Total Laryngectomy with Horizontal Mechanical Closure of the Pharyngoesophagectomy: Evaluation of the Effectiveness in Elderly Patients

Abstract Introduction The main modalities of surgical treatment for laryngeal cancer include transoral laser microsurgery (TLM), open preservation surgery, and total laryngectomy (TL). In the elderly, for the presence of comorbidities, the surgical approach more appropriate in many cases remains TL. The use of a stapler for the closure of the esophagus has been introduced to reduce surgical time and postoperative complications such as pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF). Objective In the present study, we have evaluated the effectiveness of the use of the horizontal mechanical pharyngoesophageal closure in patients who underwent TL. Methods This nonrandomized study was performed on consecutive patients with histopathologically proven squamous cell endolaryngeal carcinoma. The TLwas performed using a linear stapler to mechanically suture the pharyngotomy using the semiclosed technique. Results A total of 33 patients underwent TL, and 13 of themunderwent neck dissection. A total of 15 patients (45.4%) were ≤70 years old, and 18 were > 70 years old. Analyzing the results in relation to age, patients > 70 years old showed tumors at an earlier stage than those aged ≤70 years old. Furthermore, in this group there was a greater number of patients who had comorbidities (p = 0.014). In total, we had 2 (6%) cases of PCF in 6.6% in the group ≤70 years old, and in 5.5% of the group > 70 years old (p = 1.00). Conclusions The use of the stapler for the horizontal closure of the pharyngoesophagectomy in the patients subjected to TL is proven to be useful and safe even when used in elderly patients.

Manejo de las fístulas interlocutoras / Management enterocutaneous fistulas

Estudio retrospectivo, descriptivo, que tiene como propósito describir el actual manejo de pacientes con Fístula Enterocutánea. Material y Métodos: se realizó un análisis retrospectivo, descriptivo, en el Seguro Social en los años 2009 a 2011, se evaluaron los siguientes aspectos: estado nutricional del paciente, características de la FE, manejo que se le proporcionó con respecto a apoyo nutricional, uso de hormonas, terapia presión negativa, cuidados de la piel, evolución de los pacientes según el tratamiento utilizado, si presentó cierre espontáneo, intervención quirúrgica o complicaciones, se realizó un instrumento para recolectar los datos mencionados...

Dartos flap coverage of the neourethra following repair for primary hypospadias, reoperative hypospadias and urethrocutaneous fistulas: it is a safe approach / Emprego de um retalho pediculado do músculo dartos para cobertura da neouretra na cirurgia primária de hipospádias, reoperações de hipospádias e correção de fístulas uretrocutâneas

Purpose: Urethrocutaneous fistula and neourethral dehiscence are frequently seen complications of hypospadias surgery requiring reoperation. In this study we report the experience of one surgeon with dartos flap coverage in primary hypospadias, reoperative hypospadias and urethrocutaneous fistulas repair. Methods: A total of 23 patients underwent hypospadias and urethrocutaneous fistulas repair from January 2006 to May 2009. Fourteen patients were operated on for primary hypospadias repair at our institution and 9 patients were admitted for hypospadias complications such as failed hypospadias repair and urethrocutaneous fistula. In all the patients, the dartos flap was dissected and transposed to cover the neourethra. Operative results were recorded. Results: The primary surgical procedure was a one-stage repair in 61 percent (n = 14); tubularised incised plate (TIP) urethroplasty in 43 percent (n = 6) and a Mathieu procedure in 57 percent (n = 8). Urethrocutaneous fistulas complicating the previous initial hypospadias repair were anterior in 33 percent (n = 2), middle in 33 percent (n = 2) and proximal in 33 percent (n = 2). Repair of the fistula was successful on the first attempt in all patients. The reason for redo surgery in 3 patients was complete dehiscence and the patients had distal shaft hypospadias. COconclusion: Dartos flap coverage of the neourethra seems to be an effective method of reducing the fistulous complication rate following primary and secondary hypospadias repair.

Objetivo: Fístulas uretrocutâneas e deiscências são complicações frequentes na cirurgia das hipospádias necessitando reoperações. Este estudo é baseado na experiência pessoal de um cirurgião utilizando um retalho pediculado do músculo dartos para cobertura da neouretra na correção primária de hipospádias, reoperações de hipospádias e correção de fístulas uretrocutâneas. Métodos: Vinte e três pacientes foram operados sendo 14 submetidos a cirurgia primária de hipospádia e 9 a reoperações por insucesso da correção primária ou por fístulas uretrocutâneas. Em todos os pacientes, um retalho pediculado do músculo dartos foi mobilizado e utilizado para recobrir a neouretra. Resultados: Para a cirurgia primária da hipospádia foi utilizada técnica de correção em um só tempo (n=14): uretroplastia tubularizada com incisão da placa (TIP) em 43 por cento (n=6) e técnica de Mathieu em 57 por cento (n=8). As fístulas uretrocutâneas resultantes de correções primárias anteriores eram de localização anterior em 33 por cento (n=2), média em 33 por cento (n=2) e proximal em 33 por cento (n=2). A correção das fístulas uretrocutâneas resultou em sucesso em todos os pacientes. Três pacientes necessitaram de reoperação por deiscência completa e em todos a hipospádia era distal. Conclusões: O emprego do retalho pediculado do músculo dartos para recobrir a neouretra é um método eficaz que reduz a incidência de fístulas em cirurgias primárias e nas reoperações de hipospádias.