Scar contracture prevention with local steroid injections in transoral videolaryngoscopic surgery

Effectiveness of Triamcinolone Injections in Preventing Scar Deformity following Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Pharyngeal Cancer

Introduction

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is an effective treatment for superficial pharyngeal cancer. However, pharyngeal deformity caused by postoperative ulcer contraction is a major concern and can result in a poor quality of life. While local steroid injections have been shown to prevent strictures after ESD for esophageal cancer, their effectiveness in preventing deformities following ESD for pharyngeal cancer remains unclear.

Case Presentation

A 60-year-old woman with superficial pharyngeal cancer in the left pyriform sinus underwent ESD. After ESD, 80 mg of triamcinolone acetonide was injected into the ulcer bed to prevent scar contracture. The patient experienced mild pharyngeal pain, which resolved within a few days. Histopathological examination confirmed the lesion was well-differentiated SCC, with negative resection margins and no lymphovascular invasion. Follow-up endoscopy at 6 weeks showed granulation tissue in the surgical wound, which completely healed without pharyngeal deformity by 14 weeks post-ESD.

Conclusion

This case demonstrated that the injection of triamcinolone in an ulcer that developed after ESD may be an effective method of preventing pharyngeal deformity caused by scar contracture.

Combined Radial Incision and Steroid Injection for Refractory Colorectal Stenosis After Pull-Through Surgery in Hirschsprung Disease: An Innovative Conservative Treatment

BACKGROUND

Anastomotic stenosis after pull-through surgery remains a challenge in the management of Hirschsprung disease. Based on the management of esophageal stenosis, we evaluated the efficacy of combined radial incision and steroid injection for the treatment of refractory colorectal anastomotic stenosis after pull-through.

IMPACT OF INNOVATION

Combined radial incision and steroid injection is an alternative conservative treatment of refractory anastomotic stenosis after pull-through for Hirschsprung disease, avoiding a potential complicated redo pull-through surgery.

TECHNOLOGY, MATERIALS, AND METHODS

We included patients with rectosigmoid Hirschsprung disease who developed a refractory anastomotic stenosis after a laparoscopic-assisted Swenson pull-through at Robert-Debré Children University Hospital in Paris, France. Refractory stenosis was defined as obstructive symptoms associated with an anastomotic stenosis on rectal examination without improvement after serial anal dilations. Under general anesthesia, an injection of 10-mg delayed-action steroid per quadrant was combined with a radial incision of the stenosis using monopolar cautery.

PRELIMINARY RESULTS

Combined radial incision and steroid injection were performed in 4 children for either early or late refractory stenosis. This resulted in improved refractory anastomotic stenosis, avoiding a redo pull-through in 75% of patients. One child presented with transient improvement after a combined radial incision and steroid injection but developed recurrent stenosis despite additional combined radial incision and steroid injection and redo pull-through. The median follow-up was 29 months.

CONCLUSIONS

We observed a clinical improvement in all the patients after combined radial incision and steroid injection.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Steroid injection should be considered as a potential alternative therapy for anastomotic stenosis.

A Modified Approach for Preventing Anterior Glottic Web Formation Using Mitomycin C in Bilateral Vocal Fold Lesions

Objectives: Laryngeal keel insertion, mucosal suture, application of mitomycin-C (MMC), and staged operations are approaches to prevent the anterior glottic web, but there are limitations. Our study suggests a modified approach to prevent the formation of an anterior glottic web. Methods: This retrospective single-institution tertiary center study (N = 23) involved the simultaneous removal of bilateral vocal fold lesions with topical MMC application. If exudate was identified after 4 to 6 weeks, second laryngomicroscopic surgery (LMS) was performed to remove it with topical MMC application. Extent of anterior glottic web was measured as a percentage of the total length of the membranous vocal fold. Results: After the initial surgery, 18 patients recovered without anterior web or fibrin exudate. Thick exudate was observed in 5 patients. After the second LMS, all patients showed improvement and did not develop anterior web. Conclusion: This modified method has been developed to prevent the anterior glottic web without complications.

Effects of compound betamethasone on vocal fold wound healing in rabbit model: A preliminary study

Objectives

The compound betamethasone is widely used to prevent scarring in dermatology. This study aims to explore the effects of compound betamethasone on vocal fold (VF) wound healing.

Study design

Prospective animal study in rabbits.

Methods

Eighteen rabbits underwent bilateral VF stripping and three rabbits served as controls. 0.1 mL of compound betamethasone (1 mL: betamethasone sodium phosphate 5 mg and betamethasone dipropionate 2 mg) was injected into the right VF of each rabbit, and 0.1 mL 0.9% saline was injected into the contralateral VF. Endoscopy was performed for morphologic observation. Six larynges were harvested for histological analysis at 3 days, 7 days, and 1 month. The VFs were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Alcian blue, and Masson' trichrome staining.

Results

In morphological analysis, there was no visible difference between betamethasone-treated and saline-treated VFs at 3 and 7 days. After 1 month, more VF scars appeared on the saline-treated VFs than the VFs treated with betamethasone. Inflammatory cell number showed significant difference between both VFs at 3 days (p = .037) and 7 days (p = .045). No significant different was found in epithelial thickness at 1 month between the betamethasone and saline groups. The collagen in the saline-treated VFs was significantly denser than that of the betamethasone-treated group (p = .037). There was also a significant increase in the level of hyaluronic acid (HA) in betamethasone-injected VFs in comparison to the saline-injected VFs (p = .006).

Conclusions

Based on this study, compound betamethasone can improve VF healing. Our findings suggest that VF injection with compound betamethasone helps to minimize scarring by increasing HA level and decreasing collagen density.

Transcutaneous injection of triamcinolone acetonide for persistent glottic granulation after laser microsurgery

OBJECTIVE

The aim of study was to demonstrate that transcutaneous intralesional injection of Triamcinolone Acetonide (TA) under fibrolaryngoscopy could be an option for persistent granulation after Transoral Laser Microsurgery (TLM) in glottic cancer patients.

METHODS

We recruited 32 patients, who had conservative treatment but failed. 20 patients accepted TA injection monthly until the granulation disappeared or did not shrink further. 12 patients chose to closely monitor.

RESULTS

For the 20 patients, 17 (85.0%) patients' granulations completely disappeared. 3 (15.0%) patients' granulations had reduced 80%. For the 12 patients, 3 (25.0%) patients' granulations disappeared but 9 (75%) patients' granulations did not have an obvious change. Recurrence was not observed.

CONCLUSION

Our experience showed that transcutaneous intralesional TA injection for persistent granulation after TLM through cricothyroid membrane is an efficient, security, harmless and low recurrence method. Especially suitable for huge granulation which blocks the glottis and recur after a second operation.