Minimally Invasive Video-Assisted Thyroidectomy and Parathyroidectomy with Intraoperative Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Monitoring

Objective. Our goal is to study the feasibility of using intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) in minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy (MIVAT/P) with emphasis given to the identification of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN). Methods. Consecutive series of forty-seven patients with seventy-seven recurrent laryngeal nerves at risk undergoing both MIVAT/P and IONM were enrolled in this retrospective, nonrandomized analysis study. All operations were performed by the same surgeon within an academic institution setting. All patients underwent vocal cord evaluation postoperatively. Demographics and intraoperative and postoperative complications following surgery were collected. Results. Out of seventy-seven RLNs, there was one permanent unilateral RLN injury (1.29%) in a patient with advanced papillary thyroid cancer, managed by cord injection. There was another transient RLN paresis that resolved spontaneously (1.29%). There were no instances of equipment malfunction or interference. Conclusions. To our knowledge, this is the first reported MIVAT/P series from the United States of America with a standardized IONM technique. The technical feasibility of IONM seems acceptable and may serve as a meaningful adjunct to the visual identification of nerves. Neuromonitoring during MIVAT/P is effective in providing identification of laryngeal nerves and enables surgeons to feel more comfortable with MIVAT/P. Comparative series are needed for further evaluation

Black Thyroid Associated with Thyroid Carcinoma

Objective. Black thyroid is a rare pigmented change seen almost exclusively in patients upon minocycline ingestion, and the process has previously been thought to be generally benign. There have been 61 reported cases of black thyroid. We are aware of 13 cases previously reported in association with thyroid carcinoma. This paper reports six patients with black thyroid pigmentation in association with thyroid carcinoma. Design. The medical records of six patients who were diagnosed with black thyroid syndrome, all of whom underwent thyroid surgery, were reviewed. Data on age, gender, race, preoperative fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNA), thyroid function levels, and pathology reports were collected. Main Outcome. The mean age was 60 years. There were 5 females, 4 of whom were African American. All patients were clinically and biochemically euthyroid. Black pigmentation was not diagnosed in preoperative FNA, and only one patient had a preoperative diagnosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma. The other patients underwent surgery and were found to have black pigmentation of the thyroid associated with carcinoma. Conclusions. FNA does not diagnose black thyroid, which is associated with thyroid carcinoma. Thyroid glands with black pigmentation deserve thorough pathologic examination, including several sections of each specimen

Burnout among surgeons before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: an international survey

Background: SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had many significant impacts within the surgical realm, and surgeons have been obligated to reconsider almost every aspect of daily clinical practice. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study reported in compliance with the CHERRIES guidelines and conducted through an online platform from June 14th to July 15th, 2020. The primary outcome was the burden of burnout during the pandemic indicated by the validated Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure. Results: Nine hundred fifty-four surgeons completed the survey. The median length of practice was 10 years; 78.2% included were male with a median age of 37 years old, 39.5% were consultants, 68.9% were general surgeons, and 55.7% were affiliated with an academic institution. Overall, there was a significant increase in the mean burnout score during the pandemic; longer years of practice and older age were significantly associated with less burnout. There were significant reductions in the median number of outpatient visits, operated cases, on-call hours, emergency visits, and research work, so, 48.2% of respondents felt that the training resources were insufficient. The majority (81.3%) of respondents reported that their hospitals were included in the management of COVID-19, 66.5% felt their roles had been minimized; 41% were asked to assist in non-surgical medical practices, and 37.6% of respondents were included in COVID-19 management. Conclusions: There was a significant burnout among trainees. Almost all aspects of clinical and research activities were affected with a significant reduction in the volume of research, outpatient clinic visits, surgical procedures, on-call hours, and emergency cases hindering the training. Trial registration: The study was registered on clicaltrials.gov "NCT04433286" on 16/06/2020

Can recent health service use predict postoperative complications in seniors undergoing colon cancer surgery?

Introduction: Colon cancer surgery is associated with high morbidity, particularly in seniors. There is currently a lack of tools for accurately assessing vulnerable patients at risk of postoperative adverse events. The aim of this study was to identify predictors of severe postoperative complications in seniors undergoing colon cancer surgery based on recent health service use data. Methods: A historical prospective cohort of colon cancer patients aged ≥ 65 years was assembled from hospitalization data provided by Quebec's provincial healthcare insurance provider (2000–2006). For each patient, health administrative claims were used to document domains of the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment tool. 30-day postoperative severe complications were assessed using the Clavien-Dindo classification (grades III-V). A multivariate Cox model was used to evaluate associations between complications and patient characteristics. Results: 3,789 patients were included (median age: 76; female 54.3%). 24.2% of cases were emergency procedures. Postoperative complications were observed in 29% of the cohort. Grade III, IV, or V complication were experienced in 17.3%, 12.6%, and 5% of the cohort, respectively (median time to first complication: 6 days). The incidence of postoperative emergency room visits and readmissions were 17.8% and 11.3%, respectively. Multivariate analysis indicated that the following variables were significantly associated with complications: male gender (HR = 1.28, CI = 1.13-1.45), age ≥ 85 years (HR = 1.25, CI = 1.03-1.52), ≥ 10 active medications prescribed in the 6 months preceding surgery (HR = 1.24, CI = 1.03-1.49), recent care for renal insufficiency or cardiovascular disease (HR = 1.43, CI = 1.02-1.99; HR = 1.25, CI = 1.10 – 1.43), and emergency procedures (HR = 1.39, CI = 1.22-1.59). Conclusion: A large number of newly prescribed medications, recent care for renal insufficiency or cardiovascular disease, and emergency procedures were associated with severe postoperative complications. This study demonstrates the potential of developing assessment tools using recent health service use to identify vulnerable seniors at risk of postoperative complications.Introduction: La chirurgie pour un cancer du colon est associée à un taux élevé de morbidité, particulièrement chez les personnes âgées. Il y a présentement un manque d'outils d'évaluation pour les patients vulnérables à risque de complications postopératoires. Le but de cette étude était d'identifier des prédicteurs de complications postopératoires graves chez les personnes âgées subissant une chirurgie pour cancer du colon, basé sur des données provenant de statistiques récentes sur l'utilisation des services de santé.Méthodes: Une cohorte prospective historique de patients atteints de cancer du colon âgés de 65 ans ou plus a été assemblée à partir de données d'hospitalisation provenant du fournisseur d'assurance de soins de santé de la province du Québec (2000-2006). Les réclamations administratives pour soins de santé de chaque patient ont été utilisées pour documenter les sections de l'Outil d'évaluation gérontologique (Comprensive Geriatric Assessment). Les complications postopératoires graves à 30 jours ont été évaluées à l'aide de la classification Clavien-Dindo (échelons III-V). Les associations entre complications et les caractéristiques des patients ont été évalués à l'aide d'un modèle Cox.Résultats: 3,789 patients ont été inclus (âge médian : 76; 54,3% féminin). 24,2% des cas étaient des chirurgies d'urgence. Des complications postopératoires ont été décelées dans 29% de la cohorte. Des complications d'échelon III, IV ou V ont été décelées dans 17.3%, 12.6% et 5% de la cohorte, respectivement (délai médian avant la première complication : 6 jours). Le taux d'incidence de visites postopératoires en salle d'urgence et de réadmission était de 17.8% et 11.3%, respectivement. Certaines variables furent associées de manière significative aux complications grâce à une analyse multivariée : sexe masculin (RR = 1.28, ICI = 1.13-1.45), âge ≥ 85 ans (RR = 1.25, IC = 1.03-1.52), plus de 10 médicaments actifs prescrits dans les 6 mois précédent la chirurgie (RR = 1.24, IC = 1.03-1.49), soins récents pour insuffisance rénale ou maladie cardiovasculaire (RR = 1.43, IC = 1.02-1.99; RR = 1.25, IC = 1.10 – 1.43), et chirurgie d'urgence (RR = 1.39, IC = 1.22-1.59).Conclusions: Une quantité importante de medicaments nouvellement prescrits, des soins récents pour insuffisance rénale ou maladies cardiovascuaires, et des chirurgies d'urgence ont tous été associés avec des complications postopératoires graves. Cette étude démontre la pertinence du développement d'outils d'évaluation basées sur des données provenant de statistiques d'utilisation des services de santé, dans le but d'identifier des populations âgées vulnérables à risque de complications postopératoires

Minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy with intraoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve monitoring.

Objective. Our goal is to study the feasibility of using intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) in minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy (MIVAT/P) with emphasis given to the identification of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN). Methods. Consecutive series of forty-seven patients with seventy-seven recurrent laryngeal nerves at risk undergoing both MIVAT/P and IONM were enrolled in this retrospective, nonrandomized analysis study. All operations were performed by the same surgeon within an academic institution setting. All patients underwent vocal cord evaluation postoperatively. Demographics and intraoperative and postoperative complications following surgery were collected. Results. Out of seventy-seven RLNs, there was one permanent unilateral RLN injury (1.29%) in a patient with advanced papillary thyroid cancer, managed by cord injection. There was another transient RLN paresis that resolved spontaneously (1.29%). There were no instances of equipment malfunction or interference. Conclusions. To our knowledge, this is the first reported MIVAT/P series from the United States of America with a standardized IONM technique. The technical feasibility of IONM seems acceptable and may serve as a meaningful adjunct to the visual identification of nerves. Neuromonitoring during MIVAT/P is effective in providing identification of laryngeal nerves and enables surgeons to feel more comfortable with MIVAT/P. Comparative series are needed for further evaluation