Introduction: One of the most common complications in the immediate and late postoperative period following total laryngectomy or pharyngolaryngectomy is pharyngocutaneous fistulae (PCF) formation and pharyngoesophageal stenosis (PES), causing significant mortality and morbidity. Since 1978, Montgomery salivary bypass tube (MSBT) has been used to reduce the incidence of PCF and PES. The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze the outcomes of using MSBT both as a tool to prevent PCF and PES and to treat these complications in the postoperative period. Methods: Between January 2013 and December 2019, we inserted 109 MSBT in 87 patients with laryngeal/hypopharyngeal cancer treated in the Unit of Otolaryngology of our University Hospital. Results: Sixty (86.9%) patients healed from complications with primary and secondary placement of MSBT. Seven patients presented a persistence of PCF and 2 presented a recurrence of PES. Secondary placement of MSBT allowed treating successfully 15 (83%) of 18 patients. Only 3 of them presented a PCF at the end of the follow-up period. Conclusion: According to our experience, the MSBT is an affordable, easy to apply and well-tolerated tool. Although it is generally used for PCF treatment, it can also be used intraoperatively for PCF and PES prevention.
In recent years, in our university hospital, the number of odontogenic and non-odontogenic abscesses has been rapidly increasing. We included 70 patients from January 4 th 2018 to February 19 th 2020 affected by the odontogenic ones. Deep neck infection can spread to the chest and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this mini-review is to demonstrate that, in case of complications, a multidisciplinary approach is needed to treat these infections, so that all practitioners should work together to achieve the patient's rapid recovery.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was declared a pandemic due to its rapid spread worldwide, and its vaccination campaign is considered one of the most historic public hygiene measures in modern medicine. Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) is a common emergency that affects patient’s quality of life and requires rapid treatment with steroids. The etiology could be viral or vascular even though in most cases it remains unknown (idiopathic SSHL). During the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination campaign, several rare but serious adverse events have been reported including thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome, myocarditis, and Guillain-Barré Syndrome. ENT adverse events after vaccination were reported too, including cases of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL), vestibular neuronitis and audio vestibular disorders (such as tinnitus, dizziness, and vertigo). For the first time here, we reported two cases of SSHL after third administration of COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. Even if there is not clear evidence of an association between SSHL and vaccination, adverse effects should be kept in mind since viral infection could be the etiology of SSHL.
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