Publicaties

In endoscopic maxillary sinus surgery, the maxillary sinus is accessed through the nasal cavity which constitutes a narrow and tortuous pathway. However, surgeons still use rigid endoscopes and rigid, straight or pre-bent instruments for this procedure. Resection of the uncinate process and creation of a medial antrostomy is warranted to access the pathology inside the maxillary sinus and depending on the location of the pathology (lateral, ...

OBJECTIVE: The treatment approach of recurrent or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC) has long been similar for all patients. Any difference in treatment strategy was only based on existing comorbidities and on preferences of the patient and the treating oncologist. The recent advance obtained with immune therapy and more specifically immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has been a true game changer. Today, patients and ...

Nonsurgical primary treatment of early and advanced laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma, employing radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy, is considered a standard of care in many centers throughout the world. When patients have persistent or recurrent disease after non-surgical treatment, salvage surgery is frequently the only remaining potentially curative treatment. Depending on the extent of the residual/recurrent disease, different ...

Human papilloma virus (HPV) is a well-established causative factor in a subset of squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (HNSCC). Although HPV can be detected in various anatomical subsites, HPV-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is the most common HPV-related malignancy of the head and neck, and its worldwide incidence is constantly rising. Patients with OPSCC are generally younger, have less co-morbidities and ...

Airway involvement by advanced thyroid carcinoma (TC) constitutes a negative prognosticator, besides being a critical clinical issue since it represents one of the most frequent causes of death in locally advanced disease. It is generally agreed that, for appropriate laryngo-tracheal patterns of invasion, (crico-)tracheal resection and primary anastomosis [(C)TRA] is the preferred surgical technique in this clinical scenario. However, the ...

OBJECTIVES: To assess the cohort of patients undergoing sialendoscopic intervention for improvement of symptoms and gland-related quality of life at long-term follow-up. DESIGN: This is a retrospective review of medical records with a prospective follow-up by questionnaire. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS: All patients undergoing sialendoscopy at the University Hospitals Leuven Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery between March ...

INTRODUCTION: Monopolar electrocautery is the most common dissection and coagulation tool during transoral robotic surgery (TORS) but causes significant collateral tissue damage as opposed to CO2 laser. We aimed at combining both modalities in one robotic instrument arm. METHODS: We developed a steerable CO2 -laser fibre carrier serving as an add-on to the existing Endowrist® monopolar spatula of the Da Vinci Xi. Feasibility and safety were ...

Most cases of thyroid carcinoma are classified as low risk. These lesions have been treated with open surgery, remote access thyroidectomy, active surveillance, and percutaneous ablation. However, there is lack of consensus and clear indications for a specific treatment selection. The objective of this study is to review the literature regarding the indications for management selection for low-risk carcinomas. Systematic review exploring ...

Introduction: Fourth branchial anomalies, the rarest among anomalies of the branchial apparatus, often present diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. We evaluated the clinical presentation and radiographic features, the treatment and the long-term outcome of patients in this setting. Patients and Methods: Of 12 patients treated in the University Hospitals Leuven from 2004 until 2020, 12 variables were collected: date of birth, gender, age of ...

BACKGROUND: Autologous vascularized bone transfer is the preferred strategy for the reconstruction of mandibular defects in a pediatric population. The principal argument is the theoretical postoperative growth potential of the neomandible, which uses vascularized donor tissues. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to objectify the veritable growth potential of vascularized bone transfers in children. METHODS: A literature search was ...