Postoperative Implementation of Virtual Reality and Wearable Devices: Opportunities and Challenges.

Objective: To examine implementation of virtual reality (VR) and Fitbit wearable activity devices in postoperative recovery.

Methods: This was a prospective, 4-arm, randomized controlled trial of patients undergoing inpatient head and neck surgery at a tertiary academic center from November 2021 to July 2022. Patients were randomized to Control, VR, Fitbit, or combined VR + Fitbit groups.

Patterns of virtual reality and Fitbit wearable activity device use after skull base surgery.

Virtual reality (VR) and Fitbit devices are well tolerated by patients after skull base surgery. Postoperative recovery protocols may benefit from incorporation of these devices. However, challenges including patient compliance may impact optimal device utilization.

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.

Acute and definitive management of oropharyngeal hemorrhage in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx.

Background: Massive oropharyngeal bleeding post-chemoradiotherapy is a life-threatening condition that requires emergent management.

Methods: This retrospective case series included 11 patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma who suffered from massive bleeding during or following treatment with definitive chemoradiotherapy. Details of acute and definitive management of oropharyngeal bleeding are reported.

Comparison of da Vinci Single Port vs Si Systems for Transoral Robotic-Assisted Surgery: A Review With Technical Insights.

Importance: Transoral robot-assisted surgery (TORS) continues to have a major role in the treatment of oropharyngeal cancer. As new iterations of robotic technology are increasingly utilized, it is important to share learning experiences and clinical outcomes data, to optimize technical efficiency and clinical care.

Observations: This was a retrospective review of a large academic institution's initial clinical use of the da Vinci Single Port (SP) compared with the da Vinci Si (Si) system.

Use of Perioperative Virtual Reality Experiences on Anxiety and Pain: A Randomized Comparative Trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of different virtual reality (VR) experiences on perioperative anxiety and pain among patients undergoing head and neck surgery.

Methods: Prospective, randomized, comparative trial among patients undergoing outpatient head and neck surgery from December 2021 to April 2022 at a single academic institution. Group 1 utilized a preoperative VR gaming experience and a postoperative VR mindfulness experience, while Group 2 utilized the same interventions in the reverse order.

Masseteric Nerve Transfer for Facial Paralysis Secondary to Parotid Malignancy: A Retrospective Case Series.

The objective outcomes of masseteric nerve transfer in the setting of parotid malignancy are unclear. To measure objective facial reanimation outcomes of masseteric nerve transfer in patients with parotid malignancy who underwent parotidectomy with facial nerve resection. Retrospective review of patients who underwent masseteric nerve transfer for facial paralysis secondary to parotid malignancy was carried out at a tertiary referral hospital from August 2017 to November 2021.

Monitoring postoperative ambulation and sleep after head and neck surgery: Feasibility and utility study using wearable devices.

Background: To evaluate use of wearable activity devices to monitor trends in ambulation and sleep after head and neck surgery.

Methods: Patients utilized Fitbit devices after surgery. Daily activity and sleep scores, step counts, and total sleep time (TST) were obtained.

Effect of Virtual Reality on Pain Management and Opioid Use Among Hospitalized Patients After Head and Neck Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Optimal postoperative pain management is challenging. Virtual reality (VR) provides immersive, 3-dimensional experiences that may improve pain control and reduce reliance on pharmacologic pain management.

Objective: To evaluate use of VR on postoperative pain management after head and neck surgery.

The Intersection between Oral Microbiota, Host Gene Methylation and Patient Outcomes in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

The role of oral microbiota in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is poorly understood. Here we sought to evaluate the association of the bacterial microbiome with host gene methylation and patient outcomes, and to explore its potential as a biomarker for early detection or intervention. Here we performed 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing in sixty-eight HNSCC patients across both tissue and oral rinse samples to identify oral bacteria with differential abundance between HNSCC and controls.

The mutational landscape of early- and typical-onset oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: The incidence of oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OTSCC) is increasing among younger birth cohorts. The etiology of early-onset OTSCC (diagnosed before the age of 50 years) and cancer driver genes remain largely unknown.

Methods: The Sequencing Consortium of Oral Tongue Cancer was established through the pooling of somatic mutation data of oral tongue cancer specimens (n = 227 [107 early-onset cases]) from 7 studies and The Cancer Genome Atlas.

Follow-Up Phone Interviews and Attendance Motivation From A Free Head and Neck Cancer Screening.

Introduction: Head and Neck Cancer Awareness and Screening Programs (HNCASP) are popular community outreach events hosted by academic and community otolaryngology departments. However, long-term follow-up of participants is lacking.

Patients And Methods: Participants of a HNCASP held at an academic cancer center prospectively filled out demographic and risk factor surveys followed by HNC screening examination.

Correction: Novel Insight into Mutational Landscape of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

The E-cigarette ban in India-A step in the right direction?

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are a popular method to help quit tobacco smoking. However, there is a paucity of data in the literature on their safety and efficacy. Recently, the Indian Government has called for a ban on all e-cigarettes and taken steps to restrict access to vaping products from the market.

Safety and Efficacy of MRI Scans in Patients With Implanted Microvascular Coupling Devices.

Objective: To demonstrate the safety and compatibility of microvascular couplers in patients undergoing postoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans.

Study Design: Retrospective case series.

Methods: A consecutive review of 1,252 patients undergoing free tissue transfer for head and neck reconstruction at Oregon Health and Sciences University (OHSU) between 2010 and 2017 who had microvascular coupler Synovis, Baxter Deerfield, IL (Synovis Life Technologies, Saint Paul, MN) implantation were reviewed.

Comparison of Opioid Utilization Patterns After Major Head and Neck Procedures Between Hong Kong and the United States.

Importance: The current opioid abuse epidemic in the United States requires evaluation of prescribing practices within all medical specialties. This examination includes a review of postoperative pain management for patients undergoing major head and neck procedures.

Objective: To report differences in postoperative pain regimens between an international and domestic head and neck surgical program.

HEY1 is expressed independent of NOTCH1 and is associated with poor prognosis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Objectives: Notch signaling is frequently altered in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, the nature and clinical implications of this dysregulation are not well understood. We previously described an association of transcriptionally active NOTCH1 Intracellular Domain (NICD1) immunohistochemical (IHC) expression pattern with high-risk pathologic characteristics.

Technical Refinements and Outcomes of the Modified Anterior Septal Transplant.

Importance: Severe anterior septal deviation and resultant nasal obstruction represent a difficult surgical task to correct. The goal of surgery is to straighten the anterior dorsal and caudal struts, while maintaining nasal tip and midvault support. This study presents a novel extracorporeal septoplasty technique to straighten the crooked anterior septum.

Osteocutaneous radial forearm free flap in nonmandible head and neck reconstruction.

Background: The osteocutaneous radial forearm free flap (RFFF) is a versatile flap primarily used to reconstruct composite defects involving the mandible. The purpose of this study was to describe our experience with this flap for nonmandible reconstruction.

Methods: All patients undergoing nonmandible osseous reconstruction with free-tissue transfer were reviewed.

Transoral Endoscopic Head and Neck Surgery: The Contemporary Treatment of Head and Neck Cancer.

Traditional open surgical approaches are indicated for treatment of select tumor subsites of head and neck cancer, but can also result in major cosmetic and functional morbidity. Transoral surgical approaches have been used for head and neck cancer since the 1960s, with their application continuing to evolve with the changing landscape of this disease and recent innovations in surgical instrumentation. The potential to further reduce treatment morbidity with transoral surgery, while optimizing oncologic outcomes, continues to be investigated.

Reduction of Pharyngocutaneous Fistulae in Laryngectomy Patients by a Comprehensive Performance Improvement Intervention.

Objective: Pharyngocutaneous fistula is a common complication in laryngectomy patients, particularly in previously irradiated cases. We initiated a comprehensive performance improvement intervention in all head and neck surgery patients intended to reduce postoperative infection and fistulae rates. We report our review of outcomes within laryngectomy patients.

Cleaved NOTCH1 Expression Pattern in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Is Associated with NOTCH1 Mutation, HPV Status, and High-Risk Features.

The Notch pathway is frequently altered in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC); however, the clinical significance of NOTCH1 dysregulation is poorly understood. This study was designed to characterize expression of the transcriptionally active NOTCH1 intracellular domain (NICD1) in HNSCCs and evaluate its association with NOTCH1 mutation status and clinical parameters. IHC for NICD1 was performed on 79 previously sequenced archival HNSCCs with known NOTCH1 mutation status.

Novel insight into mutational landscape of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Development of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is characterized by accumulation of mutations in several oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. We have formerly described the mutation pattern of HNSCC and described NOTCH signaling pathway alterations. Given the complexity of the HNSCC, here we extend the previous study to understand the overall HNSCC mutation context and to discover additional genetic alterations.