[Low-intensity laser irradiation in otorhinolaryngology]. / Nizkoénergeticheskoe lazernoe izluchenie v otorinolaringologii.

Low-intensity laser irradiation is a modality widely practiced in otorhinolaryngology. Basing on extensive personal experience and literature data the authors provide ENT specialists with relevant techniques and parameters of the radiation for different otorhinolaryngological diseases.

[Use of helium-neon lasers in the treatment of postoperative wounds of the pharynx]. / Ispol'zovanie gelii-neonovykh lazerov v lechenii posleoperatsionnykh ran glotki.

This paper presents the results of treatment of post-operative pharyngeal wounds in 54 tonsillectomized patients (residents of the Far North) using a helium-neon laser. The treatment had a significant analgetic and anti-inflammatory effect which was demonstrated by the so-called swallow test, bar-algisimetry, thermometry of the mucosa of the anterior palatine arches and mandibular area, and cytological examination of the exudate from the tonsillar niches. Application of a low energy helium-neon laser in tonsillectomized patients shortens the therapeutic period by 2 days.

Microvascular free jejunum transfer.

A series of 37 microvascular free jejunal transfers for reconstruction of the pharyngolaryngeal region using a conduit or oropharynx using a patch of jejunum is reported. The technique results in a high success rate with only two failures in the series. Post-operative recovery is rapid with low morbidity and many patients are able to go home after seven to ten days. Radiotherapy, either pre-operatively affecting the recipient vessels or post-operatively affecting the transferred jejunal segment, has not been found to affect adversely the outcome of the reconstructive procedure.

The relationship of head and neck irradiation to the subsequent development of thyroid neoplasms.

Individuals who have received head and neck radiation for benign conditions have a markedly increased risk of developing thyroid, salivary, and perhaps breast cancer as compared to the general population. Although the relative risk is very high, the absolute risk that any one individual who has had head or neck irradiation will develop a subsequent malignancy is low. Identification of these patients through some type of screening procedure may be beneficial in terms of prevention of subsequent morbidity and perhaps mortality from cancer, especially thyroid and salivary cancer. The risks of any detection or prophylaxis program must be carefully weighed against the probable, but unproved benefits of early detection. A major unresolved question is the natural history of microscopic thyroid carcinoma in the 25 yr-40 yr old radiation exposed population.