Background and Objectives : The aim of the this study is to determine the efficacy of an external prosthesis made of ringed Polytetrafluoroethylene to prevent Postanastomotic stenosis after surgical correction of extensive tracheal defects in rabbits. Materials and Methods : Thirty rabbits were used, divided into two groups of 15 animals each. Group A rabbits underwent resection of six-ring segments of the cervical trachea and tracheal end-to-end anastomosis. The Procedure used in group B was similar to that used in group A. but the tracheal anastomosis was supported by an external ringed polytetrafluoroethylene prosthesis. After six months, rabbits were killed and tracheas were resected and then compared the postanastomotic tracheal stenosis using morphometry. Results : Anteroposterior diameter, transverse diameter, cross sectional area and intra luminal perimeter of trachea was greater in group B than group A. Also inflammatory changes of mucosa and submucosa were greater in group A than group B. Conclusion : A ringed PTFE as a external stent was effective to prevent tracheal stenosis resulting from the extensive tracheal resection and tracheal reconstruction in rabbits.

Background and Objectives : Sulfur dioxide gas is one of the major airborne Pollutants noxious to human in industrialized countries. The most vulnerable areas in the human respiratory system were the trachea and main bronchi and a gradient of decreasing damage was observed in the peripheral tracheobronchial tree. Induced functional alteration was increased mucosal permeability, and morphological changes were epithelial sloughing, intracellular edema, mitochondrial swelling, widened intercellular spaces, and ciliary cytoplamic extrusions. The laminins are a family of extracellular matrix glycoproteins localized in the basement membrane. Their primary role is cell-matrix attachment, but many additional biologic activities, including Promoting cell growth and migration, tumor growth and metastasis, wound repair, and graft survival, have been demonstrated. Materials and Methods : Histologic changes and expression of laminin in tracheal mucosa sacrificed at 1 day, 2 day, 3 day, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 3 weeks after continued SO2 exposure of 250 ppm for 30 minutes a day(to 7week) were studied in rats. In this study, mild immune reaction for laminin was noted at the apical cytoplasm of epithelial cells and basement membrane one day after a 7 week $SO_2$ exposure. The cilia and nucleoi of epithelial cells were normal and no immune reaction was noted in Goblet cells. The lamina propria of the tracheal tissue was infiltrated by monocytes and lymphocytes. Results : At 24 hours after exposure, all tracheal cells except Goblet cells revealed a mild immune reaction for laminin. No immune reactions were noted in the basement membrane. At 72 hours after exposure, mild or moderate immune reactions for laminin was seen in the tracheal cell cytoplasm. Irregular faint immune reaction for laminin was noted in the basement membrane. At 1 week after exposure, strong immune reaction for laminin was detected over all tracheal cells, and the basement membrane was seen clearly. At 2~3 weeks after exposure, strong immune reaction for laminin was seen in all tracheal epithelial cells except Goblet cells and a mild immune reaction was partly revealed in the basement membrane. Conclusion : Our study suggests that 502 produces histologic damage on the tracheal mucosa. Longer duration after exposure of $SO_2$ makes more progressive healing on the tracheal mucosa and increased immunoreactivity for laminin.

Background and Objectives : Angiogenesis within malignant tumors has been considered to be essential for the growth and expansion of cancer cells, especially for solid tumors, and has been implicated in the overall growth and metastases of tumors. Such angiogenesis within tumors depends upon the secretion of vascular growth factor to allow the growth of newly formed vessels from peripheral tissue into the malignant tumor. %n, an exploration of the relations between cancer cells and vascular growth factors is absolutely critical to understanding the growth of malignant tumors. According to recent reports, vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) has been found to play a role in lymphatic metastases, tumor recurrence and survival in various human tumors. To evaluate the role of VEGF in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma(HNSCC) we performed this study. Materials and Methods : We examined the expression of VEGF and microvessel density in 39 HNSCC by immunohistochemistry and correlated them with various clinical data such as stage, cervical lymphatic metastasis, recurrence, and overall survival. Results : The expression of VEGF was not correlated with overall stage, T stage and N stage. There was no statistical correlation between the expression of VEGF and recurrence in the Primary site, cervical lymph node, and the distant metastases. There was no statistical correlation between the expression of VEGF and microvessel density. Conclusion : Based on these results, it is suggested that the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor is not a major prognostic factor for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Further studies are needed to evaluate significance of VEGF expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Backgroud and Objectives : Supracricoid partial laryngectomy(SCPL) has showed good functional and oncological results since it was introduced by Laccourreye in 1990. But loss of laryngeal functions, especially glottic sphincteric one, due to a wide resection of laryngeal structures is a major problem and needs a active and effective rehabilitation postperatively. Modified barium swallow(MBS) is a videofluoroscopy designed to define the etiology of the aspiration or dysphagia and simultaneously provide the therapeutic and rehabilitative method eliminating etiology of the aspiration. And we examined the effectiveness of the MBS in swallowing rehabilitation of the SCPL Patients. Materials and Methods : We reviewed the medical records of the 52 Patients who received SCPL for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma according to the description of Laccourreye in our clinic from 1993 to 2001. Among them 21 patients were performed MBS(MBS(+) group) postoperatively and remaining 31 were not(MBS(-) group). During MBS, we selected 12 patients who showed aspiration and trained them with a swallowing rehabilitation maneuver which was identified as the most effective one eliminating the aspiration and remaining nine without aspiration were able to feed orally immediately after MBS without rehabilitation. In MBS(-) Uoup, they were received the traditional rehabilitation training with a supraglottic swallow. Results : The mean postoperative day(POD) of decannulation was earlier in MBS(+) group ($12.6{\pm}4.7$ POD) than in MBS(-) group ($19.5{\pm}11.0$ POD) (p =0.012), especially in patients showing aspiration (MBS(+) ; $12.9{\pm}5.2$ POD, MBS(-) : $22.3{\pm}9.9$ POD (p =0.008)). No significant difference was found in the mean POD of oral feeding between MBS(+) and (-) group, but in patients showing aspiration the time of oral feeding was earlier in MBS(+) group than in MBS(-) by average 10 days though it was not statistically significant. The incidence of aspiration pneumonia was lower in MBS(+) group (1/12cases) than in MBS(-) (7/12cases). Conclusions : In SCPL Patients, the Swallowing rehabilitation introduced to eliminate the aspiration during MBS after SCPL is very helpful for some patients to resume the safe oral intake more rapidly.

Advanced or recurrent thyroid cancer, and metastatic paratracheal lymph nodes may directly invade the trachea and lead to tracheal stenosis. In these cases the stenosis is not circumferential and it would be possible to reconstruct the trachea after partial resection of the stenotic trachea. We experienced five cases of tracheal reconstruction after partial resection of the tracheal wall in four Patients of advanced thyroid cancer, and in one Patient of malignant paratracheal lymphadenopathy.

Tracheoinnominate artery fistula is a rare but a catastrophic complication after tracheostomy or tracheal reconstruction. We experienced two cases of tracheoinnominate artery fistula after tracheal reconstruction and tracheostomy. The first patient was a 11 year old girl with cerebral arteriovenous malformation who maintained tracheostomy for 6 months before undergoing tracheal reconstruction. Three days after tracheal reconstruction, massive bleeding occurred through the intubation tube. She underwent emergency reoperation of repair the innominate artery with 5-0 Prolene and reconstruction of trachea. She died of bleeding 3 days after the reoperation. The second patient was a 68 year old man who underwent right upper lobectomy due to lung cancer. After operarion MRSA Pneumonia was developed and tracheostomy was performed 10 days after intubation. Twelve days after tracheostomy, massive bleeding occurred and emergency operation of ligation of innominate artery was performed. He died of sepsis 7 days after reoperation.

Background : Acquired tracheoesophageal fistula(TEF) results mostly from Prolonged tracheal intubation and insertion of nasogastric tube. Although the incidence has decreased since the usage of low pressure, high volume cuff of endotracheal tube, it is seldom cured spontaneously and needs surgical treatment. Material and Methods : We have retrospectively reviewed five cases of TEF who underwent surgical treatment for cure from March, 1990 to September, 2001 and analyzed the cause, treatment, postoperative complications and prognostic factors. Results : Majority were men(80% : 4 of 5 patients) and the mean age was 29.4 years old(range, 11-58). The most predominant etiology was prolonged intubation or tracheostomy(80% : 4 of 5 patients) and 3 of 5 patients were treated by tracheal resection and end to end anastomosis with primary closure of esophagus. Postoperative complications occurred in 4 patients the most common complications were wound infection(4 cases) and esophageal leakage(2 cases). Extubation was done on postoperative day 11.5(range, 1-33) days, and factors causing delayed extubation were status esophagus. epilepticus, edema, and tracheal stenosis. Conclusion : Spontaneous closure of TEF is seldom possible and the surgical treatment of choice is tracheal resection and end to end anastomosis with primary repair of the esophagus. preoperative pulmonary rehabilitation and early extubation postoperatively are important factors for success.

In patient with lung cancer, the resection margin of right main bronchus was invaded by tumor intraoperatively. So we performed tracheal reconstruction with autologous pericardium after resection of lower trachea including carina. Postoperatively, the patient discharged well and followed up for 5 months without any evidence of tumor recurrence or restenosis.

A 44-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of high fever, neck swelling, and dyspnea. He was diagnosed as descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) extended from oropharyngeal infection. Descending necrotizing mediastinitis(DNM) is a lethal process originating from odontogenic. oropharyngeal, or cervical infections that descends along the fascial planes into the mediastinum. DNM is relatively rare, but it is lethal disease with high mortality. Immediate and sufficient mediastinal drainage is indispensable for the disease. The principles of the surgical approach for DNM are discussed, with a brief review of the literature following these case reports.

Radiation therapy is an effective treatment modality for malignant disease of the head and neck, but it is not without risk and complication. Response of the larynx to radiotherapy varies from mild erythema to severe inflammation with edema and induration. possibly leading to necrosis of cartilage. These changes are due to an inflammatory reaction characterized by infiltration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, vascular thrombosis, and obliteration of lymphatic channels. Late changes consist of telangiectasia of the skin, alopecia, loss of subcutaneous fat, degenerative changes in the connective tissues. But, radiation necrosis of laryngeal cartilage is an uncommon complication and it is a devastating process for which further necessitates surgical treatment. It is generally agreed that the only treatment for patient not responding to conservative measures is a total laryngectomy. We experienced 4 cases of delayed radionecrosis of the larynx who underwent radiation therapy for glottic cancer and hypopharyngeal cancer. We report these cases with review of literature.

Background and objectives : There may be frequent lymphatic neck metastasis among supraglottic cancer patients after their primary surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of prophylactic neck dissections in supraglottic cancer patients to lower the neck metastasis. Material and method : The authors retrospectively reviewed medical records of 52 patients (7 females. 45 males) who had received the operations for the supraglottic cancer from 1995 to 2000. They were preoperatively examined with Computer Tomographic images, and also examined by the cervical neck palpations. Postoperative pathologic specimens were reviewed and the Pathologic stagings were confirmed by the pathologist. Results : Among 52 patients who received surgery for supraglottic carcinoma, 5 patients received ipsilateral neck dissection, 12 patients received ipsilateral neck dissection with postoperative radiation therapy, 10 Patients received bilateral neck dissection and 25 patients received bilateral neck dissection with postoperative radiation treatment. In comparison of the data of N0 to N+ conversion rate of neck, there were 11 ipsilateral T3 N0 patients and 2 patients(18%) were converted to N+ status, and there were 8 Patients with T4 N0 stages, and 3 patients(38%) were converted to N+ status. In comparing the data of contralateral neck dissection on N0 patient, there were 8 patients of T3 N0 patients, and there was 1 patient (13%) who showed recurrence. There were 5 patients of T4 N0 stages and there was 1(20%) patient with recurrences. When the ipsilateral N stages were N2a, and N2b, there 1 case of contraleral N+ conversions, respectively. In recurrences, there were 2 patients of N2b staged patients and 1 patient of N2c patient that showed recurrence during the follow up period. Conclusion : This data shows that at least an ipsilateral neck dissection is necessary in order to prevent the recurrences, and also suggests that bilateral neck dissection is necessary for the higher T stage. Since the higher N staged patients showed higher rate of recurrence, so that neck dissection is mandatory for the higher N staged patients.

Solitary fibous tumor of pleura is a rare and slow vowing neoplasm. The histogenesis of this tumor is thought as mesenchymal origin by immunohistochemical and ultrastructural bases. This case report is of a 69-year-old female who presented severe dyspnea and orthopnea with long-term history. Preoperative chest X-ray an chest CT revealed huge and hemithorax-occupying heterogenous mass and cardiomegaly. She underwent surgical resection and a 22 X 18 X 10 cm sized visceral pleural based mass was evacuated. Histologic findings of tumor showed patternless proliferation in a fibrocollagenous and well vasculized stroma. Immnohistochemical staining revealed strong positive in CD34, that are compatible with solitary fibrous tumor of pleura. The patient was discharged without any complications and no evidence of recurrence was found after 2 years.

Cervical subcutaneous emphysema usually occurs as a result of surgery or trauma. However, when it occurs spontaneously, the patient may Present with clinically impressive and dramatic features. Spontaneous subcutaneous cervical emphysema is very rare. A 20-month-old boy diagnosed bronchial asthma had been admitted and all symptoms has improved On 5th hospital admission day, sudden subcutaneous crepitation of cervical, chest and axillary area had developed, and roentgenograms of chest and neck revealed subcutaneous cervical emphysema. He was treated needle aspiration. and recovered rapidly.

Recently we have experienced an about 15cm long foreign body lodged at trachea in the adult patient, it was a toothbrush bar of which the head had been removed by patient himself. Its tip was shown above vocal cord on videogastroscope, so we removed the toothbrush bar by using the foreign body forcep. So we report it with review of literature.