Objective To investigate the assembl ing and cl inical appl ication of the video output system util izing teaching sight glass of surgical microscope. Methods Between June 2009 and April 2010, 10 patients with craniocervical junction malformation were treated by the method of transoral-transpharyngeal approach with the microscope and videooutput system under the direct vision. There were 6 males and 4 females with an average age of 32 years (range, 13-52 years). Three cases had the history of injury and 7 cases had no history of definite injury. The disease duration was from 10 months to 12 years (median, 5 years). The main cl inical symptoms were brevicoll is or torticoll is; 2 patients had malformation appearance and 4 patients had occi put-cervical pain. The physical examination showed that all patients had the symptoms that upper cervical cord was damaged; the imaging examination showed that all patients had basilar invagination, atlantoaxial dislocation, and ossification. Before and after operations, the functions of nerve were evaluated by Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scoring, the improvement rate was calculated to evaluate the efficacy. Results By the video output system assembly, 15.1 mill ion pixels high-definition images could be collected and reached 1 920 × 1 080 pixels video camera, so assistants or medical students could watch the cl inical operation directly. All patients had no neural injury or cerebrospinal fluid leakage during operation. Basilar invagination and atlantoaxial dislocation were corrected. Infection at incision occurred in 1 patient; other incisions healed by first intention without early compl ication. All patients were followed up 6-16 months (mean, 13.5 months). The average JOA score was increased from 10.2 preoperatively to 15.5 at 6 months postoperatively with an improvement rate of 77.9%. At 12 months after operation, bony fusions were achieved. Conclusion The miscroscope and video output system can improve the effectiveness of the original surgical microscope. It makes visual fields much clearer and operations more accuratewith a few compl ications.
Objective To evaluate the results of the reconstruction of the soft tissue defects following the en block resection of tongue cancer using free anterolateral thigh myocutaneous flaps. Methods From November 2006 to December 2008, 109 cases underwent the reconstruction of the soft tissue defects following the en block resection of tongue cancer using free anterolateral thigh myocutaneous flaps. There were 75 males and 34 females with an age of 23-75 years (50.4 yearson average). The disease course was 1-6 months. According to 2002 International Union Control Cancer (IUCC) criterionfor TNM stage, there were 35 cases of T2N0M0, 8 cases of T2N1M0, 2 cases of T2N2M0, 31 cases of T3N0M0, 12 cases of T3N1M0, 7 cases of T3N2M0, 5 cases of T4N0M0, 4 cases of T4N1M0, 3 cases of T4N2M0, and 2 cases of T4N3M0. The range of tongue defect was 5 cm × 3 cm to 12 cm × 8 cm. The flap area ranged from 7 cm × 4 cm to 20 cm × 8 cm. Eighty-two patients with T3, T4 and positive lymph node metastasis determined by pathological examination after operation received radiotherapy. The vital ity of the flaps and the heal ing of the wounds were observed postoperatively. The shape and function of the reconstructed tongue were determined, the influences on function at donor site were evaluated and the flap tolerance to radiotherapy was investigated during the follow-up period. Results Mouth floor mandibular fistula occurred in 5 cases 5-7 days after operation, seroma formation in 1 case and wound dehiscence in another case at the donor site; the wounds healed by secondary intention after dressing. The other wounds healed primarily. All 105 flaps survived completely, 3 flaps developed partial necrosis 3-5 days after operation, the wounds healed after dressing; and 1 flap failed 3 days after operation, then it was removed and defects was repaired using pectoral is major muscle flap. Bl isters occurred in 8 flaps (all being thinning flaps) 1 day after operation. The overall complete survival of the flap was 96.3% (105/109). The patients were followed up for 0.5-2.5 years (1.2 years onaverage). Although the flaps had a l ittle atrophy, the shape of the reconstructed tongue was still satisfactory with suitable tonguemandibular groove. No depression was observed in the mandibular region. The speech as well as swallowing function were well recovered. The scar was easily hidden with no important functional impairment at the donor site. No flap necrosis occurred in all the patients who received postoperative radiotherapy. Conclusion Free anterolateral thigh myocutaneous flap transplantation is safe and rel iable, and it has the advantages of the better result at the recipient site, the less morbidity at the donor site, fewer postoperative compl ications and excellent tolerance to radiotherapy. So it is an ideal flap to repair soft tissue defects following the en block resection of tongue cancer.