Pretreatment Quality of Life and Substance Use Among Patients Diagnosed With Head and Neck Cancer.

Background: There is a paucity of research on the effects of commonly used substances, such as cannabis and other drugs, on quality of life as a contributor to head and neck cancer (HNC) prognosis. We examined associations between non-alcohol or tobacco substance use (cannabis and other illicit drug) and self-reported quality of life in patients with HNC prior to starting treatment.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of patients who presented for routine psych-oncologevaluation prior to treatment between 11/2015 and 9/2022.

Reconstruction for Salvage Laryngectomy With Limited Pharyngectomy.

Importance: Closure technique for optimization of postoperative and functional outcomes following salvage laryngectomy remains an area of debate among head and neck surgeons.

Objective: To investigate the association of salvage laryngectomy closure technique with early postoperative and functional outcomes.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This retrospective cohort study included patients from 17 academic, tertiary care centers who underwent total laryngectomy with no or limited pharyngectomy after completing a course of definitive radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy with curative intent between January 2011 and December 2016.

Microvascular surgery using surgical loupes versus operating microscope-A single head and neck reconstructive surgeon's experience.

Background: This prospective randomized study evaluates surgical outcomes of head and neck free tissue transfer surgery performed by a single head and neck reconstructive surgeon comparing the use of surgical loupes and the operating microscope.

Methods: Cases using surgical loupes were performed under ×3.5 magnification, whereas cases using the microscope were done using the standard operating microscope.

Transoral Robotic Surgery for Recurrent Tumors of the Upper Aerodigestive Tract (RECUT): An International Cohort Study.

Background: Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) is an emerging minimally invasive surgical treatment for residual, recurrent, and new primary head and neck cancers in previously irradiated fields, with limited evidence for its oncological effectiveness.

Methods: A retrospective observational cohort study of consecutive cases performed in 16 high-volume international centers before August 2018 was conducted (registered at clinicaltrials.gov [NCT04673929] as the RECUT study).

Simultaneous maxillary and mandibular reconstruction with a single Osteocutaneous fibula free flap: A description of three cases.

Large defects that comprise both the maxilla and mandible prove to be difficult reconstructive endeavors and commonly require two free tissue transfers. Three cases are presented to discuss an option for simultaneous reconstruction of maxillary and mandibular defects using a single osteocutaneous fibula free flap. The first case describes a 16-year-old male with a history of extensive facial trauma sustained in a boat propeller accident resulting in a class IId maxillary and 5 cm mandibular defect status post three failed reconstructive surgeries; the second, a 33-year-old male with recurrent rhabdomyosarcoma of the muscles of mastication with resultant hemi-mandibulectomy and class IId maxillary defects; and lastly, a 48-year-old male presenting after a failed scapular free flap to reconstruct defects resulting from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, which included a 5 cm defect of the right mandibular body and 4.

Surgical impact of a dedicated endocrine surgeon on an academic otolaryngology department.

Objectives: Endocrine surgery is emerging as a dedicated subspecialty in otolaryngology. We assess the impact of an endocrine surgeon on an academic otolaryngology department's thyroid and parathyroid surgery volume.

Methods: A retrospective study of overall endocrine caseloads and resident case logs at a single academic center in the Midwest was performed.

Multicenter Assessment of Antibiotic Prophylaxis Spectrum on Surgical Infections in Head and Neck Cancer Microvascular Reconstruction.

Objective To characterize and identify risk factors for 30-day surgical site infections (SSIs) in patients with head and neck cancer who underwent microvascular reconstruction. Study Design Cross-sectional study with nested case-control design. Setting Nine American tertiary care centers.

Association Between Cognitive Function and Quality of Life in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer.

Importance: There is a dearth of research examining the associations between cognitive function and quality of life (QoL) in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC), despite much research examining QoL and some research examining cognitive function in this population.

Objective: To identify the associations between cognitive functioning and QoL in patients prior to treatment for HNC within a multidisciplinary care team.

Design, Setting, And Participants: Case series with planned data collection of cognitive function, QoL, and psychosocial variables at an urban Midwest academic medical center including 83 patients with a diagnosis of HNC between August 2015 and December 2016 who underwent a pretreatment assessment with a clinical health psychologist and a speech and language pathologist.

Considerations for antibiotic prophylaxis in head and neck cancer surgery.

Peri/post-operative antibiotic prophylaxis (POABP) has become standard practice for preventing surgical site infections (SSI) in head and neck cancer patients undergoing microvascular reconstruction, but few data exist on optimal POABP regimens. Current surgical prophylaxis guideline recommendations fail to account for the complexity of microvascular reconstruction relative to other head and neck procedures, specifically regarding wound classification and antibiotic duration. Selection of POABP spectrum is also controversial, and must balance the choice between too narrow, risking subsequent infection, or too broad, and possible unwanted effects (e.

Clinical Assessment of Cognitive Function in Patients with Head and Neck Cancer: Prevalence and Correlates.

Objective Identify the prevalence and clinical correlates of cognitive impairment in patients presenting for treatment of head and neck cancer (HNC) using brief screening within a multidisciplinary care team. Study Design A case series with planned data collection of cognitive function, quality of life (QoL), and psychosocial variables. Setting Urban Midwest academic medical center.

Free Flap Reconstruction Monitoring Techniques and Frequency in the Era of Restricted Resident Work Hours.

Importance: Free flap reconstruction of the head and neck is routinely performed with success rates around 94% to 99% at most institutions. Despite experience and meticulous technique, there is a small but recognized risk of partial or total flap loss in the postoperative setting. Historically, most microvascular surgeons involve resident house staff in flap monitoring protocols, and programs relied heavily on in-house resident physicians to assure timely intervention for compromised flaps.

Surgical prophylaxis with gram-negative activity for reduction of surgical site infections after microvascular reconstruction for head and neck cancer.

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of and risk factors for surgical site infections in microvascular reconstruction for patients with head and neck cancer.

Methods: One hundred seventeen patients with head and neck cancer undergoing microvascular reconstruction received postoperative surgical infection prophylaxis and were followed for 30 days. Surgical infection prophylaxis was categorized by empiric spectrum of activity.

Robotics in otolaryngology and head and neck surgery: Recommendations for training and credentialing: A report of the 2015 AHNS education committee, AAO-HNS robotic task force and AAO-HNS sleep disorders committee.

Training and credentialing for robotic surgery in otolaryngology - head and neck surgery is currently not standardized, but rather relies heavily on industry guidance. This manuscript represents a comprehensive review of this increasingly important topic and outlines clear recommendations to better standardize the practice. The recommendations provided can be used as a reference by individuals and institutions alike, and are expected to evolve over time.

Trans-oral robotic surgical excision of an ectopic parathyroid adenoma.

Background: The pyriform sinus is a potential location for ectopic parathyroid tissue and we describe the use of trans-oral robotic to excise the ectopic tissue.

Methods: A 55-year-old female presented with primary hyperparathyroidism. 4D computed tomography and Sestimibi scan revealed a 1.

Causes of emergency department visits following thyroid and parathyroid surgery.

Importance: With reimbursement being increasingly tied to outcome measures, minimizing unexpected health care needs in the postoperative period is essential. This article describes reasons for emergency department (ED) evaluation, rates of readmission to the hospital, and significant risk factors for readmission during the postoperative period.

Objective: To describe the subset of patients requiring ED evaluation within 30 days of thyroidectomy or parathyroidectomy and their associated risk factors.

Health behaviors predict higher interleukin-6 levels among patients newly diagnosed with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Health behaviors have been shown to be associated with recurrence risk and survival rates in patients with cancer and are also associated with interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels, but few epidemiologic studies have investigated the relationship of health behaviors and IL-6 among cancer populations. The purpose of the study is to look at the relationship between five health behaviors, viz.: smoking, alcohol problems, body mass index (BMI; a marker of nutritional status), physical activity, and sleep and pretreatment IL-6 levels in persons with head and neck cancer.

Predictors of pain among patients with head and neck cancer.

OBJECTIVE To determine predictors of pain 1 year after the diagnosis of head and neck cancer. DESIGN Prospective, multisite cohort study. SETTING Three academically affiliated medical centers.

Effect of postoperative aspirin on outcomes in microvascular free tissue transfer surgery.

Objective: Examine if outcomes and complication rates for free flaps vary when postoperative aspirin is used as pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis compared with no anticoagulation.

Study Design: Case series with chart review. Setting Oregon Health and Science University, an academic medical center.

Osteocutaneous radial forearm reconstruction of large partial cricotracheal defects.

Background: Single-stage procedures for reconstruction of large cricotracheal defects have been limited in success and malignant immature teratomas in the larynx of an adult have never been reported.

Methods And Results: This was a case report and literature review. A 27-year-old man presented with 2 weeks of new-onset stridor and was found to have a mass obstructing 80% of the subglottis and trachea.

Safety of vasopressor use in head and neck microvascular reconstruction: a prospective observational study.

Objectives: To evaluate the safety of intraoperative vasopressor administration in a prospective series of patients undergoing free tissue transfer surgery for a variety of indications.

Study Design: Prospective observational noninferiority study.

Setting: Tertiary academic hospital.

Case report: mediastinal hematoma secondary to hypertension, presenting as a retropharyngeal space abscess.

The majority of retropharyngeal hematomas described in the literature have been associated with anticoagulation therapy, tumors, aneurysm, infection or cervical spine injury. We present a case of a 55-year-old African American female with acute chest pain, sore throat, and dysphagia. Her past medical history was significant for uncontrolled hypertension and cervical spine arthritis.