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Total laryngectomy is surgical removal of the entire larynx and is performed in cases of advanced larynx cancer. There are three methods of restoring voice after total laryngectomy: electrolaryngeal voice, esophageal voice, or tracheoesophageal voice with voice prosthesis where mucosa of pharyngoesophageal segment is the source of voice production. The acoustic analysis of alaryngeal voice is gold standard in assessing the voice quality in patients after total laryngectomy. Unfortunately, by using videostroboscopy, standard diagnostic procedure for visual analysis of vocal mucosa vibratory behavior, it is not possible to visualize and measure vibrations of pharyngoesophageal segment. High-speed videoendoscopy has proven to be the optimal method for visual recording of vibratory movement of the mucosa of pharyngoesophageal segment. By reviewing the current literature we provided a detailed insight into application of high-speed videoendoscopy in the analysis of phonatory behavior of pharyngoesophageal segment in laryngectomized patients.

We performed a review of recent literature in order to present new insights in pathophysiology, symptomatology, diagnostics and therapy of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). Although the number of LPR studies has increased significantly over the past few years, there are still no gold standards or standardized protocols for diagnosing and treating LPR, and an interdisciplinary approach is necessary. Questionnaires for symptom severity self-assessment and clinical signs should include both symptoms and signs of gastroesophageal reflux disease and respiratory system, and primary objective diagnostic tool should be a simple determination of the most reliable biomarker pepsin, from easily obtainable fluid, such as saliva. Unclear cases should be referred for further assessment with multichannel impedance and pH monitoring. It allows the determination of the type of reflux (acidic, mixed and non-acidic) and implementation of personalized therapy. According to the latest findings, behavioural therapy would be the method of choice in the treatment of mild forms of the LPR. In moderate and severe forms, the combination of drugs depends on the reflux type. Drug therapy should be carried out for a minimum of eight weeks, optimally three months, followed by follow-up examination and revision of symptoms and clinical findings. Significant improvement allows drug therapy reduction, while cases with slight improvement demand dosage increase and another three months of treatment. In cases without change or possible deterioration, patients should undergo additional gastroenterological work-up and potential surgical treatment. Strict adherence to behavioural measures is proposed, while long-term prescription of proton pump inhibitors is not recommended given the proven number of adverse drug reactions.

Lateral lymph node metastases occur in 30–80% of papillary thyroid carcinoma patients. It is generally accepted that they do not impact the overall survival but are identified as an independent risk factor for locoregional recurrence. However, their significance is still not clearly understood. The aim of this study is to analyse metastasizing to the lateral neck levels in a cohort of patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma and lateral neck metastases, and also to assess the recurrence rate through regular check-ups. Methods: We prospectively analysed the data of 135 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy with selective neck dissection (levels II–VI), from 2011 to 2020. We analysed demographics and clinical characteristics of patients and assessed their correlation. Patients were followed up until April 2021. The median follow-up period was 62 months. Patients were followed up through regular check-ups and hospital records. Results: The median age was 36.8 years, 28 percent were men. The most frequently affected neck levels were III, IV, II, and V, respectively. Primary tumours larger than one cm displayed a higher number of positive lymph nodes, while extracapsular spread was revealed to be an independent risk factor for a higher number of positive lymph nodes. During a median follow-up period of 62 months, 18 (13.3%) patients developed regional recurrence of the disease, while two patients (1.2%) developed distant metastases.The mean disease-free period was 16.7 months. Conclusion: Lateral neck metastases occur in predictable patterns. The most frequently affected neck level was III, followed by IV. In two-thirds of the patients, metastases were found in multiple lateral neck levels. Tumour size and extracapsular spread show association with a higher number of positive lymph nodes, and with the higher number of positive nodes in patients with extracapsular spreading. Considering the recurrence rate in the follow-up period, we can conclude that selective neck dissection of levels II–VI proved to be an optimal treatment modality for such patients.

Aim: The aim of this study was to show changes in the work of the Ear, Nose, Throat and Head and Neck Surgery Department, UHC Zagreb, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: We retrospectively extracted and compared the data on the procedures and diagnoses of the Department during the period from January 1st to April 30th in 2019, 2020 and 2021. Results: The total number of cases was lower by 34.2% in 2020, and by 13.19% in 2021, compared to 2019 (p