Objective This study aimed to determine the impact or survival of low skeletal muscle mass (SMM) among patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) undergoing primary surgery. Design This study was a retrospective cohort study. Setting Oral squamous cell carcinoma patients treated at our referral centre from April 2005 to March 2014 were examined. Participants The cohort comprised 276 patients with OSCC undergoing primary surgery. Main outcome measures Estimated SMM was measured by calculating the cervical skeletal muscle mass from a CT scan of the head and neck. The 5‐year overall survival (OS) and disease‐specific survival (DSS) were analysed using a multivariable Cox regression model. Results There were 276 patients with a male‐to‐female ratio of 12:1. A low SMM (<47.5 cm2/m2) was associated with worse survival. After adjustment for other factors, the result remained robust for OS (hazard ratio [HR] 1.74, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14‐2.67) and disease‐specific survival (HR 1.67, 95% CI 1.04‐2.67). In the subgroup analysis, worse OS and DSS were particularly noted in male patients (HR = 1.90, 95% CI 1.22‐2.97; HR = 1.91, 95% CI 1.27‐3.19) and in those younger than 60 years of age (HR = 1.91, 95% CI 1.14‐3.22; HR = 2.12, 95% CI 1.23‐3.64) with low SMM. Conclusions Low SMM was a significant independent factor that was associated with lower survival in patients who have oral cavity cancers and are undergoing primary surgery. Preoperative CT scans of the head and neck could be utilised to evaluate SMM, predict treatment outcomes and facilitate nutrition management.

The most common pathogen identified through pus culturing was S. viridans, followed by K. pneumoniae. The identification of anaerobes was shown to increase in recent years. The antibiotics initially selected should be effective against both aerobes and anaerobes. Bacterial identification may be associated with host clinical factors and environmental factors.

ObjectivesTo review cases of peritonsillar abscess and investigate the initial clinical factors that may influence the duration of hospitalization. To determine the predictive factors of prolonged hospital stay in adult patients with peritonsillar abscess.MethodsSubjects were adults hospitalized with peritonsillar abscess. We retrospectively reviewed 377 medical records from 1990 to 2013 in a tertiary medical center in southern Taiwan. The association between clinical characteristics and the length of hospital stay was analyzed with independent t-test, univariate linear regression and multiple linear regression analysis.ResultsThe mean duration of hospitalization was 6.2±6.0 days. With univariate linear regression, a prolonged hospital stay was associated with several variables, including female gender, older ages, nonsmoking status, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, band forms in white blood cell (WBC) counts, and lower hemoglobin levels. With multiple linear regression analysis, four independent predictors of hospital stay were noted: years of age (P<0.001), history of diabetes mellitus (P<0.001), ratio of band form WBC (P<0.001), and hemoglobin levels (P<0.001).ConclusionIn adult patients with peritonsillar abscess, older ages, history of diabetes mellitus, band forms in WBC counts and lower hemoglobin levels were independent predictors of longer hospitalization.

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