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Evaluation of recurrent laryngeal nerve monitoring in thyroid surgery

AIM Thyroidectomy creates a potential risk for all parathyroid glands and nerves. Nerve identification has decreased the rates of nerve injury during thyroidectomy. Intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM) has been used as an adjunct to the visual identification of the nerve. The aim of this clinical trial is to evaluate the effect of the identification time of RLN during thyroidectomy using IONM. METHOD Two hundred and thirty seven patients and 409 nerves at risk were enrolled in this prospective study. The nerves in Group 1 (n=210) were identified with IONM, whereas the nerves in Group 2 (n=199) were identified without IONM. RESULT The identification time of RLN and the operating time in patients of Group 1 were significantly lower than patients of Group 2. There was not any significant difference between postoperative complications of the groups. According to logistic regression analysis, the use of IONM was found to be the only determinant of the decrease of identification time of RLN. CONCLUSION Although the operating time was lower with IONM than with visualization alone, the shortened surgical time may not seem to have great clinical relevance. However, the shorter the nerve is identified the lower is the surgeons level of stress. We think that it is important to use IONM to decrease the identification time of RLN in the course of thyroidectomy.

Determinants of postoperative hypocalcemia in vitamin D–deficient Graves’ patients after total thyroidectomy

BACKGROUND The etiology of postoperative hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy appears to be multifactorial, that is, postoperative transient hypoparathyroidism, low 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OHD) concentrations, aging, and hyperthyroidism with increased bone turnover. Our aim was to evaluate the factors responsible for postoperative hypocalcemia in euthyroid vitamin D-deficient/insufficient Graves patients who underwent total thyroidectomy at our institution. METHODS Thirty-five consecutive patients with Graves disease treated by total thyroidectomy were included in the present study. All patients were vitamin D deficient/insufficient (ie, 25-OHD concentrations of <20/<30 ng/mL, respectively). Patients were divided into 2 groups according to postoperative serum albumin corrected calcium concentrations: group 1 (n = 13) patients had postoperative serum calcium concentrations of 8 mg/dL or less; group 2 (n = 22) patients had serum calcium concentrations greater than 8 mg/dL. Bone turnover markers (deoxypiridinoline, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase) and 25-OHD were determined the day before surgery. RESULTS In group 1 patients, disease duration was significantly longer, 25-OHD and postoperative parathyroid hormone concentrations were significantly lower, and bone turnover markers were significantly higher. Logistic regression analysis revealed that a postoperative parathyroid hormone concentration less than 10 pg/mL was the most powerful parameter to predict postoperative hypocalcemia (odds ratio, 23; 95% confidence interval, 3.3-156). CONCLUSIONS In Graves patients with vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency, postoperative (transient) hypoparathyroidism is the most significant parameter to determine the development of postoperative hypocalcemia.

The effects of gastric bands of different synthetic materials on the gastric and esophageal mucosa: an experimental study.

Background: Gastric and mucosal changes were studied when different synthetic materials were used for gastric banding. Methods: 60 Wistar-Albino rats (weight 200-250 g, age 12 weeks) were classiffied into 5 groups. Gastric banding was carried out with different materials: group 1 - polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), group 2 - polythylene (PE), group 3 - polypropylene (PP), group 4 - silicone; and group 5 - controls. Histopathological examination of proximal and distal gastric mucosa and esophagus were evaluated for foreign body reaction, lymphocytic infiltration, neutrophil infiltration, gastric wall invasion, and gastroesophageal reflux. Results: PE and PP caused a much more severe foreign body reaction that PTFE and silicone. Lymphocytic infiltration (chronic inflammation) was not significantly different between PP, PE, and PTFE, and was present in 80% of rats with these materials (P >0.05); in the silicone group, lymphocytic reaction was minimal. There was no neutrophilic infiltration in the silicone group (P =0.001), but this sign of acute inflammation was present in the other groups. However, the neutrophilic inflitration showed no difference between PE, PTFE and PP. PP, PE and PTFE migrated into the gastric wall at similar rates (no significant difference, P >0.05); in the silicone group, however, intragastric migration was not observed. With regard to gastroesophageal reflux, no significant difference was found between all the groups (P>0.05). In all groups, no histopathologic change was observed in the gastric mucosa proximal and distal to the bands. Conclusion: Silicone was the ideal material for banding, because it had good tissue adaptation and caused no inflammatory response.

Effects of contractubex on the prevention of postoperative peritoneal adhesion.

BACKGROUND There are numerus techniques and agents in use for reducing peritoneal adhesion formation. But in this research we believe this is the first research to reveal that contractubex (allium cepae, sodium heparin, and allantoin mixture) is reducing formed peritoneal adhesions. So it may be used to reduce the number of re-laparotomies/re-laparoscopies caused by peritoneal adhesions related complications. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of contractubex (CT) in a rat model of postoperative peritoneal adhesion (PPA). METHODS Fifty rats were divided into four equal groups. In group 1, 1 g of CT was injected into the peritoneal cavity. In group 2, adhesions were generated. In group 3, adhesions were generated, and 1 g of CT was immediately applied into the peritoneal cavity. In group 4, adhesions were generated, and at postoperative d 7, 1 g of CT was applied into the peritoneal cavity. In group 5, adhesions were generated, and at postoperative d1, 3, 5, and 7, 1 g of CT was applied into the peritoneal cavity. The adhesions were scored both macroscopically and microscopically. RESULTS The mean macroscopic adhesion scores in groups 1-5 were 0 ± 0, 2.9 ± 0.21, 2.3 ± 0.54, 0.8 ± 0.63, and 2.2 ± 0.72, respectively (P < 0.0001); the mean microscopic values were 0 ± 0, 2.8 ± 0.42, 2.8 ± 0.42, 0.6 ± 0.52, and 2.3 ± 0.48, respectively (P < 0.0001). The mean macroscopic adhesion score in group 4 was lower than that in group 2 (P = 0.001). The mean macroscopic adhesion scores in groups 3 and 5 were higher than those in group 4 (P = 0.045 and P = 0.038, respectively) but did not significantly differ from those in group 2 (P = 0.171 and P = 0.124, respectively). COMMENTARY A single dose of contractubex did not prevent PPA formation but did diminish the amount of formed PPAs.

The Effect of Retroperitoneal Fat Mass on Surgical Outcomes in Patients Performing Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy: The Effect of Fat Tissue in Adrenalectomy

Background: Obesity and visceral fat are thought to be the most important factors influencing the technical difficulty during open and laparoscopic surgery. The authors aimed to investigate the effect of retroperitoneal fat mass on surgical outcomes in patients undergoing laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Patients and methods: This prospective study included 51 consecutive patients who underwent lateral transabdominal laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Body mass index (BMI) and retroperitoneal fat area (RFA)/adrenal mass area (AMA) ratio were calculated. Results: There was a positive correlation between BMI and operating time and postoperative complications and hospital stay. According to 2-way analysis of variance, only RFA/AMA ratio (P = .0001) was found to significantly correlate with operating time, whereas BMI did not significantly correlate with operating time (P = .51). In patients with high BMI, high RFA indicated longer operating time and higher complication rate, whereas low RFA was associated with significantly shorter operating time and decreased risk of complications. Conclusion: Retroperitoneal fat mass is a more useful parameter than BMI for predicting the surgical outcomes of laparoscopic adrenalectomy.

Predictive Value of Thyroid Tissue Density in Determining the Patients on Whom Sternotomy Should be Performed

BACKGROUND Retrosternal goiter incidence rates range between 0.2% and 45% of all goiters, and sternotomy is performed in some of patients. There is no consensus for selecting the patients on whom sternotomy should be performed. We aimed to determine the most important factor for predicting requirement of sternotomy. METHODS This prospective study included 260 patients with retrosternal goiter. The clinical symptoms, history of previous thyroidectomy, presence of tracheal deviation, tracheal compression, site of mediastinal extension, thyroid tissue density, findings of intubation, type of surgical approach, histologic findings of thyroid, weight of thyroid, and postoperative complications were evaluated. RESULTS Thyroid tissue density, posterior location, and subcarinal extension were found to be independent factors for predicting requirement of sternotomy. The risk for sternotomy increased 47-fold for patients with harder thyroid tissue density (OR: 47.3; 95% CI: 5.8-385.70), 20-fold for patients with subcarinal extension (OR: 20.5; 95% CI: 2.5-168), and 10-fold for patients with posterior location (OR: 10.5; 95% CI:1.8-60). CONCLUSION Thyroid tissue density was defined the strongest predictive factor for requirement of sternotomy. Preoperatively obtained information thyroid tissue density can be useful for surgical strategy.

New and Simple Approach for Preventing Postoperative Peritoneal Adhesions: Do not Touch the Peritoneum without Viscous Liquid—A Multivariate Analysis

Background. Postoperative peritoneal adhesions (PPAs) are an unsolved and serious problem in abdominal surgery. Method. Viscous liquids of soybean oil, octyl methoxycinnamate, flax oil, aloe vera gel, and glycerol were used in five experiments, using the same methodology for each. Liquids were applied in the peritoneal cavity before and after mechanical peritoneal trauma. Results were evaluated by multivariate analysis. Results. Compared with the control group, macroscopic and microscopic adhesion values before (P < .001) and after (P < .05) application of viscous liquids significantly reduced PPAs. Values were significantly lower when liquids were applied before rather than after peritoneal trauma (P < .0001). Discussion. Viscous liquids injected into the peritoneal cavity before or after mechanical peritoneal trauma decrease PPA. Injection before trauma was more effective than after trauma. In surgical practice, PPA formation may be prevented or decreased by covering the peritoneal cavity with an appropriate viscous liquid before abdominal surgery.

Radio-guided excision of parathyroid lesions in patients who had previous neck surgeries: A safe and easy technique for re-operative parathyroid surgery

BACKGROUND Several methods have been recommended to detect parathyroid lesions in patients who have previously undergone neck surgeries, including radio-guided surgery or intraoperative ultrasounds. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether the radio-guided excision of pathologic parathyroid lesions allowed us to find affected lesions in patients who had previously undergone neck operations. METHODS This prospective study included 18 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism who had previously undergone neck surgeries. The pathologic parathyroid lesions were localized by ultrasonography, and a radiotracer was injected directly into the lesions. RESULTS Careful dissections were carried out by following the area of maximum radioactivity until the lesions were identified and excised. Eighteen parathyroid adenomas were removed in 18 patients. The median count from each lesion was significantly higher than the values measured from the adjacent tissues and the lesion beds (12550/20 s, 370/20 s, and 35/20 s, respectively; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Radio-guided excision of parathyroid lesions can be performed safely for re-operative parathyroid surgery.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy on the bikini line for invisible scar.

Background A traditional laparoscopic cholecystectomy uses 4 trocar incisions on the upper abdomen, which may be the source of undesirable cosmetic outcomes. We describe here a modification of the traditional laparoscopic cholecystectomy by which scars remain underwear. Supplemental Digital Content 1, http://links.lww.com/SLE/A27. Methods A 32-year-old woman and 43-year-old man with symptomatic cholelithiasis were chosen for laparoscopic cholecystectomy on the bikini line. Four trocar were used, all of them were positioned at the lower abdomen in the same parallel on the bikini line. All procedure was performed with standart laparoscopic instrumentation. Gallbladder was removed through the median suprapubical trocar site. Results Both procedures were technically successful with no skin incisions outside the bikini line. The total operation times were: 65 and 45 minutes, and the hospital stay were 2 days. There were no complications during or after surgery. We left no scar on the upper abdomen. Conclusions Laparoscopic cholecystectomy on the bikini line is technically feasible, safe, and effective. There is no need for learning curve and extralaparoscopic instrumentation. The major advantage of this method is improved cosmetic outcome with no visible abdominal scars. This new technique carries the potential to be an option for the traditional laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Pancreatic ampullary carcinoma with neck metastases: a case report

BackgroundAn 18-year-old Turkish woman was referred with a 6-week history of rapidly enlarging cervical mass at the left side.Case reportShe was diagnosed of ampullary carcinoma for which pancreatoduodenectomy was performed 14 months ago. In our patient with a history of malignancy, a rapidly enlarging neck mass was considered a metastasis to the neck. Tumor resection was performed. Histopathological examination revealed the metastasis of the precedent ampullary adenocarcinoma.ConclusionSurgery does not improve survival for advanced metastatic ampullary cancer however, it can be mandatory in specific conditions as our patient.