Rates of bone reabsorption and union in mandibular reconstruction using the osteocutaneous radial forearm free flap.

Background: Historical concerns over bone resorption and malunion of the osteocutaneous radial forearm free flap (OCRFFF) limited its widespread adoption for head and neck reconstruction, despite lack of outcomes data evaluating this notion.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed including patients 18 years or older who underwent reconstruction of the mandible using an OCRFFF. Linear modeling and logistic regression were used to evaluate the change in bone volume and union over time.

Pathology protocol increases lymph node yield in neck dissection for oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Lymph node yield (LNY) is a proposed quality indicator in neck dissection for oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC).

Methods: Retrospective series including 190 patients with OCSCC undergoing neck dissection between 2016 and 2018. A change in pathologic grossing protocol was initiated during the study period to assess residual adipose tissue.

The role of head and neck cancer advocacy organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on many aspects of head and neck cancer (HNC) care. The uncertainty and stress resulting from these changes has led many patients and caregivers to turn to HNC advocacy groups for guidance and support. Here we outline some of the issues being faced by patients with HNC during the current crisis and provide examples of programs being developed by advocacy groups to address them.

Auranofin Protects Intestine against Radiation Injury by Modulating p53/p21 Pathway and Radiosensitizes Human Colon Tumor.

Purpose: The radiosensitivity of the normal intestinal epithelium is the major limiting factor for definitive radiotherapy against abdominal malignancies. Radiosensitizers, which can be used without augmenting radiation toxicity to normal tissue, are still an unmet need. Inhibition of proteosomal degradation is being developed as a major therapeutic strategy for anticancer therapy as cancer cells are more susceptible to proteasomal inhibition-induced cytotoxicity compared with normal cells.

Management of the Neck in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Oral Cavity and Oropharynx: ASCO Clinical Practice Guideline.

Purpose: The aim of the current work is to provide evidence-based recommendations to practicing physicians and others on the management of the neck in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and oropharynx.

Methods: ASCO convened an Expert Panel of medical oncology, surgery, radiation oncology, and advocacy experts to conduct a literature search, which included systematic reviews, meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, and prospective and retrospective comparative observational studies published from 1990 through 2018. Outcomes of interest included survival, regional disease control, neck recurrence, and quality of life.

Potent Antitumor Effects of a Combination of Three Nutraceutical Compounds.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is associated with low survival, and the current aggressive therapies result in high morbidity. Nutraceuticals are dietary compounds with few side effects. However, limited antitumor efficacy has restricted their application for cancer therapy.

Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Drive Glycolysis in a Targetable Signaling Loop Implicated in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Progression.

Despite aggressive therapies, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is associated with a less than 50% 5-year survival rate. Late-stage HNSCC frequently consists of up to 80% cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF). We previously reported that CAF-secreted HGF facilitates HNSCC progression; however, very little is known about the role of CAFs in HNSCC metabolism.

Mandibular reconstruction.

Mandibular reconstruction presents unique functional and aesthetic challenges to the reconstructive surgeon. This review will cover current techniques for mandibular reconstruction, including the various plating strategies for rigid fixation, the choice of osseous donor site, and the concurrent reconstruction of associated soft tissue defects. Recent developments and future horizons in mandibular reconstruction including the use of virtual surgical planning and tissue engineering will also be addressed.

Outcomes after free tissue transfer for composite oral cavity resections involving skin.

Background: Resections involving oral cavity mucosa, bone, and skin present a unique challenge. Optimizing outcomes often requires technically demanding reconstruction. The purpose of this study is to evaluate outcomes of several reconstructive approaches for patients with composite through-and-through defects, with a focus on the osteocutaneous radial forearm free flap (RFFF).

Development and Characterization of an In Vitro Model for Radiation-Induced Fibrosis.

Radiation-induced fibrosis (RIF) is a major side effect of radiotherapy in cancer patients with no effective therapeutic options. RIF involves excess deposition and aberrant remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) leading to stiffness in tissues and organ failure. Development of preclinical models of RIF is crucial to elucidate the molecular mechanisms regulating fibrosis and to develop therapeutic approaches.

Secretory Autophagy in Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Promotes Head and Neck Cancer Progression and Offers a Novel Therapeutic Target.

Despite therapeutic advancements, there has been little change in the survival of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Recent results suggest that cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF) drive progression of this disease. Here, we report that autophagy is upregulated in HNSCC-associated CAFs, where it is responsible for key pathogenic contributions in this disease.

The degree of intratumor mutational heterogeneity varies by primary tumor sub-site.

In an era where mutational profiles inform treatment options, it is critical to know the extent to which tumor biopsies represent the molecular profile of the primary and metastatic tumor. Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) arise primarily in the mucosal lining of oral cavity and oropharynx. Despite aggressive therapy the 5-year survival rate is at 50%.

Expanding the Utilization of the Osteocutaneous Radial Forearm Free Flap beyond Mandibular Reconstruction.

Background The osteocutaneous radial forearm free flap (OCRFFF) for mandibular reconstruction has been well described. Despite this flap's utility in the repair of such defects, the indications for the OCRFFF have continued to expand in recent years. The advantages of the OCRFFF allow for a high degree of versatility in the reconstruction of the various anatomical and aesthetic units of the head and neck.

Mitigation of Tumor-Associated Fibroblast-Facilitated Head and Neck Cancer Progression With Anti-Hepatocyte Growth Factor Antibody Ficlatuzumab.

Importance: Ficlatuzumab can be used to treat head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) by inhibiting c-Met receptor-mediated cell proliferation, migration, and invasion.

Objective: To understand the effect of ficlatuzumab on HNSCC proliferation, migration, and invasion.

Design, Setting, And Participants: The effects of ficlatuzumab on HNSCC proliferation, invasion, and migration were tested.

Evaluation of bone length and number of osteotomies utilizing the osteocutaneous radial forearm free flap for mandible reconstruction: An 8-year review of complications and flap survival.

Background: The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of bone harvest length and multiple osteotomies on osteocutaneous radial forearm free flap (RFFF) complication rates.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted for patients undergoing osteocutaneous RFFF reconstruction during an 8-year period.

Results: One hundred fifty-five osteocutaneous RFFF procedures were performed.

National operative case log growth charts in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery training.

Objective: To report national standard case log growth curves for operative procedures in otolaryngology and to describe a method by which program directors can chart surgical case numbers over resident training to longitudinally assess sufficiency of cases and parity between residents.

Study Design: Data visualization and analysis.

Setting: American Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) national case log data for otolaryngology residency.

Factors influencing morbidity after surgical management of malignant thyroid disease.

Objectives: We performed a retrospective study of cases from 2005 to 2010 at an academic tertiary care center to analyze the factors that influence morbidity in surgical management of thyroid malignancy.

Methods: The rates of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury and hypoparathyroidism (HPT) were analyzed in the entire cohort. The comparison groups were 1) primary surgery versus revision; 2) total thyroidectomy versus total thyroidectomy combined with neck node dissection; and 3) two groups defined by surgical technique according to the RLN approach: group 1, in which the RLN was identified inferiorly in the tracheoesophageal groove, and group 2, in which the RLN was identified near the cricothyroid joint point of entry.

Use of a structured template to facilitate practice-based learning and improvement projects.

Background: The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) requires residency programs to meet and demonstrate outcomes across 6 competencies. Measuring residents' competency in practice-based learning and improvement (PBLI) is particularly challenging.

Purpose: We developed an educational tool to meet ACGME requirements for PBLI.

Outcomes of the osteocutaneous radial forearm free flap for mandibular reconstruction.

Importance: Limited donor and recipient site complications support the osteocutaneous radial forearm free flap (OCRFFF) for mandibular reconstruction as a useful option for single-stage mandibular reconstruction.

Objective: To examine and report long-term outcomes and complications at the donor and recipient sites for patients undergoing the OCRFFF for mandibular reconstruction.

Design: Retrospective review.

Functional swallowing outcomes following transoral robotic surgery vs primary chemoradiotherapy in patients with advanced-stage oropharynx and supraglottis cancers.

Objectives: To evaluate functional swallowing outcomes in patients undergoing transoral robotic surgery vs primary chemoradiotherapy for the management of advanced-stage oropharynx and supraglottis cancers.

Design: Prospective nonrandomized clinical trial.

Setting: Academic research.

Safe osteocutaneous radial forearm flap harvest with prophylactic internal fixation.

We studied the efficacy of prophylactic plate fixation technique and a modified harvest of the osteocutaneous radial forearm free flap (OCRFFF) to minimize the incidence of postoperative donor radius pathological fracture. We retrospectively studied of the first 70 consecutive patients undergoing OCRFFF harvest by the University of Kansas Head and Neck Microvascular Reconstruction Team. Mean follow-up was 13 months.

Acellular dermis compared to skin grafts in oral cavity reconstruction.

Objectives/hypothesis: To compare the efficacy of acellular dermal matrix (ADM) and split thickness skin grafts (STSG) in oral cavity reconstruction.

Study Design: Prospective cohort study.

Methods: Thirty-four patients were included in this study (ADM, n = 22; STSG, n = 12).

Assessment of surgical competency.

Technical skill is only one component of overall surgical competency, but it has been one of the most difficult to measure. Assessment methods are currently subjective and unreliable, and include techniques such as operative logs, end-of-rotation global assessments, and direct observation without criteria. Newer objective methods of technical skill assessment are being developed and undergoing rigorous validation, including methods such as direct observation with criteria, final product analysis, and hand-motion analysis.