.

Study Design: Observational.

Setting: Online.

Quality appraisal of clinical practice guidelines for the evaluation and management of primary hyperparathyroidism.

Purpose: Multiple groups have created clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for the management of primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). This report provides a rigorous quality assessment using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation Instrument (AGREE II) to identify high-performing guidelines and areas for improvement.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted to isolate CPGs addressing the management of PHPT.