Effect of Mouth Opening Training Stick Combined with Oral Massage on Mouth Opening Difficulty in Head and Neck Cancer Patients after Treatment

Objective: To study the application effect of mouth-opening training sticks combined with oral massage on patients with mouth-opening difficulty after treatment for head and neck cancer. Methods: Using convenient sampling, 60 patients with mouth-opening difficulty after treatment for head and neck cancer admitted to the Oncology Department from February 2022 to October 2023 were selected for a 2-week exercise and nursing program. The patients were divided into a control group (February 1, 2022 to November 30, 2022) and an observation group (December 1, 2022 to October 31, 2023), with 30 patients in each group. The control group underwent routine mouth-opening functional exercises combined with cork for oral support training, while the observation group underwent routine mouth-opening functional exercises combined with oral massage and mouth-opening training sticks for oral support training. The mouth-opening degree, mouth-opening difficulty level, comfort level, compliance, and quality of life were observed in both groups. Results: Before the intervention, there were no statistically significant differences in mouth-opening degree and mouth-opening difficulty level between the two groups (P > 0.05). After the intervention, the mouth-opening degree, mouth-opening difficulty level, oral comfort level, compliance, and QLICP-HN scores in the observation group were all better than those in the control group, with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The combination of mouth-opening training sticks and oral massage with mouth-opening functional exercises can effectively improve the degree of mouth-opening difficulty, enhance oral comfort, increase compliance with mouth-opening exercises, and improve quality of life.

Oral Health Management of Three Head and Neck Cancer Patients Performed by Dental Hygienists

Introduction: Oral health management is often difficult in patients after surgical tumor resection and/or radiotherapy due to defects, bulky flaps, limitation of tongue movement, and trismus. In addition, patients who have undergone radiotherapy have serious disabilities such as oral mucositis, mucosal weakening, soft tissue fibrosis, salivary gland disorder, and osteoradionecrosis. Dental hygienists must understand the characteristics of patients after surgical tumor resection and/or radiotherapy. In this report, the oral health management of three patients after maxillectomy, mandibulectomy, and radiotherapy was shown. Case Description: Case 1: A 53-year-old male patient visited our clinic after chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and partial maxillectomy for cancer of the right maxillary gingiva. Case 2: A 65-year-old male patient visited our clinic after radiotherapy for a right-sided tongue cancer, partial mandibulectomy of the right tongue to the oropharynx, a right-sided segmental mandibulectomy and a speech aid and a mandibular prosthesis were provided. Case 3: A 36-year-old female visited our clinic for radiotherapy for left-sided tongue cancer. Dental hygienists provided oral health management to the patients. In oral health management, it was suggested that intervention before cancer treatment, oral hygiene instructions tailored to patients’ symptoms, and frequent professional care are important. Conclusion: Oral health management by dental hygienists is extremely important for patients undergoing maxillofacial cancer treatment to maintain their quality of life in the long term.

A review of clinical and histological parameters associated with contralateral neck metastases in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Oral squamous cell carcinoma （OSCC） has a high incidence of cervical micrometastases and sometimes metastasizes contralaterally because of the rich lymphatic intercommunications relative to submucosal plexus of oral cavity that freely communicate across the midline, and it can facilitate the spread of neoplastic cells to any area of the neck consequently. Clinical and histopathologic factors continue to provide predictive information to contralateral neck metastases （CLNM） in OSCC, which determine prophylactic and adjuvant treatments for an individual patient. This review describes the predictive value of clinical-histopathologic factors, which relate to primary tumor and cervical lymph nodes, and surgical dissection and adjuvant treatments. In addition, the indications for elective contralateral neck dissection and adjuvant radiotherapy （aRT） and strategies for follow-up are offered, which is strongly focused by clinicians to prevent later CLNM and poor prognosis subsequently.

Regional differences in incidence and mortality trends in cancers of the larynx, thyroid, oral cavity and pharynx in England and Scotland: 1975-2002

Context: There have been significant changes in the epidemiology of head and neck cancers (HNC) in the last three decades worldwide. Documenting these trends helps to facilitate cancer prevention measures and aids resource allocation. Objective: To analyse incidence and mortality trends in Head and Neck Cancers (HNC) in the UK and compare regional differences between England and Scotland. Design: Retrospective quantitative analysis of time trends of HNC cases in the UK recorded in the International Agency for Research into Cancer (IARC) CI5 database and WHO mortality database. Setting: Cancer databases with extraction of UK HNC incidence and mortality time trends. Patients: All patients with cancers of the larynx, thyroid, oral cavity and pharynx in the UK (1975-2002) recorded in the IARC and WHO databases. Main Outcome Measures: HNC incidence and mortality trends in the UK. Results: There has been an increase in incidence of oral and pharyngeal cancer in the UK especially among males with higher rates in Scotland. However mortality has increased in Scotland and reduced in England. Thyroid cancer incidence has increased in the UK especially among females with higher rates in Scotland. Mortality has reduced in both regions. Laryngeal cancer among males has increased in incidence particularly in Scotland with a decline in incidence in England. Mortality has reduced significantly in England among males but increased in Scotland. Conclusions: In the UK, Scotland has higher incidence rates of HNC compared with England. Mortality has reduced in England from all the HNC sub-sites but has increased in Scotland for laryngeal, oral & pharynxgeal cancers. Although socioeconomic deprivation and its relation to higher alcohol and tobacco consumption have been highlighted as drivers, further studies are required.

Translational aspects of themodern genetics in head and neck cancers

Oral cancer(OC)is one of the most recurrent cancers in the head and neck squamous cancer(SCCHN)category.Recently,the genome-wide association studies(GWAS)have gained growing interest in the scientific community.GWAS have identified several pathways involved in the interactions among general risk factors and genomic variants affecting SCCHN.This systematic overview aims to critically evaluate the latest data reported within the scientific literature.The aim was to investigate the impact of genetic aspects on SCCHN onset and prognosis,involving other clinical and systemic co-factors.PubMed,Google Scholar,and Cancer Genetics Web databases have been systematically investigated for original articles published in the last two years,reporting studies on the main queries addressed in this work.This review also comparatively describes the impact of environmental and pathological co-factors in different types of cancers,clarifying and updating the role of genetic factors in SCCHN onset and development.The main outcomes reported may be helpful to drive clinicians towards their clinical evaluations for the most appropriate therapeutic approach in SCCHN.

Targeting head and neck tumoral stem cells： From biologicalaspects to therapeutic perspectives

Head and neck squamous cell cancer(HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer in the world. Effective therapeutic modalities such as surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and combinations of each are used in the management of the disease. In most cases, treatment fails to obtain total cancer cure. In recent years, it appears that one of the key determinants of treatment failure may be the presence of cancer stem cells(CSCs) that escape currently available therapies. CSCs form a small portion of the total tumor burden but may play a disproportionately important role in determining outcomes. CSCs have stem features such as self-renewal, high migration capacity, drug resistance, high proliferation abilities. A large body of evidence points to the fact that CSCs are particularly resistant to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. In HNSCC, CSCs have been increasingly shown to have an integral role in tumor initiation, disease progression, metastasis and treatment resistance. In the light of such observations, the present review summarizes biological characteristics of CSCs in HNSCC, outlines targeted strategies for the successful eradication of CSCs in HNSCC including targeting the self-renewal controlling pathways, blocking epithelial mesenchymal transition, niche targeting, immunotherapy approaches and highlights the need to better understand CSCs biology for new treatments modalities.

Histone modifications:Targeting head and neck cancer stem cells

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma(HNSCC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide, and is responsible for a quarter of a million deaths annually. The survival rate for HNSCC patients is poor, showing only minor improvement in the last three decades. Despite new surgical techniques and chemotherapy protocols, tumor resistance to chemotherapy remains a significant challenge for HNSCC patients. Numerous mechanisms underlie chemoresistance, including genetic and epigenetic alterations in cancer cells that may be acquired during treatment and activation of mitogenic signaling pathways, such as nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer-of activated B cell, that cause reduced apoptosis. In addition to dysfunctional molecular signaling, emerging evidence reveals involvement of cancer stem cells(CSCs) in tumor development and in tumor resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. These observations have sparked interest in understanding the mechanisms involved in the control of CSC function and fate. Post-translational modifications of histones dynamically influence gene expression independent of alterations to the DNA sequence. Recent findings from our group have shown that pharmacological induction of posttranslational modifications of tumor histones dynamically modulates CSC plasticity. These findings suggest that a better understanding of the biology of CSCs in response to epigenetic switches and pharmacological inhibitors of histone function may directly translate to the development of a mechanism-based strategy to disrupt CSCs. In this review, we present and discuss current knowledge on epigenetic modifications of HNSCC and CSC response to DNA methylation and histone modifications. In addition, we discuss chromatin modifications and their role in tumor resistance to therapy.

COVID-19 and oral cancer:Critical viewpoint

The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2) has marked the beginning of a new pandemic named coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19). The World Health Organization has announced it as a health emergency that is of international concern. The disease has been reported to cause respiratory illness, pneumonia and even hinder the immunity of an individual. Individuals with disturbed immune responses have been found to be quite susceptible to this viral infection. Oral cancer patients are also at high risk in this pandemic situation and might encounter severe detrimental outcomes. Angiotensin receptors, documented in studies as the path of entry of this virus, are highly expressed in the epithelial cells of oral mucosa, making the group of individuals with oral cancers even more vulnerable. Extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer is another potential target for SARS-CoV-2. An exhaustion of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 cell receptors leads to protumoral effects, whereas a downregulation of extracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer leads to antitumoral effects. Thus, it causes a variation of the biological behavior of the tumor. This article focusses on the molecular mechanisms, effects and pathophysiology of COVID-19 in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients. The different molecular changes in oral squamous cell carcinoma in the background of COVID-19 will modify various environmental factors for this pathology and have an effect on the carcinogenesis process. Understanding the behavior of the tumor will help plan advanced treatment strategies for oral squamous cell carcinoma patients in the background of COVID-19.

An Overview and Comparative Evaluation of Head and Neck Cancer Risk Factors in India and Australia

Aim: An overview and comparative evaluation of head and neck cancer risk factors in India and Australia. Method: In this review we included articles with information on head and neck cancer risk factors and its association based on: smoking tobacco, alcohol, smokeless tobacco, betel nut and areca nut chewing, viral infection like HPV, dental hygiene, diet, family history, socioeconomic status, other heavy metals and systemic conditions. Articles with clinical features, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis were excluded. Results: Head and neck cancer in India has different demographic, risk factors, dietary habits, personal and family history. Oral cancer is more common amongst all head and neck squamous cell cancers in males. This is mainly attributed with consumption of a variety of smokeless tobacco, smoking, alcohol, poverty, illiteracy, cultural, advanced stage at presentation;lack of good treatment infrastructure creates main challenge to India as compared to Australia. Conclusion: The knowledge about risk factors for HNC in public health education for general population supports health promotion and tobacco prevention, which is the main aim of the programs started by the government, as head and neck cancers are potentially preventable.

A Six-Year Review of Head and Neck Cancers at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana

Background: In Ghana, information on the prevalence and pattern of Head and Neck Cancers (HNCA) is scarce. There are few publications based on specific sub-sites of the head and neck, however, literature on the prevalence and pattern of HNCA in general is lacking. The present study aimed to describe the pattern of HNCA among patients seen at the multidisciplinary HNCA clinic of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. Methods: This is a retrospective review of all consecutive patient records seen at the multidisciplinary clinic from 2004 to 2009. Results: There were 149 males and 103 females giving a male to female ratio of 1.45:1. The age range was 2 - 95 years with a mean of 48.1 years. The commonest type of HNCA in this review is cancers of the oral cavity (29.4%), followed by accessory sinuses (13.9%) and larynx (13.5%). Nasopharyngeal cancer affected young people, with 34.5% of affected patients aged between 10 and 19 years. The commonest histopathological type was squamous cell carcinoma (49.6%). Majority (47.6%) of patients presented at stage IV. Conclusion: The commonest HNCA is oral cancer. Majority of patients with HNCA are presenting late calling for public health education to raise awareness and promote early detection.

三联互补强化教育对头颈部肿瘤放疗患者口腔功能锻炼情况及生活质量的影响

目的探讨三联互补强化教育对头颈部肿瘤放疗患者口腔功能锻炼情况及生活质量的影响。方法选择2021年2月至2022年8月于九江市第一人民医院接受放疗的70例头颈部肿瘤患者作为研究对象,按随机数字表法分为对照组(35例)与观察组(35例)。对照组接受常规护理,观察组接受三联互补强化教育。比较两组的口腔功能锻炼情况、生活质量与并发症发生率。结果干预后,观察组的口腔功能锻炼精确性量表的动作评价与知识口述分值均高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。干预后,观察组的生活质量综合评定问卷-74(GQOL-74)量表生理功能、社会功能、躯体功能及物质生活状态的各维度分值均高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。观察组的并发症总发生率低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论针对头颈部肿瘤放疗患者采取三联互补强化教育干预措施,可明显提升患者口腔功能锻炼的精确度,提升生活质量,还可降低相关并发症的发生风险。

头颈癌放射性口腔黏膜炎病人营养管理方案的构建

目的:构建头颈癌放射性口腔黏膜炎病人营养管理方案。方法:系统检索头颈癌放射性口腔黏膜炎病人营养管理相关指南、专家共识、系统评价等,对证据提取整合,经研究小组讨论后制订头颈癌放射性口腔黏膜炎病人营养管理方案初稿。召开专家小组会议,结合专家意见进一步讨论修改,形成最终的头颈癌放射性口腔黏膜炎病人营养管理方案。结果:头颈癌放射性口腔黏膜炎病人营养管理方案包括营养筛查与评估、营养供给量、营养支持、营养随访、运动干预5个一级条目、17个二级条目、40个三级条目,其中28个三级条目为A级推荐,12个三级条目为B级推荐。结论:本研究构建的头颈癌放射性口腔黏膜炎病人营养管理方案具有科学性与针对性,可为今后开展头颈癌放射性口腔黏膜炎病人营养管理实践提供参考。

数字化口腔定位支架在头颈部肿瘤放射治疗中的应用现状

在放射治疗中,由于射线不可避免地对正常细胞产生辐射作用,头颈部肿瘤患者常会发生严重的口腔并发症,例如:放射治疗诱发性口腔黏膜炎、张口困难、吞咽困难、放射性颌骨坏死和放射性龋病等。这些并发症会影响甚至中断放射治疗的进行,对放射治疗后患者的生活质量造成难以估量的影响。为减小放射治疗带来不利影响,近年来,国内外学者对口腔定位支架(OPS)开展了广泛的研究,其中传统型OPS对一些口腔并发症的预防起到明显的作用,但其在设计制作以及推广应用上存在一些不足,数字化OPS的研究应运而生。本文主要对数字化OPS的设计制作方法、口腔并发症的预防以及放射治疗摆位的影响进行总结分析,对其应用前景进行了展望。

头颈癌放疗患者中性粒细胞与淋巴细胞比值的变化轨迹与重度放射性口腔黏膜炎的风险研究

目的 识别头颈癌(head and neck cancer,HNC)患者放疗期间中性粒细胞与淋巴细胞比值(neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio,NLR)的变化轨迹,分析NLR的变化轨迹与重度放射性口腔黏膜炎(radiotherapy-induced oral mucositis,RIOM)之间的关系。方法 采用回顾性纵向研究设计,选取2022年7月至2023年8月在中南大学湘雅医院收治的180例接受放疗的HNC患者作为研究对象。分别在放疗前(T0)、放疗开始后1周(T1)、放疗开始后2周(T2)、放疗开始后3周(T3)、放疗开始后4周(T4)、放疗开始后5周(T5)和放疗开始后6周(T6)收集HNC放疗患者的中性粒细胞计数和淋巴细胞计数,并计算7个时间点的NLR。使用潜类增长模型和增长混合模型识别最佳的NLR轨迹亚组,采用Logistic回归分析判断NLR的轨迹亚组与重度RIOM之间的关系。结果 NLR变化轨迹存在基线低水平-快速增长组(Class-1组)和基线高水平-快速增长组(Class-2组)2个潜在亚组。Logistic回归分析显示,Class-2组发生重度RIOM的危险性是Class-1组的3.67倍。在控制混杂因素的干扰后,NLR轨迹亚组仍是发生重度RIOM的危险因素,且重度RIOM发生风险从3.67倍增加到27.0倍。结论 NLR能够作为预测重度RIOM的生物标志物。NLR较高的人群发生重度RIOM的风险更高。

PGRMC1 Elevation in Multiple Cancers and Essential Role in Stem Cell Survival

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in America, and there is an urgent need for new therapeutic approaches. The progesterone receptor membrane component 1 (PGRMC1) is a cytochrome b5 related protein that binds heme and is associated with signaling, apoptotic suppression and autophagy. PGRMC1 is essential for tumor formation, invasion and metastasis, and is upregulated in breast, colon, lung and thyroid tumors. In the present study, we have analyzed PGRMC1 levels in over 600 tumor sections, including a larger cohort of lung tumors than in previous studies, and report the first clinical analysis of PGRMC1 levels in human oral cavity and ovarian tumors compared to corresponding nonmalignant tissues. PGRMC1 was highly expressed in lung and ovarian cancers and correlated with patient survival. PGRMC1 has been previously associated with drug resistance, a characteristic of cancer stem cells. The stem cell theory proposes that a subset of cancerous stem cells contribute to drug resistance and tumor maintenance, and PGRMC1 was detected in lung-tumor derived stem cells. Drug treatment with a PGRMC1 inhibitor, AG-205, triggered stem cell death whereas treatment with erlotinib and the ERK inhibitor, PD98059, did not, suggesting a specific role for PGRMC1 in cancer stem cell viability. Together, our data demonstrate PGRMC1 as a potential tumor biomarker across a variety of tumors, as well as a therapeutic target for cancer stem cells.

An Analysis of the Potential Benefits of Metformin on Disease Recurrence in Oral and Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Objective: Diabetes mellitus type 2 has been associated with increased cancer risk and cancer related mortality. Metformin, one of the most widely used anti-diabetic medications, has been found to have important anticancer properties in addition to hypoglycemic effects. The effects of metformin on clinical outcomes in oral cavity (OC) and oropharyngeal (OP) squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) have not been thoroughly analyzed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of metformin use on cancer recurrence in diabetic patients with oral cavity and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Design: Retrospective review. Setting: Academic tertiary medical center. Patients: Seventy-seven patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 and oral cavity or oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma were treated and followed at our tertiary academic institution and the Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System from 1998 to 2012. Main Outcome Measure: Cox proportional hazards models and Kaplan-Meier curves were constructed to determine if metformin has an effect on disease recurrence after primary cancer treatment. Results: Metformin does not appear to have a significant effect on disease recurrence in patients with OC/OP SCC and diabetes mellitus type 2 (p = 0.53). Even when including only patients with stage I or II disease, metformin still did not decrease recurrence (p = 0.60). Conclusion: Herein, our data suggest that metformin use does not significantly impact time until recurrence for diabetic patients with OC/OP SCC.

沙利度胺防治头颈部肿瘤放射性口腔黏膜炎37例

目的观察沙利度胺防治头颈部肿瘤急性放射性口腔黏膜炎(RIOM)的临床疗效。方法选取2020年8月至2021年8月内江市第一人民医院接受头颈部放疗的恶性肿瘤病人75例,采用随机数字表法分为观察组和对照组。观察组37例口服沙利度胺100~150 mg(70 mg·m-2·d-1),同时给予0.9%氯化钠注射液(50 mL)+利多卡因(0.1 g)+庆大霉素(8万单位)+地塞米松(10 mg)漱口,对照组38例仅用同样的0.9%氯化钠注射液(50 mL)+利多卡因(0.1 g)+庆大霉素(8万单位)+地塞米松(10 mg)漱口。根据肿瘤分期,若需行同步化疗,放疗期间每周给予顺铂40 mg/m2。观察两组放射性口腔黏膜炎的发生时间、严重程度、生活质量以及沙利度胺治疗的安全性。结果观察组和对照组全部发生放射性口腔黏膜炎,其中观察组1~4级RIOM发生率分别为13.5%、45.9%、35.1%、5.4%,对照组1~4级RIOM分别为2.6%、23.7%、57.9%、15.8%,两组在2级、3级、≥3级RIOM发生率差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。观察组平均发生时间为15.8 d,对照组发生时间为10.1 d,两组发生时间差异有统计学意义(P<0.001)。观察组放疗后最低KPS评分平均为82分,对照组放疗后最低KPS评分平均为78分,观察组放疗后生活质量优于对照组(P=0.015)。两组在性别、年龄、是否化疗、剂量学参数方面差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);两组在血液学毒性、周围神经毒性、肝肾功能损害、胃肠道反应方面差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论沙利度胺有助于减轻RIOM的严重程度,推迟RIOM发生时间,改善病人放疗后生活质量,且不明显增加不良反应,可作为预防和治疗RIOM的辅助用药。

口腔菌群变化影响放射治疗和化学治疗相关性口腔黏膜炎病程的研究进展

头颈部放射治疗和化学治疗(简称放化疗)会引起口腔菌群多样性及群落结构的改变,包括与健康相关共生菌的丰度降低,一些革兰阴性菌增加,以及以白色念珠菌增加为主的真菌群落改变,这些改变可导致口腔黏膜炎(OM)的罹患风险及严重程度增加,尤其与严重OM关系密切。放化疗直接或通过活性氧间接导致DNA损伤,同时促进微生物菌群失调,破坏免疫系统,促进炎症发生;细胞损伤形成溃疡,导致细菌易位和定植,激活核因子-κB、Toll样受体等信号通路,诱导更多促炎细胞因子产生,促进OM发展。目前针对调节口腔菌群改善OM的治疗也是研究热点,可采用益生菌或益生菌混合物防治OM,预防性使用抗真菌剂也可降低口腔念珠菌的数量。本文就近年来头颈部放化疗对口腔菌群变化的影响及其与OM相关性的研究进行综述,以期为放化疗相关OM的防治提供新思路。

HPV感染在口腔鳞癌中的研究进展

口腔鳞状细胞癌(OSCC)是头颈部最常见的恶性肿瘤,预后较差,整体5年生存率较低,世界卫生组织预计在未来十几年中OSCC的发病率将持续上升。除了烟草、槟榔、饮酒等因素,人乳头瘤病毒(HPV)感染也被确定为危险因素,HPV的感染与OSCC的发生及预后有着密切的关系,目前研究表明,HPV感染逐渐成为OSCC的主要致病因素。HPV感染引起的OSCC可能会成为OSCC中一种发病机制、肿瘤微环境、生物学行为和预后都相对独特的一种类型。笔者通过广泛查阅文献,围绕HPV在OSCC中作用机制、HPV阳性OSCC的特征及HPV与OSCC治疗和预防的相关性的研究进展进行总结。

口腔癌颈淋巴清扫术后并发乳糜胸3例及文献复习

目的探讨口腔癌颈淋巴清扫术后并发乳糜胸的临床表现、诊断方法及治疗策略。方法分析2020年1月至2021年5月于中南大学湘雅医院口腔医学中心行口腔癌颈淋巴清扫扫术后并发乳糜胸的3例患者的临床资料,并通过复习文献,总结该并发疾病的危险因素、临床表现、诊断方法、治疗策略及预后。结果3例患者均为男性口腔癌患者,年龄42~63岁,临床表现为颈淋巴清扫术后2~5 d出现进行性呼吸困难,胸部X线片、B超和(或)CT显示双侧胸腔积液,胸腔穿刺液送检乳糜试验阳性后确诊。其中左侧乳糜胸1例(左侧颈淋巴清扫),双侧乳糜胸2例(分别为左侧颈淋巴清扫和双侧颈淋巴清扫)。3例患者均在术中对胸导管进行过缝扎处理,2例术后还伴有严重的颈部乳糜漏,局部加压效果不佳,行再次手术结扎胸导管。3例患者的乳糜胸均采用营养支持、机械辅助通气、胸腔穿刺引流等保守治疗后,乳糜量逐渐减少,7~15 d后拔除胸部引流管,顺利出院。文献复习结果表明,口腔癌颈淋巴清扫术后患者出现进行性呼吸困难时,临床医师应对患者进行胸片、超声影像、CT及乳糜试验等辅助检查手段,当明确诊断为乳糜胸后,可选用营养支持、生长抑素、机械性辅助通气、胸腔穿刺引流等保守治疗,必要时进行开胸结扎胸导管手术治疗。结论乳糜胸是口腔癌颈淋巴清扫术后较为少见的并发症,以双侧胸腔同时发生为主,亦可只发生于颈淋巴清扫术侧胸腔,左侧颈淋巴清扫是并发乳糜胸的危险因素。临床表现多为颈淋巴清扫术后进行性呼吸困难,详细的体查、胸部X线片、B超和(或)CT可发现胸腔积液,穿刺抽出乳白色或淡黄色乳糜样液体且乳糜实验阳性后可确诊。采用胸腔穿刺引流,呼吸支持等保守治疗多可获得痊愈。