The Global Experience of Laryngeal Transplantation: Series of Eleven Patients in Three Continents.

BACKGROUND: The loss of laryngeal function affects breathing, swallowing, and voice, thus severely compromises quality of life. Laryngeal transplantation has long been suggested as a solution for selected highly affected patients with complete laryngeal function loss. OBJECTIVE: To obtain insights regarding the advantages, weaknesses, and limitations of this procedure and facilitate future advances, we collected uniform data from all known laryngeal transplants reported internationally. METHODOLOGY: A case series. Patients were enrolled retrospectively by each institutional hospital or clinic. Eleven patients with complete loss of laryngeal function undergoing total laryngeal transplantation between 1998 and 2018 were recruited. RESULTS: After a minimum of 24 months follow-up, three patients had died (27%), and there were two graft explants in survivors, one total and one partial, due to chronic rejection. In the remaining cases, voice was functional in 62.5% and 50% achieved decannulation. Swallowing was initially restricted, but only one patient was gastrostomy-dependent by 6 months and all had normal or near-normal swallowing by the end of year two after transplantation. Median follow-up was 73 months. Functional (voice, swallowing, airway) recovery peaked between 12 and 24 months. CONCLUSIONS: Laryngeal transplantation is a complex procedure with significant morbidity. Significant improvements in quality of life are possible for highly selected individuals with end-stage laryngeal disorders, including laryngeal neoplasia, but further technical and pharmacological developments are required if the technique is to be more widely applicable. An international registry should be created to provide better quality pooled data for analysis of outcomes of any future laryngeal transplants. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV Laryngoscope, 2024.

Concentration of High-Cost Head and Neck Cancer Surgical Patients.

OBJECTIVE: Health care costs are disproportionately concentrated among a small number of patients. We sought to identify variables associated with high-cost patients and high hospital concentration of high-cost patients and to examine associations with short-term outcomes in head and neck cancer (HNCA) surgery. STUDY DESIGN: The Nationwide Inpatient Sample was used to identify 170,577 patients who underwent HNCA surgery in 2001-2011. High-cost patients were defined as patients whose costs of care were in the top decile, and high-concentration hospitals were defined as those whose percentage of high-cost patients was in the top decile. METHODS: Multivariable regression was used to evaluate associations between cost and patient and hospital variables, postoperative complications, and in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: Costs associated with high-cost patients were 4.47-fold greater than the remaining 90% of patients. High-concentration hospitals treated 36% of all high-cost patients. High-cost patients were more likely to be non-white (OR = 2.08 [1.45-2.97]), have oral cavity cancer (OR = 1.21 [1.05-1.39]), advanced comorbidity (OR = 1.53 [1.31-1.77]), Medicaid (OR = 1.93 [1.62-2.31]) or self-pay payor status (OR = 1.72 [1.38-2.14]), income>50th percentile (OR = 1.25 [1.05-1.51]), undergo major procedures (OR = 3.52 [3.07-4.05]) and have non-routine discharge (OR = 7.50 [6.01-9.35]). High-concentration hospitals were more likely to be teaching hospitals (OR = 3.14 [1.64-6.05]) and less likely to be urban (OR = 0.20 [0.04-0.93]). After controlling for all other variables, high-cost patients were associated with an increased odds of mortality (OR = 8.00 [5.89-10.85]) and postoperative complications (OR = 5.88 [5.18-6.68]). High-concentration hospitals were associated with an increased odds of postoperative complications (OR = 1.31 [1.08-1.61]) but were not associated with increased mortality (OR = 0.98 [0.67-1.44]). CONCLUSIONS: High-cost HNCA surgical patients are associated with increased postoperative morbidity and mortality, and are disproportionately concentrated at teaching hospitals. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 2024.

Improved survival of locoregional-advanced larynx and hypopharynx cancer patients treated according to the DeLOS-II protocol.

Introduction: Larynx organ preservation (LOP) in locoregional-advanced laryngeal and hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LA-LHSCC) being only R0-resectable (clear margins > 5 mm) by total laryngectomy (TL) is desirable. Based on tumor-specific survival (TSS) and overall survival (OS) data from the RTOG 91-11 trial and meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials (RCTs), cisplatin-based concurrent radiochemotherapy (CRT) is discussed being superior to cisplatin-based induction chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy (IC+RT) and TL followed by postoperative RT (TL+PORT) or radiochemotherapy (TL+PORCT). Outside of RCTs, T4 LHSCC treated with TL+PORCT demonstrated improved OS and TSS compared to CRT alone; comparisons with docetaxel plus cisplatin (TP)-based IC+RT are unpublished. Head-to-head comparisons in RCTs of these four alternatives are missing. Materials and methods: We utilized monocentric registry data to compare the outcome in the LOP trial DeLOS-II (NCT00508664) and propensity score (PS)-matched LHSCC patients. DeLOS-II utilized endoscopic tumor staging after one cycle of TP-based IC for selecting TL+R(C)T for non-responders versus IC+RT for responders. Main risk factors for survival (localization hypopharynx, T4, N+, tobacco smoking >30 pack years, alcohol consumption >60 g/day, age, sex) were used to calculate the individual PS for each DeLOS-II patient and 330 LHSCC patients suitable for DeLOS-II according to eligibility criteria in Leipzig by CRT (78), TL+PORT (148), and TL+PORCT (104). We performed PS matching with caliper width 0.2. Results: The 52 DeLOS-II patients (whole intent-to-treat cohort) and three PS-matched cohorts (52 LHSCC patients each) had equal distribution regarding risk factors including Charlson comorbidity score (CS; all p > 0.05) but differed in outcome. During 12,498.6 months of follow-up, 162 deaths (36/41/43/42 in DeLOS-II/TL+PORCT/TL+PORT/CRT, p = 0.356) occurred; DeLOS-II patients had superior OS and TSS. Compared to DeLOS-II, the HR (95% CI) observed in TL+PORCT, TL+PORT, and CRT for OS and TSS were 1.49 (0.92-2.43), 1.49 (1.15-3.18), and 1.81 (1.11-2.96) for OS; and 2.07 (0.944-4.58), 3.02 (1.32-6.89), and 3.40 (1.58-7.31) for TSS. Conclusion: In addition potential LOP, LA-LHSCC suitable for LOP according the DeLOS-II protocol may achieve improved survival.

Management Options for Bilateral Vocal Fold Impairment: Scoping Review to Assess the Potential of Soft Robotics Solutions.

OBJECTIVES: This scoping review aims to comprehensively assess current surgical interventions for bilateral vocal fold paralysis (BVFP), addressing the heterogeneity in treatment outcomes. Additionally, it explores the potential role of soft robotics as an innovative approach to improve outcomes in BVFP management. METHODS: This scoping review systematically examines literature from MEDLINE, Embase, and Scopus databases. Inclusion criteria encompass studies related to BVFP management with measurable subjective or objective outcomes. Studies with populations solely under the age of 18 were excluded. Four reviewers independently screened 2263 studies, resulting in the selection of 125 papers for data extraction. Information included study characteristics, interventions, and outcomes. Data synthesis involved both quantitative and qualitative analyses. RESULTS: The review identified 145 surgical interventions grouped into seven types: tracheostomy, cordectomy, arytenoidectomy, lateralization, combined procedures and others. Outcome measures fit into the following categories: "objective voice," "subjective voice," "aerodynamics," "dyspnea," "decannulation," "swallow," and "quality of life." Positive outcomes were predominant across all interventions, with arytenoidectomy and cordectomy showing relatively lower rates of successful objective and subjective voice outcomes. This could be the result of prioritizing improved airway status. Soft robotics is hypothesized as a potential solution to the limitation of current interventions sacrificing voice for breathing. CONCLUSIONS: The main aim of current surgical interventions for BVFP is expanding glottic aperture. Yet achieving optimal outcomes remains elusive due to complex airflow dynamics and potential impacts on phonatory function and swallowing. The current review underscores the need for a more nuanced, personalized approach, considering individual anatomical and physiological variations. Soft robotics emerges as a promising avenue to address this variability. However, challenges such as implantation procedures, long-term care, and patient education require careful consideration. Collaboration between medical professionals, engineers, and robotics specialists is essential for translating these principles into practical solutions.

Intra-operative lymphatic mapping and sentinel node biopsy in laryngeal carcinoma using radiotracer injection.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the value of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) in the laryngeal SCC, using intra-operative peri-tumoral injection of Tc-99m-phytate. METHODS: Patients with biopsy-proven squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx were included. On the day of surgery, after anesthesia induction, suspension laryngoscopy was performed to inject 74 MBq/0.4 ml Tc-99m-phytate in four aliquots into the sub-mucosal peri-tumoral location. After a 10-min wait, a portable gamma probe was used to locate sentinel nodes. Subsequently, all patients underwent laryngectomy and neck dissection. Both sentinel nodes and non-sentinel nodes were examined using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients with a diagnosis of laryngeal carcinoma were included in the study. The SLN detection rate was 65.4%, with a 100% detection rate in the supraglottic region and a 52.6% detection rate for glottis/transglottic patients. Permanent pathology results showed lymph node involvement in four patients, but only one patient had a negative result in the SLNB, resulting in an overall false negative rate of 25%. The sensitivity of the SLN technique was 75% overall, 100% in the supraglottic region, and 67% in the glottis/transglottic region. CONCLUSION: The accuracy and feasibility of SLNB may be related to the location of the tumors in the larynx. For supraglottic tumors, the technique seems to be feasible with a low false negative rate. For glottis/transglottic tumors, both the detection rate and false negative rate seem to be suboptimal. Further studies are needed to validate our results.

Ewing Sarcoma of the Larynx with Thyroid Cartilage Destruction: A Case Report.

Ewing sarcoma of the larynx is extremely rare, only a few number of cases have been reported. In this report, we describe a case of extraskeletal Ewing sarcoma of the larynx with thyroid cartilage destruction. Laryngoscope, 2024.

Yearling laryngeal function in Thoroughbreds that underwent a laryngoplasty differs from controls.

BACKGROUND: Yearling laryngeal function (YLF) is frequently assessed at the time of sale and the outcomes of these assessments can have significant economic implications. The YLF of horses that subsequently underwent a prosthetic laryngoplasty (PL) is unknown. OBJECTIVES: We hypothesised horses with YLF ≥grade II.2 would be at increased risk of requiring PL, compared with YLF

The vertical topography of the carotid bifurcation - original study and review.

PURPOSE: The vertical level of carotid bifurcation (CB) is commonly indicated at the superior margin of the thyroid cartilage. Few studies observed the CB vertical topography. It was aimed at studying the vertical location of the CB as referred to vertebral and anterior cervical landmarks. METHODS: An archived lot of 147 computed tomography angiograms was documented for the vertical level of CB referred to vertebral and anterior cervical landmarks. The topography of the CB in relation to anterior landmarks was classified into seven types: (1) at the superior margin of the thyroid cartilage; (2) between the hyoid and the thyroid cartilage; (3) at the hyoid level; (4) between the hyoid and mandible; (5) subgonial or supragonial CB; (6) lower cervical level; (7) intrathoracic. RESULTS: The most common locations of CB were at C3 (27.21%), C3/C4 (26.19%) and C4 (25.51%). Bilateral symmetry of CB was found in 51.7%, except for C2 and C5/C6. Type 7 was not found, type 3 occurred in 39.12%, type 2 in 24.49%, type 1 in 13.95%, type 4 in 13.61%, type 5 in 6.12%, and type 6 in 2.72% (294 CBs). Bilateral symmetry of anterior types was found in 59.86%. Statistically significant correlations were found between sex and both left and right types and vertebral levels of CB. CONCLUSIONS: The vertical topography of the CB is highly variable and has sex-related specificity. This detail should be included in the teaching of anatomy. Surgeons and interventionists should better document the carotid anatomy on a case-by-case basis.

A Chaotic Approach to Glottal Gap Voice.

OBJECTIVE: Airway glottic insufficiency, or glottal gap, may lead to a breathy voice quality. It is hypothesized that a glottal gap may be a source of nonlinearity in speech production. This study aims to gain a chaotic and acoustic profile of glottal gap voice provided by phonation of excised larynges subjected to the insertion of a metal shim in the posterior glottis. STUDY DESIGN: Nonrandomized quasi-experimental study. METHODS: Posterior glottal gap varied from 0 to 3.5 mm in 0.5 mm intervals. Each treatment was investigated independently in a sample population of eight excised canine larynges. Phonation of the larynges for each treatment was recorded and analyzed for the cepstral peak prominence (CPP), harmonics-to-noise ratio (HNR), and correlation dimension. RESULTS: Kruskal-Wallis rank-sum tests yielded significant differences across shim groups for all parameters. Dunn-Bonferroni post-hoc tests revealed that the control group differed significantly from the 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, and 3.5 mm groups for all metrics. Moreover, Kendall correlation tests indicated a moderately positive correlation between glottal gap size and correlation dimension, a moderately negative correlation between glottal gap size and CPP and between glottal gap size and the HNR. CONCLUSIONS: Glottic insufficiency provides a source of nonlinearity in phonation. Nonlinear dynamic analysis provides quantitative insight into glottal gap voice. This study encourages future studies to further evaluate the relationship between glottal gap and correlation dimension.

Human Papillomavirus Infection of the Oropharyngeal and Laryngeal Squamous Papilloma: Disparities in Prevalence and Characteristics.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection has emerged as an etiologic factor of squamous papilloma (SP). The oropharynx and larynx are common sites of SP, but studies on the prevalence of HPV infection in these sites are lacking. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the prevalence and characteristics of HPV infection in oropharyngeal SP (OPSP) and laryngeal SP (LSP). HPV detection and genotyping data of patients with pathologically confirmed OPSP and LSP were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 119 patients were enrolled, consisting of 93 patients with OPSP and 26 patients with LSP. Of those patients, 13 patients with OPSP and 14 patients with LSP were positive for HPV infection, accounting for a prevalence of 14.0% and 53.8%, respectively (p < 0.001). The most prevalent genotype was HPV16 in OPSP and HPV6 in LSP. Over two-thirds (69.2%) of HPV(+)-OPSP infections were high-risk types compared with 14.3% of HPV(+)-LSP infections (p = 0.004). The prevalence of HPV infection in patients with OPSP and LSP demonstrated no differences in terms of age, sex, and smoking status. These results could provide a better understanding of HPV infection in OPSP and LSP and serve as a background for the epidemiology of HPV-related tumorigenesis of the oropharynx and larynx.

Gossypiboma larynx: a rare cause of post-tracheostomy stridor-case report and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Gossypiboma, a retained surgical sponge with a foreign body reaction, is an unusual but serious complication seen in open abdominal surgeries. It is exceptionally rare following head and neck surgeries. Here, we present a case of Gossypiboma of the upper airway following tracheostomy. CASE PRESENTATION: A 32-year-old male presented with stridor and difficulty breathing one-month post-tracheostomy after a severe head injury following a road traffic accident. A neck radiograph was unremarkable, and a computed tomography (CT) scan of the neck showed a well-defined homogenous curvilinear membrane extending from the hypopharynx to the upper trachea. Bronchoscopic evaluation of the larynx and upper trachea revealed a retained surgical sponge, which was retrieved. The patient's breathing improved drastically post intervention. CONCLUSION: Gossypiboma may go undetected in radiographs and may also present atypically as a homogenous membrane on a CT scan of the neck. Though rare, retained surgical items can have profound medicolegal and professional consequences on physicians. Hence, a strong clinical suspicion and vigilance for gossypiboma is necessary for patients presenting with respiratory distress post-tracheostomy.

Laryngeal chondromas: Current knowledge and future directions.

Objective: Cartilaginous tumors of the larynx are rare, representing less than 1% of all laryngeal tumors. Chondromas are benign mesenchymal tumors characterized by a slow-paced growth, primarily originated in the cricoid cartilage, followed by the thyroid, arytenoid, and epiglottic cartilages. This scoping review aims to understand the extent of evidence on the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, morbidity, and recurrence of the laryngeal chondroma (LC). Data sources: MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase (Elsevier), Web of Science (Clarivate), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Systematic Reviews, Lilacs, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. Review methods: The scoping review was conducted from 1816 to 2023, for observational studies describing LC. Titles and abstracts were screened for relevance, followed by an evaluation of the full text for eligibility. The data were collected from the qualifying articles, and a narrative summary of the outcomes was prepared. Results: One hundred and nineteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Ninety-four case reports, 22 case series, and 3 cohorts. Two hundred and four participants with a diagnosis of LC were described. Male:female ratio was 2.8:1. The most common localization was the cricoid (113; 47.08%), followed by the thyroid (45; 18.75%), and the arytenoid cartilage (27; 11.25%). Dyspnea (78.85%) and hoarseness (74.28%) were the most reported symptoms. The recurrence rate was 11.25%, and complications were uncommon following the resection. Conclusion: This scoping review found a low-frequency rate over all the cartilaginous laryngeal tumors. Most patients were treated with resection, with a low rate of malignancy conversion. This population has low attributable mortality, morbidity, and recurrence according to the current literature.

Predictive factors of frozen section in transoral microlaryngeal surgery for suspicious glottic lesions.

OBJECTIVE: Frozen biopsy may guide surgical intraoperative decisions. We evaluated the accuracy of frozen biopsy for diagnosing benign, dysplastic and malignant laryngeal lesions, compared to paraffin section (gold standard). METHODS: Retrospective review of the charts of all patients presenting with laryngeal lesions suspicious of malignancy, who underwent laryngeal microsurgery with frozen biopsy in our institution, between 2015 and 2020. Results of frozen biopsy and paraffin section examinations were compared. RESULTS: Among 113 samples of 89 patients, paraffin section diagnosed 23 benign, 31 dysplastic and 59 malignant lesions. The accuracy of the frozen biopsy in identifying dysplasia or malignancy was 80.5% (91/113), and greater for lesions >5 mm (78.8% × 51.5%; p = 0.009). The positive and negative predictive values, sensitivity and specificity were 95.9%, 51.3%, 78.9% and 86.9%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Frozen section is a reliable tool when malignancy is detected, but almost half of benign results exhibit dysplasia or malignancy in paraffin section. Other clinical parameters should be considered in intraoperative decisions to prevent undertreatment.

Growth and development of epiglottis and preepiglottic space of larynx as it acquires vocal tract.

Objectives: The growth and development of the epiglottis and preepiglottic space (PES) of the human larynx as it acquires the vocal tract were investigated. Methods: Three newborns, one infant, four children (2, 7, 8, and 12 years old), and two adult normal larynges were investigated and compared using the whole organ serial section technique. Results: The newborn PES occupied a small area just anterior to the epiglottis. It was composed of immature adipose tissue and areolar tissue. The epiglottis lay on a somewhat horizontal axis and is partially obscured behind the hyoid bone. The hyoid bone overlapped the thyroid cartilage, partially obscuring the superior thyroid notch. The newborn epiglottic cartilage was immature elastic cartilage, and the elastic fiber component was sparse. In the first 8 years of life, as the PES grew, the PES was located not only anterior to but also posterolateral and inferolateral to the epiglottic cartilage and thyroepiglottic ligament. Meanwhile, the epiglottic cartilage matured. Conclusions: In order to develop the vocal tract for speech production, it is reported that the human larynx descends as the child grows in the first 9 years of life. This study showed that the PES, occupying a small area just anterior to the epiglottis, grew and existed astride the epiglottis as the larynx descended and the vocal tract developed. Consequently, its distribution allows the epiglottis to more effectively play the role of retroflection during swallowing in order to prevent aspiration. The human speech faculty likely develops in conjunction with swallowing physiology.

The role and impact of voice physiotherapy: A qualitative study of service user perspectives.

BACKGROUND: Physiotherapy has the potential to benefit people with voice and throat problems in conjunction with existing services. PURPOSE: This study aims to explore the impact and role of physiotherapy in voice and throat care, from the perspective of people who have accessed such care. Gaining a better understanding of how physiotherapy contributes to care has the potential to improve services. METHODS: An interpretive description design was used to explore participants perspectives of the impact and role of physiotherapy through individual semi-structured interviews with people who had accessed physiotherapy for voice or throat care through a single private practice. Transcripts were analyzed with a general inductive approach suitable for qualitative evaluation data. Data were analyzed from six interviews and four main themes emerged, with each theme further characterized by categories. RESULTS: Two themes related to the impact of physiotherapy in voice and throat care: Offers a deeper understanding of issues affecting their voice/throat; facilitates individualized specific management. Two themes related to the role of physiotherapy in voice and throat care: Complements existing services; Valuable service. Each theme is further illustrated by categories. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that physiotherapy for voice and throat problems can complement existing services while adding value, providing people with a deeper understanding of their problem and facilitating specific management. There is great potential for physiotherapy to benefit voice users. Future research should further evaluate the potential to include physiotherapy in the voice care team and consider how best to capture the broad impacts illustrated.

Use of Cervical Fascia to Prevent Pharyngocutaneus Fistula After Total Laryngectomy.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) between patients who underwent reconstruction using cervical fascia after total laryngectomy and those who did not and to investigate the factors affecting PCF rates. METHODS: We retrospectively compared 22 patients operated between February 2021 and March 2023 who received cervical fascia flap as the study group and 21 patients operated between January 2018 and March 2023 who did not receive fascia flap as the control group. The study included patients who underwent total laryngectomy for Stage 3 and 4 squamous cell laryngeal cancer. RESULTS: We included 43 patients, with 22 (51.2%) and 21 patients (48.8%) in the study and control groups, respectively. The age and sex were not different between the two groups (p = 0.471, p = 0.176, respectively). The distribution of patients as per sex, smoking, alcohol use, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and multiple comorbidities was similar in both groups (p > 0.05). PCF was observed in one patient (4.5%) and seven patients (33.3%) in the study and control groups, respectively. The PCF rate was significantly lower in the study group (p = 0.021). When the relationship between flap use and risk factors was compared by correlation analysis, a moderate negative relationship was found between flap use and PCF (p = 0.015, r = -0.370). CONCLUSION: The use of a cervical fascia flap is effective in reducing fistula rates after total laryngectomy. Its main advantages include being technically simpler than alternative techniques, locally available, cost-effective. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3 Laryngoscope, 2024.

One hundred fifty years of total laryngectomies.

The inaugural total laryngectomy in history was conducted by Billroth in 1873. Nevertheless, significant enhancements to the technique were achieved through the contributions of Gluck, Sorensen, and various other surgeons. Throughout the twentieth century, advancements in anesthesia, infectious disease, hospital hygiene, antibiotic therapy, resuscitation, and the expertise of numerous laryngologists elevated total laryngectomy to a pivotal surgical intervention in head and neck surgery. The latter half of the twentieth century witnessed a paradigm shift with the emergence of organ preservation protocols. Total laryngectomy became the preferred choice for patients experiencing radiotherapy failure. However, the widespread use of laryngeal conservative treatments appears to be correlated with a decline in overall survival rates in the United States and Europe. The evolution of new minimally invasive surgical approaches in the twenty-first century may usher in a revolutionary era in the management of laryngeal carcinoma, offering the potential for improved survival and functional outcomes.

Spindle Cell Lipoma and Pleomorphic Lipoma in the Head and Neck: A Comprehensive Study of Six Cases With Review of Literature.

BACKGROUND: Spindle cell lipomas (SL) and pleomorphic lipomas (PL) are rare variants of lipomas, occurring predominantly in the head and neck region. Laryngeal SL/PL is very uncommon and causes obstructive symptoms needing immediate intervention. These tumors are often challenging in radiology due to the admixture of elements and the presence of adipose tissue may help in diagnosis. From a surgeon's perspective, understanding the nuances of SL/PL is paramount. Histology is the gold standard for diagnosis; however, it often causes diagnostic challenges in biopsy.  Method: A retrospective review of the clinical and pathologic features of archival cases of SL/PL was performed. RESULTS: A total of six cases of head and neck region SL/PL were identified. The age of patients ranged from 21 to 58 years and the male-to-female ratio was 5:1. The tumors were distributed in the nape of the neck (n=3), laryngeal region (n=2), and orbit (n=1). Histology in all the cases showed a low-grade neoplasm composed of a variable amount of spindle cells and adipose tissue. The stroma was myxoid in most cases. CD34 was diffusely positive in all the cases. CONCLUSION: SLs are a rare and uncommon variant of lipoma with a predilection in the head and neck region. They are low-grade neoplasms with a propensity to recur after years. Having knowledge of this tumor can improve surgical outcomes and better patient care.

Primary tracheoesophageal puncture in stapler-assisted laryngeal closure: a surgical modification.

With the advancements in the medical field, many innovations in medical devices have happened. Using a surgical stapler to close the laryngectomy defect without opening the pharynx is particularly advantageous in a total laryngectomy (TL). However, performing the tracheoesophageal puncture (TEP) during stapler closure of the larynx has not been widely advocated, due to the fear of complications related to the procedure.We treated two male patients with advanced glottic malignancy who underwent a TL. To restore their ability to speak, we performed a primary TEP and immediate voice prosthesis placement. After the TEP, we closed the larynx using a stapler. The surgical technique used in this procedure has been thoroughly explained.The use of a surgical stapler for pharyngeal closure during a TL has several advantages, particularly with regard to the duration of surgery. The current techniques appear to be promising in reducing TEP-related complications during stapler-assisted laryngeal closure.

[Epidemiological features papillomatosis of the larynx in adults: a literature review]. / Epidemiologicheskie osobennosti papillomatoza gortani u vzroslykh (obzor literatury).

The literature review presents current data on the epidemiology, drug, and surgical treatment of laryngeal papillomatosis in adults. Possible prospects for further study of the prevalence and incidence of the disease and provoking factors of recurrence of the disease for the development of possible preventive measures are considered.