Is routine neck dissection warranted at salvage laryngectomy?

Elective Neck Dissection in Patients Undergoing Salvage Laryngectomy: Outcomes, Complications, and Considerations

Objective In this study, we sought to identify the predictors for occult nodal disease (OND) and compare oncologic outcomes in patients undergoing elective neck dissection (END) at the time of salvage laryngectomy (SLE) versus the observation group. Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted involving all patients with clinically node-negative (cN0) necks who underwent SLE at a tertiary academic center over 12 years. A total of 58 patients met the inclusion criteria and were divided into two groups: END (n=39) and observation (n=19). Primary endpoints were OND, regional recurrence-free survival (RRFS), and disease-specific survival (DSS). Univariate analysis was performed to establish the association between variables with Fisher's exact test and Mann-Whitney U test. Survival analysis was performed with the log-rank test. Results The cohort comprised 46 (79.3%) males and 12 (20.7%) females, with a mean age of 60 years. Pathological nodal disease was identified in five of 71 (7%) examined neck dissection specimens, with positive nodes found in levels II through IV. The only statistically significant predictor of OND was the rT3/rT4 stage (p=0.017). There were no differences in perioperative complications, RRFS (p=0.216), or DSS (p=0.298) between the END and observation groups. Conclusions In cN0 necks, the advanced recurrent T-stage (rT3-rT4) is a predictor for OND. As OND was found involving levels II, III, and IV in this study's specimens, formal lateral neck dissection should be the procedure of choice if END is to be performed alongside SLE. While END did not show a significantly higher morbidity profile versus conservative management in this cohort, the procedure did not improve loco-regional control or survival, even when stratifying by tumor stage.

External validation of the GETTEC algorithm for elective neck dissection in patients candidates for salvage total laryngectomy

OBJECTIVE

To perform an external validation of the algorithm for elective treatment of the lymph node areas proposed by GETTEC for patients candidates to salvage total laryngectomy after radiotherapy. This algorithm is based on the initial lymph node status, local extension of the recurrence and time to recurrence.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Retrospective study performed in 151 patients treated with salvage total laryngectomy without clinical or radiological evidence of regional involvement at the time of diagnosis of recurrence (rcN0). The percentage of patients with occult lymph node metastases was calculated according to the algorithm proposed by GETTEC.

RESULTS

A total of 14.6 % (n = 22) of the patients had occult lymph node metastases. Patients with locally advanced recurrences (rcT4) had a higher risk of occult lymph node metastases. There were no significant differences in the risk of occult lymph node metastases according to initial lymph node status or time to recurrence. When applying the algorithm proposed by GETTEC, there were no significant differences in the percentage of occult lymph node metastases between the group of patients who were candidates for follow-up (14.4 %) and those candidates for elective neck dissection (14.9 %) (P = 0.940). According to our results, patients who were candidates for an elective neck dissection were those with tumors located in the supraglottis or rcT4 glottic tumors.

CONCLUSION

Our results do not validate the algorithm proposed by GETTEC for the management of the lymph nodes in rcN0 patients who are candidates for salvage total laryngectomy after radiotherapy.

The Incidence and the Risk Factors for Pharyngocutaneous Fistula following Primary and Salvage Total Laryngectomy

The pharyngocutaneous fistula (PCF) is the most common complication following a total laryngectomy (TL) with a wide range of incidence and various potential risk factors. The aim was to analyse the incidence and potential risk factors for PCF formation in a large study set collected over a longer period of time. In the retrospective study at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Cervicofacial Surgery of Ljubljana, 422 patients who were treated for head and neck cancer by TL between 2007 and 2020 were included. The comprehensive clinicopathologic data were collected including potential risk factors related to the patient, disease, surgical treatment and post-operative period for the development of fistulae. The patients were categorized into a group with the fistula (a study group) and one without it (a control group). The PCF then developed in 23.9% of patients. The incidence following a primary TL was 20.8% and 32.7% following salvage TL (p = 0.012). The results demonstrated that surgical wound infection, piriform sinus invasion, salvage TL, and total radiation dose were determined as independent risk factors for PCF formation. A diminishing surgical wound infection rate would contribute to a further reduction of the PCF rate.

Oncologic Outcomes After Clinically Node-Negative Salvage Laryngectomy

Importance

Controversy exists regarding management of the clinically node-negative neck in patients with recurrent larynx or hypopharynx cancers who received total laryngectomy after definitive radiation with or without chemotherapy.

Objective

To explore clinical and oncologic outcomes after elective neck dissection vs observation in patients who received clinically node-negative salvage total laryngectomy.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cohort study was performed from January 2009 to June 2021 at a single, high-volume tertiary care center. Follow-up was conducted through June 2021 for all patients. Survival outcomes were based on at least 2 years of follow-up. Patients aged 18 years or older with recurrent, clinically node-negative larynx or hypopharynx tumors after definitive nonsurgical treatment who were treated with a salvage total laryngectomy were included. Data were analyzed from October 2021 through September 2022.

Exposures

Elective neck dissection.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Presence and location of occult nodal metastasis in electively dissected necks, along with differences in fistula rates and overall and disease-free survival between patients receiving elective neck dissection vs observation.

Results

Among 107 patients receiving clinically node-negative salvage total laryngectomy (median [IQR] age, 65.0 [57.8-71.3] years; 91 [85.0%] men), 81 patients underwent elective neck dissection (75.7%) and 26 patients underwent observation (24.3%). Among patients with elective neck dissection, 13 patients had occult nodal positivity (16.0%). Recurrent supraglottic (4 of 20 patients [20.0%]) or advanced T classification (ie, T3-T4; 12 of 61 patients [19.7%]) had an occult nodal positivity rate of 20% or more, and positive nodes were most likely to occur in levels II and III (II: 6 of 67 patients [9.0%]; III: 6 of 65 patients [9.2%]; VI: 3 of 44 patients [6.8%]; IV: 3 of 62 patients [4.8%]; V: 0 of 4 patients; I: 0 of 18 patients). There was a large difference in fistula rate between elective neck dissection (12 patients [14.8%]) and observed (8 patients [30.8%]) groups (difference, 16.0 percentage points; 95% CI, -3.4 to 35.3 percentage points), while the difference in fistula rate was negligible between 50 patients undergoing regional or free flap reconstruction (10 patients [20.0%]) vs 57 patients undergoing primary closure (10 patients [17.5%]) (difference, 2.5 percentage points; 95% CI, -12.4 to 17.3 percentage points). Undergoing elective neck dissection was not associated with a clinically meaningful improvement in overall or disease-free survival compared with observation. Recurrent hypopharynx subsite was associated with an increased risk of death (hazard ratio, 4.28; 95% CI, 1.81 to 10.09) and distant recurrence (hazard ratio, 7.94; 95% CI, 2.07 to 30.48) compared with glottic subsite.

Conclusions and Relevance

In this cohort study, patients with recurrent supraglottic or advanced T classification tumors had an increased occult nodal positivity rate, elective neck dissection was not associated with survival, and patients with recurrent hypopharynx subsite were more likely to have a distant recurrence and die of their disease. These findings suggest that underlying disease pathology rather than surgical management may be associated with survival outcomes in this population.

Retrospective Review on Role of Neck Dissection in Laryngectomy of Patients With N0 Laryngeal Carcinoma

Objectives

The primary objective is to evaluate the incidence of occult nodal metastasis in patients undergoing total laryngectomy with cN0 disease. Other objectives are to compare the survival between different treatments of the neck, identify possible associated risk factors, and evaluate the effectiveness of elective neck dissection in this population with regards to oncological outcomes.

Study Design

Retrospective review.

Setting

Tertiary hospitals in Hong Kong.

Methods

Retrospective study was performed on patients who underwent total laryngectomy from 2008 to 2017 in New Territories West and Hong Kong West Clusters of the Hospital Authority of Hong Kong as primary or salvage treatment for cN0 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the larynx. Incidence of neck dissection, incidence of nodal involvement, possible predictors, and oncological outcomes were analyzed.

Results

Seventy-seven patients were included, of whom 61 underwent either ipsilateral or bilateral neck dissection. Most (90.1%) of the patients with total laryngectomy done had locally advanced disease. Overall occult nodal metastasis rate was 20.6%, and only 3.8% of them had contralateral nodal metastasis. Occult nodal metastasis was significantly less in salvage laryngectomy (P = .045), while midline involvement and pT3/4 disease seem to be predictors for contralateral nodal metastasis.

Conclusion

There is significantly lower incidence of occult nodal metastasis in cN0 laryngeal SCC in the salvage setting, and occult contralateral nodal metastasis is not common in the cohort. Neck dissection during a salvage laryngectomy for cN0 disease could be avoided while contralateral neck dissection might be considered in cases of locally advanced disease with midline involvement.

Management outcomes of mucormycosis in COVID-19 patients: A preliminary report from a tertiary care hospital

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to be a significant health problem worldwide. The unprecedented surge of mucormycosis in patients with COVID-19 is a new emerging challenge. Although a few studies documenting high incidence of mucormycosis in COVID -19 patients have recently emerged in literature, data pertaining to treatment outcomes in such cohorts is lacking. Here, we report our experience in management of mucormycosis in COVID-19 patients at our tertiary care centre.

Method

The clinical, imaging, histopathological and treatment data of 20 patients with mucormycosis (in setting of COVID-19) was analysed.

Results

35% and 65 % of cases developed mucormycosis in setting of active and recovered COVID-19 infections respectively. Diabetes mellitus was documented in 80% cases, with 55% demonstrating HbA1c >10%. Steroid was administered in 80% during COVID-19 illness. Imaging demonstrated paranasal sinus (PNS), orbital and intracranial extension in 100%, 55% and 20% patients respectively. All received amphotericin and underwent endoscopic debridement, 20% underwent orbital decompression and 5% maxillectomy with orbital exenteration. 6/20(30%) patients died (4 with rhino-orbito-cerebral disease, 1 with extensive orbito-maxillary involvement and 1 sino-nasal disease). All 6 patients received steroids and documented poor glycaemic control.

Conclusion

The strong association of hyperglycemia and steroid intake with mucormycosis in COVID-19 cases warrants judicious use of corticosteroids and optimal glycaemic control. Our study highlights that good clinical outcome can be achieved in invasive mucormycosis provided prompt treatment is instituted with aggressive surgical debridement and antifungal medication.