• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.530-538
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• 2017

Background A pharyngocutaneous fistula is a common and difficult-to-manage complication after head and neck reconstruction. It can lead to serious complications such as flap failure, carotid artery rupture, and pharyngeal stricture, and may require additional surgery. Previous radiotherapy, a low serum albumin level, and a higher T stage have been proposed as contributing factors. We aimed to clarify the risk factors for pharyngocutaneous fistula in patients who underwent flap reconstruction and to describe our experiences in treating pharyngocutaneous fistula. Methods Squamous cell carcinoma cases that underwent flap reconstruction after cancer resection from 1995 to 2013 were analyzed retrospectively. We investigated several significant clinical risk factors. The treatment modality was selected according to the size of the fistula and the state of the surrounding tissue, with options including conservative management, direct closure, flap surgery, and pharyngostoma formation. Results A total of 127 cases (18 with fistulae) were analyzed. A higher T stage (P=0.048) and tube-type reconstruction (P=0.007) increased fistula incidence; other factors did not show statistical significance (P>0.05). Two cases were treated with conservative management, 1 case with direct closure, 4 cases with immediate reconstruction using a pectoralis major musculocutaneous flap, and 11 cases with direct closure (4 cases) or additional flap surgery (7 cases) after pharyngostoma formation. Conclusions Pharyngocutaneous fistula requires global management from prevention to treatment. In cases of advanced-stage cancer and tube-type reconstruction, a more cautious approach should be employed. Once it occurs, an accurate diagnosis of the fistula and a thorough assessment of the surrounding tissue are necessary, and aggressive treatment should be implemented in order to ensure satisfactory long-term results.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.105-110
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• 2018

Background: A stellate ganglion block (SGB) causes increased blood flow in the maxillofacial region, exhibiting the potential for regenerative effects in damaged tissue. The focus of this study was to understand the efficacy of SGB for regenerative effects against nerve damage. A rat model of the superior cervical ganglion block (SCGB) was created instead of SGB, and facial blood flow, as well as sympathetic nervous system function, were measured. Methods: A vertical incision was made on the left side of the neck of a Wistar rat, and a 5-mm resection of the superior cervical ganglion was performed at the back of the bifurcation of the internal and external branches of the left common carotid artery. Blood flow in the skin at the mandibular angle and mean facial temperature were measured using a laser-Doppler blood flow meter and a thermographic camera, respectively, over a 5-week period after the block. In addition, the degree of ptosis and miosis were assessed over a period of 6 months. Results: The SCGB rat showed significantly higher blood flow at the mandibular angle on the block side (P < 0.05) for 3 weeks, and significantly higher skin temperature (P < 0.05) for 1 week after the block. In the SCGB rat, ptosis and miosis occurred immediately after the block, and persisted even 6 months later. Conclusions: SCGB in rats can cause an increase in the blood flow that persists over 3 weeks.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.64 no.1
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• pp.110-119
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• 2021

Objective : Preoperative prediction of the arachnoid membrane descent in pituitary surgery is useful for achieving gross total removal and avoiding cerebrospinal fluid leakage resulting from tearing of the arachnoid membrane in the chiasmatic cistern. In this study, we analyzed the patterns of arachnoid membrane descent during or after pituitary tumor surgery and identified the factors related to this descent. Methods : Analysis was restricted to pituitary macroadenomas not extending into the third ventricle or over the internal carotid artery. To minimize confounding factors, patients who underwent revision surgery, those who had a torn arachnoid during operation or small medial diaphragma sellae (DS) opening, and subtotal resections were excluded. We enrolled 41 consecutive patients in this retrospective analysis. The degree of arachnoid descent was categorized using intraoperative videos. Preoperative magnetic resonance findings, including tumor height, suprasellar extension, and variables including DS area and medial opening size, tumor composition, and displacement of the pituitary stalk and gland were evaluated to determine their correlations with arachnoid membrane descent. Results : Arachnoid membrane descent was significantly correlated with DS area and medial opening size. Based on T2-weighted images (T2WI) magnetic resonance (MR) images, tumor composition was significantly associated with arachnoid membrane descent. Other factors were not significantly correlated with arachnoid membrane descent. Conclusion : T2WI of tumor composition and preoperative MR imaging of DS area and medial opening provided valuable information regarding arachnoid membrane descent. These parameters may serve as fundamental measures to facilitate complete resection of pituitary macroadenomas.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.236-243
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• 1998

Objectives: Local invasion of the thyroid cancer that is invasion of the upper aerodigestive tract, neurovascular structures of the neck and superior mediastinum, is infrequent and comprises of 1-16% of well-differentiated thyroid cancer. However the proximity of the thyroid gland to these structures provides the means for an invasive cancer to gain ready access into theses structures and when invasion occurs, it is the source of significant morbidity and mortality. So locally invasive thyroid cancer should be removed as much as possible, but still much debates have been exist whether the surgical method should be radical or conservative. This study was desinged to evaluate the clinical characteristics and the surgical treatment of the locally invasive thyroid cancer. Material and Methods: At the department of otorhinolaryngology of Hallym university, 10 patients diagnosed as locally invasive thyroid cancer among the 81 patients treated for thyroid cancer between 1991 to 1997 were retrospectively evaluated. Results: Of the 10 patients, 3 patients had histories of previous surgical treatment with or without radiation or radioactive iodine therapy. The site of invasion of thyroid cancer were trachea(7 cases), recurrent laryngeal nerve(5 cases), mediastinal node(5 cases), esophagus(3cases), larynx(3cases), carotid artery(3 cases), pharynx(l case), and other sites(4 cases). The operation techniques included 1 partial laryngectomy and 1 partial cricoid resection, 2 shavings and 3 window resections of the trachea, 1 sleeve resection of the trachea with end-to-end anastomosis and 1 cricotracheoplasty for tracheal invasion, 2 shavings and 1 partial esophagectomies for esophageal invasion, and 1 wall shaving and 2 partial resections with $Gortex^{\circledR}$ tube reconstruction for carotid artery invasion, and so on. Conclusions: These data and review of literature suggest that the surgical method should be perfomed on the basis of individual condition and complete removal of all gross tumor with preservation of vital structures whenever possible will offer a good result.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.41-46
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• 1995

The pectoralis major myocutaneous flap represents a major contribution to head and neck cancer reconstruction. Its advantages are improved viability, one-stage reconstruction, and carotid protection. The oropharyngeal defect especially tonsillar area reveals valley shaped one with loss of a wide mucosal area. Using pectoralis major myocutaneous flap to this defect is sometimes difficult due to its natural figure of bulkiness. This article reviews our experience with patients undergoing 14 pectoralis major myocutaneous flap in carcinoma of the tonsillar area. Complications and their incidences were I total loss, 3 marginal loss, 2 minor seperation of suture, I wound infection and 2 hematoma. Most of the complications did not require a second procedure for reconstruction. Bulkiness of the flap and gravity force to the upper suture line were thought to be causes of the complications. Modification of the flap design with bilobular figure was useful to reduce its bulkiness at the folding area. More stable suture around hard palate was needed to overcome seperation of the suture.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.30 no.9
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• pp.1079-1085
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• 2001

Objective : We analysed various surgical approaches and surgical results of 28 middle cranial base tumors for the purpose of selecting optimal surgical approach to the middle cranial base tumor. Methods : In this retrospective review, 28 patients, including 16 meningioma, 6 trigeminal neurinoma, 2 pituitary adenoma, 2 craniopharyngioma, 1 facial neurinoma, and 1 metastatic tumor, underwent surgical treatment using skull base technique. Of theses, 16 tumors were mainly confined to middle cranial fossae, 5 tumors with extension into both anterior and middle fossa, and 7 tumors with extension into both middle and posterior fossa. Tumors that confined to the middle cranial fossa or extended into the anterior cranial fossa were operated with modified pterional, orbitozygomatic or Dolen'c approach, and tumors that extended into the posterior cranial fossa were operated with anterior, posterior or combined transpetrosal approach. Completeness of tumor resection, surgical outcome, postoperative complication, and follow up result were studied. Results : Total tumor removal was achieved in 9 tumors of 10 tumors that did not extended to the cavernous sinus, and was achieved in 7 tumors of 8 tumors that extended to the lateral wall of the cavernous sinus. Of 10 tumors that extended to the venous channel of the cavernous sinus, only 2 were removed totally. Surgical outcome was excellent in 14 patients, good in 10, fair in 2 and poor in 2. There were no death in this series. Dumbell type tumor which extended into both middle and posterior fossae showed tendency of poor prognosis as compared with tumors that confined middle cranial fossa and extended into both anterior and middle cranial fossa. Postoperative dysfunctions were trieminal hypesthesia in 3, oculomotor nerve palsy in 2, abducens nerve palsy in 2, hemiparesis in 2, cerebellar sign in 1, facial palsy in 1 and hearing impairment in 1. Conclusion : Based on our findings and a review of the literature, we conclude that, when selecting the surgical approach to the middle cranial fossa tumors, the most important factors to be considered were exact location of the tumor mass and existence of the cavernous sinus invasion by tumor mass. We recommend modified pterional or orbitozygomatic approach in cases with tumors located anterior and middle cranial base, without cavernous sinus invasion. In cases with tumors invading into cavernous sinus, we recommend Dolen'c or orbitozygomatic approach. And in lateral wall mass and the cavernous sinus, it is preferred to approach the tumor extradurally. For the tumor involing with middle fossa and posterior fossa(dumbell type) a combined petrosal approach is necessary. In cases with cavernous sinus invasion and internal carotid artery encasement, we recommend subtotal resection of the tumor and radiation therapy to prevent permanent postoperative sequele.