JEREMY RICHMON, M.D.

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Surgeons reconstructing head and neck cancer often take tissue from patients' legs to use as grafts, but this creates damage at the donor site on the leg. Researchers compared how well patients recovered from three different types of leg grafts (fibula, thigh, and calf) by measuring their leg function over a year using a standardized questionnaire. Patients who received calf grafts recovered their leg function faster and had better mobility at one year than those who received thigh or fibula grafts. When choosing which type of graft to use, doctors should factor in how much damage each one causes to the leg, since the calf graft appears to cause the least long-term problems.

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Researchers looked at patients who had already been treated for a type of throat cancer linked to HPV to see if they developed other types of head and neck cancers that were not connected to HPV. They found that about 2.5% of patients did develop these second cancers years later, often in different areas of the mouth or throat, and many had received radiation and chemotherapy for their first cancer. This is important because it shows that these new cancers can have different causes than the original one, suggesting that doctors should monitor these patients long-term and consider retesting for HPV.

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Researchers examined a blood test that detects tumor DNA in patients with a specific type of head and neck cancer that doesn't involve HPV. They found that when the test showed positive results after treatment, it indicated a higher chance of cancer recurrence and lower survival rates. This finding is important because it suggests that this blood test could help doctors identify patients at greater risk after treatment, potentially leading to more tailored monitoring and care.

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Researchers studied a blood test that detects tiny amounts of tumor DNA in patients with a specific type of throat cancer that is not linked to HPV. They found that when this DNA was present, patients were more likely to experience a recurrence of their cancer and had a shorter survival time. This finding is important because it suggests that this blood test could help doctors predict outcomes and make better treatment decisions for patients with this type of cancer.

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Researchers developed a blood test that detects HPV cancer DNA years before oropharyngeal cancer (a common throat cancer) develops, finding the virus DNA in 79% of patient blood samples taken up to 7.8 years before diagnosis, while showing no false positives in healthy people. Using advanced computer analysis, they improved the test to detect the cancer signal in 96% of cases up to 10 years before symptoms appear. This discovery could enable doctors to catch this aggressive cancer much earlier, when treatment is more likely to succeed and causes less harm.

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This study examined the use of enhanced recovery protocols in patients undergoing head and neck surgery that involves tissue reconstruction. It found that following these protocols, which include improved nutrition, better pain management, and encouraging patients to move soon after surgery, significantly reduces hospital stays and lowers serious complications. This matters because it helps patients recover faster and enjoy better overall outcomes after surgery. Who this helps: Patients undergoing head and neck reconstructive surgery.

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This study looked at how the width of surgical margins affects the outcomes for patients with HPV-related throat cancer who were only treated with surgery. Researchers found that patients with margins less than 1 millimeter had a higher risk of their cancer coming back, with a recurrence rate of about 3.7 times greater than those with wider margins (1 millimeter or more). This matters because it indicates that the current standards for what counts as a “safe” margin may need to be updated specifically for HPV-positive cases to improve patient outcomes. Who this helps: Patients with HPV-related throat cancer.

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The study investigated the use of a special dye called Indocyanine Green (ICG) to help surgeons identify hidden cancers during robotic surgeries performed with the Da Vinci SP robot. Out of 19 patients with undiagnosed primary tumors, ICG helped pinpoint the primary tumor in 16 cases, which is about 84%. This is significant because it shows that ICG can effectively assist in locating difficult-to-find cancers during surgery, potentially improving patient outcomes without adding much complexity or risk. Who this helps: This helps patients with unknown primary cancers.

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This research studied how well transoral surgery and reduced follow-up treatments work for patients with HPV-related throat cancer. The trial found that after 54 months, 90.6% of patients were still cancer-free, and 95.3% were alive. The results indicate that less aggressive treatments can be effective for certain patients, but those with specific characteristics still face a risk of cancer coming back. Who this helps: This benefits patients with HPV-positive throat cancer and their doctors by providing evidence for more personalized treatment strategies.

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This study explored a new way to visualize nerves during head and neck surgeries by using a special dye called bevonescein. Twenty-seven patients participated, and the results showed that the dye was safe to use, with only one patient experiencing mild vomiting possibly linked to it. The optimal dose was found to be 500 mg, which produced a significantly stronger signal for nerves compared to traditional lighting. This matters because better nerve visualization can reduce surgical complications and improve recovery for patients undergoing these surgeries. Who this helps: Patients undergoing head and neck surgery.

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This study examined how different types of antibiotics given after surgery for mandibular osteoradionecrosis (a bone condition) affect recovery. Researchers found that patients who received antibiotics based on lab cultures had a 0% rate of surgical site infections, compared to 26.3% for those who received standard antibiotics. Both short and long courses of antibiotics led to similar long-term healing rates, showing that using targeted antibiotics can significantly reduce infection risk without affecting overall healing. Who this helps: This helps patients recovering from surgery for mandibular osteoradionecrosis.

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Researchers studied a method called the submental island flap (SMIF) for rebuilding parts of the mouth in older patients who had surgery to remove oral cancers. They looked at eight patients, all over 70 years old, and found that everyone was able to start eating normally within 3 to 7 days after surgery, with an average time of 6.5 days. The surgery took about 3.5 hours, and importantly, no patients needed a tracheostomy, a procedure to help them breathe. Who this helps: This benefits elderly patients undergoing mouth cancer surgery.

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This study looked at how well a specific type of surgery, called submental flap reconstruction, worked for patients with oral and throat cancer. Out of 82 patients with oral cancer, only 9% needed feeding tubes afterwards, while 36% of the 11 patients with throat cancer did. Additionally, 87% of oral cancer patients avoided needing a tracheostomy, compared to 46% of throat cancer patients. This research is important because it shows that this surgery effectively allows many patients to eat normally again and avoid more invasive procedures after treatment. Who this helps: Patients recovering from oral and throat cancer.

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Surgeons use skin and tissue from the calf (called an MSAP flap) to reconstruct damaged areas of the head and neck after cancer or injury. This study tracked 22 patients who received this surgery and tested their leg function over time using a standard mobility test. Patients' leg function was significantly impaired immediately after surgery but steadily improved, reaching nearly normal levels within 6-12 months and fully recovering by one year. This proves the surgery causes minimal lasting damage to the donor leg, making it a safe and effective choice for head and neck reconstruction.

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Researchers studied 8 patients with throat cancer that had returned after initial treatment, whom doctors treated by removing the cancer with robotic surgery and then reconstructing the surgical site using a skin flap taken from under the chin. The surgery took about 5 hours on average, most patients went home within a week, and importantly, patients' ability to swallow remained normal or nearly normal even months after surgery. This approach works well because the chin flap is readily available, doesn't require specialized microsurgery skills, and produces good long-term results with low complication rates.

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Researchers developed a new blood test using advanced DNA sequencing to detect HPV-associated head and neck cancers early, before symptoms appear, and compared it to three other blood-based detection methods. The new sequencing test detected cancer 98.7% of the time it was present and correctly identified healthy people 98.7% of the time—significantly better than existing blood tests. This breakthrough matters because HPV-related head and neck cancers are becoming more common, yet doctors currently have no way to catch them early when treatment is most effective.

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Researchers developed a highly sensitive blood test that detects tiny amounts of HPV cancer DNA left in patients after surgery for HPV-related head and neck cancer. They found that patients whose blood still contained this cancer DNA had much worse outcomes—only 60% stayed cancer-free for 2 years compared to 100% of patients with no detectable DNA—and this blood test was better at predicting who would relapse than current methods doctors use. The test could also spot cancer coming back up to 17 months before it shows up on scans or causes symptoms, giving doctors an early warning system to decide whether patients need additional treatment like chemotherapy or radiation.

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This study focused on a new method for thyroid surgery using a robotic system called the Da Vinci single port. The researchers found that this technique is safe and effective for patients in the Western population. This is important because it could lead to less invasive surgeries with potentially quicker recoveries. Who this helps: This benefits patients undergoing thyroid surgery.

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This study looked at a rare situation where a blood vessel, the stylomastoid artery, cuts through the main facial nerve in two patients who were having surgery on their parotid glands. The researchers found that in both cases, the artery had divided the facial nerve into two parts, making the surgery more complex. Knowing about this unique anatomical variation is important for surgeons because it can help them avoid complications during operations that involve the facial nerve. Who this helps: This helps surgeons performing parotid surgeries.

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This study looked at how effective a type of surgery called fibula free flap reconstruction is for fixing defects in the cervical spine, which is important for maintaining spine stability and preventing serious injuries. Out of 1187 patients reviewed, only 13 (about 1.1%) had this specific surgery. The results showed that this method can safely reconstruct larger defects, particularly in patients who had infections or previous radiation treatment, with no patients experiencing failure of the reconstruction. Who this helps: This benefits patients needing cervical spine reconstruction, especially those with complex medical histories.

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This study examined how the presence of tumor DNA in the blood predicts whether patients with early-stage throat cancer related to HPV will experience cancer recurrence or survive after surgery. The researchers found that patients who had detectable tumor DNA (MRD) after their treatment were more likely to see their cancer come back, while those without it had a better outlook. Specifically, while overall survival rates for the two groups were similar, the time until death was noticeably different, indicating that this detection method could influence long-term outcomes. Who this helps: Patients with HPV-related throat cancer and their doctors.

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Researchers surveyed 67 cancer patients who had neck surgery to remove lymph nodes as part of treatment for throat cancer, asking them how much their surgical scars bothered them at least six months after surgery. Most patients reported that their neck scars had little to no impact on their daily life or quality of life, and their concerns about the scars stayed roughly the same regardless of differences in their age, insurance type, or specific surgical approach.

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Researchers looked at 49 patients who had their larynx (voice box) surgically removed and then developed scarring in their throat that needed to be stretched open. They found that 71% of these patients needed the procedure done multiple times instead of just once, and three things predicted who would need repeated treatments: having a fistula (an unwanted hole), receiving chemotherapy and radiation before surgery, and developing the scarring quickly after their initial surgery. Patients who needed multiple stretching procedures ended up with worse long-term swallowing problems—they had to eat softer foods or rely on feeding tubes—compared to those who only needed one procedure. This means that if scarring develops fast after larynx removal surgery, patients are likely to struggle with swallowing for years to come.

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Doctors use fibula free flap surgery to rebuild the head and neck after cancer or injury, but they disagreed about when patients should start putting weight on their legs afterward. This study of 152 patients found that those who started walking the day after surgery had shorter hospital stays, were more likely to go home (rather than to rehabilitation), and had fewer complications at the surgery site—while patients who waited 3+ days to walk had a higher risk of pneumonia. Early weight-bearing after this surgery should become standard practice because it measurably improves recovery and reduces complications.

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Surgeons need to rebuild jaw and face bones after cancer or injury, and they do this by moving bone from the fibula (a leg bone) to the head and neck area. This team used a special positioning device called the Spider Limb Positioner—originally designed for shoulder surgery—to hold the patient's leg steady during 61 of these procedures, and found it worked better than traditional methods because it gave surgeons a clearer view, was more comfortable for them to work with, and made it easier to reposition the patient without causing nerve injuries.

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Researchers developed a blood test that can detect a common cancer caused by HPV (the virus linked to cervical cancer) years before symptoms appear—up to 10 years early in some cases. The test works by finding tiny pieces of HPV DNA floating in the bloodstream, which the cancer releases long before the disease becomes noticeable. When they tested blood samples taken years before patients were actually diagnosed with cancer, the test caught 79% of future cancer cases while giving zero false alarms in healthy people. Using artificial intelligence to analyze the blood samples improved detection even further, catching 96% of cases. This matters because unlike cervical cancer, there's currently no screening test for this type of HPV-related throat cancer—the most common HPV cancer in America. A blood test that finds it a decade early could save lives by catching cancer when it's easiest to treat.

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This study looked at how different hospitals in the U.S. use transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for patients, focusing on the procedures before, during, and after surgery. Out of the 38 hospitals that responded, 60.5% performed more than 25 TORS cases a year, and most surgeons preferred customized removal of tissue to ensure safety. There was a lack of a standardized care plan, meaning practices varied widely, which highlights the need for more consistent guidelines to improve patient outcomes. Who this helps: This benefits patients undergoing TORS surgery and the healthcare professionals involved in their care.

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This study looked at how a mobile health app called HNC Virtual Coach could help people undergoing radiation therapy for head and neck cancer stick to their swallowing exercises. It found that patients using the app were better at following their exercise routines, leading to improved quality of life, although their physical swallowing ability didn't improve significantly. This research highlights the potential of mobile technology to support patients in managing the side effects of their treatment. Who this helps: This helps patients undergoing radiation therapy for head and neck cancer.

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This study looked at different methods for estimating how deep cancer has invaded the tissue in patients with oral tongue cancer before surgery. It examined 40 patients and found that three techniques—full-thickness biopsy, manual palpation, and intraoperative ultrasound—were similarly accurate in detecting tumor depths of 4 mm or more, with sensitivities ranging from 83% to 90%. This is important because it helps doctors better understand the severity of the cancer before making treatment decisions. Who this helps: Patients with oral tongue cancer seeking accurate assessments of their cancer's depth before surgery.

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Researchers studied 131 patients with HPV-positive throat cancer who had surgery to remove lymph nodes from their necks, looking at where the cancer had spread. They found that unusual spread patterns—where cancer appears in lower neck levels while skipping the upper levels—happened in only 5% of patients. These results suggest surgeons may be able to safely skip removing lymph nodes from the lowest neck level in some HPV-positive throat cancer patients, potentially reducing surgery complications without compromising cancer treatment.

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Surgeons use a small piece of tissue from the calf called a medial sural artery perforator flap to repair damaged areas elsewhere on the body—it's thin, flexible, and doesn't cause much damage to the donor site. The problem is that the traditional way of positioning the patient (with the leg bent outward like a frog) makes it awkward and uncomfortable for the surgeon to work. Researchers showed that crossing the patient's legs instead makes the surgery easier, gives the surgeon a better view, and provides better support for the tissue being harvested.

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Researchers looked at what questions people ask Google about laryngectomy (surgical removal of the voice box) between 2017 and 2022, finding that people most want to know about how to speak afterward, how to eat, survival rates, stoma care, and how it differs from a tracheostomy. They discovered that most websites answering these questions are too difficult to read—only about one-third are written at an 8th-grade level or below. The findings show that doctors and hospitals should focus their patient education materials on these five key topics and make sure the information is easy enough for average patients to understand.

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Researchers studied 145 patients who had surgery to remove skin cancer that had spread to the parotid gland (a salivary gland in front of the ear), tracking how many survived over three years and which surgical factors made a difference. The surgery worked reasonably well—about three-quarters of patients survived overall—but patients who were immunosuppressed (had weakened immune systems) or whose cancer showed signs of invading blood vessels did much worse, as did patients whose surgeons couldn't completely remove all the cancer or didn't remove enough lymph nodes. This matters because it shows which patients with this type of advanced skin cancer need the most aggressive treatment and closest monitoring, and that completely removing the cancer and a sufficient number of lymph nodes is critical to survival.

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Surgeons sometimes rebuild the head and neck after cancer or injury by taking tissue from the arm or chest and grafting it to the damaged area. This study compared how well patients' arms and shoulders work after four different types of these grafts, measuring disability using a standard questionnaire given an average of 20 months after surgery. All four graft types resulted in similar outcomes: patients reported minimal to mild arm problems and generally functioned well, meaning the choice of graft type doesn't significantly affect how much your arm gets worse after surgery.

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Researchers studied 64 tongue cancer patients who had surgery to remove part of their tongue, tracking whether they lost sensation in their tongue tip after healing. They discovered that removing more than 1.3 centimeters of tongue tissue significantly increased the risk of permanent loss of feeling in the tongue tip, which also made it harder for patients to speak clearly and reduced their quality of life. This finding helps doctors predict which patients will lose tongue sensation after surgery and plan better reconstruction techniques to minimize this damage.

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Researchers tracked blood tests that measure HPV DNA in two throat cancer patients to monitor their disease during and after treatment. Both patients unexpectedly developed a second separate HPV-related cancer while being treated for their first one, which made the blood test results confusing because the test couldn't tell which cancer the detected DNA was coming from. This matters because as doctors increasingly use this blood test to catch cancer recurrence early, they need to know that rising levels don't always mean the original cancer is coming back—a patient might have developed a completely new cancer instead, which requires different treatment decisions.

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This study examined how surgeons use Virtual Surgical Planning (VSP) in reconstructive surgery for the head and neck. It found that 96% of surgeons used VSP in about half of their jaw reconstruction cases, and 46% used patient-specific implants more than 75% of the time. Understanding these patterns can help improve surgical outcomes and education in complex cases, with an average reported cost of $6,680 per VSP case. Who this helps: This benefits patients undergoing head and neck surgery, as well as the surgeons who treat them.

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This study looked at the use of a breathing support method called non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) right after surgery for a woman with ALS who had a major facial reconstruction. The findings showed that using NIPPV immediately after surgery helped prevent complications and allowed for successful recovery without the need for a more invasive procedure like a tracheotomy. This is important because it shows that patients can recover safely while using less invasive breathing support. Who this helps: This helps patients undergoing complex facial surgeries.

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This study looked at how cleaning the surgical area with antiseptic solutions before and after surgery affects the risk of infections in patients undergoing surgeries to reconstruct parts of the throat and mouth. They found that 20.9% of patients developed infections after their operations, but using antiseptics before the surgery cut the chances of infections by nearly half (odds ratio of 0.49), and another medication also helped reduce the risk (odds ratio of 0.42). These findings are important because they can lead to better practices that lower the rate of infections after these complex surgeries. Who this helps: Patients undergoing surgeries on the upper aerodigestive tract.

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This study looked at whether a specific type of HPV DNA (known as circulating tumor HPV DNA) could be found in the blood of people before they were diagnosed with HPV-related head and neck cancer. Among 12 patients studied, 30% had detectable HPV DNA in their blood up to 43 months before their cancer diagnosis, while none of the 100 healthy individuals showed this DNA. Finding this DNA early could lead to earlier diagnosis and potentially better treatment outcomes for these patients. Who this helps: This helps patients at risk for HPV-related head and neck cancer.

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This study looked at a new tool called VESPA to assess the physical abilities of patients before they undergo major head and neck surgery. Out of 58 patients, nearly 25% reported issues with daily activities, and 17% had low functional status, which was linked to longer hospital stays and more complicated discharge plans. This research matters because it helps identify patients who might need extra support and planning before and after surgery to improve their recovery experience. Who this helps: This helps patients preparing for major head and neck surgeries.

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This study explored a new, less invasive way to diagnose HPV-related head and neck cancer by looking for tumor DNA in blood samples instead of taking tissue samples. Researchers found that this blood test had a very high accuracy, detecting the cancer correctly 98.4% of the time and correctly identifying healthy individuals 98.6% of the time. Additionally, it was cheaper and resulted in diagnoses about 26 days faster compared to traditional methods. Who this helps: This benefits patients who may need quicker and less invasive cancer diagnoses.

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Researchers reviewed 138 patients who had robotic surgery to remove throat cancer and tracked how many needed feeding tubes afterward. Only 5 patients (3.6%) needed feeding tubes in the first month after surgery, and just 1 person still needed one a year later, showing that most patients could eat normally again quickly. The study found no specific patient or tumor characteristics that could predict who would need a feeding tube, meaning doctors can't use pre-surgery factors to identify high-risk patients—but the good news is that feeding tubes are rarely necessary anyway when patients receive coordinated care from multiple specialists.

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Researchers measured virus DNA in the blood of throat cancer patients before and after surgery to see if it could predict whether cancer remained in their bodies. They found that patients whose blood virus levels dropped to nearly zero within one day after surgery stayed cancer-free, while patients with high virus levels one day after surgery had leftover cancer cells that needed additional treatment. This matters because a simple blood test done one day after surgery could tell doctors which patients need follow-up chemotherapy or radiation, potentially personalizing treatment and improving outcomes.

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Researchers studied the complications that can arise from free flap surgeries used in head and neck reconstruction. They identified specific terms to describe these complications after surveying 11 expert surgeons. Out of 19 terms, 14 were agreed upon as essential for clear communication and understanding among medical professionals, which will improve the way complications are reported and addressed in future healthcare practices. Who this helps: This benefits patients and doctors by improving treatment outcomes and communication.

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This research examined how robotic and endoscopic techniques are used in head and neck surgery, particularly for treating cancers in the throat and voice box. It found that these minimally invasive approaches not only reduce complications from surgery but also improve survival rates compared to traditional methods. For patients with oropharyngeal cancer caused by HPV, robotic surgery provides similar outcomes to radiation therapy but with fewer side effects. Who this helps: This benefits patients with head and neck cancers and their doctors by providing safer and more effective treatment options.