Search

Abstract Background Opioids are a mainstay in pain control for oncologic surgery. The objective of this systematic review is to evaluate the associations of perioperative opioid use with overall survival (OS) and disease‐free survival (DFS) in patients with resectable head and neck cancer (HNC). Methods A systematic review of PubMed, SCOPUS, and CINAHL between 2000 and 2022 was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses guidelines. Studies investigating perioperative opioid use for patients with HNC undergoing surgical resection and its association with OS and DFS were included. Results Three thousand three hundred seventy‐eight studies met initial inclusion criteria, and three studies representing 562 patients (intraoperative opioids, n = 463; postoperative opioids, n = 99) met final exclusion criteria. One study identified that high intraoperative opioid requirement in oral cancer surgery was associated with decreased OS (HR = 1.77, 95% CI 0.995–3.149) but was not an independent predictor of decreased DFS. Another study found that increased intraoperative opioid requirements in treating laryngeal cancer was demonstrated to have a weak but statistically significant inverse relationship with DFS (HR = 1.001, p = 0.02) and OS (HR = 1.001, p = 0.02). The last study identified that patients with chronic opioid after resection of oral cavity cancer had decreased DFS (HR = 2.7, 95% CI 1.1–6.6) compared to those who were not chronically using opioids postoperatively. Conclusion An association may exist between perioperative opioid use and OS and DFS in patients with resectable HNC. Additional investigation is required to further delineate this relationship and promote appropriate stewardship of opioid use with adjunctive nonopioid analgesic regimens. more...

Abstract Objectives The Salivary Gland Committee of the American Academy of Otolaryngology‐Head and Neck Surgery seeks to standardize terminology and technique for ultrasonograpy used in the evaluation and treatment of salivary gland disorders. Methods Development of expert opinion obtained through interaction with international practitioners representing multiple specialties. This committee work includes a comprehensive literature review with presentation of case examples to propose a standardized protocol for the language used in ultrasound salivary gland assessment. Results A multiple segment proposal is initiated with this focus on the submandibular gland. We provide a concise rationale for recommended descriptive language highlighted by a more extensive supplement that includes an extensive literature review with additional case examples. Conclusion Recommendations are provided to improve consistency both in performing and reporting submandibular gland ultrasound. more...

Abstract Objective To examine referral pattern, the timing of diagnostic/staging processes, and treatment initiation for new head and neck cancer patients in a community setting. Methods Patients with a newly diagnosed previously untreated diagnosis of head neck cancer managed at Asplundh Cancer Pavilion/Abington Memorial Hospital from October 2018 to March 2020. Source of referral and preceding workup were examined as well as intervals between initial head and neck consult and various timepoints of treatment initiation. Results One hundred and five patients were included in the study. The primary referral sources were external general otolaryngology (56.3%). Oral surgery and dermatology obtained tissue biopsy approximately 80% of the time before referral. The average time from the ordering of initial staging positron emission tomography/computed tomography to finalized results was 14 days (range: 10–25 days). Patients referred from dermatology and oral surgery were more likely to require single modality care, namely definitive surgical management. Time to treatment initiation average was 37 days (range: 29–41 days). Patients with longer treatment times noted significantly higher times to both radiation and medical oncology consults (48.42 vs. 18.13 days; P more...