Luca Sessa

Prospective evaluation of total thyroidectomy versus ipsilateral versus bilateral central neck dissection in patients with clinically node–negative papillary thyroid carcinoma

BACKGROUND Prophylactic central neck dissection (PCND) for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is controversial. We compared 3 different approaches to the management of central compartment nodes in patients with clinically unifocal and N0 PTC. METHODS A total of 186 patients were prospectively assigned to one of the following procedures: total thyroidectomy (TT), TT plus ipsilateral PCND (Ipsi-PCND), and TT plus bilateral PCND (Bil-PCND). RESULTS No difference was found concerning demographic, clinical or pathologic characteristics (P = NS). More patients in the Bil-PCND group had transient hypocalcemia (P < .001). One patient in the Bil-PCND group experienced permanent hypoparathyroidism (P = NS). One transient and one permanent unilateral laryngeal nerve palsy occurred in the Ipsi-PCND group (P = NS). Significantly more patients in the Bil-PCND and Ipsi-PCND groups had node metastases recognized (26 vs 18 vs 6; P < .001). Six of 26 pN1 patients (23%) in the Bil-PCND group had bilateral metastases. No difference was found concerning mean postoperative basal and stimulated thyroglobulin and mean postoperative radioiodine uptake. One patient in the Ipsi-PCND group experienced recurrent disease (P = NS). CONCLUSION TT seems adequate treatment for most patients with clinically N0 PTC. PCND could be considered for a more accurate staging. Ipsi-PCND could be a valid option, but it includes the risk of overlooking contralateral metastases.

Actual incidence and clinical behaviour of follicular thyroid carcinoma: an institutional experience.

Follicular thyroid carcinoma classically accounts for 10–32% of thyroid malignancies. We determined the incidence and the behaviour of follicular thyroid carcinoma in an endemic goitre area. A comparative analysis between minimally invasive and widely invasive follicular thyroid carcinoma was performed. The medical records of all patients who underwent thyroidectomy from October 1998 to April 2012 for thyroid malignancies were reviewed. Those who had a histological diagnosis of follicular carcinoma were included. Among 5203 patients, 130 (2.5%) were included. Distant metastases at presentation were observed in four patients. Sixty-six patients had a minimally invasive follicular carcinoma and 64 a widely invasive follicular carcinoma. In 63 patients an oxyphilic variant was registered. Minimally/widely invasive ratio was 41/26 for usual follicular carcinoma and 25/38 for oxyphilic variant (P < 0.05). Patients with widely invasive tumors had larger tumors (P < 0.001) and more frequently oxyphilic variant (P < 0.05) than those with minimally invasive tumours. No significant difference was found between widely invasive and minimally invasive tumors and between usual follicular carcinoma and oxyphilic variant regarding the recurrence rate (P = NS). The incidence of follicular thyroid carcinoma is much lower than classically retained. Aggressive treatment, including total thyroidectomy and radioiodine ablation, should be proposed to all patients.

Assessing the obese diabetic patient for bariatric surgery: which candidate do I choose?

The worldwide prevalence of type 2 diabetes is rising in association with an increasing frequency of overweight and obesity. Bariatric-metabolic procedures are considered as additional therapeutic options, allowing improved diabetes control in most patients. Multiple factors play in concert to achieve the improvements in diabetic remission observed after bariatric-metabolic surgery. Several studies have demonstrated that bariatric-metabolic surgery is an effective treatment for type 2 diabetes when compared with conventional nonsurgical medical treatment. Because the best results are achievable in patients with a relatively short history of diabetes and less advanced controlled disease, the surgical option could be considered early, especially in morbid obese subjects (BMI ≥35 kg/m2) after failure of medical treatment. Patients with extensive weight loss are more likely to achieve type 2 diabetes remission after bariatric surgery. At present, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass seems the surgical procedure of choice because it has fewer risks than biliopancreatic diversion, and it is associated with higher weight loss and metabolic improvements compared with adjustable gastric banding. Recent evidences regarding the effectiveness of sleeve gastrectomy in diabetes remission have to be confirmed by controlled trials with longer follow-up.

Surgical approach to level VI in papillary thyroid carcinoma: an overview

One of the most controversial issues in the treatment of thyroid cancer is the management of the central neck nodes in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Lymph node involvement is common in patients with PTC and it may negatively affect recurrence rate and, probably, survival. Although therapeutic compartment-oriented central neck dissection is the standard treatment for patients with clinical nodal involvement (cN1) PTC, the role and the extension for elective or prophylactic central neck dissection (PCND) in patients with clinically node negative (cN0) neoplasms remains controversial. In recent years, in order to decrease the risk of postoperative complications related to PCND, unilateral central neck dissection has emerged as an alternative approach to bilateral central neck dissection.

Video-assisted endocrine neck surgery: state of the art

During the last two decades, several minimally invasive approaches for endocrine neck surgery have been developed. Minimally invasive video-assisted approaches (minimally invasive video-assisted parathyroidectomy and minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy) gained a quite large worldwide diffusion, maybe because these techniques combine the advantages related to the endoscopic magnification with those due to the close similarity with the conventional surgery that makes these surgical approaches reproducible and feasible in different surgical settings. Several comparative studies have demonstrated the advantages of minimally invasive video-assisted neck surgery in terms of reduced postoperative pain, better cosmetic result, and higher patients’ satisfaction over the conventional endocrine neck surgery. An accurate patients’ selection plays a key role to ensure the success of minimally invasive video-assisted approaches. To date, in selected cases and in experienced Center, minimally invasive video-assisted endocrine neck surgery could be considered the standard treatment or at least a safe and effective surgical option.

Risk factors for local recurrence following lateral neck dissection for papillary thyroid carcinoma

PurposeWe aimed to evaluate risk factors for local recurrence following lateral neck dissection (LND) for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).MethodsTwo hundred and nine patients who underwent therapeutic primary or reoperative LND for PTC were included.ResultsOne hundred eighty-one patients underwent primary LND at our Institution, the remaining 28 were referred for recurrence following LND outside the Institution. Comparing patients who required reoperation for recurrent lateral neck disease with those who did not recur, no significant difference was found concerning sex, tumor size, multifocal disease, extracapsular invasion, histological variant, pT stage (P = NS). At univariate analysis, age, mean number of removed lateral neck nodes at first operation, the extent of initial LND and surgery performed outside the Institution were risk factors for recurrence (P < 0.001).ConclusionsLimited LND and surgery performed at non referral Centers were non tumor-related risk factors for recurrence following therapeutic LND for PTC.

Risk factors for central neck lymph node metastases in follicular variant vs. classic papillary thyroid carcinoma

PurposeHistological variants of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) have been advocated as possible risk factors for central neck nodal metastases (CNM). A lower incidence of CNM in follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (fvPTC) when compared with classic PTC (cPTC) has been observed. We aimed to compare risk factors for CNM in patients with fvPTC and cPTC.MethodsThe medical records of 1737 patients with a diagnosis of cPTC or fvPTC were reviewed. Demographic, clinical and pathological findings were prospectively registered. Risk factors for CNM were evaluated by univariate and multivariate analysis in cPTC vs. fvPTC patients.ResultsSix hundred and fifty-two patients (37.5%) had fvPTC. The diagnosis was incidental in 69.5% of the fvPTC and in 29.4% of the cPTC patients. Overall, 26.3% cPTC and 8.3% fvPTC patients showed CNM (p < 0.001). In both cPTC and fvPTC patients at univariate analysis age <45 years, nonincidental diagnosis, tumor size >5 mm, multifocality, angioinvasion and extracapsular invasion were risk factors for CNM. At multivariate analysis independent risk factors for CNM in both cPTC and fvPTC patients were age <45 years (p < 0.01), nonincidental diagnosis (p < 0.001), multifocality (p < 0.001) and extracapsular invasion (p < 0.001).ConclusionsNo differences were observed between cPTC and fvPTC with regard to risk factors of CNM. fvPTC seems associated with a lower incidence of CNM, presumably because of the higher rate of incidental diagnosis. With the exception of age, in patients with a preoperative diagnosis of PTC, no preoperatively available clinical parameter is a reliable predictor of CNM.

Concerns in patients undergoing neck dissection surgery

SummaryLymph node involvement is common in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma. The knowledge of surgical techniques and classifications of the lymph node levels and of the surgical procedures is essential. Some concerns still exist regarding the indications and the extension of lymph node dissection both for central and lateral neck dissection. Central neck dissection is mandatory in case of macroscopic central neck nodal involvement. In patients with clinically node negative papillary thyroid carcinoma the role of prophylactic central neck dissection remains matter of debate. Regarding the lateral neck dissection the majority of guidelines recommend that it should be performed only with therapeutic intent. In spite of this consensus regarding the indications, the extension of therapeutic lateral neck dissection is still debated. In case of reoperation surgical strategy should be adequately planned in order to reduce the risk of potential complications achieving an optimal locoregional control of t...

Minimally Invasive Video-Assisted Neck Dissection

During the last decade minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy (MIVAT) became the most widely diffused and practiced minimally invasive procedure to approach thyroid disorders requiring surgery. Despite, at the beginning of the experience, suspicious cytology and evidence of suspicious lymph node involvement represented a contraindication for a video-assisted approach, in recent years MIVAT emerged as effective and safe treatment also in case of selected low-intermediate risk classes of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC).