Complications of completion versus total thyroidectomy.

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to analyze the complication rates after completion thyroidectomy and compare them with primary total benign and malign thyroidectomy causes in total of 647 patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Among 647 patients, there were 159 receiving completion thyroidectomy for differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) (Group 1); 217 patients receiving total thyroidectomy for DTC (Group 2) and 271 given total thyroidectomy for benign diseases (Group 3). RESULTS: When groups were compared for complications, there were no significant difference except temporary hypocalcemia between completion thyroidectomy and total thyroidectomy for DTC. When the total thyroidectomies were compared (Group 2 and 3), there were no significant difference observed except unilateral temporary RLN palsy. CONCLUSION: With improvements in surgical technique and experience, complication rates of thyroidectomy performed for benign or malign diseases are reduced. In spite of the improvement in surgical experience, temporary RLN palsy and hypoparathyroidism are the main complications in completion thyroidectomies which need special attention. To evaluate the patients more carefully in preoperative period and performing adequate thyroidectomy appears more logical.

Associations between adiponectin and two different cancers: breast and colon.

OBJECTIVES: Breast and colon cancer are neoplasms well known to be related to obesity. Adiponectin, a protein that increases in obesity, seems to be involved in the relationship but clinical data are limited. METHODS: In this study, we therefore evaluated the serum adiponectin levels in 87 breast and 27 colon cancer patients and assessed the relation with BMI, menopausal status, receptor status and stage of disease. RESULTS: Serum adiponectin levels were lower in cancer cases (8583 ± 2095 ng/ml for breast cancer, 9513 ± 2276 for colon cancer) than in controls (13905 ± 3263). CONCLUSION: A low serum adiponectin level may be associated with both breast and colon cancer, and that this association is not statistically significant for either receptor or menopausal status in breast cancer groups.

Glucan improves impaired wound healing in diabetic rats .

UNLABELLED:  Purpose. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a contributing factor to impaired wound healing in humans. A large body of evidence indicates that the diabetic state is associated with delayed or reduced wound repair capacity. The present study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of glucan on improving abdominal wall wound healing in rats with DM. METHODS: Ninety-six female, Sprague-Dawley rats that weighed between 250 g and 300 g were used. A laparotomy was performed on all of the rats on the 14th day. Twenty-four healthy rats (group 1) served as the control. Streptozotocin was used to induce DM in groups 2 and 3 (n = 48). Rats in group 3 received glucan (n = 24). Rats in group 4 were not rendered with DM but received glucan (n = 24). The sutures were removed and abdominal bursting pressure was measured and recorded on the seventh postoperative day for all of the groups. Tissue samples were taken from the incision line for histopathological evaluation and hydroxyproline measurement. RESULTS: In group 2, the bursting pressure was significantly lower than in groups 1, 3, and 4; the hydroxyproline content and histopathological evaluations also supported these findings. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that glucan improves impaired wound healing in rats with DM. .

The false-negative rate of fine-needle aspiration cytology for diagnosing thyroid carcinoma in thyroid nodules.

PURPOSE: Our aim was to define the false-negative rate of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) for diagnosing thyroid carcinoma in thyroid nodules <4 cm versus > or =4 cm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six hundred sixty-two patients with thyroid nodules who underwent FNAC and surgery at our institution were analyzed. The association of predictive factors with thyroid carcinoma was evaluated. The sensitivity, specificity, and the false-negative rate of FNAC were calculated. RESULTS: The incidence of thyroid carcinoma was significantly higher in nodules > or =4 cm (24%) compared with nodules <4 cm (12%). The false-negative rates of FNAC were 2% in all nodules and 1.3% and 4.3% in nodules <4 cm and > or =4 cm (p = 0.9), respectively. Sensitivity and specificity of FNAC were 90% and 79%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The false-negative rate of FNAC is low for thyroid nodules <4 cm and for nodules > or =4 cm.

Predictive index for carcinoma of thyroid nodules and its integration with fine-needle aspiration cytology.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to select patients for resection of thyroid malignity among patients with thyroid nodules by integration of predictive indices with fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). METHODS: Characteristics of 571 euthyroid patients with thyroid nodules who underwent surgery in our institution were prospectively recorded. Predictive factors for malignancy were identified and categorized as predictive indices that were integrated with FNAC to select patients for surgery. RESULTS: Eighty-three (14.5%) of the 571 patients had thyroid carcinoma. Size > or =4 cm, age > or =65, cervical lymph nodes, solid structure, hypoechogenicity, microcalcification, and elevated serum thyroglobulin levels were independent predictive factors associated with thyroid malignancy. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of FNAC were 88%, 80%, and 81%, respectively, and were 100% for index 3. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with malignant and suspicious FNAC findings and, among patients with follicular neoplasm and nondiagnostic FNAC findings, those with > or =2 risk factors should undergo surgery.