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Objective: The aim of this study was to verify the efficacy and applicability of the Ultracision Harmonic Scalpel (Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Cincinnati, OH) in pharyngolaryngectomy with radical neck dissection. Design: This work evaluated the use of the Harmonic Scalpel in otolaryngology as a new and alternative method to overcome some complications of traditional surgery. Setting: The study was conducted with 20 patients in the ENT Department of the University of Genoa (Italy) between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2006. Methods: A prospective, randomized study was undertaken on 20 pharyngolaryngectomies with radical neck dissection performed using a Harmonic Scalpel (10 patients) or traditional surgery (10 patients). Main Outcome Measures: The evaluation included operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative seroma formation, and pattern of wound healing. Results: In patients treated with Harmonic Scalpel, the mean operation time was significantly shorter, the blood loss was less, laryngeal and neck drainage on the first and second postoperative days was significantly smaller, and no postoperative complications were noted. Conclusions: The use of the Harmonic Scalpel during pharyngolaryngectomy and radical neck dissection led to diminished bleeding, shorter operative time, less seroma formation, and better wound healing in the postoperative period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background : The purpose of this study was to evaluate long-term subjective outcomes of barbed reposition pharyngoplasty for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) treatment using a specific questionnaire, the Palate Postoperative Problem Score (PPOPS). Methods : 140 patients who underwent barbed reposition pharyngoplasty (BRP) surgery in the Morgagni Pierantoni Hospital of Forlì, Italy were enrolled in the study. Postoperative outcomes were evaluated in a short- and long-term follow-up using the PPOPS questionnaire. The average period of follow-up was 26 months. All patients received the PPOPS questionnaire by telephone in a period between April and August 2019. Results: 51% of patients complained of swallowing problems after surgery. In 91% of cases, the problem cleared up spontaneously. At the time of the interview, only 9% of patients had a residual swallowing difficult. At the time of PPOPS evaluation, rhinolalia was observed in 8% of patients, whereas nose regurgitation was present in 2% of patients. In 20% of patients, the foreign body sensation was present during follow-up. The value of apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) reduced from the preoperative value of 31.5 to the postoperative value of 11.4. Conclusions : BRP surgery proved to be an effective technique, appreciated by the majority of patients. Use of the PPOPS questionnaire has demonstrated that the BRP technique seems to ensure efficacy and lower morbidity, with few complications after surgery., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest. No funders were present in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results.

The history of the pharyngeal flap and the contributions of Schoenborn, Sanvenero Rosselli, Padgett, Sercer and Rosenthal are described. The summary Divisione palatina e sua cura chirurgica in the Italian/French language is translated into English.