C.B. Guo

Elective neck dissection versus observation for cN0 neck of squamous cell carcinoma primarily located in the maxillary gingiva and alveolar ridge: a retrospective study of 129 cases.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of elective neck dissection (END) versus those of observation in the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the maxillary gingiva. STUDY DESIGN This was a retrospective study of 129 cases. RESULTS There were 2 (4.0%) patients in the END group and 19 (24.1%) patients in the observation group who developed nodal recurrence alone. The regional recurrence rate of the observation group was 9.1% for T1 disease, 19.0% for T2, 27.3% for T3, and 40.0% for T4. Patients with stages T2 to T4 who underwent END received more survival benefit than did those in the observation group (P = .048). There were no statistical differences for patients with stage T1 disease between the 2 groups (P = .605). CONCLUSIONS This retrospective study suggests that END should be recommended as a preferred management strategy for stage T2 to T4 disease and that observation may be an acceptable alternative to END for stage T1 tumors if strict compliance with a cancer surveillance protocol is followed.

Supraomohyoid neck dissection in the management of oral squamous cell carcinoma: special consideration for skip metastases at level IV or V.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic safety and prognosis of supraomohyoid neck dissections for oral squamous cell carcinoma, with a special focus on the risk of skip metastases in level IV or V. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective study was conducted of 637 patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma who were admitted to the department of oral and maxillofacial surgery from September 1995 through July 2010. After completing a diagnostic evaluation, all patients underwent surgery (wide primary excision with supraomohyoid neck dissection, extended supraomohyoid neck dissection, or modified radical or radical neck dissection) and were followed periodically. RESULTS Levels I, II, and III were the most common sites of occult metastasis. Skip metastases alone at level IV or V and any neck recurrence at level IV or V were not found. Three-year neck recurrence-free survival and disease-specific survival were not significantly different among the patients who underwent supraomohyoid neck dissection, extended supraomohyoid neck dissection, or modified radical or radical neck dissection owing to cN0 to cN(+) disease. CONCLUSIONS The rate of skip metastasis at level IV or V is very rare and is very difficult to diagnose accurately. The results of this retrospective study show that supraomohyoid neck dissection for oral squamous cell carcinoma is an appropriate treatment.

Conservation of salivary secretion and facial nerve function in partial superficial parotidectomy.

Conventional total superficial parotidectomy (TP) has commonly been used, but partial superficial parotidectomy (PP) offers the possibility of better preserving glandular function and avoiding palsy of the facial nerves. In this study, the extent to which saliva secretion and facial nerve function were conserved in patients who received TP vs. PP was compared. Data were collected from patients who received a PP (n=163) or a TP (n=105) for benign primary tumours in the superficial lobe of the parotid glands between 1995 and 2009 at a single hospital. The incidence of transient facial paralysis was significantly lower in patients who received PP than in those who received TP. Secretory function was preserved for patients with a conserved Stensens duct, whereas patients in whom the duct had been ligated lost secretory function. Partial superficial parotidectomy reduces the incidence of postoperative facial nerve dysfunction and is conducive to preserving Stensens duct and saliva secretion.

Supraomohyoid neck dissection and modified radical neck dissection for clinically node-negative oral squamous cell carcinoma: a prospective study of prognosis, complications and quality of life.

BACKGROUND To assess the prognosis and morbidity between supraomohyoid neck dissection (SOND) and modified radical neck dissection (MRND) for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in patients with a clinically node-negative neck (cN0). PATIENTS AND METHODS This prospective randomized study began in June 1999, and patient accrual concluded in May 2010. The cN0 neck was confirmed on clinical palpation by senior doctors. Ultimately, there were 322 patients recruited into the study. RESULTS Patient demographics were well balanced between the two groups. There were 10 patients in the SOND group and 21 patients in the MRND group who developed nodal recurrence without associated local recurrence or distant metastasis. The 3-year neck control rate (NCR) rate was 92.6% for the SOND group and 87.5% for the MRND group (in favor of SOND, P = 0.108). There was no significant difference between the SOND group and the MRND group in the 3-year disease-specific survival (DSS) rate (79.0% vs. 76.9%, P = 0.659). Importantly, there were significantly fewer complications in the SOND group compared with the MRND group (13.0% vs. 21.9%, P = 0.040). The disease-free survivors in the SOND group also reported better pain relief (P = 0.013) and shoulder function (P < 0.001) than those in the MRND group one year after treatment. CONCLUSIONS We recommend SOND as a priority treatment for cN0 OSCC patients.

Cervical metastasis of maxillary squamous cell carcinoma.

A retrospective study of maxillary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) patients attending a department of oral and maxillofacial surgery was performed for the period 2000-2010. The clinical information of 100 cases treated during this period was acquired and analyzed. Patient survival was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. For these 100 cases, the total metastatic rate was 34.0% and occult metastatic rate was 27.5%. Positive lymph nodes were mostly detected at levels I-III. There was no significant difference in metastatic rate between the primary sites of maxillary gingiva and hard palate. Tumours involving the gingival-buccal sulcus presented a significantly higher risk of metastasis. Advanced stage (T3/4) was significantly correlated with a higher metastasis rate. The pathological grade also showed a significant relationship with metastasis. Twenty-four patients presented regional recurrence. Elective neck dissection could significantly reduce the recurrence rate. The overall 3-year and 5-year survival rates were 66.3% and 56.7%, respectively. Both the T and the N stages had a significant impact on survival rates. Selective neck dissection from level I to III is recommended for T3/4 stage cN0 patients, especially those with gingival-buccal sulcus involvement.

Selective versus comprehensive neck dissection in the treatment of patients with a pathologically node-positive neck with or without microscopic extracapsular spread in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

The objective of this study was to compare the prognosis and complications between selective neck dissection (SND) and comprehensive neck dissection (CND) for patients with a pathologically node-positive neck in squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue and the floor of the mouth. This was a retrospective cohort study. There was no significant difference between the SND group and the CND group in 3-year neck control rate (86.2% vs. 85.9%, P=0.797) or disease-specific survival (DSS) rate (64.6% vs. 61.9%, P=0.646). Further analyses of the respective 3-year DSS rates in the SND and CND subgroups were as follows: pN1 without extracapsular spread (ECS), 67.7% vs. 72.2%, P=0.851; pN2b without ECS, 64.7% vs. 68.8%, P=0.797; and pN+ with ECS, 57.1% vs. 60.0%, P=0.939. Of note, there were significantly fewer complications in the SND group compared with the CND group (7.3% vs. 20.0%, P=0.032). Multivariate analysis showed that the modality of neck treatment, pN+ status, and microscopic ECS did not serve as independent prognostic factors. SND plus adjuvant radiotherapy is a management strategy of high efficiency and minor morbidity for selected oral cancer patients with a pN+ neck with or without microscopic ECS.

A case of destructive calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition disease of the temporomandibular joint: a diagnostic challenge.

The authors present the case of a 64-year-old woman with a destructive calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystal deposition disease of the temporomandibular joint. Progressive pain, swelling and a malocclusion were her chief complaints. A few granular calcified masses surrounding the left condylar head and extending to the infratemporal fossa and middle cranial base were presented in CT images. It occurred alone without other joints being affected. A provisional diagnosis of occupying lesion with invasion was made preoperatively, but histologically, the mass contained numerous deposits of rod-shaped or rhomboid crystals, which were positively birefringent under a polarising microscope, suggesting a CPPD deposition disease. The histopathological diagnosis was further supported by scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The diagnosis, differential diagnosis and treatment of this disease are discussed.

Risk factors for free flap failure: a retrospective analysis of 881 free flaps for head and neck defect reconstruction

The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for free flap failure after head and neck reconstructive surgery. The data of 881 consecutive patients who underwent free flap surgery at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, between January 2013 and November 2016, were reviewed retrospectively. All surgeries were performed by a single head and neck surgical team. Patient demographic and surgical data that may have an influence on free flap outcomes were recorded. The χ2 test and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to identify relevant risk factors. In total, 881 free tissue transfer surgeries were included in this study. Free flap failure occurred in 26 of 881 flaps (2.9%). A history of irradiation (odds ratio 0.205, 95% confidence interval 0.07-0.56; P=0.002) was a statistically significant risk factor for free flap failure. Age, diabetes mellitus, history of previous neck surgery to the anastomosis side, donor site, choice of recipient vein, use of a coupler device, and postoperative anticoagulation were not associated with free flap outcomes. Thus, it is concluded that when performing head and neck reconstructive surgery, special attention should be paid to patients who have previously undergone irradiation.

Partial sialoadenectomy for the treatment of benign tumours in the submandibular gland

The conventional treatment for benign tumours arising in the submandibular gland (SMG) has always involved whole gland excision with the tumour. In light of developments in parotid gland functional surgery, this prospective study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of partial sialoadenectomy (PS) for benign tumours in comparison with conventional total sialoadenectomy (TS). Thirty-one consecutive patients with a preoperative diagnosis of benign tumour in the SMG were included in the study from December 2008 to December 2010. Eleven patients were treated with PS and 20 patients underwent conventional TS. Salivary gland function and surgery-related complications were assessed. No difference in resting saliva flow was found between the two groups before the operation, while this was significantly higher in the PS group than in the TS group at 1 year after surgery (P=0.009). With regard to complications, there was less deformity in facial appearance in the PS group. There was no recurrence in any of the 31 patients during the follow-up period (range 41-82 months). It is believed that this modification to SMG surgery is consistent with the idea of functional and minimal invasive salivary gland surgery. This technique represents a good choice for the management of benign tumours of the SMG for appropriately selected cases.

Prognostic factors in mandibular gingival squamous cell carcinoma: A 10-year retrospective study

The mandibular gingiva is the second most common site of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma. This retrospective study was designed to determine the clinicopathological features of squamous cell carcinoma of the mandibular gingiva (MGSCC) and to establish a new risk model to predict overall survival. The study included 207 patients with primary MGSCC from January 2000 to September 2009. The medical charts were reviewed and data related to clinical characteristics, treatment provided, histopathological analysis, and follow-up were recorded. All patients underwent surgery as the first-line therapy; follow-up ranged from 1 to 171 months (median 63 months). Clinical characteristics and pathological outcomes were analyzed with respect to the 5-year overall survival rate. A survival risk model was established, and patients were classified into low-, moderate-, and high-risk groups based on the prognostic index designed in this study. The 5-year overall survival rates for the low-, moderate-, and high-risk groups were 92.3%, 76.9%, and 34.2%, respectively. Pathological node metastasis, perineural invasion, and extracapsular spread were the most significant predictive factors for 5-year overall survival. MGSCC is not aggressive, and the survival outcomes of MGSCC are better than those of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) at other sites. It is suggested that patients with T2-T4 tumours undergo elective neck dissection and those with T1 tumours be followed up without addressing the neck.