3D Transoral Endoscopic Thyroid.

Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy with vestibular approach (TOETVA) is a feasible new surgical procedure that does not require visible incisions. We describe our experience with three-dimensional (3D) TOETVA. We recruited 98 patients who were willing to undergo 3D TOETVA. Inclusion criteria were: (a) patients with a neck ultrasound (US) with an estimated thyroid diameter of 10cm or less; (b) estimated US gland volume ≤45ml; (c) nodule size ≤50mm; (d) benign tumor, such as thyroid cyst, goiter with one nodule, or goiter with multiple nodules; (e) follicular neoplasia; and (f) papillary microcarcinoma without evidence of metastases. The procedure is performed using a three-port technique at the oral vestibule, a 10mm port for the 30° endoscope, and two additional 5mm ports for dissecting and coagulation instruments. The CO2 insufflation pressure is set at 6mmHg. An anterior cervical subplatysmal space is created from the oral vestibule to the sternal notch and laterally to the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Thyroidectomy is performed entirely 3D endoscopically with conventional endoscopic instruments and intraoperative neuromonitoring. There were 34% total thyroidectomies and 66% hemithyroidectomies. Ninety-eight 3D TOETVA procedures were successfully performed without any conversions. The mean operative time was 87.6 minutes (59-118 minutes) for lobectomy and 107.6 minutes (99-135 minutes) for bilateral surgery. We observed one case of transient postoperative hypocalcemia. Paralysis of the recurrent laryngeal nerve did not occur. The cosmetic outcome was excellent in all patients. This is the first case series of 3D TOETVA.

The COVID - AGICT study: COVID-19 and advanced gastro-intestinal cancer surgical treatment. A multicentric Italian study on the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic impact on gastro-intestinal cancers surgical treatment during the 2020. Analysis of perioperative and short-term oncological outcomes.

BACKGROUND: This Italian multicentric retrospective study aimed to investigate the possible changes in outcomes of patients undergoing surgery for gastrointestinal cancers during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD: Our primary endpoint was to determine whether the pandemic scenario increased the rate of patients with colorectal, gastroesophageal, and pancreatic cancers resected at an advanced stage in 2020 compared to 2019. Considering different cancer staging systems, we divided tumors into early stages and advanced stages, using pathological outcomes. Furthermore, to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on surgical outcomes, perioperative data of both 2020 and 2019 were also examined. RESULTS: Overall, a total of 8250 patients, 4370 (53%) and 3880 (47%) were surgically treated during 2019 and 2020 respectively, in 62 Italian surgical Units. In 2020, the rate of patients treated with an advanced pathological stage was not different compared to 2019 (P = 0.25). Nevertheless, the analysis of quarters revealed that in the second half of 2020 the rate of advanced cancer resected, tented to be higher compared with the same months of 2019 (P = 0.05). During the pandemic year 'Charlson Comorbidity Index score of cancer patients (5.38 ± 2.08 vs 5.28 ± 2.22, P = 0.036), neoadjuvant treatments (23.9% vs. 19.5%, P < 0.001), rate of urgent diagnosis (24.2% vs 20.3%, P < 0.001), colorectal cancer urgent resection (9.4% vs. 7.37, P < 0.001), and the rate of positive nodes on the total nodes resected per surgery increased significantly (7 vs 9% - 2.02 ± 4.21 vs 2.39 ± 5.23, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Although the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic did not influence the pathological stage of colorectal, gastroesophageal, and pancreatic cancers at the time of surgery, our study revealed that the pandemic scenario negatively impacted on several perioperative and post-operative outcomes.

Mucinous cystic neoplasms of the liver: a clinicopathological study and comparison with intraductal papillary neoplasms of the bile duct.

Mucinous cystic neoplasm of the liver has been a controversial entity, in particular, regarding differentiation from intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct. In this study, we compared the characteristics of hepatic mucinous cystic neoplasms with ovarian-like stroma (n=29) to those of cyst-forming intraductal papillary neoplasms of the bile duct (n=12). Radiological or macroscopic appearance, histological grade of malignancy, and postoperative clinical course were recorded. Immunohistochemistry for biliary or gastrointestinal markers was performed to characterize cell phenotypes. The patients with hepatic mucinous cystic neoplasm were all female and ranged in age from 21 to 67 years, which was significantly younger than that in the patients with biliary intraductal papillary neoplasm. Eighteen mucinous cystic neoplasms (76%) were located in the left lobe, with 13 (54%) in segment IV. Mucinous cystic neoplasms were significantly larger than intraductal papillary neoplasms (median diameter: 110 vs 50 mm, P=0.008). In contrast to intraductal papillary neoplasms that were all histologically malignant, 26 mucinous cystic neoplasms (90%) were adenomas, 2 (7%) were borderline malignant, and 1 (3%) was a carcinoma in situ. Benign mucinous cystadenomas had the pure biliary immunophenotype, whereas gastrointestinal markers including cytokeratin 20 and mucin core proteins 2, 5AC, and 6 were more frequently expressed in borderline or malignant mucinous cystic neoplasms and biliary intraductal papillary neoplasms. There was no mortality in the patients with mucinous cystic neoplasm, whereas one patient with intraductal papillary neoplasm died of cancer. In conclusion, hepatic mucinous cystic neoplasms and biliary intraductal papillary neoplasms have different clinicopathological characteristics as evidenced by differences in the age and gender of patients, macroscopic appearance, immunophenotypes, and grades of malignancy.

The THYCOVIT (Thyroid Surgery during COVID-19 pandemic in Italy) study: results from a nationwide, multicentric, case-controlled study.

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a disruption of surgical care. The aim of this multi-centric, retrospective study was to evaluate the impact of the pandemic on surgical activity for thyroid disease among the Italian Units of Endocrine Surgery. Three phases of the pandemic were identified based on the epidemiological situation and the public measures adopted from the Italian Government (1st phase: from 9th March to 3rd May 2020; 2nd phase: from 4th May to 14th June; 3rd phase: from 15th June to 31st). The patients operated upon during these phases were compared to those who underwent surgery during the same period of the previous year. Overall, 3892 patients from 28 Italian endocrine surgical units were included in the study, 1478 (38%) operated upon during COVID-19 pandemic, and 2414 (62%) during the corresponding period of 2019. The decrease in the number of operations was by 64.8%, 44.7% and 5.1% during the three phases of COVID-19 pandemic, compared to 2019, respectively. During the first and the second phases, the surgical activity was dedicated mainly to oncological patients. No differences in post-operative complications were noted between the two periods. Oncological activity for thyroid cancer was adequately maintained during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thyroid follicular microcarcinoma.

Differentiated thyroid cancers are the most common malignancies arising in thyroid gland. Papillary thyroid cancer presents a very favorable prognosis, while follicular type is slightly more aggressive, mainly for its attitude to hematogenous spreading with distant metastases. Papillary microcarcinoma (10 mm or less) has an excellent prognosis, largely demonstrated, and its management is changed in the last few years, reducing surgical procedure, role of radio iodine ablation (RAI) and TSH suppression. But no effective data are available for follicular thyroid microcarcinoma (mFTC); very few reports and studies are present in literature about mFTC, mainly for its low incidence. Aim of this paper is to review current literature to reach, in absence of evidence, some suggestion in managing mFTC.

Near-infrared fluorescence angiography for colorectal surgery is associated with a reduction of anastomotic leak rate.

Decreased blood perfusion at the anastomotic site increases the risk of anastomotic leakage (AL) following colorectal surgery. Indocyanine green near-infrared fluoroangiography (NIRF/ICG) is a technique that allows for the assessment of intestinal perfusion before and after the formation of an anastomosis. We aimed to compare the rate of AL after colorectal surgery conducted with NIRF/ICG assessing vascular anastomotic perfusion and without this support. The data of patients who underwent colorectal surgery from November 2014 to February 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. Left-sided hemicolectomy, sigmoid resection, and anterior rectal resection were included. Emergency resections were excluded. Procedures conducted with NIRF/ICG and without NIRF/ICG (no-NIRF/ICG) support were compared using Fisher's and Mann-Whitney U test. Overall, 196 procedures were included, 98 were carried out with no-NIRF/ICG and 98 with NIRF/ICG. Patients' clinical and intraoperative characteristics were similar in the two groups. In the NIRF/ICG, fluorescence was detected in 100% of the cases; following NIRF/ICG the planned site of transection was changed in eight cases, whereas in one case the anastomosis was re-performed. Overall, six patients (3%) developed an AL, 0% in the NIRF/ICG and 6% (n = 6) in the no-NIRF/ICG group (p = 0.029). Median hospital length of stay was shorter in the NIRF/ICG group [6 days (IQR 6-7) vs. 7 days (IQR 6-9), p < 0.001]. The results of this study suggest that the use of the NIRF/ICG was safe for colorectal surgery and decreases the risk of anastomotic leak. A randomized trial is required to confirm these preliminary data.

Obstructive chronic pancreatitis and/or intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs): a 21-year long case report.

CONTEXT: Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms of the pancreas (IPMNs), usually present with a picture of chronic pancreatitis and must be considered within the differential diagnosis of this condition. CASE REPORT: We report a long history of a 58-year-old male who presented with recurrent attacks of pancreatitis. He was treated for chronic pancreatitis until the age of 78 when the diagnosis of IPMN was made, but radical treatment was not possible and he was managed palliatively. The patient died of sepsis and multi-organ failure 21 years following his first presentation. CONCLUSION: This case highlights possible pitfalls in the diagnosis and treatment of IPMNs, suggests a very long natural history, proposes possible palliative treatment in selected cases and reflects about IPMNs biological position in the chronic pancreatitis-ductal adenocarcinoma chain.

[Perioperative enteral nutrition]. / Nutrizione enterale perioperatoria.

Enteral nutrition, as demonstrated by the many published papers, is not only safer and cheaper than parenteral supply of nutrients, but modulates an exaggerated cytokine response related to surgical trauma that leads to an increase in intestinal permeability, bacterial translocation and infection. The aim of enteral nutrition is to reduce the impact of cytokines on surgical patients and the related infectious complications. Via the enteral route the nutrients can reach the bowel lumen where enterocytes draw upon their fuel, preserving the barrier effect and modulating the cytokine response. Parenteral supply does not achieve this target since the blood supply of nutrients is not as important as the luminal supply. It is only via the enteral supply route that we can preserve the barrier effect. Since the cytokine response sets in immediately after a trauma such as surgery, we implement uninterrupted enteral nutrition, which means before, during and after surgery, plus parenteral support till the full calorie intake is achieved. In a hepatic resection study, we have demonstrated that enteral nutrition modulates the interleukin-6 immunological response and shortens both the period to bowel movement resumption and the duration of hospital stay. Aggressive enteral nutrition has also been implemented in severe pancreatitis, allowing control of the disease without the onset of septic complications. The most important target is not to achieve full calorie intake rapidly, but to supply the enteric mucosa continuously with useful immuno-nutrients, such as glutamine and fibres, to preserve the barrier effect, the mucus layer, and immunological status of the mucosa. In this way we have obtained significant results in the surgical treatment of these patients, reducing the infection rate and hospital stay. New prospects may be,possible in the fight against surgical infections by adding probiotics to enteral nutrition in order to improve the microenvironment of the colon.

A case of rapid intrahepatic dissemination of hepatocellular carcinoma after radiofrequency thermal ablation.

BACKGROUND: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a novel technique for the treatment of liver malignancies that is becoming increasingly more popular because of its feasibility, effectivity, repeatability, and safety. However, an increased number of complications after RFA has been reported in literature. The aim of this paper is to discuss the possible role of RFA in rapid intrahepatic spreading of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We treated a 66-year-old woman who had a 3.5-cm HCC with two courses of percutaneous RFA using a modified needle with seven hooks. The effectiveness of the treatment was assessed 1 month later by enhanced computed tomography. RESULTS: Two courses of treatment were needed owing to the nodule position (close to the inferior vena cava). Computed tomography scan performed 1 month after the second RFA showed an intrahepatic arteriovenous fistula. Angiography performed after 1 month showed a rapid intrahepatic spreading of HCC. CONCLUSIONS: Radiofrequency ablation can create an arteriovenous fistula that can facilitate migration of tumoral cells from the nodule to the hepatic portal system and rapid intrahepatic dissemination of HCC.

Surgical treatment for liver metastases from colorectal carcinoma: results of 228 patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Liver metastases are a very common event. Multiple choices of therapies can be used. The aim of this paper is to analyze results and methods of a single institution series of 228 consecutive patients with colorectal liver metastases. METHODOLOGY: 228 consecutive patients underwent hepatic resection for colorectal liver metastases. From different periods intraoperative ultrasound, intraoperative histological examination, locoregional intra-arterial chemotherapy, and radiofrequency thermal ablation were introduced. RESULTS: Operative mortality was 0.9%. Mean follow-up was 29.5 months. Overall survival was 16% and 9% at 5 and 10 years. 5-year survival was 23% and 6% for patients with single and multiple metastases respectively. For patients with extrahepatic metastatic single lesion 5-year survival was 15%. From the start of intraoperative ultrasound use, 5-year survival was 9% and 27% for patients with multiple and single metastases. Five-year survival for re-resected patients was 13%. Overall survival at 1 and 3 years was 90% and 58% in patients treated with HAI and systemic chemotherapy (disease-free 70% and 47%) and 94% and 12% in patients treated with systemic chemotherapy alone after radical resection (disease-free 53% and 0%). CONCLUSIONS: Aggressive approach, re-resections, intraoperative ultrasound staging, intra-arterial chemotherapy and radiofrequency thermal ablation are justified in multimodal therapeutic strategy of colorectal metastases and seem to improve patients' survival.

Treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma in compensated cirrhosis with radio-frequency thermal ablation (RFTA): a prospective study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To assess the effectiveness and the safety of radio-frequency thermal ablation (RFTA) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) < or = 5 cm in compensated cirrhosis. METHODS: A cohort of 202 consecutive patients (165 Child-Pugh class A and 37 class B) was prospectively assessed. A single lesion was observed in 160/202 (79.2%), two lesions in 29/202 (14.3%), and three lesions in 13/202 (6.4%) of patients. RESULTS: Sixty-seven patients died. Survival rates were 80% at 12 months, 67% at 24 months and 57% at 30 months (Child-Pugh A 59% and Child-Pugh B 48%). By Cox regression analysis, survival was independently predicted by serum albumin levels > or = 35 g/L, platelet count > or = 100.000/mmc, tumor size < or = 3 cm, complete response at 1 month and Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging classification. Overall recurrence rates were 22, 38, and 44% at 12, 24, and 30 months, respectively. One procedure-related death occurred. The proportion of major complications after treatment was 3.9%. CONCLUSIONS: A complete response after RFTA significantly increases survival. The longest survival is obtained in the presence of HCC < or = 3 cm and of higher baseline albumin levels and platelet counts. BCLC staging classification is able to discriminate patients with good or poor prognosis.