No abstract

Thirty six-patients with inoperable cancers of the oesophagus or gastric tumour in the cardia were treated by endoscopic alcohol injection. After dilatation using Savary dilators, absolute alcohol was injected in 0.5-1 ml aliquots into protuberant parts using a sclerotherapy needle. The mean volume per session was 7.8 ml. The mean dysphagia score improved from 2.7 before treatment to 1.4 after treatment (p < 0.001). Complications included mediastinitis in one patient and tracheo-oesophageal fistulas in two patients. The mean duration of palliation before the development of recurrent dysphagia was 35 days. The mean survival was 82 days. Endoscopic alcohol injection is effective in relieving malignant dysphagia. This inexpensive and easily available technique merits comparative studies with more established forms of therapy, such as laser photocoagulation.

Clinically important esophageal lesions rarely coexists with oral cavity SCC, for which the benefit of routine esophagogastroduodenoscopy is questionable. Chromoendoscopy enhances the identification of early but clinically important esophageal abnormalities if esophagoscopy is performed for SCC in the larynx, hypopharynx, and oropharynx.

Percutaneous ethanol sclerotherapy is an effective minimally invasive modality of therapy for TDC. Further studies with longer follow-up are warranted.

No abstract

Total thyroidectomy with prophylactic unilateral CCD is a safe procedure for PTC without added complication rates compared with total thyroidectomy alone. It is recommended for patients with PTC and clinically negative neck lymph nodes.

Reconstruction of full-thickness buccal defect is challenging as two linings need to be addressed. Either two different flaps or double-paddle for one free flaps are necessary for this defect. The prolonged operation might not be tolerated by patients because of advanced age or medical comorbidity. A 77-year-old gentleman, with significant medical comorbidity, presented with a 4.0 × 4.5 cm ulcerative mass due to squamous cell carcinoma arising from the left buccal mucosa. The tumor extended to the left cheek skin. There was no palpable neck node. CT scan did not show any bony erosion or suspicious neck node. Full-thickness resection of the tumour was undertaken. For the full-thickness buccal defect, a bi-paddled pedicled submental flap after de-epithelialization of the flap skin was used for both the cutaneous and mucosal resurfacing. The flap survived completely and patient recovered smoothly. The surgery is simple and operation time is much shorter than free flap reconstruction. This modified utilization of submental flap simplifies the closure of complicated oro-facial wound.

Submandibular sialoadenectomy under local anesthesia is feasible. It can shorten the hospital stay and facilitate day-case surgery.