Chen-Chi Wang

Nutritional factors and survival of patients with oral cancer.

Our objective was to determine the survival rate of patients with oral cancer who were treated at a medical center in central Taiwan. Furthermore, we attempted to investigate whether nutritional factors influence the survival.

Risk factors for wound infection after surgery in primary oral cavity cancer patients.

Objectives: Few studies have discussed the predictive factors of surgical wound infection (WI) in primary oral cavity cancer patients. Therefore, we aimed to determine the relevant factors associated with postoperative WI in a large group of patients with oral cavity cancers.

Laryngeal tuberculosis: a review of 26 cases.

Objectives To review the clinical characteristics of laryn-geal tuberculosis. Study Design Retrospective case series. Subjects and Methods Medical records of 26 histopa-thology-confirmed cases in a tertiary medical center from 1992 to 2006. Results The female patients were significantly younger than male patients. Hoarseness is the most common symptom (84.6%) because true vocal fold is most commonly involved (80.8%). Infection usually involves unilateral (66.7%) and right-side larynx but multiple subsites of the larynx (57.7%). The appearance of the affected larynx may have mixed features and change before diagnosis. Laryngeal tuberculosis is usually misdiagnosed as laryngeal cancer, especially in patients with malignant signs such as enlarged cervical lymph nodes and vocal fold immobility. Chest film is better than sputum examinations for screening. Conclusion We should be especially alert about TB infection when facing young female patients with unusual laryngeal lesions. Extensive laser excision before diagnosis should be avoided because after antituberculous treatment, prognosis is usually good and vocal fold immobility could be reversible.

Carotid blowout in patients with head and neck cancer: Associated factors and treatment outcomes

The purpose of this study was to investigate factors associated with carotid blowout in the cervical portion of patients with head and neck cancer in a large cohort.

Osteoradionecrosis of mandible bone in patients with oral cancer—associated factors and treatment outcomes

The purpose of this study was to investigate factors associated with osteoradionecrosis (ORN) of the mandible bone in a large cohort of patients with oral cancer.

Association of Heartburn and Laryngopharyngeal Symptoms with Endoscopic Reflux Esophagitis, Smoking, and Drinking

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to investigate the association of laryngopharyngeal symptoms and heartburn with endoscopic esophagitis, smoking, and drinking. The clinical importance of the Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) in predicting endoscopic esophagitis was also evaluated. STUDY DESIGN: Case series with planned data collection. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: From November 2006 to February 2007, 156 adults received a whole-body physical check-up. They filled out the RSI questionnaire and were dichotomized into either a “no problem group” or a “possible patients group” according to their scores on the RSI. All subjects received an esophagoscopy. The relationship between RSI score and endoscopic esophagitis, smoking, and drinking was analyzed. RESULTS: Voice change, but not heartburn, was significantly associated with endoscopic reflux esophagitis. Based on the RSI scores, some items in addition to voice change were significantly associated with smoking or drinking but not with endoscopic esophagitis. CONCLUSIONS: While screening patients for reflux esophagitis by using the RSI questionnaire, there is little value in using heartburn to predict endoscopic esophagitis in Taiwanese people. On the other hand, a husky voice might be a good clinical indicator of patients at risk of having reflux esophagitis.

Surgical site infection after preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with locally advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma

We investigated whether preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy is associated with increased surgical site infection (SSI) rate in patients with locally advanced oral cancer.

Prospective, randomized, controlled trial of tranexamic acid in patients who undergo head and neck procedures

Objectives To determine if tranexamic acid could reduce the drainage duration after head and neck procedures. Study Design Prospective, randomized, controlled trial. Methods Patients who underwent head and neck operations were included. The study group was treated with tranexamic acid during the perioperative period whereas the control group received normal saline solution. Blood samples were also collected. Results The study and control groups consisted of 26 and 29 patients, respectively. Although there was a significant difference in the drainage amount between the two groups, (49.7 vs 88.8 mL, P = 0.041), no significant difference could be found in the drainage duration between the two groups (2.69 vs 3.07 days, P = 0.146). There was also no significant difference in the coagulation profiles between the two groups. Conclusion We did not find a meaningful effect in reducing the drainage duration after head and neck procedures with the use of prophylactic tranexamic acid.

Preoperative blood sugar and C-reactive protein associated with persistent discharge after incision and drainage for patients with deep neck abscesses.

Objectives:  The aim of this study was to investigate whether preoperative C‐reactive protein (CRP) and blood sugar correlated with persistent discharge after incision and drainage for patients with deep neck abscesses.

Visual Screening of Oral Cavity Cancer: The Role of Otolaryngologists

Objectives: Because most screening was done by dentists, the purpose of this prospective cohort study was to evaluate the effectiveness of oral visual screening by otolaryngologists. In addition, we wanted to determine which group of enrolled patients was at potential risk of contracting oral cancer.