A Randomized Control Trial to Assess Intraoperative and Postoperative Outcomes of Colorado Microdissection Needle Versus Conventional Surgical Knife in Neck Dissection.

AIM: We designed a prospective randomized study to assess the outcome of Colorado microdissection needle in comparison with conventional surgical blade for performing neck dissections. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty patients who underwent neck dissection for oral cancers were randomly allocated into two groups. The outcome measurements were in terms of cosmetic outcome of neck scar, intraoperative blood loss, over all operative time, and postoperative neck drain assessment. RESULTS: The use of microdissection needle in performing skin incision and neck dissection eliminates the need for local anesthetic with vasoconstrictor along with significant reduction in intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage and with acceptable cosmetic outcome. No significant difference was seen in perioperative and postoperative complications between both groups.

Jugular Lymphadenitis as a Precursor to Burkholderia Pseudomallei Sepsis.

Melioidosis is caused by the gram-negative environmental saprophyte, Burkholderia pseudomallei (B. pseudomallei). Common presentations include pneumonia, bone and joint disease, renal and soft tissue infections. However, head and neck involvement is rare. We report a jugular lymphnode abscess associated with facial percutaneous inoculation of B. pseudomallei. Hospital course was complicated by endocarditis, septic arthritis and pyelonephritis. Surgical drainage and intensive and eradicative phase of antibiotics successfully cured the disease.