Edward J. Damrose

Oncologic Outcomes After Transoral Robotic Surgery : A Multi-institutional Study

IMPORTANCE Large patient cohorts are necessary to validate the efficacy of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) in the management of head and neck cancer. OBJECTIVES To review oncologic outcomes of TORS from a large multi-institutional collaboration and to identify predictors of disease recurrence and disease-specific mortality. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A retrospective review of records from 410 patients undergoing TORS for laryngeal and pharyngeal cancers from January 1, 2007, through December 31, 2012, was performed. Pertinent data were obtained from 11 participating medical institutions. INTERVENTIONS Select patients received radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy before or after TORS. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Locoregional control, disease-specific survival, and overall survival were calculated. We used Kaplan-Meier survival analysis with log-rank testing to evaluate individual variable association with these outcomes, followed by multivariate analysis with Cox proportional hazards regression modeling to identify independent predictors. RESULTS Of the 410 patients treated with TORS in this study, 364 (88.8%) had oropharyngeal cancer. Of these 364 patients, information about post-operative adjuvant therapy was known about 338: 106 (31.3) received radiation therapy alone, and 72 (21.3%) received radiation therapy with concurrent chemotherapy. Neck dissection was performed in 323 patients (78.8%). Mean follow-up time was 20 months. Local, regional, and distant recurrence occurred in 18 (4.4%), 15 (3.7%), and 10 (2.4%) of 410 patients, respectively. Seventeen (4.1%) died of disease, and 13 (3.2%) died of other causes. The 2-year locoregional control rate was 91.8% (95% CI, 87.6%-94.7%), disease-specific survival 94.5% (95% CI, 90.6%-96.8%), and overall survival 91% (95% CI, 86.5%-94.0%). Multivariate analysis identified improved survival among women (P = .05) and for patients with tumors arising in tonsil (P = .01). Smoking was associated with worse overall all-cause mortality (P = .01). Although advanced age and tobacco use were associated with locoregional recurrence and disease-specific survival, they, as well as tumor stage and other adverse histopathologic features, did not remain significant on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE This large, multi-institutional study supports the role of TORS within the multidisciplinary treatment paradigm for the treatment of head and neck cancer, especially for patients with oropharyngeal cancer. Favorable oncologic outcomes have been found across institutions. Ongoing comparative clinical trials funded by the National Cancer Institute will further evaluate the role of robotic surgery for patients with head and neck cancers.

Quantifying the impact of androgen therapy on the female larynx

OBJECTIVE To describe the timing of changes in fundamental frequency of the female voice following androgen therapy during female to male gender reassignment. METHODS A 33-year-old female semi-professional singer undergoing gender reassignment and intramuscular androgen injections was examined at monthly intervals to monitor the impact of therapy on the voice. Laryngostroboscopy and acoustic analysis were performed simultaneously to monitor for potential laryngeal pathology. RESULTS Pretreatment mean fundamental frequency (MF(0)) was 228.45 Hz and ranged from 140.26 Hz to 430.64 Hz. Between month 3 and month 4 of treatment, MF(0) declined to 116.52 Hz and ranged from 90.75 Hz to 201.07 Hz. Shimmer increased from 3.4% to 7.8%. Noise to harmonics ratio (NHR) also increased from 0.12 to 0.17. The patient has continued to sing semi-professionally despite these changes in laryngeal function. CONCLUSION Androgen therapy exerted a profound change on mean fundamental frequency between the third and fourth months of treatment. In addition, pitch range was reduced in a commensurate fashion. Patients undergoing androgen therapy may undergo a significant change in speaking voice between the third and fourth months of therapy. Moreover, though these changes may exert a profound impact on the singing voice, patients undergoing gender reassignment may still be able to achieve personal and professional success in their singing careers.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the submandibular gland: a 35-year review.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the treatment results of adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the submandibular gland at a single institution during a 35-year period. STUDY DESIGN & SETTING: A retrospective review was performed by examining the records and reviewing the pathology of 22 patients with ACC of the submandibular gland treated at UCLA Medical Center from June 1963 to December 1997. RESULTS: Seven men and 15 women with an age range of 23 to 85 years (median, 48 years) were treated. Surgical intervention was performed in 21 patients. All patients with advanced tumor size, perineural invasion, microscopically positive surgical margins, or regional neck metastases received postoperative adjunctive therapy, primarily radiotherapy. Follow-up varied from 6 months to 181 months (median, 67 months). Disease-free survival at 3, 5, and 10 years was 66%, 57%, and 41% respectively, whereas overall survival was 76%, 70%, and 37%, respectively (note: 5- and 10-year survival rates are not statistically conclusive due to the small sample size). CONCLUSIONS: We report fairly high disease-free survival rates in this patient population and a number of prognostic trends are evident. Early diagnosis, wide surgical intervention, and postoperative radiation are associated with a favorable prognosis. Advanced tumor size, positive surgical margins, perineural invasion, and local recurrence of the tumor are associated with an unfavorable prognosis. EBM rating: C.

A Comparison of the VHI, VHI-10, and V-RQOL for Measuring the Effect of Botox Therapy in Adductor Spasmodic Dysphonia

BACKGROUND Although disease-specific quality-of-life (QOL) instruments are an invaluable outcome measure in spasmodic dysphonia, there is no consensus on which QOL instrument should be used. OBJECTIVE To determine the responsiveness of the Voice Handicap Index (VHI), Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10), and Voice-Related Quality of Life (V-RQOL) to the treatment effect of botulinum toxin (Botox) in adductor spasmodic dysphonia (ADSD). SETTING Stanford University Voice and Swallowing Center. DESIGN Prospective case series (level of evidence=4). METHODS Consecutive ADSD patients with a stable Botox dose-response relationship were recruited prospectively. VHI, VHI-10, and V-RQOL scores were obtained pretreatment and during the middle third of the posttreatment injection cycle. RESULTS Thrity-seven patients completed the follow-up. The average total Botox dose was 0.88 units. The average follow-up time after injection was 7.84 weeks. The pretreatment QOL scores reflected the burden of the disease. All the three instruments were highly correlated in subscale and total scores. After treatment, all three instruments showed significant improvement. CONCLUSION The VHI, VHI-10, and V-RQOL all reflected the morbidity associated with ADSD and were significantly responsive to the effect of Botox therapy. The choice of instrument should be based on physician preference.

On the development of idiopathic subglottic stenosis

Idiopathic subglottic stenosis is a fibrotic narrowing of the airway at the level of the cricoid cartilage, which can result in severe dyspnea. There is an overwhelming female preponderance, and treatment usually involves dilation, tracheostomy or resection with reconstruction of the involved portion of the airway. The exact mechanism of action is unknown. Estrogen has been thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of this disease, but estrogen receptors have not been found in tissue specimens taken from afflicted individuals. A careful history taken from the patient often reveals a severe episode of coughing prior to the development of symptoms, and intraoperative examination can reveal impaction of the first tracheal ring within the lumen of the cricoid cartilage. Based on these observations, we surmise that an intermittent telescoping effect of the first tracheal ring within the lumen of the cricoid cartilage can lead to disruption of the local blood supply and trauma to the cricoid mucosa, with consequent mucosal edema, ischemia, and ultimately fibrosis. While estrogen has been shown to play a beneficial role in wound healing, abnormal wound healing may be potentiated by variations in estrogen receptor expression, and could also explain the female preponderance seen in this disease.

A Meta-analysis of Voice Outcome Comparing Calcium Hydroxylapatite Injection Laryngoplasty to Silicone Thyroplasty

Objectives To compare the voice outcome of calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) injection laryngoplasty (IL) vs silicone medialization thyroplasty (MT) in the treatment of unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP). Data Sources Systematic review of English literature from MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane library from January 1, 1980, to December 31, 2010. Review Methods Included studies reporting voice-related quality of life (Voice Handicap Inventory [VHI]) following IL with CaHA or MT with silicone. The primary outcome measure was the improvement in VHI. The secondary outcome was improvement in maximum phonatory time (MPT). Results Of the 742 abstracts screened for relevancy, 24 studies qualified for analysis. The mean (SD) VHI scores were 72.22 (11.06) before MT and 34.02 (6.48) after MT. The mean (SD) VHI scores were 68.36 (6.88) before IL and 32.24 (7.33) after IL. The paired difference mean of VHI improvement was 38.20 (95% confidence interval [CI], 17.05-59.32; P = .007) for MT and 36.11 (95% CI, 29.65-42.57; P = .001) for IL. The mean (SD) MPT scores were 7.40 (3.14) before IL and 13.00 (1.75) after IL. The mean (SD) MPT scores were 6.16 (1.90) before MT and 12.40 (2.72) after MT. The paired difference mean of MPT improvement was 6.23 (95% CI, 4.74-7.73; P < .001) for MT and 5.60 (95% CI, 2.95-8.25; P = .006) for IL. Conclusion Injection laryngoplasty with CaHA and MT with silicone appear to achieve comparable voice improvement within 1 year, but a definitive conclusion is limited by a lack of standardized outcome measures.

Advances in the management of glottic insufficiency.

Purpose of reviewGlottic insufficiency secondary to vocal fold scarring, atrophy, or paresis remains a clinically challenging problem for the laryngologist. Numerous methods have been described in the treatment of glottic insufficiency, belying the complexity of the problem. Type I thyroplasty and injection of fat, fascia, and gelatin powder have been the mainstay of treatment to date, but the ability to restore a normal mucosal waveform to a damaged vocal fold remains an elusive goal. Recent findingsAdvances in the material and biomedical sciences have allowed the introduction of newer substances and techniques not only to medialize the vocal fold but also to help restore its viscoelastic properties as well. These substances include expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), collagen, cross-linked hyaluronic acid, micronized acellular human dermis calcium hydroxyapatite, and polydimethylsiloxane. ePTFE can be introduced through a window in the thyroid ala or placed intracordally, and the others can be injected either transorally or transcutaneously, allowing in-office placement under simple topical anesthesia. SummaryAlthough the ideal augmentation material and technique have yet to be devised, the laryngologist now has several options with which to address the problem of glottic insuffiency. Since the problem is complex and since it is possible that a customized solution may need to be devised on an individual basis, future laryngologists will need to be comfortable with the indications and applications that each material and technique will afford.

Percutaneous injection laryngoplasty in the management of acute vocal fold paralysis.

To evaluate the clinical outcome of patients with acute vocal fold paralysis treated with bovine collagen via percutaneous injection laryngoplasty under simple topical anesthesia.

Complications of esophagoscopy in an academic training program

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of flexible versus rigid esophagoscopy in an academic training setting. Study Design: Case series with chart review. Setting: Tertiary academic training center. Subjects and Methods: A retrospective medical record review was performed on all adult patients undergoing esophagoscopy from 2002 to 2007. Results: A total of 546 procedures were performed with flexible (n = 276) or rigid (n = 270) endoscopes. Seven esophageal perforations (2.6%) occurred, all in association with rigid endoscopy and all in patients with a history of head and neck cancer. Esophageal perforation rates were associated with attending level of experience. There were no deaths. No synchronous esophageal cancers were found in any patient undergoing panendoscopy for the evaluation of a head and neck cancer. Conclusion: The 2.6 percent esophageal perforation rate observed in this study is higher than that typically reported for rigid esophagoscopy. When performed as part of routine panendoscopy, no synchronous esophageal tumors were found, questioning the value of esophagoscopy in this setting. All perforations occurred in patients with a history of head and neck cancer and were associated with the level of the surgeons experience in performing rigid endoscopy.

Botulinum toxin as adjunctive therapy in refractory laryngeal granuloma.

OBJECTIVE This study evaluated the role of botulinum toxin type A in the treatment of refractory laryngeal granulomas. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING Retrospective clinical review at a tertiary care hospital. Seven patients with vocal process granulomas underwent percutaneous injection of botulinum toxin into both vocal folds, performed in an office setting. Total doses ranged from 10 to 25 U, divided between both vocal folds. RESULTS All patients experienced resolution of their granulomas over two to seven weeks. No patient developed aspiration pneumonia. All patients experienced hoarseness secondary to the injections, but voice quality returned to baseline in all patients as the toxin was degraded. CONCLUSIONS Botulinum toxin is safe and effective therapy in resolving vocal process granulomas in patients refractory to traditional therapy. The optimal treatment dose remains to be determined. SIGNIFICANCE Percutaneous botulinum toxin injection is helpful in resolving laryngeal granulomas.