Archives of otolaryngology--head & neck surgery
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Arch. Otolaryngol. Head Neck Surg. · Dec 2008
Avoiding secondary skin graft donor site morbidity in the fibula free flap harvest.
To compare donor site morbidity in patients who have undergone fibula free flap reconstruction in which the skin graft was taken from the expected cutaneous paddle of the fibula with the known complications of the popular technique of obtaining a split-thickness skin graft (STSG) from a secondary donor site. ⋯ The outlined novel technique has similar rates of free flap survival and skin graft take compared with previously described methods. Harvesting the skin graft over the expected osteocutaneous paddle results in decreased lower extremity morbidity by providing equivalent graft tissue for donor site closure and eliminating the morbidity of a secondary donor site. As long as there will not be 2 large opposing grafted surfaces, this technique should be considered when harvesting fibula free flaps for reconstruction of oromandibular resection defects, especially in cancers of the alveolar ridge and floor of the mouth.
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Arch. Otolaryngol. Head Neck Surg. · Nov 2008
The angular branch: maximizing the scapular pedicle in head and neck reconstruction.
To evaluate the scapular free flap based on the angular artery in complex head and neck reconstruction. ⋯ The angular vessels can reliably supply the scapula. Use of the angular vessels over the circumflex scapular vessels increases the bone pedicle length by a mean length of 6.6 cm (88%) and is a useful technique to avoid vein grafting for remote anastomosis.
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Arch. Otolaryngol. Head Neck Surg. · Oct 2008
Characteristics associated with swallowing changes after concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy in patients with head and neck cancer.
To define factors that acutely influenced swallowing function prior to and during concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy. ⋯ In patients undergoing concurrent chemotherapy and radiotherapy, improved swallowing function over baseline is associated with advanced T stage.
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Arch. Otolaryngol. Head Neck Surg. · Sep 2008
Impact of upper airway surgery on CPAP compliance in difficult-to-manage obstructive sleep apnea.
To study the role of adjunctive upper airway surgery in obese patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) who were poorly compliant with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. ⋯ Upper airway surgery in select patients with OSA may improve CPAP compliance and should be considered as a potential adjunctive therapeutic measure in poorly compliant patients with OSA.
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Arch. Otolaryngol. Head Neck Surg. · Aug 2008
Comparative StudyComparison of Pediatric Voice Outcome Survey, Reflux Symptom Index, Reflux Finding Score, and esophageal biopsy results.
To examine correlations between the Pediatric Voice Outcome Survey (PVOS) score, the Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) score, the Reflux Finding Score (RFS), and esophageal biopsy findings in children undergoing upper aerodigestive tract endoscopy. ⋯ The RSI may be a useful parent-proxy instrument in addition to the PVOS for pediatric voice patients. The RFS is reliable in children, but its validity could not be demonstrated in this patient population.