Initiatives to reduce postoperative surgical site infections of the head and neck cancer surgery with a special emphasis on developing countries

Introduction: Surgery in patients with head and neck cancers is frequently complicated by multiple stages of procedure that includes significant surgical removal of all or part of an organ with cancer, tissue reconstruction, and extensive neck dissection. Postoperative wound infections, termed ‘surgical site infections’ (SSIs) are a significant impediment to head-and-neck cancer surgery and recovery, and need to be addressed.

Areas covered: Approximately 10–45% of patients undergoing head-and-neck cancers surgery develop SSIs. SSIs can lead to delayed wound healing, increased morbidity and mortality as well as costs. Consequently, SSIs need to be avoided where possible, as even the surgery itself impacts on patients’ subsequent activities and their quality of life, which is exacerbated by SSIs. Several risk factors for SSIs need to be considered to reduce future rates, and care is also needed in the selection and duration of antibiotic prophylaxis.

Expert commentary: Head and neck surgeons should give personalized care especially to patients at high risk of SSIs. Such patients include those who have had chemoradiotherapy and need reconstructive surgery, and patients from lower and middle-income countries and from poorer communities in high income countries, who often have high levels of co-morbidity because of resource constraints.     

A comparison of head injuries in male and female lacrosse participants seen in US emergency departments from 2005 to 2016

Introduction

In the United States there has been a large increase in participation in lacrosse for both males and females. The purpose of this study was to analyze the number of head injuries, injury rates (calculated using the reported number of participants) and types of head injuries that are seen in emergency departments in the United States.

Lesion regression rate based on RECIST: prediction of treatment outcome in patients with head and neck cancer treated with chemoradiotherapy compared with FDG PET-CT

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the lesion regression rate (ΔLR) based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) criteria could be used for the prediction of treatment outcome in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients treated with chemoradiotherapy (CRT) compared with FDG PET-CT. A total of 33 patients underwent MRI and PET-CT at pretreatment and at 8 weeks after CRT. We assessed the treatment outcome by analyzing the following parameters: the RECIST criteria, ΔLR, the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) criteria, and pretreatment SUV_max of the primary tumor and node. The correlation between the analysis of the parameters and the results of the long-term follow-up of the patients was determined. The RECIST did not significantly correlate with locoregional control (LRC) or survival. The ΔLR was significantly lower for the lesions with locoregional failure (LRF) than for those with LRC. A threshold ΔLR of 48% revealed a sensitivity of 72.7% and specificity of 77.3% for the prediction of LRF. Progression-free survival (PFS) of patients with ΔLR ≥ 48% was significantly better than that of patients with ΔLR < 48% (P = 0.001), but not overall survival. There was a significant correlation between LRC and the EORTC (P = 0.02). The patients who achieved a complete response by the EORTC criteria showed significantly better PFS and overall survival (P = 0.01 and 0.04, respectively). The ΔLR was inferior to FDG PET-CT with respect to the prediction of patient survival; however, it may be useful for selecting patients in need of more aggressive monitoring after CRT.     

Utility of INR For Prediction of Delayed Intracranial Hemorrhage Among Warfarin Users with Head Injury

BackgroundIncidence of delayed intracranial hemorrhage (DICH) in patients on warfarin has been controversial. No previous literature has reported the utility of international normalized ratio (INR) in predicting traumatic DICH.ObjectivesUtilizing INR to risk stratify head trauma patients who may be managed without repeat imaging.MethodsThis was a retrospective study at a Level II trauma center. All patients on warfarin with head injuries from March 2014 to December 31, 2017 were included. Each patient underwent an initial head computed tomography scan (HCT) and subsequent repeat HCT 12 h after. Patients presenting > 12 h after head injury received only one HCT. Two blinded neuroradiologists reviewed each case of DICH. Statistical analysis evaluated Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), Injury Severity Score (ISS), heart rate, systolic blood pressure (SBP), age, and platelet count.ResultsThere were 395 patients who qualified for the protocol; 238 were female. Average age was 79 years. Seventy-seven percent of patients underwent repeat HCT. Five resulted in DICH (INR 2.6–3.0), three of which might have been present on initial HCT; incidence rate of 0.51–1.27%. One patient required neurosurgical intervention. Among 80 patients with INR < 2, no DICH was identified, resulting in high sensitivity, but with a wide confidence interval; sensitivity of 100% (95% confidence interval [CI] 47.8–100), specificity 21% (95% CI 16.6–28.9). Correlation of factors: ISS (p = 0.039), GCS (p = 0.978), HR (p = 0.601), SBP (p = 0.198), age (p = 0.014), and platelets (p = 0.281).ConclusionNo patient with INR < 2 suffered DICH, suggesting that warfarin users presenting with INR < 2 may be managed without repeat HCT. For INR > 2, patients age and injury severity can be used for shared decision-making to discharge home with standard head injury precautions and no repeat HCT.     

Proximal load transfer with a stemless uncemented femoral implant

Bone stock preservation is crucial when performing total hip replacement in young patients. The aim is to save good bone stock for a possible revision procedure. Furthermore, there is an increasing demand from young and active patients to receive a new joint which allows a normal or nearly normal life style. With this in mind, we began, in 1993, to develop a new femoral implant. The purpose of this ultra-short stem was a physiologic strain distribution on the proximal femur with a proximal load transfer from the implant to the femoral bone. Main features were an almost complete absence of the diaphyseal portion of the stem, a well defined lateral flare with load transfer on the lateral column of the femur, and a very high femoral neck cut. These innovations resulted in a conservative implant on both the bone stock and the soft tissues. This implant, in the first years, was recommended only for young and active patients. Over the last thirteen years, this project has undergone several modifications but the basic principles of the implant have remained the same. In the present review, we present the rationale, the surgical technique and the clinical and experimental results so far obtained with this implant.     

空心螺钉治疗股骨颈骨折术后并发症的分析

目的探讨影响空心螺钉治疗股骨颈骨折术后早期并发症及中晚期股骨头缺血性坏死的因素。方法对1994年1月～2004年1月间应用空心螺钉治疗的116例股骨颈骨折患者进行回顾性总结,将患者性别、年龄、骨折类型、骨折复位情况、外伤至手术时间与骨折术后早期并发症及中晚期股骨头缺血性坏死间的关系进行统计学分析。结果116例患者获平均(3．2±2．5)年(1～11年)随访。术后早期并发症包括：骨折内固定失败6例,骨折周围再骨折2例,感染2例,下肢深静脉血栓6例。年龄是引起骨折术后早期并发症的主要因素之一；骨折术后早期并发症还与骨质情况及内固定技术有关。本组16例出现股骨头缺血性坏死,其坏死率为13．8%。造成股骨头缺血性坏死的因素主要是骨折类型,其次为骨折复位情况。结论①年龄大于60岁的患者股骨颈骨折术后早期并发症相对多。②对于骨折移位严重的高龄患者,建议行人工关节置换术。③内固定术应尽可能解剖复位、坚强牢靠,以减少术后股骨头缺血性坏死的发生。     

内固定与假体置换治疗Mason Ⅲ型桡骨头骨折的比较研究

目的比较切开复位内固定术与双极桡骨头假体置换术治疗MasonⅢ型桡骨头骨折的疗效。方法对17例MasonⅢ型桡骨头骨折患者采用Tornier骨水泥柄、双极桡骨头假体进行置换,其中新鲜Ma- sonⅢ型骨折15例,陈旧性MasonⅢ型骨折2例。手术均采用肘关节后外侧入路,17例均行环状韧带修复。术后48 h开始关节逐步被动功能操练。另外8例MasonⅢ型桡骨头骨折患者采用肘后外侧入路切开复位空心钉与多枚克氏针内固定作为对照。结果假体置换组14例患者得到6～27个月(平均12．5个月)随访,按照Broberg和Morrey的肘关节功能评分标准进行评分：优9例,良4例,可1例,优良率为92．8%；3例出现异位骨化,下尺桡关节未见异常改变。8例MasonⅢ型桡骨头骨折内固定患者均得到10～21个月(平均14个月)随访,肘关节功能评分：良1例,可4例,差3例,优良率为12．5%。两组间优良率比较差异有极显著性意义(O＜0．01)。结论采用双极桡骨头假体置换的方法治疗MasonⅢ型桡骨头骨折比切开复位内固定的方法更有利于恢复肘关节的稳定、伸屈活动及前臂的旋转活动。     

比较4种影像技术对早期股骨头缺血性坏死的诊断敏感性

目的评价CR,CT,ECT和MRI在早期股骨头缺血性坏死(ANFH)中的诊断价值。方法回顾性分析16例23髋经手术、病理证实为早期(符合国际骨循环研究会(ARCO)分期标准Ⅰ期-Ⅱ期)股骨头缺血性坏死患者的CR,CT,ECT和MRI的影像学特征及其检查结果。结果CR诊断早期ANFH11髋,阳性率为47.8%,CT诊断早期ANFH14髋,阳性率为60.9%,ECT诊断诊断早期ANFH21髋,阳性率为91.3%,MRI诊断早期ANFH22髋,阳性率为95.7%。经统计学处理,X2=19.38,P<0.01,CR,CT,ECT和MRI四者敏感性的差异具有显著性意义。结论对早期股骨头缺血性坏死影像学诊断而言,CR诊断敏感性较低,CT可提供较多的诊断信息,ECT和MRI的敏感性高于CT及CR,MRI可准确地诊断早期股骨头缺血性坏死。