Trans-oral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) for the pediatric population: a multicenter, large case series.

INTRODUCTION: A cervical scar has been shown to have an impact on the quality of life of children undergoing thyroid surgery. Transoral endoscopic vestibular thyroidectomy via the vestibular approach (TOETVA) offers the absence of a cutaneous incision, and has not been described to date in the pediatric population. OBJECTIVE: To describe the first series of TOETVA in a pediatric population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective, multicenter study, including all patients > 18 years old who underwent TOETVA. Data was prospectively collected and included demographics, preoperative ultrasound, cytology and indications for surgery. Intraoperative parameters included length of surgery and complications, with final pathology and postoperative course also reviewed. TOETVA surgical success was defined as completion of surgery via this approach. RESULTS: Forty-eight children were included. Of these, 43 (89.5%) were girls. The median age was 16 years (range 10-17). The most common indication for surgery was a benign thyroid nodule (n = 26, 54.1%). Eleven patients (22.9%) had papillary thyroid carcinoma on final pathology, of which 90.9% (10/11) were diagnosed pre-operatively based on FNA cytology. Hemithyroidectomy was performed in 36 patients (75%). All surgeries were completed endoscopically. The mean malignant tumor size was 1.4 ± 0.4 cm and all tumors were completely excised with clean margins. No permanent complications were documented. A single patient (2.1%) had transient RLN injury (1.6%, 1/60 nerves at risk). Transient hypocalcemia was documented in 4 of the 12 patients undergoing total thyroidectomy (33.3%). Transient mental nerve injury/chin hypoesthesia was documented in 2 patients (4.2%). CONCLUSIONS: TOETVA appears to be a feasible and safe approach for thyroidectomy in the pediatric population in carefully selected cases, and may be discussed with patients and parents as an alternative for the trans-cervical approach.

Mental health among head and neck surgeons in Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic: A national study.

PURPOSE: Head and neck surgeons are among the highest risk for COVID-19 exposure, which also brings great risk to their mental wellbeing. In this study, we aim to evaluate mental health symptoms among head and neck surgeons in Brazil surrounding the time it was declared the epicenter of the virus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional, survey-based study evaluating burnout, anxiety, distress, and depression among head and neck surgeons in Brazil, assessed through the single-item Mini-Z burnout assessment, 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale, 22-item Impact of Event Scale-Revised, and 2-item Patient Health Questionnaire, respectively. RESULTS: 163 physicians completed the survey (74.2% males). Anxiety, distress, burnout, and depression symptoms were reported in 74 (45.5%), 43 (26.3%), 24 (14.7%), and 26 (16.0%) physicians, respectively. On multivariable analysis, female physicians were more likely to report a positive screening for burnout compared to males (OR 2.88, CI [1.07-7.74]). Physicians 45 years or older were less likely to experience anxiety symptoms than those younger than 45 years (OR 0.40, CI [0.20-0.81]). Physicians with no self-reported prior psychiatric conditions were less likely to have symptoms of distress compared to those with such history (OR 0.11, CI [0.33-0.38]). CONCLUSION: Head and neck surgeons in Brazil reported symptoms of burnout, anxiety, distress and depression during our study period within the COVID-19 pandemic. Institutions should monitor these symptoms throughout the pandemic. Further study is required to assess the long-term implications for physician wellness.

Proposal for standardized ultrasound analysis of the salivary glands: Part 1 submandibular gland.

Objectives: The Salivary Gland Committee of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery seeks to standardize terminology and technique for ultrasonograpy used in the evaluation and treatment of salivary gland disorders. Methods: Development of expert opinion obtained through interaction with international practitioners representing multiple specialties. This committee work includes a comprehensive literature review with presentation of case examples to propose a standardized protocol for the language used in ultrasound salivary gland assessment. Results: A multiple segment proposal is initiated with this focus on the submandibular gland. We provide a concise rationale for recommended descriptive language highlighted by a more extensive supplement that includes an extensive literature review with additional case examples. Conclusion: Recommendations are provided to improve consistency both in performing and reporting submandibular gland ultrasound.

Transoral thyroid and parathyroid surgery in Brazil: where are we?

INTRODUCTION: thyroid surgery through the transoral vestibular approach is a reality in many countries. While several competing remote access techniques have been developed in the last 20 years, many were not reproducible. Transoral Endoscopic Neck Surgery (TNS) has been shown to be reproducible in different centers around the world, and approximately five years after its description it has been adopted relatively quickly for various reasons. To date, there are at least 7 Brazilian studies published, including a series of more than 400 cases. The aim of this work is to study the progression of Transoral Neck Surgery in Brazil and describe the profile of surgeons involved in this new approach. METHODS: this is a retrospective study with descriptive statistics. A REDCap based survey about transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA/TOEPVA) was done with 66 Brazilian surgeons regarding surgeon profile, numbers of cases performed by geographic region, what kind of training was necessary prior to the first case and behavior of the surgeon proposing these new approaches. RESULTS: response rate of this survey was 53%. To date, 1275 TOETVA/TOEPVA cases had been performed in Brazil, 1229 thyroidectomies (96.4%), 42 parathyroidectomies (3.3%) and 4 combined procedures (0.3%). Most of the cases were done in the southeast region (821, 64.4%), 538 (42.2%) cases in the State of São Paulo and 283 (22.2%) cases in the State of Rio de Janeiro. CONCLUSIONS: TOETVA is becoming popular in Brazil. Younger surgeons, especially those between 30 and 50 years old were more likely to adopt this approach.

Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach: Experience from a multicenter national group with 412 patients.

BACKGROUND: Well-established conventional thyroidectomy has satisfactory outcomes; however, robotic and endoscopic thyroid surgery can avoid visible anterior neck scars. Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) is the most recent of these techniques. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of 412 patients who underwent TOETVA from 2017 to 2020 in 13 Brazilian centers. RESULTS: The study included 359 (87.1%) females and 53 (12.9%) males, with a mean age of 40 years. There were 231 (56.1%) total thyroidectomies. The conversion rate was 0.7%. The transient vocal cord palsy rate was 7.6% (30 patients). Temporary and persistent hypocalcemia rates were 4.0% and 0.8%, respectively. There were two cases of infection (0.5%). DISCUSSION: This is a large multi-institute TOETVA study, with one of the largest cohorts published to date that; despite its retrospective nature and selection bias, reached outcomes comparable to previously reported series, this study reinforced safeness, feasibility, and nationwide reproducibility for this technique.

Safely performing percutaneous dilatational tracheostomies on COVID-19 patients in the intensive care unit: A standardized approach.

BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and the resulting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have afflicted hundreds of millions of people in a worldwide pandemic. During this pandemic, otolaryngologists have sought to better understand risk factors associated with COVID-19 contamination during surgical procedures involving the airways such as tracheostomies. OBJECTIVE: This study provides a standardized technique of performing an ultrasound (US)-guided percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy (PDT) on COVID-19 patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). It also outlines safety strategies for health care providers that includes proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and regular testing of otolaryngologists for COVID-19 contamination. METHODS: This study analyzed data from 44 PDT procedures performed on COVID-19 patients in the ICU of hospitals in Sao Paulo and Santos, Brazil. The PDT procedures were conducted between April 2020 and August 2020, which coincided with a peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in São Paulo, Brazil. Surgeons were tested for COVID-19 using a two-stage serological enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay specific for SARS-CoV-2 antigens. CONCLUSION: This study describes a safe standardized technique of US-guided PDT for COVID-19 patients in the ICU using a method that also decreases the risk of surgeon contamination.

Trans Oral Endoscopic Thyroidectomy Vestibular Approach (TOETVA) in Brazil: Safety and complications during learning curve.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to address the first cases of TOETVA done in Brazil, by TOETVA-Bra study group, regarding safety and complications. METHODS: Series of the first 93 TOETVAs cases in Brazil. All authors except LPK, AJG JOR and RPT received TOETVA training including cadaveric hands-on in Thailand or United States (Johns Hopkins Medicine) during 2017. After they came back to Brazil and started doing their first TOETVA cases in the cities of Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Chapecó they agreed to collaborate and gather data using an online spreadsheet. All patients were submitted to the technique described by Anuwong. RESULTS: A total of 93 patients underwent TOETVA. Most patients (58.1%) were submitted to total thyroidectomy and 59.1% had benign disease. Two patients (2.2%) needed conversion to open surgery. Five patients (9.3%) developed transient hypoparathyroidism and there were 3 (2.0%) temporary recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy. There was one (0.7%) permanent unilateral palsy. Twenty patients had some sort of complication, 16.1% were minor and 5.4% were major. A total of 73 patients (78.5%) had an uneventful recovery. CONCLUSION: The technique is reproducible with a low complication rate. While further studies are needed to confirm equivalency, early efforts suggest that TOETVA is not inferior to traditional open thyroidectomy in appropriately selected patients.

The pros and cons of additional axillary arm for transoral robotic thyroidectomy.

BACKGROUND: Transoral vestibular approach thyroidectomy using robotic system has advantages with articulating instrumentation. Transoral robotic thyroidectomy (TORT) can be done either using just two robot arms for instruments and an extra one for the endoscopic camera, or using three robot arms for instruments (third arm through axila) and an additional arm for the camera. PROS OF ADDITIONAL AXILLARY ARM FOR TORT: The 4th arm through an additional axillary port is mainly responsible for a counter-traction of strap muscles and thyroid tissue. The additional axillary port tract is also an excellent passage for the specimen removal with lower risk of disruption or fragmentation. Ultimately, these merits from the additional axillary arm allows TORT to be performed safely in a wide range of patient groups. CONS OF ADDITIONAL AXILLARY ARM FOR TORT: One of the issue with the additional axillary arm in TORT is that it leaves a cutaneous scar. Another issue to consider is the cost. In some places, robotic surgery operation fee varies with the number of arms used during the operation. Retraction of strap muscles through subcutaneous stitches applied after establishing the working space may make up for the lack of counter-traction. CONCLUSION: TORT can be done safely with or without the transaxillary arm and surgeon may consider pros and cons based on multiple factors.

Selective neck dissection for treating node-positive necks in cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract.

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: Modified radical neck dissection (MRND) is the classical treatment for neck metastases of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the upper aerodigestive tract. However, it may still be accompanied by significant sequelae. One alternative for this treatment would be selective neck dissection (SND), which has a lower incidence of sequelae. The aim of this study was to define which neck metastasis cases would really be suitable candidates for SND. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective clinical-surgical trial at the Division of Head and Neck Surgery, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Santa Casa de São Paulo (FCMSCSP). METHODS: We retrospectively studied 67 patients with SCC of the upper aerodigestive tract, divided into two groups: 1) 47 patients treated by means of SND (node-negative or node-positive), 2) 20 patients treated by means of MRND (all node-positive). RESULTS: Our results demonstrated that there was no difference between the patients treated with SND or MRND in relation to disease evolution, and that the main prognostic factor was lymph node involvement. We observed that patients with pharyngeal SCC and older patients presented worse evolution and would probably not be suitable candidates for SND. CONCLUSIONS: SND may be a good option for treating node-positive necks in selected cases.

Transoral thyroid and parathyroid surgery in Brazil: where are we? / Cirurgia transoral de tireóide e paratireóide no Brasil: onde estamos?

ABSTRACT Introduction: thyroid surgery through the transoral vestibular approach is a reality in many countries. While several competing remote access techniques have been developed in the last 20 years, many were not reproducible. Transoral Endoscopic Neck Surgery (TNS) has been shown to be reproducible in different centers around the world, and approximately five years after its description it has been adopted relatively quickly for various reasons. To date, there are at least 7 Brazilian studies published, including a series of more than 400 cases. The aim of this work is to study the progression of Transoral Neck Surgery in Brazil and describe the profile of surgeons involved in this new approach. Methods: this is a retrospective study with descriptive statistics. A REDCap based survey about transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA/TOEPVA) was done with 66 Brazilian surgeons regarding surgeon profile, numbers of cases performed by geographic region, what kind of training was necessary prior to the first case and behavior of the surgeon proposing these new approaches. Results: response rate of this survey was 53%. To date, 1275 TOETVA/TOEPVA cases had been performed in Brazil, 1229 thyroidectomies (96.4%), 42 parathyroidectomies (3.3%) and 4 combined procedures (0.3%). Most of the cases were done in the southeast region (821, 64.4%), 538 (42.2%) cases in the State of São Paulo and 283 (22.2%) cases in the State of Rio de Janeiro. Conclusions: TOETVA is becoming popular in Brazil. Younger surgeons, especially those between 30 and 50 years old were more likely to adopt this approach.

RESUMO Introdução: a cirurgia de tireoide por via transoral vestibular é uma realidade em muitos países. Embora várias outras técnicas de acesso remoto tenham sido desenvolvidas nos últimos 20 anos, muitas não eram reprodutíveis. A cirurgia endoscópica cervical transoral (TNS - Transoral Neck Surgery) tem se mostrado reprodutível em diferentes centros ao redor do mundo sendo que, aproximadamente cinco anos após sua descrição, foi adotada de forma relativamente rápida por vários motivos. Até o momento, existem pelo menos 7 estudos brasileiros publicados, incluindo uma série de mais de 400 casos. O objetivo deste trabalho é estudar a evolução da Cirurgia Transoral do Pescoço (TNS) no Brasil e descrever o perfil dos cirurgiões envolvidos nesta nova abordagem. Métodos: trata-se de um estudo descritivo. Uma pesquisa online hospedada no REDCap sobre tireoidectomia e paratireoidectomia endoscópica transoral por abordagem vestibular (TOETVA/TOEPVA) foi realizada com 66 cirurgiões brasileiros. Foram levantados dados sobre o perfil do cirurgião, número de casos realizados por região geográfica, que tipo de treinamento foi necessário antes do primeiro caso e comportamento do cirurgião durante o relacionamento com o paciente ao abordar essas novas técnicas. Resultados: a taxa de resposta desta pesquisa foi de 53%. Até o momento, 1.275 casos de TOETVA/TOEPVA foram realizados no Brasil, sendo 1.229 tireoidectomias (96,4%), 42 paratireoidectomias (3,3%) e 4 procedimentos combinados (0,3%). A maioria dos casos foi realizada na região sudeste (821, 64,4%), 538 (42,2%) casos no estado de São Paulo e 283 (22,2%) casos no estado do Rio de Janeiro. Conclusões: a TOETVA está se popularizando no Brasil. Cirurgiões mais jovens, especialmente aqueles entre 30 e 50 anos, são mais propensos a adotar essa abordagem.

[Fine needle aspiration in salivary gland tumors: specificity and sensitivity]. / Punção aspirativa nos tumores das glândulas salivares: especificidade e sensibilidade.

UNLABELLED: Neoplasms of salivary glands represent almost 3% of all head and neck tumors. Proper surgical treatment depends upon accurate histological findings, especially in the case of malignant lesions. As such, knowledge of correct cytological findings prior to surgery is important for therapeutic planning. This is not easily established since it is usually based only on the patients' clinical history and imaging exams OBJECTIVE: To evaluate results obtained from fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB), comparing them to the histological findings of the respective surgical specimens and analyzing the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of this method in relation to the diagnosis of malignancy or benignancy. METHODS: Retrospective study with the medical records of 73 patients who had salivary gland neoplasms and were submitted to FNAB and surgical treatment. RESULTS: Data disclosed that values of sensitivity were 87.9 % and specificity 85.7 % for diagnosis of benign tumors. For malignant tumors 42.5 % of sensitivity and 98.3 of specificity, were observed. Overall values of accuracy were, respectively, 85.7 % and 87.8 % for positive and negative predictive values in the diagnosis of malignancy by FNAB. CONCLUSIONS: It was shown that FNAB, as supplementary diagnostic method, can be useful for preoperative evaluation and surgical planning especially for malignant neoplasms.

Trans Oral Endoscopic Thyroidectomy Vestibular Approach (TOETVA) in Brazil: Safety and complications during learning curve

ABSTRACT Background: The aim of this study was to address the first cases of TOETVA done in Brazil, by TOETVA-Bra study group, regarding safety and complications. Materials and Methods: Series of the first 93 TOETVAs cases in Brazil. All authors except LPK, AJG JOR and RPT received TOETVA training including cadaveric hands-on in Thailand or United States (Johns Hopkins Medicine) during 2017. After they came back to Brazil and started doing their first TOETVA cases in the cities of Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Chapecó they agreed to collaborate and gather data using an online spreadsheet. All patients were submitted to the technique described by Anuwong. Results: A total of 93 patients underwent TOETVA. Most patients (58.1%) were submitted to total thyroidectomy and 59.1% had benign disease. Two patients (2.2%) needed conversion to open surgery. Five patients (9.3%) developed transient hypoparathyroidism and there were 3 (2.0%) temporary recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy. There was one (0.7%) permanent unilateral palsy. Twenty patients had some sort of complication, 16.1% were minor and 5.4% were major. A total of 73 patients (78.5%) had an uneventful recovery. Conclusion: The technique is reproducible with a low complication rate. While further studies are needed to confirm equivalency, early efforts suggest that TOETVA is not inferior to traditional open thyroidectomy in appropriately selected patients.

BRAF mutation in the elderly submitted to thyroidectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the frequency of the BRAF V600E mutation in patients over 65 years of age undergoing thyroidectomy, correlating its presence or absence with the different histologic lesions, their variants and with prognostic factors of papillary carcinoma. METHODS: We evaluated 85 patients over 65 years of age who underwent thyroidectomy, analyzing the BRAF V600E mutation by RT-PCR performed after DNA extraction from the paraffin blocks. RESULTS: The study detected the presence or absence of BRAF V600E mutation in 47 patients (55.3%). Among the 17 papillary carcinomas studied, seven had the mutation (41.2%). There was a statistical association between the presence of this mutation and the classic variant of papillary carcinoma, and a trend of association with thyroid extravasation. CONCLUSION: BRAF mutation in the elderly is also exclusive of papillary carcinoma and is often significant. Furthermore, it is related to the classic variant and possibly to thyroid extravasation.

[Thyroid gland primary leiomyosarcoma]. / Leiomiossarcoma primário da glândula tireoide.

Despite the fact that 15% to 20% of sarcomas occur in the head and neck and 80% in adults, only 0.014% are primary thyroid leiomyosarcomas. To the best of our knowledge, only 16 cases have been reported around the world, none in South America. Cytologic diagnosis is challenging and these tumors may be mistaken by more common ones such as anaplastic or medullary carcinomas. The treatment of choice for thyroid leiomyosarcomas is not well established yet because of its poor prognosis. Radical surgery associated with chemoradiotherapy has not been effective and did not improve survival rates. The authors report a case of primary thyroid leiomyosarcoma in a young male, who has been submitted to total thyroidectomy and selective neck dissection. Extensive literature review was performed by the authors. The patient received adjuvant radiotherapy, presenting good postoperative course. After four years evolution, there was no local recurrence or distant metastasis.

Metástase gigante de carcinoma papilífero / Giant metastasis of thyroid papillar carcinoma

O carcinoma papilífero da tireoide, o mais comum deste órgão, geralmente se apresenta como lesões parenquimatosas pequenas e, eventualmente, com metástases cervicais numerosas, raramente volumosas. É descrito um caso raro de uma paciente do gênero feminino, 44 anos, com um tumor cervical anterior, nodular e volumoso há nove anos. Após o tratamento cirúrgico, o anatomopatológico mostrou tratar-se de metástases linfonodais de carcinoma papilífero. O objetivo deste estudo é relatar um caso clínico de apresentação incomum de carcinoma papilífero da tireoide, de diagnóstico inicial difícil e apresentando-se com metástases linfonodais volumosas. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2014;58(9):967-9 Papillary thyroid carcinoma, the most common type of thyroid cancer is usually presented as small parenchymatous lesions and, eventually, with cervical lymph node metastasis, rarely voluminous. Here we describe a rare case of a 44-year-old woman presenting a visible anterior cervical tumor, nodullary and voluminous, for nine years. After surgical treatment, the anatomical pathology sample revealed that the mass was composed of several cervical lymph node metastatic lesions of a papillary thyroid carcinoma. We report the discovery of an uncommon papillary thyroid carcinoma manifestation, with a difficult initial diagnosis and presenting voluminous lymph node metastases.

Mutação BRAF em pacientes idosos submetidos à tireoidectomia / BRAF mutation in the elderly submitted to thyroidectomy

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a frequência da mutação V600E do gene BRAF em pacientes com mais de 65 anos de idade submetidos à tireoidectomia, correlacionando sua presença ou ausência com as diferentes lesões histológicas, com as variantes e com fatores prognósticos do carcinoma papilífero. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 85 pacientes com mais de 65 anos de idade submetidos à tireoidectomia, analisando a mutação BRAF V600E através de reação de PCR-RT realizada após a extração do DNA dos blocos de parafina. RESULTADOS: Detectou-se ausência ou presença da mutação BRAF V600E em 47 pacientes (55,3%). Entre os 17 carcinomas papilíferos estudados, sete apresentavam a mutação (41,2%). Demonstrou-se associação estatística entre a presença desta mutação e a variante clássica do carcinoma papilífero, além de tendência de associação com o extravasamento tireoideano. CONCLUSÃO: A mutação BRAF nos pacientes idosos também é exclusiva do carcinoma papilífero e tem frequência expressiva. Além disso, está relacionada à variante clássica e, possivelmente, ao extravasamento tireoideano.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the frequency of the BRAF V600E mutation in patients over 65 years of age undergoing thyroidectomy, correlating its presence or absence with the different histologic lesions, their variants and with prognostic factors of papillary carcinoma. METHODS: We evaluated 85 patients over 65 years of age who underwent thyroidectomy, analyzing the BRAF V600E mutation by RT-PCR performed after DNA extraction from the paraffin blocks. RESULTS: The study detected the presence or absence of BRAF V600E mutation in 47 patients (55.3%). Among the 17 papillary carcinomas studied, seven had the mutation (41.2%). There was a statistical association between the presence of this mutation and the classic variant of papillary carcinoma, and a trend of association with thyroid extravasation. CONCLUSION: BRAF mutation in the elderly is also exclusive of papillary carcinoma and is often significant. Furthermore, it is related to the classic variant and possibly to thyroid extravasation.