Linear Stapler in Total Laryngectomy

Introduction: Stapler application for pharyngeal closure after total laryngectomy allows rapid watertight closure. We intend to report the experience of the Portuguese Oncology Institute of Lisbon, Francisco Gentil (IPOLFG). Material and Methods: Retrospective study of patients submitted to total laryngectomy using linear stapler device treated in IPOLFG from 2005 to 2010. Results: 108 patients were studied. The majority of patients were male, aged from 60 to 69 years old, and had smoking and alcohol habits. The average length of hospital stay was 13.1 days. Post-operative complications occurred as follows: wound infection in 6.5%, cervical hematoma in 4.6% and pharyngocutaneous fistula in 11.1% of cases. Conclusions: The mechanical suture of the pharynx in total laryngectomy is a simple and quick method. It does not increase the incidence of post-operative complications. It seems to be a very safe method, as long as its limits regarding the location and extent of tumour are respected.

Diagnostic accuracy of MRI and PET/CT for neck staging prior to salvage total laryngectomy

Aim:Lymph node(LN)metastases are associated with poor outcomes in patients with recurrent larynx squamous cell carcinoma(LSCC).Neck dissection(ND)is therefore commonly performed along with salvage total laryngectomy(STL).Here,we assess the rate of occult LN metastases and the diagnostic value of MRI and PET/CT for detecting them in recurrent LSCC.Methods:This retrospective study included patients with recurrent LSCC after primary(chemo)radiotherapy[(C)RT]who were re-staged by MRI and/or PET/CT and treated with STL and ND between 2004 and 2019.The histopathology of ND samples was used as the reference standard.Results:Forty-one patients were included.The prevalence of occult metastases in MRI-negative and PET/CT-negative neck nodes was between 3.2%and 6.1%.Negative predictive values of neck node re-staging were 93.9%for MRI,96.8%for PET/CT,and 96.2%for MRI and PET/CT combined.Conclusion:Both MRI and PET/CT afforded good negative predictive values for nodal staging in patients with recurrent LSCC after(C)RT prior to STL.In selected patients,these radiological modalities,particularly PET/CT,could help to avoid unnecessary surgery to the neck and its associated morbidity.

The use of Montgomery salivary bypass tubes and pharyngocutaneous fistula following salvage laryngectomy

Objectives:Pharyngocutaneous fistula(PCF)is the most common complication to follow total laryngectomy(TL)and is associated with increases in length of hospital stay and with a need for revision surgery or readmission,as well as with delays in return to oral diet.Patients who require salvageTL(STL)or primary(chemo)radiation therapy are at higher risk for developing PCF.Due to the quality‐of‐life burden of PCF on patients,limiting this occurrence is crucial.Methods:We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing STL with placement of Montgomery salivary bypass tube(MSBT)^(TM)for at least 2 weeks duration between 2013 and 2017 at a single institution.Our patients all underwent free flap reconstruction.Our primary outcome of interest was development of PCF.Secondary outcomes included demographics,previous treatment,base of tongue(BOT)involvement,extent of defect,concurrent neck dissection(ND),and margin status.Univariateχ^(2) analysis was used to evaluate factors associated with PCF.Results:Forty‐four patients underwent STL with Montgomery tube placement and free flap reconstruction.Eight developed PCF(18.2%).The average age was 61.6 years;36 patients were male(81.8%),whereas eight patients were female(18.2%).There was no association between PCF and previous chemoradiation versus radiation(15.8%vs.33.3%,P<0.30),BOT involvement versus not(11.1 vs.22.2%,P<0.38),circumferential versus partial defect(18.8%vs.17.9%,P<0.94),ND versus none(10%vs.25%,P<0.20),or margin status.Conclusion:PCF complicated 18.2%of STL cases at our institution and was not associated with differences in primary treatment modality,presence of concomitant ND,extent of pharyngeal defect,BOT involvement,or positive frozen or permanent surgical margin.

Tracheoesophageal Voice Prosthesis Outcomes:Success or Insucess?

Introduction: Total laryngectomy/pharingo-laryngectomy is a potentially aggressive surgery for advanced laryngeal/hypopharyngeal carcinomas, which results in important physical and functional changes that compromise some of the most vital functions, including speech communication. For these patients, tracheoesophageal speech is considered to be the gold standard for voice rehabilitation. Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to determinate the success rate of voice prosthesis rehabilitation, voice prosthesis lifetime and the rate of complications, and its related clinicopathologic factors. Material and Methods: Retrospective review of 92 patients who undergone tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) performed between January 2007 and December 2012 at the Francisco Gentil Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Oporto. Age, primary disease, staging, the extent of surgical resection, radiotherapy treatment, timing of TEP, surgical and prosthesis-related complications were noted. The impact of these clinicpathological factors on functional outcome, complications of TEP and lifetime of prosthetic valves was assessed in univariate analysis. Vocal rehabilitation efficacy with voice prosthesis was assessed with the multidimensional Harrison-Robillard Shultz (HRS) Rating Scale. Lifetime of voice prosthesis and early and late complications were recorded. Results: A total of 83 patients met the study criteria, predominantly males (94%) with a mean age of 63.7 years. 77% of the patients underwent primary and 23% secondary TEP. 68.7% of patients achieved functional tracheoesophageal speech (HRS score ≥ 10), 67.2% had performed primary TEP and 73.7% had performed secondary TEP. The mean device lifetime was 9.8 months for voice prosthesis. Prosthesis-related complications occurred in 81% of the patients and the most common issues were prosthesis leakage (76%) and displacement (22%). The most common surgical-related problem was a large and deep tracheostoma. Conclusions: Our success rate of voice rehabilitation was comparable to that reported in published literature with a satisfactory median device lifetime. Because of its safety and simplicity, tracheoesophageal puncture is considered to be an effective method for voice rehabilitation after total laryngectomy.

Neck dissection does not add to morbidity or mortality of laryngectomy

Objectives:To examine the national rates of complications,readmission,reoperation,death and length of hospital stay after laryngectomy.To explore the risks of neck dissection with laryngectomy using outcomes.Methods:The American College of Surgeons National Quality Improvement Program(ACS-NSQIP)database was reviewed retrospectively.The database was analyzed for patients undergoing laryngectomy with and without neck dissection.Demographic,perioperative complication,reoperation,readmission,and death variables were analyzed.Results:754 patients who underwent total laryngectomy during this time were found.Demographic analysis showed average age was 63 years old,566(75.1%)were white,and 598(79.3%)were male.Of these patients,520(69.0%)included a neck dissection while 234(31.0%)did not.When comparing patients who received a neck dissection to those who did not,there were no significant differences in median length of hospital stay(12.5 days w/vs.13.3 days w/o,P=0.99),rates of complication(40%w/vs.35%w/o,P=0.23),reoperation(13.5%w/vs.14%w/o,P=0.81),readmission(14%w/vs.18%w/o,P=0.27),and death(1.3%w/vs.1.3%w/o,P>0.99).Furthermore,neck dissection did not increase the risk of complication(P=0.23),readmission(P=0.27),reoperation(P=0.81),death(P=0.94),or lengthened hospital stay(P=0.38).Conclusions:Concurrent neck dissection does not increase postoperative morbidity or mortality in patients undergoing total laryngectomies.These results may help physicians make decisions regarding concurrent neck dissection with total laryngectomy.