New Technique Predicts Wound Healing Issues

Leisa Thompson Photography

A technique that illuminates blood flow during surgery predicted which head and neck cancer patients were likely to have issues with wound healing. A team of surgeons at the Rogel Cancer Center found the approach so successful in a clinical trial with patients undergoing laryngectomy that they closed the study early. 

Because of radiation damage, patients with larynx cancer are at a higher risk of post-surgical wound issues and are particularly vulnerable to pharyngocutaneous fistulas, which can lead to bleeding, infections, and even additional surgeries. In the study, patients with lower blood flow during surgery had a significantly higher risk of developing a fistula. This information could enable surgeons to make adjustments during surgery or recovery to improve outcomes. —Nicole Fawcett 

Source: U-M Health Lab Blog 

More Articles About: Research Faculty Surgery Oncology Patients laryngectomy Cancer (Oncology)
Featured News & Stories Illustration of hand holding list, with pill bottle in opposite and and small pic of doctor talking to patient
Health Lab
New urine-based test detects high grade prostate cancer, helping men avoid unnecessary biopsies
A new urine-based test addresses a major problem in prostate cancer: how to separate the slow growing form of the disease unlikely to cause harm from more aggressive cancer that needs immediate treatment.
 Blue image of a microscopic helix strand
Health Lab
Researchers discover urine based test to detect head and neck cancer
At-home test can detect tumor DNA fragments in urine samples, providing a non-invasive alternative to traditional blood-based biomarker tests
 Close up image of red blood cells moving through veins
Health Lab
Discovery reveals how this common stinky gas is processed to promote blood vessel growth
A new collaborative study, examined the interaction between three naturally occurring gases — nitric oxide (NO), oxygen, and H2S — during generation of new blood vessels, called angiogenesis.
 Speculum illustration including a gloved hand holding a swab in front of microscopic cells
Health Lab
U.S. could cut cervical cancer cases, deaths by up to 20% if more patients followed up after screening, study suggests
Many women don’t get cervical cancer screening such as Pap tests, or don’t go for follow up diagnostic tests; a new study shows what could happen if all of them did.
Health Lab
Fitness instructor, backpacker returns to active lifestyle after years of pain from endometriosis
Woman seeks answers for painful periods, leading to the discovery of endometriosis, large ovarian cysts, organ inflammation and appendix cancer
 Woman in pink shirt lifts kettleball in an outdoor exercise class
Health Lab
How to make cancer prevention more equitable
Expert explains six behavioral risk factors for cancer and why current programs don’t always meet the needs of people from racially and ethnically minoritized groups and other vulnerable populations.