Safety and Effectiveness of Total Thyroidectomy and Its Comparison with Subtotal Thyroidectomy and Other Thyroid Surgeries: A Systematic Review

Diseases associated with the thyroid gland are one of the most frequently seen endocrine disorders across the globe. Total thyroidectomy is currently the preferred treatment for many thyroid diseases. Controversies exist among surgeons regarding safety of total thyroidectomy due to the risk associated with it like postoperative hypoparathyroidism or recurrent laryngeal nerve damage. Since, in the recent years, the incidence of thyroidectomy is in increasing trend in south Indian population, this review aims to study the available data regarding the appropriateness and safety of total thyroidectomy and compares it with subtotal thyroidectomy and other thyroid surgeries. This is a retrospective comprehensive review of various articles and publications regarding total and partial thyroidectomy performed across the world. Many retrospective studies and few prospective studies suggest that the incidence of transient hypocalcemia is higher after total thyroidectomy than after subtotal thyroidectomy, but the incidence of other complications including recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy and postoperative hematoma is not significantly different between the two procedures. Hence in our review we found that total thyroidectomy is safe and cost effective with low complication rates and provides little significant advantage of being safer procedure compared to subtotal thyroidectomy

Variant Branching Pattern of Dorsalis Pedis Artery Accompanied with Anomalous Presence of Extensor Hallucis Brevis Muscle

During routine dissection, we came across multiple variations in the dorsum of the right foot. Dorsalis pedis artery (DPA) presented with an unusual branching pattern. The arcuate artery was completely absent, and hence three tarsal branches arose from lateral side of DPA. The first branch continued as first dorsal metatarsal artery, the second branch continued as the second dorsal metatarsal artery, and the third branch continued as third dorsal metatarsal artery which also provided a small twig to the fourth intermetatarsal space as the fourth dorsal metatarsal artery. We also observed the unique presence of extensor hallucis brevis muscle with the origin from the medial part of superior surface of the calcaneus and inserted to proximal phalanx of great toe. Since the DPA was just beneath this muscle, anomalous presence of the muscle may lead to compression of DPA. Awareness regarding such variations is critical for angiographers, vascular surgeons, reconstructive and plastic surgeons

Terminal bifurcation and unusual communication of left testicular vein with the left suprarenal vein

Abstract Variations of the testicular veins are relevant in clinical cases of varicocele and in other therapeutic and diagnostic procedures. We report herein on a unique variation of the left testicular vein observed in an adult male cadaver. The left testicular vein bifurcated to give rise to left and right branches which terminated by joining the left renal vein. There was also an oblique communication between the two branches of the left testicular vein. A slender communicating vein arose from the left branch of the left testicular vein and ascended upwards in front of the left renal vein and terminated into the left suprarenal vein. The right branch of the testicular vein received an unnamed adipose tributary from the side of the abdominal aorta. Awareness of these venous anomalies can help surgeons accurately ligate abnormal venous communications and avoid iatrogenic injuries and it is important for proper surgical management

Low level termination of external carotid artery and its clinical significance: A case report

The external carotid arterial system is a complex vascular system providing nourishment to the territorial areas of the head and neck. The branches of the external carotid artery are the key landmarks for adequate exposure and appropriate placement of cross-clamps on the carotid arteries during carotid endarterectomy. Knowledge of anatomical variation of the external carotid artery is important in head and neck surgeries. Variations in the branching pattern of the external carotid artery are well known and documented. We report a rare case of low-level termination of the external carotid artery. It terminated by dividing into maxillary and superficial temporal arteries deep into the posterior belly of the digastric muscle, one inch below the angle of the mandible. The occipital and posterior auricular arteries arose from a common trunk given off by the external carotid artery. [Arch Clin Exp Surg 2015; 4(3.000): 160-163

Arterial Glomerulus at the Hilum of the Right Kidney and the Abnormal Course of the Right Testicular Artery: a Case Report

Variations in the origin of arteries in the abdomen are very common. With the invention of new operative techniques within the abdomen cavity, the anatomy of abdominal vessels has assumed a great deal of clinical importance. We report here a rare case of formation of an "arterial glomerulus" at the hilum of the right kidney by the branches of right renal artery. There were 2 renal veins; a superficial and a deep. The deep vein had a peculiar course through the arterial glomerulus. The right testicular vein drained into the deep renal vein. We also observed a variant origin and course of right testicular artery. Prior knowledge of unusual branching pattern of renal vessels is necessary in the surgical interventions which require hilar dissection. Similarly, abnormal origin or course of testicular artery becomes apparent during surgical procedures like varicocele and undescended testes. Therefore, knowledge of such an anomaly in the testicular artery helps to avoid iatrogenic injuries during radiological or surgical procedures

Y-shaped axillary arch muscle: A case report

The axillary arch is a rudimentary part of the latissimus dorsi. Generally it has a single insertion either into tendon of the pectoralis major, coracobrachialis or fascia over the biceps. Clinically, this anomalous muscular slip is known to cause neurovascular compression of nearby structures. The present case reports an unusual bifurcated fibrous insertion of an axillary arch with Y-shaped limbs. The stem of this muscle was a fleshy belly measuring 7.8 cm. The upper limb of this muscle, measuring 5.6 cm, was attached to the fascia covering the short head of biceps brachii and the coracoid process while its lower limb, measuring 5.1 cm, ended by merging with the brachial fascia over the biceps brachii below the deltoid muscle. The persistence of such a Y-shaped anomalous axillary arch might restrict the hyperabduction of the arm and compress the neurovascular structures passing below it

Absence of the celiac trunk and trifurcation of the common hepatic artery: a case report

Abstract Anatomical variations of the celiac trunk and its branches are particularly important from a surgical perspective due to their relationships with surrounding structures. We report here a particularly rare variant involving absence of the celiac trunk in association with trifurcation of the common hepatic artery. These variations were found in an adult male cadaver. We perform a review of the literature and discuss the clinical and embryological significance of these variations. Recognition of celiac trunk and hepatic artery variations is of utmost importance to surgeons and radiologists because multiple variations can lead to undue complications

Additional circular intercostal space created by bifurcation of the left 3rd rib and its costal cartilage: a case report

Abstract Introduction In the thorax there are normally 11 pairs of intercostal spaces: the spaces between adjacent ribs. The intercostal spaces contain intercostal muscles, intercostal nerves and vessels. Case presentation During a routine dissection for undergraduate medical students, we observed a variation involving the left 3rd rib and 3rd costal cartilage in the cadaver of a man of Indian ethnicity aged about 65 years. The left 3rd rib and its costal cartilage were bifurcated at their costochondral junction enclosing a small circular additional intercostal space. Muscle tissue covered by deep fascia was present in this circular intercostal space. The muscle in the circular intercostal space received its nerve supply from a branch of the 2nd intercostal nerve. Conclusions Knowledge of such variations is helpful to surgeons operating on the anterior thoracic wall involving ribs and intercostal spaces. Knowing the possibility of the presence of an additional space between normal intercostal spaces can guide a surgeon through to a successful surgery.</p