• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.269-275
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• 2020

Background: The advance in microsurgical technique has facilitated a proper approach for reconstruction of extensive head and neck defects. For the success of free tissue reconstruction, selection of the recipient vessel is one of the most important factors. However, the vascular anatomy of this region is very complex, and a clear guideline about this subject is still lacking. In this study, we present our 30 years of experiences of free tissue reconstruction for head and neck defects. Methods: In this retrospective study, we analyzed a total of 138 flaps in 127 patients who underwent head and neck reconstruction using free tissue transfer following tumor resection between October 1986 to August 2019. Patients who underwent facial palsy reconstruction were excluded. Medical records including patient's demographics, detailed operation notes, follow-up records, and photographs were collected and analyzed. Results: Among a total of 127 patients, 10 patients underwent a secondary operation due to cancer recurrence. The most commonly used type of flap was radial forearm flap (n=107), followed by the anterolateral thigh flap (n=18) and fibula flap (n=10). With regard to recipient vessels, superior thyroid artery was most commonly used in arterial anastomosis (58.7%), and internal jugular vein (51.3%) was the first choice for venous anastomosis. The flap survival rate was 100%. Four cases of venous thrombosis were resolved with thrombectomy and re-anastomosis. Conclusion: Superior thyroid artery and internal jugular vein were reliable choices as recipient vessels. Proper recipient vessel selection could improve the result of head and neck reconstruction.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.40-44
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• 1997

Background: Lateral rhinotomy and medial maxillectomy, an en bloc resection of the medial maxillary sinus, ethmoid sinus with the lamina papyracea, medial orbital floor, and lacrimal fossa-duct, have been advocated for lateral nasal wall neoplasms as a standard approach method. Objective: This report was conducted to investigate the clinical efficacy of lateral rhinotomy and medial maxillectomy for lateral nasal wall neoplasms. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed clinical data of 31 patients who were treated at department of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery, Catholic university of Korea, school of medicine between 1990 and 1996. Results: Twenty five patients had benign lesions(80.6%). By far, the largest percentage was inverted papillomas(80%, 20/25). Of the six malignant lesions(19.4%), 33.3%(2/6) was squamous cell carcinoma and other lesions were metastatic renal cell carcinoma, adecarcinoma, transitional cell cacinoma, and hemangiopericytoma. There were a 4% recurrence for benign tumors(1/25), 5% especially for inverted papilloma(1/20), and 50% for malignant neoplasms(3/6). The overall complication rate was 9.7%. Conclusion: Despite the various approach for treatment of lateral nasal wall neoplasms including inverted papilloma, we continue to advocate a lateral rhinotomy and medial maxillectomy as the treatment of choice.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.19-22
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• 2024

Angioleiomyoma is benign smooth muscle tumor originating from the vascular wall. While they can occur in various anatomical locations, they are rarely reported in the vallecula region of the oropharynx. We present a case of a 58-year-old female patient with a five-year history of progressive dysphagia and throat discomfort. Laryngoscopy revealed a large, soft, mobile mass located on the right side of the vallecula. Radiological imaging further characterized the lesion as a well-circumscribed, heterogeneous mass. Surgical intervention in the form of Transoral Videolaryngoscopic Surgery (TOVS) was performed, leading to the successful removal of the mass. Histopathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of angioleiomyoma.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.39-42
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• 2014

Background and Objectives : Pharyngocutaneous fistula is the most common complication after total laryngectomy. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence of pharyngocutaneous fistula after total laryngectomy in patients operated on in our department and to establish whether specific factors predispose to fistula formation. Materials and Methods : For 10 years(2003-2014), 49 cases of patients who were diagnosed with laryngeal cancer and underwent total laryngectomy in our department. Patients who underwent radiotherapy before the surgery was 24 cases(48.9%) of all total laryngectomy patients. And those who were needed flap reconstruction because of extensive tumor involvement to hypopharynx were also 24 cases(48.9%), whereas primary closure were performed in 25 cases(51%). Results : The postoperative pharyngocutaneous fistula was found in 12 of the 49 patients(24.5%). The radiotherapy before surgery was a statistically significant factor that increase the incidence of postoperative fistulas(p=0.037). Large extent of surgery including flap reconstruction was almost statistically significant factor of raising postoperative fistula rates(p=0.051). Conclusion : According to this study, the presence of postoperative fistula seems to be influenced by previous radiotherapy and the extent of surgery. These could be the risk factors of pharyngocutaneous fistula after total laryngectomy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.12
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• pp.4919-4923
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• 2014

Background: To investigate the effect of celecoxib on telomerase activity and apoptosis in a human laryngeal squamous carcinoma cell line (Hep-2 cells). Materials and Methods: The growth inhibition rate of Hep-2 cells in vitro was measured by MTT assay, and apoptosis by TUNEL assay and flow cytometry (FCM). The TRAP-ELISA method was used to determine telomerase activity in Hep-2 cells. The mRNA expression of human telomerase RNA component(hTR), human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) and human telomerase-associated protein(hTEP1) was determined by RT-PCR assay. Expression of Bax and Bcl-2 proteins was assessed by Western blotting. Results: Celecoxib can inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in a dose- and time-dependent manner, repress telomerase activity, decrease hTERT mRNA and Bcl-2 protein expression and increase Bax protein expression, PGE2 had no effect on telomerase. Conclusions: Celecoxib had the antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic effect in Hep-2 cells. Apoptosis was accompanied by a decrease in telomerase activity which was directly correlated with hTERT mRNA and up-regulation of Bax/Bcl-2. Bcl-2 may thus play an important role in telomerase activity as well as apoptosis.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.153-158
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• 1999

Background and Objectives : The treatment of supraglottic stenosis remains a challenging problem in the field of otolaryngology due to its association with dyspnea, dysphagia, and frequent recurrence. Any satisfactory treatment is not yet known. The author experienced six cases of supraglottic stenosis and report the successful treatment of five cases by repeated endoscopic laryngeal excision with KTP-532 laser under suspension layngoscopy. Materials and Methods : Six adults who were treated for supraglottic stenosis between March 1994 and December 1998 at the Department of Otoloaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Korea University Medical Center were studied retrospectively. The patients were placed under general anesthesia followed by endoscopic laryngeal excision with KTP-532 laser under supension laryngoscopy. The scar tissue and granulation tissue were visualized with an operating microscope, and then removed using KTP-532 laser (15watts, continuous mode). Intraoperative local steroid(Triamcinolone ) was injected in all cases after the stenotic portions were removed. Results : Endoscopic excision was performed in five cases ; among the five cases, cricoid cartilage was concomitantly removed in two cases, and epiglottis was removed in one case. Satisfactory swallowing and airway respiration were possible in all five patients who underwent endoscopic widening. Conclusion : The treatment of supraglottic stenosis is different from that of tracheal or glottic stenosis in that supraglottic stenosis is mainly developed in membraneous form. Repeated laser excision and local steroid injection under suspension laryngoscopy is an effective and recommend able method for the treatment of supraglottic stenosis.

• Korean Journal of Audiology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.80-88
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• 2021

Background and Objectives: Non-linear frequency compression (NLFC) technology compresses and shifts higher frequencies into a lower frequency area that has better residual hearing. Because consonants are uttered in the high-frequency area, NLFC could provide better speech understanding. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical effectiveness of NLFC technology on the perception of speech and music in patients with high-frequency hearing loss. Subjects and Methods: Twelve participants with high-frequency hearing loss were tested in a counter-balanced order, and had two weeks of daily experience with NLFC set on/off prior to testing. Performance was repeatedly evaluated with consonant tests in quiet and noise environments, speech perception in noise, music perception and acceptableness of sound quality rating tasks. Additionally, two questionnaires (the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit and the Korean version of the International Outcome Inventory-Hearing Aids) were administered. Results: Consonant and speech perception improved with hearing aids (NLFC on/off conditions), but there was no significant difference between NLFC on and off states. Music perception performances revealed no notable difference among unaided and NLFC on and off states. The benefits and satisfaction ratings between NLFC on and off conditions were also not significantly different, based on questionnaires, however great individual variability preferences were noted. Conclusions: Speech perception as well as music perception both in quiet and noise environments was similar between NLFC on and off states, indicating that real world benefits from NLFC technology may be limited in Korean adult hearing aid users.

• Journal of Audiology & Otology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.80-88
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• 2021

Background and Objectives: Non-linear frequency compression (NLFC) technology compresses and shifts higher frequencies into a lower frequency area that has better residual hearing. Because consonants are uttered in the high-frequency area, NLFC could provide better speech understanding. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical effectiveness of NLFC technology on the perception of speech and music in patients with high-frequency hearing loss. Subjects and Methods: Twelve participants with high-frequency hearing loss were tested in a counter-balanced order, and had two weeks of daily experience with NLFC set on/off prior to testing. Performance was repeatedly evaluated with consonant tests in quiet and noise environments, speech perception in noise, music perception and acceptableness of sound quality rating tasks. Additionally, two questionnaires (the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit and the Korean version of the International Outcome Inventory-Hearing Aids) were administered. Results: Consonant and speech perception improved with hearing aids (NLFC on/off conditions), but there was no significant difference between NLFC on and off states. Music perception performances revealed no notable difference among unaided and NLFC on and off states. The benefits and satisfaction ratings between NLFC on and off conditions were also not significantly different, based on questionnaires, however great individual variability preferences were noted. Conclusions: Speech perception as well as music perception both in quiet and noise environments was similar between NLFC on and off states, indicating that real world benefits from NLFC technology may be limited in Korean adult hearing aid users.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.40
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• pp.25.1-25.4
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• 2018

Background: Some of head and neck cancer patients are in compromised general condition after ablation surgery and chemoradiation therapy, which makes secondary free tissue transfer quite challenging. Elderly cancer patients also have some risk for microvascular surgery with lengthened general anesthesia. In those cases, the pedicled flap vascularized by supraclavicular artery could be considered as an alternative to free flap. Despite several authors have demonstrated the clinical reliability of supraclavicular artery island flap (SCAIF), to date, SCAIF has not been widely used among reconstructive surgeon. In this article, we clarified vascular flow pattern and introduce simple surgical technique of SCAIF with a literature review. Case presentation: Three patients who had underwent previous neck surgery and adjuvant therapy received maxillofacial reconstruction using SCAIF. It required only a few landmarks, flap harvesting was carried out, and the elapsed time gradually decreased to 15 min with experiences. There were no remarkable morbidities in both donor and recipient sites. Conclusion: SCAIF exhibited minimal anatomic variations and short learning curve of surgical techniques, which might be valuable reconstruction modality for beginning surgeon. And it can be beneficial option for the patients with vessel-depleted neck, medically compromised status for lengthened general anesthesia and failed free tissue transfer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.10
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• pp.4147-4152
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• 2014

Standard therapy for advanced head and neck cancer consists of a combination of surgery and radiation. However, survival of this patient population has not improved during the past 20 years. Many different multimodality treatment schedules have been proposed, and chemotherapy is often used with the intent of organ preservation. The present study was intended to establish the efficacy of concomitant chemoradiation with a single agent carboplatin in advanced head and neck cancers.The objectives were to investigate the feasibility of concomitant administration of carboplatin, monitor acute toxicity during radiotherapy, and determine subacute side effects, such as wound healing following surgery after chemoradiotherapy. A prospective study was conducted wherein a total of 40 patients with stage III and IV squamous cell carcinomas of oral cavity, oropharynx, hypopharynx and larynx were enrolled. All patients were treated with external beam radiotherapy and weekly carboplatin area under curve (AUC of 5). Radiotherapy was given in single daily fractions of 1.8-2 grays (Gy) to a total dose of 66-72 Gy. Salvage surgery was performed for any residual or recurrent locoregional disease. Neck dissection was recommended for all patients with neck disease showing less than a complete response after chemoradiation. A total of 40 patients were enrolled of whom 32 were males and 8 were females. Highest incidence of cancer was seen in the 5th-6th decades of life with a median age of 47.7 years. Oropharyngeal tumours constituted a maximum of 21 patients followed by hypopharynx in 10, larynx in 7 and oral cavity in 2. 80% of the patients had a neck node on presentation of which 40% had N2-N3 nodal status. TNM staging revealed that 58% of patients were in stage III and 43% in stage IV. Evaluation of acute toxicity revealed that 50% had grade II mucositis, 25% grade III mucositis, 2.5% grade IV mucositis. 50% of patients had grade I skin reactions, 65% of patients had grade I thrombocytopenia, and 24% of patients had grade I anaemia. After completion of treatment 65% of patients had complete response at the primary and regional sites, and 35% of patients had a partial response of whom 23% underwent neck dissection and 5% of them underwent salvage surgery at the primary site. At the end of one year there were six deaths and four recurrences and 70% were free of disease. Concurrent chemoradiation with carboplatin provided good locoregional control for locally advanced head and neck cancers. This regimen, although toxic, is tolerable with appropriate supportive intervention. Primary site conservation is possible in many patients. Chemoradiotherapy appears to have an emerging role in the primary management of head and neck cancers.