Aerodynamic Analysis of Voice in Patients with Thyroidectomy / 대한갑상선학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study is to prospectively compare and analyze the aerodynamic changes in the patients with thyroid cancer before and after surgery. Changes in vocal function before and after thyroidectomy were examined using aerodynamic and related assessments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty one patients were evaluated preoperatively, 5-7 days and 6-7 weeks postoperatively to assess aerodynamic outcomes after thyroidectomy. Glottal input power (GIP), glottal efficiency (GE) and maximum phonation time (MPT), were determined the time of before surgery, 5-7 days after surgery and 6-7 weeks after surgery. RESULTS: According to the comparison analysis of the three periods, GIP with /pi/ phonation was significantly reduced at time of 5-7 days and 6-7 weeks after surgery, but not in the /p(h)i /and /p'i/ phonations. GE was significantly reduced in the /pi/, /p(h)i/ and /p'i/ phonations at time of 5-7 days and 6-7 weeks after surgery. MPT was significantly reduced at time of 5-7 days after surgery significantly. CONCLUSION: Aerodynamic assessment showed systematic changes in vocal function associated with thyroidectomy. These results should be useful data for vocal management in individuals who have had thyroidectomy and for assessment of voice disorders in clinical settings.

The Analysis of Induction Chemotherapy Using Docetaxel and Platinum in Treatment of Hypopharyngeal Carcinoma / 대한이비인후과학회지

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of induction chemotherapy with docetaxel and platinum in patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: The medical records of 66 patients who were diagnosed with hypopharyngeal carcinoma at our department from January 1996 to December 2008 were reviewed and retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into four groups according to treatment method: Group I was treated with radiation and induction chemotherapy consist of docetaxel and platinum (27); Group II was treated with surgery and induction chemotherapy consist of docetaxel and platinum (28), Group III was treated with radiation and induction chemotherapy consist of 5-FU and platinum (9) and Group IV was treated with surgery and induction chemotherapy consist of 5-FU and platinum (2). A total of 186 chemotherapy cycles were administered to patients and most of the patients received at least 2 cycles. RESULTS: The T-stage distribution at diagnosis was 7.5%, 42.4%, 28.8%, and 21.2% for T1, T2, T3, and T4, respectively. The N-stage distribution at diagnosis was 48.5%, 22.7%, 10.6%, 15.2%, and 9.1% for N0, N1, N2a, N2b, and N2c, respectively. The overall 3-year survival rate was 44.3%. The 3-year survival rate of each group was 42.6% in Group I, 54.8% in Group II, and 11.1% in Group III. There was no significant difference in survival between Groups I and III (p=0.074). There was no difference in sex, age, and N stage for 3-year survival rate. CONCLUSION: Although any valid conclusions could not be drawn because of the small number of patients examined here, induction chemotherapy consisting of docetaxel and platinum may improve the outcome of patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma.