1
|
Ramirez A, Nwariaku F, Moo-Young T, McMullin JL. Health Care Disparities in Endocrine Surgical Disorders. Surg Clin North Am 2024; 104:929-937. [PMID: 38944509 DOI: 10.1016/j.suc.2024.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/01/2024]
Abstract
While there has been great progress in the past few decades in the management of endocrine surgery disorders, with adoption of new technologies and approaches, standardization of practice patterns, and guideline recommendations, unequal implementation of these improvement has led to differences in access and outcomes. Health disparities are well documented in this population; however, literature lacks discussion of strategies to decrease disparities. In this article, the authors will describe the current status of health care-related disparities in endocrine surgical care, and discuss opportunities for future investigation and issue an urgent call to action items.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Ramirez
- Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale New Haven, 35 Park Street, Fl 4th Floor, New Haven, CT 06511, USA.
| | - Fiemu Nwariaku
- Department of Surgery, University of Utah, 30 North Mario Capecchi Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Tricia Moo-Young
- Department of Surgery, Northshore University Health System, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jessica L McMullin
- Division of Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgery, University of Utah, 1950 Circle of Hope, Suite K7200, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA. https://twitter.com/jess_mcmullin
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kheng M, Manzella A, Chao JC, Laird AM, Beninato T. Reoperation Rates After Initial Thyroid Lobectomy for Patients with Thyroid Cancer: A National Cohort Study. Thyroid 2024; 34:1007-1016. [PMID: 39049736 DOI: 10.1089/thy.2024.0128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Introduction: The 2015 American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines recommended thyroid lobectomy (TL) as an alternative to total thyroidectomy (TT) for the surgical treatment of low-risk differentiated thyroid cancer. Increasing use of TL has since been reported despite concerns for an increased risk of disease recurrence and need for reoperation. This study sought to compare reoperation rates among patients who underwent initial TL or TT for malignancy, characterize trends at centers based on operative volume, and examine factors associated with reoperation. Methods: We queried the Vizient Clinical Data Base for TL and TT performed preguideline change (pre-GC = 2013-2015) and postguideline change (post-GC = 2016-2021). Reoperations included reoperative thyroid surgery (RTS) and neck dissection (ND); timing was defined as early (≤180 days), thought to indicate inadequacy of initial operative choice, or late (>180 days), suggesting potential disease recurrence. Results: Of 65,627 patients, 31.8% underwent initial TL and 68.2% underwent initial TT; TL increased from 21.4% of total cases pre-GC to 37.0% post-GC (p < 0.001). Among TL patients, early RTS declined from 33.9% to 14.2% and ND declined from 0.8% to 0.4% (p < 0.001). Among TT patients, early RTS remained 0.2%, while ND increased from 0.4% to 0.7% (p < 0.001). TL-associated late RTS declined from 2.0% to 1.7%, while ND increased from 0.6% to 0.8% (p = 0.17). In TT patients, both late RTS and ND increased, from 0.2% to 0.3% (p = 0.04) and 1.7% to 2.1% (p < 0.01), respectively. There was no difference in the late reoperation rate for TL compared with TT post-GC (+0.2%, p = 0.18). TL volume grew annually by 12.5% [8.9-16.2%] at high-volume centers (HVCs) and 8.3% [5.6-11.1%] at low-volume centers (LVCs). TL-associated reoperations at HVCs declined annually by 12.6% [5.6-19.0%] and 10.8% [2.7-18.1%] at LVCs. Uninsured status and more recent initial operation were associated with an increased risk of late reoperation (HR = 1.84 [1.06-3.20] and HR = 1.30 [1.24-1.36], respectively). The type of index operation performed, however, was not predictive of late reoperation. Conclusions: The rate of early reoperations declined for TL after the 2015 ATA guideline release, but late reoperations remained unchanged despite a significant shift in practice patterns towards initial lobectomy. Patients appear to be receiving less aggressive, guideline-concordant care without a significant increase in the late reoperation rate for TL compared with TT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marin Kheng
- Department of Surgery, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Alexander Manzella
- Department of Surgery, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Joshua C Chao
- Department of Surgery, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Amanda M Laird
- Department of Surgery, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Section of Endocrine Surgery, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Toni Beninato
- Department of Surgery, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Section of Endocrine Surgery, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Dadkhah PA, Farshid A, Khademi R, Yaghoubi S, Asadzadeh A, Moharamnejad N, Jadidian F, Ziaei SA, Haghshoar S, Salimi O, Shafagh SG, Rabiei N, Shahsavari S, Shokravi S, Maroufi Z, Deravi N, Erabi G, Naziri M. Impact of oral administration of calcitriol to prevent symptomatic hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Scand J Surg 2024:14574969241251899. [PMID: 38785032 DOI: 10.1177/14574969241251899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND One of the most common complications of total thyroidectomy is post-operative transient or persistent hypoparathyroidism that can cause symptomatic hypocalcaemia. To prevent this complication, shorten the period of hospitalization and reduce morbidity, routine supplementation of oral vitamin D and calcium has been suggested. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to critically assess the association between pre-operative calcitriol supplementation and post-operative hypocalcaemia. METHODS Randomized controlled trial studies were identified by searching PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases up to 30 March 2023. Screening of titles, abstracts, and full texts of articles were performed, and data were extracted for a meta-analysis. RESULTS This meta-analysis includes data from nine randomized controlled trials with a total of 1259 patients but with significant heterogeneity. The results demonstrate that calcium levels were higher in patients who had pre-operative calcitriol supplementation, with a weighted mean difference (WMD) 0.18 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.00, 0.37). Pre-operative calcitriol supplementation did not lead to significant changes in parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels, with WMD -0.49 (95% CI: -1.91, 0.94). CONCLUSION Pre-operative calcitriol supplementation leads to higher calcium levels, but the high heterogeneity of the included studies (79% to 98.7%) could affect the results.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Parisa A Dadkhah
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Amirali Farshid
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Reza Khademi
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Shayan Yaghoubi
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Islamic Azad University of Ardabil, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Ailin Asadzadeh
- Student Research Committee, School of Pharmacy, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Nima Moharamnejad
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Faezeh Jadidian
- School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed A Ziaei
- Student Research Committee, Fasa University of Medical Sciences, Fars, Iran
| | - Sepehr Haghshoar
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Cyprus International University, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Omid Salimi
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Islamic Azad University of Najafabad, Isfahan, Iran
| | | | - Negin Rabiei
- Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Saleh Shahsavari
- Department of Surgery, Shohadaye Tajrish Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Samin Shokravi
- Department of Research and Academic Affairs, Larkin Community Hospital, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Zahra Maroufi
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Niloofar Deravi
- Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Gisou Erabi
- Student Research Committee Urmia University of Medical Sciences Resaalat Ave. 5714783734 Urmia Iran
| | - Mahdyieh Naziri
- Student Research Committee School of Medicine Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS) Shahid Hemmat Highway 14496-14535 Tehran Iran
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Wu J, Zhang Y, Shen L. Effect of modified endotracheal intubation protocol combined with early oral intake on postoperative recovery quality in thyroid and parathyroid surgery at a tertiary hospital in China: a 2x2 factorial randomised controlled trial protocol. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e075999. [PMID: 38238052 PMCID: PMC10806907 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-075999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Early oral intake (EOI) is supposed to be safe and beneficial to patients' recovery. However, the optimal timing of resuming oral intake has not been validated in thyroid and parathyroid surgery. On the other hand, a modified electromyography (EMG) endotracheal intubation protocol with real-time EMG monitoring during video laryngoscope/fibrescope-guided intubation was presented in 2022, which was regarded as an effective way to shorten the intubation time. We aimed to use Quality of Recovery-15 (QoR-15) questionnaire to compare the efficacy and safety of different EMG endotracheal intubation protocols combined with different postoperative oral intake strategy in thyroid and parathyroid surgery. METHODS AND ANALYSIS This prospective, single-centre, 2×2 factorial, randomised controlled trial will be conducted in the Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), China. We plan to recruit 200 adult patients who will receive thyroid or parathyroid surgery under intraoperative nerve monitoring. Eligible patients will be randomly divided into two groups, which will receive either the modified intubation protocol (M group) or conventional intubation process (C group). After patients enter postanaesthesia care unit and Steward scores ≥4, they will be randomly divided into two groups again, which will receive early resumption of oral intake (E group) or delayed resumption of oral intake (D group). Patients will be followed up during hospitalisation and the QoR-15 questionnaire will be administered to compare the quality of recovery on the day before surgery (T0), the first day after surgery (T1) and the day of discharge (T2). The primary outcome is the QoR-15 scores at T1. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The study protocol has been approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Peking Union Medical College Hospital (IRB K-2501). All participants will give written informed consent before participation. The results from this study will be shared at conferences and disseminated in international journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT05624463.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juelun Wu
- Anesthesiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuelun Zhang
- Medical Research Center, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Le Shen
- Anesthesiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Chao JC, Kheng M, Manzella A, Beninato T, Laird AM. Malpractice litigation after thyroid surgery: What factors favor surgeons? Surgery 2024; 175:90-98. [PMID: 37985316 DOI: 10.1016/j.surg.2023.04.071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Litigation impacts physicians financially, reputationally, and professionally. Although thyroid surgery has favorable patient outcomes, litigation persists. We aimed to characterize malpractice claims after thyroidectomy and investigate which factors favor physicians. METHODS We queried the Westlaw legal database using the terms "thyroidectomy" and "medical malpractice" to identify malpractice cases brought against surgeons from 1949 to 2022. We collected and analyzed demographic; clinical; surgical; and legal data, including year, cause for initiating litigation, verdict, state where the lawsuit was brought, and the state's tort reform status. RESULTS Of the 68 cases included, medical negligence was the most common cause of action, followed by failure to provide adequate informed consent. The most common inciting surgical event was recurrent laryngeal nerve injury (n = 34, 50%). Surgeons prevailed more often overall (n = 53, 77.9%) and in 11 (91.7%) of the 12 cases treated at academic institutions. The 3 endocrine surgery fellowship-trained surgeons all prevailed in their cases. Of the 15 cases in which patients prevailed, 12 (80%) of which were decided by a jury, the median damages awarded were $569,668 (interquartile range $341,146-$2,594,050). In the 53 cases won by surgeons, 26 were jury decisions (49.1%). Surgeons prevailed in 87.5% of cases brought in the 24 states with tort reform and in 72.7% in the 44 states without tort reform. CONCLUSION Non-jury cases and operations done at academic institutions appear to favor decisions for the defendant. Although not statistically significant, all endocrine surgery fellowship-trained defendants won. Where tort reforms are in place, surgeons tend to prevail.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joshua C Chao
- Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ; Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ.
| | - Marin Kheng
- Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ; Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ
| | - Alexander Manzella
- Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ; Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ
| | - Toni Beninato
- Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ; Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ
| | - Amanda M Laird
- Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ; Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Bi J, Zhang H. A meta-analysis of total thyroidectomy and lobectomy outcomes in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e36647. [PMID: 38115346 PMCID: PMC10727648 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000036647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Current research on the most effective surgical method for papillary thyroid microcarcinoma is in dispute. Specifically, whether a total thyroidectomy (TT) is superior to a thyroid lobectomy (LT) in terms of recurrence rate, postoperative complications, and recurrence-free survival is an issue to be addressed. The objective of this study was to compare TT with LT in terms of recurrence, postoperative complications, and recurrence-free survival. METHODS In accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systemic Reviews and Meta-Analyses standards, the PubMed, Embase, web of science and the Cochrane Library database were searched for relevant studies comparing TT versus LT. By pooling the relative risks (RR) of the 2 surgical procedures, perioperative results of the 2 group can be estimated. Recurrence-free survival was calculated from hazard ratios between the 2 surgical group. RESULTS This meta-analysis included 8 studies involving 16,208 patients. In the TT group, there were fewer recurrences than in the LT group. (RR = 0.68; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.39 to 1.18; P = .001). In subgroup analyses based on country and sample size, there were no significant differences between the 2 groups for the recurrence rates. We found that patients that underwent LT had lower total complication rates (RR = 15.12; 95% CI, 8.89 to 25.73; P = .009), wound recurrent laryngeal nerve injury and hypocalcemia. In terms of survival, TT can provide better recurrence-free survival than LT, with a hazard ratios of 0.57 (95% CI 0.36 to 0.90; P = .003). CONCLUSION Comparing TT with LT, no statistical difference was found in recurrence rates between the 2 groups. In addition, the analysis showed a slight improvement in long-term recurrence-free survival for patients who underwent TT than for those who underwent LT, a finding with potential clinical implications for management decisions on papillary thyroid microcarcinoma treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jinzhe Bi
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Gao TP, Green RL, Kuo LE. Disparities in Access to High-Volume Surgeons and Specialized Care. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am 2023; 52:689-703. [PMID: 37865482 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecl.2023.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2023]
Abstract
The significant volume-outcome relationship has triggered interest in improving quality of care by directing patients to high-volume centers and surgeons. However, significant disparities exist for different racial/ethnic, geographic, and socioeconomic groups for thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, and pancreatic neuroendocrine surgical diseases disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Terry P Gao
- Department of General Surgery, Temple University Hospital, 3401 North Broad Street, Zone C, 4th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
| | - Rebecca L Green
- Department of General Surgery, Temple University Hospital, 3401 North Broad Street, Zone C, 4th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA
| | - Lindsay E Kuo
- Department of General Surgery, Temple University Hospital, 3401 North Broad Street, Zone C, 4th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19140, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Deo S, Bansal B, Bhoriwal S, Bal CS, Mishra A, Sharma J, Singh S, Jayakumar P, Agarwal S, Bhatnagar S, Mishra S, Bharati SJ, Kumar V, Thulkar S. Re-operative surgery for differentiated thyroid cancer: A single institutional experience of 182 cases. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SURGICAL ONCOLOGY 2023; 49:107042. [PMID: 37634301 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejso.2023.107042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Re-operative thyroid surgery (RTS) is performed in patients of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) with residual or recurrent disease. However, there is a paucity of literature discussing experience and technique of RTS. This study aims to address this gap by providing a comprehensive review of RTS for DTC, utilizing experiences from a dedicated complex thyroid surgical oncology program at the apex hospital in a developing country. METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted using data from the Department of Surgical Oncology's thyroid cancer database. The study period spanned from 2006 to 2022. Clinical presentation, prior surgical history, operative details of RTS, and post-operative outcomes were assessed. Descriptive analysis was performed. RESULTS During the study period, a total of 182 patients underwent re-operative thyroid surgery (RTS). The primary surgeries performed prior to RTS included near-total or total thyroidectomy in most cases (69.2%), and approximately half of the patients (48.4%) had prior neck node interventions. The RTS procedures consisted of completion total thyroidectomy in 30.8% of cases and surgery for thyroid bed recurrence in 9.9% of cases, while central node dissection was performed in 46.2% of patients and unilateral or bilateral template neck dissection was performed in 41.8% of cases. Extended resections were required in 9.3% of patients. Post-operative complications included permanent hypoparathyroidism (2.7%) and unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy (1.6%). CONCLUSIONS RTS is a complex procedure with high rates of post-operative morbidity reported in literature. Optimal outcomes require a multidisciplinary approach, thorough assessment, and skilled surgeons.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Svs Deo
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Dr. BRA-IRCH, AIIMS, New Delhi, India.
| | - Babul Bansal
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Dr. BRA-IRCH, AIIMS, New Delhi, India.
| | - Sandeep Bhoriwal
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Dr. BRA-IRCH, AIIMS, New Delhi, India.
| | - C S Bal
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, AIIMS, New Delhi, India.
| | - Ashutosh Mishra
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Dr. BRA-IRCH, AIIMS, New Delhi, India.
| | - Jyoti Sharma
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Dr. BRA-IRCH, AIIMS, New Delhi, India.
| | - Seema Singh
- Department of Surgical Oncology, RGCIRC, New Delhi, India.
| | - P Jayakumar
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Dr. BRA-IRCH, AIIMS, New Delhi, India.
| | | | - Sushma Bhatnagar
- Department of Onco-anesthesia and Palliative Medicine, Dr. BRA-IRCH, AIIMS, New Delhi, India.
| | - Seema Mishra
- Department of Onco-anesthesia and Palliative Medicine, Dr. BRA-IRCH, AIIMS, New Delhi, India.
| | - Sachidanand Jee Bharati
- Department of Onco-anesthesia and Palliative Medicine, Dr. BRA-IRCH, AIIMS, New Delhi, India.
| | - Vinod Kumar
- Department of Onco-anesthesia and Palliative Medicine, Dr. BRA-IRCH, AIIMS, New Delhi, India.
| | - Sanjay Thulkar
- Department of Radiology, Dr. BRA-IRCH, AIIMS, New Delhi, India.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Saraswathula A, Austin JM, Fakhry C, Vosler PS, Mandal R, Koch WM, Tan M, Eisele DW, Frick KD, Gourin CG. Surgeon Volume and Laryngectomy Outcomes. Laryngoscope 2023; 133:834-840. [PMID: 35634691 PMCID: PMC9708934 DOI: 10.1002/lary.30229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the relationship between surgeon volume and operative morbidity and mortality for laryngectomy. DATA SOURCES The Nationwide Inpatient Sample was used to identify 45,156 patients who underwent laryngectomy procedures for laryngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer between 2001 and 2011. Hospital and surgeon laryngectomy volume were modeled as categorical variables. METHODS Relationships between hospital and surgeon volume and mortality, surgical complications, and acute medical complications were examined using multivariable regression. RESULTS Higher-volume surgeons were more likely to operate at large, teaching, nonprofit hospitals and were more likely to treat patients who were white, had private insurance, hypopharyngeal cancer, low comorbidity, admitted electively, and to perform partial laryngectomy, concurrent neck dissection, and flap reconstruction. Surgeons treating more than 5 cases per year were associated with lower odds of medical and surgical complications, with a greater reduction in the odds of complications with increasing surgical volume. Surgeons in the top volume quintile (>9 cases/year) were associated with a decreased odds of in-hospital mortality (OR = 0.09 [0.01-0.74]), postoperative surgical complications (OR = 0.58 [0.45-0.74]), and acute medical complications (OR = 0.49 [0.37-0.64]). Surgeon volume accounted for 95% of the effect of hospital volume on mortality and 16%-47% of the effect of hospital volume on postoperative morbidity. CONCLUSION There is a strong volume-outcome relationship for laryngectomy, with reduced mortality and morbidity associated with higher surgeon and higher hospital volumes. Observed associations between hospital volume and operative morbidity and mortality are mediated by surgeon volume, suggesting that surgeon volume is an important component of the favorable outcomes of high-volume hospital care. Laryngoscope, 133:834-840, 2023.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anirudh Saraswathula
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - J. Matthew Austin
- Armstrong Institute for Patient Safety and Quality, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Carole Fakhry
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Peter S. Vosler
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Rajarsi Mandal
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Wayne M. Koch
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Marietta Tan
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - David W. Eisele
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Kevin D. Frick
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
- Johns Hopkins Carey Business School, Baltimore, MD
| | - Christine G. Gourin
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
- Armstrong Institute for Patient Safety and Quality, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Ellsworth BL, Sinco B, Matusko N, Pitt SC, Hughes DT, Gauger PG, Englesbe M, Underwood HJ. Examining National Guideline Changes Association With Hemithyroidectomy Rates by Surgeon Volume. J Surg Res 2023; 283:858-866. [PMID: 36915013 DOI: 10.1016/j.jss.2022.11.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The 2015 American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines established that hemithyroidectomy (HT) is an appropriate treatment for patients with low-risk thyroid cancer. HT rates increased since the ATA guidelines were released; however, the relationship between surgeon volume and the initial extent of surgery has not been established. METHODS A statewide database was used to identify patients with thyroid cancer who underwent initial thyroidectomy from 2013 to 2020. High-volume thyroid surgeons were defined as those who performed >25 thyroid procedures per year. A mixed-effect logistic model was used to compare low- and high-volume surgeons' initial extent of surgery pre-2015 and post-2015 ATA guidelines. Descriptive statistics were used to describe other surgical outcomes. RESULTS The analysis included 3199 patients with thyroid cancer who underwent initial thyroidectomy. Twenty-four surgeons (6%) were considered high-volume; they performed 48% (n = 1349) of the operations. After the 2015 ATA guidelines were released, the rate of HT increased significantly for low- (23% to 28%, P = 0.042) but not high-volume (19% to 23%, P = 0.149) surgeons. Low-volume surgeons had significantly higher rates of readmission (P = 0.008), re-operation (P = 0.030), complications (P < 0.001), and emergency room visits (P = 0.002) throughout the entire study period. CONCLUSIONS The publication of the 2015 ATA guidelines was associated with a significant increase in HT rates, primarily in low-volume thyroid surgeons. While low-volume surgeons began performing more HTs, they continued to have higher rates of readmission, reoperations, complications, and emergency room visits than high-volume surgeons.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Brandy Sinco
- Department of Surgery, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Center for Healthcare Outcomes and Policy, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Niki Matusko
- Department of Surgery, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Center for Healthcare Outcomes and Policy, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Susan C Pitt
- Department of Surgery, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Center for Healthcare Outcomes and Policy, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - David T Hughes
- Department of Surgery, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Paul G Gauger
- Department of Surgery, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Michael Englesbe
- Department of Surgery, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Center for Healthcare Outcomes and Policy, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Hunter J Underwood
- University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Department of Surgery, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Krajewska J, Kukulska A, Samborski K, Czarniecka A, Jarzab B. Lobo-isthmectomy in the management of differentiated thyroid cancer. Thyroid Res 2023; 16:4. [PMID: 36775829 PMCID: PMC9923929 DOI: 10.1186/s13044-022-00145-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/14/2023] Open
Abstract
We have recently witnessed a rapid increase in the incidence of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC), particularly low and very low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma. Simultaneously, the number of cancer-related deaths has remained stable for more than 30 years. Such an indolent nature and long-term survival prompted researchers and experts to an ongoing discussion on the adequacy of DTC management to avoid, on the one hand, the overtreatment of low-risk cases and, on the other hand, the undertreatment of highly aggressive ones.The most recent guidelines of the American Thyroid Association (ATA GL) moved primary thyroid surgery in DTC towards a less aggressive approach by making lobectomy an option for patients with intrathyroidal low-risk DTC tumors up to 4 cm in diameter without evidence of extrathyroidal extension or lymph node metastases. It was one of the key changes in DTC management proposed by the ATA in 2015.Following the introduction of the 2015 ATA GL, the role of thyroid lobectomy in DTC management has slowly become increasingly important. The data coming from analyses of the large databases and retrospective studies prove that a less extensive surgical approach, even if in some reports it was related to a slight increase of the risk of recurrence, did not show a negative impact on disease-specific and overall survival in T1T2N0M0 low-risk DTC. There is no doubt that making thyroid lobectomy an option for low-risk papillary and follicular carcinomas was an essential step toward the de-escalation of treatment in thyroid carcinoma.This review summarizes the current recommendations and evidence-based data supporting the necessity of de-escalation of primary thyroid surgery in low-risk DTC. It also discusses the controversies raised by introducing new ATA guidelines and tries to resolve some open questions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jolanta Krajewska
- Nuclear Medicine and Endocrine Oncology Department, M. Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology Gliwice Branch, Wybrzeze AK 15, 44-102, Gliwice, Poland.
| | - Aleksandra Kukulska
- Nuclear Medicine and Endocrine Oncology Department, M. Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology Gliwice Branch, Wybrzeze AK 15, 44-102 Gliwice, Poland ,Radiotherapy Department, M.Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology Gliwice Branch, Gliwice, Poland
| | - Konrad Samborski
- Nuclear Medicine and Endocrine Oncology Department, M. Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology Gliwice Branch, Wybrzeze AK 15, 44-102 Gliwice, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Czarniecka
- Oncologic and Reconstructive Surgery Clinic, M. Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology Gliwice Branch, Gliwice, Poland
| | - Barbara Jarzab
- Nuclear Medicine and Endocrine Oncology Department, M. Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology Gliwice Branch, Wybrzeze AK 15, 44-102 Gliwice, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Ye Z, Wu K, Hu Z, Jin F. Nanocarbon or indocyanine green: Which is superior for gasless transaxillary endoscopic thyroidectomy to protect the parathyroid gland? Front Surg 2022; 9:1035840. [PMID: 36439530 PMCID: PMC9687084 DOI: 10.3389/fsurg.2022.1035840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Damage to the parathyroid glands remains a frequent complication after thyroidectomy, often resulting in hypoparathyroidism. Accordingly, identifying the parathyroid glands during thyroid surgical procedures is indispensable to prevent accidental surgical removal. METHODS The participants were randomly divided into three groups (indocyanine green [ICG], nanocarbon [NC], and control group). To identify and protect parathyroid glands during neck lymph node dissection in patients with thyroid cancer, IG was intravenously administered to the ICG group, whereas the NC group received an intra-thyroid injection of the NC suspension before dissection. IG was intravenously administered to each group after dissection. Subsequently, we analyzed surgical outcomes, including operative time, number of lymph nodes, serum calcium, and number of parathyroid glands. RESULTS We included 30 patients who underwent gasless transaxillary endoscopic thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer. Based on our findings, a greater number of parathyroid glands (P < 0.01) and higher postoperative parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were detected in the NC and ICG groups than those in the control group (P < 0.01). The number of parathyroid glands and postoperative PTH levels in the NC group were higher than those in the ICG group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Gasless transaxillary endoscopic thyroidectomy with NC and ICG for thyroid cancer could effectively protect the parathyroid gland and afford satisfactory clinical efficacy. NC could offer an advantage over ICG for protecting the parathyroid gland.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Keren Wu
- First School of Clinical Medicine, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Risk factors for difficult thyroidectomy and postoperative morbidity do not match: retrospective study from an endocrine surgery academic referral centre. Updates Surg 2022; 74:1943-1951. [PMID: 36063287 DOI: 10.1007/s13304-022-01371-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Hyperthyroidism, goiter and thyroiditis have been associated with complex thyroidectomy. Difficult thyroidectomies may implicate longer operating times and higher complication rates, while literature on quantification and prediction of difficulty in thyroidectomy is scant. We aim at assessing the impact of preoperative and intraoperative factors on the technical difficulty of total thyroidectomy (TT) and on the incidence of postoperative complications. We conducted a retrospective study on 197 TT from 343 thyroidectomies performed with intraoperative neuromonitoring between October 2019 and June 2022 (excluding lobectomies, nodal dissection, extra-thyroidal procedures). Operating time (surrogate of TT difficulty), postoperative hypocalcaemia, recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy and postoperative bleeding were assessed in relation to pre- and intraoperative characteristics. Vocal fold palsy(VFP) was defined as recovering < 12 months postoperatively. There were 87 thyroid cancers and 110 multinodular goiters (21 hyperfunctioning, 51 mediastinal). Median operating time was 136 min (range 51-310). Within 17.4 months overall median follow-up we recorded two transient VFPs and 12% symptomatic transient hypocalcaemia. At univariable analysis male sex (p = 0.005), BMI (p < 0.001), thyroiditis (p < 0.05), hypervascular goiter (p = 0.003) and thyroid adhesions to surrounding anatomical structures (p < 0.001) were associated with longer operating time. At multivariable analysis male male sex (p = 0.01), obesity (p = 0.001) and thyroid adhesions (p = 0.008) were factors for prolonged operating time. Above-normal anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies correlated to transient symptomatic hypocalcemia (p < 0.001). Risk factors for complex TT were identified and did not correlate with morbidity rates. Results from this study may help optimizing operating room schedule and inform case selection criteria for training programs in thyroid surgery. Further research is required to confirm these findings.
Collapse
|
14
|
Memeh K, Vaghaiwalla T, Keutgen X, Angelos P. Effect of Intraoperative Neuromonitoring on the Risks of Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Injury During Thyroidectomy: A Doubly Robust Approach. Ann Surg 2022; 276:684-693. [PMID: 35837957 DOI: 10.1097/sla.0000000000005588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the relationship between the use intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) during thyroidectomy and the risk of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN)injury. BACKGROUND The role of IONM in reducing RLN injury during thyroidectomy remains controversial. Several studies on this topic apply conventional multivariable regression to adjust for confounding. However, estimates from this method may be biased due to model misspecification, especially with a rare outcome such as RLN injury. METHODS We used a pooled dataset created by linking the 2016 - 2019 NSQIP General Participant User File with the corresponding Targeted-Thyroidectomy file. The primary outcome was RLN injury rates, and the secondary outcomes were operating time and postoperative length of stay. A doubly robust (DR) estimator, in the form of an inverse-probability-weighted regression adjustment model, was used to estimate the effect of the use of IONM on the risk of RLN injury. Sensitivity analyses was performed. RESULTS Twenty-four thousand three hundred seventy patients were evaluated, out of which 15,836 (70%) patients had IONM during thyroidectomy, and RLN injury occurred in 1,498 (6.2%) cases. Rates of RLN injury increase with increasing age and BMI and are higher in patients with a cancer diagnosis, previous neck operation, total thyroidectomy, and node dissection. DR model suggests that the use of IONM was associated with a significant reduction in overall rate of RLN injury (RR 0.77(CI, 0.68 to 0.87),P<0.001], and postoperative length of stay [-2.5 h(CI, -4.18 to - 0.81 h)P=0.004)]. However, IONM use was associated with an increase in operating time [15.41mins(CI, 13.29-14.54 mins, P<0.0001)]. Sensitivity analyses revealed that our estimates are largely robust to confounding. CONCLUSION In a balanced cohort of patients undergoing thyroidectomy from multiple sites and surgeons participating in NSQIP, the use of IONM during thyroidectomy was associated with reduction in RLN injury.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kelvin Memeh
- Section of Endocrine Surgery, Department of Surgery. The University of Chicago Medicine. Chicago, IL USA.,Department of Surgery, Methodist University Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Tanaz Vaghaiwalla
- Division of General Surgery, University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | - Xavier Keutgen
- Section of Endocrine Surgery, Department of Surgery. The University of Chicago Medicine. Chicago, IL USA
| | - Peter Angelos
- Section of Endocrine Surgery, Department of Surgery. The University of Chicago Medicine. Chicago, IL USA
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Eskander A, Noel CW, Griffiths R, Pasternak JD, Higgins K, Urbach D, Goldstein DP, Irish JC, Fu R. Surgeon Thyroidectomy Case Volume Impacts Disease-free Survival in the Management of Thyroid Cancer. Laryngoscope 2022; 133 Suppl 4:S1-S15. [PMID: 35796293 DOI: 10.1002/lary.30276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess the association between surgeons thyroidectomy case volume and disease-free survival (DFS) for patients with well-differentiated thyroid cancer (WDTC). A secondary objective was to assess a surgeon volume cutoff to optimize outcomes in those with WDTC. We hypothesized that surgeon volume will be an important predictor of DFS in patients with WDTC after adjusting for hospital volume and sociodemographic and clinical factors. METHODS In this retrospective population-based cohort study, we identified WDTC patients in Ontario, Canada, who underwent thyroidectomy confirmed by both hospital-level and surgeon-level administrative data between 1993 and 2017 (N = 37,233). Surgeon and hospital volumes were calculated based on number of cases performed in the year prior by the physician and at an institution performing each case, respectively and divided into quartiles. A multilevel hierarchical Cox regression model was used to estimate the effect of volume on DFS. RESULTS A crude model without patient or treatment characteristics demonstrated that both higher surgeon volume quartiles (p < 0.001) and higher hospital volume quartiles (p < 0.001) were associated with DFS. After controlling for clustering and patient/treatment covariates and hospital volume, moderately low (18-39/year) and low (0-17/year) volume surgeons (hazard ratios [HR]: 1.23, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.09-1.39 and HR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.17-1.53 respectively) remained an independent statistically significant negative predictor of DFS. CONCLUSION Both high-volume surgeons and hospitals are predictors of better DFS in patients with WDTC. DFS is higher among surgeons performing more than 40 thyroidectomies a year. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 3 Laryngoscope, 2022.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Eskander
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Michael Garron Hospital and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (IHPME), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Christopher W Noel
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Michael Garron Hospital and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (IHPME), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rebecca Griffiths
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Cancer Care and Epidemiology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jesse D Pasternak
- Section of Endocrine Surgery, Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kevin Higgins
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Michael Garron Hospital and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - David Urbach
- ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (IHPME), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Women's College Hospital and Departments of Surgery, Women's College Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - David P Goldstein
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Michael Garron Hospital and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery/Surgical Oncology, University of Toronto, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jonathan C Irish
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Michael Garron Hospital and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (IHPME), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery/Surgical Oncology, University of Toronto, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Rui Fu
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Michael Garron Hospital and Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,ICES, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (IHPME), University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
FDG-PET/CT in indeterminate thyroid nodules: cost-utility analysis alongside a randomised controlled trial. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2022; 49:3452-3469. [PMID: 35435497 PMCID: PMC9308600 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-022-05794-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate cost-effectiveness of an [18F]FDG-PET/CT-driven diagnostic workup as compared to diagnostic surgery, for thyroid nodules with Bethesda III/IV cytology. [18F]FDG-PET/CT avoids 40% of futile diagnostic surgeries for benign Bethesda III/IV nodules. METHODS Lifelong societal costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were assessed for 132 patients participating in a randomised controlled multicentre trial comparing [18F]FDG-PET/CT to diagnostic surgery. The observed 1-year trial results were extrapolated using a Markov model. The probability of cost-effectiveness was estimated using cost-effectiveness acceptability curves, taking uncertainty about sampling, imputation, and parameters into account. RESULTS The observed 1-year cost difference of [18F]FDG-PET/CT as compared to diagnostic surgery was - €1000 (95% CI: - €2100 to €0) for thyroid nodule-related care (p = 0.06). From the broader societal perspective, the 1-year difference in total societal costs was - €4500 (- €9200 to €150) (p = 0.06). Over the modelled lifelong period, the cost difference was - €9900 (- €23,100 to €3200) (p = 0.14). The difference in QALYs was 0.019 (- 0.045 to 0.083) at 1 year (p = 0.57) and 0.402 (- 0.581 to 1.385) over the lifelong period (p = 0.42). For a willingness to pay of €50,000 per QALY, an [18F]FDG-PET/CT-driven work-up was the cost-effective strategy with 84% certainty. CONCLUSION Following the observed reduction in diagnostic surgery, an [18F]FDG-PET/CT-driven diagnostic workup reduced the 1-year thyroid nodule-related and societal costs while sustaining quality of life. It is very likely cost-effective as compared to diagnostic surgery for Bethesda III/IV nodules. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02208544 (5 August 2014), https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02208544 .
Collapse
|
17
|
Seeing Is Not Believing: Intraoperative Nerve Monitoring (IONM) in the Thyroid Surgery. Indian J Surg Oncol 2022; 13:121-132. [PMID: 35462673 PMCID: PMC8986933 DOI: 10.1007/s13193-021-01348-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Ensuring the integrity of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN), the external branch of superior laryngeal nerve (EBSLN) and preservation of normal voice are the prime 'functional' goals of thyroid surgery. More in-depth knowledge of neuronal mechanisms has revealed that anatomical integrity does not always translate into functional integrity. Despite meticulous dissection, neural injuries are not always predictable or visually evident. Intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM) is designed to aid in nerve identification and early detection of functional impairment. With the evolution of technique, intermittent monitoring has given way to continuous-IONM. Over the years, IONM gathered both support and flak. Despite numerous randomised studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses, there still prevails a state of clinical equipoise concerning the utility of IONM and its cost-effectiveness. This article inspects the true usefulness of IONM, elaborates on the optimal way to practice it, and presents a critical literature review.
Collapse
|
18
|
Al-Qurayshi Z, Peterson JD, Shama MA, Kandil E. Thyroidectomy practice in pediatric population: a national perspective. Am J Otolaryngol 2022; 43:103298. [PMID: 34953247 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2021.103298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To examine presentations and outcomes of pediatric patients underoing thyroidectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective cross-sectional analysis of the Nationwide Readmissions Database, 2010-2014, was performed. Study population included pediatric (<18 years) inpatients undergoing thyroidectomy. RESULTS A total of 361 patients were included. Mean age was 13.5 ± 0.2 years, and 79.8% were female. Thyroid diseases included: (i) 19.0% thyroid cancer, (ii) 5.4% Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type II, (iii) 33.6% toxic nodular disease, and (iv) 42.0% non-toxic benign disease. Total thyroidectomy was performed in 67.7% of the patients, and 3.2% of the patients who had initial lobectomy were readmitted within 3 months for completion thyroidectomy. Postoperative complications were reported in 14.2% of the sample, and hypocalcemia was the most common complication (98.2%). Risk of hypocalcemia was significantly higher in patients who had thyroid cancer (risk = 20.9%, p = 0.011) or toxic thyroid diseases (risk = 19.8%, p = 0.033). Of the study population, 25.6% were managed exclusively in children's hospitals. Management in children's hospitals was not associated with improved outcomes or shorter hospital stay; however, it was associated with a significantly higher cost of health services [US $19,4575.0 ± 195.49 vs. US $13,788.00 ± 238.51, p < 0.001]. CONCLUSIONS This study reports a national perspective on thyroidectomy in the pediatric population. Most thyroid surgeries performed in the pediatric population are performed for benign conditions. Most pediatric thyroidectomies are performed at low-volume centers. Surgeries performed in children's hospitals are significantly higher in cost without any associated improvement in outcomes or length of hospital stay.
Collapse
|
19
|
Sahyouni G, Osterbauer B, Park S, Paik C, Austin J, Gomez G, Kwon D. Rate of Incidental Parathyroidectomy in a Pediatric Population. OTO Open 2021; 5:2473974X211059070. [PMID: 34805719 PMCID: PMC8597068 DOI: 10.1177/2473974x211059070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Incidental parathyroidectomy is a relatively common occurrence in thyroid surgery, which may lead to hypoparathyroidism and postoperative hypocalcemia, but it is not well studied in children. The objectives of this study were to determine the rate of incidental parathyroidectomy, identify potential risk factors, and investigate postoperative complications in children undergoing thyroidectomy. Study Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Patients who underwent thyroidectomy over a 10-year period at a tertiary children’s hospital. Methods Pathology reports were reviewed to determine incidental parathyroid gland tissue. Additional data collected included patient demographics, type of procedure, underlying thyroid pathology, as well as immediate and long-term postoperative clinical outcomes. Results Of 209 patients, 65 (31%) had incidental parathyroidectomy. Several variables were associated with incidental parathyroidectomy on univariable analysis. However, in the final multivariable model, only thyroidectomy with lymph node dissection was associated with increased odds of having incidental parathyroidectomy (odds ratio, 3.3; P = .04; 95% CI, 1.1-9.8). After a median follow up of 1 year, a significantly higher percentage of patients with incidental parathyroidectomy had evidence of long-term hypoparathyroidism (9/62 [15%] vs 3/144 [2%], P = .001). Conclusion Incidental parathyroidectomy was relatively common in our pediatric thyroidectomy population, which may be a result of several anatomic, clinical, and surgeon-related factors. Close attention to parathyroid preservation with meticulous surgical technique is the most practical method of preventing long-term hypoparathyroidism and hypocalcemia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Grace Sahyouni
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Beth Osterbauer
- Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Soyun Park
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Connie Paik
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Juliana Austin
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Gabriel Gomez
- Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Caruso Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Keck Medicine, University of Southern California, Beverly Hills, California, USA
| | - Daniel Kwon
- Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Caruso Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Keck Medicine, University of Southern California, Beverly Hills, California, USA
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Pisarska-Adamczyk M, Tylec P, Przytuła N, Wierzbicka J, Wysocki M, Małczak P, Budzyński P, Major P, Pędziwiatr M. Thyroidectomy: is it safe to be performed by general surgery residents? - single centre experience. Acta Chir Belg 2021; 123:266-271. [PMID: 34503400 DOI: 10.1080/00015458.2021.1979185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Thyroidectomy carries a risk of two crucial complications - recurrent nerve palsy and hypocalcaemia. The aim of the study was to assess the safety of thyroidectomy performed by general surgery residents. METHODS Data of 515 patients, who underwent total thyroidectomy between the years 2015 and 2019, were prospectively collected. Inclusion criteria were as follows: age >18 years old, patients who underwent total thyroidectomy, no change of operator during the surgery. The study group was divided into two groups: operated by general surgery specialists (385 patients-group 1) and operated by residents with the supervision of experienced general surgery specialists as assistants (130 patients-group 2). RESULTS Demographic factors did not differ statistically between groups. Median operative time was 65 min (55-85 IQR) and 90 min (75-110 IQR) in groups 1 and 2, respectively (p < 0.001). Complications occurred in 97 (18.7%) patients in group 1 and 25 (19.3%) patients in group 2 (p = 0.893). Recurrent nerve palsy diagnosed with laryngoscopy was the most common complication - 10.2% and 9.2% of patients, respectively (p = 0.754). Permanent vocal paresis occurred in 2.3% and 3.2%, respectively (p = 0.786). Postoperative symptomatic hypocalcaemia occurred in 7% of patients in group 1 and 10% of patients in group 2 (p = 0.271). Logistic regression did not show that resident as the operator with or without intraoperative neuromonitoring is a risk factor for any complications. CONCLUSION The results of the present study show that thyroidectomy performed by a general surgery resident under supervision can be as safe as the one performed by a specialist.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Piotr Tylec
- 2nd Department of General Surgery, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Cracow, Poland
| | - Natalia Przytuła
- 2nd Department of General Surgery, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Cracow, Poland
| | - Julia Wierzbicka
- 2nd Department of General Surgery, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Cracow, Poland
| | - Michał Wysocki
- Department of General Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Ludwik Rydygier Memorial Hospital in Cracow, Cracow, Poland
| | - Piotr Małczak
- Department of Medical Education, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Cracow, Poland
| | - Piotr Budzyński
- Department of General Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Ludwik Rydygier Memorial Hospital in Cracow, Cracow, Poland
| | - Piotr Major
- 2nd Department of General Surgery, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Cracow, Poland
| | - Michał Pędziwiatr
- 2nd Department of General Surgery, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Cracow, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
The Role of IONM in Reducing the Occurrence of Shoulder Syndrome Following Lateral Neck Dissection for Thyroid Cancer. J Clin Med 2021; 10:jcm10184246. [PMID: 34575355 PMCID: PMC8469441 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10184246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Lateral neck dissection (LND) leads to a significant morbidity involving accessory nerve injury. Modified radical neck dissection (MRND) aims at preservation of the accessory nerve, but patients often present with negative functional outcomes after surgery. The role of neuromonitoring (IONM) in the prevention of shoulder syndrome has not yet been defined in comparison to nerve visualization only. We retrospectively analyzed 56 thyroid cancer patients who underwent MRND over a period of six years (2015–2020) in a high-volume institution. Demographic variables, type of surgical procedure, removed lymph nodes and the metastatic node ratio, pathology, adoption of IONM and shoulder functional outcome were investigated. The mean number of lymph nodes removed was 15.61, with a metastatic node ratio of 0.2745. IONM was used in 41.07% of patients, with a prevalence of 68% in the period 2017–2020. IONM adoption showed an effect on post-operative shoulder function. There were no effects in 89.29% of cases, and temporary and permanent effects in 8.93% and 1.79%, respectively. Confidence intervals and two-sample tests for equality of proportions were used when applicable. Expertise in high-volume centres and IONM during MRND seem to be correlated with a reduced prevalence of accessory nerve lesions and limited functional impairments. These results need to be confirmed by larger prospective randomized controlled trials.
Collapse
|
22
|
Hussain I, Zulfiqar F, Li X, Ahmad S, Aljammal J. Safety and Efficacy of Radiofrequency Ablation of Thyroid Nodules-Expanding Treatment Options in the United States. J Endocr Soc 2021; 5:bvab110. [PMID: 34258495 PMCID: PMC8271212 DOI: 10.1210/jendso/bvab110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has only recently gained popularity in the United States for treatment of thyroid nodules (TNs), with a limited number of patients having undergone the procedure in this country. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the safety and efficacy of RFA of TNs performed in an outpatient setting in the United States. METHODS This is a retrospective, single-center study of 53 patients who underwent RFA of 58 TNs between November 2018 and January 2021. The reduction in volume of nodule, cosmetic and symptomatic improvement, effect on thyroid function, and complications following RFA were assessed. RESULTS Eleven out of 53 patients were excluded from the analysis. A total of 47 benign TNs (23 nonfunctioning thyroid nodules [NFTNs] and 24 autonomously functioning thyroid nodules [AFTNs]), were assessed after RFA. The median reduction in volume was 70.8% after a median follow-up period of 109 days, with symptomatic and cosmetic improvement (P < 0.0001). Compared with larger nodules, smaller nodules had greater volume reduction (P = 0.0266). RFA improved thyrotropin (TSH) in AFTNs (P value = 0.0015) and did not affect TSH in NFTNs (P value = 0.23). There were no major complications; however, 1 patient had self-limited local bleeding and another had transient voice change that recovered in 6 months. CONCLUSION RFA is a safe and efficacious treatment for symptomatic NFTNs and AFTNs in our population and is especially effective for smaller nodules. RFA should be considered an alternative for TNs in patients who cannot or do not want to undergo surgery.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Iram Hussain
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-8537, USA
| | | | - Xilong Li
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Population and Data Science, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390-8537, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Using deep learning to identify the recurrent laryngeal nerve during thyroidectomy. Sci Rep 2021; 11:14306. [PMID: 34253767 PMCID: PMC8275665 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-93202-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Surgeons must visually distinguish soft-tissues, such as nerves, from surrounding anatomy to prevent complications and optimize patient outcomes. An accurate nerve segmentation and analysis tool could provide useful insight for surgical decision-making. Here, we present an end-to-end, automatic deep learning computer vision algorithm to segment and measure nerves. Unlike traditional medical imaging, our unconstrained setup with accessible handheld digital cameras, along with the unstructured open surgery scene, makes this task uniquely challenging. We investigate one common procedure, thyroidectomy, during which surgeons must avoid damaging the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN), which is responsible for human speech. We evaluate our segmentation algorithm on a diverse dataset across varied and challenging settings of operating room image capture, and show strong segmentation performance in the optimal image capture condition. This work lays the foundation for future research in real-time tissue discrimination and integration of accessible, intelligent tools into open surgery to provide actionable insights.
Collapse
|
24
|
Park H, Kim HI, Choe JH, Chung MK, Son YI, Hahn SY, Hwang NY, Woo SY, Kim SW, Chung JH, Kim TH, Kim JS. Surgeon Volume and Long-Term Oncologic Outcomes in Patients with Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma. Ann Surg Oncol 2021; 28:8863-8871. [PMID: 34240294 DOI: 10.1245/s10434-021-10383-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Surgery is the most important curative treatment for medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). The relationship between surgeon volume (the number of surgeries performed) and short-term surgical outcomes, such as increased postoperative complication or costs, is well established. This study evaluated whether surgeon volume influenced long-term oncologic outcomes. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed 246 patients diagnosed with MTC after initial thyroid surgery from 1995 to 2019. After exclusion, 194 patients were eligible for inclusion in the study. Surgeons were categorized as low/intermediate volume (fewer than 100 operations per year) or high volume (at least 100 operations per year). RESULTS Of the 194 included patients, 60 (30.9%) developed disease recurrence, and 9 (4.6%) died of MTC during the median follow-up of 92.5 months. Having a low/intermediate-volume surgeon was associated with high disease recurrence (log-rank test, p < 0.001). After adjustment for age, sex, tumor type (sporadic versus hereditary), primary tumor size, presence of central lymph node metastasis (LNM), presence of lateral LNM, extrathyroidal extension, and positive resection margin, surgeon volume was a significant factor for disease recurrence (hazard ratio 2.28, p = 0.004); however, cancer-specific survival was not affected by surgeon volume (hazard ratio 4.16, p = 0.115). CONCLUSIONS Surgeon volume is associated with long-term oncologic outcome. MTC patients will be able to make the best decisions for their treatment based on the results of this study.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyunju Park
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Thyroid Center, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hye In Kim
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Samsung Changwon Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Changwon, Korea
| | - Jun-Ho Choe
- Division of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Department of Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Man Ki Chung
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Young Ik Son
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Soo Yeon Hahn
- Department of Radiology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Na-Young Hwang
- Statistics and Data Center, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sook-Young Woo
- Statistics and Data Center, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sun Wook Kim
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Thyroid Center, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jae Hoon Chung
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Thyroid Center, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Tae Hyuk Kim
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Thyroid Center, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
| | - Jee Soo Kim
- Division of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Department of Surgery, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Liu Y, Wang S, Li Y, Zhang X, Liu Z, Liu Q, Sun N, Zhang J, Ge W, Guo Y, Liu Y, Fang X, Ji T, Tai J, Ni X. Clinical Heterogeneity of Differentiated Thyroid Cancer between Children Less than 10 Years of Age and Those Older than 10 Years: A Retrospective Study of 70 Cases. Eur Thyroid J 2021; 10:364-371. [PMID: 34540706 PMCID: PMC8406248 DOI: 10.1159/000516830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The objectives of this study were to explore the clinical heterogeneity of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) between prepubertal children and adolescents and guide clinical treatment. METHODS A retrospective study included patients with DTC aged ≤19 years in Beijing Children's Hospital from June 2014 to June 2019. All patients were enrolled and divided into 2 subgroups based on the threshold age of 10 years, namely the childhood group (CG) (≤10 years old); and the adolescent group (AG) (between 10 and 19 years old). The χ2 test and Fisher's exact test were used to estimate the effect of risk factors in the 2 age groups. Multivariate binary logistic regression models were conducted to assess the recurrent risk factors. RESULTS Seventy cases of DTC were included with an average age of 9.94 ± 2.88 years, including 35 in CG and 35 in AG. The most common clinical manifestation was a painless mass in the neck, accounting for 77.1% (54/70) of patients. Compared with the AG, the CG was more likely to have lymph node metastasis (p = 0.022) and distant metastasis (p = 0.041). The CG was more likely to have extrathyroidal extension (p = 0.012) and had a significantly higher recurrence rate than the AG (p = 0.040). Age was an independent variable predictive of recurrence (p = 0.0347). CONCLUSION Regional invasiveness, cervical lymph node metastasis, and distant metastasis of DTC were more likely to occur in children ≤10 years old. Meanwhile, children ≤10 years old with DTC were more likely to have recurrence than adolescent's postsurgical treatment. Thus, children younger than 10 years of age with DTC should be treated more aggressively.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuwei Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health (NCCH), Beijing, China
| | - Shengcai Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health (NCCH), Beijing, China
| | - Yanzhen Li
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health (NCCH), Beijing, China
| | - Xuexi Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health (NCCH), Beijing, China
| | - Zhiyong Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health (NCCH), Beijing, China
| | - Qiaoyin Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health (NCCH), Beijing, China
| | - Nian Sun
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health (NCCH), Beijing, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health (NCCH), Beijing, China
| | - Wentong Ge
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health (NCCH), Beijing, China
| | - Yongli Guo
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Pediatric Diseases of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Pediatric Research Institute, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health (NCCH), Beijing, China
| | - Yuanhu Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health (NCCH), Beijing, China
| | - Xiaolian Fang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health (NCCH), Beijing, China
| | - Tingting Ji
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health (NCCH), Beijing, China
| | - Jun Tai
- Children's Hospital Capital Institute of Pediatrics, Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing, China
- *Jun Tai, , Xin Ni,
| | - Xin Ni
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health (NCCH), Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Pediatric Diseases of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Pediatric Research Institute, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health (NCCH), Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Bedi HK, Jedrzejko N, Nguyen A, Aspinall SR, Wiseman SM. Thyroid and parathyroid surgeon case volume influences patient outcomes: A systematic review. Surg Oncol 2021; 38:101550. [PMID: 33915486 DOI: 10.1016/j.suronc.2021.101550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The study aim was to systematically review literature evaluating surgeon volume-outcome relationships for thyroid and parathyroid operations in order to inform surgical quality improvement initiatives. Current literature suggests surgeons who perform a high volume of thyroid and/or parathyroid operations have better outcomes than low volume surgeons, though specific volume definition are not standardized. METHODS Eligible studies were selected through a literature search focused on the effect of surgeon volume on thyroid and parathyroid surgery patient outcomes. The literature search was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Publication dates extended from January 1998 to February 2021, and were limited to articles published in English. RESULTS A total of 33 studies were included: 25 studies evaluating thyroid surgery outcomes, 4 studies evaluating parathyroid surgery outcomes, and 4 studies evaluating both thyroid and parathyroid (mixed) surgery outcomes. Higher volume thyroid and parathyroid surgeons were found to be associated with fewer surgical and medical complications, shorter length of hospital stay, and reduced total cost when compared to lower volume surgeons. This volume-outcome relationship was also found to specifically affect the complication and recurrence rates for thyroid cancer patients undergoing surgery, especially for individuals with advanced stage disease. CONCLUSION The heterogeneity in cut-offs used for characterizing surgeons as high versus low volume, and also in subsequent patient outcome measures, limited direct study comparisons. The trend of improved patient outcomes with higher surgeon volume for both thyroid and parathyroid surgeries was consistently present in all studies reviewed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Harjot K Bedi
- St.Paul's Hospital & University of British Columbia, Department of Surgery, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
| | - Nicole Jedrzejko
- St.Paul's Hospital & University of British Columbia, Department of Surgery, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
| | - Anne Nguyen
- St.Paul's Hospital & University of British Columbia, Department of Surgery, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
| | | | - Sam M Wiseman
- St.Paul's Hospital & University of British Columbia, Department of Surgery, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
van Gerwen M, Alsen M, Lee E, Sinclair C, Genden E, Taioli E. Recurrence-free survival after total thyroidectomy and lobectomy in patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma. J Endocrinol Invest 2021; 44:725-734. [PMID: 32651895 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-020-01342-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The incidence of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma is increasing. We evaluated the recurrence-free survival following total thyroidectomy and lobectomy to identify the optimal surgical choice. METHODS A meta-analysis was performed using the National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health PubMed database to identify eligible studies. Summary 5- and 10-year RFS estimates after TT versus LT were calculated using random effects models. RESULTS The literature search yielded 1117 studies (1990-2019). Nine studies met the inclusion criteria comprising 10,186 total thyroidectomy and 11,408 lobectomy patients. The 5-year recurrence-free survival was 98% [95% confidence interval (CI) 97-99%] after total thyroidectomy and 97% (95% CI 96-99%) after lobectomy, based on eight studies (9421 total thyroidectomy and 11,283 lobectomy patients); the 10-year recurrence-free survival was 95% (95% CI 92-98%) after total thyroidectomy and 92% (95% CI 86-96%) after lobectomy, based on eight studies (total thyroidectomy = 10,100, lobectomy = 11,389 patients). CONCLUSION The present meta-analysis demonstrates excellent, long-term recurrence-free survival following both total thyroidectomy and lobectomy surgery in patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma. The analysis also suggests that patients undergoing total thyroidectomy trended toward a slightly better long-term 10-year recurrence-free survival in comparison to patients undergoing lobectomy, a finding of potential, clinical significance in the management decision-making process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M van Gerwen
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Institute for Translational Epidemiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, P. O. Box 1133, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - M Alsen
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - E Lee
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - C Sinclair
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - E Genden
- Department of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - E Taioli
- Institute for Translational Epidemiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, P. O. Box 1133, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
- Department of Population Health Science and Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
- Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Van Slycke S, Van Den Heede K, Bruggeman N, Vermeersch H, Brusselaers N. Risk factors for postoperative morbidity after thyroid surgery in a PROSPECTIVE cohort of 1500 patients. Int J Surg 2021; 88:105922. [PMID: 33774174 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijsu.2021.105922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Revised: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Postoperative hypocalcaemia, recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy and postoperative bleeding are the most frequent postoperative complications after thyroid surgery, and therefore often used as quality indicators of thyroid surgery. We aimed to assess postoperative morbidity in a high-volume endocrine surgery unit, and to detect which factors are associated with higher risks. METHODS Prospective surgical cohort in a high-volume tertiary referral centre for endocrine surgery in xxx. The first 1500 patients operated with hemi or total thyroidectomy during 2010-2019 were included. Postoperative hypocalcaemia, recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy and postoperative bleeding were assessed in relation to pre- and peri-operative characteristics using multivariable logistic regression analyses, expressed as odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS Overall, 1043 patients (69.5%) received a total thyroidectomy and 457 (30.5%) a hemithyroidectomy. Permanent hypocalcaemia occurred in 3.1%, permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy in 1.8% and surgical reintervention for bleeding in 2.6%. Younger age, female sex and cancer were risk factors for permanent hypocalcaemia. No clear risk factors could be identified for permanent nerve palsy. Female sex, high body mass index and heavier thyroids were protective against postoperative bleeding after total thyroidectomy. CONCLUSIONS Surgical experience in endocrine surgery seems beneficial for clinical outcomes and contributes to organizational efficiency. A low complication risk can be obtained by trained high-volume endocrine surgeons, yet the risk is not negligible.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sam Van Slycke
- Department of General and Endocrine Surgery, Onze-Lieve-Vrouw (OLV) Hospital Aalst, Moorselbaan 164, 9300, Aalst, Belgium; Department of Head and Skin, University Hospital Ghent, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000, Ghent, Belgium; Department of General Surgery, AZ Damiaan, Gouwelozestraat 100, 8400, Ostend, Belgium
| | - Klaas Van Den Heede
- Department of General and Endocrine Surgery, Onze-Lieve-Vrouw (OLV) Hospital Aalst, Moorselbaan 164, 9300, Aalst, Belgium; Department of Endocrine Surgery, Hammersmith, 72 Du Cane Road, W12 0HS, London, UK
| | - Niels Bruggeman
- Department of General and Endocrine Surgery, Onze-Lieve-Vrouw (OLV) Hospital Aalst, Moorselbaan 164, 9300, Aalst, Belgium
| | - Hubert Vermeersch
- Department of Head and Skin, University Hospital Ghent, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000, Ghent, Belgium; Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Human Structure and Repair, University Hospital Ghent, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Nele Brusselaers
- Department of Head and Skin, University Hospital Ghent, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000, Ghent, Belgium; Centre for Translational Microbiome Research Department of Microbiology, Tumour and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska Hospital, Solnavägen 9, 17165, Stockholm, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Liu RH, Razavi CR, Chang HY, Tufano RP, Eisele DW, Gourin CG, Russell JO. Association of Hypocalcemia and Magnesium Disorders With Thyroidectomy in Commercially Insured Patients. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2021; 146:237-246. [PMID: 31917427 DOI: 10.1001/jamaoto.2019.4193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Importance Hypocalcemia is a common complication of total thyroidectomy. Objectives To identify factors associated with hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy and to explore the association between hypocalcemia, magnesium disorders, and costs of care. Design, Setting, and Participants A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was performed using data from the MarketScan Commercial Claim and Encounters database on 126 766 commercially insured patients younger than 65 years undergoing total thyroidectomy between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2012. Statistical analysis was performed from January 1, 2016, to May 30, 2019. Main Outcomes and Measures Short- and long-term hypocalcemia and the costs of care were examined using multivariable regression modeling. Results Among the 126 766 patients in the study (81.6% women; mean age, 46.5 years [range, 18-64 years]), postoperative hypocalcemia was present in 19.1% of patients in the initial 30-day postoperative period and in 4.4% of patients at 1 year. Magnesium disorders were present in 2.1% of patients at the time of surgery. Short- and long-term hypocalcemia were significantly more likely in women (short-term: odds ratio [OR], 1.39 [95% CI, 1.29-1.50]; long-term: OR, 1.69 [95% CI, 1.52-1.89]), those younger than 40 years (short-term: OR for ages 40-64 years, 0.83 [95% CI, 0.78-0.87]; long-term: OR for ages 40-64 years, 0.73 [95% CI, 0.67-0.79]), those with a diagnosis of thyroiditis (short-term: OR, 1.48 [95% CI, 1.16-1.89]; long-term: OR, 1.60 [95% CI, 1.13-2.26]) or cancer (short-term: OR, 1.32 [95% CI, 1.05-1.67]; long-term: OR, 1.17 [95% CI, 0.83-1.63]), vitamin D deficiency (short-term: OR, 1.96 [95% CI, 1.74-2.21]; long-term: OR, 3.72 [95% CI, 3.30-4.18]), concurrent lateral neck dissection (short-term: OR, 1.51 [95% CI, 1.37-1.66]; long-term: OR, 1.95 [95% CI, 1.69-2.26]), concurrent central neck dissection (short-term: OR, 1.15 [95% CI, 1.07-1.24]; long-term: OR, 1.25 [95% CI, 1.12-1.40]), intraoperative parathyroid (short-term: OR, 1.58 [95% CI, 1.46-1.71]; and long-term: OR, 2.05 [95% CI, 1.82-2.31]) or recurrent laryngeal nerve injury (short-term: OR, 1.49 [95% CI, 1.27-1.74]; long-term: OR, 2.04 [95% CI, 1.64-2.54]), and magnesium disorders (short-term: OR, 8.40 [95% CI, 7.21-9.79]; long-term: OR, 25.23 [95% CI, 19.80-32.17]). Compared with the initial postoperative period, the odds of hypocalcemia decreased by 90.0% (OR, 0.10 [95% CI, 0.09-0.11]) at 6 months and 93.0% (OR, 0.07 [95% CI, 0.06-0.08]) at 1 year. After controlling for all other variables, magnesium disorders were associated with the highest odds of short- and long-term postoperative hypocalcemia. Hypocalcemia ($3392) and magnesium disorders ($14 314) were associated with increased mean incremental 1-year costs of care. Conclusions and Relevance Hypocalcemia is common after total thyroidectomy but resolves in most patients by 1 year. Magnesium disorders are significantly independently associated with short- and long-term hypocalcemia and are associated with greater costs of care. These data suggest a potentially modifiable target to reduce the incidence and cost of long-term hypocalcemia at patient and systemic levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rui Han Liu
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Christopher R Razavi
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Hsien-Yen Chang
- Department of Health Policy and Management, the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Ralph P Tufano
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - David W Eisele
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Christine G Gourin
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Jonathon O Russell
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, Maryland
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Stack BC, Twining C, Rastatter J, Angelos P, Baloch Z, Diercks G, Faquin W, Kazahaya K, Rivkees S, Sheyn T, Shin JJ, Smith J, Thompson G, Viswanathan P, Wassner A, Brooks J, Randolph GW. Consensus statement by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology (AACE) and the American Head and Neck Society Endocrine Surgery Section (AHNS-ES) on Pediatric Benign and Malignant Thyroid Surgery. Head Neck 2021; 43:1027-1042. [PMID: 33386657 DOI: 10.1002/hed.26586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To provide a clinical disease state review of recent relevant literature and to generate expert consensus statements regarding the breadth of pediatric thyroid cancer diagnosis and care, with an emphasis on thyroid surgery. To generate expert statements to educate pediatric practitioners on the state-of-the-art practices and the value of surgical experience in the management of this unusual and challenging disease in children. METHODS A literature search was conducted and statements were constructed and subjected to a modified Delphi process to measure the consensus of the expert author panel. The wording of statements, voting tabulation, and statistical analysis were overseen by a Delphi expert (J.J.S.). RESULTS Twenty-five consensus statements were created and subjected to a modified Delphi analysis to measure the strength of consensus of the expert author panel. All statements reached a level of consensus, and the majority of statements reached the highest level of consensus. CONCLUSION Pediatric thyroid cancer has many unique nuances, such as bulky cervical adenopathy on presentation, an increased incidence of diffuse sclerosing variant, and a longer potential lifespan to endure potential complications from treatment. Complications can be a burden to parents and patients alike. We suggest that optimal outcomes and decreased morbidity will come from the use of advanced imaging, diagnostic testing, and neural monitoring of patients treated at high-volume centers by high-volume surgeons.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brendan C Stack
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois
| | - Christine Twining
- Maine Medical Partners Endocrinology & Diabetes Center, Scarborough, Maine
| | - Jeff Rastatter
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Anne & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Peter Angelos
- Department of Surgery, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Zubair Baloch
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Gillian Diercks
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Thyroid and Parathyroid Endocrine Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - William Faquin
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ken Kazahaya
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Children's Hospital of Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Scott Rivkees
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Tony Sheyn
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, LeBonheur Children's Hospital, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Jennifer J Shin
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jessica Smith
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Pushpa Viswanathan
- Department of Pediatrics, Pittsburgh Children's Hospital, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Ari Wassner
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jennifer Brooks
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Thyroid and Parathyroid Endocrine Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Gregory W Randolph
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Thyroid and Parathyroid Endocrine Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Van Slycke S, Van Den Heede K, Brusselaers N, Vermeersch H. Feasibility of Autofluorescence for Parathyroid Glands During Thyroid Surgery and the Risk of Hypocalcemia: First Results in Belgium and Review of the Literature. Surg Innov 2020; 28:409-418. [PMID: 33372584 DOI: 10.1177/1553350620980263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Background. Post-operative hypocalcemia remains the most frequent complication after total thyroidectomy. Recently, autofluorescence imaging was introduced to detect parathyroid glands early during dissection. Aim. We aimed to check the feasibility of autofluorescence regarding the number of parathyroid glands visualised and the risk of post-operative hypocalcemia. Methods. In a prospectively gathered cohort of patients undergoing thyroid surgery, we describe the risk of hypocalcemia in relation to the number of parathyroid glands visualised during surgery (and the risk reported in the scientific literature) and the feasibility to obtain an autofluorescence of the parathyroid glands. Results. From 2010 to 2019, 1083 patients were referred for total thyroidectomy in our tertiary referral centre for endocrine surgery, of which, 40 consecutive cases were operated using autofluorescence. Among the autofluorescence group, 14 (35.0%) had all 4 parathyroid glands visualised, compared to 147 (14.1%) in the other patients, without differences in the number of parathyroid glands reimplanted. No permanent hypocalcemia occurred in the autofluorescence group and 17.5% temporary hypoparathyroidism, compared to 3.1% and 31.9% among the other patients, and 4% (95% confidence interval [CI] 3-5%) and 19% (95% CI 15-24%) in the literature. Conclusion. Autofluorescence imaging provides reliable real-time visualisation at any point during thyroid surgery and helps to identify the parathyroid glands before detection with the naked eye. To date, it cannot be used as a standard technique and does not replace meticulous dissection. To become a useful adjunct in peroperative parathyroid management, large multicentre studies need to establish a potential clinical benefit of this novel technique.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sam Van Slycke
- Department of General and Endocrine Surgery, 74840Onze-Lieve-Vrouw (OLV) Hospital Aalst, Aalst, Belgium.,Department of Head and Skin, RinggoldID:60200University Hospital Ghent, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of General Surgery, 81800AZ Damiaan, Gouwelozestraat, Ostend, Belgium
| | - Klaas Van Den Heede
- Department of General and Endocrine Surgery, 74840Onze-Lieve-Vrouw (OLV) Hospital Aalst, Aalst, Belgium.,Department of Endocrine Surgery, 129363Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - Nele Brusselaers
- Department of Head and Skin, RinggoldID:60200University Hospital Ghent, Ghent, Belgium.,Centre for Translational Microbiome Research Department of Microbiology, Tumour and Cell Biology, 27106Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hubert Vermeersch
- Department of Head and Skin, RinggoldID:60200University Hospital Ghent, Ghent, Belgium.,Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Human Structure and Repair, 60200University Hospital Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Tanavde VA, Razavi CR, Chen LW, Ranganath R, Tufano RP, Russell JO. Predictive model of operative time in transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach. Head Neck 2020; 43:1220-1228. [PMID: 33377212 DOI: 10.1002/hed.26581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 11/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transoral Endoscopic Thyroidectomy Vestibular Approach (TOETVA) has demonstrated excellent safety and is receiving wider use in North America. Understanding which factors lead to operative difficulty, as evaluated by operative time (OT), may help to improve safety and refine indications for this procedure. METHODS Cases of TOETVA performed at our institution were reviewed. Multivariate linear regression was performed using patient demographics, thyroid characteristics, and operative variables to predict OT. RESULTS A total of 207 cases were included for analysis. A multivariate linear regression model, controlling for age, sex, and BMI, was developed from 104 cases with an R2 of 0.47 (p < 0.001). Cross-validation on 103 remaining cases showed root-mean-square error of 46.37. Total thyroidectomy and lobe size were the only significant predictors (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS We successfully developed a model to predict OT for TOETVA based on preoperative and operative variables. Lobe size, but not BMI, is a significant predictor of OT.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ved A Tanavde
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Christopher R Razavi
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Lena W Chen
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Rohit Ranganath
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Ralph P Tufano
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jonathon O Russell
- Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Kovatch KJ, Reyes-Gastelum D, Sipos JA, Caoili EM, Hamilton AS, Ward KC, Haymart MR. Physician Confidence in Neck Ultrasonography for Surveillance of Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Recurrence. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2020; 147:2774497. [PMID: 33355635 PMCID: PMC7758830 DOI: 10.1001/jamaoto.2020.4471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Neck ultrasonography, a mainstay of long-term surveillance for recurrence of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC), is routinely used by endocrinologists, general surgeons, and otolaryngologists; however, physician confidence in their ability to use ultrasonography to identify lymph nodes suggestive of cancer recurrence remains unknown. OBJECTIVE To evaluate physicians' posttreatment surveillance practices for DTC recurrence, specifically their use of and confidence in ultrasonography. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Cross-sectional study of 448 physicians in private and academic hospitals who completed a survey on DTC posttreatment practices from October 2018 to August 2019 (response rate, 69%) and self-reported involvement in long-term surveillance for thyroid cancer recurrence. Physicians were identified by patients affiliated with the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program registries in Georgia State and Los Angeles County. Of the respondents, 320 physicians who reported involvement with DTC surveillance were included in the analysis. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Physician-reported long-term surveillance practices for DTC, including frequency of use and level of confidence in ultrasonography for detecting lymph nodes suggestive of cancer recurrence. RESULTS In the cohort of 320 physicians who reported involvement with DTC surveillance, 186 (60%) had been in practice for 10 years to less than 30 years; 209 (68%) were White; and 212 (66%) were men. The physicians included 170 (56%) endocrinologists, 67 (21%) general surgeons, and 75 (23%) otolaryngologists. Just 84 (27%) physicians reported personally performing bedside ultrasonography. Only 57 (20%) had high confidence (rated quite or extremely confident) in their ability to use bedside ultrasonography to identify lymph nodes suggestive of recurrence; 94 (33%) did not report high confidence in either their ability or a radiologist's ability to use ultrasonography to detect recurrence. Higher confidence in ultrasonography was associated with the general surgery subspecialty (odds ratio [OR], 5.7; 95% CI, 2.2-14.4; reference endocrinology) and with treating a higher number of patients per year (>50 patients: OR, 14.4; 95% CI, 4.4-47.4; 31-50 patients: OR, 8.4; 95% CI, 2.6-26.7; 11-30 patients: OR, 4.3; 95% CI, 1.5-12.1; reference 0-10 patients). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Given the importance of neck ultrasonography in long-term surveillance for thyroid cancer, these findings of physicians' low confidence in their own ability and that of radiologists to use ultrasonography to detect recurrence point to a major obstacle to standardizing long-term DTC surveillance practices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin J. Kovatch
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, Vanderbilt Bill Wilkerson Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - David Reyes-Gastelum
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology & Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
| | | | | | - Ann S. Hamilton
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles
| | - Kevin C. Ward
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Megan R. Haymart
- Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology & Diabetes, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Stack BC, Twining C, Rastatter J, Angelos P, Baloch Z, Diercks G, Faquin W, Kazahaya K, Rivkees S, Sheyn T, Shin JJ, Smith J, Thompson G, Viswanathan P, Wassner A, Brooks J, Randolph GW. Consensus Statement by the American Association of Clinical Endocrinology (AACE) and the American Head and Neck Society Endocrine Surgery Section (AHNS) on Pediatric Benign and Malignant Thyroid Surgery. Endocr Pract 2020; 27:174-184. [PMID: 33779552 DOI: 10.1016/j.eprac.2020.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To provide a clinical disease state review of recent relevant literature and to generate expert consensus statements regarding the breadth of pediatric thyroid cancer diagnosis and care, with an emphasis on thyroid surgery. To generate expert statements to educate pediatric practitioners on the state-of-the-art practices and the value of surgical experience in the management of this unusual and challenging disease in children. METHODS A literature search was conducted and statements were constructed and subjected to a modified Delphi process to measure the consensus of the expert author panel. The wording of statements, voting tabulation, and statistical analysis were overseen by a Delphi expert (J.J.S.). RESULTS Twenty-five consensus statements were created and subjected to a modified Delphi analysis to measure the strength of consensus of the expert author panel. All statements reached a level of consensus, and the majority of statements reached the highest level of consensus. CONCLUSION Pediatric thyroid cancer has many unique nuances, such as bulky cervical adenopathy on presentation, an increased incidence of diffuse sclerosing variant, and a longer potential lifespan to endure potential complications from treatment. Complications can be a burden to parents and patients alike. We suggest that optimal outcomes and decreased morbidity will come from the use of advanced imaging, diagnostic testing, and neural monitoring of patients treated at high-volume centers by high-volume surgeons.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brendan C Stack
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois.
| | - Christine Twining
- Maine Medical Partners Endocrinology & Diabetes Center, Scarborough, Maine
| | - Jeff Rastatter
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Anne & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Peter Angelos
- Department of Surgery, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Zubair Baloch
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Gillian Diercks
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Thyroid and Parathyroid Endocrine Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - William Faquin
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ken Kazahaya
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Children's Hospital of Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Scott Rivkees
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
| | - Tony Sheyn
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, LeBonheur Children's Hospital, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center, Memphis, Tennessee
| | - Jennifer J Shin
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jessica Smith
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Pushpa Viswanathan
- Department of Pediatrics, Pittsburgh Children's Hospital, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Ari Wassner
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jennifer Brooks
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Thyroid and Parathyroid Endocrine Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Gregory W Randolph
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Thyroid and Parathyroid Endocrine Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Gorbea E, Goldrich DY, Agarwal J, Nayak R, Iloreta AM. The impact of surgeon volume on total thyroidectomy outcomes among otolaryngologists. Am J Otolaryngol 2020; 41:102726. [PMID: 32979668 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2020.102726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Revised: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the impact of surgeon volume on total thyroidectomy complications and outcomes among otolaryngologists. MATERIALS AND METHODS This state-wide, multi-hospital retrospective review identified patients who underwent total thyroidectomy (TT) (ICD9-06.4) through the Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System (SPARCS) between 1995 and 2015. Surgeons were categorized into high (>100), medium (10-99), and low (<10) volume groups and differences in complication rates were analyzed. Statistical analysis employed Spearman's rank correlation, Kruskal-Wallis testing, and chi-squared testing. RESULTS 32,133 TT performed by 1032 otolaryngologists were identified. Overall complication rate in our cohort was 9.83% (CI: 9.48-10.18). The most common complication identified overall was hypocalcemia occurring in 3.85% of cases. Surgeons in the high volume group had a complication rate of 9.6%, compared to 10.0% and 11.6% in the medium and low volume groups. This represents a moderate, but statistically significant difference (rho: -0.4, p < 0.0001; KW p ≤0.0001). When looking at individual complications, temporary tracheostomy rate was higher in the low volume group (5.1%, p = 0.001). Other variables such as advanced age, sex, non-white race, or thyroid malignancy were not predictors of increased complication rates for TT. CONCLUSIONS Otolaryngologists who perform a high volume of total thyroidectomy were found to have overall less perioperative complications than those with less volume. In particular, the risk of temporary tracheostomy is higher among low volume surgeons. These findings are consistent with previous studies of the effect of thyroidectomy volume on surgical complications.
Collapse
|
36
|
Completion Total Thyroidectomy Is Not Necessary for Papillary Thyroid Microcarcinoma with Occult Central Lymph Node Metastasis: A Long-Term Serial Follow-Up. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12103032. [PMID: 33081050 PMCID: PMC7603084 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12103032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The necessity of completion total thyroidectomy is unclear in patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) with only pathological central lymph node metastasis (pCLNM). The aim of our study was to determine the necessity of completion total thyroidectomy after an initial surgery by comparing the prognosis according to the presence of pCLNM during a long-term follow-up. We retrospectively compared the pathological central lymph node (pCLN)-positive group of 165 patients who underwent thyroid lobectomy with the pCLN-negative group of 711 patients and found no difference between the two groups in the recurrence rate and disease-free survival rates. Therefore, PTMC patients who underwent thyroid lobectomy with prophylactic central compartment neck dissection and were diagnosed with pCLNM after surgery do not require completion total thyroidectomy. Abstract The necessity of completion total thyroidectomy in patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) and pathological central lymph node metastasis (pCLNM) who underwent thyroid lobectomy with central compartment neck dissection (CCND) is unclear. We determined the necessity of completion total thyroidectomy by retrospectively comparing the prognosis according to the presence of pCLNM during a long-term follow-up. We enrolled 876 patients with PTMC who underwent thyroid lobectomy with prophylactic CCND from January 1986 to December 2009. Patients were divided according to central lymph node (CLN) metastasis: 165 (18.8%) and 711 (81.2%) in the CLN-positive and CLN-negative groups, respectively. Medical records were reviewed retrospectively, and clinicopathologic characteristics and recurrence rates were analyzed. The CLN-positive group was associated with male sex (p = 0.001), larger tumor size (p < 0.001), and more microscopic capsular invasion (p < 0.001) compared with the CLN-negative group. There was no significant difference between the two groups’ recurrence (p = 0.133) or disease-free (p = 0.065) survival rates. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed no factors associated with tumor recurrence except male sex (hazard ratio = 3.043, confidence interval 1.117–8.288, p = 0.030). Patients who were diagnosed with pCLNM after undergoing thyroid lobectomy with prophylactic CCND do not require completion total thyroidectomy; however, frequent follow-up is necessary for patients with PTMC and pCLNM.
Collapse
|
37
|
Kaliszewski K, Diakowska D, Wojtczak B, Rudnicki J. Cancer screening activity results in overdiagnosis and overtreatment of papillary thyroid cancer: A 10-year experience at a single institution. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0236257. [PMID: 32692768 PMCID: PMC7373277 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0236257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background It is estimated that one of the potential cause of the increasing prevalence of thyroid cancer (TC) is the easier and widespread access to diagnostic tools. If an individual evaluates the thyroid gland due to a mentioned mechanism without considering TC risk factors or symptoms, we can describe this phenomenon as cancer screening activity (CSA). Aim of the study We 1) estimated what types of TC were diagnosed due to CSA, 2) analyzed what clinicopathological features were characteristic of TCs diagnosed by CSA, 3) determined if these features were characteristic of indolent cases, and finally we 4) assessed whether CSA could have resulted in the increasing incidence of potentially indolent papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Materials and methods A retrospective review of 4,701 medical records of patients admitted and surgically treated at one surgical center between 2008 and 2017 was performed. Among the enrolled patients, 569 (12.1%) had thyroid malignancy, and 514 (10.9%) were diagnosed with PTC. We divided these patients into two groups: 1) patients in whom TC diagnostics were performed without considering any TC risk factors or symptoms (CSA-yes) and 2) those in whom TC was diagnosed due to TC risk factors or symptoms (CSA-no). We then compared the clinicopathological features of these two groups. Results The most common type of TC diagnosed in the CSA-group was PTC (p = 0.024). CSA-yes patients showed a significantly lower degree of Tumor-Node-Metastasis (TNM) staging and demonstrated a significantly lower rate of multifocality, but not of bilaterality (p<0.0001 and p = 0.198, respectively). In the CSA-yes group, the number of TC foci was significantly lower than that in the CSA-no group (p<0.0001). All clinicopathological features characteristic of aggressive cases of TC were absent in CSA-yes patients (p<0.0001), while all features observed in CSA-yes patients were characteristic of indolent cases (p<0.0001). Conclusions The use of CSA results in the diagnosis of indolent cases of PTC and may be one of the potential causes of overdiagnosis and overtreatment of this malignancy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Kaliszewski
- Department of General, Minimally Invasive and Endocrine Surgery, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
- * E-mail:
| | - Dorota Diakowska
- Department of Nervous System Diseases, Faculty of Health Science, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Beata Wojtczak
- Department of General, Minimally Invasive and Endocrine Surgery, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Jerzy Rudnicki
- Department of General, Minimally Invasive and Endocrine Surgery, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Is Less More? A Microsimulation Model Comparing Cost-effectiveness of the Revised American Thyroid Association's 2015 to 2009 Guidelines for the Management of Patients With Thyroid Nodules and Differentiated Thyroid Cancer. Ann Surg 2020; 271:765-773. [PMID: 30339630 DOI: 10.1097/sla.0000000000003074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess relative clinical and economic performance of the revised American Thyroid Association (ATA) thyroid cancer guidelines compared to current standard of care. BACKGROUND Diagnosis of thyroid cancer in the United States has tripled whereas mortality has only marginally increased. Most patients present with small papillary carcinomas and have historically received at least a total thyroidectomy as a treatment. In 2015, the ATA released the revised guidelines recommending an option for active surveillance (AS) of small papillary thyroid carcinoma and thyroid lobectomy for larger unifocal tumors. METHODS We created a Markov microsimulation model to evaluate the performance of the ATA's 2015 guidelines compared to the ATA's 2009 guidelines. We modeled a cohort of simulated patients with demographic and thyroid nodule characteristics representative of those presenting clinically in the United States. Outcome measures include life expectancy, quality-adjusted life years, costs, and frequency of surgical adverse events. RESULTS In our base case analysis, the ATA 2015 strategy dominates the ATA 2009 strategy. The ATA 2015 strategy delivers greater discounted average quality-adjusted life years (13.09 vs 12.43) at a lower discounted average cost ($14,752 vs $20,126). Deaths due to thyroid cancer under the 2015 strategy are higher than the 2009 strategy but this is offset by a reduction in surgical deaths, leading to greater average life expectancy under the ATA 2015 strategy. The optimal strategy is sensitive to patients who experience a greater decrement in quality of life while undergoing AS. CONCLUSIONS The ATA 2015 Guidelines represent a cost-effective strategy regarding AS and extent of surgery.
Collapse
|
39
|
Lorenz K, Raffaeli M, Barczyński M, Lorente-Poch L, Sancho J. Volume, outcomes, and quality standards in thyroid surgery: an evidence-based analysis-European Society of Endocrine Surgeons (ESES) positional statement. Langenbecks Arch Surg 2020; 405:401-425. [PMID: 32524467 PMCID: PMC8275525 DOI: 10.1007/s00423-020-01907-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Continuous efforts in surgical speciality aim to improve outcome. Therefore, correlation of volume and outcome, developing subspecialization, and identification of reliable parameters to identify and measure quality in surgery gain increasing attention in the surgical community as well as in public health care systems, and by health care providers. The need to investigate these correlations in the area of endocrine surgery was identified by ESES, and thyroid surgery was chosen for this analysis of the prevalent literature with regard to outcome and volume. MATERIALS AND METHODS A literature search that is detailed below about correlation between volume and outcome in thyroid surgery was performed and assessed from an evidence-based perspective. Following presentation and live data discussion, a revised final positional statement was presented and consented by the ESES assembly. RESULTS There is a lack of prospective randomized controlled studies for all items representing quality parameters of thyroid surgery using uniform definitions. Therefore, evidence levels are low and recommendation grades are based mainly on expert and peer evaluation of the prevalent data. CONCLUSION In thyroid surgery a volume and outcome relationship exists with respect to the prevalence of complications. Besides volume, cumulative experience is expected to improve outcomes. In accordance with global data, a case load of < 25 thyroidectomies per surgeon per year appears to identify a low-volume surgeon, while > 50 thyroidectomies per surgeon per year identify a high-volume surgeon. A center with a case load of > 100 thyroidectomies per year is considered high-volume. Thyroid cancer and autoimmune thyroid disease predict an increased risk of surgical morbidity and should be operated by high-volume surgeons. Oncological results of thyroid cancer surgery are significantly better when performed by high-volume surgeons.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Lorenz
- Department of Visceral, Vascular, and Endocrine Surgery, Martin-Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube Strasse, 40 06120, Halle an der Saale, Germany.
| | - Marco Raffaeli
- U.O.C. Chirurgia Endocrina e Matabolica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
- Dipartimento Universitario di Medicina e Chirurgia Traslazionale, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Marcin Barczyński
- Department of Endocrine Surgery, Third Chair of General Surgery, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
| | - Leyre Lorente-Poch
- Secció del Servei de Cirurgia General de l'Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Sancho
- Secció del Servei de Cirurgia General de l'Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Swonke ML, Shakibai N, Chaaban MR. Medical Malpractice Trends in Thyroidectomies among General Surgeons and Otolaryngologists. OTO Open 2020; 4:2473974X20921141. [PMID: 32435722 PMCID: PMC7223205 DOI: 10.1177/2473974x20921141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives This study aims to examine litigation trends with thyroidectomies in the United States from 1984 to 2018. Methods We used the Westlaw legal database to collect data on the defendant, plaintiff, case demographics, alleged reasons for malpractice, additional complications, and case outcomes. Results The most common reason for litigation was vocal cord paralysis (51%, n = 28), with the majority ruling in favor of the defendant (64%, P = .042). Of those, 43% of cases (n = 12) were due to unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury, and 39% (n = 11) were due to bilateral RLN injury. Of the claims due to vocal cord paralysis that resulted in indemnity payment (36%), the majority included additional damages, such as lack of informed consent (30%) or subsequent damages from permanent tracheostomy (40%), which is usually a result of bilateral nerve paralysis. Conclusion RLN injury was the most common complication leading to trial, with most cases ruling in favor of the defense. However, most verdicts that favored the plaintiff or those that settled were due to subsequent damages from bilateral nerve paralysis, such as permanent tracheostomy. We encourage surgeons to consider a staged procedure in high-risk cases or cases with signal loss. There needs to be a bigger emphasis on informed consent in the training of surgeons. Surgeons should educate patients at high risk on potential surgical complications that may drastically affect their quality of life.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Megan L Swonke
- Department of Otolaryngology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Nasim Shakibai
- School of Medicine, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
41
|
Razavi CR, Tanavde V, Shaear M, Richmon JD, Russell JO. Simulations and simulators in head and neck endocrine surgery. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 5. [PMID: 32395699 DOI: 10.21037/aot.2020.03.03] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Simulations and simulators have become an increasingly important tool in trainee education across many surgical disciplines, particularly for robotic and minimally invasive procedures. Thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy are common procedures performed across multiple surgical disciplines, however, there is limited literature regarding training models/simulators for these operations. This is despite the advent and growing popularity of remote-access thyroidectomy techniques, where simulators may provide significant value in trainee education and safe implementation. Here we review the literature regarding available simulations/simulators in head and neck endocrine surgery for both conventional transcervical approaches and newer remote-access thyroidectomy techniques.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christopher R Razavi
- Division of Head & Neck Endocrine Surgery, Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ved Tanavde
- Division of Head & Neck Endocrine Surgery, Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mohammad Shaear
- Division of Head & Neck Endocrine Surgery, Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jeremy D Richmon
- Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jonathon O Russell
- Division of Head & Neck Endocrine Surgery, Department of Otolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Yekikian M, Ganry L, Fernandes R. Thyroid surgery outcomes analysis in an oral and maxillofacial surgery department. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg 2019; 49:717-721. [PMID: 31874715 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijom.2019.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Revised: 10/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to identify complication rates of thyroidectomies performed within the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Florida Health - Jacksonville, and to compare these with quantified data regarding complications of thyroidectomies performed by other specialties. A retrospective cohort analysis was implemented to determine complication rates amongst patients treated in the department between January 2012 and December 2017. Data variables included demographics, ASA status, social history, and preoperative signs and symptoms. The primary outcome variables were length of hospital length, secondary procedures in the same admission, and postoperative complications including hypocalcemia, hematoma, and voice changes. A total of 402 patients were identified, of whom six were excluded for insufficient data. The mean age of the 396 patients included was 47.9 years and 84.6% were female. Of the patients included, 338 experienced no complications; 86 patients spent more than one postoperative day in the hospital. A statistically significant (P=0.033) correlation was found between higher ASA status (III, IV, V) and increased length of stay. The results indicated safe and efficient thyroid surgery within a department of oral and maxillofacial surgery by current prevailing standards.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Yekikian
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Florida Health - Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Florida, USA.
| | - Laurent Ganry
- Department of Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France; Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital of Armand-Trousseau, Paris, France.
| | - Rui Fernandes
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Florida Health - Jacksonville, Jacksonville, Florida, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to determine severe hypocalcemia rate following thyroidectomy and factors associated with its occurrence. BACKGROUND Hypocalcemia is the most common complication after thyroidectomy. Severe post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia can be life-threatening; data on this specific complication are scarce. METHODS Patients who underwent thyroidectomy in the American College of Surgeons-National Surgical Quality Improvement Program thyroidectomy-targeted database (2016-2017) were abstracted. A severe hypocalcemic event was defined as hypocalcemia requiring intravenous calcium, emergent clinic/hospital visit, or a readmission for hypocalcemia. Multivariable regression was used to identify factors independently associated with occurrence of severe hypocalcemia. RESULTS Severe hypocalcemia occurred in 5.8% (n = 428) of 7366 thyroidectomy patients, with 83.2% necessitating intravenous calcium treatment. Rate of severe hypocalcemia varied by diagnosis and procedure (0.5% for subtotal thyroidectomy to 12.5% for thyroidectomy involving neck dissections). Overall, 38.3% of severe hypocalcemic events occurred after discharge; in this subset, 59.1% experienced severe hypocalcemia despite being discharged with calcium and vitamin D. Severe hypocalcemia patients had higher rates of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury (13.4% vs 6.6%), unplanned reoperations (4.4% vs 1.3%), and longer hospital stay (30.4% vs 6.2% ≥3 days (all P < 0.01). After multivariate adjustment, severe hypocalcemia was associated with multiple factors including Graves disease [odds ratio (OR) = 2.06], lateral neck dissections (OR: 3.10), and unexpected reoperations (OR = 3.55); all P values less than 0.01. CONCLUSIONS Severe hypocalcemia and suboptimal hypocalcemia management after thyroidectomy are common. Patients who experienced severe hypocalcemia had higher rates of nerve injury and unexpected reoperations, indicating surgical complexity and provider inexperience. More biochemical surveillance particularly a parathyroid hormone-based protocol, fine-tuned supplementation, and selective referral could reduce occurrence of this morbid complication.
Collapse
|
44
|
Melfa G, Porello C, Cocorullo G, Raspanti C, Rotolo G, Attard A, Gullo R, Bonventre S, Gulotta G, Scerrino G. Surgeon volume and hospital volume in endocrine neck surgery: how many procedures are needed for reaching a safety level and acceptable costs? A systematic narrative review. G Chir 2019; 39:5-11. [PMID: 29549675 DOI: 10.11138/gchir/2018.39.1.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The relationship between quality of care and provider's experience is well known in all fields of surgery. Even in thyroidectomies and parathyroidectomies, the emphasis on positive volume-outcome relationships is believed. It led us to an evaluation of volume activity's impact in terms of quality of care. A systematic narrative review was performed. According to the PRISMA criteria, we selected 87 paper and, after the study selection was performed, 22 studies were finally included in this review. All articles included were unanimous in attributing to activity volume of surgeons as well as centers a substantial importance. Some differences in outcomes between these investigated categories have been found: best results of the high volume surgeon is evident expecially in terms of complications, on the contrary best outcomes of a high volume center are mainly economics, such as hospital stay and general costs of the procedures. A cut-off of 35-40 thyroidectomies per year for single surgeon, and 90-100 thyroidectomies for single center appears reasonable for identifying an adequate activity. Concerning parathyroidectomy, we can consider reasonable a cut off at 10-12 operations/year. More studies are needed in a European or more circumscribed perspective.
Collapse
|
45
|
Need for Completion Thyroidectomy in Patients Undergoing Lobectomy for Indeterminate and High-Risk Nodules: Impact of Intra-Operative Findings and Final Pathology. World J Surg 2019; 44:408-416. [PMID: 31531727 DOI: 10.1007/s00268-019-05189-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Current guidelines increasingly suggest the use of thyroid lobectomy for indeterminate (Bethesda 3 and 4) and high-risk (Bethesda 5 and 6) thyroid nodules; however, the clinical reality is often very different. MATERIALS AND METHODS The aim of this study was to determine the rate of completion thyroidectomy (CTx) for indeterminate and high-risk thyroid nodules which are pre-operatively classified as suitable for unilateral resection (lobe eligible) based on current guidelines. Seven hundred consecutive patients with thyroid nodules and FNA cytology over four years (2015-2018) were reviewed. RESULTS Distribution of the dominant nodules by Bethesda was: non-diagnostic 3.9%, benign 28.1%, atypia of unknown significance 19.0%, follicular neoplasm 23.6%, suspicious for malignancy 6.1% and malignancy 19.3%. Of 298 indeterminate nodules, 68.8% (205/298) had relative but independent indications for a total thyroidectomy (TTx) and the remainder were candidates for lobectomy. For these lobe eligible patients, the overall risk of ultimately needing a TTx was 19.4% (18/93), comprising 4.3% (4/93) from intra-operative findings and 15.7% (14/89) from final pathology. Similarly, of 170 high-risk nodules, 63.5% (108/170) had upfront indications for a TTx and the remaining 62 nodules were lobe eligible. Of the patients taken to the operating room for a lobectomy, 21.0% (13/62) were upgraded to a TTx intra-operatively and 26.5% (13/49) post-operatively. The lobe success rate for indeterminate nodules was 25.2% and for high-risk nodules was 21.2%. The rate of CTx, or the proportion of patients needing a second operation was 15.7% (14/89) and 26.5% (13/49), respectively. CONCLUSIONS In counselling a patient for surgery, the risk of needing a more radical initial procedure or second surgery needs to be accurately explained. There are three points of care that can influence operative strategy, pre-operatively by way of high-risk clinical factors, intra-operatively via anatomical findings and post-operatively in response to unrecognized pathological features. Additionally, the patient's personal value judgment and level of risk aversion should be taken into consideration.
Collapse
|
46
|
Accreditation of endocrine surgery units. Langenbecks Arch Surg 2019; 404:779-793. [PMID: 31494716 DOI: 10.1007/s00423-019-01820-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE A key measure to maintain and improve the quality of healthcare is the formal accreditation of provider units. The European Society of Endocrine Surgeons (ESES) therefore proposes a system of accreditation for endocrine surgical centers in Europe to supplement existing measures that promote high standards in the practice in endocrine surgery. METHODS A working group analyzed the current healthcare situation in the field of endocrine surgery in Europe. Two surveys were distributed to ESES members to acquire information about the structure, staffing, caseload, specifications, and technology available to endocrine surgery units. Further data were sought on tracer diagnoses for quality standards, training provision, and research activity. Existing accreditation models related to endocrine surgery were included in the analysis. RESULTS The analysis of existing accreditation models, available evidence, and survey results suggests that a majority of ESES members aspire to a two-level model (termed competence and reference centers), sub-divided into those providing neck endocrine surgery and those providing endocrine surgery. Criteria for minimum caseload, number and certification of staff, unit structure, on-site collaborating disciplines, research activities, and training capacity for competence center accreditation are proposed. Lastly, quality indicators for distinct tracer diagnoses are defined. CONCLUSIONS Differing healthcare structures, existing accreditation models, training models, and varied case volumes across Europe are barriers to the conception and implementation of a pan-European accreditation model. However, there is consensus on accepted standards required for accrediting an ESES competence center. These will serve as a basis for first-stage accreditation of endocrine surgery units.
Collapse
|
47
|
DiMarco A, Chotalia R, Bloxham R, McIntyre C, Tolley N, Palazzo FF. Does fluoroscopy prevent inadvertent parathyroidectomy in thyroid surgery? Ann R Coll Surg Engl 2019; 101:508-513. [PMID: 31305127 PMCID: PMC6667958 DOI: 10.1308/rcsann.2019.0065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Near-infrared imaging may facilitate intraoperative identification of parathyroid glands by causing autofluorescence but its clinical value has not been established. Inadvertent parathyroidectomy occurs in 5-22% of thyroidectomies and is associated with temporary and permanent hypoparathyroidism. The aim of this study was to determine whether near-infrared imaging prevents inadvertent parathyroidectomy and early hypocalcaemia as a surrogate for permanent hypoparathyroidism. MATERIALS AND METHODS Near-infrared imaging was used in a prospective cohort of consecutive thyroidectomies. Thyroidectomies performed prior to the introduction of near-infrared imaging formed a control group. The thyroid bed and specimen were scanned with near-infrared imaging. Areas of autofluorescence on the specimen were examined and any parathyroid tissue found was autotransplanted. Inadvertent parathyroidectomy was therefore recorded as established intraoperatively by near-infrared imaging (allowing autotransplantation) or on subsequent histology (missed). Serum calcium and parathyroid hormone were measured on day one and at two weeks and six months postoperatively. RESULTS A total of 269 patients were included: 106 near-infrared imaging and 163 controls. Inadvertent parathyroidectomy was detected by near-infrared imaging in two (and autotransplantation performed) and histologically (i.e. missed by near-infrared imaging in 13, 12.3% vs 17, 10.4% controls). Neither result was statistically significant (P = 0.08, 0.89). There was no significant difference in serum calcium or parathyroid hormone between near-infrared imaging and control groups at one day, two weeks or thereafter. DISCUSSION Near-infrared imaging may detect inadvertent parathyroidectomy and may allow autotransplantation. It did not, however, reduce the incidence of missed inadvertent parathyroidectomy and no difference was seen in early hypocalcaemia or late hypoparathyroidism. Current near-infrared imaging technology does not appear to confer a clinical benefit sufficient to justify its use.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A DiMarco
- Department of Endocrine Surgery, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - R Chotalia
- Department of Endocrine Surgery, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - R Bloxham
- Department of Endocrine Surgery, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
| | - C McIntyre
- Department of Endocrine Surgery, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - N Tolley
- Department of Endocrine Surgery, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - FF Palazzo
- Department of Endocrine Surgery, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College, London, UK
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Patel N, Scott-Coombes D. Impact of surgical volume and surgical outcome assessing registers on the quality of thyroid surgery. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab 2019; 33:101317. [PMID: 31526606 DOI: 10.1016/j.beem.2019.101317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The available evidence concerning the relationship between volume and outcome for thyroid surgery is assessed in this article. Morbidity forms the principal surrogate marker of thyroid surgery quality for which postoperative hypocalcaemia and recurrent laryngeal nerve injuries are most commonly reported upon. Whilst there is an abundance of published data for these outcomes, interpretation to recommend annual volume thresholds is challenging. This is due to a lack of consensus on definitions not only for outcomes but high and low volume surgeons. The evidence reviewed in this article supports the notion that high volume surgeons achieve superior outcomes in thyroid surgery quality though it is not possible to recommend minimal annual volumes on the basis of this evidence alone. Every thyroid surgeon should know their own outcomes and how they compare with their peers and engagement in thyroid surgery registries can facilitate this.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Neil Patel
- Department of Endocrine and General Surgery, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park Way, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XW, UK
| | - David Scott-Coombes
- Department of Endocrine and General Surgery, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park Way, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XW, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Abstract
Nodules in the thyroid are frequent. Preoperative investigations including fine-needle cytology and ultrasound cannot in all patients rule out malignancy. Thus, surgical excision for histopathologic examination is often needed. In this narrative review, we examine aspects of the surgical management of indeterminate thyroid nodules, using a comprehensive review of the available literature. The authors manually searched PubMed for relevant literature, including recently published guidelines. Hemithyroidectomy without lymph node dissection remains the recommended management in indeterminate thyroid nodules, i.e., the complete removal of one lobe of the thyroid, for indeterminate thyroid nodules, defined as nodules with fine-needle cytology fulfilling the criteria of Bethesda III or IV categories. At surgery, it is important to preserve the recurrent and superior laryngeal nerves, and intraoperative neuromonitoring is a useful adjunct. Recent data also suggest that parathyroid autofluorescent techniques are promising tools for parathyroid preservation. There is still lack of specific preoperative investigations to rule in or out central lymph node metastasis. Intraoperative frozen section of lymph nodes can be valuable, but prophylactic or diagnostic central lymph node dissection is not routinely recommended. Outcomes after thyroid surgery are better with high-volume surgeons and institutions. Surgery is probably best performed by high-volume surgeons in institutions with on-site expert pathologists and with technical adjuncts available for nerve and parathyroid preservation. Day-care surgery may be an option for selected patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Almquist
- Department of Surgery, Skane University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.,Institution for Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Andreas Muth
- Department of Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Effect of surgeons' annual operative volume on the risk of permanent Hypoparathyroidism, recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy and Haematoma following thyroidectomy: analysis of United Kingdom registry of endocrine and thyroid surgery (UKRETS). Langenbecks Arch Surg 2019; 404:421-430. [PMID: 31254103 DOI: 10.1007/s00423-019-01798-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2018] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Categorize data to investigate the surgeon volume outcome relationship in thyroidectomies. Determine the evidence base for recommending a minimum number of thyroidectomies performed per year to maintain surgical competency. METHODS Data on thyroid operations in the United Kingdom Registry of Endocrine and Thyroid Surgery (UKRETS) from 01/09/2010 to 31/08/2016 was analysed. The primary outcome measure was permanent hypoparathyroidism (PH). Recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy (RLN) and post-operative haematoma were also examined. Exclusion criteria included patient age > 85 or < 18 years, and surgeons contributing <10 operations. Data analysis was performed using general additive models and mixed effect logistic regression for PH and binary logistic regression for others. RESULTS For PH 10313 bilateral thyroid operations were analysed. The Annual rate (AR, p = 0.012) and nodal dissection (P < 10-7) were significant factors. 25,038 thyroidectomies were analysed to investigate the effect of surgeon Volume on RLN palsy and haematoma. Age, retrosternal goitre, routine laryngoscopy, re-operation, nodal Dissection, bilateral thyroidectomy, RLN monitoring and surgeon volume were significantly associated with RLN palsy. Post-operative haematoma showed no significant correlation to surgeon volume. Categorisation of AR showed that PH and RLN palsy rates declined in surgeons performing >50 cases/year to a minimum of 3% and 2.6% respectively in highest volume AR group (>100 cases/year). CONCLUSION Surgeon annual operative volume is a factor in determining outcome from thyroid surgery. Results are limited by a high proportion of missing data, which could potentially bias the outcome, but tentatively suggests the minimum recommended number of thyroid operations / year should be 50 cases.
Collapse
|