International Multi-institutional Experience with the Transoral Endoscopic Thyroidectomy Vestibular Approach.

Background: Surgical approaches to thyroidectomies have undergone a rapid evolution over the past three decades. Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) is currently the latest remote access procedure for the treatment of benign and malignant thyroid disease. The purpose of this article is to present the results of TOETVA from five different international institutions. Materials and Methods: From 2016 to 2019, 152 TOETVA procedures were performed on 149 patients at five separate international institutions. Outcomes were analyzed from a prospectively maintained database. There were 12 (8%) men and 137 (92%) women with mean ages of 41.5 ± 10.3 (27-69) and 46.9 ± 1.8 (17-78), respectively. Results: There were 3 (2%) cases that required conversion from the endoscopic approach to an open procedure. A thyroid lobectomy was performed in 111 (73.0%) cases, total thyroidectomy in 38 (25.0%) cases whereas a completion thyroidectomy in 3 (2.0%) cases. Mean operative times were 161.8 ± 42.4 (83-304) minutes for the lobectomy, 213.4 ± 71.7 (120-430) minutes for the total thyroidectomy, and 136.7 ± 109.8 (64-263) minutes for the completion thyroidectomy. The final pathology report revealed 107 (70.4%) benign nodules, 44 (28.9%) nodules with underlying papillary thyroid carcinoma, and 1 (0.7%) case with Hurthle cell carcinoma. Of the 152 cases, 7 (4.7%) patients developed temporary hypoparathyroidism. There were 5 (3.3%) patients who developed transient recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury and 3 (2.0%) with persistent injury of the RLN. Temporary lower lip numbness was noted in 51 (33.6%) patients whereas 1 (0.7%) patient was noted to have persistent numbness. We reported 57 (38.5%) patients with temporary chin numbness, 9 (5.9%) patients with skin injuries, and 2 (1.3%) with tracheal perforation. Conclusion: To date, the literature and the outcomes from these 5 international institutions have determined that, in select patients, TOETVA can be as safe and efficacious as the traditional trans-cervical technique for the treatment of specific thyroid pathologies.

Sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism in young individuals: different disease and treatment?

BACKGROUND: Younger individuals with hyperparathyroidism may experience severe disease with a higher incidence of multigland disease (MGD) and operative failure, thereby requiring subtotal parathyroidectomy. This study examines the characteristics and surgical outcome of younger compared with older patients with sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism (SPHPT). METHODS: Prospectively collected data of 1101 patients with SPHPT who underwent parathyroidectomy at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN), familial, secondary, or tertiary hyperparathyroidism, parathyroid carcinoma, rickets, or lithium induced disease were excluded. Patients were subdivided into two groups: (1) younger individuals < or = 40 y of age (n = 110) and (2) older individuals > 40 y of age (n = 991). Both age groups were compared for gender, clinical manifestations, pre- and postoperative laboratory values, MGD, operative success, and recurrent disease. RESULTS: There was greater male predominance in younger compared with older patients treated for SPHPT (41% versus 25%, P = 0.0004). Of the clinical manifestations of SPHPT, kidney stones were more common in younger compared with older individuals (45% versus 29%, P = 0.0006). Conversely, bone pain was more common in older compared with younger patients (32% versus 14%, P = 0.0002). There was no statistical difference in biochemical values, MGD, and outcome between both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Despite male predominance and few differences in symptoms, SPHPT is a similar disease entity in both younger and older individuals. Patients from both age groups can be similarly treated for SPHPT with a high rate of operative success. Routine BNE and subtotal parathyroidectomy is not necessary in younger individuals.