Browsing by Author "Fagan, Johannes J"

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    Adult tonsillectomy - are long waiting lists putting patients at risk?
    (Health and Medical Publishing Group, 2006) Mulwafu, Wakisa; Fagan, Johannes J; Isaacs, Sedick
    There is a paucity of data on morbidity associated with long waiting lists for adult tonsillectomy. The aim of this study was to assess the morbidity associated with long waiting lists for adult tonsillectomy in a developing world setting. Of 350 patients on the waiting list at Groote Schuur Hospital for 18 months or more, only 55 were contactable. This low yield (15.7%) from the telephonic survey highlighted the difficulty of managing long waiting lists efficiently in a developing world setting. As only 1/55 patients on the waiting list had a complication (quinsy), it appears to be safe to delay tonsillectomy in adult patients. Only half of patients ultimately required tonsillectomy because of a natural reduction in the number of episodes of tonsillitis with time. In order to avoid unnecessary tonsillectomy we need to find better prognosticators to identify the subgroup of adult patients likely to have continued recurrent tonsillitis
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    Does thyroid sparing total laryngectomy decrease the risk of hypothyroidism?
    (2022) Viljoen, Gerrit; McGuire, Jessica K; Fagan, Johannes J
    Introduction Thyroid lobectomy is recommended with total laryngectomy for laryngeal cancer in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines. However, it is associated with a 32-89% risk of hypothyroidism, which represents a problem especially for patients without access to thyroid hormone monitoring and replacement. Sparing the thyroid gland does not compromise oncological control if thyroid lobectomy is reserved for intraoperative evidence of extra laryngeal tumor extension abutting or invading the thyroid gland, or when there is need to resect level 6 lymph nodes with subglottic and pyriform fossa involvement. However, there is limited evidence about to what extent hypothyroidism is avoided if the thyroid gland is completely spared compared to hemithyroidectomy in the setting of a total laryngectomy. Aims The aims of the study were to determine whether preserving the whole thyroid, compared to a single lobe, does indeed significantly lower the incidence of hypothyroidism in the setting of a total laryngectomy with or without adjuvant radiotherapy. Method A retrospective study was done at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, South Africa. The thyroid function of patients who had undergone thyroid sparing total laryngectomy with or without radiotherapy was determined and compared to those who underwent hemithyroidectomy. Results Eighty-four patients met the inclusion criteria. The overall incidence of hypothyroidism was 45.2%. The incidence of hypothyroidism was significantly reduced in patients who underwent thyroid sparing total laryngectomy compared to hemithyroidectomy (p=0.037). Adjuvant radiotherapy was associated with a higher incidence of hypothyroidism (p=0.001). Conclusion Thyroid preserving laryngectomy should be advocated in carefully selected patients with advanced laryngeal carcinoma as it reduces the incidence of hypothyroidism.
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    Is diagnostic tonsillectomy indicated in all children with asymmetrically enlarged tonsil?
    (2007) van Lierop, Anton C; Prescott, C A J; Fagan, Johannes J; Sinclair-Smith, Colin C
    Objectives. The aims of the study were: (i) to determine the necessity for diagnostic tonsillectomy in children with asymmetrically enlarged tonsils; (ii) to determine the accuracy of clinical assessment of tonsillar asymmetry; and (iii) to determine how to manage children with clinical tonsillar asymmetry in a developing-world practice. Methods. A prospective study was carried out at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital in Cape Town, over an 8-month period. All children undergoing tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy had a clinical assessment of tonsil symmetry done, and all tonsil and adenoid specimens were examined histologically. The maximum diameter and volume of the resected tonsils were measured. A comparison was done of true tonsil asymmetry in patients with asymmetrical tonsils and a subgroup of matched controls with symmetrical tonsils. Results. A total of 344 tonsils were analysed (172 patients). The 13 patients (7.6%) diagnosed as having clinically asymmetrically enlarged tonsils had no significant pathological diagnosis. In the patients with symmetrical tonsils there were abnormal pathological findings (tuberculosis of the adenoids and T-cell lymphoma of the tonsils and adenoids). In the clinically asymmetrical tonsil group, true tonsillar asymmetry was 3 mm (maximum diameter), and 2.2 cm3 (volume), compared with 1.9 mm and 1.5 cm3 in the symmetrical tonsil group. When patients with clinical tonsillar asymmetry and symmetry were compared, the difference in maximum diameter (p = 0.62) and volume (p = 0.73) was not significantly different. Conclusions. Clinical tonsillar asymmetry is usually apparent rather than real. The incidence of significant pathology in children with asymptomatic, asymmetrical tonsils is low. Diagnostic tonsillectomy is indicated in children with asymmetrically enlarged tonsils associated with constitutional symptoms, cervical lymphadenopathy, rapid tonsil enlargement or significant tonsillar asymmetry.
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    Is total glossectomy for advanced carcinoma of the tongue justified?
    (Health and Medical Publishing Group, 2008) Van Lierop, Anton C; Basson, Ola; Fagan, Johannes J
    Total glossectomy (with or without total laryngectomy) followed by postoperative radiotherapy remains the principal treatment method for advanced base of tongue carcinoma. The procedure remains controversial owing to poor cure rates and the inevitable functional deficits associated with it. However, even though total glossectomy is a major surgical procedure that impacts on speech, deglutition and quality of life, it may offer patients the best chance of cure in many centres, especially in the developing world. Methods: We did a retrospective chart review of all patients at Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town, who had undergone total glossectomy, with or without total laryngectomy, for stage IV squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the tongue between 1998 and 2004. Results: Eight patients had a total glossectomy performed during the study period. At 2, 3 and 5 years 63%, 38% and 25% of patients respectively were alive without disease. No patient required permanent nasogastric or gastrostomy feeding, and all returned to a full oral diet. Three of 5 patients who had laryngeal preservation and could be assessed for speech had intelligible speech. All but 1 patient (88%) reported pain relief following surgical excision. Perineural invasion was present in 75%, and 38% had positive resection margins. Five patients had recurrence, 2 cervical, 1 local, and 2 local and cervical. Conclusion: Advanced SCC of the tongue is a devastating disease causing severe pain and disorders of speech and swallowing. Total glossectomy (with or without total laryngectomy) and postoperative radiotherapy is a reasonable treatment option, particularly in the developing world setting. It has cure rates superior to primary radiotherapy, and provides motivated patients with excellent pain relief and a reasonable quality of life.
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    Parotidectomy in Cape Town - a review of pathology and management
    (Health and Medical Publishing Group, 2007) Van Lierop, Anton C; Fagan, Johannes J
    Background: The spectrum of parotid disease in southern Africa has not previously been reported. Methods: A review of all parotidectomies performed by a single surgeon over a period of 10 years (1994 - 2004) in Cape Town, South Africa, is presented. Data were collected from a retrospective chart review. Results: One hundred and ninety-nine parotidectomies were performed and 196 pathology reports were reviewed. Pleomorphic adenoma was the most common benign tumour and metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was the most common malignancy. Warthin's tumour had an equal gender distribution. Forty-five per cent of parotid tumours in males were malignant. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in diagnosing malignancy were 73%, 98% and 94% respectively. Conclusions: In South African males almost half of parotid tumours are malignant. Warthin's tumours are less common in Africa than in the West, and did not show a male preponderance. FNAC is a highly reliable method of excluding malignancy.
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    Radiological differences between HIV-positive and HIV-negative children with cholesteatoma
    (2017) Mc Guire, Jessica Kate; Harris, Tashneem; Fagan, Johannes J
    Introduction: HIV-positive children are possibly more prone to developing cholesteatoma. Chronic inflammation of the middle ear cleft may be more common in patients with HIV and this may predispose HIV-positive children to developing cholesteatoma. There are no studies that describe the radiological morphology of the middle ear cleft in HIV-positive compared to HIV-negative children with cholesteatoma. Aim: Compare the radiological differences of the middle ear cleft in HIV-positive and HIV-negative children with cholesteatoma. Method A retrospective, cross-sectional, observational analytical review of patients with cholesteatoma at Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital over a 6 year period. Results: Forty patients were included in the study, 11 of whom had bilateral cholesteatoma and therefore 51 ears were eligible for our evaluation. HIV-positive patients had smaller (p=0.02) mastoid air cell systems (MACS). Forty percent of HIV-positive patients had sclerotic mastoids, whereas the rate was 3% in HIV-negative ears (p<0.02). Eighty-two percent of the HIV-positive patients had bilateral cholesteatoma compared to 7% of the control group (p<0.02). There was no difference between the 2 groups with regards to aeration of the middle ear cleft, bony erosion of middle ear structures, Eustachian tube obstruction or soft tissue occlusion of the post-nasal space. Conclusion: HIV-positive paediatric patients with cholesteatoma are more likely to have smaller, sclerotic mastoids compared to HIV-negative patients. They are significantly more likely to have bilateral cholesteatoma. This may have implications in terms of surveillance of HIV-positive children, as well as, an approach to management, recurrence and follow-up. HIV infection should be flagged as a risk factor for developing cholesteatoma.
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    Squamous cell carcinoma in black patients with discoid lupus erythematosus
    (2006) Mulwafu, Wakisa K; Fagan, Johannes J; Jessop, Sue
    Squamous cell carcinoma has rarely been reported in black african people, with only 11 cases reported in the world literature to date. We report on 2 further cases, the first to be reported in southern Africa, of squamous cell carcinoma in lesions of discoid lupus erythematosus
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    Tonsillectomy rates in the South African private healthcare sector
    (2018) Douglas-Jones, Paul; Fagan, Johannes J
    Background. Adeno-/tonsillectomy is a commonly performed procedure with internationally standardised and recognised indications. Despite this, there exists considerable international (190 - 850/100 000 people ≤19 years of age) and regional variation in adeno-/tonsillectomy rates. This variation has been ascribed to differences in clinical practice and referral patterns, as well as social and family factors, rather than differences in clinical need or regional morbidity. Objectives. To describe the adeno-/tonsillectomy rate in the South African private healthcare sector, and regional variations thereof. To compare local rates with international rates and to assess current trends in adeno-/tonsillectomy clinical practice. Methods. Analysis of adeno-/tonsillectomy data from January 2012 to December 2013, provided by the largest South African private healthcare funder, accounting for 31% of the medical scheme market. Rates are expressed per 100 000 people ≤19 years of age. Results. The tonsillectomy rate in the South African private healthcare sector was 1888/100 000 people ≤19 years of age in 2012. In 2013, the rate dropped significantly (p-value <0.001) to 1755/100 000. Both are more than double the highest national tonsillectomy rate reported in the literature. There was also considerable regional variation in the adeno-/tonsillectomy rate within South Africa. Otorhinolaryngologists are responsible for approximately 80% of adeno- /tonsillectomies performed in the South African private healthcare sector. Discussion. The South African tonsillectomy rate is very high when compared to international trends and varies regionally within the country. The literature does not support an increased burden of disease as the reason behind this. Rather, it is differences in training and clinical practice of clinicians, as well as social and family factors that have been implicated. Conclusion. The adeno-/tonsillectomy rate in the South African private healthcare sector is substantially higher than international norms. The reasons for this discrepancy require further consideration and investigation.