Hypocalcemia following total and subtotal thyroidectomy and associated factors

Thyroidectomy under local versus general anesthesia in health camp settings in Uganda: a randomized prospective equivalence single-blind controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Endemic goiter is highly prevalent in Uganda, placing a considerable surgical burden on the healthcare system. Across Africa, prevalence varies widely, reaching 60.2%, with visible goiter affecting 30% of Uganda's rural population despite salt iodization programs. Despite evidence supporting thyroidectomy under local anesthesia (LA) for selected cases, its importance is underestimated moreover with limited access to general anesthesia (GA) and critical care providers in resource-constrained settings. The trial compared outcomes of thyroidectomy under LA versus GA in grade 1-2 uncomplicated euthyroid goiter patients in Uganda, with an aim to assess feasibility of LA as an alternative technique.

METHODS

In this prospective equivalence randomized, single-blind controlled trial, participants with grade 1-2 uncomplicated euthyroid goiters were enrolled and randomly assigned to two arms (LA and GA) during surgical camps in Uganda. The study compared early postoperative outcomes, including nausea, vomiting, hematoma formation, transient voice changes, and pain at 6, 12, and 24 h. It also assessed overall incurred material and medication costs, patient satisfaction using a 5-point Likert scale, and willingness to undergo a similar procedure with the same anesthetic technique at 30 days.

RESULTS

Fifty-eight participants undergoing thyroidectomy received random assignment, twenty-nine for each arm. No significant differences were found between the 2 groups in demographics, symptom duration, and early post-operative complications or patients' level of satisfaction (P > 0.05). However, the overall material and medication costs were significantly lower in the LA Group (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Thyroidectomy under LA can be performed in a well-selected patient population with low complication rates and comparable patient satisfaction to GA. These findings may support LA for thyroidectomy as a valuable cost-efficient alternative, especially in low-resource settings with fewer GA providers.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

First registered on 31/07/2022, PACTR202208635457430 by Pan African Clinical Trial Registry.

Incidental Parathyroidectomy After Thyroid Surgery: A Single-Center Study

BACKGROUND

Hypoparathyroidism with hypocalcemia is the most frequent complication after thyroid surgery. Many risk factors have been involved in the development of this complication, with conflicting results. Incidental parathyroidectomy (IP) may be a frequent cause of postoperative hypocalcemia. In this study, we have evaluated the risk factors associated with the IP in a single-center cohort of patients undergoing thyroid surgery.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The incidence and the risk factors for IP were evaluated in 799 patients scheduled for surgical treatment for thyroid disease between January 2018 and December 2023. Parathyroid hormone levels and serum calcium levels, together with the histological specimens, were evaluated in all patients.

RESULTS

Post-operative temporary hypocalcemia was present in 239 (29.9%) patients. A total of 144 patients (21.9%) had an incidental parathyroidectomy. Younger patients (<40 years) had the highest risk of having an incidental parathyroidectomy (RR 1.53 (95% CI 1.084-2.161), OR 1.72 (95% CI 1.091-2.710), p = 0.014). Moreover, thyroid cancer (RR 1.4 (95 CI 1.114-1.882) OR 1.68 (95% CI 1.145-2.484), p < 0.05) and the neck dissection (RR 1.75 (95% CI 1.409-2.198) OR 2.38 (95% CI 1.644-3.460), p < 0.001) were strongly associated with the risk of incidental parathyroidectomy.

CONCLUSIONS

Younger female patients with thyroid cancer and neck dissection were at the highest risk of incidental parathyroidectomy. A meticulous surgical dissection, together with imaging methods for the detection of the parathyroid glands, may reduce the incidence of this complication.

Hungry bone syndrome following thyroid surgery

The diagnosis of hypocalcemia-induced tetany following a total thyroidectomy is not common. However, there is a higher risk in patients with a history of gastric bypass surgery due to their malabsorption condition. This case describes postoperative hungry bone syndrome resulting from chronic malabsorption in a patient with a history of bariatric surgery. It is important to consider alternative treatment options if the initial management proves ineffective. Typically, this is a temporary condition, but it's crucial to prioritize prevention in high-risk patients by providing perioperative calcium and vitamin D supplementation.

How to Manage Advanced Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: Step-by-Step Analysis from Two Italian Tertiary Referral Centers

BACKGROUND

Differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) has an excellent prognosis; however, advanced disease is associated with a worse prognosis and is relatively common. Surgery followed by RAI treatment remains the mainstream treatment for a large majority of patients with high- and intermediate-risk DTC, but its benefits should be carefully weighed against the potential for harm. The aim of this paper is to critically review the experience in treating advanced DTC at two tertiary referral centers in Italy.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of 300 patients who underwent surgery for ADTC over 30 years.

RESULTS

The complication rate was 50.33%. A total of 135 patients (45%) remained at regular follow-up, 118 (87.4%) were alive, while 17 (12.6%) were deceased. The mean overall survival at 12 years was 84.8% with a mean of 238 months. Eleven patients (8.1%) experienced a relapse after a median of 13 months.

CONCLUSIONS

ADTC patients adequately treated can achieve prolonged survival even in the case of metastasis or disease relapse. Patients with ADTC should be referred to high-volume centers with the availability of an extended multidisciplinary team to receive tailored treatment.

Risk Factors for Hypoparathyroidism after Thyroid Surgery: A Single-Center Study

BACKGROUND

Hypoparathyroidism is one of the most common complications after thyroidectomy. This study evaluated the incidence and potential risk factors for postoperative hypoparathyroidism after thyroid surgical procedures in a single high-volume center.

METHODS

In this retrospective study, in all patients undergoing thyroid surgery from 2018 to 2021, a 6 h postoperative parathyroid hormone level (PTH) was evaluated. Patients were divided into two groups based on 6 h postoperative PTH levels (≤12 and >12 pg/mL).

RESULTS

A total of 734 patients were enrolled in this study. Most patients (702, 95.6%) underwent a total thyroidectomy, while 32 patients underwent a lobectomy (4.4%). A total of 230 patients (31.3%) had a postoperative PTH level of <12 pg/mL. Postoperative temporary hypoparathyroidism was more frequently associated with female sex, age < 40 y, neck dissection, the yield of lymph node dissection, and incidental parathyroidectomy. Incidental parathyroidectomy was reported in 122 patients (16.6%) and was correlated with thyroid cancer and neck dissection.

CONCLUSIONS

Young patients undergoing neck dissection and with incidental parathyroidectomy have the highest risk of postoperative hypoparathyroidism after thyroid surgery. However, incidental parathyroidectomy did not necessarily correlate with postoperative hypocalcemia, suggesting that the pathogenesis of this complication is multifactorial and may include an impaired blood supply to parathyroid glands during thyroid surgery.

In silico dose adjustment of levothyroxine after total thyroidectomy using fuzzy logic methodology: A proof-of-concept study

Thyroid hormone replacement therapy is used to raise undesirably low concentrations of natural thyroid hormones, commonly by administrating levothyroxine (LT4). Finding the appropriate LT4 dose regime, particularly for patients undergone thyroidectomy, is still demanding more effort, and much research has been conducted. Providing a new fuzzy logic system, a useful control algorithm, we aim to introduce a proper LT4 dosing regimen for every thyroidectomized patient in a computerized environment. Consequently, we contrast the differences between our proposed dose regime and conventional monotherapy methods using THYROSIM, a thyroid simulation application. Considering our nine defined comparative criteria, results reveal that the FLS dose regime is dominant in terms of six indexes, while the discrepancies are not noticeable in the other three indexes. A great superiority of FLS dose regime is its ability to reduce the time to reach desirable thyrotropin (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, TSH) serum concentration to 6 days post-thyroidectomy, and keep the T4, T3, and TSH values in the normal window afterward. The proposed FLS could be an applicable decision support system for physicians as they can define their intended Individual Target Value of TSH for each patient to optimize LT4 dose adjustment.

Risk Factors for Low Levels of Parathyroid Hormone after Surgery for Thyroid Cancer: A Single Center Study

Background: Thyroidectomy is the definitive treatment for most patients with thyroid cancer. Hypoparathyroidism is the most frequent complication of thyroidectomy, and its pathogenesis is multifactorial. The aim of this study is to evaluate the patient- and surgical-related risk factors for hypoparathyroidism after surgery for thyroid cancer. Methods: In this retrospective study, patients referred to surgery for thyroid cancer from 2016 to 2019 were enrolled. Preoperative serum calcium and parathyroid hormone (PTH) and postoperative 24 h PTH and calcium levels were evaluated. Demographic data, type of surgery, incidence of hypoparathyroidism and hypocalcemia were recorded for all the patients. Patients were divided into two groups based on post-operative PTH levels (≤12 and >12 pg/mL). Results: A total of 189 patients were enrolled in this study. There were 146 women (87.3%) and 43 men (22.7%), with a mean age of 51.3 years. A total of 79 patients (41.7%) underwent a neck dissection. A total of 59 patients (31.1%) had a postoperative PTH level < 12 pg/mL. Female sex, neck dissection, the yield of lymph node dissection and incidental parathyroidectomy were significantly associated with postoperative hypoparathyroidism. Incidental parathyroidectomy was reported in 44 (23.2%) patients and was correlated with younger age (<40 years) and neck dissection. There was no difference in the rate of post-operative hypocalcemia between patients with incidental parathyroidectomy and those without. Conclusions: Young patients undergoing neck dissection and with incidental parathyroidectomy have the highest risk of postoperative hypoparathyroidism after surgery for thyroid cancer. However, a large proportion of patients without incidental parathyroidectomy may have temporary hypocalcemia, suggesting that impaired blood supply of parathyroid glands during their identification and dissection may play a relevant role.