Anatomy and motor function of extra-laryngeal branching patterns of the recurrent laryngeal nerve; an electrophysiological study of 1001 nerves at risk.

INTRODUCTION: Safe thyroid surgery depends on a deep knowledge of human neck anatomy, including the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN). Anatomic variations such as extra-laryngeal terminal branching (ETB) are common. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied the ETB pattern of 1001 RLNs at risk in 596 patients. We identified and exposed the location of division points on the cervical part of bifid RLN. The function of nerve branches was assessed through intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM). RESULTS: Bifid RLNs was identified in 39.6% of patients. The nerve-based prevalence of ETB was 28.5%. The prevalence of ETB for the right and left RLN was 21.8% and 35.5%, respectively (p < 0.001). The location of the division point was found in the middle, distal, and proximal segments in 48.8%, 33.3%, and 18% of bifid RLNs, respectively. Electrophysiological monitoring revealed motor functions in all anterior and in 7% of posterior branches. The rate of injury was 0.4%, and 1.1% in single trunk and bifid nerves, respectively (p = 0.360), and 3.9% in nerves with proximal branching (p = 0.084). CONCLUSIONS: The ETB prevalence is high and showing division points in different cervical segments of the RLN. All anterior branches and some posterior branches contain motor fibers. Knowledge and awareness of these anatomic and functional variations are mandatory for every thyroid surgeon to avoid misidentification and misinterpretation of human RLN anatomy.

Anatomical and functional identification of the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve: classification based on morphology and electrophysiological monitoring.

BACKGROUND: Motor function of the external branch of superior laryngeal nerve (EBSLN) is vital for voice quality. We studied the rate of EBSLN identification and integrity in the era of intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM). METHODS: Anatomic and functional identification of 515 EBSLNs-at-risk was performed under the guidance of IONM that motor integrity was electrophysiologically checked. The functional integrity was assessed with crico-thyroid muscle (CTM) twitches and/or recordable waveform amplitude. We tried to establish the systematic classification of EBSLN identification and integrity. RESULTS: Visual, electrophysiological and total identification rates were 64.3%, 31.6% and 95.9%, respectively. We could identify 4.1% of EBSLNs neither anatomically nor electrophysiologically. We recorded CTM twitches alone or both CTM twitches and wave amplitude in 203(39.4%) and 291(56.5%) branches respectively. Identification features of EBSLNs were systematically classified under three main types: Visualized-monitored (1), non-visualized-monitored (2), unidentified (3), and electrophysiological integrity of EBSLNs under two subtypes: CTM twitches alone (a) and CTM twitches and wave amplitude (b). CONCLUSION: Dedicated thyroid surgeon could visually identify EBSLNs. IONM contribution significantly increases the identification rate. Systematic classification of identification and electrophysiological integrity of EBSLNs may increase comprehensive knowledge about its motor function that is crucial for complication-free thyroidectomy.

Randomized Trial Comparing Resection of Primary Tumor with No Surgery in Stage IV Breast Cancer at Presentation: Protocol MF07-01.

BACKGROUND: The MF07-01 trial is a multicenter, phase III, randomized, controlled study comparing locoregional treatment (LRT) followed by systemic therapy (ST) with ST alone for treatment-naïve stage IV breast cancer (BC) patients. METHODS: At initial diagnosis, patients were randomized 1:1 to either the LRT or ST group. All the patients were given ST either immediately after randomization or after surgical resection of the intact primary tumor. RESULTS: The trial enrolled 274 patients: 138 in the LRT group and 136 in the ST group. Hazard of death was 34% lower in the LRT group than in the ST group (hazard ratio [HR], 0.66; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.49-0.88; p = 0.005). Unplanned subgroup analyses showed that the risk of death was statistically lower in the LRT group than in the ST group with respect to estrogen receptor (ER)/progesterone receptor (PR)(+) (HR 0.64; 95% CI 0.46-0.91; p = 0.01), human epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2)/neu(-) (HR 0.64; 95% CI 0.45-0.91; p = 0.01), patients younger than 55 years (HR 0.57; 95% CI 0.38-0.86; p = 0.007), and patients with solitary bone-only metastases (HR 0.47; 95% CI 0.23-0.98; p = 0.04). CONCLUSION: In the current trial, improvement in 36-month survival was not observed with upfront surgery for stage IV breast cancer patients. However, a longer follow-up study (median, 40 months) showed statistically significant improvement in median survival. When locoregional treatment in de novo stage IV BC is discussed with the patient as an option, practitioners must consider age, performance status, comorbidities, tumor type, and metastatic disease burden.

Oncoplastic surgery; volume displacement techniques for breast conserving surgery in patients with breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Surgical management of breast cancer has drastically changed. Breast-conserving surgery (BCS) has now become a commonly used method for its treatment. Oncoplastic techniques are widely applied with satisfactory aesthetic results. We evaluated the aesthetic and oncological outcomes of BCS with glandular tissue displacement techniques. METHODS: Seventy-five patients with invasive breast cancer were surgically treated by oncoplastic techniques. Preoperative evaluations, including breast and tumor size, localizations and features, were performed by physical examination, imaging methods, and histopathological analysis. Appropriate volume displacement techniques were planned according to breast and tumor size and localization. Early and late aesthetic results were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 54 years, and mean tumor size was 25 mm. Tumors were located in the upper-outer quadrant in 44% of patients. Glandular flaps were used in 55 (73%) patients. Racquet mammoplasty was the most preferred method. Nipple areolar complex (NAC) recentralization was performed in 26 (47.3%) of 55 patients with glandular tissue displacement. Therapeutic reduction mammoplasty was performed in 20 patients. All patients underwent adjuvant radiotherapy. After an average follow-up of 24 months, neither locoregional recurrence nor distant metastases were observed. Aesthetic results of the oncoplastic BCS method were very good in 54 (72%) patients. CONCLUSION: Breast remodeling by glandular flap displacement after a wide local excision should be the primary aim in patients with breast cancer for better aesthetic outcomes. NAC recentralization is the primary component that could be considered for achieving better results. BCS associated with oncoplastic techniques allows wide excision of larger tumors and provides good and satisfactory aesthetic results at long-term follow-up.

Clinical importance of discordance of hormone receptors and Her2/neu status after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the hormone receptors' (HR) and HER2/neu status between core needle biopsy (CNB) and residual tumor after surgery of breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC), and also to evaluate the impact of discordance and other clinicopathological factors on survival. METHODS: Oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and HER2/neu status were evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) on 90 CNBs of primary tumors and surgical specimens after NAC (study group); 53 patients without NAC served as control group, and discordance was compared between the two groups. The association between discordance of HR status after NAC and various other clinicopathological factors was tested with Spearman's test. RESULTS: Pathological complete response (PCR) was achieved in 10 (11.1%) patients after NAC. ER and PR changed significantly more in the study than in the control group. ER and PR discordance was detected in 10 (12.5%) and 17 (21.2%) patients in the NAC group and in 1 (1.8%) and 2 (3.7%) patients in the control group (p=0.04 and p=0.005, respectively). ER discordance was related with HER2/neu change. Furthermore, PR discordance correlated with CNB, ER and treatment response, while HER2/ neu discordance was associated with treatment response (p=0.05). ER discordance was found to be an independent prognostic factor for progression-free survival (PFS) (p=0.02). CONCLUSION: NAC might cause alterations in ER, PR or HER2//neu status in breast cancer, and they should be re-tested in the residual tumor after NAC to optimize adjuvant therapy.

Trans-cystic biliary catheterization and decompression in liver and biliary surgery.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Trans-cystic biliary catheterization (TCBC) and decompression may be employed to prevent biliary leakage after liver and biliary surgery. METHODOLOGY: We evaluated medical records of patients that required trans-cystic biliary catheterization between 2001-2009; we retrospectively review prospectively collected data, including patient demographics, operational procedures, cholangiographies and post-operative follow-ups. RESULTS: Mean age was 54 years (16-80 years) and 63% of patients were female. TCBC was employed only during the operation in 13 patients due to biliary leakage suspicion, but no leakage was detected and cystic canal is ligatured after catheter removal at the same operation. In remaining patients, catheters were placed in the cystic duct and blocked in 1-12 days. Biliary fistula developed in five patients and bile leakage was stopped spontaneously under trans-cystic biliary catheterization and decompression. Three patients were diagnosed to have retained common bile duct stones by cholangiographies and all removed with endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Catheters were withdrawn at 19-21 days post-operation. We experienced no TCBC related complications. CONCLUSIONS: Despite risks and difficulty of TCBC, it helps to demonstrate bile leak sites via trans-cystic flushing and to repair them as well as taking cholangiography, recognizing intra-luminal pathology, and also decompressing biliary system.

The importance of invasion and resection of superior mesenteric and portal veins in adenocarcinoma of the pancreas.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To achieve a negative surgical margin, resection of superior mesenteric/portal vein is necessary in pancreatic cancer. This study is designed to demonstrate the demographic and clinical differences of the patients requiring major vein resection and the incidence of histopathological vein invasion. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective analysis of patients that underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for adenocarcinoma of the pancreas between January 2000 and September 2011 was performed. Macroscopic adhesion to vein was considered as an invasion and a resection was performed. RESULTS: Twenty three of 100 patients that underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for adenocarcinoma of the pancreas had vein resection. Although the operation time (p=0.001), blood loss (p<0.001) and perioperative blood transfusion (p<0.001) were higher in the vein resection group, there were no differences in perioperative and hospital mortality, complication rate and hospitalization time. The tumor was larger (p=0.001) and lymphovascular invasion (p=0.030), perineural invasion (p=0.011), median metastatic lymph nodes (p=0.007), rate of R1 resection (p=0.007) were higher in vein resection group. Only 9 patients out of 23 patients had histopathological vein wall invasion. Overall survival was also not significantly different (p=0.14). CONCLUSIONS: Overall survival in vein resected group was also not significantly different than patients with standard pancreaticoduodenectomy and not all macroscopic vein adhesion means histopathological vein wall invasion.

Clinicopathological Features and Prognosis of Invasive Micropapillary Carcinoma Compared to Invasive Ductal Carcinoma-NOS: Worse or Better?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether there are differences in invasive micropapillary carcinoma (IMPC) and invasive ductal carcinoma-NOS (IDC-NOS) according to the clinicopathological features and prognosis including molecular subtypes. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Pathology, University of Health Sciences, Haydarpasa Numune Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey, from 2003 to 2016. METHODOLOGY: Operated breast cancer cases (58 IMPC + 326 IDC-NOS), with long-term follow-up findings (cases followed up until 2020), were reviewed. The cases, whose other component was only IDC-NOS, were included in the mixed IMPC group. The clinical features, including clinical presentation, treatments, and follow-up information were obtained from the patient clinical database. The IMPC cases included in the study were re-examined, and micropapillary tumour components were confirmed based on the criteria set by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The clinicopathological findings, recurrence, and survival data of both groups were compared. In addition, IDC-NOS was divided into the molecular subgroups and compared with IMPC cases in terms of 5-year overall survival (OS). RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the two groups for the distribution of molecular subtypes. There was a statistically significant difference among the nuclear grade, tumour size, nodal status, lymphovascular, and perineural invasion. In the first 5-year period, the OS rate for IDC-NOS and IMPC was 90.8% and 86.2% (p<0.05). The 5-year OS rate of luminal A, luminal B, HER2, triple negative (TN), and IMPC patients was 97.6%, 91.3%, 90%, 70%, and 86.2%, respectively (p<0.05). The OS rate in patients with TN and IMPC was similar which was found significantly lower than the other groups (luminal A, luminal B, and HER2). The median OS was 51.3 months and 53.9 months for the patients with TN and IMPC, respectively (p<0.001). This difference disappeared in the 10th and 15th years of follow-up. CONCLUSION: The majority of the deaths in IMPC occurred within the first 5 years. The 5-year OS rates were similar in the TN and IMPC patients. The survival pattern of IMPC is parallel with TN, Therefore, clinical, therapeutic, and prognostic evaluation in IMPC can be done like TN. KEY WORDS: Invasive ductal carcinoma, Invasive micropapillary carcinoma, Survival.

Management of endocrine surgical disorders during COVID-19 pandemic: expert opinion for non-surgical options.

PURPOSE: The COVID-19 pandemic brought unprecedented conditions for overall health care systems by restricting resources for non-COVID-19 patients. As the burden of the disease escalates, routine elective surgeries are being cancelled. The aim of this paper was to provide a guideline for management of endocrine surgical disorders during a pandemic. METHODS: We used Delphi method with a nine-scale Likert scale on two rounds of voting involving 64 experienced eminent surgeons and endocrinologists who had the necessary experience to provide insight on endocrine disorder management. All voting was done by email using a standard questionnaire. RESULTS: Overall, 37 recommendations were voted on. In two rounds, all recommendations reached an agreement and were either endorsed or rejected. Endorsed statements include dietary change in primary hyperparathyroidism, Cinacalcet treatment in secondary hyperparathyroidism, alpha-blocker administration for pheochromocytoma, methimazole ± ß-blocker combination for Graves' disease, and follow-up for fine-needle aspiration results of thyroid nodules indicated as Bethesda 3-4 cytological results and papillary microcarcinoma. CONCLUSION: This survey summarizes expert opinion for the management of endocrine surgical conditions during unprecedented times when access to surgical treatment is severely disrupted. The statements are not applicable in circumstances in which surgical treatment is possible.

Cancer-Associated Retinopathy in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Breast Tumor.

INTRODUCTION: Paraneoplastic neurological syndromes (PNS) are rare neurological conditions and they are mostly triggered by autoimmune mechanisms. Cancer-related retinopathies (CAR) are even rarer and commonly related with breast tumor in woman. This limits our knowledge about pathophysiology of CAR. In this study, we question the association between histopathological findings and onconeural antibodies in breast cancer. METHOD: Thirty-two patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer admitted to the oncology outpatient clinic were included in the study. None of the participants have visual complaints. After the neurological examination of the patients, two tubes of 5 cc venous blood were obtained by screening onconeuronal antibodies. Samples were investigated in ASDETAE (Istanbul University Experimental Medicine Research Institute). RESULTS: Patients included in the study included one patinet (3.1%) with grade 1, 14 patients (43.8%) with grade 2 and 17 patients (53.1%) with grade 3 invasive breast cancer. Perineural invasion was detected in 5 (15.6%) patients. Progesterone receptor positivity was found in 26 (81.2%) patients and estrogen receptor positivity was found in 27 (84.4%) patients. In 7 (21.9%) patients, CERBB2 was positive and in 25 (78.1%) patients, Ki 67 was positive. A total of 12 (37.5%) patients had onconeuroneal antibody positivity. Antibody positivity was significantly higher in patients with high grade tumor (p=0.008). CONCLUSION: There may be a relationship between tumor grade and the presence of onconeuronal antibodies in breast cancer patients. By the detection of new biochemical markers, significant contribution can be made to the early diagnosis and treatment of underlying cancer.

The Role of FDG PET/CT to Evaluation of Axillary Lymph Nodes after Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the diagnostic value of breast and axillary maximum standard uptake (SUVmax) values for predicting ypT0 and ypN0 separately. STUDY DESIGN: A descriptive study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: Department of Medical Oncology, Haydarpasa Numune Training and Research Hospital, between May 2017 and September 2020.  Methodology: Consecutive patients with operated breast cancer (BC) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) were evaluated. SUVmax on FDG-PET/CT after NAC at both primary tumour (postSUVmax-T) and axillary lymph nodes (postSUVmax-N) were assessed to predict the ypT0 and the ypN0, respectively.  Results: Clinically meaningful correlation was detected between postSUVmax-N with ypN0 in patients with human epidermal receptor-positive (Her2+) and triple-negative (TN) BC (in Her2+ BC: r=0.596, p <0.001, in TN BC: r=0.782, p = 0.001). The postSUVmax-N predicted ypN0 with 90.5% positive predictive value (PPV) and 85.7% negative predictive value (NPV) in patients with Her2+ and TN BC. The postSUVmax-T predicted ypT0 with 87.5% PPV and 100% NPV in patients with TN BC (AUC: 0.938, P <0.01) Conclusion: According to this study's findings, the FDG-PET/CT may be an alternative to sentinel lymph node biopsy (SNB) to protect patients from axillary lymph node dissection when the expected FNR of the SNB is high in patients with Her+ and TN BC. Key Words: Breast cancer, FDG PET/CT, Neoadjuvant therapy.

Targeted axillary biopsy and sentinel lymph node biopsy for axillary restaging after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: Accurate restaging of the axilla after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is an important issue to ensure deescalating axillary surgery in patients with initial metastatic nodes. We aimed to present our results of targeted axillary biopsy (TAB) combined with sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) for axillary restaging after NAC. METHODS: In 64 breast cancer patients who underwent NAC, biopsy-proven positive nodes were marked with clips before NAC, and ultrasound-guided wire localization of clip-marked nodes was performed after NAC. Patients underwent TAB and SLNB for post-NAC axilla restaging. RESULTS: Identification rates of post-NAC TAB and SLNB were 98.4% and 87.5%, respectively (P = 0.033). Histopathology revealed a nodal pathologic complete response (pCR) rate of 47% in which axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) was avoided. TAB alone and SLNB alone detected residual disease in 29 (85.3%) and 20 (58.8%) patients (P = 0.029), respectively. Whereas rates of up to 97% had been achieved with a combination of TAB and SLNB. The pCR rates after NAC were 64.3% for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive and triple-negative tumors and 13.6% in luminal tumors (P = 0.0002). CONCLUSION: Pathologic analysis following TAB combined with SLNB revealed the pCR rates to NAC in a considerable number of patients that provided de-escalation of axillary surgery. A combination of SLNB and TAB was found to be an accurate procedure in establishing residual nodal disease. This combined procedure in patients with initially positive nodes was a reliable method for post-NAC axillary restaging.

Pathological Complete Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Patients With Breast Cancer: The Relationship Between Inflammatory Biomarkers and Molecular Subtypes.

Purpose Among patients with breast cancer, pathological complete response (pCR) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) is an important prognostic predictor of survival. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) along with overall pCR. Method A total of 150 patients with breast cancer who were first administered NAC and then operated on were retrospectively evaluated. Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and PLR obtained from the complete blood count analysis performed immediately before NAC treatment were analyzed. The cut-off value was calculated as 150 for PLR and 2.24 for NLR. We studied the predictive value of NLR and PLR levels for the pathologic response of breast cancer to NAC. Results Pathological complete response was observed in 34.7% (n = 52) of the patients, pCR in the breast in 42.7% (n = 64), and that in the axilla in 44% (n = 66). There was a statistically significant difference between the pCR rates according to the PLR levels (p = 0.013). In addition, a statistically significant difference was found in the pCR rates in the breast and axilla according to PLR levels (p = 0.018, p = 0.009). Patients with low PLR in the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) group had significantly higher axillary pCR rates than in those with high PLR (p = 0.019). Conclusions A low PLR level showed high chemotherapy sensitivity independent of molecular subtypes in the treatment of breast cancer with NAC. The PLR level can serve as a predictive marker of the therapeutic effect of NAC on the breast and axilla. Low PLR levels in HER-2 enriched groups can predict pCR in the axilla.

Separate thyrothymic thyroid remnant; clinically crucial anatomic variation.

PURPOSE: The anatomical variations of the thyroid gland including separate thyroidal remnant at the thyrothymic area are of significance during thyroid surgery for "total" thyroidectomy, and for recurrent goitre. In the present study, we aimed to detect the separate rests of thyroidal tissue in the thyrothymic region. METHODS: The thyrothymic region was explored for identification, dissection, and excision of separate thyroidal remnants in 134 patients who underwent primary thyroid surgery. In this series, we studied the incidence and anatomical features of the thyrothymic remnant and its relation with other embryologic remnants. RESULTS: Overall, 222 sides of the thyroid were explored in this study. An entirely separate thyrothymic remnant of the thyroid was identified and excised in 8 of 134 patients (6%). Mean size of removed remnants was 36.4 mm (range, 29-45 mm) in diameter. The incidences of pyramidal lobe (PL) and Zuckerkandl's tubercle (ZT) were 71.6% and 59.7%, respectively. The thyrothymic remnant coexisted with PLs in 4 patients. Four patients had all 3 embryologic remnants: thyrothymic remnant, PLs, and ZTs. CONCLUSION: An entirely separate thyroidal remnant at the thyrothymic area is not a rare variation. The considerably large size of a remnant may threaten the completeness of thyroidectomy and may result in recurrence if it is left behind after thyroid surgery. Awareness, identification, and excision of the separate remnant at the thyrothymic area and the other embryologic remnants are critical for ensuring completeness of thyroidectomy and preventing recurrences.

Visual and electrophysiological identification of the external branch of superior laryngeal nerve in redo thyroid surgery compared with primary thyroid surgery.

PURPOSE: Thyroid reoperations are surgically challenging because of significant anatomical variance. Visual and functional identification of the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (EBSLN) were studied in 2 groups of patients who underwent primary and redo thyroid surgery. METHODS: This study was conducted on 200 patients: 100 patients with redo and 100 patients with primary thyroid surgery. In addition to visual identification, nerve branches were functionally identified by intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM). Visual, functional, and total identification rates of the EBSLN in both primary and redo surgery were determined and compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: We attempted to identify 138 and 170 EBSLNs at risk in redo and primary surgery, respectively. Visual identification rates were 65.3% and 30.4% (P < 0.001) in primary and redo surgery groups, respectively. In total, 164 (96.5%) and 97 EBSLNs (70.3%) were identified in primary and redo surgery, respectively (P < 0.001), including the use of IONM. In primary surgery group, 53 nonvisualized EBSLNs of 164 identified nerves (32.3%) were determined by IONM alone. In redo surgery group, 55 of 97 identified nerves (56.7%) were determined by IONM alone (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Both visual and total identification rates of the EBSLN are significantly decreased in reoperative thyroidectomy. IONM increases the total identification rate of the EBSLN in primary and redo thyroid surgery. Electrophysiological monitoring makes a substantial contribution to the identification of the EBSLN both in primary and especially in redo thyroid surgery.

Intraoperative Monitoring of External Branch of the Superior Laryngeal Nerve: Functional Identification, Motor Integrity, and its Role on Vocal Cord Function.

PURPOSE: Beside recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN), protection of the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (EBSLN) is required for complication-free thyroid surgery. This study investigates the contribution of intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) to identification and motor integrity of the EBSLN. METHODS: This prospective study was performed on 245 EBSLNs in 147 patients with thyroid surgery. The rate of visual identification, contribution of IONM to functional localization, the rate and levels of recordable waveform amplitude from vocal cord (VC) movement were determined during surgery. RESULTS: 164 (66.9%) EBSLNs were visually identified and additional 74 branches were functionally identified by IONM. Additional identification rate of IONM was 30.2%. Seven (2.9%) EBSLNs could not be identified during surgery. Cricothyroid muscle (CTM) twitch established functional integrity in 97.1% of EBSLNs. Electrophysiological stimulation of 151 (63.4%) EBSLNs created waveform amplitude >100 µV that mean amplitude level was calculated as 186 µV, and an amplitude >300 µV was recorded in 19 of 151 (12.6%) EBSLNs. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to visual identification, surgeons can functionally localize the EBSLN with the assistance of IONM that CTM twitch is a reliable evience for functional integrity of the EBSLN. In the majority of patients, stimulation of the EBSLN creates recordable waveform amplitude thus the EBSLN appears to be a second source of motor innervations for intrinsic laryngeal muscles.

Nonrecurrent Laryngeal Nerve: Precise Detection by Electrophysiological Nerve Monitoring.

Complication-free thyroid surgery is mainly based on the motor integrity of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN). The nonrecurrent laryngeal nerve (non-RLN) is a rare anatomical variation that may increase the risk of vocal cord palsy. Early identification and exposure of the non-RLN may minimize injury risk. This case report presents functional detection of the non-RLN by intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM). Total thyroidectomy was performed under the guidance of IONM on a patient with bulky multinodular goiter. The first step of IONM is pre-dissection stimulation (V1) of the right vagus nerve (VN). V1 at a standard distal point was negative as indicated by the absence of both a sound signal and wave amplitude. The right VN was then followed proximally and dissected under the guidance of IONM. This dissection established a proximal point creating a positive signal that led us to determine the separation point of the non-RLN. The right non-RLN arising from the proximal VN was identified and fully exposed until laryngeal entry. Its motor integrity was confirmed with post-dissection signals. The left RLN was identified at the usual anatomical position that was fully exposed and preserved during thyroid surgery. Total thyroidectomy was then accomplished without complication. The postoperative period was uneventful. Postoperative laryngoscopy confirmed normal vocal cord function. The non-RLN is accurately identified by IONM during the early part of the thyroid surgery. The absence of a distal VN signal is predictive of the non-RLN. IONM-guided proximal dissection of the right VN leads to the identification of the non-RLN. The prediction of the non-RLN by the absence of a VN signal during an early stage of surgery may prevent or minimize the risk of nerve injury.

Effect of N-acetylcysteine on neutrophil functions during experimental acute pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: Systemic inflammatory responses and extrapancreatic vital organ impairment are mediated by activated neutrophil functions and products, such as oxygen-derived free radicals, in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP). The present study is an examination of effects of an antioxidant, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), on local and systemic histopathological changes and neutrophil functions during AP. METHODS: This experimental study was performed on 24 Wistar albino rats equally divided into 3 groups: Group 1 comprised sham laparotomy, Group 2 had AP induced with taurocholate infusion, and Group 3 consisted of AP with NAC treatment. Histopathological features in pancreas, kidney, and lung tissues were examined for local and systemic changes during AP. Neutrophil functions were evaluated using flow cytometry. RESULTS: Serum levels of pancreatic enzymes were elevated, and histopathological parameters showed acinar cell damage and pancreatic tissue necrosis in the 2 groups with AP. Severe histopathological changes were found in pulmonary and renal tissues, and flow cytometry results indicated defective neutrophil functions in the group with AP alone. NAC treatment significantly ameliorated phagocytosis, chemotaxis, and opsonization of neutrophils (p<0.05). NAC treatment also ameliorated systemic changes in pulmonary and renal tissue damage in all microscopic parameters (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Uncontrolled and defective neutrophil functions could provoke severe systemic inflammatory responses. In addition to local inflammation and necrosis, severe systemic responses and histopathological changes in extrapancreatic vital organs occur during AP. Treatment with antioxidant NAC significantly reverses detrimental systemic responses in extrapancreatic vital organs by significantly ameliorating neutrophil functions despite ongoing AP.

Intrathoracic splenosis secondary to previous penetrating thoracoabdominal trauma diagnosed during delayed diaphragmatic hernia repair.

Although intraperitoneal splenosis is a very common disease, intrathoracic splenosis is very rare. It is generally an asymptomatic disease that occurs after thoracoabdominal trauma, and is diagnosed as an intrathoracic mass that leads to unnecessary investigations to be differentiated from other benign or malignant lesions of the chest. We present a patient with an intrathoracic mass which was preoperatively diagnosed as a diaphragmatic hernia on chest X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging. We have intraoperatively recognized that many pieces of splenic tissue have been herniated through a diaphragmatic defect, and formed intrathoracic splenosis. We repaired the diaphragmatic hernia defect after excision of fragments of the spleen.

Nonrecurrent Laryngeal Nerve in the Era of Intraoperative Nerve Monitoring.

Nonrecurrent laryngeal nerve (non-RLN) is an anatomical variation increasing the risk of vocal cord palsy. Prediction and early identification of non-RLN may minimize such a risk of injury. This study assessed the effect of intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) on the detection of non-RLN. A total of 462 (236 right) nerves in 272 patients were identified and totally exposed, and all intraoperative steps of IONM were sequentially applied on the vagus nerve (VN) and RLN. Right predissection VN stimulation at a distal point did not create a sound signal in three cases (3/236; 1.27%). Proximal dissection of the right VN under IONM guidance established a proximal point, creating a positive signal. The separation point of non-RLN from VN was discovered in all three patients. Non-RLNs were exposed from separation to laryngeal entry. Positive IONM signals were obtained after resection of thyroid lobes, and postoperative period was uneventful in patients with non-RLN. Absence of distal VN signal is a precise predictor of the non-RLN. IONM-guided proximal dissection of the right VN leads to identification of the non-RLN. The prediction of non-RLN by the absence of the VN signal at an early stage of surgery may prevent or minimize the risk of nerve injury.