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Introduction and Objectives: Pharyngocutaneous fistula is the most frequent complication after total laryngectomy. Risk factors involved in its appearance have been studied by many authors without conclusive results. Our main objective is to identify the risk factors involved in the onset of fistulae at our institution., Methods: A retrospective case-control study was designed. Thirty-three patients subjected to total laryngectomy with the same protocol were included in both groups. Patients who required a complex surgical reconstruction were excluded in order to avoid biases., Results: The only risk factor with statistical significance (P=.04) for the onset of fistulae in our setting is the extension of the surgery to the pharynx (OR=2.83). The association of prior radiotherapy and concurrent neck dissection displayed a notable trend (OR=0.32) but without significance (P=.099). Patient age, prior radiotherapy, concurrent neck dissection, prior tracheotomy and post-operative haemoglobin level did not predispose to this complication in our study. Non-surgical closure of the pharyngocutaneous fistula was achieved in most cases (72.7 %) but patients who had pre-operative radiotherapy required surgical closure more frequently (P< .01) than those not irradiated., Conclusions: At our centre the main risk factor associated with post-laryngectomy fistulae is the extension of surgery to the pharynx. In previously-irradiated patients, fistulae have a lower incidence of non-surgical closure and require more aggressive surgery to resolve them.

Infantile myofibromatosis is an infrequent and benign pathology. It can turn up as a single or multiple tumour. The prognosis depends on visceral involvement. The differential diagnosis includes some pathologies with similar clinical appearance but worse prognosis. We report a 6 months old boy that arrived to our office refering a short progress and fast growth facial mass. The diagnosis after hystologic study and immunohistochemistry was infantile myofibromatosis. After more than a year of monitoring he is actually disease free.

The authors bring up the matter of the usefulness of laser in otosclerosis surgery. They set out some advantages of laser utilization. A bibliografic review is done and some important authors are found explaining the advantages of this instrument. Some new tendencies on stapes surgery are presented. Teaching on otosclerosis surgery problems are stated, with some different criteria. The idea that improvement of audiologic results in stapes surgery is not easy is strengthened, because the results obtained with the classic techniques are excellent, but some of these methods increase the surgical comfort and reduce the potential risks to the patient.

An histologic study was performed by light microscopy of the rat nasal cavity. A neuroepithelial lining is found in the backside of the cavity and the medial portion of vomeronasal organ. A respiratory seudostratified epithel with a great deal of submucous glandulae cover the remainder of the cavity.

Histochemical studies done with lectins are helpful for differentiate between several carbohydrates and glycoproteins of cell structures. Mast cells predominate in the nasal polyps mucosa of these patients. Cytoplasmic granules of mastocyts reacted to all lectins employed but LTA.

We have performed an histochemical study with lectins of normal nasal mucosa in 6 patients admitted at Hospital because an abdominal pathology, and other 6 with nasal polyps. Results showed a similar reactivity to lectins of excretory duct cells of seromucous glandulae of basement membrane of normal nasal mucosa and the analogous cells of the nasal polyps mucosa.

We have performed an histochemical study with lectins of the normal nasal mucosa of 6 patients. These patients were admitted at the Hospital for abdominal surgery. A wide biopsy was taken of the inferior nasal turbinate mucosa. The results show a different reactivity between the serous and mucous cells of the submucosal glands and with the goblet cells. We have not found reactivity to DBA, SBA and LTA lectins.

We have performed, with light microscope, a study about the distribution and morphology of the subepithelial glands of the hamster's larynx. The results are: at the base of the tongue the great deal of the glands are mucous, at the epiglottic base seromucous and at the subglottic space (at the level of cricoid cartilage) serous.

A rare case of vascular leiomyoma of the inferior nasal turbinate in a diabetic patient is presented. Local excision was performed under endoscopic control. There have not been signs of recurrence after 2 years follow-up.

The differences between the submucosal glands and globet cells of the subglottic mucosa were studied by lectin immunohistochemistry in 4 larynxes of Syrian golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus). Submucosal glands showed intense reactivity to HPA, N-WGA and N-PNA and reactivity to PNA, UES-I, and ConA, but globet cells showed no reactivity.

A case of acute bilateral vocal cord paralysis in adduction of an elderly woman with multisystem atrophy is reported. Emergency tracheotomy was performed.

In ten albino New Zealand rabbits we studied in the regenerated mucosa of the maxillary sinus what happens after three months of radical removal of sinus mucosa. The study was realized by light and electronic microscopy, with special attention to the plasma cells around the submucosal glands. There is an increased of plasma cells, in a proportion of 10:1.

A macroscopic study and with light microscopy as well is performed in the larynx of 4 hamsters. Morphology of hamster's larynx is described. Transitional epithelium is found out on the epiglottis base and caudally to the vocal cords. Hamster's larynx may be a good model for experimental study of changes during carcinogenesis.

Merkel cell carcinoma is an aggressive dermal neoplasm of neuroendocrine origin with a predilection for the head-and-neck region in elderly patients. We present a case of Merkel cell carcinoma of the nasal fossa. Local wide excision was performed.

To evaluate partial or radical surgical removal of the maxillary sinus mucosa, 20 New-Zealand albino rabbits were used. After three months, specimens were taken for examination. Bacteriological cultures, light- and electron microscopy were performed, and mucociliary transport was studied. These experimental findings add further support to the concept of performing a conservative sinus procedure rather than a radical removal as a first procedure.

In 10 albino New Zealand rabbits, a study was made of the regeneration of the hair cells in the maxillary sinus mucosa three months after removing the sinus mucosa. Using optical microscopy and transmission and scanning electron microscopy, basal and non-hair cells were studied as the probable origin of hair cells. The regenerated sinus mucosa showed areas of epithelium consisting only of a basement membrane and a layer of basal cells. Ultrastructurally, two types of basal cell were visible in the regenerated mucosa. The proportion of non-hair cells was greater than in normal mucosa.

Cancer of the larynx in the province of Lérida and its west border affects men (52:1). The majority are engaged in rural activities, ranging in age between 50-70 years. Supraglottic site showed predominance. At first examination in 73 per cent of the cases no palpable cervical nodes could be detected. Almost all the cases belong to the epidermoid carcinoma type (98 per cent).