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The medical records of 125 patients benign parotid neoplasms surgically treated over a 24-year period were retrospectively reviewed; 128 tumors were excised. These included 90 pleomorphic adenomas, 33 Warthin's tumors, 3 benign lymphoepitheliomas, and 2 oncocytomas. The surgical procedures consisted of 2 local excisions, 6 enucleations, 88 superficial parotidectomies, 13 subtotal parotidectomies, and 3 radical parotidectomies. The morbidity rate was 49%. There was one total permanent facial nerve paralysis (0.7%), four (3%) partial permanent facial nerve paralysis, five (5%) transient total facial nerve paralysis, and 32 (25%) partial transient facial nerve paralysis. After a median follow-up of 84 months, there was one recurrence (0.7%). A superficial parotidectomy is the minimum procedure that should be performed for the treatment of a benign parotid neoplasm.

Sixty-nine patients were entered in a randomized study to determine the usefulness and practicality of parenteral hyperalimentation (TPN) in preparing and supporting patients with head and neck cancer undergoing radical resections. The patients were stratified by nutritional status and prognosis and randomization were done within each strata to TPN or control. Minimum full TPN was given at 35 calories/kgm/day for at least 14 days postoperatively. Eight patients received preoperative TPN also. Control patients received customary enteral alimentation by feeding tubes. Under the conditions of this particular study, the administration schedules, and type of solutions used, we were unable to demonstrate any superiority of TPN over conventional enteral nutrition in terms of immune parameters, wound healing, complications, and survival.

This is a retrospective study done in 89 patients who were treated for stage I lingual carcinoma, to determine the local control and 5-year salvage rate and the site and frequency of recurrences with salvage rate with a second modality.

A 25-year retrospective study of 143 early (T1 and T2 N0) glottic cancer, patients was done to determine the recurrence rate following initial radiation therapy, the surgical salvage rate, and incidence of cervical lymph node metastases. Radiation therapy gave a 5-year cure rate of 78% for stage I and 57% for stage II. Total laryngectomy for recurrent squamous cell carcinoma had a 5-year salvage rate of 66% for stage I and 61% for stage II recurrent tumors. The overall 5-year cure rate with initial and second therapy for stage I and stage II glottic cancers was 93% and 83%, respectively.

A segmental anterior mandibulectomy causes severe functional disability and cosmetic problems. Many methods of reconstruction have been used but none of these procedures provides the ideal solution. There has been increasing interest in the possibility of preserving a portion of the anterior mandibular arch and still carrying out an adequate surgical excision to control the primary tumor. Over a 15-year period, 251 patients with cancer of the floor of mouth were seen and treated at Roswell Park Memorial Institute. Of this group, 34 patients underwent a marginal mandibular resection as part of their curative surgical treatment. The complication rate was acceptable and the 5-year determinate survival rate was 84%. The local control rate was excellent with only one patient developing an intraoral recurrence which was successfully treated with radiation. It is felt that these data support the theory that conservative mandibular surgery can be carried out in selected cases without jeopardizing the concept of a good cancer operation.

During a 20-year period, 77 patients who underwent ligation of the common or internal carotid artery were analyzed for the site, side of hemorrhage and/or ligation, with incidence of rebleed, previous treatment (surgery and/or radiation therapy), the type of incision utilized for resection, the incidence of preoperative and intraoperative hypotension and hemiplegia. The immediate mortality and subsequent follow-up of the patients were also noted.

A case report is presented in which myxedema coma and inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion developed as a result of radiation therapy and surgery to the neck area in a patient with recurrent metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the floor of the mouth. Laboratory findings of low thyroxine level and the findings of persistent hyponatremia and hypoosmolality of serum in spite of persistent sodium loss in the urine were helpful in diagnosing the problem. Treatment included thyroid hormone replacement and fluid restriction resulting in complete reversal of her condition. We believe that patients with head and neck cancer who have undergone a course of radiation to the neck, and particularly when thyroid function might have been altered by previous subtotal thyroidectomy as part of a curative resection, should be carefully followed with periodic thyroid function assays and serum electrolytes with particular attention to serum sodium values.

Since February, 1977, 735 patients having a history of receiving radiation therapy for benign conditions of the head and neck areas during infancy and childhood were examined in a thyroid screening program, and 159 patients were found to have palpable thyroid nodules. These patients had thyroid function tests and indirect laryngoscopy and were followed closely on suppression therapy consisting of either Cytomel or thyroid extract. Thyroidectomy was advised in those in whom the nodules persisted or increased in size. This study documents the incidence of carcinoma and other benign pathological changes and postoperative complications in this group of patients. So far, 49 patients had either a lobectomy with isthmusectomy or a total thyroidectomy. Eleven patients were found to have carcinoma (six had papillary, four had mixed papillary and follicular, and one had follicular carcinoma). Three patients had a therapeutic modified neck dissection following the documentation of microscopic involvement of paratracheal lymph nodes. A high incidence of chronic nonspecific thyroiditis, postradiation fibrosis, and follicular adenomas were also found in these patients. Three patients had temporary hypocalcemia (two weeks) and none had wound infection, hematoma, or postoperative nerve palsy. Of patients who had surgical resection, 22.4% showed thyroid carcinoma.

During a period of 23 years, 57 patients who had an initial neck node biopsy elsewhere, with the diagnosis of metastatic squamous cell carcinoma established, underwent curative resection by our department after the site of head and neck primary was found. Ten patients free of disease died of other causes, leaving 47 patients who were eligible for at least 3 years of follow-up. Ninteen patients are alive after 3 or more years. The incidence of recurrence in the neck was 57% (27/47). The 3-year survival in this group of Stage III was 40% (19/47) and 5-year survival was 34% (16/47). Compared with historical data, it appears from the present study that a previous biopsy of a neck node did not adversely affect the incidence either of neck recurrence or survival when appropriate surgery is performed.

The nose is the most common site of skin cancer on the human body. This review was compiled to enumerate the many reconstructive techniques which are available and to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each technique. Five hundred twenty-one patients with nasal cancer were treated at Roswell Park Memorial Institute from 1964 to 1981. Four hundred five patients were treated by cryotherapy, electrocautery, chemosurgery, radiation therapy, or local excision with primary closure. Forty-six patients were treated with simple nasolabial flaps. The remaining 70 patients underwent more extensive resections and reconstructions. Their records were reviewed. At 5 years the local recurrence rate was 3% for basal cell carcinoma and 20% for squamous cell carcinoma. The multiple reconstructive techniques which were utilized in these patients are discussed. Skin-grafting procedures were used to manage 51% of the patients. Prostheses were used in 9%. Multiple different reconstructive flaps were used for the remaining 40% of the patients. The management of large nasal carcinomas must be individualized with therapeutic decisions being made by a practitioner who is familiar with the many reconstructive options. This will ensure the optimal functional and aesthetic result for each patient.