Total thyroidectomy is safer with identification of recurrent laryngeal nerve

Objective:To investigate the effect of recurrent laryngeal nerve(RLN)identification on the complications after total thyroidectomy and lobectomy.Methods:Total 134 consecutive patients undergoing total thyroidectomy or thyroid lobectomy from January 2003 to November 2004 were investigated retrospectively.Patients were divided into two groups:RLN identified (Group A)or not(Group B).The two groups were compared for RLN injury and hypocalcaemia.Results:The numbers of patients and nerves at risk were 71 and 129 in Group A,and 63 and 121 in Group B,respectively.RLN injury in Group A(0)was sig- nificantly lower than that in Group B(57.9%)patients,75.8%nerves)for the numbers of patients(P=0.016)and nerves at risk (P=0.006).Temporary hypocalcaemia was significantly higher in Group A than in Group B(1424.1%vs 610.3%,P=0.049). Permanent complications in Group B were significantly higher than those in Group A(1320.6%vs 45.6%,P=0.009).Con- clusion:RLN injury was prevented and permanent complications were decreased by identifying the whole course and branches of the recurrent laryngeal nerve during total thyroidectomy.

Drainage after total thyroidectomy or lobectomy for benign thyroidal disorders

Objective: This prospective randomized clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the necessity of drainage after total thyroidectomy or lobectomy for benign thyroidal disorders. Methods: A total of 116 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy or lobectomy for benign thyroidal disorders were randomly allocated to be drained or not. Operative and postoperative outcomes including operating time, postoperative pain assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS), total amount of intramuscular analgesic administration, hospital stay, complications, necessity for re-operation and satisfaction of patients were all assessed. Results: The mean operating time was similar between two groups (the drained and non-drained groups). The mean VAS score was found to be significantly low in the non-drained group patients in postoperative day (POD) 0 and POD 1. The mean amount of intramuscular analgesic requirement was significantly less in the non-drained group. One case of hematoma, two cases of seroma and three cases of transient hypoparathyroidism occurred in the non-drained group, whereas one case of hematoma, two cases of seroma, two cases of wound infections and two cases of transient hypoparathyroidism occurred in the drained group. No patient needed re-operation for any complication. The mean hospital stay was significantly shorter and the satisfaction of patients was superior in the non-drained group. Conclusion: These findings suggest that postoperative complications cannot be prevented by using drains after total thyroidectomy or lobectomy for benign thyroid disorders. Furthermore, the use of drains may increase postoperative pain and the analgesic requirement, and prolong the hospital stay. In the light of these findings, the routine use of drains might not be necessary after thyroid surgery for benign disorders.

Clinical Use of a Drain Incision Placed Below and Bilaterial to Near Total Thyroidectomy Incision

Objective： To design a new draining method for near total thyroidectomy at the lower two sides of the neck. Methods： Near total thyroidectomies in 63 cases were performed with new drain incisions at the lower two sides of the neck between December 1998 and July 2004. Results： All the draining operative procedures were performed smoothly, and all produced cosmetic scars were effective. The mean amount drained was 38 ml （minimum 10 ml, maximum 120 ml） and no patient developed wound infection. Conclusion： The drain incision for near total thyroidectomy placed at the lower sides of the neck results in a cosmetic scar which is easily covered by the collar, and was safe and effective. We thereby recommend the use of this drain incision for near total thyroidectomy.

Classic clamp-and-tie total thyroidectomy for large goiters in the modern era:To drain or not to drain?

AIM: To evaluate the role of drains in clamp-and-tie total thyroidectomy(c TT) for large goiters. METHODS: A hundred patients were randomized into group D(drains maintained for 24 h) and ND(no drains). We recorded epidemiological characteristics, thyroid pathology, hemostatic material, intraoperative events, operative time and difficulty, blood loss, biochemical and hematological data, postoperative vocal alteration and pain, discomfort, complications, blood in drains, and hospitalization.RESULTS: The groups had comparable preoperative characteristics, pathology, intraoperative and postoperative data. Hemostatic material was used in all patients of group ND. Forty patients in group D and 9 in ND felt discomfort(P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Drains in c TT for large goiters give no advantage or disadvantage to the surgeon. The only "major disadvantage" is the discomfort for the patient. Inversely, drains probably influence surgeons' serenity,especially when c TT is performed in nonspecialized departments.

Evaluation of the Morbidity and Complications of Total Thyroidectomy: Systematic Literature Review

This scientific problem is aiming to talk about the evaluation of morbidity and complications of total thyroidectomy. The presented review was conducted by searching in Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Science Direct, BMJ journal, and Google Scholar for, researches, review articles, and reports, published over the past years, which was searched up to June 2021 for published and unpublished studies and without language restrictions. If limitless lookup had comparable findings, we randomly chosen one or two to keep away from repetitive results. Based on the findings and effects of this review, the success of total thyroidectomy will beautify if we furnish large cognizance to advances in intervention, developing new methods and education. Surgeon responsiveness, nursing training will aid too in accomplishing this goal.

Post Thyroidectomy Assessment of Intact Parathyroid Hormone for Early Prediction of Hypocalcaemia

Background: As the half-life of intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) is very low, it reflects parathyroid insufficiency within minutes to hours after total thyroidectomy. Therefore, iPTH level assessment in the postoperative period can be used to predict the development of hypocalcaemia. The optimal time point to measure serum iPTH is important for the accurate prediction of hypocalcaemia. Aim: This paper aims to evaluate the ability of iPTH as an early predictive marker of hypocalcaemia and determine which time iPTH is more able to predict postoperative hypocalcaemia. Method: This prospective observational study was conducted in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, BSMMU, Dhaka, from July 2020 to December 2021, with 67 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy. iPTH levels were measured on the day before the operation and at 1 hour, 4 hours, and 24 hours after the operation. S.calcium levels were measured on the day before the operation and 1st postoperative day. All the data were compiled and sorted properly and were analyzed statistically. Results: Postoperative hypocalcaemia developed in 18 cases, with an incidence of 26.9%. Pearson correlation showed a significant correlation between postoperative iPTH at 1 hr, 4 h, and 24 hr with 1st postoperative calcium value. The Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was processed for the postoperative iPTH at 1 hr, 4 h, and 24 hr. The sensitivity, specificity, cut-off value, and mean AUC found 93.9%, 94.4%, ≤14.0, 0.988;95.9%, 94.4%, ≤09.5, 0.993 and 91.8%, 94.4%, ≤11.0, 0.993 respectively. Conclusion: iPTH can be used as an early predictor of post-thy-roidectomy hypocalcaemia. 4 hr iPTH showed more sensitivity and specificity for a cut-off value near the laboratory reference range.

Comparative Study between Robotic Total Thyroidectomy with Central Lymph Node Dissection via Bilateral Axillo-breast Approach and Conventional Open Procedure for Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma

Background： A large proportion of the patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma are young women. Therefore, minimally invasive endoscopic thyroidectomy with central neck dissection （CND） emerged and showed well-accepted results with improved cosmetic outcome, accelerated healing, and comforting the patients. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of robotic total thyroidectomy with CND via bilateral axillo-breast approach （BABA）, compared with conventional open procedure in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma. Methods： One-hundred patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma from March 2014 to January 2015 in Jinan Military General Hospital of People＇s Liberation Army （PLA） were randomly assigned to robotic group or conventional open approach group （17 = 50 in each group）. The total operative time, estimated intraoperative blood loss, numbers of lymph node removed, visual analog scale （VAS）, postoperative hospital stay time, complications, and numerical scoring system （NSS, used to assess cosmetic effect） were analyzed. Results： The robotic total thyroidectomy with CND via BABA was successfully performed in robotic group. There were no conversion from the robotic surgeries to open or endoscopic surgery. The subclinical central lymph node metastasis rate was 35%. The mean operative time of the robotic group was longer than that of the conventional open approach group （118.8± 16.5 min vs. 90.7± 10.3 min, P 〈 0.05）. The study showed significant differences between the two groups in terms of the VASs （2.1 ± 1.0 vs. 3.8 ±~ 1.2, P 〈 0.05） and NSS （8.9 ± 0.8 vs. 4.8 ± 1.7, P 〈 0.05）. The differences between the two groups in the estimated intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospital stay time, numbers of lymph node removed, postoperative thyroglobulin levels, and complications were not statistically significant （all P 〉 0.05）. Neither iatrogenic implantation nor metastasis occurred in punctured porous channel or chest wall in both groups. Postoperative cosmetic results were very satisfactory in the robotic group. Conclusions： Robotic total thyroidectomy with CND via BABA is safe and effective for Chinese patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma who worry about the neck scars.

Completion thyroidectomy:is timing important for transcervical and remote access approaches?

Completion thyroidectomy(CT)is employed after lobectomy when histopathological results mandates total removal of the gland as in case of well differentiated thyroid carcinoma(DTC).It is also employed as a second stage thyroid surgery when unfavorable events occur as in recurrent laryngeal nerve injury or when the surgeon finds out the case is beyond his/her expertise in an attempt to protect the contralateral side and allowing time for recovery or for an expert surgeon to help.