Olsen, Kerry D.

AbstractBackgroundThis study presents oncologic outcomes after transoral robotic surgery (TORS) ± adjuvant therapy for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).MethodsThree hundred fourteen patients undergoing TORS ± adjuvant therapy for oropharyngeal SCC from May 1, 2007, to May 31, 2015, are analyzed.ResultsMedian follow‐up was 3.3 years (interquartile range [IQR] 1.8‐5.3 years; range 1 day to 9.3 years). Estimated locoregional recurrence‐free survival, distant metastasis‐free survival (DMFS), overall survival (OS), and cancer‐specific survival (CSS) rates (95% confidence interval [CI] number still at risk) at 5 years after surgery were 92% (88‐95; 92), 90% (86‐94; 92), 86% (82‐92; 98), and 94% (91‐97; 98), respectively. Negative margins were achieved in 98% of cases. The adult comorbidity evaluation (ACE)‐27 comorbidity index, human papillomavirus (HPV) status, pathologic N classification, and number of attempts to clear margins were associated with death due to cancer (P = .003, P = .002, P = .030, and P = .002, respectively).ConclusionThe need to take ≥2 margins to achieve resection portends an increased risk of locoregional recurrence and death due to disease in oropharyngeal SCC.

Cervical lymphangioma is rare among adults. Thirty‐two patients with cervical lymphangioma were treated at the Mayo Clinic between 1950 and 1982. The records of these patients were reviewed to investigate the clinical and pathologic behavior of this lesion in persons more than 16 years of age. The lesions were seen in all decades of adult life and equally in men and women. Most lesions presented as a rapidly enlarging, asymptomatic mass. The anterior triangle of the neck was involved nearly as often as the posterior triangle, and right‐sided locations predominated (72%). Histopathologic differentiation of the lesions into simplex, cavernous, and cystic lymphangiomas was not helpful in predicting clinical behavior. Surgical excision is the treatment of choice. The lesions may intimately involve the carotid sheath or adjacent nerves. Recurrence in 21% of the 28 patients on whom follow‐up data were available mostly represented incomplete excision. Lymphangioma should be included in the differential diagnosis of a large asymptomatic neck mass of recent origin in the adult.

ObjectiveTo describe management and oncologic outcomes for patients who develop locoregional recurrence (LRR) or distant metastasis (DM) following transoral robotic surgery for human papilloma virus (HPV)–positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC).Study DesignCase series with chart review.SettingTertiary care referral center.Subjects and MethodsA total of 286 patients with HPV‐positive OPSCC who underwent transoral robotic surgery–based treatment from May 2007 to May 2015.ResultsOf 286 patients (12.2%), 35 met inclusion criteria. Of these, 19 experienced an LRR and 16 developed a DM; 2 patients with LRR subsequently developed DM. In those patients with an LRR, 79% had T1/T2 tumors, and 47% had N0/N1 nodal disease, compared with 75% and 6% in the DM group, respectively. The median time to LRR or DM was 0.6 years (interquartile range [IQR], 0.4‐1.0) and 1.8 years (IQR, 1.0‐2.1), respectively. Salvage treatment with intent to cure was attempted in 23 patients (16 LRR, 7 DM). The median time from LRR or DM to last follow‐up for the 18 patients who were still alive after salvage was 1.9 years (IQR, 0.4‐3.8; range, 7 days–6.2 years). Estimated cancer‐specific survival rates at 3 years following intent‐to‐cure treatment were 63% (95% CI, 39‐100; number still at risk, 5) in the LRR group and 100% (95% CI, 100‐100; number still at risk, 2) in the DM group.ConclusionOverall, LRR and DM for HPV‐positive OPSCC following transoral robotic surgery–based therapy are infrequent. In our subset of patients who underwent intent‐to‐cure treatment, cancer‐specific survival rates were favorable. Therefore, aggressive salvage treatment for LRR and DM for HPV‐positive OPSCC should be recommended for appropriate candidates.

The clinical nature of laryngeal amyloidosis has not been well established, and the natural history of the disease remains a controversial matter. To address these issues, we reviewed the clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical features of 22 cases (11 men and 11 women; mean age, 56 years) of laryngeal amyloidosis. Hoarseness was the most common symptom, and the most frequent site affected was the false vocal cords. Six patients had concomitant tracheal amyloidosis. Paraffin blocks were available for immunostaining in 20 cases. Nineteen cases were positive for amyloid P component. λ‐Light chains were detected in 12 cases and κ‐light chains in 5; three cases did not show definite light‐chain staining. Ten patients underwent repeated operations for persistent or recurrent respiratory tract disease. One patient died of progressive tracheobronchial amyloidosis, but systemic amyloidosis did not develop in any of the patients. Laryngeal amyloidosis is a form of localized amyloidosis characterized by monoclonal light‐chain deposition. Recurrent respiratory tract disease is not uncommon, but the usual clinical course is relatively benign.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of acute nasal obstruction on sleep and breathing in eight normal persons. The subjects were randomized into two groups. One night the subject was studied with the nose open and a second night with the nose obstructed. The electroencephalogram, electrocardiogram, inspiratory effort, nasal and oral airflow, and oxygen saturation were monitored. Sleep proved to be both subjectively and objectively disturbed. The subjects with the nose obstructed awoke more often, had a greater number of changes in sleep stage, had a prolongation of rapid‐eye‐movement (REM) latency, and spent a greater amount of time in stage I non‐REM sleep (light sleep). Acute nasal obstruction caused a statistically significant increase in the number of partial and total obstructive respiratory events (obstructive hypopnea and obstructive apnea). Sleep apnea developed in one subject during this study merely on the basis of acute nasal obstruction.

From 1950 through 1975, 54 patients with mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the oral cavity were treated at the Mayo Clinic. Metastatic disease occurred in 13 patients; nine patients died of their disease. Mucoepidermoid tumors of the hard palate should be treated by partial maxillectomy. Complete neck dissection is necessary for tumors larger than 2 cm in the base of the tongue. Other intraoral mucoepidermoid carcinomas are treated by wide surgical excision.

This report presents six cases of obstructive sleep apnea associated with discrete anatomic abnormalities of the upper airway tract. All patients were relieved of their sleep apnea by surgical correction of the airway obstruction, and therefore permanent tracheotomy was avoided. The obstructive causative factors were nasal septal deformity, adenoidal hypertrophy, nasopharyngeal stenosis, lingual cyst, lingual tonsillar hypertrophy, and laryngeal cyst. The last‐named four conditions have not previously been reported as correctable causes of sleep apnea.

Objectives/HypothesisDiscuss current techniques utilizing the scapular tip and subscapular system for free tissue reconstruction of maxillary defects and highlight the impact of medical modeling on these techniques with a case series.Study DesignCase review series at an academic hospital of patients undergoing maxillectomy + thoracodorsal scapula composite free flap (TSCF) reconstruction. Three‐dimensional (3D) models were used in the last five cases.Methods3D modeling, surgical, functional, and aesthetic outcomes were reviewed.ResultsNine patients underwent TSCF reconstruction for maxillectomy defects (median age = 43 years; range, 19–66 years). Five patients (55%) had a total maxillectomy (TM) ± orbital exenteration, whereas four patients (44%) underwent subtotal palatal maxillectomy. For TM, the contralateral scapula tip was positioned with its natural concavity recreating facial contour. The laterally based vascular pedicle was ideally positioned for facial vessel anastomosis. For subtotal‐palatal defect, an ipsilateral flap was harvested, but inset with the convex surface facing superiorly. Once 3D models were available from our anatomic modeling lab, they were used for intraoperative planning of the last five patients. Use of the model intraoperatively improved efficiency and allowed for better contouring/plating of the TSCF. At last follow‐up, all patients had good functional outcomes. Aesthetic outcomes were more successful in patients where 3D‐modeling was used (100% vs. 50%). There were no flap failures. Median follow‐up >1 month was 5.2 months (range, 1–32.7 months).ConclusionsReconstruction of maxillectomy defects is complex. Successful aesthetic and functional outcomes are critical to patient satisfaction. The TSCF is a versatile flap. Based on defect type, choosing laterality is crucial for proper vessel orientation and outcomes. The use of internally produced 3D models has helped refine intraoperative contouring and flap inset, leading to more successful outcomes.Level of Evidence4. Laryngoscope, 127:E8–E14, 2017