A Modified Approach for Preventing Anterior Glottic Web Formation Using Mitomycin C in Bilateral Vocal Fold Lesions.

Objectives: Laryngeal keel insertion, mucosal suture, application of mitomycin-C (MMC), and staged operations are approaches to prevent the anterior glottic web, but there are limitations. Our study suggests a modified approach to prevent the formation of an anterior glottic web. Methods: This retrospective single-institution tertiary center study (N = 23) involved the simultaneous removal of bilateral vocal fold lesions with topical MMC application. If exudate was identified after 4 to 6 weeks, second laryngomicroscopic surgery (LMS) was performed to remove it with topical MMC application. Extent of anterior glottic web was measured as a percentage of the total length of the membranous vocal fold. Results: After the initial surgery, 18 patients recovered without anterior web or fibrin exudate. Thick exudate was observed in 5 patients. After the second LMS, all patients showed improvement and did not develop anterior web. Conclusion: This modified method has been developed to prevent the anterior glottic web without complications.

Thyroid Gland Flap for Prevention of Pharyngocutaneous Fistula After Total Laryngectomy.

OBJECTIVES: Pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) is the one of the major complications after total laryngectomy (TL), which can result in saliva leakage, rupture of major vessels, and increased hospitalization. Several flaps have been tried to prevent PCF during TL, and they are usually associated with donor site morbidity and uncertain viability in case of previously irradiated patients. This study aimed to report a novel bilateral pedicled thyroid gland flap (TGF) technique for delicate and effective reinforcement of neopharynx suture line after TL. METHODS: Bilateral pedicled TGF was performed for the reinforcement of neopharynx T-shape suture sites after TL in this case series. RESULTS: A total of five cases of the TGF were performed during TL, with four of them being salvage setting following previous chemoradiation therapy (CRT). The well-adapted and viable TGF status was confirmed by post-operative computed tomography scan and normally preserved thyroid hormone levels in all patients. No post-operative infections, hemorrhage, hypothyroidism, hypoparathyroidism, or PCF were reported. CONCLUSION: The TGF is an effective and reliable flap in TL patents and should be considered as a method in neopharynx reconstruction, even in salvage TL following prior CRT.

A novel FGFR2 mutation in tyrosine kinase II domain, L617F, in Crouzon syndrome.

The purposes of this study were to find a novel mutation of FGFR2 in Korean Crouzon syndrome patients and to identify the functional consequences of this mutation. The samples consisted of 16 Crouzon patients. Peripheral venous blood was collected from the patients. FGFR2 mutation screening was performed by direct PCR sequencing of all exons and part of the introns. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis was performed to confirm the novel mutation. For functional studies, we performed luciferase assay for Runx2 transcriptional activity, real-time PCR for the bone markers (osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase), and Western blot for phosphorylated FGFR2 and ERK1/2-MAPK protein. Among 16 patients, 10 showed FGFR2 mutations that had already been reported elsewhere. A novel FGFR2 mutation associated with tyrosine kinase II (TK-II) domain, L617F, was found in one Crouzon syndrome patient by direct PCR sequencing. Presence of this mutation was confirmed using RFLP analysis. Runx2 transcriptional activity and expression of osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase significantly increased in L617F-transfected cells compared to wild-type cells. FGFR2 autophosphorylation in L617F-transfected cells increased in 1% serum, but ERK1/2-MAPK protein was not activated. The FGFR2-L617F mutation associated with the TK domain is potentially related to premature suture closure in Crouzon syndrome patient.

Differential diagnosis for inappropriate upper incisal display during posed smile: contribution of soft tissue and underlying hard tissue.

The amount of upper incisor display (UID) during smile and conversation is one of the most decisive components in aesthetic judgment. The purpose of this study was to find which soft tissue and underlying hard tissue factors contributed to the amount of UID during posed smile (PS) and at rest posture (RP). The subjects consisted of 76 young adults (33 men and 43 women; mean [SD] age, 24.79 [2.29] y) with skeletal and dental class I relationship, normal overbite/overjet, and minor crowding (<2 mm). After checking reproducibility of the amounts of UID during PS and at RP in lateral cephalograms with facial photographs, 15 hard and soft tissue variables were measured, and statistical analysis was done. There was no significant sex difference in the amount of UID during PS and at RP. The amount of UID during PS significantly increased when anterior maxillary height was longer, lower gonial angle was larger, occlusal plane to sella-to-nasion plane angle was steeper, interlabial gap at RP was larger, upper lip length at RP was shorter and upper lip elevation during PS was larger. Multiple linear regression analysis to predict the degree of UID during PS generated a 4-variable model (adjusted R = 0.607): upper lip elevation (the dynamic soft tissue variable), interlabial gap and upper lip length (the static soft tissue ones), and anterior maxillary height (the hard tissue one). The diverse causes of inappropriate UID according to the soft and hard tissue factors need different treatment approaches such as orthodontic treatment, periodontal treatment, orthognathic surgery, botulinum toxin, or myectomy. The clinician can use these variables as a guideline for differential diagnosis of inappropriate UID.