Rhabdomyolysis in head and neck surgery.

OBJECTIVES: Rhabdomyolysis is increasingly recognized as a cause of acute renal failure. Although it is often the result of extensive trauma, rhabdomyolysis may also appear as a rare and serious complication during the postoperative period. Postoperative rhabdomyolysis is a rare but serious complication. Early diagnosis of postoperative rhabdomyolysis is based on laboratory tests and clinical examination. Renal hyperperfusion with hydration and diuretics may prevent a nephrotoxic reaction. We describe two recent cases in patients undergoing head and neck surgery. METHODOLOGY: Between 2007 and 2010, 22 patients with advanced pharyngo laryngeal cancer were treated. Patients records were retrospectively analyzed for preoperative, operative, postoperative, and convalescence data. Demographics, co-morbidities, duration of operation, and postoperative creatine kinase (CK) levels were evaluated. RESULTS: All patients (n = 20 men; n = 2 women) underwent (pharyngo)laryngectomy to treat advanced (stage T4) head and neck tumors. The mean surgical procedure time among these patients was 6.4 h. (range 5.0 to 7.5 h.). The mean peak serum CK was 1725 U/L (range 456 to 3745 U/L). The mean rise of CK level was 268 U/L, in affected patients ranged from 2636 to 3745 U/L. Rhabdomyolysis occurred in two patients, presenting as excessive, immediate postoperative muscular pain in the "downside" hip/flank. These two patients experienced acute renal failure with an average peak CK of 2700 U/L. Bicarbonate alkalinization and diuretic administration were initiated at a mean of 24 h. (range, 4 to 48 h.). One patient required hemodialysis for 1 month postoperatively, but had stable serum within 2 months. Patients did not experience extended recovery. CONCLUSION: Early recognition and aggressive treatment with intravenous fluids and diuresis may prevent the development of acute renal failure due to rhabdomyolysis. Rhabdomyolysis causing acute renal failure is a rare but serious postoperative complication. Adequate prevention in high-risk patients, early diagnosis and, aggressive treatment are the keys to a successful recovery.

The role of thyroidectomy in advanced laryngeal and pharyngolaryngeal carcinoma.

Total thyroidectomy or hemithyroidectomy together with a total laryngectomy (TL) or pharyngo laryngectomy (TPL) for (pharyngo) laryngeal cancer often renders the patient hypothyroid and commits them to life-long thyroid hormone replacement. To determine the incidence of thyroid gland invasion (TG) in patients undergoing TL or TPL with total thyroidectomy (TThy) or lobectomy (HThy) for advanced laryngeal or hypo pharyngeal cancer and to assess predicative factors. Retrospective analysis of 35 patients from 2007 to 2010. Specimens were examined to determine the incidence of TG invasion and relevant predicative factors such as histological grade and subglottic extension. Pre-operative imaging was reviewed to assess for radiological evidence of TG invasion. TL and TThy was performed in 13 patients. TL and HThy was performed in four patients and TPL and TThy was performed in 18 patients. Surgery was performed for primary and recurrent cancer in 29 and six patients, respectively. Histological evidence of invasion of the TG was found in three patients. Relationship was found between TG invasion and subsite of primary carcinoma and the presence of subglottic extension. No relationship was found between TG invasion and patient's sex, stage of primary disease at surgery, degree of differentiation. In addition, no significant relationship was found between the presence of TG invasion and recurrent disease. Invasion of the TG in patients undergoing a TL or TPL is a rare event and limits the need for a TTHy in most cases.

Use of gracilis muscle free flap for reconstruction of chronic osteomyelitis of foot and ankle.

Despite low donor-site morbidity and a straightforward dissection, the gracilis muscle flap is still for many surgeons a second choice in microsurgical reconstruction of the lower extremity in cases of osteomyelitis. They underscore the difficulty of the procedure, and the problems of insufficient muscle volume and a small sized vascular pedicle. The aim of this study was to assess the reliability of the gracilis muscle free flap in the treatment of osteomyelitis of the foot and ankle. Between 1992 and 1999, 12 consecutive cases (age 9 to 71 years) of osteomyelitis of the foot and ankle were treated using a skin-grafted gracilis free muscle flap. Criteria for osteomyelitis were the presence of exposed bone, positive cultures and bone scans. The wound defect surface ranged from 9 to 90 cm2 (mean 50.5 cm2). Six flaps were applied on the weight bearing area of the foot. Flap harvesting time never exceeded 30 minutes. The mean follow-up is 15 months (range 2 to 60 months). All flaps survived completely. Secondary skin grafts were needed in two cases. One hematoma was noted at the flap donor site. Two patients (18%) had persistent osteomyelitis due to insufficient debridement in the presence of what appeared to be extensive bone involvement. Attempt to salvage the extremity was first performed but ultimately led to amputation. No patients complained of any donor site morbidity. Failure to cure the osteomyelitis was never caused by inadequate flap coverage. Gracilis muscle flap reliability in terms of vascular supply and ease of dissection made it our first choice in osteomyelitis of the foot and ankle. In the presence of extensive bone involvement, complex bone reconstruction is necessary to avoid amputation.

Coping strategies used by adolescents in dealing with family relocation overseas.

This study investigated: (a) the types of coping strategies adolescents commonly employ in response to family relocation overseas; and (b) whether sex, age, self-concept, behavioral adjustment, and previous history of moves affect the types of strategies used by these sojourners. For this purpose, we selected a widely used model of coping which distinguishes between approach and avoidance strategies and a sample of teenagers whose families had recently relocated in Belgium. Four assessment instruments were utilized: the Background Information Data Sheet, the Stress Response Scale, the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale, and the Coping Responses Inventory--Youth Form. Results indicated that adolescent sojourners selected both approach and avoidance strategies to cope with family relocation overseas. Correlational analyses further showed that females and older teenagers tended to rely significantly more on approach strategies than on avoidance strategies. Self-concept and behavioral adjustment were also found to be related to the type coping strategies employed, while the history of previous relocation was not.