The Journal of laryngology and otology
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Practice Guideline
Organisation and provision of head and neck cancer surgical services in the United Kingdom: United Kingdom National Multidisciplinary Guidelines.
This is the official guideline endorsed by the surgical specialty associations involved in the care of head and neck cancer patients in the UK. This paper summarises the current state of play in the organisation and provision of head and neck cancer surgical services in the UK.
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Practice Guideline
Management of Salivary Gland Tumours: United Kingdom National Multidisciplinary Guidelines.
This is the official guideline endorsed by the specialty associations involved in the care of head and neck cancer patients in the UK. Salivary gland tumours are rare and have very wide histological heterogeneity, thus making it difficult to generate high level evidence. ⋯ Recommendations • Ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration cytology is recommended for all salivary tumours and cytology should be reported by an expert histopathologist. (R) • Adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) following surgery is recommended for all malignant submandibular tumours except in cases of small, low-grade tumours that have been completely excised. (R) • For benign parotid tumours complete excision of the tumour should be performed and offers good cure rates. (R) • In the event of intra-operative tumour spillage, most cases need long-term follow-up for clinical observation only. These should be raised in the multidisciplinary team to discuss the merits of adjuvant RT. (G) • As a general principle, if the facial nerve function is normal pre-operatively then every attempt to preserve facial nerve function should be made during parotidectomy and if the facial nerve is divided intra-operatively then immediate microsurgical repair (with an interposition nerve graft if required) should be considered. (G) • Neck dissection is recommended in all cases of malignant parotid tumours except for low-grade small tumours. (R) • Where malignant parotid tumours lie in close proximity to the facial nerve there should be a low threshold for adjuvant RT. (G) • Adjuvant RT should be considered in high grade or large tumours or in cases where there is incomplete or close resection margin. (R) • Adjuvant RT should be prescribed on the basis of clinical factors in addition to histology and grade, e.g. stage, pre-operative facial weakness, positive margins, peri-neural invasion and extracapsular spread. (R).
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Practice Guideline
Anaesthesia for head and neck surgery: United Kingdom National Multidisciplinary Guidelines.
This is the official guideline endorsed by the specialty associations involved in the care of head and neck cancer patients in the UK. The anaesthetic considerations for head and neck cancer surgery are especially challenging given the high burden of concurrent comorbidity in this patient group and the need to share the airway with the surgical team. ⋯ Recommendations • All theatre staff should participate in the World Health Organization checklist process. (R) • Post-operative airway management should be guided by local protocols. (R) • Patients admitted to post-operative care units with tracheal tubes in place should be monitored with continuous capnography. Removal for tracheal tubes is the responsibility of the anaesthetist. (R) • Anaesthetists should formally hand over care to an appropriately trained practitioner in the post-operative or intensive care unit. (G) • Intensive care unit staff looking after post-operative tracheostomies must be clear about which patients are not suitable for bag-mask ventilation and/or oral intubation in the event of emergencies. (R).
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Practice Guideline
Radiotherapy in head and neck cancer management: United Kingdom National Multidisciplinary Guidelines.
This is the official guideline endorsed by the specialty associations involved in the care of head and neck cancer patients in the UK. Radiotherapy is one of the key treatment modalities used in head and neck cancer management. This paper summarises the current role and some of the recent advances in radiotherapy in head and neck cancer management.
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Practice Guideline
Palliative and supportive care in head and neck cancer: United Kingdom National Multidisciplinary Guidelines.
This is the official guideline endorsed by the specialty associations involved in the care of head and neck cancer patients in the UK. It provides recommendations on the assessments and interventions for this group of patients receiving palliative and supportive care. Recommendations • Palliative and supportive care must be multidisciplinary. (G) • All core team members should have training in advanced communication skills. (G) • Palliative surgery should be considered in selected cases. (R) • Hypofractionated or short course radiotherapy should be considered for local pain control and for painful bony metastases. (R) • All palliative patients should have a functional endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) assessment of swallow to assess for risk of aspiration. (G) • Pain relief should be based on the World Health Organization pain ladder. (R) • Specialist pain management service involvement should be considered early for those with refractory pain. (G) • Constipation should be avoided by the judicious use of prophylactic laxatives and the correction of systemic causes such as dehydration, hypercalcaemia and hypothyroidism. (G) • Organic causes of confusion should be identified and corrected where appropriate, failing this, treatment with benzodiazepines or antipsychotics should be considered. (G) • Patients with symptoms suggestive of spinal metastases or metastatic cord compression must be managed in accordance with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance. (R) • Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is inappropriate in the palliative dying patient. (R) • 'Do not attempt cardiopulmonary resuscitation' orders should be completed and discussed with the patient and/or the family unless good reasons exist not to do so where appropriate. This is absolutely necessary when a patient's care is to be managed at home. (G).