Utilizing historical clinical datasets to guide future treatment choices is beneficial for patients and physicians. Machine learning and feature selection algorithms (namely, Fisher’s discriminant ratio, Kruskal-Wallis’ analysis, and Relief-F) have been combined in this research to analyse a SEER database containing clinical features from de-identified thyroid cancer patients. The data covered 34 unique clinical variables such as patients’ age at diagnosis or information regarding lymph nodes, which were employed to build various novel classifiers to distinguish patients that lived for over 10 years since diagnosis, from those who did not survive at least five years. By properly optimizing supervised neural networks, specifically multilayer perceptrons, using data from large groups of thyroid cancer patients (between 6,756 and 20,344 for different models), we demonstrate that unspecialized and existing medical recording can be reliably turned into power of prediction to help doctors make informed and optimized treatment decisions, as distinguishing patients in terms of prognosis has been achieved with 94.5% accuracy. We also envisage the potential of applying our machine learning strategy to other diseases and purposes such as in designing clinical trials for unmasking the maximum benefits and minimizing risks associated with new drug candidates on given populations.

INTRODUCTION:Autologous rib harvest is a useful technique for rhinoplasty when septal cartilage is inadequate. For patients who have previously undergone augmentation mammoplasty, however, there is theoretical concern about the risk to breast implant integrity during costal cartilage harvest. The true risk to patients and their implants from autologous rib harvest is poorly studied. Herein, we review our technique and experience with autologous rib harvest after augmentation mammoplasty. METHOD:We performed a retrospective review of patients who underwent autologous rib harvest after augmentation mammoplasty between February 1998 and February 2017 at a tertiary care hospital and private practice. We identified basic demographics, implant type, approach to implantation, and any post-operative complications following rib harvest. Surgery was performed using an inframammary approach with a boat-technique for cartilage harvest. RESULTS:A total of 109 individuals, aged 19-64, were included in our study. There was a 2% rate of post-operative seroma development; no patients developed long-term complications. There was a 5% rate of incidental intraoperative discovery of implant dehiscence or implant entry, all of which were repaired primarily at the time of surgery, and none of which developed post-operative sequelae. There were no cases of pneumothorax, post-operative breast malposition, or other major complications. CONCLUSION:Herein, we present the largest cohort of patients to undergo autologous rib harvest after augmentation mammoplasty. Routine intra-operative drain placement and perioperative imaging is unnecessary. Our technique allows harvest of a suitable amount of cartilage, is very cosmetically acceptable to this cosmetically-conscious population, and is safe for patients and their implants.

Reconstruction of pharyngoesophageal defects after total laryngectomies and extirpation of hypopharyngeal and upper esophageal carcinomas presents a challenging task. Goals of reconstruction include adequate voice rehabilitation and restoration of normal swallowing. The reconstructive armamentarium contains many options for reconstruction and creation of a new upper digestive tract. This review article focuses on the most commonly used free tissue transfer options for the reconstruction of these defects, with an assessment of their advantages and disadvantages.

AbstractScarring is a natural process of healing after damage to the skin that extends to the reticular dermis. While some scars may be socially acceptable, even admirable, scars of the face can be viewed as disfiguring or ugly. Minimizing the appearance of facial scars and optimizing their cosmetic outcome ideally begin before surgery or, in the cause of trauma, at the initial reconstruction. Even when there has been poor initial healing, a scar's appearance can be improved. Herein, we review conservative, medical, and surgical therapies to improve the appearance of facial scars.

Giant cell angiofibroma (GCA) was first described in 1995, as a previously unrecognized soft tissue tumor of the orbit. Since that time, rare extraorbital head and neck manifestations of GCA have been documented. To the best of our knowledge, we present the fourth documented case of GCA of the buccal cavity, constituting the largest dominant site of occurrence in the extraorbital head and neck.

The objective of this review is to provide an overview on the diagnosis and management of traumatic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks. This comprehensive review explores controversies associated with the management of CSF leaks as well as a review of the most contemporary literature. The scope of this article covers both traumatic CSF leaks of the middle and anterior cranial fossae.

Nasoseptal perforations can be a challenging defect for the reconstructive surgeon, with repair limited by the surrounding tissue availability and the defect size. In patients with a history of cocaine use, often the integrity of surrounding vasculature is questionable and large defects may not be well suited for local reconstruction. In the otolaryngology literature, several reconstructive options using local tissue and synthetic materials have been described, but there have been no reports of microvascular free flaps utilized in this regard. We present a unique case of a 37-year-old woman with a 3.0 cm × 3.5 cm nasoseptal perforation secondary to cocaine use successfully reconstructed with a temporoparietal fascia free flap anastomosed to the facial artery and vein. Postoperatively, the patient had a well-healed septal defect from the free flap reconstruction This new technique shows promise as a feasible option for patients with large defects and for those with limited local reconstructive options. The ease of harvest and low donor-site morbidity make the temporoparietal fascia flap a suitable option for repair of complex nasoseptal defects.

The temporalis flap is a common flap used in head and neck reconstruction. In this article, the authors present a new modification of the use of the temporalis muscle flap for orbital skull base reconstruction with the use of a sphenoid keyhole. This technique confers multiple advantages in reducing the arc of rotation and providing a tension-free reconstruction of the orbital skull base.

Background The objective of this study was to determine whether there was a difference in complication rate between cutaneous and mucosal defects reconstructed with the supraclavicular artery flap.Methods Retrospective review of postoperative complications in 63 patients from 2008 to 2015 with cutaneous and mucosal head and neck defects following oncologic ablation reconstructed with the supraclavicular flap, with a minimum follow-up duration of 6 months. Of the 63 patients, 38 patients had cutaneous defects, whereas 25 had mucosal defects. Patients were followed up postoperatively to determine the presence of wound infection, partial flap necrosis, complete flap necrosis, and fistula formation. Complications in both defect groups as well as a statistical comparison of total complications were analyzed.Results Patients with cutaneous defects reconstructed with the supraclavicular flap had significantly lower postoperative complications than those with mucosal defects (p = 0.002). Flap necrosis, both partial and complete, was also lower in this same group (p = 0.0052).Conclusion The supraclavicular artery flap may be a more suitable option for patients with cutaneous defects, given the reliability and lower propensity for postoperative complications

Approaches to surgical management of skull base pathology and reconstruction of skull base defects have evolved over the past several decades. The goal, however, remains the same-to effectively address the pathology withminimal complications. In this article, the authors try to explore multiple complications of skull base surgery, discussing their incidence, natural course, and prevention. This will prove beneficial in optimal management of patients with a myriad of skull base disorders.

Purpose: This study represents the most recent epidemiologic trends of head and neck cancer (HNC) in the United States. It provides an important discussion on oropharyngeal cancer and cancers related to the human papillomavirus. The objective was to identify trends in HNC (2002 to 2012) within the United States. Materials and Methods: This study is a retrospective analysis of the US National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) submission. Using the November 2014 submission of the SEER database and SEER-18 data files, data from 2002 to 2012 were analyzed to determine the most recent epidemiologic trends. HNCs of all subtypes were analyzed together. Laryngeal cancers were further analyzed separately. Oropharyngeal cancers of the base of tongue and tonsil were analyzed independently to attempt to trend HPV-related cancers. Results: From 2002 to 2012, there were 149,301 cases of HNC recorded in the SEER database. The HNC rate decreased by 0.22% per year (P = .0549) and the rate of laryngeal cancer decreased by 1.9% per year (P < .0001). The rate of oropharyngeal (HPV-related) cancer increased by 2.5% per year (P < .0001). HNC rates increased significantly in Kentucky and Connecticut and decreased in California (P < .05). HPV-related cancers increased significantly in all states except Georgia, Hawaii, and Michigan (P < .05). Laryngeal cancer rates decreased in California, Georgia, New Jersey, and New Mexico (P < .05). Conclusions: The overall incidence of HNC is decreasing in the United States. There is an increasing incidence of HPV-related cancers of the oropharynx. Meaningful differences in cancer incidence and rate of change exist between men and women. Furthermore, younger groups have a greater decrease of overall HNC, with an overall increase in HPV-related cancer in patients older than 50 years. (C) 2017 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

The efficacy of intraoperative nerve monitoring is controversial in the literature. This study of a single surgeon’s experience seeks to determine if the use of intraoperative nerve monitoring influences recurrent laryngeal nerve injury during thyroid surgery.

We analyzed patients with advanced parotid malignancy requiring proximal facial nerve exposure undergoing mastoidectomy versus lateral temporal bone resection to determine differences in local and distant recurrence.

BACKGROUND:Avoidance of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury during parathyroid surgery is of paramount important. The purpose of this study was to determine if intraoperative nerve monitoring allowed for decreased rates of RLN injury during parathyroid surgery.METHOD:Between 1997 and 2016, 213 patients undergoing parathyroidectomy were retrospectively analyzed to determine postoperative recurrent nerve injury. Eighty-seven patients did not have intraoperative nerve monitoring, whereas 126 patients did.RESULTS:Based on the number of patients presenting with nerve injury during the postoperative period operated on with and without nerve monitoring, it was found that the difference in the 2 modalities was not statistically significant (P > .05).CONCLUSION:Routine use of intraoperative nerve monitoring during parathyroid surgery may not yield any additional benefit in preventing injury to the RLN.

Brow asymmetry is a relatively common occurrence, especially in the facial plastic surgeon's office. In this article, the authors review causes of brow asymmetry, pertinent anatomy, and a litany of treatment options including nonsurgical and surgical approaches. They offer an algorithm that summarizes the various techniques for management with the goal of tailoring treatment tactics to the individual patient's needs.

Calvarial reconstruction is a challenge to reconstructive surgeons, especially considering protection of intracranial contents. In recent years, the advent of multiple reconstructive materials adds tools to the surgical armamentarium. Options include autologous split calvarial and rib grafts and alloplastic materials such as titanium mesh, methyl methacrylate, calcium hydroxyapatite, and polyetheretherketone. The most important aspect of cranial reconstruction still lies in finding the most aesthetic, safe, and reliable means of filling a defect.

To determine the utility of intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM) during tracheal resection or slide tracheoplasty to prevent recurrent laryngeal nerve injury.

Purpose: To report the outcomes of 47 patients with temporal bone osteoradionecrosis treated primarily with surgical resection in order to analyze whether flap type and hyperbaric oxygen use affect wound breakdown.& para;& para;Materials and methods: Between January 1998 and January 2016, 47 patients were treated for temporal bone osteoradionecrosis with surgery. Some patients were also treated with hyperbaric oxygen. Resection of grossly necrotic temporal bone was followed by immediate reconstruction with local, regional, or free flaps. Minimum follow-up was 6 months. If patients had breakdown of their initial reconstructions, secondary reconstruction was performed with either a regional or free flap. During the post-operative period, wound breakdown, flap complications, and patient survival were noted.& para;& para;Results: 30 patients developed ORN from primary radiotherapy while 17 had post-operative radiation. It was found that wound breakdown was significantly associated with type of flap reconstruction (p = 0.02) with local flap reconstruction portending a poorer prognosis. Hyperbaric oxygen was not associated with decreased wound breakdown (p = 0.5).& para;& para;Conclusions: Surgical treatment can be an effective treatment for temporal bone osteoradionecrosis, without hyperbaric oxygen providing any additional benefit. Reconstruction with regional or free flaps may be a more reliable method to resurface defects compared to local flaps. (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.