Surgery for advanced neuroendocrine tumours of the small bowel: recommendations based on a consensus meeting of the European Society of Endocrine Surgeons (ESES).

BACKGROUND: Small bowel neuroendocrine tumours often present with locally advanced or metastatic disease. The aim of this paper is to provide evidence-based recommendations regarding (controversial) topics in the surgical management of advanced small bowel neuroendocrine tumours. METHODS: A working group of experts was formed by the European Society of Endocrine Surgeons. The group addressed 11 clinically relevant questions regarding surgery for advanced disease, including the benefit of primary tumour resection, the role of cytoreduction, the extent of lymph node clearance, and the management of an unknown primary tumour. A systematic literature search was performed in MEDLINE to identify papers addressing the research questions. Final recommendations were presented and voted upon by European Society of Endocrine Surgeons members at the European Society of Endocrine Surgeons Conference in Mainz in 2023. RESULTS: The literature review yielded 1223 papers, of which 84 were included. There were no randomized controlled trials to address any of the research questions and therefore conclusions were based on the available case series, cohort studies, and systematic reviews/meta-analyses of the available non-randomized studies. The proposed recommendations were scored by 38-51 members and rated 'strongly agree' or 'agree' by 64-96% of participants. CONCLUSION: This paper provides recommendations based on the best available evidence and expert opinion on the surgical management of locally advanced and metastatic small bowel neuroendocrine tumours.

Impact of fine-needle aspiration cytology in thyroidectomy extent and associated surgical morbidity in thyroid cancer.

PURPOSE: To assess the impact of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) in the extent of surgery in patients with thyroid cancer (TC) and the associated surgical morbidity in primary and completion setting. METHODS: A Swedish nationwide cohort of patients having surgery for TC (n = 2519) from the Scandinavian Quality Register for Thyroid, Parathyroid and Adrenal surgery between 2004 and 2013 was obtained. Data was validated through scrutinizing FNAC and histology reports. RESULTS: Among the 2519 cases operated for TC, the diagnosis was substantiated and validated through the histology report in 2332 cases (92.6%). Among these, 1679 patients (72%) were female, and the median age at TC diagnosis was 52.3 years (range 18-94.6). Less than total thyroidectomy (LTT) was undertaken in 944 whereas total thyroidectomy (TT) in 1388 cases. The intermediate FNAC categories of atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance (AUS/ FLUS), as well as suspicion for follicular neoplasm (SFN) lesions were more often encountered in LTT (n = 314, 33.3%) than TT (n = 63, 4.6%), whereas FNACs suspicion for malignancy and/or malignancy were overrepresented in TT (n = 963, 69.4%). Completion thyroidectomies were undertaken in 553 patients out of 944 that initially had LTT. In 201 cases with cancer lesions > 1 cm, other than FTC (Follicular TC)/ HTC (Hürthle cell TC) subjected to primary LTT, inadequate procedures were undertaken in 81 due to absent, Bethesda I or II FNAC categories, preoperatively. Complications at completion of surgery in this particular setting were 0.5% for RLN palsy (n = 1) and 1% (n = 2) for hypoparathyroidism 6 months postoperatively. The overall postoperative complication rate was higher in primary TT vs. LTT for RLN palsy (4.8% [n = 67] vs. 2.4% [n = 23]; p = 0.003) and permanent hypoparathyroidism (6.8% [n = 95] vs. 0.8% [n = 8]; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: FNAC results appear to affect surgical planning in TC as intermediate FNAC categories lead more often to LTT. Overall, inadequate procedures necessitating completion surgery are encountered in up to 15% of TC patients subjected to LTT due to absent, inconclusive, or misleading FNAC, preoperatively. However, completion of thyroidectomy in this setting did not yield significant surgical morbidity. Primary LTT is a safer primary approach compared to TT in respect of RLN palsy and permanent hypoparathyroidism complication rates; therefore, primary TT should probably be reserved for lesions > 1 cm or even larger with suspicion for malignancy or malignant FNAC.

Reduced fracture incidence in patients having surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism.

OBJECTIVE: The indication of surgery in primary hyperparathyroidism has been controversial, as many patients experience mild disease. The primary aim was to evaluate fracture incidence in a contemporary population-based cohort of patients having surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism. The secondary aim was to investigate whether preoperative serum calcium, adenoma weight or multiglandular disease influence fracture incidence. DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study with population controls. Primary outcomes, defined by discharge diagnoses and prescriptions, were any fracture and fragility fracture, secondary outcomes were multiple fractures anytime and osteoporosis. Subjects were followed 10 years pre- and up to 10 years postoperatively (or 31 December 2015). Multiple events per subject were allowed. Fracture incidence rate ratios (IRRs) for patients pre- and postoperatively were tabulated and evaluated with mixed-effects Poisson regression. Secondary outcomes were evaluated using conditional logistic regression. PATIENTS: A Swedish nationwide cohort of patients having surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism (n = 5009) from the Scandinavian Quality Register for Thyroid, Parathyroid and Adrenal Surgery between 2003 and 2013 was matched with population controls (n = 14,983). Data were cross-linked with Statistics Sweden and the National Board of Health and Welfare. MEASUREMENTS: Preoperative serum calcium and adenoma weight at pathological examination. RESULTS: Patients had an increased incidence rate of any fracture preoperatively, IRR 1.27 (95% confidence interval: 1.11-1.46), highest in the last year before surgery. Fracture incidence was not increased postoperatively. Serum calcium, adenoma weight and multiglandular disease were not associated with fracture incidence. CONCLUSIONS: Fracture incidence is higher in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism but is normalized after surgery.

Effect of primary tumour resection without curative intent in patients with metastatic neuroendocrine tumours of the small intestine and right colon: meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Patients with small intestinal neuroendocrine tumours (siNETs) usually present with advanced disease. Primary tumour resection without curative intent is controversial in patients with metastatic siNETs. The aim of this meta-analysis was to investigate survival after primary tumour resection without curative intent compared with no resection in patients with metastatic siNETs. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed, using MEDLINE® (PubMed), Embase®, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library up to 25 February 2021. Studies were included if survival after primary tumour resection versus no resection in patients with metastatic siNETs was reported. Results were pooled in a random-effects meta-analysis, and are reported as hazard ratios (HRs) with 95 per cent confidence intervals. Sensitivity analyses were undertaken to enable comment on the impact of important confounders. RESULTS: After screening 3659 abstracts, 16 studies, published between 1992 and 2021, met the inclusion criteria, with a total of 9428 patients. Thirteen studies reported HRs adjusted for important confounders and were included in the meta-analysis. Median overall survival was 112 (i.q.r. 82-134) months in the primary tumour resection group compared with 60 (74-88) months in the group without resection. Five-year overall survival rates were 74 (i.q.r. 67-77) and 44 (34-45) per cent respectively. Primary tumour resection was associated with improved survival compared with no resection (HR 0.55, 95 per cent c.i. 0.47 to 0.66). This effect remained in sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION: Primary tumour resection is associated with increased survival in patients with advanced, metastatic siNETs, even after adjusting for important confounders.

Impact of Adrenalectomy on Morbidity in Patients with Non-Functioning Adrenal Cortical Tumours, Mild Hypercortisolism and Cushing's Syndrome as Assessed by National and Quality Registries.

BACKGROUND: The impact of adrenalectomy on morbidity in patients with mild hypercortisolism and non-functioning adrenocortical adenoma is unclear. The present study evaluated morbidity before and after adrenalectomy in patients with benign adrenocortical tumour with Cushing´s syndrome (CS), autonomous cortisol secretion (ACS) and non-functioning adrenocortical adenoma as assessed by national and quality registries. METHODS: Patients registered in the Scandinavian Quality Register for Thyroid, Parathyroid and Adrenal Surgery (SQRTPA) 2009-2017 with CS, ACS or non-functioning adrenocortical adenoma, were included in this retrospective study and analysed with age- and sex-matched controls, 1:3. Morbidity associated with CS was assessed pre- and postoperatively by analysing data from the Swedish National Patient Register and the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register. RESULTS: Some 271 patients were included, CS (127), ACS (45) and non-functioning adrenocortical adenoma (99), with 813 matched controls. The frequency of hypertension was almost 50% in all tumour groups. Antihypertensive medication preoperatively was more frequent in all tumour groups compared with controls. No preoperative differences in medication were detected between patients with CS and ACS. A decrease in the use of hypertensive drugs was noticed annually for all patient groups after adrenalectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Hypertension is common in patients with benign adrenocortical tumours regardless of cortisol hypersecretion. The use of antihypertensive drugs in patients with CS, ACS and non-functioning adrenocortical adenoma was reduced after adrenalectomy. These findings highlight the need for a randomized controlled trial to investigate the impact of adrenalectomy on morbidity in patients with mild hypercortisolism.

Impact of Specific Bowel Symptoms on Quality of Life in Patients with Midgut Neuroendocrine Tumours.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with midgut neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) suffer from decreased health-related quality of life (HRQoL), in large part due to bowel symptoms. However, it is unknown which bowel symptoms affect HRQoL the most. An enhanced understanding of this is essential to better focus treatment on this aspect of the disease. This study aimed to determine which bowel symptoms affect HRQoL the most in patients with midgut NETs. METHODS: Consenting patients with midgut NET completed the Memorial Sloan Kettering Bowel Function Instrument and the HRQoL questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30). The correlation between bowel symptoms and HRQoL was analysed using multiple linear regression, adjusting for age, Charlson Comorbidity Index score, presence of metastatic disease, chromogranin A, and BMI yielding ß-coefficients with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: Totally, 119 patients with midgut NET completed the questionnaires and were included in the study. Loose stool and bowel frequency ≥ 3/day were the most common bowel symptoms, reported by 47% and 56% of patients, respectively. However, sensitivity to certain types of food and beverages, a feeling of incomplete emptying of the bowel, and soiling were the symptoms most strongly correlated with decreased HRQoL, especially within domains concerning role and social function, with ß-coefficients for the strongest correlated symptoms of 15.0 and 14.6, respectively. DISCUSSION: While symptoms concerning stool consistency and frequency are common in patients with midgut NET, our study suggests that other, more socially stigmatising symptoms affect patients' HRQoL more. Our findings could help caregivers understand patients' perceptions of the disease and provide avenues for more directed therapies.

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Thyroid Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Prophylactic central neck dissection in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma is controversial. Sentinel node biopsy might be an adjunct to optimize surgical treatment for these patients. Earlier studies reported inconsistent detection rates and diagnostic value of this technique, and the role of sentinel lymph node biopsy in thyroid cancer needs to be established. PATIENTS AND METHODS: During a single-center prospective interventional study between 2010 and 2017, sentinel lymph node biopsy using 99mTc-nanocolloidal albumin tracer was performed on patients undergoing thyroid surgery for suspected thyroid cancer by fine needle aspiration cytology. All eligible patients without clinical lymph node involvement were invited to participate. Central neck dissection was performed on all patients after the detection of sentinel lymph nodes. RESULTS: Ninety-six patients participated in the study. The detection rates of the sentinel node were 67% and 45% by scintigraphy and intraoperative gamma probe, respectively. The detection rate was not associated with Bethesda score, malignancy, or presence of lymph node metastases. Sensitivity, negative predictive value, and accuracy were 80%, 97%, and 98%, respectively, for the sentinel node to represent the status of lymph node metastasis in the central neck compartment. The false negative rate was 20%. CONCLUSION: Sentinel lymph node biopsy had a low detection rate and only moderate sensitivity in patients with suspected thyroid carcinoma and is not a useful adjunct to surgery in the context of current treatment concepts.

Outcomes After Surgery for Unilateral Dominant Primary Aldosteronism in Sweden.

BACKGROUND: Primary aldosteronism (PA) is the most common cause of secondary hypertension. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment for unilateral dominant PA, but reported cure rates varies. The aim of the present study was to investigate contemporary follow-up practices and cure rates after surgery for PA in Sweden. METHODS: Patients operated for PA and registered in the Scandinavian Quality Register for Thyroid, Parathyroid and Adrenal Surgery (SQRTPA) 2009-2015 were identified. Patient data were extracted, and follow-up data (1-24 months) was recorded. Doses of antihypertensive medication and potassium supplementation were calculated using defined daily doses (DDD), and the Primary Aldosteronism Surgical Outcome (PASO) criteria were used to evaluate outcomes. RESULTS: Of 190 registered patients, 171 (47% female, mean age 53 years, median follow-up 3.7 months) were available for analysis. In 75 patients (44%), missing data precluded evaluation of biochemical cure according to the PASO criteria. Minimal invasive approach was used in 168/171 patients (98%). Complication rate (Clavien-Dindo >3a) was 3%. No mortality was registered. Pre/postoperatively 98/66% used antihypertensives (mean DDD 3.7/1.5). 89/2% had potassium supplementation (mean DDD 2.0/0) before/after surgery. Complete/partial biochemical and clinical success according to the PASO criteria were achieved in 92/7% and 34/60%, respectively. CONCLUSION: In this study, reflecting contemporary clinical practice in Sweden complete/partial biochemical and clinical success after surgery for PA was 92/7% and 34/60%. Evaluation of biochemical cure was hampered by lack of uniform reporting of relevant outcome measures. We suggest mandatory reporting of surgical outcomes using the PASO criteria for all units performing surgery for PA.

Correlating the Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology with Histology and Extent of Surgery: A Review of 21,746 Patients from Four Endocrine Surgery Registries Across Two Continents.

BACKGROUND: The Bethesda system for cytopathology (TBSRTC) is a 6-tier diagnostic framework developed to standardize thyroid cytopathology reporting. The aim of this study was to determine the risk of malignancy (ROM) for each Bethesda category. METHODS: Thyroidectomy-related data from 314 facilities in 22 countries were entered into the following outcome registries: CESQIP (North America), Eurocrine (Europe), SQRTPA (Sweden) and UKRETS (UK). Demographic, cytological, pathologic and extent of surgery data were mapped into one dataset and analyzed. RESULTS: Out of 41,294 thyroidectomy patient entries from January 1, 2015, to June 30, 2017, 21,746 patients underwent both thyroid FNA and surgery. A comparison of cytology and surgical pathology data demonstrated a ROM for Bethesda categories 1 to 6 of 19.2%, 12.7%, 31.9%, 31.4%, 77.8% and 96.0%, respectively. Male patients had a higher rate of malignancy for every Bethesda category. Secondary analysis demonstrated a high ROM in male patients with Bethesda 3 category aged 31-35 years (52.1%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 37.9-66.2%), aged 36-40 years (55.9%, 95% CI 39.2-72.6%) and aged 41-45 years (46.9%, 95% CI 33-60.9%). Patients with Bethesda 5 and 6 scores were more likely to undergo total thyroidectomy (65.9% and 84.6%); for patients with Bethesda scores 2 and 3, a higher percentage of females underwent total thyroidectomy compared to males in spite of a higher ROM for males. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that Bethesda categories 1-4 are associated with a higher ROM compared to the first edition of TBSRTC, especially in male patients, and validate findings from the second edition of TBSRTC.

Complications of surgery for gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasias.

PURPOSE: Surgery is recommended for most patients with gastro-entero-pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasias (GEP-NENs). Rates of complications and perioperative mortality have been reported in few mostly retrospective single-center series, but there has been no detailed analysis on risk factors for perioperative complications and mortality to date. METHODS: Data of patients with GEP-NENs operated between January 2015 and September 2018 were retrieved from EUROCRINE©, a European online endocrine surgical quality registry, and analyzed regarding rate and risk factors of surgical complications. Risk factors were assessed by logistic regression. RESULTS: Some 376 patients (211 female, 167 male; age median 63, range 15-89 years) were included. Most NENs were located in the small intestine (SI) (n = 132) or pancreas (n = 111), the rest in the stomach (n = 34), duodenum (n = 30), appendix (n = 30), colon, and rectum (n = 22), or with unknown primary (n = 15). Of the tumors, 320 (85.1%) were well or moderately differentiated, and 147 (39.1%) of the patients had distant metastases at the time of operation. Severe complications (Dindo-Clavien ≥ 3) occurred in 56 (14.9%) patients, and 4 (1.1%) patients died perioperatively. Severe complications were more frequent in surgery for duodenopancreatic NENs (n = 31; 22.0%) compared with SI-NENs (n = 15; 11.4%) (p = 0.014), in patients with lymph node metastases operated with curative aim of surgery (n = 24; 21.4%) versus non-metastasized tumors or palliative surgery (n = 32; 12.1%) (p = 0.020), and in functioning tumors (n = 20; 23.0%) versus non-functioning tumors (n = 30; 13.5%) (p = 0.042). Complication rates were not significantly associated with tumor stage or grade. CONCLUSIONS: Severe complications are frequent in GEP-NEN surgery. Besides duodenopancreatic tumor location, curative resection of nodal metastases and functioning tumors are risk factors for complications.

Health-related quality of life in patients undergoing adrenalectomy: report from a Swedish National Audit.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to examine subjective health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients undergoing adrenalectomy. METHODS: The study included patients scheduled for adrenalectomy 2014-2017 after giving informed consent. The SF-36 questionnaire was administrated before operation and 1 year postoperatively. Results were compared with published normative values in Sweden. RESULTS: Some 50 patients were included. SF-36 scores for the whole cohort improved significantly after adrenalectomy in all dimensions except for bodily pain. Compared with the general Swedish population, the patients reported a significantly reduced HRQoL before and after adrenalectomy in all domains except for bodily pain postoperatively. Patients with benign functional tumours had lower HRQoL in physical domains before adrenalectomy than patients with benign non-functional tumours; Physical Component Summary (PCS), median 33.1 (range 17.1-62.9) vs. 44.2 (20.0-66.5), p = 0.018. Postoperatively, HRQoL was similar in the two groups of patients. Patients with benign functional tumours reported significantly improved HRQoL in all dimensions after adrenalectomy: PCS 33.1 (17.1-62.9) preoperatively vs. 47.6 (19.8-57.3) postoperatively, p = 0.005; Mental Component Summary (MCS) 33.8 (11.8-62.0) preoperatively vs. 52.7 (16.4-59.8) postoperatively, p = 0.004. These improvements were not seen in patients with benign non-functional or malignant tumours. Patients with malignant tumours reported no difference in SF-36 scores before or after adrenalectomy compared with patients with benign non-functional tumours. CONCLUSIONS: Adrenalectomy improved HRQoL in patients with benign functional tumours. Adrenalectomy did not improve HRQoL in patients with benign non-functional tumours or in patients with malignant tumours.

Permanent Hypoparathyroidism After Total Thyroidectomy in Children: Results from a National Registry.

INTRODUCTION: Hypoparathyroidism is the most common complication following thyroidectomy. There are few population-based reports on the rate of hypoparathyroidism in children. The incidence of medical treatment of permanent hypoparathyroidism in children is reported using a national registry. METHODS: The study population included patients below 18 years of age undergoing total thyroidectomy reported to the Scandinavian Quality Registry for Thyroid, Parathyroid and Adrenal Surgery 2004-2014. Patients with previous thyroid or parathyroid surgery or treatment with vitamin D before surgery were excluded from analysis. Permanent postoperative hypoparathyroidism was defined as treatment with vitamin D for more than 6 months after thyroidectomy. Risk factors for permanent hypoparathyroidism were calculated with uni- and multivariable logistic regression. Using data from the Swedish Inpatient Registry, rates of readmissions and annual number of days in hospital after total thyroidectomy were compared between patients with and without permanent hypoparathyroidism. RESULTS: Some 274 children (215 girls and 59 boys) underwent total thyroidectomy. The median age was 14 (range 0-17) years. Indications for surgery were Graves' disease (214, 78.1%), other benign disease (27, 9.9%) and thyroid cancer (33, 12%). Median follow-up was 4.8 years. Twenty (7.3%) children developed permanent hypoparathyroidism. No statistically significant risk factors for permanent hypoparathyroidism were identified. Rates of readmission and annual number of days in hospital after discharge were similar in patients with and without permanent hypoparathyroidism. CONCLUSIONS: The rate of permanent hypoparathyroidism following total thyroidectomy in children was high and is a cause of concern.

Health-Related Quality of Life After Surgery for Small Intestinal Neuroendocrine Tumours.

BACKGROUND: Overall survival for patients with small intestinal neuroendocrine tumours (siNETs) is long, even with metastatic disease, making quality of life issues relevant. The impact of surgery on quality of life is not known. We investigated determinants of health-related quality of life in patients who had undergone surgery for a siNET. METHODS: Patients operated for a siNET between 1998 and 2016 at Skåne University Hospital (Lund, Sweden), who were alive in February 2017, were sent two questionnaires constructed by the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC QLQ-C30, EORTC QLQ-GINET21). Global quality of life, physical function, disease-related worries, diarrhoea and endocrine symptoms were evaluated with linear and logistic regression in relation to patient-, tumour- and treatment-related factors. Statistical analysis was performed using STATA 11®. RESULTS: One hundred patients (84%) completed the questionnaires. Women had worse global quality of life (p = 0.019), more disease-related worries (p < 0.001) and endocrine symptoms (p = 0.017) than men. Older age was associated with more disease-related worries (p = 0.007), but fewer endocrine symptoms (p = 0.034). Non-symptomatic tumour versus symptomatic tumour (p = 0.002), and treatment with somatostatin analogues versus no treatment (p = 0.040) were associated with less diarrhoea. Small versus large bowel resection was associated with better global quality of life (p = 0.036) and physical function (p = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: Male gender, younger age, treatment with somatostatin analogues, non-symptomatic tumour, and small intestinal surgery rather than large bowel surgery were associated with better quality of life.

Risk factors for complications after adrenalectomy: results from a comprehensive national database.

PURPOSE: Most knowledge regarding outcome after adrenal surgery stems from retrospective studies reported by highly specialized centres. The aim of this study was to report a national experience of adrenalectomy with particular attention to predictive factors for postoperative complications, conversion from endoscopic to open surgery and length of hospital stay. METHODS: Adrenalectomies reported in the Scandinavian Quality Register for Thyroid, Parathyroid and Adrenal Surgery (SQRTPA) 2009-2014 were included. Risk factors for complications, conversion and hospital stay >3 days were assessed using univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: There were 659 operations. Endoscopic adrenalectomy was performed in 513 (77.8%) operations and almost half of these were robotic assisted. The median length of hospital stay was 3 (range 1-30) days. There was no 30-day mortality. In 43 (6.6%) patients, at least one complication was registered. The only factor associated with complications in multivariable analysis was conversion to open surgery odds ratio (OR) 3.61 (95% confidence interval 1.07 to 12.12). The risk for conversion was associated with tumour size OR 1.03 (1.00 to 1.06) and with malignancy on histopathology OR 8.33 (2.12 to 32.07). Length of hospital stay increased in patients with operation of bilateral tumours OR 3.13, left-sided tumours OR 1.98, hyper secretion of catecholamines OR 2.32, conversion to open surgery OR 42.05 and open surgery OR 115.18. CONCLUSIONS: The present study shows that endoscopic surgery is widely used. Complications were associated with conversion and the risk for conversion was associated with tumour size and malignant tumour. Hospital stay was short.

Presentation and Outcomes After Surgery for Primary Hyperparathyroidism During an 18-Year Period.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study is to analyze whether the trend towards operating on patients with less severe primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) than earlier is reflected in a change of preoperative presentation and surgical outcome. METHODS: In this longitudinal cohort study, patients with pHPT subjected to first time surgery were compared in three time periods: 1989-1994, 1995-2000, and 2001-2006 in this longitudinal cohort study. RESULTS: There were 404 patients. Median levels of preoperative ionized calcium were lower in 2001-2006 compared to 1989-1994; 1.45 versus 1.50 versus 1.45 mmol/L; p < 0.001. Preoperative parathyroid hormone levels in patients with parathyroid adenoma were lower in 2001-2006 than in 1989-1994; 10.0 versus 11.6 pmol/L; p 0.04. Median preoperative bone mineral density, BMD, in the whole cohort did not differ between time periods. Median pre- and postoperative glomeruli filtration rate, GFR, and 25-hydroxy-vitamin D3 remained unchanged between period 1 and period 3. Adenoma weight was lower in 2001-2006 than 1989-1994; 0.70 versus 0.50 g; p 0.04. Cure rate did not change during observation time. There was no evidence for differences in change of BMD (femoral neck) after surgery between period 2 and 3 1995-2000 and 2001-2006, 0.798 versus 0.795 g/cm(2); p 0.67. GFR did not change significantly between 1989-1994 and 2001-2006, 74 versus 77 mL/min; p 0.43. CONCLUSIONS: A significant change towards operating patients with smaller adenomas and lower preoperative calcium levels was evident throughout the observation period, but this did not correlate with differences in preoperative renal or skeletal function. We found no evidence for a change of postoperative renal function or skeletal function during observation time.

Results of a Fifteen-Year Follow-up Program in Patients Operated with Unilateral Neck Exploration for Primary Hyperparathyroidism.

BACKGROUND: Since the introduction of unilateral parathyroidectomy for primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) it has been debated wherever this approach is associated with greater long-term risk for recurrence compared to bilateral neck exploration. METHODS: This is a prospective study based on a structured 15-year follow-up program in patients with non-hereditary, sporadic pHPT, undergoing first time surgery with unilateral or focused neck exploration (unilateral procedures), with the use of intraoperative PTH (iOPTH) between 1989 and 2010. RESULTS: 292 patients were analyzed. The median age of the patients was 66 years [interquartile range (IQR) 57-75], and 234 (80.4%) were female. The median preoperative level of total calcium was 2.74 mmol/L (IQR 2.63-2.85 mmol/L) and the median PTH level was 10 pmol/L (IQR 7.4-14 pmol/L). The median follow-up time was 5 years (IQR 1-10 years). Some 275 patients were followed for 1 year (94.2%/275 person-years/5 patients deceased), 164 for 5 years (56.2%/820 person-years/31 patients deceased), 70 for 10 years (24.0%/700 patient-years/57 patients deceased) and 51 (17.5%/765 patient-years/69 patients deceased) for 15 years after surgery. Three patients (1.1%) had signs of persistent disease. One patient recurred in pHPT at 5 years postoperatively during 15 years of follow-up. Histopathology indicated solitary parathyroid adenoma at primary surgery. CONCLUSION: Patients with pHPT operated with unilateral procedures and iOPTH, had a low risk for long-term recurrence during a 15 years follow-up program.

Risk of Complications with Energy-Based Surgical Devices in Thyroid Surgery: A National Multicenter Register Study.

BACKGROUND: Energy-based surgical devices (EBD) combining cutting and coagulation are increasingly used in thyroid surgery. However, there is a lack of information about potential benefits and risk of complications outside controlled trials. The aims of this national multicenter register study were to describe the use of EDB, their potential effect on complication rates, and on operation time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Scandinavian Quality Register for Thyroid and Parathyroid surgery includes 35 surgical units in Sweden and covered 88% of the thyroid procedures performed during 2008­2009. The use of the EBD was specifically registered for 12 months, and 1297 patients were included. Surgically related complications and operation time were evaluated. The clamp-and-tie group (C-A-T) constituted the control group for comparison with procedures where EBD was used. RESULTS: The thyroid procedures performed included C-A-T (16.6%), bipolar electrosurgery (ES: 56.5%), electronic vessel sealing (EVS: 12.2%), and ultrasonic dissection (UD: 14.5%). Mean operative time was longer with EVS (p < 0.001) and shorter with UD (p < 0.05) than in the other groups. The bipolar ES group and the EVS group had higher incidence of calcium treatment at discharge and after 6 weeks than the UD group. No significant difference in nerve injury was found between the groups. There was a significant more frequent use of topical hemostatic agents in the EBD group compared to C-A-T. CONCLUSION: In this national multicenter study, the use of UD shortened and EVS increased operating time. There was a higher risk of calcium treatment at discharge and after 6 weeks after use of EVS and bipolar ES than after UD use. There was a significant more frequent use of topical hemostatic agents in the EBD groups compared to C-A-T.

Effect of thyroid hormone replacement therapy on mortality rate in patients undergoing total or hemithyroidectomy for benign multinodular goitre.

BACKGROUND: Thyroid surgery for benign non-toxic nodular goitre is a common endocrine surgical procedure. It is not known whether thyroid hormone replacement therapy following surgery for benign thyroid disease influences mortality or morbidity rates. METHODS: A retrospective observational study was conducted using national registries in Sweden. Overall mortality and morbidity rates were compared for patients with or without thyroid hormone replacement therapy in patients operated on with hemithyroidectomy or total thyroidectomy for a diagnosis of benign non-toxic nodular goitre. RESULTS: Between 1 July 2006 and 31 December 2017, 5573 patients were included, 1644 (29.5%) patients were operated on with total thyroidectomy and 3929 patients with hemithyroidectomy. In the hemithyroidectomy group, 1369 (34.8%) patients were prescribed thyroid hormone replacement therapy in the follow-up. The patients who underwent hemithyroidectomy and did not use thyroid hormone replacement therapy in the follow-up had a standard mortality ratio of 1.31 (95% confidence interval, 1.09-1.54). The mortality ratio was not increased in patients who underwent total thyroidectomy or hemithyroidectomy and used thyroid hormone replacement therapy. The risk of death analysed by multivariable Cox regression for patients operated on with hemithyroidectomy without later thyroid hormone replacement therapy, adjusted for age and sex, showed an increased hazard ratio of 1.65 (1.19-2.30) compared with hemithyroidectomy with hormone replacement therapy. CONCLUSION: Patients subjected to hemithyroidectomy without later hormone replacement therapy had a 30% higher risk of death compared with the normal Swedish population and a 65% increased risk of death compared with patients undergoing hemithyroidectomy with postoperative hormone replacement therapy.