Head & neck
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Pulmonary complications are a primary source of increased cost and morbidity in surgically treated head and neck cancer patients. This study investigates potential risk factors related to postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and prolonged mechanical ventilation) in head and neck cancer patients. ⋯ Patient smoking history was the primary variable related to postoperative pulmonary problems, with evidence of increasing risk with increased exposure. Other variables added only limited additional risk association information after multivariate analysis.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Comparison of three prophylactic antibiotic regimens in clean-contaminated head and neck surgery.
Although appropriate perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis has significantly reduced wound infection rates in clean-contaminated head and neck surgical procedures, controversy still remains regarding the optimal antibiotic regimen. ⋯ Amoxicillin-clavulanate, clindamycin plus gentamicin, and cefazolin seem to have similar efficacy when administered prophylactically in clean-contaminated head and neck surgical procedures.
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Clinical Trial
Detailed quality of life assessment in patients treated with primary radiotherapy for squamous cell cancer of the base of the tongue.
This study was conducted to evaluate quality of life in patients treated with primary radiotherapy (RT) for cancer of the base of tongue. ⋯ The overwhelming majority of patients achieved excellent functional status and quality of life and could maintain their prediagnosis earning potential and employment status after primary radiation for advanced base of tongue cancer.
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Case Reports Comparative Study
Application of medical thermography to the diagnosis of Frey's syndrome.
In Frey's syndrome, the secretory parasympathetic fibers of the parotid gland are thought to communicate with the sympathetic nerve fibers of sweat glands and blood vessels of the skin following parotidectomy. Miscommunication results in subjective gustatory sweating and facial flushing, which appear early with postoperative mastication. In this study, we compared the efficacy of medical thermography to the Minor's starch-iodine test to determine the presence of gustatory sweating in Frey's syndrome. ⋯ Thermography is a noninvasive, facile test that provides a qualitative visual analysis of the cutaneous capillary response in Frey's syndrome following parotid surgery.
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Although the standard therapy for locally advanced hypopharyngeal cancer remains surgery and postoperative radiotherapy (RT), alternative treatment approaches include induction chemotherapy and RT. The purpose of this retrospective study was to compare the long-term outcome of these treatments performed in a single institution. ⋯ Nonsurgical therapy for advanced stage hypopharyngeal cancer provides survivorship comparable with that achieved with standard approaches of surgery and postoperative RT. However, despite the therapy, the outcome is poor. Future studies will need to explore new treatment strategies in an effort to improve upon the outcome for this group of patients.