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Competing Interests: Die Autorinnen/Autoren geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht.

Tumor resection and trauma may leave devastating defects in the head and neck area complicating and preventing patient rehabilitation; therefore, plastic surgery methods are required which are able to prevent further complications and provide efficient functional and aesthetic reconstruction. In this review article typical cases and the interdisciplinary management of plastic surgery are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anterolateral thigh flap (ATL) has become a standard procedure in reconstructive microsurgery. In this study the results with the ALT for reconstruction in the head and neck area after tumor resection in 33 patients were retrospectively analyzed. Patients included 28 men and 5 women aged 47-70 years who suffered from intraoral and extraoral tumors. Satisfactory soft tissue coverage could be achieved in all patients and no flaps were lost. The ALT is a versatile free flap enabling reliable soft tissue reconstruction of complex defects in the head and neck region. Flap dissection and preparation of the recipient area can usually be performed simultaneously. Additional advantages include the long and strong caliber vascular pedicle, the low donor site morbidity and the different possibilities of tissue composition, making the ALT a workhorse flap in modern reconstructive microsurgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perioperative visual loss (POVL) after nonocular surgery is a rare but unexpected event and represents a devastating complication. It is most often associated with cardiac, spinal as well as head and neck surgery. The etiology of POVL remains incompletely understood. Any portion of the visual system may be involved, from the cornea to the occipital lobe. The most common site of permanent injury is, however, the optic nerve itself and ischemia is the most often presumed mechanism. Multiple factors have been proposed as risk factors for POVL, including long duration in the prone position, decreased ocular perfusion pressure, excessive blood loss and anemia, hypotension, hypoxia, excessive fluid replacement, elevated venous pressure, head positioning and a patient-specific vascular susceptibility which may be anatomic or physiologic. However, the risk factors for any given patient or procedure may vary. The underlying specific pathogenesis of these neuro-ophthalmic complications remains unknown and physicians should be alert to the potential for loss of vision in the postoperative period. This review updates readers on the incidence, suspected risk factors, diagnosis and treatment of POVL in the setting of nonocular surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reconstructive surgery is an important part of tumor surgery to the head and neck region. Large ablative tumor resections were already performed at the beginning of the 20th century, after it became possible to reduce intraoperative blood loss through improved surgical techniques or to compensate for it with transfusions. Another milestone was postoperative infection prophylaxis through the introduction of antibiotics. As one of the pioneers of radical tumor surgery, John Conley recognized the urgent need for reconstructive procedures. However, the beginnings were accompanied by postoperative functional impairments, which could only be improved with introduction of the deltopectoral and pectoralis major flaps. Another step was the introduction of microvascular grafts, which enabled better, situation-adapted reconstruction. Initially, however, the complication rates were rather high due to the inadequate technique of anastomosing small vessels as well as inadequate instruments. As a result, these methods were slow to gain acceptance. However, flap harvesting and microvascular anastomosis techniques continued to evolve, making microvascular tissue transplantation a reliable method that is now part of the standard repertoire of reconstructive surgery., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Objective: Atypical mycobacteria form a heterogeneous group. Although more than 140 species have been identified, only 25 of them are considered responsible for infection in humans. The most frequent manifestation of the disease in immunocompetent children is the cervical lymphadenitis. Aims of this study were to identify a correlation of the location of residence with patients' demographics and disease characteristics, to evaluate the ultrasonographic findings and the different operative treatments modalities and to develop an algorithm for the diagnosis and treatment., Materials and Methods: Cases were identified by using the hospital's correspondence, microbiology and pathology databases. Demographic and clinical data were collected. A statistical analysis of the results was performed., Results: 32 patients were included. Our data revealed no significant correlation between area of residence and disease characteristics. Hypoechoic lymph nodes with intraglandular necrosis and low vascularity were observed in the majority of patients. Surgical treatment included abscess incision with biopsy, lymphadenectomy, selective neck dissection and partial parotidectomy. A recurrent disease was significantly more frequent after abscess incision., Conclusions: Further studies with prospective design are required, in order to confidently identify the correlation between area of residence and disease characteristics. Similar ultrasonographic findings suggest a constant constellation of changes that facilitate diagnostic evaluation. Complete surgical excision offers an effective management option as it combines definitive treatment and histological confirmation with low risk of complications., Competing Interests: Die Autorinnen/Autoren geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

Objective: In vacuum wound therapy (VAC) a negative pressure can continuously clean effusions and enhance the formation of granulation tissue significantly. In visceral, trauma and burns surgery this technique is used frequently in critical wounds. In the head and neck area there is limited experience and publications. Especially in the combined use of split-thickness-skin grafts (STSG) and VAC there is no published evidence., Material and Methods: A retrospective database analysis was done and resulted in 36 single VAC therapies in 13 patients. They were treated between 2012 and 2017 in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology of the University Medical Center Ulm, Germany. A data analysis was performed relating to indications, diagnoses, comorbidities as well as the clinical course and outcome with special focus on STSG., Results: Besides classical indications as pharyngo-cutaneous fistulas and troublesome would healing after flap surgery, 7 cases of VAC use with split-thickness skin grafts were identified. The median treatment duration was 11 days, the VAC dressing was changed twice in average, the median negative pressure was 70 mmHg. Wound closure was successful in 13/13 cases, in 7/13 cases wound closure was achieved by split-thickness skin graft with synchronous VAC therapy, 4/13 cases showed healing by secondary intention, in 2/13 cases a local or distant flap was used., Conclusions: We first describe the successful use of VAC therapy in combination with STSG in the head and neck area. This was effective in radiated patients and in critically ill patients with sepsis and necrotizing fasciitis., Competing Interests: Die Autoren geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

Immediate intraoperative control via suitable imaging techniques is necessary to achieve the best possible surgical outcome. Intraoperative imaging increases patient safety, offers the surgeon direct support in challenging anatomic regions, and affords the possibility of direct correction with a reduced rate of corrective surgery. The procedures are based on cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), endoscopy, or navigation-assisted surgery. This article describes available intraoperative quality management modalities for fracture management and tumor treatment in the field of head and neck surgery.

Robot-assisted surgery (RAS) in the head and neck region is believed to have a large potential for the improvement of patient care. Several systems with a master-slave setup are already in routine clinical use, particularly for oncologic surgery. Although specific patient groups may benefit from RAS, there is a lack of randomized clinical studies validating the advantages of these new technological systems in comparison to the existing standard procedures. On the other hand, RAS in the head and neck region is being constantly developed. Currently, the main limitations are the technical miniaturization of the tools and the loss of haptic feedback, as well as the high costs for acquisition and maintenance without financial reimbursement. In any case, the current generation of head and neck surgeons will face the technical, scientific, and ethical challenges of RAS.

Lymphatic malformations are congenital malformations of the lymphatic system. They are mainly located in the head and neck area, and grow proportional to the patients' body growth. Depending on the morphology, it can be distinguished between macrocystic, microcystic and mixed lymphatic malformations. Due to their infiltrative growth, microcystic lymphatic malformations are particularly difficult to treat. Therapeutic approaches include conventional surgical resection, laser therapy, sclerotherapy and systemic drug therapies.

A 16-year-old patient presented with recurrent cervical swelling to the right side of the neck on coughing and sneezing. Although present since childhood, the symptoms had progressed over the preceding year. Immediately prior to this period a bilateral tonsillectomy had been performed for recurrent tonsillitis. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a complete lateral cervical fistula extending between the thyroid and submandibular glands on the right side of the neck. Successful surgical resection accomplished complete removal of the fistula.

Diagnostic lymph node dissections can be defined as a form of oncological service surgery. These procedures aim at clarification of differential diagnoses of local or systemic lymph node pathologies or contribute to tumor staging. Procedure implementation can either involve incisional biopsy, selective lymph node extirpation or regional systematic lymph node dissection. Sentinel lymph node lymphadenectomy is a focused form of selective lymphadenectomy. Both surgeon and oncologist must have a preoperative consensus and mutual understanding about the detailed purpose of the procedure in the individual patient setting. Terminology conventions must be considered in communication. Potential reasons to extend surgery should be strategically reflected prior to surgery. Interventional techniques and minimally invasive forms of surgical lymph node dissection must be technically taken into account in order to reduce procedural morbidity. Clinically indicative scenarios, pathophysiological concepts and technical options of surgical lymph node dissection are described and discussed for various anatomical regions.

Septoplasty, tonsillectomy (with and without adenoidectomy) and cervical lymph node excision are amongst the most common 50 inpatient operations in Germany. Intracapsular tonsillectomies (i.e., tonsillotomies) are increasingly performed. The aim of this study was to evaluate alleged medical malpractice, technical traps and pitfalls associated with tonsillectomy (TE), adenoidectomy (AE), tonsillotomy (TT), septoplasty (SP) and cervical lymph node excision (LN).A questionnaire was sent to the Regional Medical Conciliation Boards, Medical Services of the Health Insurance Companies (MDK) and Regional Institutes of Forensic Medicine in Germany to collect anonymized cases of complications or medico legal implications following TE, TT, AE, LN and SP. The results were discussed in the light of the contemporary medical literature and published verdicts in Germany.The response rate of our survey was 55.9%. The Institutes of Forensic Medicine contributed 9 cases, 49 cases were submitted by the Regional Conciliation Boards and none by MDK. All forensic cases were associated with exsanguinations following tonsillectomy including 2 children (5 and 8 years of age) and 7 adults (aged 20-69 years). The fatal post-tonsillectomy hemorrhage (PTH) had occurred 8.7 days on average; 4 patients experienced the bleeding episode at home (day 5, 8, 9 and 17, respectively). Repeated episodes of bleeding requiring surgical intervention had occurred in 6 patients. 3 Conciliation Boards submitted expert opinions concerning cases TT (1), AE (4), LN (3), SP (16) and TE (25). Cases with lethal outcome were not registered. Only 3 of the 49 cases were assessed as surgical malpractice (6.1%) including lesion of the spinal accessory nerve, wrong indication for TE and dental lesion after insertion of the mouth gag. The review of the medico legal literature yielded 71 published verdicts after AE and TE (29), LN (28) and SP (14) of which 37 resulted in compensation of malpractice after LN (16; 57%), TE (11; 41%), SP (8; 57%) and AE (2; 100%). There were 16 cases of PTH amongst 27 trials after TE resulting either in death (5) or apallic syndrome (5). Bleeding complications had occurred on the day of surgery in only 2 patients. 16 trials were based on malpractice claims following SP encompassing lack of informed consent (6), anosmia (4), septal perforation (2), frontobasal injury (2) and dry nose (2). Trials based on LN were associated exclusively with a lesion of the spinal accessory nerve (28), including lack of informed consent in 19 cases. 49 cases (69%) were decided for the defendant, 22 (31%) were decided for the plaintiff with monetary compensation in 7 of 29 AE/TE-trials, 9 of 28 LN-trials and 6 of 14 SP-trials. Lack of informed consent was not registered for AE/TE but LN (11) and SP (2).Complicated cases following TE, TT, ATE, SP and LN are not systematically collected in Germany. It can be assumed, that not every complicated case is published in the medical literature or law journals and therefore not obtainable for scientific research. Alleged medical malpracice is proven for less than 6% before trial stage. Approximately half of all cases result in a plaintiff verdict or settlement at court. Proper documentation of a thorough counselling, examination, indication, informed consent and follow-up assists the surgeon in litigation. An adequate complication management of PTH is essential, including instructions for the patients/parents, instructions for the medical staff, readily available surgical instruments and appropriate airway management in an interdisciplinary approach. Electrosurgical tonsillectomy techniques were repeatedly labeled as a risk factor for bleeding complications following TE. Institutions should analyse the individual PTH rate on a yearly basis. Contradictory expert opinions and verdicts of the courts concerning spinal accesory nerve lesions following LN are due to a lack of a surgical standard., (© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)

Face lift surgery is generally considered the classical surgical procedure of plastic surgery. This is an extensive operation which has undergone a huge development since its first implementation more than 100 years ago. What began as a simple skin tightening procedure is today a sophisticated and complex technique which ideally combines different treatment methods planned with surgical precision. This article provides an overview of the history of the procedure to the present state of the art concept of pairing biplanar and bivectorial face-neck lifts with autologous fat transfer and dermabrasion.

As a result of continuing progress in the development of intervention materials but also due to growing understanding of pathophysiological relationships, the prevalence and significance of endovascular interventions in the head and neck region have continued to increase. This applies to procedures for recanalization, which were addressed in detail in an earlier article, as well as to techniques used for vessel occlusion. This contribution first presents the techniques and materials employed in embolization in the head and neck region. Based on this description the application of endovascular procedures for vessel occlusion are explained with respect to different disease entities in the head and neck region. In this context particular attention is given to the treatment of intracranial aneurysms, cerebral arteriovenous malformations, dural AV fistulae, vascular malformations, and tumors in the head and neck region.

Minimally invasive, in particular endoscopic treatment modalities are an important topic in medicine today. Over the last 15 years mini-endoscopy (ME) has been introduced and established in different fields of the head and neck region. ME includes endoscopy of the Eustachian tube, middle ear, lacrimal duct system and duct system of the major salivary glands. Direct visualization by endoscopy enables rapid, efficient and accurate diagnosis and treatment planning according to the findings. In the majority of cases simultaneous interventional therapy is possible. This has lead to a fundamental change in treatment regimes which now aim to preserve the anatomic structure and function. In specialized centers the frequency of external dacryocystostomy could be reduced to less than 10% by means of endoscopic surgery of the lacrimal system, while the frequency of parotidectomy was reduced to below 5%. This development allows not only for medical advances, but also for the desired cost reduction on the part of the administrative organs responsible for providing medical care.

A laryngopyocele forms when a laryngocele, as a dilatation of the laryngeal ventricle, becomes infected and fills with mucopus. Laryngopyoceles are rare, as only few cases have been previously reported in the literature. The case of a 75-year-old woman who was treated twice because of a deep cervical infection is described. First of all the cause remained unknown but 3 years after the first manifestation air could be aspirated from a now non-infected neck swelling. A laryngocele was revealed as the cause of the relapsing infection. The surgical resection led to a final healing and the patient remained free from disease. When dealing with a clinical picture of an unknown deep cervical infection, an external or mixed laryngocele should be considered in the differential diagnosis as a rare cause.

Necrotizing fasciitis colli is a rare, but life-threatening disease. A 43-year-old female patient was admitted to our department because of increasing dysphagia and slight swelling of the left side of her neck due to severe necrotizing pharyngolaryngitis. Initial treatment with cephalosporin I was ineffective. The patient developed a rapidly spreading necrotizing fasciitis of the neck requiring open surgery for débridement and drainage as well as tracheostomy. Microbiological analysis revealed Serratia marcescens, thus allowing targeted and ultimately successful antibiotic therapy. The case shows that even saprophytes like Serratia marcescens may cause a necrotizing fasciitis. Therefore, the initially calculated antibiotic treatment should include a wide spectrum of aerobic and anaerobic germs.

Background: In soft tissue surgery of the head and neck region tissue shifts limit the usefulness of conventional CT/MRI-based navigation procedures. Furthermore, changes caused by invasive measures cannot be visualized., Methods: A novel navigation device for sonography of soft tissues was developed. This consists of a navigated ultrasound scanner, a navigated surgical instrument, and a personal computer with custom-made software. Its use makes an additional visualization by means of CT or MRI dispensable., Results: The system deviation (three-dimensional error) of this newly developed prototype was less than 1 mm. The practical application in a model setup showed good handling properties of the system. Orientation and approach of the surgical instrument to the sonographically visualized target structure were rapid and accurate., Conclusion: This new navigation system does not require additional CT or MRI images. The navigated ultrasound probe shows tissue changes in real time. This navigation system is especially suitable for invasive procedures in soft tissues.

Background: The standard surgical approach to treat primary (pHPT) and secondary hyperparathyroidism (sHPT) used to be a cervicotomy with exploration of all four parathyroid glands. This access has been challenged recently by the introduction of minimally invasive techniques in order to achieve superior cosmesic results and to reduce theatre time. We analyzed the advantages and morbidities of these surgical aproaches., Patients and Methods: Between 1997 and 2006 a total of 123 patients (109 with pHPT and 14 with sHPT) underwent parathyroidectomy at the ENT Department in Luzern. Ultrasonographic scanning was performed on 74 patients (68%), szintigraphy in 8 patients (7%) and both scanning methods in 27 patients (25%). 103 patients were available for follow-up. The indications for each technique were reviewed and outcome measures included serum Calcium and parathyroid hormone levels., Results: Sensitivity for preoperative ultrasonographic and scintigraphic scanning was 67% and 65% for identification of the correct quadrant and 74% and 71% for identification of the correct side. A bilateral exploration was performed until June 2001 for all patients. Thereafter, a minimally invasive approach was chosen for patients with pHPT, whereas patients with sHPT still require bilateral exploration. Adequate preoperative localization was a prerequisite for a minimally invasive technique. Mean postoperative serum Kalzium levels were within the normal range, independently of the surgical technique and disease. Two patients developed hypercalcemia after an initially successful operation., Conclusions: Review of the literature confirms the shift from bilateral exploration towards minimally invasive techniques. The incidence of persistent or recurrent disease as well as the rate of complications seems comparable. Operation time for minimally invasive techniques is reduced in the hands of an experienced surgeon. However, proper preoperative localization of the diseased parathyroid gland is not always possible and the expenses of intraoperative parathyroid hormone measures do not lower the overall costs. Considerable experience and a multidisiplinary approach (endocrinologist, surgeon, pathologist) is required to adopt efficient minimally invasive techniques. As for sHPT, bilateral exploration remains the treatment of choice.

In recent years there has been an increase in the need for tissue replacement in the head and neck region. The disadvantages of classical reconstructive procedures are donor site morbidity for autologous transplants and the immunogenity of allogenous transplants. Tissue engineering is a promising method for the generation of autologous cartilagenous transplants for plastic and reconstructive surgery for closure of large defects by the use of minimal amounts of material for reconstruction. For this purpose harvested material must be cultivated in suitable culture/carrier systems. One obstacle is the loss of phenotype and function once the cells are detached from their environment (dedifferentiation). Adult mesenchymal stem cells are a valuable cell source for tissue engineering. The underlying strategy of using stem cells is the replacement of functionally compromised cells either by in vitro expanded stem cells or activation of stem cells in the tissue. However, there are still problems regarding valuable markers for cellular differentiation and the controlled differentiation towards a specific phenotype.

Background: Further developments in the German DRG system have been incorporated into the 2008 version. For ENT medicine and head and neck surgery significant changes concerning coding of diagnoses, medical procedures and concerning the DRG-structure were made., Methods: Analysis of relevant diagnoses, medical procedures and G-DRGs in the versions 2007 and 2008 based on the publications of the German DRG institute (InEK) and the German Institute of Medical Documentation and Information (DIMDI)., Results: Changes for 2008 focussed on the development of DRG structure, DRG validation and codes for medical procedures. The outcome of these changes for German hospitals may vary depending on the range of activities., Conclusion: The G-DRG system has gained in complexity again. High demands are made on correct and complete coding of complex ENT and head and neck surgery cases. Quality of case allocation within the G-DRG system has been improved. For standard cases quality of case allocation is adequate. Nevertheless, further adjustments of the G-DRG system especially for cases with complex neck surgery are necessary.

A variation of the cranial carotid artery is demonstrated in an anatomical specimen revealing possible complications of ganglionic local opioid analgesia at the superior cervical ganglion. Located in the area of the puncture site, a loop of the aberrant carotid artery adheres closely to the pharyngeal wall in the medial position, shortening the distance between the arterial lumen and the oral cavity to 5 mm. With an incidence of 25%, an aberrant carotid artery could possibly facilitate an accidental intravascular injection during ganglionic local opioid application at the superior cervical ganglion.

Giant bursitis with rice bodies is an important clinical entity recognized in rheumatoid arthritis. Usually the bursitis is connected to a joint space. In this unusual case of a giant bursitis of the shoulder/neck region, no connection to a joint could be found. The bursitis lays directly on a rib. The clinical and radiological findings are presented and this special case is discussed in comparison to the literature.

Background: The German DRG system has been further developed into version 2007. For ENT and head and neck surgery, significant changes in the coding of diagnoses and medical operations as well as in the the DRG structure have been made., Results: New ICD codes for sleep apnoea and acquired tracheal stenosis have been implemented. Surgery on the acoustic meatus, removal of auricle hyaline cartilage for transplantation (e. g. rhinosurgery) and tonsillotomy have been coded in the 2007 version. In addition, the DRG structure has been improved. Case allocation of more than one significant operation has been established., Conclusion: The G-DRG system has gained in complexity. High demands are made on the coding of complex cases, whereas standard cases require mostly only one specific diagnosis and one specific OPS code. The quality of case allocation for ENT patients within the G-DRG system has been improved. Nevertheless, further adjustments of the G-DRG system are necessary.

Background: When the German DRG system was implemented there was some doubt about whether patients with extensive head and neck surgery would be properly accounted for. Significant efforts have therefore been invested in analysis and case allocation of those in this group. The object of this study was to investigate whether the changes within the German DRG system have led to improved case allocation., Methods: Cost data received from 25 ENT departments on 518 prospective documented cases of extensive head and neck surgery were compared with data from the German institute dealing with remuneration in hospitals (InEK). Statistical measures used by InEK were used to analyse the quality of the overall system and the homogeneity of the individual case groups., Results: The reduction of variance of inlier costs improved by about 107.3% from the 2004 version to the 2007 version of the German DRG system. The average coefficient of cost homogeneity rose by about 9.7% in the same period. Case mix index and DRG revenues were redistributed from less extensive to the more complex operations. Hospitals with large numbers of extensive operations and university hospitals will gain most benefit from this development., Conclusion: Appropriate case allocation of extensive operations on the head and neck has been improved by the continued development of the German DRG system culminating in the 2007 version. Further adjustments will be needed in the future.

Parathyroid cysts are a very rare disease entity. Hormone activity is uncommon and they usually present without any clinical symptoms. The differential diagnosis of cystic neck masses should nevertheless include parathyroid cysts as surgical therapy can be very effective. We report the case of a 57-year-old patient presenting to our department with a hormone inactive parathyroid cyst. Final diagnosis was achieved eventually after histological examination of the resected specimen, which is the reason for evaluating the current data for preoperative management of this disease entity in this case report.

Background and Goal: Forced by the current economical situation, German hospitals have to reconsider their clinical productivity. When caregivers introduce new therapeutic concepts medical quality should either be improved without increasing costs or when reducing costs medical quality should be maintained. In the surgical field postoperative shivering reduces both patient comfort and medical quality. We therefore investigated the clinical pathway prevention of shivering with dolasetron in a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled analysis of cost-effectiveness., Material and Methods: After written informed consent we randomized 40 patients scheduled for lumbar disc hernia repair or head and neck surgery into two groups: patients of group D received dolasetron 1 mg/kg body weight during surgery whereas patients of group K received 100 ml saline as placebo. Primary endpoints were the incidence of shivering, the length of stay in the postanesthesia care unit and process-associated costs. Secondary endpoint was the influence on perioperative thermoregulation., Results: We observed postanesthetic shivering in 5 patients belonging to group D in comparison to 15 patients receiving the placebo (p<0.05). The length of stay in the postanesthesia care unit was shorter in patients allocated to dolasetron (mean+/-SD; group D: 43+/-16 min, group K 62+/-18 min, p<0.05). There was a significant saving in process-associated personnel costs (personnel costs in group D EUR 41.26+/-14, personnel costs in group K EUR 53.15+/-15) but in contrast the process-associated material costs were significantly increased (group D EUR 17.16+/-3, group K EUR 0.73+/-1, p<0.05)., Conclusions: The optimization of the clinical process and medical quality induced by a prophylaxis against shivering and postoperative nausea and vomiting compensates for the increased use of pharmaceutical resources in our setting.

Background: "Descending necrotizing mediastinitis" (DNM) is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication of deep neck infections caused by the rapid downward spread of a oropharyngeal infection along the facial planes into the mediastinum., Material and Methods: Between June 1997 and December 2004, 6 patients with DNM were treated in our department. The primary etiology was a peritonsillar abscess in 2 cases, a parapharyngeal abscess in 3 cases and in 1 case an odontogenic abscess. Most patients presented with risk factors such as diabetes mellitus or alcoholism, the mean age was 44.3 years and the mean duration of signs before diagnosis was 6.3 days. Thoracotomy was associated with the cervical approach in 4 cases and tracheostomy was also performed in 4 cases., Results: Four patients were successfully treated, the mean duration of hospitalisation was 48.2 days and 2 patients died from sepsis and multiorgan failure despite intensive treatment., Conclusions: Descending necrotizing mediastinitis must be detected as soon as possible. The mean symptoms are persistent complaints after treatment of oropharyngeal infections, which may be masked by analgetic treatment. Only an immediate computer tomographic scanning, aggressive surgical drainage and debridement of the neck and the mediastinum can reduce the high mortality rate.

Cervical teratomas are extremely rare tumours. Surgery of these mostly benign malformations is very challenging for a multidisciplinary team. A single case of a newborn, who was imminently prenatally diagnosed with a neck mass, is presented. After delivery the patient was transferred to neonatal intensive care unit and intubation was performed. A rapid growth of the mass required early surgery and removal of the neck mass was performed on the third day post delivery. Histological investigation showed an immature teratoma. The postoperative period was complicated by hypothyroidism. Due to severe laryngo-tracheomalacia tracheostomy was required when the baby was 2 weeks old. Further development has been without any sign of recurrence (12 months). On the basis of this case differential diagnosis, therapy and outcome is discussed.

Background: The pectoralis major myocutaneous flap (PMMF) is an important reconstructive tool for lesions in the head and neck region. Using the supraclavicular route, the PMMF reliably transfers large amounts of well-vascularized skin and muscle into defects of the upper aerodigestive tract. However, limited length and arc of rotation as well as excessive bulk can be problematic., Patients and Methods: In the current study, these problems have been addressed by passing the pedicle deeply to the clavicle. Following flap harvest, the pedicle was passed in the subclavicular plane in 15 head and neck cancer patients for primary and secondary reconstruction., Results: Using this route it was possible to increase the medium length of PMMF to 3 cm compared to the supraclavicular route. No total flap necrosis occurred, however, temporary complications were observed in three of 15 cases (20%)--partial flap necrosis occurred in two cases and fistula formation was observed in one case. This rate is in accordance with complication rates described for the supraclavicular route. However, in long-term follow-ups we observed a fracture of the clavicle in two patients in whom, in contrast to the others, the periostium was not only prepared posteriorly but over the whole circumference., Conclusions: The subclavicular route for PMMF increases the length and arc of rotation available for reconstruction without compromising vascular supply to a higher degree than with the conventional supraclavicular route. Furthermore, this concept decreases the bulk of the PMMF pedicle which is functionally and cosmetically favourable. Thus, the subclavicular route of PMMF is safe and allows an extension of the reconstructive possibilities.

For reconstruction in the head-neck region, either pedicled or free flaps can be used depending on the site of origin and the place of reconstruction. Pedicled flaps have definite limitations, therefore, free transplants are becoming continuously more popular. Today, microvascular reanastomosed transplants are those most commonly used in reconstructive head-neck surgery. In this contribution, we present and explain the most important types of flaps and their indications.

Background: Autoaggressive behaviour is one of the pathognomonic characteristics in patients with borderline personality disorder. Clinical symptoms of such behaviour can be the self-induced incorporation of foreign bodies. In the head and neck area, this form of autoaggressivity causes primary or secondary infectious complications with different clinical manifestations. Below follows a description of diagnosis, therapy and follow-up of such a case, comparing our own findings with the corresponding literature., Case Report: A 24-year-old woman with manifest borderline personality disorder was referred to the Department of Maxillofacial Surgery after developing a swelling in the infra-auricular region. After antibiotic therapy failed to reduce inflammatory symptoms, local revision was performed including excision of two metallic foreign bodies. Comprehensive radiological evaluation identified multiple foreign bodies in the head and neck region and lower arms. A total of 76 metallic foreign bodies was removed surgically. During early surgical follow-up and subsequent psychiatric treatment, the patient incorporated new foreign bodies., Discussion: The case reported represents a pattern of foreign body incorporation which is unusual based on review of the literature but characteristic for patients with borderline personality disorder. Diagnostics and therapy require an individual concept which only can be implemented in close co-operation with psychiatrists. Secondary clinical benefit derived from surgical diagnostics and therapy as well as the possibility of autoaggressive relapse have to be taken into consideration.

In comparison to the United States or South Africa, penetrating injuries of the neck are rare in Europe. Most of these traumas are due to sharp perforation mechanisms. We report on a 43-year-old man who was admitted to the emergency room because of an impressive transcervical penetrating neck trauma inflicted by a chisel. He survived the trauma since the chisel missed all important structures of the neck. The diagnostic strategy to evaluate the dimension of the trauma was primarily based on endoscopic and surgical exploration.

Based on the case report of a 35-year-old patient presenting a Castleman tumor of the neck, we describe the diagnostic challenge of identifying this tumor entity. It is important to consider this type of tumor. Diagnostic imaging methods such as ultrasound and CT/MRI cannot identify the Castleman tumor due to the lack of tumor-specific signs but yield important information concerning exact tumor localization. Only surgical resection and conventional histology give a correct characterization of this tumor and possibly allow further additive treatment modalities.