Robot-assisted SOND via a modified face-lift or retroauricular approach in cN0 oral cavity SCC was feasible compared to conventional technique and showed a clear cosmetic benefit. Longer operation time remains the drawback of this procedure. However, it could be considered for patients who require SOND and prefer to avoid external neck scar.

4. Laryngoscope, 126:1952-1957, 2016.

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of the characteristics of subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) to the disease progression‐free survival and distant failure‐free survival of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Methods We enrolled 152 HNSCC patients who underwent staging 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/CT (PET/CT). Maximum FDG uptake (standardized uptake value [SUV]) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) of the primary tumor and volume, CT‐attenuation (Hounsfield units [HU]), and FDG uptake of SAT and VAT were measured. Survival analysis using Cox proportional hazard modeling was performed to assess the relationship between the adipose tissue parameters of PET/CT and survival. Results Patients with low VAT volume and high VAT HU had significantly worse progression‐free survival and distant failure‐free survival than those with high VAT volume and low VAT HU. On multivariate analysis, the volume and HU of VAT were significantly correlated with disease progression‐free survival and distant failure‐free survival after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, TNM stage, serum C‐reactive protein, maximum SUV, and TLG. Conclusion The volume and CT‐attenuation of VAT were significantly correlated with disease progression‐free survival and distant failure‐free survival in patients with HNSCC.

ObjectivesThis study assessed the regenerative efficacy of basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF) in a rabbit model of chronic vocal fold scarring and then confirmed its utility and safety in a prospective trial of patients with this condition.MethodsFGF was injected three times, at 1-week intervals, into a chronic vocal fold scar created in a rabbit model. After 1 month, mRNA level of procollagen I, hyaluronic acid synthetase 2 (HAS 2), and matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP 2) were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The relative densities of hyaluronic acid (HA) and collagen were examined 3 months post-injection. From April 2012 to September 2014, a prospective clinical trial was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Korea. FGF was injected into the mild vocal fold scar of 17 consecutive patients with a small glottic gap. The patients underwent perceptual, stroboscopic, acoustic aerodynamic test, and Voice Handicap Index (VHI) survey prior to and 3, 6, and 12 months after FGF injection.ResultsFGF injection of the vocal fold scar decreased the density of collagen and increased mRNA level of HAS 2 and MMP 2 expression significantly compared to the control group injected with phosphate buffered solution in a rabbit model (P<0.05). In the clinical trial, significant improvements in the majority of the subjective and objective voice parameters were registered 3 months after FGF injection and were maintained at 12 months. Complications associated with the FGF injections, such as granuloma, were not observed during the follow-up period.ConclusionBased on the animal model and the prospective clinical trial, vocal fold injections of FGF in patients with mild chronic vocal fold scarring can significantly improve voice quality for as long as 1 year and without side effects. Our results recommend the use of FGF vocal fold injection as an alternative treatment modality for mild chronic vocal fold scarring.

Endoscopic selective neck dissection via an RA or an MFL approach is technically feasible and safe with satisfactory cosmetic results for patients with clinically node-negative early-stage head and neck cancer.