The Journal of laryngology and otology
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To assess the clinical utility of elective neck dissection in node-negative recurrent laryngeal carcinoma after curative radiotherapy for initial early glottic cancer. ⋯ Owing to the low occult neck disease rate and high post-operative fistula rate, elective neck dissection is not recommended for recurrent node-negative laryngeal tumours after radiation therapy if the initial tumour was an early glottic cancer.
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Patients with laryngectomy tracheostomas are at risk of developing acute airway obstruction due to mucous crusting. Current management relies on saline nebulisers, followed by suction and manual evacuation to remove the obstruction. This paper describes the first reported case of using N-acetylcysteine nebulisers in addition to saline to adequately soften the mucous plugs in order to facilitate removal. ⋯ N-acetylcysteine nebulisers can be used to assist in the removal of mucous plugs in saline-resistant cases.