Complications after surgery for oral and oropharyngeal malignancy

This study included 31 patients with oropharyngeal malignancy. Group I included 15 patients, 13 had stage II squamous cell carcinoma of the anterior 2-thirds of the tongue and 2 patients had squamous cell carcinoma of the floor of the mouth stage II. An adequate excision of the primary, repair of the residual part of the tongue, plus suprahyoid neck dissection were done for every patient in this group. Group II included 16 patients, in whom 7 had stage III squamous cell carcinoma of the anterior two thirds of the tongue, 5 patients had stage II squamous cell carcinoma of the retromolar trigone and 4 patients had stage II squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsillar region. Commando's operation was done with reconstruction by PMC flaps for every patient of this group. The patients were followed up meticulously in the postoperative period. Most of the complications were seen in group II after the Commando's operation, whether anatomical complication [nerves injury], functional [mastication, speech problems or dysphagia], esthetic [asymmetry of the face] and recurrence of the neoplasm after stage III. From this study, it was concluded that early presentation of patients, accurate, preoperative assessment and correction of any medical problem are important. The team therapy approach is an essential corner stone to minimize the postoperative complications as well as to help the patients and their family to expect better result from the treatment program and mode of rehabilitation. In addition, the proper choice of treatment planning and good surgical technique and the postoperative team [health care personnel] cooperation are mandatory for rehabilitation

Assessment of posterior pharyngeal wall augmentation in cases of velopharyngeal insufficiency by conchal cartilage graft

Posterior pharyngeal wall augmentation is an effective method for correcting mild to moderate cases of VPI. This was done on 12 patients with VPI by using a conchal cartilage with its perichondrium which was harvested from the ear. Localization of the site of implantation was determined using nasoendoscopy. This surgical technique carries many advantages as it allows more augmentation of the posterior pharyngeal wall due to the archiform shape of the conchal cartilage which is easily taken without donor side morbidity and easy to be harvested. A larger sample is needed with long-term follow up periods. Also, the phoniatric assessment of these cases showed that the proper selection of cases with mild or moderate degrees of open nasality is essential for using this technique