Abstract Objective: Medical advances have resulted in increased survival rates of neurologically impaired children who may require mechanical ventilation and subsequent tracheostomy as a surgical airway. However, at present, there is no definite consensus regarding the timing and methods for placement of a surgical airway in a neurologically impaired intubated child who needs to be cared for over a long-term period. We therefore created a flowchart for the selection of a surgical airway for Neurologically Impaired Pediatric Patients (NIPPs). Methods: The flowchart includes information on the patients’ backgrounds, such as intubation period, prognosis related to reversibility, and history of aspiration pneumonia. To evaluate the importance of the flowchart, first we conducted a survey of pediatricians regarding selection of a surgical airway, and we also evaluated the appropriateness of the flowchart among pediatricians and caregivers through questionnaire surveys which include satisfaction with the decision-making process, and postoperative course after discharge. Results: A total of 21 NIPPs with intubation underwent surgery and a total of 24 participants (14 pediatricians and 10 caregivers) completed the survey. The answers regarding the importance of the flowchart showed that eleven pediatricians had experience selecting of surgical airways, nine of whom had had experiences in which they had to make a difficult decision. The answers regarding the appropriateness of the flowchart revealed that all pediatricians and caregivers were satisfied with the decision-making process and postoperative course after discharge using the flowchart. Conclusions: The present study demonstrated the effectiveness of our flowchart for selecting an appropriate surgical airway in NIPP. By referring to our flowchart, pediatricians and caregivers are likely to be able to select an appropriate surgical airway, leading to increased satisfaction with the decision-making process and postoperative course. Level of Evidence: 4.

Abstract Objective: Pharyngocutaneous fistula is one of the severe complications related to head and neck surgeries. Detecting the accurate three-dimensional location of both the fistula and leakage is essential for surgical treatment. Videofluoroscopy is usually used for locating these; however, its imaging is two-dimensional. We evaluated pharyngeal leakage and fistulae using Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT), known for its three-dimensional high spatial resolution imaging, taken in a sitting position, with oral contrast (contrast CBCT). Methods: Pharyngeal leakage and fistulae were evaluated in a total of 31 subjects by sequentially performing videofluoroscopy and contrast CBCT. The detection accuracy of videofluoroscopy and contrast CBCT for leakage and fistula, as well as the ability to determine the extent and depth for surgical planning, were investigated and compared. Results: Videofluoroscopy and contrast CBCT showed suspicious leakage and/or fistula in six and three of the 31 subjects, respectively. Surgical findings revealed the presence of leakage and/or fistula in three of the 31 subjects. The positive predictive values of videofluoroscopy and contrast CBCT were 50% (3/6) and 100% (3/3), respectively. Contrast CBCT provided more precise images, showing the extent and depth of leakage and fistula in three-dimensions. Conclusion: The present study’s results indicate the usefulness of contrast CBCT in terms of accurate diagnosis of leakage and fistula, due to its three-dimensional imaging being performed with the patient in a sitting position. Level of evidence: 4.

Resumo Introdução A disfonia pós-operatória é causada principalmente por cicatrizes nas pregas vocais. Tem sido relatado que o manejo cuidadoso da cirurgia das pregas vocais reduz o risco de formação de cicatriz. No entanto, a depender da lesão da prega vocal, o tratamento da disfonia pós-operatória pode ser desafiador. Objetivo Desenvolver uma nova abordagem regenerativa profilática para o tratamento de pregas vocais lesionadas após a cirurgia, com microesferas biodegradáveis de hidrogel de gelatina como sistema de administração de medicamentos para o Fator Básico de Crescimento de Fibroblastos (bFGF). Método A cirurgia laríngea videoendoscópica foi feita para criar lesão nas pregas vocais em 14 coelhos. Imediatamente após esse procedimento, microesferas biodegradáveis de hidrogel de gelatina com bFGF foram injetadas na prega vocal. Duas semanas após a injeção, as laringes foram excisadas para avaliação da histologia das pregas vocais e do movimento da mucosa. Resultados A presença de função vibratória deficiente foi confirmada nas pregas vocais lesionadas. A histologia e a análise de imagem digital demonstraram que as pregas vocais lesionadas injetadas com microesferas de hidrogel de gelatina com bFGF apresentaram menor formação de cicatriz, em comparação com as pregas vocais lesionadas injetadas apenas com microesferas de hidrogel de gelatina ou aquelas sem injeção. Conclusão Uma injeção profilática de microesferas biodegradáveis de hidrogel de gelatina com bFGF demonstra um potencial regenerativo para pregas vocais lesionadas em um modelo de coelho.

Abstract Introduction Postoperative dysphonia is mostly caused by vocal fold scarring, and careful management of vocal fold surgery has been reported to reduce the risk of scar formation. However, depending on the vocal fold injury, treatment of postoperative dysphonia can be challenging. Objective The goal of the current study was to develop a novel prophylactic regenerative approach for the treatment of injured vocal folds after surgery, using biodegradable gelatin hydrogel microspheres as a drug delivery system for basic fibroblast growth factor. Methods Videoendoscopic laryngeal surgery was performed to create vocal fold injury in 14 rabbits. Immediately following this procedure, biodegradable gelatin hydrogel microspheres with basic fibroblast growth factor were injected in the vocal fold. Two weeks after injection, larynges were excised for evaluation of vocal fold histology and mucosal movement. Results The presence of poor vibratory function was confirmed in the injured vocal folds. Histology and digital image analysis demonstrated that the injured vocal folds injected with gelatin hydrogel microspheres with basic fibroblast growth factor showed less scar formation, compared to the injured vocal folds injected with gelatin hydrogel microspheres only, or those without any injection. Conclusion A prophylactic injection of basic fibroblast growth factor -containing biodegradable gelatin hydrogel microspheres demonstrates a regenerative potential for injured vocal folds in a rabbit model.