Journal Reviews
Clinical histopathology of 250 parotidectomy patients
This is a retrospective study of 250 consecutive parotidectomy patients at units in Belgium and the Netherlands. The sensitivity and specificity of FNAC was 64% and 99% respectively. The sensitivity being slightly lower than the often quoted 80%. MRI and...
Imaging accurately predicting the need for mandibular resection
This is an article from Australia of 109 patients, 83 of which had CT, 72 MRI and the presence of bone invasion on imaging was compared with the histopathology. Bone invasion was present in 44 of 109 resection specimens. Bone...
Postoperative delirium
This is a retrospective study from Japan analysing 102 patients who underwent oral cancer resection and free flap reconstruction. Postoperative delirium occurred in a third of these patients. An increased risk was identified in those with high preoperative albumin, postoperative...
Outcomes of heavily pre-treated oral squamous cell carcinomas
Oral squamous cell carcinoma is one of the more common cancers worldwide. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment and often these patients have had adjuvant therapies. In spite of improving five year survival rates, local recurrent progressive disease is still...
Significance of exterior capsular spread in a clinically negative neck
This is a retrospective paper from Zagreb of 61 patients with a clinically T1-T3 N0 squamous cell carcinoma undergoing primary surgical treatment. All patients had a level I-IIII/IV elective neck dissection. Those who had adverse histological features, including extracapsular spread,...
First signs of late nodal metastases
This is a retrospective review of 65 patients who had late metastases during follow-up after initial curative treatment. They analyse the detection methods of palpation, ultrasound, CT and subjective symptoms. Palpation detected the nodes in 31 patients, ultrasound in 17,...
Sialendoscopy assisted excision of parotid stones
This is a retrospective paper from China that looks to assess the efficacy and safety of sialendoscopy with a combined transoral or transcutaneous approach for the removal of parotid stones. Sialolithiasis is known to be a major cause for obstructive...
Mastering the art of lip rejuvenation
The author presents a sound overview of some of the most prevalent non-surgical techniques used for lip rejuvenation, capturing the challenges in treating a complex anatomical region, as well as the attention required to the surrounding areas; nasolabial region and...
Modified temporalis muscle transfer for facial palsy
Use of the temporalis muscle to mitigate the deformities of facial palsy is an accepted technique, but getting the temporalis muscle into the correct position, with the correct tension, is difficult but essential if the operation is to be successful....
The superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator flap in intraoral reconstruction
There can be little disagreement that a groin flap, or one of its derivatives, can leave behind a scar which is without problems (except, perhaps to a pole dancer). Thus popularisation of such a flap is much to be desired,...
Minimal gap interpositional arthroplasty versus aggressive gap arthroplasty in TMJ ankylosis
Arthroplasty in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) ankylosis is managed by three basic techniques; gap arthroplasty, interpositional arthroplasty and joint reconstruction. In this three-year, prospective study of 15 patients, the authors evaluate whether or not aggressive gap arthroplasty is essential in the...
Platysma muscle use for oral sphincter substitution or countering excessive pull of a free muscle, following facial palsy
The use of the platysma muscle as a pedicled ‘apron’ flap in order to minimise the overactivity of a free muscle transfer, used in the treatment of facial palsy, is described in admirable detail. The successful results are carefully assessed...
