Squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharyngeal region is a rare, aggressive disease with a poor prognosis and a high mortality rate, and represents up to 95% of all hypopharyngeal tumors. Patients with upper aerodigestive tract tumors can develop airway compromise before or during chemoradiotherapy. The present study aims to investigate the complication differences between elective tracheostomy and emergency‑setting tracheostomy for patients with advanced hypopharyngeal squamous cell. The study group included 36 patients and analyzed the number and type of complications, functional outcomes and comparation of the laboratory testing in all the patients at 3 specific points (before tracheotomy, during the radiation therapy and at least 3 months after completion of radiation therapy). In addition, univariate analysis was performed in order to evaluate the prognosis of local control rates. The type and number of complications between elective and emergency‑setting tracheostomy varied, but all the complications were resolved, and no hypoxic complications secondary to displacement of the tracheostomy tube or death cases related to the tracheostomy occurred. A total of 20/36 patients presented with complications, with 73% (16 patients) from the emergency tracheostomy cohort and 36% (4 patients) from the elective tracheostomy group. More than half of the elective tracheostomy (6/11 patients) responded favorably to the treatment, with a higher frequency than the patients with emergency tracheostomy (5/22 patients). The present study did not encounter significant statistical differences (P>0.05) of the treatment end‑result regarding the type of tracheostomy performed, but the prediction analysis found for the patients aged under 60 years old, elective tracheostomy was associated with a higher chance of favorable treatment end result.

The Gamma Nail represents one of the most popular and efficient implants for treating proximal femoral fractures. Our paper reports a case of a failed Gamma Nail which was used for the surgical treatment of a 69-year-old woman with a right femoral trochanteric fracture due to a car accident. After the surgical intervention, 6 months later, the patient presented to the hospital reporting pain and limited mobility of the right hip. An X-ray was performed at the level of the pelvis, which highlighted the fracture nonunion and the implant failure. The implant removal and its replacement with a dynamic condylar screw system (DCS) was decided. Because Gamma Nail failures are rare occurrences, the implant was subjected to analyses and experimental determinations to find out the cause. For the implant analyses, a stereomicroscope, an optical microscope, and scanning electron microscopy were used. After the tests were conducted, preparation and processing irregularities as causes of the implant failure were eliminated. Also, the experimental analyses showed that the Gamma Nail did comply with chemical composition and microstructure regulations. Thus, it was concluded that the implant failed due to the mechanical overloading caused by surgical technique errors.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the hypopharynx is associated with the worst prognosis of all squamous cell cancer types of the head and neck, with a rich submucosal lymphatic network and a significant inferior extent. Generally, cancers of the head and neck have a big impact on the quality of life (QoL) in patients, both before and after treatment, due to the fact that most cases are diagnosed in advanced stages, with lymph node metastases and have an aggressive pattern associated with low survival rates. The present case report aimed to see the evolution of a patient successfully treated for hypopharyngeal cancer with conservation therapies from the QoL perspective and the influence made by the presence of tracheostomy. Variables, including clinical parameters (sex, age, TNM classification, performance status, histological type and tumor subsite), local control, QoL, Adult Comorbidity Evaluation‑27 score and overall survival were assessed, according to the American Joint Committee on Cancer 8th edition, for a 58‑year‑old patient treated with conservation therapies and tracheostomy in a tertiary center. Subjective features measured through the QoL questionnaire had scores with lowering tendencies during the treatment period. The patient was provided with early training for tracheostomy care and early discharge education. The following objective features of treatment response were exhibited: Hemoglobin levels, leukocyte count, tumor size, imagistic evaluations and local control to confirm treatment response. It is essential when planning the treatment of aggressive and rare pathologies, such as hypopharyngeal cancer, to consider the QoL and patient choice for better adherence. Overall, the results demonstrated that the initial requirement for emergency tracheostomy was not associated with any ulterior complications and did not influence the end result of the treatment.