Browsing by Author "Matthews, T. W"

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    An evaluation of in-office flexible fiber-optic biopsies for laryngopharyngeal lesions
    (2018-05-09) Lee, Francisco; Smith, Kristine A; Chandarana, Shamir; Matthews, T. W; Bosch, J. D; Nakoneshny, Steven C; Dort, Joseph C
    Abstract Background Operative endoscopy and flexible fiber-optic in-office tissue biopsy are common techniques to assess suspicious laryngopharyngeal lesions. Methods The primary outcome was the delay to the initiation of treatment. Secondary outcomes were delay to biopsy, histopathological diagnosis, and assessment at a multidisciplinary oncology clinic. A retrospective analysis was performed to assess the relative delays between these approaches to biopsy of laryngopharyngeal lesions. Results There were 114 patients in the study cohort; 44 in-office and 70 operative endoscopic biopsies). The mean delay from consultation to biopsy was 17.4 days for the operative endoscopy group and 1.3 days for the in-office group. The mean delay from initial otolaryngology consultation to initiation of treatment was 51.7 days and 44.6 days for the operative endoscopy and in-office groups, respectively. Conclusion In-office biopsy reduced the time from initial consultation to biopsy. The temporal gains via in-office biopsy did not translate into faster access to treatment. This outcome highlights the opportunity to improve access to treatment for patients with early diagnosis.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Chronic opioid use following surgery for head and neck cancer patients undergoing free flap reconstruction
    (2021-04-23) Hinther, Ashley; Rasool, Alysha; Nakoneshny, Steven C; Chandarana, Shamir P; Hart, Robert; Matthews, T. W; Dort, Joseph C
    Abstract Background Physician opioid-prescribing patterns have significant impacts on the current opioid crisis. Patients who use opioids in the postoperative period are at risk of developing chronic postoperative opioid use. This study determined the rate of chronic postoperative opioid use among head and neck cancer patients undergoing primary surgery with free-flap reconstruction. Additionally, this study identified major risk factors associated with the development of chronic postoperative opioid use. Methods A retrospective chart review was performed for all adults (age ≥ 18 years) undergoing primary head and neck surgical resection with free-flap reconstruction between January 2008 and December 2015. Patients were identified from a prospectively collected database, Otobase™. Data from the provincial drug insurance program were used to capture drug dispensing information to determine chronic opioid use at 3- and 12-months postoperatively. Data extracted from Otobase™ included patient demographics, social habits, clinical stage, pathological stage, type of surgery, and adjuvant treatment. Results The total cohort was comprised of 212 patients. Chronic opioid use at 3- and 12- months postoperatively was observed in 136 (64%) and 116 (55%) patients, respectively. Of the 212 patients, 85 patients (40%) were identified as preoperative opioid users and 127 were opioid naïve (60%). Of the 85 patients who were preoperative opioid users, 70 (82%) and 63 (77%) patients continued to use opioids 3- and 12-months postoperatively, respectively. The proportion of opioid-naïve patients who were using opioids at 3- and 12-months postoperatively was 52% (66 patients) and 42% (53 patients), respectively. Identified risk factors included preoperative opioid use, prior tobacco use, advanced pathologic T-stage, and adjuvant treatment. Conclusions Among head and neck cancer patients that have undergone major resection with free-flap reconstruction, the prevalence of chronic postoperative opioid users was considerable. Identified risk factors included preoperative opioid use, prior tobacco use, tumor stage, and adjuvant treatment. Graphical abstract
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Designing and integrating a quality management program for patients undergoing head and neck resection with free-flap reconstruction
    (2020-06-23) Dort, Joseph C; Sauro, Khara M; Schrag, Christiaan; Chandarana, Shamir; Matthews, Jennifer; Nakoneshny, Steven; Manoloto, Vida; Miller, Tanya; McKenzie, C. D; Hart, Robert D; Matthews, T. W
    Abstract Background Care pathways (CPs) offer a proven method of systematically improving patient care. CPs are particularly helpful in complex clinical conditions where variation in care is a problem such as patients undergoing major head and neck resection with free flap reconstruction. Although CPs have been used to manage this patient group, most CPs are implemented as part of relatively short-term quality improvement projects. This paper outlines a detailed methodology for designing and delivering a quality management program sustained for 9 years. Methods We describe a change management approach informed by Kotter’s “8 Step Process” that provided a useful framework to guide program development and implementation. We then provide a detailed, step by step description of how such a program can be implemented as well as a detailed summary of time and costs for design, implementation and sustainability phases. An approach to design and delivery of a measurement, audit and feedback system is also provided. Results We present a summary of resources needed to design and implement a head and neck surgery quality management program. The primary result of this study is a design for a sustainable quality management program that can be used to guide and improve care for patients undergoing major head and neck resection with free flap reconstruction. Conclusions A change management approach to design and delivery of a head and neck quality management program is practical and feasible.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    The impact of a quality management program for patients undergoing head and neck resection with free-flap reconstruction: longitudinal study examining sustainability
    (2020-06-23) Dort, Joseph C; Sauro, Khara M; Chandarana, Shamir; Schrag, Christiaan; Matthews, Jennifer; Nakoneshny, Steven; Manoloto, Vida; Miller, Tanya; McKenzie, C. D; Hart, Robert D; Matthews, T. W
    Abstract Background Care pathways (CPs) are helpful in reducing unwanted variation in clinical care. Most studies of CPs show they improve clinical outcomes but there is little known about the long-term impact of CPs as part of a sustained quality management program. Head and neck (HN) surgery with free flap reconstruction is complex, time-consuming and expensive. Complications are common and therefore CPs applied to this patient population are the focus of this paper. In this paper we report outcomes from a 9 year experience designing and using CPs in the management of patients undergoing major head and neck resection with free flap reconstruction. Methods The Calgary quality management program and CP design is described the accompanying article. Data from CP managed patients undergoing major HN surgery were prospectively collected and compared to a baseline cohort of patients managed with standard care. Data were retrospectively analyzed and intergroup comparisons were made. Results Mobilization, decannulation time and hospital length of stay were significantly improved in pathway-managed patients (p = 0.001). Trend analysis showed sustained improvement in key performance indicators including complications. Return to the OR, primarily to assess a compromised flap, is increasing. Conclusions Care pathways when deployed as part of an ongoing quality management program are associated with improved clinical outcomes in this complex group of patients.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    The impact of close surgical margins on recurrence in oral squamous cell carcinoma
    (2021-02-12) Solomon, Joseph; Hinther, Ashley; Matthews, T. W; Nakoneshny, Steven C; Hart, Rob; Dort, Joseph C; Chandarana, Shamir P
    Abstract Background Close margins influence treatment and outcome in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). This study evaluates 187 cases of surgically treated OSCC regarding the impact of close margins on recurrence-free survival (RFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS). Methods Predictors of worsened outcome were identified using Kaplan-Meier analysis and multivariate Cox regression analysis. Results Tumour size [HR:1.70(0.95–3.08)], nodal status [HR:2.15(1.00–4.64)], presence of extracapsular spread (ECS) [HR:6.36(2.41–16.74)] and smoking history [HR:2.87(1.19–6.86)] were associated with worsened RFS. Similar factors were associated with worsened DSS. Close margins did not influence RFS or DSS. Conclusions While most conventional risk factors for OSCC conferred a worsened outcome, close margins did not. One explanation for this would be that close margins (< 5 mm) are equivalent to clear margins and the cutoff definition for a close margin should be re-evaluated. Lack of standardized pathology could also reduce accuracy of reporting of close surgical margins. Graphical abstract
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Treatment de-escalation for HPV-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma with radiotherapy vs. trans-oral surgery (ORATOR2): study protocol for a randomized phase II trial
    (2020-02-14) Nichols, Anthony C; Lang, Pencilla; Prisman, Eitan; Berthelet, Eric; Tran, Eric; Hamilton, Sarah; Wu, Jonn; Fung, Kevin; de Almeida, John R; Bayley, Andrew; Goldstein, David P; Eskander, Antoine; Husain, Zain; Bahig, Houda; Christopoulous, Apostolos; Hier, Michael; Sultanem, Khalil; Richardson, Keith; Mlynarek, Alex; Krishnan, Suren; Le, Hien; Yoo, John; MacNeil, S. D; Mendez, Adrian; Winquist, Eric; Read, Nancy; Venkatesan, Varagur; Kuruvilla, Sara; Warner, Andrew; Mitchell, Sylvia; Corsten, Martin; Rajaraman, Murali; Johnson-Obaseki, Stephanie; Eapen, Libni; Odell, Michael; Chandarana, Shamir; Banerjee, Robyn; Dort, Joseph; Matthews, T. W; Hart, Robert; Kerr, Paul; Dowthwaite, Samuel; Gupta, Michael; Zhang, Han; Wright, Jim; Parker, Christina; Wehrli, Bret; Kwan, Keith; Theurer, Julie; Palma, David A
    Abstract Background Patients with human papillomavirus-positive (HPV+) oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPC) have substantially better treatment response and overall survival (OS) than patients with HPV-negative disease. Treatment options for HPV+ OPC can involve either a primary radiotherapy (RT) approach (± concomitant chemotherapy) or a primary surgical approach (± adjuvant radiation) with transoral surgery (TOS). These two treatment paradigms have different spectrums of toxicity. The goals of this study are to assess the OS of two de-escalation approaches (primary radiotherapy and primary TOS) compared to historical control, and to compare survival, toxicity and quality of life (QOL) profiles between the two approaches. Methods This is a multicenter phase II study randomizing one hundred and forty patients with T1–2 N0–2 HPV+ OPC in a 1:1 ratio between de-escalated primary radiotherapy (60 Gy) ± concomitant chemotherapy and TOS ± de-escalated adjuvant radiotherapy (50–60 Gy based on risk factors). Patients will be stratified based on smoking status (< 10 vs. ≥ 10 pack-years). The primary endpoint is OS of each arm compared to historical control; we hypothesize that a 2-year OS of 85% or greater will be achieved. Secondary endpoints include progression free survival, QOL and toxicity. Discussion This study will provide an assessment of two de-escalation approaches to the treatment of HPV+ OPC on oncologic outcomes, QOL and toxicity. Results will inform the design of future definitive phase III trials. Trial Registration Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT03210103. Date of registration: July 6, 2017, Current version: 1.3 on March 15, 2019.