Dynamics of PTH levels in the development of post-operative hypoparathyroidism.

BACKGROUND: Post-operative hypoparathyroidism is the most frequent complication after total thyroidectomy. The identification of preoperative predictors could be helpful to identify patients at risk. This study aimed to evaluate the potential influence of preoperative PTH levels and their perioperative dynamics as a predictor of transient, protracted, and permanent post-operative hypoparathyroidism. METHODS: A prospective, observational study that includes 100 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy between September 2018 and September 2020. RESULTS: Transient hypoparathyroidism was present in 42% (42/100) of patients, 11% (11/100) developed protracted hypoparathyroidism, and 5% (5/100) permanent hypoparathyroidism. Patients who presented protracted hypoparathyroidism had higher preoperative PTH levels. The protracted and permanent hypoparathyroidism rate was higher in groups with greater preoperative PTH [0% group 1 (<40 pg/mL) vs. 5.7% group 2 (40-70 pg/mL) vs. 21.6% group 3 (>70 pg/mL); p = 0.03] and (0 vs. 8.3 vs. 20%; p = 0.442), respectively. The rate of protracted and permanent hypoparathyroidism was higher in patients with PTH at 24 h lower than 6.6 pg/mL and whose percentage of PTH decline was higher than 90%. The rate of transient hypoparathyroidism was higher in patients who showed a PTH decline rate of more than 60%. The percentage of PTH increase one week after surgery in patients with permanent hypoparathyroidism was significantly lower. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of protracted hypoparathyroidism was higher in groups with higher preoperative PTH levels. PTH levels 24 h after surgery lower than 6.6 pg/mL and a decline of more than 90% predict protracted and permanent hypoparathyroidism. The percentage of PTH increase a week after surgery could predict permanent hypoparathyroidism.

Patients who presented protracted and permanent hypoparathyroidism had higher preoperative PTH levels.Patients in groups with higher preoperative PTH levels showed higher rates of protracted and permanent hypoparathyroidism.The percentage of PTH variance one week after surgery in patients with permanent hypoparathyroidism was significantly lower and could predict permanent hypoparathyroidism.

4D-CT as a second line preoperative localization test for the evaluation of primary hyperparathyroidism.

INTRODUCTION: Four-dimensional computerized tomography (4D-CT) offers a good sensitivity for the localization of the pathological gland responsible of primary hyperparathyroidism. The aim was to evaluate its results as a second line preoperative localization test after inconclusive or discordant results of usual preoperative studies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Observational retrospective study that included all patients intervened for primary hyperparathyroidism with 4D-CT scan as preoperative study, from 1st October 2016 to 1st October 2021, in a tertiary referral centre. The results of 4D-CT, cervical ultrasound, and Nuclear Medicine explorations (scintigraphy, SPECT and SPECT-CT) were compared with the gold standard of the surgical exploration and the pathological result. The correct lateralization and the approximate localization rates of the pathological gland were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 64 patients were analysed, with a 93,8% (60/64) remission rate. 4DCT showed a correct lateralization in 57,8% (37/64) of the cases and revealed the approximate localization of the gland in 48,4% (31/64) of the cases. The cervical ultrasound had a rate of 31,1% (19/61) and 18% (11/61) for the correct lateralization and approximate localization, respectively, compared to 34,9% (22/63) and 28,6% (18/63) in Nuclear Medicine explorations, and 32,7% (16/49) and 24,5% (12/49) in SPECT-CT. These differences were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: 4D-CT demonstrated acceptable results for the localization of the lesions responsible of primary hyperparathyroidism, thus its use should be considered with the absence of localization in routinely studies.

Incidence and risk factors for incisional hernia after open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

INTRODUCTION: Incisional hernia (IH) is common after open abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. Recent studies reported incidence rates higher than previously stated. The aim of this study was to quantify the IH incidence after open AAA surgery. The secondary outcome was to identify the risk factors associated with the development of an IH. METHODS: Retrospective observational study of all consecutive patients who underwent an open repair of AAA, from January 2010 to June 2018, at our institution. Patients were free of abdominal wall hernias at the moment of inclusion in the study. Data were extracted from electronic records: baseline characteristics, surgical factors, and postoperative events. Computed tomography (CT) scans performed during follow-up were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 157 patients were analysed. The IH incidence after open repair of AAA was 46.5% (73 patients). The median time for IH development was 24.43 months (IQR: 10.40-45.27), while the median follow-up time was 37.20 months (IQR: 20.53-64.12). The risk factors linked to IH were: active (HR: 4.535; 95% CI: 1.369-15.022) or previous smoking habit (HR: 4.652; 95% CI: 1.430-15.131), chronic kidney disease (HR: 2.007; 95% CI: 1.162-3.467) and previous abdominal surgery (HR: 1.653; 95% CI: 1.014-2.695). CONCLUSION: The incisional hernia after open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair affected a high proportion of the intervened patients. Previous abdominal surgery, chronic kidney disease, and smoking habit were independent factors for the development of an incisional hernia.

Incidence and risk factors for incisional hernia after open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

INTRODUCTION: Incisional hernia (IH) is common after open abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. Recent studies reported incidence rates higher than previously stated. The aim of this study was to quantify the IH incidence after open AAA surgery. The secondary outcome was to identify the risk factors associated with the development of an IH. METHODS: Retrospective observational study of all consecutive patients who underwent an open repair of AAA, from January 2010 to June 2018, at our institution. Patients were free of abdominal wall hernias at the moment of inclusion in the study. Data were extracted from electronic records: baseline characteristics, surgical factors, and postoperative events. Computed tomography (CT) scans performed during follow-up were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 157 patients were analysed. The IH incidence after open repair of AAA was 46.5% (73 patients). The median time for IH development was 24.43 months (IQR: 10.40-45.27), while the median follow-up time was 37.20 months (IQR: 20.53-64.12). The risk factors linked to IH were: active (HR: 4.535; 95% CI: 1.369-15.022) or previous smoking habit (HR: 4.652; 95% CI: 1.430-15.131), chronic kidney disease (HR: 2.007; 95% CI: 1.162-3.467) and previous abdominal surgery (HR: 1.653; 95% CI: 1.014-2.695). CONCLUSION: The incisional hernia after open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair affected a high proportion of the intervened patients. Previous abdominal surgery, chronic kidney disease, and smoking habit were independent factors for the development of an incisional hernia.

Effect of preoperative potassium iodide administration on Graves' disease surgery: a propensity score analysis.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative administration of a saturated solution of potassium iodide (SSKI) is recommended in the guidelines for the management of hyperthyroidism due to Graves' disease. Studies addressing its effect on complications after thyroidectomy are inconclusive. METHODS: Retrospective multicenter Propensity Score study of patients undergoing total thyroidectomy for Graves' disease, from January 2013 to September 2019 in two tertiary centers in Madrid, Spain. Patients were given SSKI prior to surgery or not according to surgeons' preferences. Electronic clinical records were reviewed searching: baseline characteristics surgical variables, pathological findings, and postoperative complications. RESULTS: Ninety patients were analyzed: 44 received SSKI and 46 were not given SSKI. No significant differences were found in the main postoperative complications with or without SSKI: transient hypoparathyroidism (40.9% vs. 50%), permanent hypoparathyroidism (6.8% vs. 13%), transient recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy (2.3% vs. 8.7%), definitive RLN palsy (2.3% vs. 2.2%), or cervical hematoma (2.3% vs. 4.3%). CONCLUSION: Preoperative administration of SSKI had no impact on postoperative complications after thyroidectomy for Graves' disease.

Comparative prospective study on the presentation of normocalcemic primary hyperparathyroidism. Is it more aggressive than the hypercalcemic form?

BACKGROUND: Some patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) have an elevated PTH that does not always correlate with high blood calcium levels. We aimed to compare the clinical presentation between normocalcaemic and hypercalcaemic forms using ionized calcium levels as an inclusion criterion. METHODS: We included all patients referred for surgery for PHPT between January 2015 and December 2017. Patients were divided into 2 groups (hypercalcaemic (hPHTP)/normocalcaemic (nPHPT)). RESULTS: 104 patients were included.64% of the patients who were initially classified as normocalcaemic had high ionized calcium levels. There were no differences between groups except in terms of bone resorption parameters:patients with hypercalcaemia had higher osteocalcin (37.4vs23.5 ng/mL,P = .02), collagen amino-terminal propeptide (73.5vs49.2 ng/mL,P = .005), and beta-CTX levels (0.68vs0.38 ng/mL,P = .001). Bone involvement as measured by densitometry was similar. CONCLUSSIONS: When these patients' diagnosis and classification is accurate, their clinical presentation and symptoms are similar to those of the classical form. Since the only difference is in terms of bone resorption parameters, in most cases it seems to be an attenuated form or even similar to the classical presentation. The improvement in diagnostic sensitivity supports the use of ionized calcium levels in patients suspected to have nPHPT.

Importance of mesh overlap on hernia recurrence after open umbilical hernia repair with bilayer prosthesis.

BACKGROUND: importance of mesh overlap on recurrence after open umbilical hernia repair has been poorly studied. METHODS: a retrospective cohort study was performed with patients who underwent open umbilical hernia repair with bilayer prosthesis between 2004 and 2015. RESULTS: 1538 patients were included. Fifty patients (3.3%) had a mesh overlap lower than 1 cm. After a mean follow-up of 4.1 years 53 patients (3.5%) developed a recurrence. Recurrence was associated with a mesh overlap smaller than 1 cm (10.2% vs. 3.3%, p = 0.010, OR = 3.3). In the logistic regression model an overlap smaller than 1 cm was not statistically associated with recurrence (OR = 2.5, p = 0.123). Female gender, postoperative complications and prosthesis size were associated with hernia recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: mesh overlap seems to be an important factor for hernia recurrence. A mesh overlap of at least 1 cm should be used until more studies are performed about this issue.