Biomedical subjects

B J Touma

Publications and source records attributed to B J Touma.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1999

Maxillofacial injuries caused by all-terrain vehicle accidents.

With the rise in popularity of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), especially in rural America, injuries associated with their use are becoming more commonplace. A retrospective review was conducted of 153 patients with ATV-related injuries seen at West Virginia University Hospitals between January 1990 and June 1996. Of these patients, 33 had maxillofacial injuries. Only 2 of 21 (9.5%) patients noted to be wearing helmets had facial injuries, whereas 17 of 19 (89.5%) patients who had facial injuries were not wearing helmets. Most patients with maxillofacial injuries occurring at night had been drinking alcohol. Injury Severity Scores were worse for those patients with maxillofacial injuries, as well as for those patients who had been drinking alcohol. Patients with maxillofacial injuries were more likely to require a stay in the intensive care unit. Furthermore, children with facial injuries had higher Injury Severity Scores and longer hospital stays than the adults. To reduce these accidents and related injuries, the industry, local and federal governments, and ultimately individuals must change their attitudes regarding these potentially dangerous vehicles.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Management of the N0 neck during salvage laryngectomy.

BACKGROUND: Radiotherapy is effective treatment for laryngeal carcinoma. Early-stage laryngeal carcinoma has a low incidence of cervical metastasis. Patients initially clinically N0 usually remain N0 when they fail at the primary site. The incidence of subclinical metastasis in these patients is not well described. Watchful waiting or elective neck dissections are advocated. OBJECTIVE: Examine the incidence of subclinical metastatic disease in patients undergoing elective neck dissections with salvage laryngectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study (1991-1996) of patients who failed radiotherapy and underwent salvage laryngectomy with elective neck dissection. METHODS: Thirty-four patients underwent salvage laryngectomy with neck dissection (30 bilateral, 4 unilateral). All were clinically N0 at initial presentation and remained N0 at recurrence. Pathologic study of the neck dissection specimens was undertaken. Patients were followed for a minimum of 2 years (mean, 4 y). RESULTS: The male-to-female ratio was 4.5:1, with a mean age of 62 years (range, 38 to 75 y). Metastatic disease was present in 6 patients (17%); 4 of 14 (28%) supraglottic, and 2 of 20 (10%) glottic. Presence of disease in the neck according to stage at recurrence was as follows: T2, 2 of 12; T3, 3 of 14; and T4, 2 of 8. Neck disease was ipsilateral in 4 and contralateral in 2 patients (both supraglottic primaries). CONCLUSIONS: Subclinical cervical metastasis may be present in N0 laryngeal carcinoma patients who have recurrence following radiotherapy. Morbidity of a lateral neck dissection is minimal, with excellent control of the neck being possible. Supraglottic and advanced glottic (T3-T4) patients may benefit the most.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Management of tracheostomal stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Tracheostomal stenosis following laryngectomy is a distressing complication with major effects on patient rehabilitation. Management ranges from stenting with a prosthetic device to surgical revision. The goal is a widely patent stoma that is amenable to tracheoesophageal puncture. OBJECTIVE: Review the long-term results of different methods of tracheostomal revision. METHODS: Review of 43 patients with symptomatic tracheostomal stenosis. End point was ability to function with no artificial stenting of their stoma. RESULTS: Forty-three patients underwent 55 revisions. The male-to-female ratio was 1.3:1.0. The age range was from 38 to 81 years (mean age, 59.5 y). Median time to revision was 11 months following the initial surgical procedure (range, 1-150 mo). Thirty-three patients underwent one revision; eight patients, two revisions; and two patients, three revisions. In 40 of 43 patients (93%) revision was successful. Of the last 21 patients who underwent revision, 18 had tracheoesophageal punctures placed. Fifteen developed excellent tracheoesophageal speech. The initial rates of success for these procedures were as follows: advancement flaps, 8 of 9; Z-plasty, 13 of 15; V-Y inset, 8 of 8; other procedures, 2 of 4; and dilation, 2 of 7 (P < .05 for dilation vs. all others). The ultimate success rates for these procedures were as follows: advancement flaps, 8 of 11; Z-plasty, 15 of 18; V-Y inset, 12 of 13; other procedures, 3 of 6; and dilation, 2 of 7. Other procedures and dilation were inferior (P < .05) compared with advancement flap, Z-plasty, and V-Y insets. CONCLUSION: Tracheostomal stenosis can be successfully managed in a multitude of ways.

Female↗

PubMed1998

Tracheostomal stenosis revision with simultaneous tracheoesophageal puncture.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Vocal rehabilitation of patients who have undergone laryngectomy is best accomplished by a tracheoesophageal puncture. Optimal function of the prosthesis requires an adequate stoma. Patients with tracheostomal stenosis require revision of the stoma if vocal rehabilitation is to take place. Revision and tracheoesophageal placement are usually done as two separate procedures. Creating a tracheoesophageal fistula at the time of stomal revision has not been addressed in the literature. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective analysis and follow-up of 10 patients undergoing simultaneous tracheoesophageal puncture and stomal revision for tracheostomal stenosis between 1991 and 1996. METHODS: Ten patients were reviewed. An inferiorly based V-Y advancement flap was used so as not to interfere with the tracheoesophageal puncture. All patients had received radiation prior to revision and tracheoesophageal puncture. Patients were followed for a minimum of 2 years (range, 2-6 y; median, 3 y). RESULTS: All patients maintained an adequate stoma without stenting. Eight of ten patients (80%) developed and maintained good tracheoesophageal speech. Two patients had their speech fistulas removed. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: Creation of a tracheoesophageal fistula at the time of stomal revision allows for vocal rehabilitation with a single visit to the operating room.

Esophagus↗

PubMed1996

A surgical solution for the difficult chronic ear.

We all encounter them: difficult chronic ears that seem to confound management efforts and that constitute an unrelenting imposition to the patient. Typically these ears have undergone multiple surgeries and are chronically infected. Such cases are commonly associated with residual or recurrent cholesteatoma. Those rare ears that temporarily respond to therapy promptly recur once treatment is withdrawn. Even the most aggressive nonsurgical protocols fail these patients, who exhibit lifelong social and professional incapacity. They seem to ultimately defy resolution. The purpose of this article is to present a surgical solution to the difficult chronic ear dilemma that emphasizes disease control. Treatment outcome is reviewed in 541 cases. Management pitfalls are analyzed with follow-up, in some cases 20 years.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

Tracheostomal stenosis after laryngectomy: incidence and predisposing factors.

Laryngectomy for carcinoma of the larynx has been performed since it was first described in 1880. Since that time the complication of tracheostomal stenosis has plagued both surgeons and patients. The reported incidence of tracheostomal stenosis ranges from 4% to 42%. At West Virginia University Hospitals from 1976 to 1994, 106 patients undergoing laryngectomies on the head and neck oncology service were analyzed. The charts of patients treated before 1991 were reviewed retrospectively; a prospective analysis was initiated in 1991. Only patients with a minimum of 6 months of follow-up were included in this study. The male-to-female ratio was 3:1, with an age range of 28 to 86 years (mean, 58 years). The overall rate of stenosis was 28.4%. The incidence of tracheostomal stenosis was higher in women (46.4%) than in men (21.6%) (p < 0.05). Since 1991 a plastic type of closure was used in 25 patients. The stenosis rate was 0% in these patients. Before 1991 a bevel or circle technique was used, with stenosis rates of 33% and 75%, respectively (p < 0.05). Infection at the site of the stoma, fistula, steroid use, neck dissection, pectoralis major myocutaneous flap usage, primary tracheoesophageal puncture, and radiotherapy did not correlate with an increased incidence of stenosis. The most important factor in prevention of stomal stenosis after laryngectomy is attention to detail while forming the stoma. With good technique and a plastic-type closure to break up the suture line, a minimal rate of stenosis should be encountered.

Adult↗