Vergilius José Furtado de Araujo Filho

Salivary gland tumors in a Brazilian population: a retrospective study of 124 cases

UNLABELLED Salivary gland tumors constitute a highly heterogeneous histopathologic group. There are few epidemiological studies of large series of benign and malignant salivary gland tumors in Brazil. MATERIAL AND METHODS Hospital records of 124 patients with salivary gland tumors diagnosed from January 1993 to December 1999 were reviewed. The patients were analyzed according to gender, age, size, location, and histopathology of the tumor. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Patients with benign and malignant tumors presented with a mean age of 47.7 and 48.8 years, respectively. The frequency of benign tumors was 80% (n = 99) and malignant tumors 20% (n = 25). Tumors were localized in the parotid gland 71% (n = 88), in the submandibular gland 24% (n = 30), and in the minor salivary glands 5% (n = 6). The most common benign tumors were pleomorphic adenoma in 84% (n = 84) and Warthins tumor in 13% (n = 13). Among malignant tumors, mucoepidermoid carcinoma was the most common in 52% (n = 13), adenoid cystic carcinoma occurred in 20% (n = 5), and carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma was detected in 12% (n = 3).

Predictive value for malignancy in the finding of microcalcifications on ultrasonography of thyroid nodules

The aim of this study was to determine the predictive value for malignancy of microcalcifications determined by ultrasonography in thyroid nodules.

Prospective study using skin staplers in head and neck surgery

BACKGROUND A prospective trial was undertaken to investigate the advantages and disadvantages of stapled skin closure versus conventional nylon sutures in head and neck surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS The study included 20 consecutive patients who underwent extensive surgery in which their skin was closed with staples. Another group of 20 matched patients receiving a noncontinuous nylon suture closure was followed in parallel. RESULTS The complications recorded occurred in 5 patients in the stapled group and 3 in the sutured group. Analysis of cosmetic results showed 16 patients (80%) in the stapled group with good wound appearance and 17 (85%) in the sutured group. The mean closure time was 5 minutes for the stapled group and 25 minutes for the sutured group. Cost was

The importance of the ligation of the inferior thyroid artery in parathyroid function after subtotal thyroidectomy.

19.75 for conventional closure and

Abdominal compression: A new intraoperative maneuver to detect chyle fistulas during left neck dissections that include level IV

22.00 for mechanical suture. CONCLUSION The use of skin staples speeds up closure time by 80%, yields similar cosmetic results with no increase in complications, although at a slightly higher cost.

Hipocalcemia e hipoparatireoidismo clínico após tireoidectomia total

UNLABELLED We prospectively studied the effects of the ligation of the inferior thyroid artery (ITA) on postoperative hypoparathyroidism in 48 patients who underwent functional subtotal thyroidectomy. Patients were randomized into two groups: A, with bilateral ligation of the ITA and B, without ligation of the ITA. Parathyroid function was checked preoperatively and after surgery by clinical examination and measurement of total calcium, intact PTH, urinary calcium, and AMPc. RESULTS A significant incidence of postoperative hypocalcemia occurred: 17% in group A and 13% in B on the 4th postoperative day. Six months later, the incidence was 5% in Group A and 0% in Group B. These differences were not statistically significant between the two groups, and neither were any of the other clinical and laboratory observations. CONCLUSION The ligation of the ITA was not an important causal factor for the occurrence of postoperative hypocalcemia after subtotal thyroidectomy.

Validade da punção biópsia por agulha fina nas doenças da glândula parótida

Chyle fistulas may occur after left neck dissections that include level IV, due to injury of the thoracic duct or of 1 of its major branches. Despite being unusual, this complication carries substantial postoperative morbidity and even mortality. So far, no effective intraoperative maneuver has been reported to detect this fistula at the end of a neck dissection. In this cohort study, we sought to describe a simple new maneuver, intraoperative abdominal compression, which can effectively help to identify an open major lymphatic duct on level IV at the end of a neck dissection.

Injury of the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve in thyroid surgery

BACKGROUND: Hypoparathyroidism after total thyroidectomy is a common complication although the majority of cases are asymptomatic. The present study was prompted in order to correlate postoperative serum calcium levels and clinical signs and symptoms of hypocalcemia. METHODS: Fifty-seven patients operated on for total thyroidectomy were retrospectively studied at Hospital das Clinicas of Sao Paulo University. Serum calcium levels were measured 48 hours and six months after surgery and were correlated with signs or symptoms of hypocalcemia. RESULTS: Transient hypocalcemia occurred in 37% and permanent hypocalcemia in 18%. After six months, 50% of symptomatic patients were not hypocalcemic and 57% of hypocalcemic patients were asymptomatic. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy based solely on clinical evaluation is not reliable; therefore, serum calcium levels should be monitored routinely after total thyroidectomies.

Oral Cancer Treatment: Still an Indication for Elective Neck Dissection?

BACKGROUND: Fine needle aspirative biopsy (FNAB) is an easy and reliable diagnotic method for head and neck tumors. However, its indication in salivary gland diseases is controversial. The knowledge of the histological tumor type allows a better therapeutic planning. On the other hand, for some authors, FNAB is a painful procedure that increases cost with little impaction treatment decision. METHODS: This is a retrospective study, including 247 cases of parotidectomies performed, from 1986 to 1998. We compared FNAB to histopathological diagnosis, in 211 patients in which comparison was possible. RESULTS: There were 57.8% female patients. Eigthy five percent were benign tumors, most of them pleomorfic adenoma. FNAB made a correct distinction between benign and malignant tumors in 165 cases, offering an exact histological diagnosis in 77.6%. CONCLUSIONS: FNAB is a reliable, sensitive and specific diagnostic method. Based in to our experience, we recommend its use.

Substernal goiter and laryngopharyngeal reflux

The external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (EBSLN) innervates the cricothyroid muscle (CTM) to promote lengthening and thinning of the vocal fold, thus increasing voice pitch. The close relation with the superior thyroid vessels (STV) puts the EBSLN in risk every time the superior pole of the thyroid is dissected. It travels downward to innervate the CTM, lateral to the thyroid cartilage and to the inferior pharyngeal constrictor muscle (IPCM), being eventually covered by this muscle fibers as it approaches its entry point. During its descending course, the EBSLN curves and crosses the STV posteriorly. The lower this crossing occurs in the neck, the higher the risk of surgical damage to the nerve by transection, traction, entrapment, thermal damage or disrupted blood supply. The chances of surgical trauma are also increased by size and weight of the specimen, shorter neck length and non-white ethnicity. Voice changes following thyroid surgery are common and multifactorial. The actual rate of vocal impairment due to EBSLN injury is unclear, since changes to the everyday speaking voice can be minimal and laryngeal findings are usually subtle and controversial. CTM electroneuromyography (EMG) is the most accurate tool to diagnose abnormal EBSLN conductivity, but it is technically difficult and barely applicable in routine practice. Recommended approaches to prevent injury include: (I) individual distal ligature of the STV by the thyroid capsule; (II) visual identification of the nerve and its trajectory and (III) electrostimulation with either observation of CTM twitch or intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM) via dedicated endotracheal tube electrodes. There is accumulating evidence that a combination of visual and standardized electrophysiological EBSLN identification with meticulous division of the STV improves preservation rates. IONM bears the additional benefits of prognostication, quantification and documentation of neural function once it allows intraoperative laryngeal EMG.