Medicoeconomic study of microsurgical head and neck reconstructions

SummaryObjectivesThe use of microanastomosed free flaps has become essential in the management of head and neck defects following cancer resection or other causes. However, this surgery is under-rated by the French case-mix based rating procedure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cost balance of this type of surgery in a patient cohort managed by free flap head and neck reconstruction in a polyvalent adult head and neck surgery department.Material and methodsThis retrospective study was based on 52 patients divided into two groups undergoing either mandibular or nonmandibular reconstruction. Possible prognostic factors were investigated in patients undergoing mandibular reconstruction. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was also performed for both groups of patients. The Foch Hospital financial department's analytical accounting data for 2006 and 2007 were used to evaluate the costs related to these patients. A senior surgeon retrospectively reviewed the patients’ charts with the Medical Informatics physician in order to optimize the choice of diagnosis-related group (DRG).ResultsThe mean income generated by mandibular and nonmandibular reconstructions in 2006 and 2007 was 545€/day and 526€/day for hospitalisation including free flap and 828€/day and 818€/day for “satellite” hospitalisations for other procedures related to the reconstruction, respectively. After review of the rating by a senior surgeon, in order to optimize the choice of DRG, the mean income received by the hospital could have been improved by +6%.ConclusionOptimization of procedure and hospital stay rating associated with better collaboration with the Medical Informatics physician are essential in order to continue to provide this major surgery, which is essential for the patient's quality of life. A higher rating of this activity by the French health system is also necessary

Transcervical Tongue Base Reduction with Hyoepiglottoplasty: Long-Term Results

Aims To evaluate the long term results of tongue base reduction with hyoepiglottoplasty as a surgical option in the treatment of severe obstructive sleep apnea. Material and Method Severe obstructive sleep apnea patients diagnosed as upper airway narrowing at the tongue base level were treated with transcervical tongue base reduction with hyoepiglottoplasty. Seven years after single stage multilevel surgery, the patients were reevaluated clinically, radiologically and polysomnographic records were taken. Preoperative, early postoperative and long-term postoperative parameters were compared to determine the success rate of the surgical technique. Results In the postoperative long-term follow-up Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) scores were reduced to 4 and 6 respectively 2 months after surgery despite the initial values of 17 and 15. BMI were decreased from 29.7 and 27.9 kg/m2 respectively to 26 and 24 kg/m2. The apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) were reduced to 14.1 and 16.2 respectively from 68.6 and 83.83. O2 nadir was 55 and 66% respectively and improved to 86 and 89%. Flexible nasopharyngoscopy revealed competent airway in both retropalatal and retroglossal level. Bed partners scored snoring as 2/10 and 4/10 corresponding to very mild and moderate. Daytime somnolence and witnessed apneic periods were completely disappeared in both patients. Conclusion Open tongue base resection with hyoepiglottoplasty is effective among all other surgical corrections of sleep apnea even after 7 years postoperatively

Mandibular osteosclerotic lesion of a parotid salivary duct carcinoma: Demonstration of the neural tropism of these tumors

SummaryIntroductionSalivary duct carcinoma (SDC) is an uncommon entity of salivary gland cancers with a poor prognosis due to local aggressiveness or distant recurrences involving lymph nodes, lung, and long bones, in which secondary lesions are usually osteolytic. The authors report the first case of mandibular SDC, atypical due to its osteosclerotic presentation and its site, attributed to aggressive neural spread of the tumor along the trigeminal nerve.Case studyThis asymptomatic osteosclerotic bone involvement was diagnosed based on pathological enhancement of the trigeminal nerve demonstrated on MRI and was accompanied by facial nerve involvement up to its third intracranial portion. Radical surgery ensured disease control with continued good quality of life at the 4-year follow-up visit.ConclusionNerve enhancement on MRI and determination of specific tumor markers (HER-2/neu and p53) should be taken into account to evaluate the prognosis of SDC and to propose appropriate surgical treatment