Novel approach to reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmission during trans-oral robotic surgery.

This study describes a novel approach in the reduction of SARS-CoV-2 transmission during trans-oral robotic surgery (TORS). Eight patients underwent TORS between 01 February 2020 and 07 September 2020. A sterile plastic sheet draped over sterile supports with water-tight seal around each cannula was used to create a sterile working space within which the robotic arms could freely move during operation.

Recommendations for surgical management of recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma during COVID-19 pandemic.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is endemic in southern parts of China including Hong Kong. Primary treatment entails radiotherapy ± chemotherapy depending on disease stage at presentation. Surgery is offered as a means of salvage for persistent and recurrent disease.

Tracheostomy during COVID-19 pandemic-Novel approach.

Background: This study describes a novel approach in reducing SARS-CoV-2 transmission during tracheostomy.

Methods: Five patients underwent tracheostomy between April 1, 2020 and April 17, 2020. A clear and sterile plastic drape was used as an additional physical barrier against droplets and aerosols.

Conservation of personal protective equipment for head and neck cancer surgery during COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: COVID-19 pandemic has led to a global shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE). This study aims to stratify face shield needs when performing head and neck cancer surgery.

Methods: Fifteen patients underwent surgery between March 1, 2020 and April 9, 2020.

Surgical salvage of recurrent T3 nasopharyngeal carcinoma: Prognostic significance of clivus, maxillary, temporal and sphenoid bone invasion.

Background: To study the efficacy of surgery for recurrent T3 nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and to determine the prognostic significance of various skull base bone invasion.

Method: Retrospective view of the surgical outcome for recurrent T3 NPC. Kaplan Meier and log rank tests were used to determine the 5-year overall and disease specific survival.

Real time indocyanin green near infrared lymphangiography for the reduction of drainage volume after neck dissection.

Background: To investigate the role of indocyanine green (ICG) lymphangiography in the reduction of drainage after neck dissection.

Methods: Patients with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma were randomized into Group A (study group) and Group B (control). In the study group, upon the completion of neck dissection, a total of 2.

Stage II recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma: Prognostic significance of retropharyngeal nodal metastasis, parapharyngeal invasion, and carotid encasement.

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the predictability of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system on patients with stage II recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Method: We conducted a retrospective review of the surgical outcome for patients with recurrent NPC and retropharyngeal lymph node (RLN) metastasis (group I), recurrent NPC and parapharyngeal space (PPS) invasion (group II), and recurrent NPC and internal carotid artery (ICA) encasement (group III).

Results: Between 1990 and 2013, 145 patients received an operation for stage II recurrent NPC (group I, n = 62; group II, n = 65; and group III, n = 18).

Role of surgery in the treatment of osteoradionecrosis and its complications after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Background: The purpose of this study was to review the efficacy of surgery for patients with osteoradionecrosis (ORN) after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Methods: Between 2000 and 2016, we identified 162 patients with skull base ORN, among which 58 patients required surgery. A retrospective medical chart review was performed and the indications and results of surgical interventions were recorded.

Transoral robotic total laryngopharyngectomy and free jejunal flap reconstruction for hypopharyngeal cancer.

Background: To report on the feasibility of total laryngopharyngectomy and free jejunal flap transfer for patient with hypopharyngeal cancer via the transoral robotic surgery (TORS) approach.

Material And Methods: A patient with hypopharyngeal cancer involving the post-cricoid region is used for demonstration of the TORS total laryngopharyngectomy and free jejunal flap reconstruction.

Results: The procedure starts with a cruciate incision for terminal tracheostomy.

Implantable Doppler Probes for Postoperatively Monitoring Free Flaps: Efficacy. A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Although clinical assessment remains the gold standard for monitoring the circulation of free flaps, several adjunct techniques promote timely salvage by detecting circulation compromise early. The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the efficacy of an implantable Doppler probe for postoperatively monitoring free flaps.

Materials And Methods: English-language articles evaluating the efficacy of implantable Doppler probes compared with clinical assessment for postoperatively monitoring free flaps were analyzed.

Co-expression of Cytoskeletal Protein Adducin 3 and CD133 in Neurospheres and a Temozolomide-resistant Subclone of Glioblastoma.

Background: Glioma stem cells are associated for temozolomide-resistance in glioblastoma. Adducin 3 (ADD3) is a cytoskeletal protein associated with chemoresistance but its role in glioblastoma has not been investigated.

Materials And Methods: Using an in vitro model of glioblastoma cells with acquired temozolomide resistance (D54-MG-R), the expressions of ADD3 and cancer stem cell markers were compared to those in temozolomide-sensitive glioblastoma cells (D54-MG-S).

Extracranial/intracranial vascular bypass and craniofacial resection: New hope for patients with locally advanced recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the oncologic outcome and quality of life after surgical treatment of locally advanced (rT3-rT4) recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) using the staged extracranial/intracranial vascular bypass and combined craniofacial approach.

Methods: We conducted a prospective study.

Results: Between 1998 and 2013, 28 patients with rT3 to rT4 tumors were treated with the proposed surgical protocol.

Shoulder Dysfunction after Selective Neck Dissection in Recurrent Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.

Objective: To investigate the incidence of occult nodal metastasis and severity of shoulder dysfunction after selective neck dissection (SND) for recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) with N0 status.

Study Design: Prospective, single-group, pre/post test design.

Setting: Academic medical center.

The role of Epstein-Barr virus-encoded microRNA BART7 status of resection margins in the prediction of local recurrence after salvage nasopharyngectomy for recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Background: Local recurrence is the major cause of treatment failure in patients who undergo surgical salvage of recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) after radiotherapy. The authors investigated the role of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded Bam HI-A rightward transcript 7 microRNA (BART7) status in resection margins in the identification of a subgroup of patients who may benefit from adjuvant reradiation after surgery.

Methods: One hundred two consecutive patients who had histologically clear resection margins after undergoing nasopharyngectomy for recurrent NPC were studied.

Indocyanine green fluorescence mapping of sentinel lymph node in patients with recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma after previous radiotherapy.

Background: The purpose of this study was to present the feasibility of indocyanine green (ICG) mapping of sentinel lymph node in recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). M1ETHODS: Peritumoral injection of 5-mg ICG solution and real-time mapping of the sentinel lymph nodes in the neck was performed during surgery. The sentinel lymph node identified was excised and sent separately for laboratory analysis.

Multivariate analysis of prognostic factors for salvage nasopharyngectomy via the maxillary swing approach.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prognostic factors for salvage nasopharyngectomy.

Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on maxillary swing nasopharyngectomy performed between 1998 and 2010. Univariate and multivariate analyses identified prognostic factors affecting actuarial local tumor control and overall survival.

The role of plasma Epstein-Barr virus DNA in the management of recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Objectives/hypothesis: To study the role of plasma Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA in patients with recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) after previous chemoradiation.

Study Design: Prospective.

Methods: Sixty patients with recurrent NPC were recruited, and their plasma EBV DNA was checked preoperatively, 1 week postoperatively, and 6 months thereafter.

Radiation-induced squamous cell carcinoma of the nasopharynx after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the treatment outcome of radiation-induced squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the nasopharynx after radiotherapy (RT) for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of patients who underwent radiation therapy for NPC, which resulted in radiation-induced SCC of the nasopharynx.

Results: Between 1998 and 2011, 24 patients had radiation-induced SCC of the nasopharynx.

Postradiation sarcoma after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Objectives/hypothesis: Postradiation sarcoma (PRS) is a notorious complication after radiotherapy (RT). The prognosis is poor, and the role of surgery is not well defined. The aim of our study was to review our experience in the management of PRS after RT for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

MicroRNA-21 inhibition enhances in vitro chemosensitivity of temozolomide-resistant glioblastoma cells.

Background: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a form of highly malignant brain tumour. Temozolomide (TMZ) is the standard agent for GBM, but TMZ-resistance is common and accounts for many treatment failures. MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) is a non-coding RNA that plays critical roles in many biological processes in cancer, including chemoresistance.

Long non-coding RNA expression profiles predict clinical phenotypes in glioma.

Glioma is the commonest form of primary brain tumor in adults with varying malignancy grades and histological subtypes. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a novel class of non-protein-coding transcripts that have been shown to play important roles in cancer development. To discover novel tumor-related lncRNAs and determine their associations with glioma subtypes, we first applied a lncRNA classification pipeline to identify 1970 lncRNAs that were represented on Affymetrix HG-U133 Plus 2.