Hypothermia during head and neck surgery

OBJECTIVE: To determine the predictors and incidence of hypothermia in patients undergoing head and neck surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. METHODS: Patients were either not warmed (n = 43) or actively warmed with forced-air warming (n = 25). Clinical variables that were assessed as predictors of core body temperature included age, body mass, duration of procedure, estimated blood loss, amount of intravenous fluids administered, and the use of forced-air warming. The incidence of severe intraoperative hypothermia and potential hypothermia-related complications was also examined. RESULTS: The study demonstrated that advanced age is a risk factor for hypothermia and decreased body mass is associated with lower final body temperatures in the groups of patients that was not warmed. After adjusting for differences in the ages and weights between the two groups, the mean core body temperature was found to be 0.4 degrees C lower in the patients who were not warmed. Severe intraoperative hypothermia occurred in 5 of 38 patients (11.6%) who were not warmed and 2 of 23 patients (8.0%) who were warmed. The complications associated with hypothermia included delayed time to extubation, the development of neck seromas, and flap dehiscence. CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing head and neck surgery are at risk for the development of intraoperative hypothermia and require careful temperature monitoring. Elderly patients and patients with low body mass are more prone to develop low intraoperative core body temperatures. Active warming with forced-air warmers should be considered for patients at risk for intraoperative hypothermia and for patients who develop hypothermia intraoperatively, to avoid hypothermia-related complications.     

头颈肿瘤术后并发肺栓塞

目的　提高对头颈肿瘤术后并发肺栓塞的诊断意识。方法　回顾性分析中国医学科学院中国协和医科大学肿瘤医院头颈外科 1993～ 1999年头颈肿瘤手术后发生的 5例严重急性肺栓塞患者的临床资料。结果　同期共行头颈肿瘤手术 5 80 1例 ,手术后死亡 39例 ,发生严重急性肺栓塞 5例 ,其中 4例因漏诊、误诊未能给予及时正确的治疗 ,于 2h内死亡 ,占同期术后死亡的 10 3% (4/39) ;仅 1例得到正确诊断 ,经积极溶栓治疗存活。结论　急性肺栓塞是头颈肿瘤术后导致死亡的严重并发症 ;及时正确诊断与治疗可以挽救患者生命     

Twenty-five years experience with laser surgery for head and neck tumors

During the last 25 years, the treatment of tumors arising in the upper aerodigestive tract has changed fundamentally. Whereas surgery in the 1970s aimed at radical block resection and defect repair from outside, the establishment of transoral laser microsurgery marked a new era of organ- and function-preserving therapy. An international symposium, held on 10 and 11 June 2005 in Göttingen, was dedicated to a critical review and assessment of the current role of laser surgery for the treatment of head and neck cancer. Experts from five continents presented their experiences and scientific results and had an intensive exchange with participants from different countries. The topics of the symposium were focused on the surgical principles of laser resection, the oncological and functional results in comparison with traditional therapy, the difficulties and limits of laser surgery in distinct anatomical regions and on the role of radiotherapy. This report summarizes the most important results and statements and gives an overview of actual developments. The names and addresses of the participants mentioned in this report are appended below.     

小钛板内固定术在头颈部肿瘤手术中的应用

目的评价钛板内固定术在头颈部肿瘤手术中的应用。方法回顾性总结近6年内所做的连续40例小钛板内固定术。主要应用于①有血运的骨组织瓣移植固定（14例）;②口腔及口咽肿瘤手术入路的下颌骨切开复位（12例）;③鼻咽手术的上颌骨掀翻复位固定（11例）;④其他（3例）,如骨折固定。以颌骨切开部位是否受放射剂量为标准,共有23例（57.5%）接受了平均60Gy的放射治疗,其中术前放射治疗18例。结果40例患者中出现与钛板有关的并发症11例（27.5%）,其中钛板周围伤口感染5例,放射性骨坏死3例,钛板暴露、螺钉松动、骨断端不愈合各1例。手术前后接受放射治疗患者的并发症似乎较非放射治疗患者高（39.1%对比11.8%,P=0.079）。除1例外,所有未发生并发症的有牙颌关系肿瘤患者恢复了正常的咬合关系。手术后平均3～4d开始经口进食,均未用颌间固定。结论小钛板内固定术能达到稳定和准确的颌骨固定,避免了颌间固定,有利于头颈肿瘤患者恢复正常的生活,尤其在骨组织瓣塑形中发挥出独特的优势。出现与钛板有关的并发症可能与手术前后放射治疗有关,采用颌骨正中或旁正中切开一般可避开放射治疗部位,降低并发症。     

经口入路机器人手术在耳鼻咽喉头颈外科中的应用

摘要：目的总结经口入路机器人手术（transoral robotic surgery,TORS）在耳鼻咽喉头颈外科应用的临床经验。方法2010年11月~2015年7月南京军区南京总医院耳鼻咽喉科应用“达芬奇”机器人手术系统对10例咽喉部病变患者行TORS, 回顾性分析患者临床资料,总结手术体会。结果10例患者均顺利完成手术。术野暴露平均用时34 min（20～60 min）,调整开口器次数2~5次,平均手术时间为67 min（30～130 min）。患者平均住院时间为8 d（6～14 d）,恢复经口进食平均需要5 d（2～10 d）,出院时均可经口进食。术中及术后均未出现并发症。恶性肿瘤患者的术后病理学检查示切缘均未见癌细胞残留。结论在掌握好适应证的前提下,应用“达芬奇”机器人手术系统可以独立完成多种类型耳鼻咽喉头颈外科手术,其手术创伤小,患者术后恢复快,有着巨大的临床应用价值。     

Normovolemic hemodilution in head and neck surgery

Summary As the transfusion risks to which patients are exposed are gradually understood, every effort is being made to find both a valid and safe alternative to homologous blood transfusions. Bearing this in mind, the most sensible solution appears to be the practice of a self-donor procedure with normovolemic hemodilution prior to elective surgery. However, even repeated bloodlettings do not modify the oxygen delivery to tissuess since, with a reduction in the hemoglobin content of the circulating blood, there is a corresponding increase in oxygen availability. Since the reduction of circulating erythrocytes brings with it a reduction in blood viscosity, there is in turn an improvement in the microcirculation. The generally better tissue oxygenation, the reduction of the blood's viscosity and the increased circulatory perfusion all also favor a prophylaxis against deep vein thrombosis. We have currently performed 72 surgical procedures for head and neck neoplasms that were undertaken at the Clinical ENT Division of Treviso Hospital precisely with the normovolemic hemodilution described above. The self-donor transfusion technique was adopted with the help of the hospital's transfusion service. We have analyzed the data relative to this method and have found that the normovolemic hemodilution represents the treatment of choice in surgery-induced stress, particularly since this approach allows a better tissue oxygenation.Presented at the First European Congress of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology and Cervico-Facial Surgery, Paris, 26–29 September 1988     

Risk assessment of high-lying innominate artery with neck surgery

Conclusion: A high-lying innominate artery (the upper edge of the innominate artery across the anterior midline of the trachea located 2?cm above the suprasternal notch), a rare situation, may produce disturbance to related anterior cervical tracheal surgery and even cause serious complications.

Objectives: High-lying innominate artery is a high risk factor in anterior cervical tracheal surgery. Pre-operative assessment via imaging technique can help to familiarize the artery and reduce the related disturbance to the surgery.

Methods: A total of 829 patients were selected. Cervical computed tomography (CT) examination was conducted before surgery. The distance between the upper edge of the innominate artery across the anterior midline of the trachea and the suprasternal notch was measured. The exposure of innominate arteries in these cases during surgery was recorded.

Results: The upper edge of the innominate artery was located above the suprasternal notch in 26.4% (219/829) of patients. The upper edge of the innominate artery across the anterior midline of the trachea was 2?cm above the suprasternal notch in 18 cases, accounting for 2.2% of all cases, and innominate arteries were exposed in 11 cases (61.1%) during surgery.     

头颈部手术围手术期内脑血管意外的原因及处理

目的：探讨头颈部手术围手术期内脑血管意外的原因及处理。方法：回顾性分析8例患者因头颈部手术围手术期内出现的脑血管意外。结果：3例与颈部血管破裂、结扎有关,1例与血栓脱落有关,1例与脑出血有关,3例原因复杂。结论：头颈部手术围手术期内脑血管意外的发生多与颈部大血管的损伤、破裂有关。术中预防颈部血管的损伤、破裂,以及积极谨慎地处理破裂血管尤为重要;对于原因复杂的脑血管意外,预防更加困难。     

Avoiding transfusion in head and neck surgery: feasibility study of erythropoietin

OBJECTIVE: To determine the feasibility of perioperative erythropoietin to avoid blood transfusion in head and neck cancer surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. METHODS: Ninety-nine patients undergoing surgical resection of head and neck tumors at our institution were assessed for demographic data, nutritional parameters, tumor/surgical information, hematological/transfusion data, and contraindications to erythropoietin. Each transfusion was classified as to its appropriateness, and the potential benefit of erythropoietin was assessed in each patient. A cost analysis was also performed. RESULTS: Most transfused patients (63%) received too many units. A subgroup at high risk of transfusion was identified who would benefit most from perioperative erythropoietin. Assuming that perioperative erythropoietin therapy is equivalent to the transfusion of 4 units, we estimate that the majority (741%) of transfused patients would not have required a transfusion if more stringent transfusion criteria were followed and those at high risk were given perioperative erythropoietin. Although the cost for transfusing 4 units is equivalent to that of a perioperative course of erythropoietin, the overall direct cost of erythropoietin treatment would actually have been more expensive. CONCLUSIONS: Perioperative erythropoietin therapy may be appropriate for a subgroup of head and neck cancer patients, but a prospective randomized controlled study in such a subgroup is needed to better define those most likely to benefit from it and to assess actual cost/benefit ratios.     

Selective neck dissection in the management of the clinically node-negative neck

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of the selective neck dissection (SND) in the management of the clinically node-negative neck. STUDY DESIGN: Case histories were evaluated retrospectively. METHODS: The results of 300 neck dissections performed on 210 patients were studied. RESULTS: The primary sites were oral cavity (91), oropharynx (30), hypopharynx (16), and larynx (73). Seventy-one necks (23%) were node positive on pathological examination. The number of positive nodes varied from 1 to 9 per side. Of necks with positive nodes, 17 (24%) had extracapsular spread. The median follow-up was 41 months. Recurrent disease developed in the dissected neck of 11 patients (4%). Two recurrences developed outside the dissected field. The incidence of regional recurrences was similar in patients in whom nodes were negative on histological examination (3%) when compared with patients with positive nodes without extracapsular spread (4%). In contrast, regional recurrence developed in 18% of necks with extracapsular spread. This observation was statistically significant. Patients having more than two metastatic lymph nodes had a higher incidence of recurrent disease than the patients with carcinoma limited to one or two nodes. Recurrence rate in the pathologically node positive (pN+) necks was comparable to recurrence in those pathologically node negative (pNO) necks in the patients who did not have irradiation. CONCLUSION: SND is effective for controlling neck disease and serves to detect patients who require adjuvant therapy.     

游离股前外侧皮瓣在头颈外科中的应用

目的 总结应用游离股前外侧皮瓣修复头颈肿瘤术后缺损的临床经验.方法 回顾性分析2007年11月至2010年6月辽宁省肿瘤医院头颈外科应用游离股前外侧皮瓣修复重建头颈部恶性肿瘤术后缺损43例患者的临床资料.患者男32例,女11例;年龄40～81岁,中位年龄56岁.口腔癌23例,咽侧壁扁桃体7例,下咽癌11例,头皮癌、枕部肉瘤各1例.肿瘤分期:T1期9例,T2期17例,T3期11例,T4期6例.为保证有足够的安全切缘,所有患者手术切除范围为距肉眼所见肿瘤边缘至少2 cm,43例患者肿瘤切除术后应用游离股前外侧皮瓣进行修复重建,恢复咀嚼、吞咽及呼吸功能.皮瓣血管蒂长8～18 cm,平均12.5 cm.左股前外侧皮瓣41例,右侧2例.皮瓣面积(4～15)cm×(5～25)cm.结果 游离股前外侧皮瓣移植一期成功40例,1例术后第5天出现静脉血栓,重新吻合血管皮瓣成活.坏死3例,其中2例分别于术后第1天、第4天胸大肌肌皮瓣修复.1例第20天皮瓣坏死脱落后长肉芽愈合.11例下咽癌患者中3例行喉全切除术,8例保留喉功能(72.7%).23例口腔癌、7例咽侧壁扁桃体癌术后均恢复较好的咀嚼、吞咽、发音功能.头皮癌、枕部肉瘤患者较好地修复了大面积皮肤缺损.结论 游离股前外侧皮瓣修复技术可靠,成活率高,供区无严重并发症.皮瓣薄厚适中,可塑性好,是头颈肿瘤术后修复重建理想的修复皮瓣.

Abstract：

Objective To evaluate the results of reconstruction by free anterolateral thigh flaps ( ALT) after operation of head and neck tumors. Methods Forty-three cases underwent the reconstruction of postoperative defects with free anterolateral thigh flaps after head and neck cancer surgeries between November 2007 and June 2010 were reviewed. Ages of the patients ranged from 40 to 81 years, with a median of 56 years; 32 males and 11 females; 23 cases of oral carcinoma, 7 cases of tonsil carcinoma, 11 cases of hypopharyngeal carcinoma,and 2 cases of head skin cancer. TNM classified as follows; no case of distant metastasis; T1 9 cases; T2 17 cases; T3 11 cases; T4 6 cases. All patients were applied with ALT to restore swallowing and respiratory functions. The mean length of blood vessel pedicles of the ALT free flaps was 12. 5 (8-18) cm. The flaps were 4 - 15 cm in width,5 - 25 cm in length. Results In the 43 cases applied with ALT free flaps, 40 cases were successful and 3 cases unsuccessful. Two of the failed cases were reconstructed with pectoralis major flap. In 11 cases of hypopharyngeal carcinoma, except 3 cases with total laryngectomy, 8 cases(72. 7% ) had their laryngeal function been preserved. Conclusions The successful rate of ALT free flaps is perfect. There were no serious complication in offered areas. The flap could be shaped into various forms. ALT free flap is an ideal flap to reconstruct the defect after surgery in some head and neck tumors.     

Crile's neck dissection

George Crile, after a long experience with treatment of head and neck cancer and study of a large number of cases, appreciated that these tumors almost always drained through the lymphatic pathways of the neck, rarely metastasized distantly, and were thus theoretically curable by resection of the primary tumor and its lymphatic draining shed. After evaluation of his early failures, he found that a block resection of all of the lymph node-bearing tissue of the neck in addition to resection of the primary tumor was the most effective means of obtaining a cure, particularly in patients with clinical evidence of spread of disease to the neck. Such radical surgery, at the time, was fraught with difficulty because of the lack of blood transfusion, antibiotics, and endotracheal anesthesia, but Crile devised several strategies for combating these obstacles. Crile performed 36 such block resections with a determinate 3-year survival of 75% compared with 19% 3-year survival in patients who had not undergone block resection. The surgical precepts developed by Crile laid the foundation for the effective modern surgical treatment of head and neck cancer.     

Exfoliated malignant cells in glove and instrument washings following head and neck surgery

Loco-regional recurrence following resection of squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aero-digestive tract is a major problem. Cells exfoliated from malignant tumours have been considered capable of implanting and giving rise to local recurrence or metastatic deposits. A prospective study was performed examining washings from the gloves and instruments used in major head and neck operations to determine if exfoliated cells were indeed present. Following removal of the main tumour specimen all surgeons washed their hands in a solution containing a cell fixative and all instruments were soaked in the solution. Samples were then centrifuged and stained using a modified PAP technique. On occasions nuclear fragments consistent with squamous cell carcinoma were present in both glove and instrument washings. We recommend that all surgeons change gloves and instruments following removal of the main tumour specimen and prior to irrigation of the operative field with a tumoricidal agent.     

Comparative studies of two systems of prophylactic antibiotics in head and neck surgery

One hundred and seventeen patients undergoing operations on the head and neck were investigated for the causes of infection. There was a close relationship between the pre-operative culture and the risk of infection. There was a greater risk of infection (10.7%) when the pharynx was opened than when it was not (0.0%). The operations most liable to infection are laryngopharyngectomy and those in which skin flaps are used. The isolation of pathogenic bacteria in the operative exudate did not in general predispose to the development of infection, which did not occur when these cultures were negative. Positive cultures obtained from the drain on 3 consecutive days were a significant indication that infection will probably occur.