Search

Objective: Complications of oral cavity cancer (OCC) surgery have an impact on the quality of life. Therefore, evaluating hospital performance on complication rates can help identify best practices for improving the quality of OCC care. As patient and tumor characteristics also impact hospital results, case-mix adjustment should be considered to provide a valid hospital comparison. This study investigated hospital variation in the quality indicator "a complicated postoperative course" after OCC surgery., Methods: This population-based cohort included all first primary OCC patients diagnosed between 2018 and 2021 who were surgically treated with curative intent. A complicated postoperative course was defined as 30-day mortality, unplanned readmission, surgical complications requiring reintervention or prolonged hospital stay, or fistula formation. Hospital performance was analyzed using funnel plots with case-mix correction., Results: A total of 2,266 OCC patients could be included. The distribution of case-mix variables varied significantly between hospital populations. Nationally, a complicated postoperative course occurred in 13.9% and uncorrected hospital rates ranged from 2.7% to 31.1%. A WHO performance score ≥2, cT3-T4 tumors, and floor-of-mouth tumors were associated with an increased risk of a complicated postoperative course, and non-squamous cell carcinoma with a decreased risk. Significant outliers remained after case-mix correction for patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics., Conclusion: Complications after OCC surgery are prevalent, especially regarding extensive tumors and surgery. To identify best practices in OCC surgery, hospital performance on a complicated postoperative course should be adjusted for case-mix and treatment variables. Providing feedback on hospital performance for complications can instigate improvement plans for better outcomes., Level of Evidence: 3 Laryngoscope, 2025., (© 2025 The Author(s). The Laryngoscope published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.)

Background: To prevent cross-contamination between patients, adequate reprocessing is necessary when using flexible endoscopes (FEs) without a working channel. The current reprocessing process using an Endoscope Washer Disinfector (EWD) is time-consuming. Ultraviolet light group C (UV-C) exposition is an alternative and fast disinfection method and has previously been shown to adequately reduce Colony Forming Units (CFUs) on FEs without a working channel. The objective of this study was to examine whether UV-C light is as effective in reducing CFUs on contaminated FEs without a working channel compared to the EWD., Methods: FEs without a working channel were collected in three different Otorhinolaryngology Departments in the Netherlands. After pharyngolaryngoscopy, a manual pre-cleaning with tap water was performed and a culture was collected by rolling the distal 8-10 cm of the FE over an agar plate. Next, the FE was randomly assigned to be disinfected with UV-C light (D60) or the EWD (gold standard). After disinfection, another culture was taken. The primary outcome was microbiological contamination, defined by Colony Forming Units (CFU)., Results: 600 FEs without a working channel were randomized. After clinical use and manual pre-cleaning, 239/300 (79.7%) FEs in the UV-C group and 262/300 (87.3%) FEs in the EWD group were contaminated (i.e., > 0 CFU). FEs without culture confirmed contamination were excluded from further analysis. After UV-C light disinfection, 195/239 (81.6%) FEs showed 0 CFUs, compared to 187/262 (71.4%) FEs disinfected with the EWD (p < 0.01). A multivariate logistics regression analysis showed an increased odds of 0 CFUs when using UV-C light (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.19-2.79; p < 0.01), conditional on participating hospitals and types of FE., Conclusions: UV-C light disinfection of FEs without a working channel appears more effective in reducing CFUs compared to the EWD and might be a good alternative disinfection method., Trial Registration: Not applicable., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

An 83-year-old man reported recent temporomandibular joint complaints and a swelling near his ear. The swelling moved whileopening the mouth. Additional imaging showed an osseous deviation of the right condyle with extension into the masticator space. In addition, several lytic and expansive bone lesions were visible in the skeleton, which initially suggested multiple myeloma. However, blood tests pointed in the direction of prostate cancer that had been treated twenty years earlier. There appeared to be extensive osseous metastatic recurrent prostate carcinoma with a metastasis in the right condyle of the mandible. The patient was treated with palliative systemic therapy.

A magnetic sentinel lymph node biopsy ((SLN)B) procedure has recently been shown feasible in oral cancer patients. However, a grading system is absent for proper identification and classification, and thus for clinical reporting. Based on data from eight complete magnetic SLNB procedures, we propose a provisional grading system. This grading system includes: (1) a qualitative five-point grading scale for MRI evaluation to describe iron uptake by LNs; (2) an ex vivo count of resected SLN with a magnetic probe to quantify iron amount; and (3) a qualitative five-point grading scale for histopathologic examination of excised magnetic SLNs. Most SLNs with iron uptake were identified and detected in level II. In this level, most variance in grading was seen for MRI and histopathology; MRI and medullar sinus were especially highly graded, and cortical sinus was mainly low graded. On average 82 ± 58 µg iron accumulated in harvested SLNs, and there were no significant differences in injected tracer dose (22.4 mg or 11.2 mg iron). In conclusion, a first step was taken in defining a comprehensive grading system to gain more insight into the lymphatic draining system during a magnetic SLNB procedure.

Objectives: To assess the feasibility and merits of a complete magnetic approach for a sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) procedure in oral cancer patients., Materials and Methods: This study included ten oral cancer patients (stage cT1-T2N0M0) scheduled for elective neck dissection (END). Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIO) were administered peritumorally prior to surgery. A preoperative MRI was acquired to identify lymph nodes (LNs) with iron uptake. A magnetic detector was used to identify magnetic hotspots prior, during, and after the SLNB procedure. The resected sentinel LNs (SLNs) were evaluated using step-serial sectioning, and the neck dissection specimen was assessed by routine histopathological examination. A postoperative MRI was acquired to observe any residual iron., Results: Of ten primary tumors, eight were located in the tongue, one floor-of-mouth (FOM), and one tongue-FOM transition. SPIO injections were experienced as painful by nine patients, two of whom developed a tongue swelling. In eight patients, magnetic SLNs were successfully detected and excised during the magnetic SLNB procedure. During the END procedure, additional magnetic SLNs were identified in three patients. Histopathology confirmed iron deposits in sinuses of excised SLNs. Three SLNs were harboring metastases, of which one was identified only during the END procedure. The END specimens revealed no further metastases., Conclusion: A complete magnetic SLNB procedure was successfully performed in eight of ten patients (80% success rate), therefore the procedure seems feasible. Recommendations for further investigation are made including: use of anesthetics, magnetic tracer volume, planning preoperative MRI, comparison to conventional technique and follow-up., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)