Objectives: Since 1997, we have performed the autologous transplantation of fascia into the vocal fold (ATFV) procedure on cases of sulcus vocalis. In what follows, we report the long‐term results of our new surgical approach and discuss the role of these transplantations. We also review and report some complications that can be caused by ATFV. Finally, we discuss the ATFV technique as a contribution to the phonosurgery of the future. Study Design: Prospective study. Methods: We were able to obtain long‐term results from 10 volunteer cases (2 female and 8 male, age: 15–71, mean 46.5 years old) who could be followed up for at least 3 years after transplantation. All were cases of pathologic sulcus vocalis. We measured maximum phonation time (MPT) and carried out pre‐ and postsurgical clinical observation and laryngeal stroboscopy in all cases. These measurements and observations were made before the ATFV and at 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years after surgery. Results: In stroboscopic observation 1 year after the ATFV, satisfactory glottal closure and excellent mucosal wave were observed for all cases, and there was no case with hyperadduction of the false vocal folds. MPT measures remained at an improved level 2 years and 3 years after the transplantations. Paired‐sample t tests showed that the improvement relative to preATFV levels was significant for all postsurgical measurements up to 3 years. Conclusions: We conclude that ATFV is a successful surgical procedure for sulcus vocalis and scarred vocal folds. Other phonosurgical clinical applications may also be envisioned.

BackgroundLifestyle factors, including food and nutrition, physical activity, body composition and reproductive factors, and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with breast cancer risk, but few studies of these factors have been performed in the Japanese population. Thus, the goals of this study were to validate the association between reported SNPs and breast cancer risk in the Japanese population and to evaluate the effects of SNP genotypes and lifestyle factors on breast cancer risk.MethodsA case–control study in 472 patients and 464 controls was conducted from December 2010 to November 2011. Lifestyle was examined using a self-administered questionnaire. We analyzed 16 breast cancer-associated SNPs based on previous GWAS or candidate-gene association studies. Age or multivariate-adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated from logistic regression analyses.ResultsHigh BMI and current or former smoking were significantly associated with an increased breast cancer risk, while intake of meat, mushrooms, yellow and green vegetables, coffee, and green tea, current leisure-time exercise, and education were significantly associated with a decreased risk. Three SNPs were significantly associated with a breast cancer risk in multivariate analysis: rs2046210 (per allele OR = 1.37 [95% CI: 1.11-1.70]), rs3757318 (OR = 1.33[1.05-1.69]), and rs3803662 (OR = 1.28 [1.07-1.55]). In 2046210 risk allele carriers, leisure-time exercise was associated with a significantly decreased risk for breast cancer, whereas current smoking and high BMI were associated with a significantly decreased risk in non-risk allele carriers.ConclusionIn Japanese women, rs2046210 and 3757318 located near the ESR1 gene are associated with a risk of breast cancer, as in other Asian women. However, our findings suggest that exercise can decrease this risk in allele carriers.

Evaluation of biomarker expression in ALNM could be useful for prognosis in breast cancer patients with 1-3 metastatic lymph nodes.

No abstract

Our transoral en bloc resection technique can be easily adopted, and it effectively maintained QOL after treatment.