Impact of surgical volume and surgical outcome assessing registers on the quality of thyroid surgery

Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: A Health Economic Review

Simple Summary

This review reflects on health economic considerations associated with the increasing diagnosis and treatment of differentiated thyroid cancer. Analysis of different relevant health economic topics, such as overdiagnosis, overtreatment, surgical costs, and costs of follow-up are being addressed. Several unanswered research questions such as optimising molecular markers for diagnosis, active surveillance of primary tumours, and improved risk stratification and survivorship care all influence future healthcare expenditures.

Abstract

The incidence of differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) is rising, mainly because of an increased detection of asymptomatic thyroid nodularity revealed by the liberal use of thyroid ultrasound. This review aims to reflect on the health economic considerations associated with the increasing diagnosis and treatment of DTC. Overdiagnosis and the resulting overtreatment have led to more surgical procedures, increasing health care and patients’ costs, and a large pool of community-dwelling thyroid cancer follow-up patients. Additionally, the cost of thyroid surgery seems to increase year on year even when inflation is taken into account. The increased healthcare costs and spending have placed significant pressure to identify potential factors associated with these increased costs. Some truly ground-breaking work in health economics has been undertaken, but more cost-effectiveness studies and micro-cost analyses are required to evaluate expenses and guide future solutions.

Initial outcomes at a nascent tertiary pediatric thyroid surgical center

OBJECTIVES

Previous studies on pediatric thyroid surgical complications suggest that high-volume centers achieve improved outcomes. We hypothesize that initial outcomes from a nascent pediatric surgical practice may be comparable to higher volume centers. Furthermore, we determine whether a low-volume center can safely transition to an intermediate or high-volume center.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was performed for all pediatric patients undergoing thyroid surgery at a single institution from 2014 to 2020. Surgeries were performed by two pediatric otolaryngologists. All patients were managed postoperatively by a multidisciplinary team of physicians that included pediatric otolaryngologists and endocrinologists. Data collection focused on patient demographics and postoperative complications, including rates of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury and permanent hypoparathyroidism.

RESULTS

From 2014 to 2020, a total of 31 patients underwent thyroid surgery at our pediatric thyroid surgery center, 9 of whom underwent neck dissection. The mean age of our cohort was 14.4 ± 3.9 years (range 8 months-20 years). Postoperative pathology results revealed that 15 patients (46.9%) were diagnosed with PTC, 6 (18.8%) with follicular adenoma, and 4 (15.6%) with benign thyroid tissue. One (2.0%) patient had permanent unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis and one patient experienced permanent hypoparathyroidism (2.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

Our initial low complication rate as a nascent pediatric thyroid surgery center suggests that favorable outcomes can be achieved at lower volume surgery centers. In order to increase patient access to high-volume pediatric thyroid surgery centers, new centers must start with lower volumes before ultimately becoming high-volume centers. Our study shows that this can be safely achieved.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.

Risk factors for postoperative morbidity after thyroid surgery in a PROSPECTIVE cohort of 1500 patients

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.

Case for staged thyroidectomy

Recent modifications in the management of well-differentiated thyroid cancer have resulted in significant alterations in clinical approach. Utilizing a series of preoperative and postoperative risk factors involving both the patient and the disease pathology, we offer the term "staged thyroidectomy" to help organize these risk factors for patients and the endocrine team to optimize management. This approach is intended to incorporate our latest nuanced understanding of certain endocrine pathology and may serve to optimize patient outcomes.