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Biomedical subjects

G Har-el

Publications and source records attributed to G Har-el.

15 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Resident training in head and neck flap reconstruction in U.S. academic otolaryngology programmes.

The main objective of this study was to assess resident training in head and neck flap reconstruction, and to determine the confidence of graduating residents in performing these flaps independently. Questionnaires were distributed to otolaryngology residents graduating in 1997. Respondents recorded the number of pedicled and free flap procedures they performed, or assisted with, and indicated flaps they felt confident about performing independently. Pectoralis major myocutaneous (PMMC) (n = 560, mean 6.59) and radial forearm (RF) (66, 0.78) were the most common pedicled and free flaps performed. There was a significant difference (p = 0.0002, Mann-Whitney U test) between median confidence for pedicled (44.5 per cent) and free flaps (two per cent). Ten of the 17 flaps showed a significant Pearson correlation (p < 0.05) between number of procedures performed and confidence in performing them independently. Of the pedicled flaps, latissimus dorsi (LD) showed good correlation (r = 0.67), PMMC showed low correlation (r = 0.19) and other pedicled flaps fair correlation. Of the free flaps, LD (r = 0.64) and fibula (r = 0.50) showed good correlation and rectus abdominis and RF fair correlation. There was a fair inverse correlation (r = -0.29) between numbers of pedicled and free flaps performed. Higher correlation in flaps uncommonly performed reflects greater operative training necessary to achieve the confidence for performing these flaps independently. As respondents performed greater numbers of free flaps, the number of pedicled flaps decreased. It might thus be important to train residents in all aspects of pedicled flaps. Most respondents were of the opinion that additional training in free flaps was necessary for those planning a career in head and neck reconstructive surgery.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed1999

The impact of comorbidity and age on survival with laryngeal cancer.

Previous studies have evaluated the effects of comorbidity on survival in patients with cancer. We applied the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) to a cohort of patients with laryngeal cancer to validate its use and to assess the prognostic impact of age. Our study population consisted of 152 patients with laryngeal cancer who were seen over a 10-year period. Patients were assigned CCI scores and were categorized into low- and high-grade comorbidity groups for comparison. Age adjustments were performed by adding 1 point to the Charlson score for each decade over the median age. Low- vs. high-grade comorbidity was a valid predictor of survival independent of TNM (tumor, nodes, and metastases) stage. Low-grade comorbidity was present in 126 patients; their median survival was 41 months. High-grade comorbidity was present in 26 patients; their median survival was 8 months (p = 0.0002). The addition of the age factor to the CCI did not improve our prognostic ability. There was no difference in CCI groups with respect to tobacco and alcohol use, gender, treatment modality, or mean time to recurrence. The incidence and severity of complications were also similar in the two groups. We conclude that the CCI is a strong predictor of survival in patients with laryngeal cancer. The confounding effects of comorbidity should be considered in the TNM staging of laryngeal cancer to improve our prognostic ability. Further investigations are necessary to assess the validity of this index in patients with other head and neck cancers.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Low velocity gunshot injuries to the temporal bone.

OBJECTIVE: To review the presentation, symptoms and management associated with low velocity gunshot injuries to the temporal bone. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 26 patients treated for low velocity gunshot injuries to the temporal bone. RESULTS: Initial presentation included otorrhoea (69 per cent), facial nerve injury (27 per cent), hearing loss (65 per cent), intracranial injuries (50 per cent), and cranial neuropathies (58 per cent). Nine patients (35 per cent) underwent angiography, which showed vascular injury in five of them. Four patients died. CONCLUSIONS: Low velocity gunshot injuries can be devastating and may result in functional sequelae. Low velocity missiles crush and lacerate surrounding structures, while high velocity missiles cause extensive wound cavity formation. Early aggressive management for intracranial, vascular and facial nerve injury can improve outcome.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Turbinoplasty for concha bullosa: a non-synechiae-forming alternative to middle turbinectomy.

A large pneumatized middle turbinate (concha bullosa) may require surgical reduction. Partial middle turbinectomy, especially when done simultaneously with uncinectomy and ethmoidectomy, results in an increased risk for adhesion formation in the middle meatus. Turbinoplasty is a procedure that results in a significant reduction of the width of the middle turbinate without injuring its mucosal surfaces. A 4-year experience with this procedure showed almost complete elimination of the synechiae problem.

Humans↗
PubMed1995

Acute postobstructive pulmonary edema.

Acute postobstructive pulmonary edema may occur after airway obstruction. A decrease in intrathoracic and intraalveolar pressures causes an increased blood flow into the pulmonary vasculature and favors the development of pulmonary edema. Two mechanisms for the development of acute postobstructive pulmonary edema are proposed: type 1 follows acute airway obstruction, and type 2 follows relief of chronic airway obstruction.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1995

Telescopic extracranial approach to frontal mucoceles with intracranial extension.

Traditionally, frontal mucoceles were treated with open obliterative procedures such as collapse of the forehead soft tissues into the sinus or the more cosmetically appealing osteoplastic flap technique. When a frontal mucocele expands intracranially, these surgical procedures become difficult and with higher risk of cerebrospinal fluid leak and/or meningitis. In cases of a mucocele that extends both intracranially and anteriorly into the soft tissues, osteoplastic flap procedure may not be possible. We present our experience with telescopic intranasal surgery for the treatment of frontal mucocele with intracranial extension. The technique, which is based on intranasal marsupialization and stenting, was used in four patients with large mucoceles eroding into the cranium and the anterior soft tissues. The results were excellent and the patients are free of disease 1 to 4 1/2 years after surgery.

Ethmoid Sinus↗
PubMed1994

Kaposi's sarcoma of the head and neck in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Kaposi's sarcoma is the most common neoplastic process in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus. Moreover, the occurrence of Kaposi's sarcoma in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients advances their classification to having the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. We reviewed the medical records of 48 patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection who had Kaposi's sarcoma documented on their initial visit to the hospital. The onset of Kaposi's sarcoma occurred independent of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention classification of human immunodeficiency virus infection (modified to exclude Kaposi's sarcoma). This neoplasm developed more frequently in patients who acquired human immunodeficiency virus infection by sexual contact (75% of cases), but manifestations were not significantly different in any of the risk populations for human immunodeficiency virus infection. Kaposi's sarcoma lesions were unpredictable and either showed progression, remained static, or occasionally, regressed spontaneously. Moreover, the lesions were usually multifocal at presentation, with the head and neck (62.5% of cases) as the primary site of involvement. In this region cutaneous lesions predominated (66.7%), followed by mucosal (56.7%) and deep structure (13.3%) involvement. The majority of patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome Kaposi's sarcoma involving head and neck structures were asymptomatic (80% of cases). Mucosal lesions were associated with symptoms in 29.3% of cases, whereas cutaneous lesions had symptoms in 5% of cases.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1992

Malignant head and neck germ cell tumours.

Malignant germ cell tumours of the head and neck are extremely rare. Their behaviour, despite aggressive surgical and adjuvant therapy, is relentless with most cases resulting in a fatal outcome. In this paper we present a case of a cervical embryonal carcinoma and review the presentation, clinical course and treatment of malignant germ cell tumours.

Head and Neck Neoplasms↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Acute suppurative thyroiditis and the branchial apparatus.

Acute suppurative thyroiditis and thyroid abscess are rare. The finding of a sinus tract arising from the pyriform sinus in some cases highlights the possibility of a branchial apparatus origin. We present three case histories that include a left-sided lesion and radiologic or surgical-anatomic evidence of an internal sinus tract. Our discussion focuses on two considerations: first, the exact branchial pouch from which this lesion arises, and second, a proposed protocol for the work-up and management of patients with the onset or recurrence of acute suppurative thyroiditis or thyroid abscess.

Abscess↗