SARAH CHRISTINE NYIRJESY, MD

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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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This study looked at how age and lifestyle habits, specifically smoking and drinking, affect survival rates in young people with oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC). Researchers found that among 630 patients, only 17 were young nonsmokers and nondrinkers, and while these younger patients received more aggressive treatment, their survival rates were similar to older patients who smoked or drank. This matters because it highlights that being young and having no traditional risk factors does not guarantee better survival outcomes. Who this helps: This information is valuable for patients with oral cancer, their families, and doctors who are treating younger patients.

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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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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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This research examined how much effort people with different types of cochlear implants (CI) put into listening, particularly in challenging situations with background noise. It involved 24 adults who listened to sentences and recalled the last word, finding that listening effort varied with the complexity of the task but not by the type of cochlear implant they used. Understanding listening effort helps improve care for CI users, and this study introduces a practical way to measure it during clinical visits. Who this helps: Patients with cochlear implants and their doctors.

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This study looked at patients who had transoral robotic surgery (TORS) to treat throat cancer and tracked how many needed to be readmitted to the hospital within 30 days after their surgery. They found that the overall readmission rate dropped from 23.7% in 2010 to 9.1% in 2017, totaling 971 readmissions out of 5,544 patients. Key factors increasing the chance of readmission included being male or having heart failure, while having neck surgery at the same time seemed to lower the risk of needing readmission. Who this helps: This research benefits both patients undergoing throat cancer surgery and doctors making treatment decisions.

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This research looked at the factors that could increase the risk of oral cavity cancer in people who don’t smoke. They found that alcohol consumption and chewable tobacco products are significant risk factors, with 22 studies focusing on alcohol use alone. Understanding these risk factors is crucial because it helps doctors identify and support non-smokers who may still be at risk for this type of cancer. Who this helps: Patients, especially non-smokers at risk for oral cavity cancer.

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Researchers examined a unique way to manage a complicated facial wound in a 58-year-old woman with a severe infection. They used 3D printing technology to create a custom silicone splint that allowed for safe treatment of her wound without risking damage to her eye. After just five days of using this splint with a vacuum therapy, her wound showed significant improvement, eventually allowing for further surgeries and leading to excellent healing six months later. Who this helps: This approach benefits patients with complex facial wounds, particularly those at risk for complications near delicate structures.

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This study looked at the impact of hypothyroidism on patients who had surgery for head and neck cancer and found that those with hypothyroidism had a 12.2% higher chance of being readmitted to the hospital within 30 days compared to those without this condition. Out of 131,013 patients studied, 15.9% were readmitted, and patients with hypothyroidism tended to have longer hospital stays and higher total charges due to complications like infections and wound issues. Understanding this connection is important because it suggests that healthcare providers should consider special care plans for hypothyroid patients to reduce their risk of readmission and improve their recovery. Who this helps: This helps patients with head and neck cancer, especially those with hypothyroidism.

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This study looked at how well induction chemotherapy (IC) worked for patients with advanced sinonasal malignancies, a type of cancer affecting the nose and sinuses. Out of 42 patients treated, those who responded well to the chemotherapy had a much better survival rate of about 67% over five years, compared to just 10% for those who did not respond well. Understanding these responses can help doctors choose the right treatments for patients, which is important for improving outcomes. Who this helps: This helps patients with sinonasal cancers and their doctors by guiding treatment decisions.

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This study looked at how using a special device that gives feedback through vibrations can help surgeons maintain better posture during tonsillectomies, a common surgery. The findings showed that when surgeons used the device, their ergonomic scores improved, with a notable 30% reduction in time spent in poor posture. This is important because it could help prevent injuries and improve the overall health and productivity of surgeons. Who this helps: This benefits surgeons and may lead to better outcomes in surgical procedures.

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This study looked at how well two types of artificial trachea, partially decellularized tracheal grafts (PDTG) and composite tracheal grafts (CTG), could develop new blood vessels after being implanted into mice. At one month after surgery, both grafts successfully formed new blood vessels similar to those in natural trachea or traditional grafts, showing a robust ability to support the regeneration of cells necessary for keeping the grafts alive. This finding is important because it indicates that these new grafts can potentially be effective for patients needing trachea replacement due to injury or disease. Who this helps: This benefits patients requiring trachea reconstruction, such as those with severe airway injuries or congenital defects.

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This study looked at how the quality of CT scans affects the accuracy of 3D-printed models of the jawbone used for planning surgeries for oral cancer. The researchers found that using higher resolution scans (specifically, scans with a slice thickness of 3.00 mm or less) produced models that were significantly more accurate than those made from lower-resolution scans (5.00 mm), with accuracy improving further when the models were digitally sculpted. This is important because it means that better CT scans and careful digital work lead to more precise surgical planning, ultimately improving patient outcomes. Who this helps: This helps patients undergoing reconstructive surgery for oral cancer.

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Researchers studied tracheal grafts made from donor tissues and found that a method called partial decellularization helped eliminate the immune response that usually causes rejection. Specifically, while typical tracheal allografts lead to immune cell infiltration and damage to the new tissue, the partially decellularized tracheal grafts did not show these signs of rejection and instead supported healthy airway tissue growth. This finding is important because it shows a potential new way to create effective treatments for patients with large tracheal defects, where standard options are currently lacking. Who this helps: This benefits patients needing tracheal reconstruction.

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This study looked at how two hormones, GLP-1 and GIP, affect insulin production in adults with cystic fibrosis who have problems with glucose tolerance. The researchers found that GLP-1 significantly improved insulin release in these patients, while GIP did not have the same effect. This matters because it suggests that GLP-1 could be a helpful treatment for managing blood sugar levels in individuals with cystic fibrosis. Who this helps: Patients with cystic fibrosis and glucose intolerance.

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This study looks at how computer-aided design and 3D printing can improve surgeries for patients with head and neck cancer, particularly when reconstructing bone after tumor removal. The researchers found that using 3D printed models and custom plates has significantly reduced surgery times and improved outcomes for patients. For example, these innovations help surgeons plan better and reduce complications like blood flow problems, leading to safer and more effective surgeries. Who this helps: This benefits patients undergoing head and neck cancer surgery and their surgeons.

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This study focused on how a drug called sitagliptin affects insulin and hormone levels in adults with pancreatic insufficient cystic fibrosis who also have abnormal glucose tolerance. Researchers found that after six months of taking sitagliptin, levels of certain hormones that help regulate insulin increased significantly, and there was a modest improvement in insulin secretion and glucagon suppression. However, the drug did not improve overall blood sugar control after meals. Who this helps: This helps patients with cystic fibrosis who struggle with glucose regulation.

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This study looked at how well the pancreas produces insulin in patients with cystic fibrosis who don’t digest food properly. Researchers found that those with early glucose intolerance (identified by a 1-hour blood sugar level of 155 mg/dL or higher) had problems with insulin secretion right after eating, indicating their pancreatic function was compromised. This matters because recognizing these issues early can help manage blood sugar levels and prevent complications in cystic fibrosis patients. Who this helps: Patients with cystic fibrosis and their healthcare providers.

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This study looked at how well the pancreas releases insulin in people with cystic fibrosis who do or do not have pancreatic insufficiency. It found that those with pancreatic insufficiency (PI-CF) had significantly lower insulin and hormone responses compared to those with sufficient pancreatic function (PS-CF) and healthy individuals. Even when their blood sugar levels were normal, people with PI-CF showed signs of early issues that could lead to diabetes, specifically a reduced ability to regulate blood sugar after meals. Who this helps: Patients with cystic fibrosis, especially those with pancreatic insufficiency.

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This study explored whether the red blood cell distribution width (RDW) can predict the recovery outcomes for patients who suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), a type of bleeding in the brain. They found that out of 40 patients, 19 (about 48%) had poor outcomes three months later, and those with higher RDW levels were more likely to do poorly; for every increase in RDW, the odds of a bad outcome rose by 2.5 times. This is important because it suggests that RDW could help doctors assess how well patients might recover after this serious condition. Who this helps: This benefits patients and doctors treating individuals with subarachnoid hemorrhage.