[Pedicled Flaps for Reconstruction of Head and Neck Region]. / Stopkované laloky jako jedna z mozností rekonstrukce hlavy a krku.

BACKGROUND: There has been a consistent increase in the number of publications on pedicled flaps for the reconstruction of post ablation defects in the oropharyngeal area. In principle, tissue is lifted from a donor site and moved to a recipient site without disruption of blood supply. The donor site is an exact anatomically defined region of tissue that is capable of sustaining its own blood supply. The benefits of pedicled flaps include lower technical demands that obviate the need for microsurgical anastomosis and shorter operating times. For this reason, they are mostly indicated in elderly and at risk patients. The aim of this paper is to describe our experience with the regional (pedicled) (submental, supraclavicular) flaps with a focus on reliability, function, cosmesis, donor site morbidity, and oncological safety. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Reconstructive techniques using distal flaps are described in 12 patients. A submental flap for reconstruction was used in 7 patients. In 5 patients, we used the supraclavicular flap. A total of 9 patients were treated primarily for squamous cell carcinoma of the orofacial region, and 3 for low-grade adenocarcinoma of the small salivary gland. RESULTS: In 5 patients, there was successful engraftment of the submental flap. Ischemia and necrosis of the edges of the flap occurred in 1 case. In one patient, the 3rd day after surgery, the flap was almost totally necrotised. The supraclavicular flap in 4 patiets healed completely, 1 time during the postoperative period it was infected with partial loss of the outer part of the flap from the pre auricular region. In one case there was necrosis of the terminal part of the flap in the reconstructed part of the tongue, the defect was healed by granulation tissue. In all patients, after reconstruction using supraclavicular and submental flaps, the donor site closed primarily with minimal morbidity. CONCLUSION: Regional (pedicled) flaps are thin, and pliable with good cosmetic and functional results. Reconstruction using these flaps can be accomplished in one-stage with minimum morbidity of the donor site.Key words: pedicled flap - surgical flap - head and neck cancersSubmitted: 11. 5. 2017Accepted: 5. 11. 2017 The authors declare they have no potential conflicts of interest concerning drugs, products, or services used in the study. The Editorial Board declares that the manuscript met the ICMJE recommendation for biomedical papers.

Reconstructive procedures in maxillofacial oncosurgery.

OBJECTIVE: Oropharyngeal cancers are a biologically heterogenous group of tumors with diverse risk factors including tobacco, alcohol, HPV, inherited disorders, the acquired immunodeficiency of Karposi's Sarcoma and non Hodgkin's lymphoma. In the Czech Republic, oropharyngeal cancers represent around 2% of all cancers. The treatment of these tumors is long and complex. Reconstructive procedures in maxillofacial oncosurgery demand good interdisciplinary collaboration and great professional preparedness of the surgical and nursing team. Patient age and stage of disease, including the presence of metastases are of key importance. A prerequisite for the success of surgical treatment is removal of the tumor with a sufficient safety margin. Reconstructive procedures then follow. AIM: To highlight the importance of radical tumor resection and describe reconstruction of the defect in a group of our patients. METHODS AND RESULTS: From 2008 to 2013, 23 patients with oropharyngeal carcinoma underwent radical surgical removal of tumor, followed by reconstruction of postoperative defects using distant and free flaps. The histopathology showed predominantly squamous cell carcinomas and one of Merkel cell carcinoma. 16 patients had malignant disease detected in III-IV. In only 7 cases was treatment initiated in the first and second stages of the disease. In these patients, the tumors were removed with a safety margin of healthy tissue and in none, did the basic cancer recur . The postoperative course in terms of flap engraftment and overall condition of the patient was uneventful. All of these patients still enjoy a good life quality with a current mean survival in range 5 - 76 months. Radical surgical removal of a malignant tumor in the early stages of the disease is associated with fewer postoperative complications and longer survival. CONCLUSION: To avoid the risk of local and/or systemic postoperative complications, appropriate patient selection is important. Overall, the traditional, classic reconstructive procedures with the use of prostheses, in many cases is still the best option in our experience.

Effect of combination therapy of arthrocentesis and occlusal splint on nonreducing temporomandibular joint disk displacement.

OBJECTIVE: Arthrocentesis of the temporomandibular joint is a minimally invasive method of treatment located at the boundary between conservative and surgical therapy. It is usually performed on an out-patient basis under local anaesthesia. These days, arthrocentesis of the temporomandibular joint is used not only in cases of acute closed lock but also in the treatment of various temporomandibular disorders. The most frequent indication is acute anterior displacement of the articular disc without reduction. Treatment using occlusal splint is one of the most frequently used methods of conservative treatment. It is used mainly in the case of discopathies and myofascial pain. AIM: The aim of the study was to confirm that simultaneous use of the occlusal splint and arthrocentesis makes the treatment more effective in the case of detected disc dislocation without reduction. MATERIALS, METHODS AND RESULTS: From 2008 to 2013, 144 patients underwent arthrocentesis simultaneously using occlusal splint in the treatment of chronic closed lock. The study group consisted of a 130 (90.3%) women and 14 (9.7%) men. After 3 months of therapy, a good treatment outcome was found in 98 (68.1%) patients, 12 (85.7%) men and 86 (66.2%) women. The treatment did not have any effect in 46 (31.9%) patients, 2 (14.3%) men and 44 (33.8%) women. CONCLUSION: The simultaneous use of the occlusal splint and arthrocentesis makes the treatment more effective in the case of detected joint disc dislocation without reduction.

Merkel cell carcinoma. Case report.

BACKGROUND: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare aggressive skin tumour affecting mainly older and immuno suppressed individuals (see our review on MCC in this volume). AIM: This is a case report describing our first experience with Merkel cell carcinoma in an elderly woman on chemo therapy for lymphoma and it covers the diagnosis, treatment and outcome. METHODS: We did a radical excision of the soft tissue in the tumor area in conjunction with total paroditectomy and resection of the body of the zygomatic bone by radical block neck dissection. The skin defect was reconstructed myocutaneous free flap by a plastic surgeon. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: At 12 months follow-up, the MCC had not recurred.

Merkel cell carcinoma. A review.

BACKGROUND: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare potentially fatal skin tumour affecting older mainly white people and younger immunosuppressed individuals. While uncommon, the incidence is increasing relative to melanoma and with twice the lethality. The benign appearance of the tumour usually on exposed skin parts, contrasting with its extensive microscopic invasion, can delay timely diagnosis. Recurrent MCC is currently attributed to the recently discovered Merkel cell polyomavirus This brief review of MCC covers the history, epidemiology,etiology,clinical and histological features, treatment and prognosis. METHODS: Literature search using PubMed and search words Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), etiology, treatment for the years 1972 to 2010. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare malignancy with uncertain prognosis. Due to the uncommon occurrence and dearth of randomized studies, there is no agreement on optimal treatment. The tumor has only recently been included in the international classification of tumors (NCCN). The treatment approaches found to be best are radical surgery of primary tumor, drainage of lymph node extension and possibly adjuvant loco-regional radiotherapy. The basis of successful treatment however, remains prevention regular dermatological examination in immunosuppressed patients and early initiation of combination therapy, based on radical surgery supplemented by radiotherapy and palliative chemotherapy in the last resort.

Human papillomavirus in the etiology of head and neck carcinomas.

BACKGROUND: For more than 20 years, infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV) has been of a matter of interest not only to gynecologists but also to maxillofacial surgeons and othorhinolaryngologists. HPV is generally known to be involved in cervical cancer. Recently, there are many clinical studies pointed out the potentially dangerous connection between HPV infection and head and neck carcinomas (HNC). HPV infection was identified as a possible etiological factor in 15-30% of HNC. METHODS: Aim of this article is to summarize the recent knowledge about the HPV infection with regards to etiology of head and neck cancer. RESULTS: It has been proven that HPV infection is related to development of head and neck cancer and that the sexual behavior has played an important role in the viral transmission. HNC of viral etiology have been observed mostly in younger people; their curability is difficult and prognosis serious. CONCLUSION: Beside the well known correlation between developing of new head and neck cancer and bad habits (smoking, alcohol abuse, poor oral hygiene etc.) we should take into consideration the sexual promiscuity and alternative sexual practices. Vaccination against cervical cancer, recommended to young women, should be extended to their male partners to prevent the virus transmission and decrease the HNC incidence.

Saliva as a diagnostic medium.

BACKGROUND: This is a review of current knowledge on the use of saliva, gingival cervical fluid and mucosal transudate in the detection of some oral and systemic diseases as well as drugs. Oral fluid is a diagnostic medium that can be easily collected and with minimal invasion but it has been neglected in the past. Today, saliva is being used more often to diagnose: HIV virus, oro-facial and systemic tumors, cardiovascular disease and in detecting addictive substances. Neutropil levels in saliva may also indicate successful bone marrow transplant. Oral fluid is now systematically being researched and oral fluid analysis is being compared with the analysis of other diagnostic media such as blood and urine. A number of recent studies have focused on oncogenic marker detection and its monitoring in saliva. The latest clinical and laboratory findings on diagnostic markers of oropharyngeal carcinoma in oral fluid could be the beginning of their wider use as a diagnostic medium. Oral fluid can also be also used to diagnose other malignancies such as breast cancer which was one of the first malignant tumors to be detected using genetic protein biomarkers. Raised levels of CA15-3 and the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor have been found in patients with breast cancer and elevated levels of CA 125 and the glycoprotein complex in the saliva of ovarian cancer patients. CONCLUSION: Doubtless, the diagnostic value of saliva, aided by current technological development will increase rapidly in the near future.

Salivary neutrophils level as an indicator of bone marrow engraftment.

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the neutrophils level in saliva as an adequate alternative to other methods for evaluating the neutrophil engraftment after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in hemato-oncology. METHOD: A total of 35 patients treated for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or multiple myeloma were stomatologically examined before planned high-dose chemotherapy with ASCT. After removal of potential foci of odontogenic infection all the patients underwent transplantation and during the treatment they were monitored for the level of neutrophils in saliva as a possible early indicator of the neutrophil engraftment. Neutrophil levels in saliva were compared to the neutrophil level in blood and to the degree of oral mucositis (the nurses study). RESULTS: An increase of salivary neutrophils in the mouth rinse of > 25 x 10/\6/l was identified as an early sign of successful neutrophil engraftment that occurred 1 to 2 days before the rise of neutrophils in peripheral blood (> 0.5- x 10/\9/l). CONCLUSIONS: Follow-up of neutrophil levels in saliva might be an adequate alternative to other methods for evaluating the neutrophil engraftment after ASCT in hemato-oncology.