W.L. Chen

Mandibular reconstruction with the vascularized fibula flap: comparison of virtual planning surgery and conventional surgery.

This study evaluated the accuracy of mandibular reconstruction and assessed clinical outcomes in both virtual planning and conventional surgery patients. ProPlan CMF surgical planning software was used preoperatively in the virtual planning group. In the virtual planning group, fibula flaps were harvested and osteotomized, and the mandibles were resected and reconstructed assisted by the prefabricated cutting guides and templates. The main outcome measures included the operative time, postoperative computed tomography (CT) scans, facial appearance, and occlusal function. The ischemia time and total operation time were shorter in the virtual planning group than in the conventional surgery group. High precision with the use of the cutting guides and templates was found for both the fibula and mandible, and a good fit was noted among the pre-bent plate, mandible, and fibula segments in the virtual planning group. Postoperative CT scans also showed excellent mandibular contours of the fibula flaps in accordance with virtual plans in the virtual planning group. This study demonstrated that virtual surgical planning was able to achieve more accurate mandibular reconstruction than conventional surgery. The use of prefabricated cutting guides and plates makes fibula flap moulding and placement easier, minimizes the operating time, and improves clinical outcomes.

Second salvage surgery with extended vertical lower trapezius island myocutaneous flap reconstruction for advanced re-recurrent oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of second salvage surgery with extended vertical lower trapezius island myocutaneous flap (TIMF) reconstruction for patients with re-recurrent oral cavity and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The subjects were 23 patients with advanced re-recurrent oral and oropharyngeal SCC undergoing second salvage surgery and reconstruction with a TIMF. A TIMF with a skin paddle measuring 6cm×7cm to 10cm×22cm was used to reconstruct the major defects. Three patients experienced minor complications: minor flap failure (n=1), wound dehiscence at the donor site (n=1), and an orocutaneous fistula (n=1). The patients were followed for 3-72 months. Fifteen patients were alive with no evidence of disease, two were alive with disease, and six died of local recurrence or distant metastases. Second salvage surgery remains an effective treatment modality for select patients with advanced re-recurrent oral and oropharyngeal SCCs, and the extended vertical lower TIMF is a large, simple, and reliable flap for reconstructing the major defect following second salvage surgery.

Percutaneous sclerotherapy of massive macrocystic lymphatic malformations of the face and neck using fibrin glue with OK-432 and bleomycin.

Picibanil (OK-432) and bleomycin have been used as alternative sclerosing agents for lymphatic malformations. This study evaluated the clinical curative effect of sclerotherapy using fibrin glue combined with OK-432 and bleomycin for the treatment of macrocystic lymphatic malformations of the face and neck. Fifteen paediatric patients (6 males; 9 females, aged 13 months to 14 years) who had received percutaneous sclerotherapy for massive macrocystic lymphatic malformations of the face and neck were retrospectively reviewed. Affected regions included the neck, parotid region and parapharynx, mouth floor, face and cheek, and orbital regions. All patients showed preoperative symptoms of space-occupying lesions between 4 cm × 5 cm and 12 cm × 16 cm in size. Fibrin glue with OK-432 and bleomycin was injected under general anaesthesia. All patients received preoperative and follow-up CT scans. Outcomes were assessed by three surgeons. All patients exhibited mid-facial swelling for 3-4 weeks after surgery, but no major complications. Follow-up periods ranged from 8 to 16 months. Eight lesions were completely involuted, five were mostly involuted, and two were partially involuted. Percutaneous sclerotherapy using fibrin glue with OK-432 and bleomycin provided a simple, safe, and reliable alternative treatment for massive macrocystic lymphatic malformations of the face and neck.

Endoscopically assisted extracapsular dissection of pleomorphic adenoma of the parotid gland through a postauricular sulcus approach in young patients

We evaluated the aesthetic outcomes in 11 young patients (mean (range) age 21.7 (16-28) years) who had endoscopically assisted extracapsular dissection of benign pleomorphic adenomas of the parotid gland through a postauricular sulcus approach. The tumours varied in size from 1.5×1.0cm to 2.5×2.0cm, and all were removed completely without rupture. The cosmetic result was excellent in 10 patients and good in one. Patients were followed up for eight to 40 months, and there was no recurrence. The technique is simple and feasible, and it achieves excellent aesthetic results in young patients.

Removal of the residual roots of mandibular wisdom teeth in the lingual space of the mandible via endoscopy.

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the reliability of the use of endoscopy for removal of the residual roots of mandibular wisdom teeth in the lingual space of the mandible. Seven patients with residual roots of the mandibular wisdom teeth remaining in the lingual space were treated via endoscopy, and the results of their treatments were reviewed retrospectively. The study found that the residual roots of the mandibular wisdom teeth in the lingual space were removed successfully via endoscopy. The average duration of surgery for each case was 5 min, and no complications were observed in any case. There is little risk involved with removing the residual roots of mandibular wisdom teeth in the lingual space via endoscopy and the procedure is safe and fast. We conclude that it is worth promoting this clinical procedure for current and future use.

Surgery for isolated regional failure in nasopharyngeal carcinoma after radiation: Selective or comprehensive neck dissection: Surgery for Isolated Regional Failure in NPC

To compare survival effects of comprehensive neck dissection (CND) and selective neck dissection (SND) for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) with only regional failure.

Combined bilobed trapezius myocutaneous and scapula osteomyocutaneous flaps for the restoration of through-and-through defects of the mandible following salvage surgery for recurrent head and neck tumours

This study was performed to evaluate the outcomes of combined bilobed trapezius myocutaneous and scapula osteomyocutaneous flaps for the restoration of through-and-through defects of the mandible. The subjects were six patients with recurrent malignant tumours who underwent salvage surgeries and reconstruction with combined flaps based on the transverse cervical vessels (TCVs). All patients had combined bone (four type H, one type LCL, and one type C) and extensive soft tissue defects (through-and-through defects) following salvage surgery. All tumours were removed and the complex defects restored successfully. Two patients experienced minor complications: one minor intraoral flap failure and one case of wound dehiscence at the donor site. The appearance of the face and neck was satisfactory or acceptable in all patients. No patient showed severely limited range of motion of the upper limb. The patients were followed up for 10 to 18months. One patient was living with no evidence of disease. The use of combined bilobed trapezius myocutaneous and scapula osteomyocutaneous flaps based on the TCVs may be an effective approach for the restoration of through-and-through defects of the mandible and may provide satisfactory or acceptable functional and aesthetic outcomes following salvage surgery for advanced head and neck tumours.

Use of a folded extended vertical lower trapezius island myocutaneous flap to repair large pharyngocutaneous fistulae developing after salvage total laryngectomy

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of surgery involving the use of folded trapezius flaps to repair large pharyngocutaneous fistulae (PCFs) developing after salvage total laryngectomy. Folded extended vertical lower trapezius island myocutaneous flaps (TIMFs) were created to repair large PCFs that developed after salvage total laryngectomy in eight patients. The maximum fistula dimension was 4.5×3.0cm and the minimum was 2.0×1.8cm. The skin paddle of the extended vertical TIMF ranged from 5cm to 9cm in width and 10cm to 23cm in length. The inner lining ranged from 3cm×3cm to 6cm×6cm in dimension and the outer lining from 6cm×5cm to 16cm×9cm. The folded flaps provided both inner mucosa and outer lining. All flaps survived. No fistula recurrence or stricture developed. After 6-24months of follow-up, six patients showed no evidence of disease, one was alive with disease, and one had died of local recurrence at 20months. The folded flap was very reliable and is well-suited for repairing large PCFs, even early large PCFs and those featuring carotid artery rupture.

Trends in clinical features and survival of oral cavity cancer: fifty years of experience with 3,362 consecutive cases from a single institution

Background Global data demonstrate minimal improvement in the survival rate for oral cavity cancer (OCC) patients. We wished to know whether or not clinical features and survival rate have changed over time for OCC patients receiving initial treatment and follow-up at a large cancer center in China. Methods Clinical features and survival data were collected on patients diagnosed during the successive decades of 1960–1969 (n=253), 1970–1979 (n=497), 1980–1989 (n= 659), 1990–1999 (n=793), and 2000–2009 (n=1,160) at the Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center. Results Over time, the overall 5-year survival rate for OCC patients was 52.0%. According to tumor localization, this rate was 71.4% for lip cancer, 56.3% for oral tongue cancer, and 42.7% for other parts of the oral cavity. From the 1960s to the 2000s, the 5-year survival rate steadily improved from 47.8% to 55.6% (P<0.001). Survival steadily decreased with age and was higher for women than for men in the 3 most recent decades. The survival rate for male patients was constant over time, while the rate for female patients improved dramatically. Obvious trends in clinical features over time included the following: increasing age of patients, increasing proportions of localized disease at diagnosis, decreasing proportions of diagnoses of lip cancer, decreasing proportions of diagnoses of squamous cell carcinoma, and decreasing proportions of non-surgical treatment approaches. Conclusion The survival rate has steadily improved for OCC patients at this cancer center.

Transplantation of a reverse facial artery pedicled submandibular gland in a dog

This study was performed to evaluate the possibility of using reverse facial artery pedicled submandibular gland transfer for treating keratoconjunctivitis sicca. A reverse facial artery pedicled submandibular gland, including the duct, from a beagle dog was transplanted into the temporal region in the same animal. 99mTc pertechnetate scintigraphy was used to monitor graft viability, and the grafted glands were examined histologically 12 weeks after transplantation. Postoperative 99mTc pertechnetate scintigraphy demonstrated viable salivary gland tissue in the transplanted region. Histologically, some of the acinar cells in the graft had atrophied. The transplantation of a reverse facial artery pedicled submandibular gland was successful and may be a simple, reliable treatment for patients with keratoconjunctivitis sicca.