Pharyngocutaneous fistula after total laryngectomy: a single-institution experience, 2001-2012.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of and risk factors for pharyngocutaneous fistula in patients undergoing total laryngectomy at a single institution.

Materials And Methods: The records of 59 patients undergoing primary or salvage total laryngectomy at our institution from 2001 to 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Data collected included patient, tumor and treatment characteristics, and surgical technique.

Transcervical ultrasonography is feasible to visualize and evaluate base of tongue cancers.

Background: Base of tongue (BOT) is a difficult subsite to examine clinically and radiographically. Yet, anatomic delineation of the primary tumor site, its extension to adjacent sites or across midline, and endophytic vs. exophytic extent are important characteristics for staging and treatment planning.

Transoral robotic surgery experience in 44 cases.

Objective: To report a single institution's experience with transoral robotic surgery (TORS) and its clinical outcomes. This was a retrospective study carried out at a university-affiliated teaching hospital.

Subjects And Methods: Forty-four consecutive TORS patients with benign and malignant diseases were reviewed.

Robotic-assisted skull base surgery: preclinical study.

Objective And Study Design: To assess the feasibility of robotic-assisted skull base surgery, a preclincal cadaver study was conducted.

Materials And Methods: The feasibility study was subdivided into three phases: Phase 1 (surgical corridor) entailed a review of the surgical access, Phase 2 (instrument configuration) entailed arrangements of the robotic instrument (da Vinci(®) Surgical System; Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA) in relation to the surgical corridor and applied to a skull model, and Phase 3 was robotic-assisted skull base cadaver dissection.

Results: Regarding the surgical corridor, the infratemporal area was accessed through a maxillary window, whereas the anterior skull base region was accessed through a combined single maxillary window and nasal corridor.

Robotic-assisted neck dissection through a pre- and post-auricular hairline incision: preclinical study.

The introduction of robotics in head and neck surgery has facilitated access to the contents of the neck region using less cosmetically obtrusive incisions. Robotic systems offer a three-dimensional viewing, tremor filtration, and articulating distal arms that mimic natural hand and wrist movements. We hypothesized that these characteristics would allow for the performance of a robotic-assisted selective and comprehensive neck dissection via combined pre- and post-auricular incisions.

Neck dissection through a facelift incision.

Objectives/hypothesis: To determine the feasibility and safety of neck dissection through a facelift incision.

Study Design: Prospective case series.

Methods: Cadavers and live subjects underwent neck dissection using a facelift incision with and without endoscopic assistance.

Transoral robotic surgery of the vocal cord.

The standard endoscopic surgical approach in the management of laryngeal lesions is by the use of a laryngoscope, microscope, and laser. This requires the surgeon to work within the confines of the laryngoscope. At times, it requires repositioning of the laryngoscope and microscope to gain access to a specific area.

Selective versus comprehensive neck dissection after chemoradiation for advanced oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Objective: To determine whether a comprehensive neck dissection (CND) or a selective neck dissection (SND) is indicated as planned post-primary chemoradiation treatment (CRT) for patients with advanced oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC).

Study Design: Case series with chart review.

Setting: A community teaching hospital.