• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.316-319
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• 2024

Comprehensive understanding of the variations in the branching of the external carotid artery (ECA) is essential to minimizing vascular complications during cranio-facial and neck surgical procedures. We demonstrate a rare case of unusual branching of ECAs in both carotid triangles and anomalous origin of the left ascending pharyngeal artery (APA) during dissection of embalmed cadaver. The right and left common carotid arteries (CCA) bifurcated at the level of the upper border of the thyroid cartilage. The right superior thyroid artery (STA) originated anterior to the carotid bifurcation (CB), while the left STA originated from the anterior aspect of the left CCA. The right ECA trifurcated into linguofacial trunk, APA, and distal ECA, 15.7 mm from CB. On the left side, lingual artery and APA arose as a short common linguopharyngeal trunk, 1.9 mm from CB. The left facial and occipital arteries originated anteromedially and posteriorly at the same level.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.58-61
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• 2004

Lymph node metastasis of thyroid cancer occurs to anterior compartment (level VI) and superior mediastinal lymph node (Level VII). In lateral neck, it occurs commonly in middle and lower jugular lymph node (level III, IV). And it can also metastasis to posterior neck lymph node (level V). Superior mediastinal lymph node metastasis of thyroid cancer requires superior mediastinal dissection with massive removal of peritracheal and periesophageal soft tissue. After superior mediastinal dissection, severe complication may occurs such as innominate artery rupture and tracheal necrosis. We describe a case of tracheal necrosis as a complication of superior mediastinal dissection and total thyroidectomy in thyroid cancer patient.

• Anatomy and Cell Biology
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.302-304
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• 2018

Prior knowledge of arterial supply to the head and neck is of substantial importance for well-planned surgeries involving the concerned region. We are reporting an unusual and rare variation in the branching pattern of external carotid artery in a 60-year-old female cadaver. A common trunk known as thyrolinguofacial trunk, originating from the anterior surface of the external carotid artery (right and left) giving of superior thyroid artery and a linguofacial trunk during a routine neck dissection. The linguofacial trunk then divided into a lingual and a facial artery. Vascular abnormalities are usually detected either on the dissection table or by the radiologists during imaging or accidently during surgeries leading to serious consequences.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.3-7
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• 2006

Purpose: The nonrecurrent laryngeal nerve(NRLN) is a rare anomaly that is associated with the developmentally aberrant subclavian artery. Although rare on the right side and exceptional on the left, an aberrant nonrecurrent pathway for RLN represents a major surgical risk. Three course variations of right NRLN can be distinguished: descending(type I) , horizontal(type II), ascending(type III). This study is performed to characterize the variations of NRLN, associated vascular anomaly, and proper surgical methods for preventing nerve damage. Materials and Methods: Between January 1998 and March 2006 3,381 thyroidectomy were performed at our institution, and during these operations a nonrecurrent laryngeal nerve was observed in 13 cases (0.38%). There were 1 men and 12 women with a median age of 48 years(range 28-57). All of them are identified on the right side. Results: In all cases, there were no clinical symptoms observed preoperatively. The nerve anomaly was diagnosed preoperatively in only one case. There were type I variations of right RLN in 2 cases and type II variations in 11 cases. The retroesophageal aberrant right subcalvian artery; no innominate(brachiocephalic) artery was found and the right common carotic artery was arising directly from the aortic arch, was seen in 12 cases. A vocal cord palaysis caused by NRLN damage during operation was observed in one patient(7.6%) , where the nerve was close to the superior thyroid artery. No other complications were noted. Conclusion: It can be possible to predict NRLN from signs associated with the vascular anomaly; clinical symptoms or imaging studies. When an vascular anomaly is not detected preoperatively, overlooking possibility of NRLN may lead to severe operative morbidity. Hence, It is most important to identify all the thyroid structures carefully during thyroid surgery and to be aware of the possibility of anatomic variations of RLN.

• 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.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.140-147
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• 1994

Reconstruction of the pharynx and cervical esophagus presents a tremendous challenges to surgeons. Over the past 2 years[1990, Dec.-1993, Jun], the free jejunal graft has been performed in 17 cases in Korea Cancer Center Hospital.The indications of this procedures were almost malignant neoplasms involving neck and upper aero-digestive tract; Hypopharyngeal cancer[12 cases, including 2 recurrent cases], laryngeal cancer[2 cases], thyroid cancer[2 cases, including 1 recurrent case], cervical esophageal cancer[1 case]. There were fifteen men and two women, and the mean age was 59.6 years. The anastomosis site of jejunal artery were common carotid artery[16 cases] or external carotid artery[1 case] and that of jejunal vein were internal jegular [15 cases] or facial[1 case] and superior thyroid vein[1 case]. The length of jejunal graft was from 9 cm to 17 cm[mean 13 cm] and the mean ischemic time was 68 minutes. There was one hospital mortality which was irrelevant to procedures[variceal bleeding] and one graft failure[1/16]. Other postoperative complications were neck bleeding or hematoma[3 cases], abdominal wound infection or disruption[5 cases], anastomosis site leakage[1 case], pneumonia[2 cases], graft vein thrombosis[1 case], and food aspiration[1 case]. The function of conduit was excellent and ingestion of food was possible in nearly all cases. Postoperative adjuvant radiation therapy was also applicable without problem in 7 cases. During follow-up periods, the anastomosis site stenosis developed in four patients, and the tracheal stoma was narrowed in one case but easily overcome with dilation. In conclusion, we think that the free jejunal graft is one of the excellent reconstruction methods of upper digestive tract, especially after radical resection of malignant neoplasm in neck with a high success rate and low mortality and morbidity rate.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.775-779
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• 1984

Reconstruction of the pharynx and cervical esophagus is a difficult surgical problem. A successful case of reconstruction of cervical esophagus by free jejunal graft upon a 23-year-old female who had stricture in the pharynx and cervical esophagus after ingestion of hydrochloric acid is presented. This procedure was done after the primary traditional reconstruction with right sided colon had resulted in restenosis due to necrosis of the cervical portion of the graft. A proximal jejunal segment, about 12 cm in length was isolated for free graft preserving its vascular arcade. Both superior thyroid artery and vein were anastomosed to the graft vessels in end to end by continuous suture of 8-0 monophil. Nylon. The postoperative course was uneventful. The patient has been followed for 4 months after operation and she can eat every kind of food without dysphagia. We think free jejunal graft offers an excellent and safe method of reconstructing cervical esophagus and pharynx with definitive advantages over other traditional techniques.

• 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.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.213-216
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• 2021

Many surgeons have demonstrated the validity of sternocleidomastoid muscle flaps for the reconstruction of head and neck tumors. We present a case in which we used an island sternocleidomastoid muscle flap to reconstruct a cheek depression after excision of a malignant parotid tumor. A 44-year-old woman presented with a right malignant parotid tumor. We performed total resection of the parotid gland and facial nerve with the sural nerve and reconstructed the facial nerve and cheek depression with an island sternocleidomastoid muscle flap. The sternal head of the right sternocleidomastoid muscle was cut at the cranial and caudal segments to elevate it as an island flap. We used the superior thyroid artery as the sole pedicle for the island muscle flap. At 1 year and 3 months after the operation, the mimic muscles had gradually recovered and progressed without complications such as Frey syndrome, cervical motor dysfunction, or concave deformation of the neck and cheeks.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.353-358
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• 2013

Background Robots have allowed head and neck surgeons to extirpate oropharyngeal tumors safely without the need for lip-split incision or mandibulotomy. Using robots in oropharyngeal reconstruction is new but essential for oropharyngeal defects that result from robotic tumor excision. We report our experience with robotic free-flap reconstruction of head and neck defects to exemplify the necessity for robotic reconstruction. Methods We investigated head and neck cancer patients who underwent ablation surgery and free-flap reconstruction by robot. Between July 1, 2011 and March 31, 2012, 5 cases were performed and patient demographics, location of tumor, pathologic stage, reconstruction methods, flap size, recipient vessel, necessary pedicle length, and operation time were investigated. Results Among five free-flap reconstructions, four were radial forearm free flaps and one was an anterolateral thigh free-flap. Four flaps used the superior thyroid artery and one flap used a facial artery as the recipient vessel. The average pedicle length was 8.8 cm. Flap insetting and microanastomosis were achieved using a specially manufactured robotic instrument. The total operation time was 1,041.0 minutes (range, 814 to 1,132 minutes), and complications including flap necrosis, hematoma, and wound dehiscence did not occur. Conclusions This study demonstrates the clinically applicable use of robots in oropharyngeal reconstruction, especially using a free flap. A robot can assist the operator in insetting the flap at a deep portion of the oropharynx without the need to perform a traditional mandibulotomy. Robot-assisted reconstruction may substitute for existing surgical methods and is accepted as the most up-to-date method.