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Voice change after uncomplicated thyroidectomy has been an important issue in the field of thyroid surgery. The aim of this study was to promote understanding of voice change after uncomplicated thyroidectomy by analysing the results for a large number of patients from a single institute.We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 2879 consecutive patients who underwent thyroidectomy and voice evaluation between January 2014 and December 2019 in a single institute. All the patients had their vocal status assessed using videostroboscopy, acoustic voice analyses, aerodynamic study, and Thyroidectomy-related Voice and Symptom Questionnaire (TVSQ) scores preoperatively and at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. We analysed the pattern of voice changes over time and differences in voice parameters based on clinical factors. To confirm the usefulness of the TVSQ, the correlation between TVSQ scores and objective parameters was analysed. Lastly, predictive factors for persistent voice symptoms were analysed.Tertiary referral hospital.The frequency ranges and TVSQ scores exhibited significant deterioration until 6 months following surgery. Among clinical factors, the extents of thyroidectomy and neck dissection were associated with worse voice parameters. The TVSQ score was significantly correlated with objective voice parameters. The extents of thyroidectomy and neck dissection were predictive of persistent voice symptoms at 6 months after thyroidectomy.After uncomplicated thyroidectomy, most voice parameters tended to recover, but some parameters remained aggravated even at 6 months after surgery. With more extensive surgery, worse voice quality and the higher risk of persistent voice symptoms may be anticipated.

Percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) is an increasingly popular method with several advantages, such as being able to perform at bedside with a simple kit, with a less number of medical staff and less amount of time. PDT is easier to perform, offers less bleeding risks and post-operative infection rates compared to conventional surgical tracheotomy. However, PDT is being performed more in the pulmonology and intensive care medicine than in otolaryngology. Herein, we introduce PDT and share our experiences, hoping otolaryngologists use our procedure more.

Voice change is a common complaint after thyroid surgery and has a significant impact on quality of life. The Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics assembled a task force to establish guideline recommendations on education, care, and management related to thyroid surgery. The guideline recommendations encompass preoperative voice education, management of anticipated voice change during surgery, and comprehensive voice care after thyroid surgery, and include in-depth information and up-to-date knowledge based on validated literature. The committee constructed 14 key questions (KQs) in three categories—preoperative (KQ 1–2), intraoperative (KQ 3–8), and postoperative (KQ 9–14) management—and developed 18 evidence-based recommendations. The Delphi survey reached an agreement on each recommendation. A detailed evidence profile is presented for each recommendation. The level of evidence for each recommendation was classified as high-quality, moderate-quality, or low-quality. The strength of each recommendation was designated as strong or weak considering the level of evidence supporting the recommendation. The guidelines are primarily targeted toward physicians who treat thyroid surgery patients and speech-language pathologists participating in patient care. These guidelines will also help primary care physicians, nurses, healthcare policymakers, and patients improve their understanding of voice changes and voice care after thyroid surgery.

ObjectivePercutaneous dilational tracheostomy (PDT) is a technique that can place a tracheostomy tube safely without visually identifying the trachea. We evaluated its feasibility during head and neck cancer surgery.Summary of background dataPDT has many advantages, such as less bleeding, easier technique, and shorter procedural time.MethodsTwelve patients who underwent PDT during head and neck cancer surgery from September 2016 to March 2018 were enrolled, and their medical records were reviewed retrospectively. Medical records of another 12 patients who underwent conventional tracheostomy during head and neck cancer surgery were analyzed. PDT was performed using a Ciaglia Percutaneous Tracheostomy Set. The tracheostomy point was determined by palpation without the guidance of bronchoscopy or ultrasonography. Blood loss, procedural time, communication between the cervical wound and tracheostomy wound, and complications were compared between the PDT group and the conventional group.ResultsThe PDT group had less blood loss, a shorter procedural time, and a lower incidence of communication between the cervical and tracheostomy wound. There was 1 case of conversion to conventional tracheostomy due to wrong tracheal penetration in the PDT group.ConclusionsPDT is safe and effective as an adjunctive procedure during head and neck cancer surgery.

Purpose The incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) has increased, and staging and optimal therapeutic approaches are challenging. A questionnaire survey was conducted to investigate the controversial treatment policy of stage T2 OPC according to the N category and determine the opinions of multidisciplinary experts in Korea.Materials and Methods Five OPC scenarios were developed by the Subcommittee on Oropharyngeal Treatment Guidelines of the Korean Society for Head and Neck Oncology and distributed to experts of multidisciplinary treatment hospitals.Results Sixty-five experts from 45 institutions responded. For the HPV-positive T2N0M0 scenario, 67.7% of respondents selected surgery followed by definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) or radiotherapy alone. For the T2N1M0 HPV-positive scenario, there was a notable difference in the selection of primary treatment by expert specialty; 53.9% of respondents selected surgery and 39.8% selected definitive CCRT as the primary treatment. For the T2N3M0 advanced HPV-positive scenario, 50.0% of respondents selected CCRT and 33.3% considered induction chemotherapy (IC) as the primary treatment. CCRT and IC were significantly more frequently selected for the HPV-related OPC cases (p=0.010). The interdepartmental variability showed that the head and neck surgeons and medical oncologists favored surgery, whereas the radiation oncologists preferably selected definitive CCRT (p < 0.001).Conclusion In this study, surgery was preferred for lymph node-negative OPC, and as lymph node metastasis progressed, CCRT tended to be preferred, and IC was administered. Clinical practice patterns by stage and HPV status showed differences according to expert specialty. Multidisciplinary consensus guidelines will be essential in the future.

Soft tissue necrosis (STN) can occur after transoral robotic surgery (TORS) with radiation therapy (RT). We investigated the usefulness of local flap reconstruction for preventing STN after TORS in patients with tonsillar cancer.This case-control study retrospectively reviewed clinicopathological data of patients who underwent TORS for tonsillar cancer at a tertiary referral center. The incidence of STN was compared in patients who underwent secondary intention healing or local flap reconstruction, and factors predicting STN were identified.STN occurred in 20 (25%) of 80 patients in the study. The incidence of STN was higher in the secondary intention healing than the flap reconstruction group. Mucositis grade (odds ratio [OR] 3.694, p = 0.02), RT dose (OR 4.667, p = 0.001), and secondary intention healing (OR 14.985, p = 0.035) were predictive factors for STN.Flap reconstruction can prevent STN after TORS with RT in patients with tonsillar cancer. The use of local flaps preserves the minimally invasive nature of TORS.

(1) There has been growing attention among healthcare researchers on new and innovative methodologies for improving patient experience. This study reviewed the approaches and methods used in current patient experience research by applying the perspective of design thinking to discuss practical methodologies for a patient-centered approach and creative problem-solving. (2) A scoping review was performed to identify research trends in healthcare. A four-stage design thinking process (“Discover”, “Define”, “Develop”, and “Deliver”) and five themes (“User focus”, “Problem-framing”, “Visualization”, “Experimentation”, and “Diversity”), characterizing the concept, were used for the analysis framework. (3) After reviewing 67 studies, the current studies show that the iterative process of divergent and convergent thinking is lacking, which is a core concept of design thinking, and it is necessary to employ an integrative methodology to actively apply collaborative, multidisciplinary, and creative attributes for a specific and tangible solution. (4) For creative problem-solving to improve patient experience, we should explore the possibilities of various solutions by an iterative process of divergent and convergent thinking. A concrete and visualized solution should be sought through active user interactions from various fields. For this, a specific methodology that allows users to collaborate by applying the integrative viewpoint of design thinking should be introduced.

Smoking is positively associated with multiple cancer types including head and neck cancer (HNC). We sought to confirm the effect of smoking in HNC and subtypes through big data analysis. All data used in this study originated from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database. We analyzed subjects who had undergone health check-ups in 2009 with follow-up until 2018 (n=10,585,852). We collected data on smoking and other variables that could affect the risk of HNC. The overall incidence of HNC was highest in current smokers (HR: 1.822, 95% CI: 1.729-1.920), followed by ex-smokers (HR: 1.242, 95% CI: 1.172-1.317). Laryngeal cancer, hypopharynx cancer, oral cancer, oropharyngeal cancer, and salivary gland cancer showed increasing incidence rates from ex-smokers to current smokers. Smoking duration and amount showed a dose-dependent relationship with the occurrence of HNC. However, the incidence of HNC did not increase significantly when smoking duration was less than 10 years, or when the smoking amount was less than 10 pack-years in ex-smokers. Smoking is associated with the risk of HNC. Smoking cessation before 10 years or 10 pack-years can prevent the development of HNC.

Background: Gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) is positively associated with several cancer types. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between GGT and head and neck cancer (HNC) incidence in a cohort of 10 million people, considering effects of smoking and alcohol consumption. Methods: All data used in this study were obtained from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database. We analyzed subjects who underwent health check-ups in 2009 and monitored them until 2018 (n = 9,597,952). Using proportional hazards models, quartiles of GGT as independent predictors for HNC incidence were evaluated. Results: The overall incidence of HNC increased in the highest quartile [r-GPT ≥ 40 U/L; HR, 1.452; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.354–1.557]. Among HNC cases, the HR for hypopharyngeal cancer (HR, 2.364; 95% CI, 1.818–3.074) was significantly higher. HRs for HNC (larynx, sino-nasal, oropharynx, oral cavity, and nasopharynx, except salivary glands) were also significant. Conclusions: Elevated GGT was associated with the risk of some types of HNCs, such as hypopharyngeal, laryngeal, sinonasal, oropharyngeal, oral cavity, and nasopharyngeal cancer. Impact: Results of this study have implications for etiologic investigations and preventive strategies.

Background: Descriptive epidemiologists have repeatedly reported that males are more susceptible to head and neck cancers. However, most published data are those of cross-sectional studies, and no population-based cohort study has yet been published. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of head and neck cancers in healthy males with females. Methods: A retrospective cohort study using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database on 9,598,085 individuals who underwent regular health checkups from 1 January to 31 December 2009. We sought head and neck cancers developed during the 10-year follow-up. Results: A total of 10,732 (incidence rate (IR) per 1000 person-years 0.25) individuals were newly diagnosed with head and neck cancer among the 9,598,085 individuals during the 10-year follow-up. The IR was 0.19 in males (8500 affected) and 0.06 in females (2232 affected). Notably, the male–female ratio increased with age below 70 years but decreased thereafter. The male–female difference was most apparent for laryngeal cancer; the male IR was 11-fold higher in the 40 s and 20-fold higher in the 60 s, followed by hypopharyngeal cancer (6.8- and 24.2-fold). Males smoked more and drank more alcohol than females (p < 0.0001 *, p < 0.0001 *). When never-smokers/-drinkers (only) were compared, males remained at a 2.9-fold higher risk of head and neck cancer than females. The hazard ratios for head and neck cancers in males tended to increase in the lower part of the upper aerodigestive tract: larynx (13.9) > hypopharynx (10.9) > oropharynx (4.4) > nasopharynx (2.9) > sinonasal region (1.8) > oral (1.6). Only the salivary gland cancer incidence did not differ between the sexes; the gland is not in the upper aerodigestive tract. Conclusion: Males are much more susceptible to head and neck cancers than females regardless of whether they drink alcohol or smoke tobacco. Sex differences in the incidence of head and neck cancer are most evident in the 60 s in the lower part of the upper aerodigestive tract, such as the larynx and hypopharynx.

Neural network models have been used to analyze thyroid ultrasound (US) images and stratify malignancy risk of the thyroid nodules. We investigated the optimal neural network condition for thyroid US image analysis. We compared scratch and transfer learning models, performed stress tests in 10% increments, and compared the performance of three threshold values. All validation results indicated superiority of the transfer learning model over the scratch model. Stress test indicated that training the algorithm using 3902 images (70%) resulted in a performance which was similar to the full dataset (5575). Threshold 0.3 yielded high sensitivity (1% false negative) and low specificity (72% false positive), while 0.7 gave low sensitivity (22% false negative) and high specificity (23% false positive). Here we showed that transfer learning was more effective than scratch learning in terms of area under curve, sensitivity, specificity and negative/positive predictive value, that about 3900 images were minimally required to demonstrate an acceptable performance, and that algorithm performance can be customized according to the population characteristics by adjusting threshold value.

In this study, through a cohort study of 10 million people, we investigated the association between estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and head and neck cancer (HNC) incidence. This is an observational cohort study using data from the national health claims database established by the Korean National Health Insurance Service (NHIS). We selected 9,598,085 participants older than 20 years who had undergone health checkups in 2009. A health checkup involves the history of any diseases, current health status, and results of several physical and blood exams including eGFR. We investigated the presence of HNC diagnosis in their national health insurance data from 2010 to 2018. Of the 9,598,085 participants, 10,732 had been newly diagnosed with HNC in the 9-year follow-up. In the multivariate Cox proportional hazard model, participants with elevated eGFR were associated with a risk of HNC incidence (HR = 1.129; 95% CI = 1.075–1.186 for eGFR = 90–104 mL/min/1.73 m2 and HR = 1.129; 95% CI = 1.076–1.194 for eGFR ≥ 105 mL/min/1.73 m2) compared with those with eGFR 60–89 mL/min/1.73 m2. Among HNC, the incidences of oral cavity, oropharyngeal, hypopharyngeal, and laryngeal cancers were significantly increased in the elevated eGFR group. According to the subgroup analysis, participants with eGFR ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 were correlated with risk of HNC incidence in middle age, non/mild drinker, low BMI, no diabetes, and no hypertension patients compared with those with eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2. Elevated eGFR was associated with the risk of some type of HNC, even in individuals with adjusted hypertension and diabetes without chronic diseases. The results of this study have implications for etiological investigations and preventive strategies.

Periauricular sensory deficit occurs frequently after parotidectomy even in cases with preservation of the greater auricular nerve (GAN). This study was performed to evaluate the effects of antiadhesive agent in functional recovery of the GAN after parotidectomy. Ninety-eight patients undergoing partial parotidectomy for benign parotid tumors were prospectively enrolled in this multicenter, double-blind randomized controlled study and randomly assigned to either the study or control group. Antiadhesive agent was applied in the study group. The results of sensory tests (tactile, heat, and cold sensitivity) and a questionnaire on quality of life (QoL) were acquired at postoperative 1, 8, and 24 weeks after surgery. Clinical parameters, and the results of the sensory tests and the questionnaire, were compared between the two groups. A total of 80 patients were finally enrolled. On sensory evaluation, tactile sensation and warm sensation in the ear lobule, and warm sensation in the mastoid area, showed significant improvement at 24 weeks postoperatively in the study group. There were no significant differences between the two groups on any questions in the QoL questionnaire, at any follow-up time point. Antiadhesive agents have some positive effects on functional recovery of the GAN after parotidectomy. Therefore, applying antiadhesive agents after parotidectomy can reduce discomfort in patients.

Background: We investigated the association between BMI and HNC subtype incidence in a cohort study of ten million people, adjusting for the effect of smoking and drinking. We also investigated the relationship between waist circumference (WC) and HNC subtype. Methods: All data used in this study originated from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database. We analysed subjects who had undergone health check-ups in 2009 and monitored subjects until 2018 (n = 10,585,852). Finally, 9,598,085 subjects were included after exclusions. We collected variables that could affect the risk of HNC. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: The overall incidence of HNC was higher in the low BMI category (BMI < 18.5 according to WHO recommendations for Asian people) (HR: 1.322; 95% CI: 1.195–1.464) compared with the normal BMI category. Among the HNC cases, the incidence rates of laryngeal (HR: 1.3; 95% CI: 1.085–1.558), oral cavity (HR: 1.277; 95% CI: 1.011–1.611), and oropharyngeal (HR: 1.584; 95% CI: 1.25–2.008) cancers were higher in the low BMI category compared with the normal BMI category. No significant association was detected between low BMI and sinus cancer, salivary gland cancer, or nasopharyngeal cancer. The low WC category (

Introduction. Mucosal margins exhibit a mean shrinkage of 30–40% after resection of oral and oropharyngeal cancers, and an adequate in situ surgical margin frequently results in a pathological close margin. However, the impact on prognosis remains unclear. We investigated the impact of a pathological close margin on disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Methods. We retrospectively reviewed the clinicopathological data of 418 patients diagnosed with squamous cell carcinomas of the oral cavity or oropharynx who underwent initial surgery (with curative intent) at our institute between 2010 and 2016. Results. Of the total population, the pathological marginal status of 290 (69.4%) patients was reported as clear (>5 mm), 61 (14.6%) as close (>1 mm, ≤5 mm), and 67 (16.0%) as positive (≤1 mm). The 5-year DFSs were 79.3%, 65.1%, and 52% in patients in the negative margin (group 1), close margin (group 2), and positive margin (group 3) groups, respectively. The difference between groups 1 and 2 was not significant (p = 0.213) but the difference between groups 2 and 3 was (p = 0.034). The 5-year OSs were 79.4%, 84%, and 52.3% in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The difference between groups 1 and 2 was not significant (p = 0.824) but the difference between groups 2 and 3 was (p = 0.001). In multivariate analysis, older age, advanced T stage, and a positive margin were independently prognostic of the 5-year DFS and OS. Conclusion. In conclusion, the OS of patients with close margins was no different than that of others when appropriate postoperative adjuvant and/or salvage treatment were/was prescribed. However, we could not determine the impact of close margins on locoregional recurrence given various biases in our study setting. A future prospective study is needed.

BACKGROUND Federated learning is a decentralized approach to machine learning; it is a training strategy that overcomes medical data privacy regulations and generalizes deep learning algorithms. Federated learning mitigates many systemic privacy risks by sharing only the model and parameters for training, without the need to export existing medical data sets. In this study, we performed ultrasound image analysis using federated learning to predict whether thyroid nodules were benign or malignant. OBJECTIVE The goal of this study was to evaluate whether the performance of federated learning was comparable with that of conventional deep learning. METHODS A total of 8457 (5375 malignant, 3082 benign) ultrasound images were collected from 6 institutions and used for federated learning and conventional deep learning. Five deep learning networks (VGG19, ResNet50, ResNext50, SE-ResNet50, and SE-ResNext50) were used. Using stratified random sampling, we selected 20% (1075 malignant, 616 benign) of the total images for internal validation. For external validation, we used 100 ultrasound images (50 malignant, 50 benign) from another institution. RESULTS For internal validation, the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve for federated learning was between 78.88% and 87.56%, and the AUROC for conventional deep learning was between 82.61% and 91.57%. For external validation, the AUROC for federated learning was between 75.20% and 86.72%, and the AUROC curve for conventional deep learning was between 73.04% and 91.04%. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated that the performance of federated learning using decentralized data was comparable to that of conventional deep learning using pooled data. Federated learning might be potentially useful for analyzing medical images while protecting patients’ personal information.

Summary Objectives Common symptoms after thyroidectomy include voice change and throat and neck discomfort. But no common questionnaire has been developed. This study was performed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Thyroidectomy-related Voice and Symptom Questionnaire (TVSQ). Methods Fourty items of the TVSQ were divided into 20 items related to the “voice change” and “throat and neck discomfort” subcategories, using item generation. Through a reduction process, 20 items were removed and 20 items were used. For the patients after thyroidectomy, we evaluated the reliability and validity of each of the 20 items through item discrimination, test-retest reliability, concurrent validity, and external validity by comparing normal group and laryngeal disease patients. Also, the patients were compared before as well as 2 and 4 weeks after thyroidectomy. Results Item discrimination assessment showed a significant correlation between TVSQ total score and both the TVSQ “voice change” score (r = 0.908**) and TVSQ “throat and neck discomfort” score (r = 0.862**). Test-retest reliability assessment showed a significant correlation between TVSQ total scores at 2 and 4 weeks postoperatively (r = 0.764**). Concurrent validity assessment revealed that the TVSQ showed high correlations with other voice questionnaires (Voice Handicap Index, Reflux Finding Index, and Vocal Track Discomfort Scale; r = 0.538**–0.830**). External validity assessment revealed that the TVSQ was suitable for patients after thyroidectomy (P Conclusions Validity and reliability tests revealed that the TVSQ was suitable for assessment of the subjective feelings of patients with voice change and throat and neck discomfort after thyroidectomy.

Purpose of review The current review summarizes previous reports on laryngopharyngeal symptoms associated with thyroid disease. This review also includes pharyngolaryngeal symptoms caused by thyroidectomy. However, we focus on pharyngolaryngeal symptoms following uncomplicated thyroidectomy, as this is an important issue in the fields of otolaryngology. Recent findings An enlarged thyroid gland, as in thyroiditis, multinodular goiter, or large nodules, can cause compressive symptoms. Malignant nodules invading the recurrent laryngeal nerve and benign nodules compressing the nerve can cause vocal cord paralysis and hoarseness. Pharyngolaryngeal symptoms are known to develop after a thyroidectomy, generally as a result of injury to the superior or recurrent laryngeal nerve. However, recent studies have shown that various pharyngolaryngeal symptoms, such as globus symptoms and voice changes, occur after thyroidectomy in the absence of laryngeal nerve injury. These symptoms are known collectively as postthyroidectomy syndrome. Several possible explanations have been proposed and evaluated for postthyroidectomy syndrome. Summary Several thyroid disorders can cause compressive symptoms and hoarseness. Superior and/or recurrent laryngeal nerve injury during thyroidectomy is the main cause of various pharyngolaryngeal symptoms. However, other pharyngolaryngeal symptoms that arise following thyroidectomy in the absence of nerve injury, a condition known as postthyroidectomy syndrome, are becoming more common.

Korean Society of Thyroid-Head and Neck Surgery appointed a Task Force to develop clinical practice guidelines for the surgical treatment of laryngeal cancer. This Task Force conducted a systematic search of the EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and KoreaMed databases to identify relevant articles, using search terms selected according to the key questions. Evidence-based recommendations were then created on the basis of these articles. An external expert review and Delphi questionnaire were applied to reach consensus regarding the recommendations. The resulting guidelines focus on the surgical treatment of laryngeal cancer with the assumption that surgery is the selected treatment modality after a multidisciplinary discussion in any context. These guidelines do not, therefore, address non-surgical treatment such as radiation therapy or chemotherapy. The committee developed 62 evidence-based recommendations in 32 categories intended to assist clinicians during management of patients with laryngeal cancer and patients with laryngeal cancer, and counselors and health policy-makers.

Background Federated learning is a decentralized approach to machine learning; it is a training strategy that overcomes medical data privacy regulations and generalizes deep learning algorithms. Federated learning mitigates many systemic privacy risks by sharing only the model and parameters for training, without the need to export existing medical data sets. In this study, we performed ultrasound image analysis using federated learning to predict whether thyroid nodules were benign or malignant. Objective The goal of this study was to evaluate whether the performance of federated learning was comparable with that of conventional deep learning. Methods A total of 8457 (5375 malignant, 3082 benign) ultrasound images were collected from 6 institutions and used for federated learning and conventional deep learning. Five deep learning networks (VGG19, ResNet50, ResNext50, SE-ResNet50, and SE-ResNext50) were used. Using stratified random sampling, we selected 20% (1075 malignant, 616 benign) of the total images for internal validation. For external validation, we used 100 ultrasound images (50 malignant, 50 benign) from another institution. Results For internal validation, the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve for federated learning was between 78.88% and 87.56%, and the AUROC for conventional deep learning was between 82.61% and 91.57%. For external validation, the AUROC for federated learning was between 75.20% and 86.72%, and the AUROC curve for conventional deep learning was between 73.04% and 91.04%. Conclusions We demonstrated that the performance of federated learning using decentralized data was comparable to that of conventional deep learning using pooled data. Federated learning might be potentially useful for analyzing medical images while protecting patients’ personal information.

Introduction: Supracricoid laryngectomy (SCL) is a conservative surgical technique for the treatment of selected laryngeal carcinomas, currently adopted also in old patients. But in the aging era, elderly patients represent the fastest-growing section of the population. The aim of this study is to compare the oncologic and functional results in elderly and younger patients following SCL. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 114 patients who underwent SCL between 1994 and 2013. All of the patients underwent surgery at least 5 years before the study was undertaken. We took the cut-off age of elderly patients as 70 years old, and there were 15 elderly patients. We chose another 15 patients with age younger than 60 years who are matched in stage, primary site, and reconstruction methods. Patients older than 70 years were classified to group I, and patients younger than 60 years were classified to group II. In group 1, the mean age was 53.2 years of age (range 46-60), and in group 2 it was 73.3 years of age (range 71-77). Functional evaluation was performed by evaluating the time of decannulation and nasogastric tube removal, final diet, and duration of hospital stay. Patients’ voice quality was assessed perceptually using GRABS scale. Postoperative complications, especially pulmonary complication such as aspiration pneumonia, were also evaluated. Oncologic results were also evaluated in both groups. Results: The total GRABS score of group I was 8.7 and that of group II was 7.3, and there was no significant statistical difference in these two values. The average time of decannulation was slightly longer in group I; however, these values were not significantly different. The average time of nasogastric tube removal and hospitalization time was significantly longer in group I patients. This was due to the longer duration of swallowing exercise. However, all patients could finally intake orally without gastrostomy. The rate of aspiration pneumonia was slightly higher in group I but failed to show statistical difference. All patients underwent surgery as a primary treatment mordality. In group I, one patient underwent adjuvant radiation, and two patients in group II underwent adjuvant radiation. The 5-year overall survival was 66.6%, 5-year disease-specific survival was 72.1%, and the survival rates of the two groups were not significantly different. Conclusion: Age by itself does not have a significant impact on functional and oncologic results following SCPL. Though elderly patients need more time to take oral diet, that is, need longer time of swallowing exercise, they can finally intake oral diet after swallowing training. Meticulous selection of the candidate to SCPL allows the application of this surgical technique with adequate oncologic and functional results. Citation Format: Inn-chul Nam, Choung-soo Kim, Keun-jeon Kim, MIn-sik Kim. Role of supracricoid partial laryngectomy in the aging era [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-AHNS Head and Neck Cancer Conference: Optimizing Survival and Quality of Life through Basic, Clinical, and Translational Research; 2019 Apr 29-30; Austin, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2020;26(12_Suppl_2):Abstract nr B39.

Introduction: Subsequent epidemiologic studies have demonstrated a growing predominance of HPV infection in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC), particularly involving the tonsils. Detection of p16 overexpression is the most widely used test because it is the least expensive and the easiest to perform. However, this test has a sensitivity of 94% but an insufficient specificity of 82%. OSCC have been examined for other molecular markers including p53. Here, we investigated the prevalence of HPV and its relationship (especially for the inconcordance) with p16 and p53 in patients with OSCC. Materials and Methods: The clinical and pathologic data of total 89 patients who underwent surgical management for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of tonsil from 2000 to 2016 with thirty-month minimum follow-up periods were reviewed. We evaluated for demographic, clinical history, survival rate, p16, p53, and HPV association. Results: Among the 89 patients, 20 patients were excluded from p16 and HPV study, because they were incomplete test for study. So, we divided 69 patients into four groups: group 1, p16 positive and HPV positive (n=41, 59.4%); group 2, p16 negative and HPV negative (n=11, 15.9%); group 3, p16 positive and HPV negative (n=13, 18.8%); and group 4, p16 negative and HPV positive (n=4, 5.8%). There was significant difference in early T stage (T1 and 2) rate between group 1 and group 2 (90.2% vs. 36.3%, p=0.001), but not in 5-year overall survival (OS) rate (81.8% vs. 63.6%, p=0.127). Also, there was significant difference N positive rate between group 1 and group 3 (p=0.033), but not in 5-year overall survival (OS) rate (81.8% vs. 75%, p=0.479). Group 3 was also showed significant difference in early T stage rate from group 2 (90.2% vs. 76.9%, p=0.045). Group 4 showed no significant results with any group. For p53 and HPV study, we divided 89 patients into four groups: group 1, p53 negative and HPV positive (n=28, 31.4%); group 2, p53 negative and HPV negative (n=19, 21.3%); group 3, p53 positive and HPV positive (n=23, 25.8%); and group 4, p53 positive and HPV negative (n=19, 21.3%). There was significant difference in early T stage (T1 and 2) rate between group 1 and group 2 (p=0.029), but not in N positivity and 5-year overall survival (OS) rate. Also, there was no significant results with any group. Discussion: We can analyze the influence of p16 according to HPV status through group 2 and group 3. The p16 positive groups showed high early T stage rate regardless of HPV status, but there no statistical difference in N stage and 5-year overall survival. We also estimated that the N positivity was determined by HPV status rather than p16 by comparing group 1 and group 3. In HPV and p53 results, high T 1/2 stage rate is thought to be the result of HPV status, and p53 status showed no significant effect on stage, survival, and recurrence. Conclusion: The p16 test is insufficient when used alone to reliably confirm the viral origin of an OSCC. The combined use of these p16 and HPV tests would be more reliable but cannot eliminate all ambiguity. Citation Format: Geun-Jeon Kim, Inn-Chul Nam, Chung-Soo Kim, Min-Sik Kim. Analysis of inconcordance between p16, p53 immunohistochemistry, and HPV-PCR genotyping in tonsil cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-AHNS Head and Neck Cancer Conference: Optimizing Survival and Quality of Life through Basic, Clinical, and Translational Research; 2019 Apr 29-30; Austin, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2020;26(12_Suppl_2):Abstract nr A37.

Extensive circumferential tracheal defects remain a major challenging problem in the field of tracheal reconstruction. In this study, a tissue-engineered tracheal graft based on three-dimensional (3D) printing was developed for extensive circumferential tracheal reconstruction. A native trachea-mimetic bellows scaffold, a framework for a tissue-engineered tracheal graft, was indirectly 3D printed and reinforced with ring-shaped bands made from medical grade silicone rubber. A tissue-engineered tracheal graft was then created by stratifying tracheal mucosa decellularized extracellular matrix (tmdECM) hydrogel on the luminal surface of the scaffold and transferring human inferior turbinate mesenchymal stromal cell (hTMSC) sheets onto the tmdECM hydrogel layer. The tissue-engineered tracheal graft with critical length was anastomosed end-to-end to the native trachea and complete re-epithelialization was achieved on the entire luminal surface within 2 months in a rabbit model with no post-operative complications. With this successful result, the present study reports the preliminary potential of the tissue-engineered tracheal graft as a rational tissue engineering strategy for extensive circumferential tracheal reconstruction.

Rapid functional epithelial regeneration on the luminal surface is essential when using artificial tracheal grafts to repair tracheal defects. In this study, we imposed human turbinate mesenchymal stromal cell (hTMSC) sheets for tracheal epithelial regeneration, and then assessed their potential as a new clinical cell source. In vitro, hTMSCs sheets showed high capacity to differentiate into tracheal epithelium. We fabricated a poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) tracheal graft by indirect three-dimensional (3D) printing technique and created a composite construct by transplanting the hTMSC sheets to its luminal surface of the tracheal graft, then applied this tissue-engineered tracheal graft to non-circumferential tracheal reconstruction in a rabbit model. 4 weeks after implantation, the luminal surface of tissue-engineered tracheal graft was covered by a mature and highly-ciliated epithelium, whereas tracheal grafts without hTMSC sheets were covered by only a thin, immature epithelium. Therefore, hTMSC sheets on the luminal surface of a tissue-engineered tracheal graft can accelerate the tracheal epithelial regeneration, and the tissue-engineered tracheal graft with hTMSC sheets provides a useful clinical alternative for tracheal epithelial regeneration.

Background We evaluated the use of fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/CT for the identification of extracapsular spread (ECS) with supporting histologic correlations in laryngeal cancer. Methods We reviewed the medical records of 89 patients with laryngeal cancer who underwent FDG PET/CT before surgery. Results ECS was present in 38.2% (18 of 47) of dissected necks and in 32.2% (20 of 62) of dissected cervical levels. There was a significant difference in the standardized uptake value maximum (SUVmax) between cervical lymph nodes with and without ECS (6.39 ± 4.53 vs 1.21 ± 1.70; p < .001); the cutoff value for differentiating nodes with ECS from those without ECS was 2.8, with a sensitivity of 85.7% and specificity of 85.6%. Conclusion A median SUVmax cutoff value >2.8 was associated with an increased risk of cervical lymph node metastasis and ECS in patients with laryngeal cancer. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2015

Globus symptoms are not uncommon after an uncomplicated thyroidectomy. However, their associated factors and etiology have not been investigated. We investigated the etiology and factors related to globus symptoms after thyroidectomy. The medical records of 289 patients who underwent thyroidectomy and completed a voice analysis, psychiatric screening, and voice-related questionnaires before and 1 month after the surgery were reviewed. Patients were excluded if they had globus symptoms before surgery or scored high on the psychiatric questionnaire. The selected patients were divided into two groups according to development of globus symptoms after surgery. Clinicopathological parameters and results of the voice analysis and voice-related questionnaires were compared between the two groups. A total of 157 patients were enrolled, and more than half (80/155, 51 %) showed development of globus symptoms 1 month after thyroidectomy. Female patients [hazard ratio (HR), 2.605; P = 0.010], patients who had central lymph node metastasis (HR, 3.533; P = 0.001), and patients who underwent central neck dissection (HR, 3.652; P = 0.014) had a higher probability of developing globus symptoms. Patients who developed globus symptoms scored higher on the voice-related questionnaire, and had a greater decrease in speaking fundamental frequency (P

Objectives The purpose of this study was to determine whether preoperative 18F-FDG PET/CT is useful in assessing contralateral lymph node metastasis in the neck. Design A retrospective review of medical records was performed. Setting Patients treated at a single institute. Participants One hundred and fifty-seven patients whose pathology results were positive for unilateral node metastasis (N1-3) involvement and underwent preoperative 18F-FDG PET/CT for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) were reviewed. Main outcome measures Prognostic factors and nodal SUVmax were studied to identify the risk of contralateral disease. Results Thirty-six (22.9%) patients had contralateral cervical lymph node metastases. The 18F-FDG PET/CT had a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 96% in identifying the contralateral cervical lymph node metastases on a level-by-level basis. The median SUVmax values of the ipsilateral and contralateral lymph nodes were 3.99 ± 3.36 (range, 0–20.4) and 2.94 ± 2.04 (range, 0–8.7), respectively (P = 0.001). There was a significant difference in the median SUVmax of contralateral nodes between the benign and malignant cervical lymph nodes (2.31 ± 0.62 versus 3.28 ± 2.43, P = 0.014). The cut-off value of contralateral median SUVmax in the context of contralateral cervical metastasis was 2.5 with the sensitivity of 75% and the specificity of 94%. A median contralateral lymph node SUVmax ≥ 2.5 was associated with 5-year disease-specific survival (P = 0.038). Conclusion 18F-FDG PET/CT median SUVmax cut-off values of contralateral lymph nodes ≥2.5 were associated with contralateral cervical lymph node metastases and 5-year disease-specific survival in HNSCC patients with unilateral metastases.

A lower-pitched voice is one of the most common voice alterations after thyroidectomy without laryngeal nerve injury. The aim of this study was to evaluate the acoustic and stroboscopic changes and the treatment outcomes in patients with a lower-pitched voice with the goal of eventually establishing a therapeutic guideline. Patients with a lower-pitched voice were selected according to the results of acoustic analysis among thyroidectomized patients. According to their pitch-gliding ability, patients were classified into a “gliding group” and “nongliding group,” and direct voice therapy was performed. For those who did not respond, indirect voice therapy with subsequent identical direct voice therapy was performed. Video-stroboscopy, acoustic and perceptual analysis, and subjective analysis using a questionnaire were performed before and after treatment. The results of the two groups were compared. Fifty patients were enrolled. Decreased vocal cord tension was the most common stroboscopic finding in these patients. After direct voice therapy, 87 % of patients in the gliding group showed restoration of pitch 2 months after thyroidectomy. None of the patients in the nongliding group showed improvement. After indirect voice therapy and subsequent direct voice therapy, these nonresponders finally showed improvement 4.5 months after thyroidectomy. Several characteristic stroboscopic findings of the nongliding group were identified. The pitch-gliding ability and several specific stroboscopic findings were predictive of a response to direct voice therapy. Based on these findings, an individualized therapeutic approach could be applied, and the pitch of patients with a lower-pitched voice after thyroidectomy was restored earlier than expected.

Background Most of the reports about lymph node (LN) metastasis in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) are retrospective studies. Methods We prospectively evaluated the pattern and predictive factors of LN metastasis of 176 patients with PTC who underwent total thyroidectomy and bilateral central LN dissection with or without therapeutic lateral LN dissection. Results Ipsilateral central LNs were involved even in early T classification, and contralateral central LNs were infrequently involved even in late T classification. Most of the lateral LN metastases were in levels II, III, and IV. Male sex was predictive of LN metastasis. Ipsilateral central LN metastasis and central LN metastasis were associated with contralateral central LN metastasis and lateral LN metastasis, respectively. Conclusions Ipsilateral central neck dissection is recommended for all PTC patients. Careful inspection for LN metastasis should be performed when evaluating male patients with PTC, and if central LNs are involved, carefully inspect lateral LNs. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2013

A median palatal cyst is an uncommon nonodontogenic cyst, and patients usually present with a painless swelling or the sensation of a mass. The mass is typically a well-defined fixed swelling along the midline. The mass can cause slight elevation of the nasal floor or swelling and drainage from the hard palate. Surgical resection is usually recommended as a definite treatment.We treated a 30-year-old man with a premaxillary mass with nasal obstruction. He had undergone surgery on both the maxilla and the mandible to correct malocclusion 10 years earlier. A physical examination revealed elevated mucosa of the nasal floor, resulting in near-total obstruction of the nasal cavity, and the gingival mucosa over the upper incisors was also swollen. Preoperative computed tomographic scan demonstrated a midline nonenhancing round cystic lesion in the premaxillary area. Surgical excision was performed via a sublabial approach under general anesthesia, and his recovery after surgery was uneventful.

We evaluated the use of fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/CT for the identification of extracapsular spread (ECS) with supporting histologic correlations in laryngeal cancer.We reviewed the medical records of 89 patients with laryngeal cancer who underwent FDG PET/CT before surgery.ECS was present in 38.2% (18 of 47) of dissected necks and in 32.2% (20 of 62) of dissected cervical levels. There was a significant difference in the standardized uptake value maximum (SUVmax ) between cervical lymph nodes with and without ECS (6.39 ± 4.53 vs 1.21 ± 1.70; p.001); the cutoff value for differentiating nodes with ECS from those without ECS was 2.8, with a sensitivity of 85.7% and specificity of 85.6%.A median SUVmax cutoff value2.8 was associated with an increased risk of cervical lymph node metastasis and ECS in patients with laryngeal cancer.

Objectives:Investigate the efficacy of early management of post-thyroidectomy unilateral vocal cord palsy (UVCP) and the clinical utility of the thyroidectomy-related voice questionnaire (TVQ) when planning UVCP treatment.Methods:The study group comprised 48 consecutive patients diagnosed with UVCP after thyroidectomy. Laryngoscopic examination and voice analysis were conducted, and the TVQ was administered pre-thyroidectomy and at 2 weeks and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-thyroidectomy. Twenty-five patients with aspiration symptoms and severe vocal difficulties received injection laryngoplasty, and 23 with no aspiration symptoms and relatively mild vocal difficulties underwent voice therapy. We performed a video fluoroscopic swallowing study on each patient 2 weeks after thyroidectomy and 1 month following the procedure.Results:The average total TVQ scores 2 weeks afterthyroidectomy were 51.92 ± 11.42 in the injection laryngoplasty group and 35.78 ± 12.99 in the voice therapy group. Both subjective and obj...

A globus sensation is one of the most common complaints in otolaryngologic clinics, and laryngopharyngeal reflux is the most common cause. However, thyroid nodules also can cause globus symptoms. The purpose of this study was to identify the characteristics of thyroid nodules that cause globus. We selected patients prospectively with a single thyroid nodule on ultrasonograms. Patients with other causes of globus symptoms were excluded using questionnaires, fiber optic laryngoscopic examinations, and a psychiatric screening tool. In total, 175 patients were enrolled. Patients were divided into two groups according to globus symptoms. Ultrasonographic characteristics and clinicopathological parameters were compared between the groups. Among various clinicopathologic and ultrasonographic parameters, size and horizontal location of the thyroid nodule showed significant differences between the groups. Nodules larger than 3 cm and those located anterior to the trachea had a tendency to cause globus symptoms. Regarding horizontal location, nodules that all parts were located anterior to the trachea showed a higher tendency to cause globus symptoms than nodules that only some parts were located anterior to the trachea. In conclusion, thyroid nodules with specific size and location can cause globus symptoms, and this finding can be indicated in patient counseling. Also, conservative treatments or thyroidectomy may be helpful in relieving patients' globus symptoms.

Objective This study was performed to verify the efficacy and feasibility of primary closure for communication defects in the neck after transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for tonsillar cancer, and to verify the necessity of en bloc resection, which can create communication defects during TORS. Methods We applied a new primary closure technique in 13 cases of tonsillar cancer showing a communication defect with the neck after en bloc resection during TORS. This technique is composed of three steps: (1) suturing the remaining superior pharyngeal constrictor muscle and extrinsic tongue muscle complex; (2) suturing the digastric and mylohyoid muscles; and (3) securing reinforcement of the digastric–mylohyoid complex. We analyzed the medical records and pathology reports of these cases. Results On pathology review, 69.2% of the patients developed invasion of the constrictor muscle. The mean defect size was 3.3 cm; the largest defect was 4.5 cm in diameter. In all patients, primary closure of the defect was possible. With regard to functional results, decannulation was possible within 1 week, oral feeding was possible within 9 days, and none of the patients showed pharyngocutaneous fistula formation. Two patients developed complications independent of the surgery itself. Conclusion The invasion rate of the pharyngeal constrictor muscle is high. Therefore, en bloc resection creating a communication defect during TORS should be considered in all cases of tonsillar cancer to secure safe margins. In addition, with our primary closure technique, even large defects can be closed without complication and with good preservation of function.

The objective of this study was to investigate the efficacy of early management of post-thyroidectomy unilateral vocal cord palsy (UVCP) and the clinical utility of the thyroidectomy-related voice questionnaire (TVQ) when planning UVCP treatment. The study group comprised 48 consecutive patients diagnosed with UVCP after thyroidectomy. Laryngoscopic examination and voice analysis were conducted, and the TVQ was administered pre-thyroidectomy and at 2 weeks and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-thyroidectomy. Twenty-five patients with aspiration symptoms and severe vocal difficulties received injection laryngoplasty, and 23 with no aspiration symptoms and relatively mild vocal difficulties underwent voice therapy. We performed a video fluoroscopic swallowing study on each patient 2 weeks after thyroidectomy and 1 month following the procedure. The average total TVQ scores 2 weeks post-thyroidectomy were 51.92 ± 11.42 in the injection laryngoplasty group and 35.78 ± 12.99 in the voice therapy group. Both subjective and objective parameters improved significantly at 1 month after treatment and continued to improve slowly over the next 12 months (p < 0.01) in both groups. TVQ scores were significantly lower in the injection laryngoplasty group than in the voice therapy group 1 month post-intervention (p < 0.01). At the study end point, the greatest improvement in subjective symptoms occurred in temporary VCP patients who underwent injection laryngoplasty. The optimal TVQ score cut-off distinguishing the two groups was 45 (68.0 % sensitivity, 78.3 % specificity). In conclusion, early management following timely diagnosis of post-thyroidectomy UVCP can improve symptoms within 1 month. Moreover, application of TVQ will aid clinicians to plan treatment for postoperative VCP patients.