Prediction of post-idroidectomy hypocalcemia through rapid PTH determination. / Predicción de hipocalcemia postiroidectomía mediante determinación de PTH rápida.

INTRODUCTION: Hypocalcemia is the most frequent complication after thyroidectomy. The aim of this work is to identify biochemical risk factors of hypocalcemia using quick perioperative (pre and post-thyroidectomy) intact parathyroid hormone (PTHi) and postoperative calcemias. METHODS: In a consecutive series of 310 total thyroidectomies, samples of quick PTHi at the anaesthetic induction and 10 minutes after surgery, together with serum calcemias every 12 hours were obtained. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value are analyzed and related to hypocalcemia. A control group of hemithyroidectomies is also analyzed to compare the effects of surgery on PTH secretion. RESULTS: Of the 310 patients, 202 (65.1%) remained normocalcemic and asymptomatic (group A), 108 (34.9%) presented hypocalcemia (Group B), requiring oral calcium (79 symptomatic). After analysis of several cut-off points, combining a PTHr drop gradient of 60% or calcemia inferior to 7.4 mg/dl at 24 hours, a sensitivity of 100% is achieved without leaving false negatives. Compared to the control group, there is a significant difference with respect to the post-operative calcemias and PTHr, p < 0.001. CONCLUSIONS: Total thyroidectomy affects parathyroid function with evident decrease in rPTH and risk of hypocalcemia. The combination of PTHr decrease of 60% or less than 7.4 mg/dl calcemia at 24 hours gives a 100% sensitivity for predicting patients at risk of hypocalcemia.

[A randomized controlled trial of preoperative oral immunonutrition in patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer: hospital stay and health care costs]. / Estudio prospectivo y randomizado sobre inmunonutrición oral preoperatoria en pacientes intervenidos por cáncer colorrectal: estancia hospitalaria y costos sanitarios.

BACKGROUND: The use of enteral formulas with immunonutrients in patients with gastrointestinal malignancies susceptible to surgery can reduce postoperative morbidity, at the expense of reduced infectious complications, with the consequent reduction in hospital stay and health care costs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective randomized study. 84 patients operated on a scheduled basis for resectable colorectal cancer were recruited. In the group YES IN Impact © Oral was administered for 8 days (3 sachets a day), compared with the NOT IN group who did not receive it. RESULTS: 40.5% (17) patients without immunonutrition suffered infectious complications vs. 33.3% (14) of YES IN. In patients with rectal cancer NOT IN, 50% (8) suffered minor infectious complications (p=.028). In each group (YES IN, NOT IN, colon and rectal cancer) when infectious complications were observed, the variables total hospital stay and costs doubled, with significant differences. These variables showed higher values in the group NOT IN compared with those who received immunonutrition, although these differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: NOT IN patients suffered infectious complications more frequently than YES IN, with significant results in the subgroup of patients with rectal cancer. The total hospital stay and costs were slightly higher in the group not supplemented, doubling in each category significantly (YES IN, NOT IN, colon and rectal cancer), when infectious complications were observed.

Compliance with recommendations on surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism-from guidelines to real practice: results from an Iberian survey.

PURPOSE: Knowledge about compliance with recommendations derived from the positional statement of the European Society of Endocrine Surgeons on modern techniques in primary hyperparathyroidism surgery and the Third International Workshop on management of asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism is scarce. Our purpose was to check it on a bi-national basis and determine whether management differences may have impact on surgical outcomes. METHODS: An online survey including questions about indications, preoperative workup, surgical approach, intraoperative adjuncts, and outcomes was sent to institutions affiliated to the endocrine surgery divisions of the National Surgical Societies from Spain and Portugal. A descriptive evaluation of the responses was performed. Finally, we assessed the correlation between the different types of management with the achievement of optimal results, defined as a cure rate equal or greater than the median of all interviewed institutions. RESULTS: Fifty-seven hospitals (41 Spanish, 16 Portuguese) answered the survey. First-ordered imaging tests were neck ultrasound and sestamibi scan. Facing negative or non-concordant results, 44 % of surgeons ordered additional tests before first-time surgery, and 84 % before reoperations. When indicated, selective parathyroidectomy was an acceptable option for 95 % of institutions as first-time surgery and for 51 % in reoperations. Intraoperative parathormone measurements were used by 92 % of departments. The surgical outcomes were good in most institutions (median cure rate 97 %) and were influenced mostly by the presence of an endocrine surgery unit in the surgical department (p = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS: Practice of Iberian endocrine surgeons is consistent with current recommendations on surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism, with variability in some areas.

[Primary hyperparathyroidism and acute toxic hypercalcaemic crisis]. / Hiperparatiroidismo primario y crisis hipercalcémica aguda tóxica.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinical characteristics and surgical treatment of patients with acute hypercalcaemia due to primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and compare them with other patients with PHPT without associated acute hypercalcaemia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective, observational study (1998-2010) was conducted on 158 patients with PHPT treated by parathyroidectomy. Those with acute hypercalcaemia (>14 mg/dl -3.5 mmol/L- or >3 mmol/L with symptoms of calcium toxicity) were evaluated by recording their clinical and treatment characteristics, and comparing them, using the Mann-Whitney U test and the Fisher test, with the 146 PHPT patients without hypercalcaemic crisis. RESULTS: Twelve patients (7.6%) had acute hypercalcaemia with symptoms of calcium toxicity and other symptoms of chronicity. The preoperative calcium and PTH values were 14.5 ± 1.3mg/dL and 648.2 ± 542 pg/dL, respectively. There were 10 adenomas, 1 hyperplasia and 1 carcinoma. The mean weight of the surgical pieces was 4.075 ± 2.918 mg, with a diameter greater than 27 ± 14 mm. The gradients of PTH at 10 and 25 minutes were 79 ± 18% and 92 ± 6%, respectively. Post-operative calcium values on discharge and at 6 months were 8.2 ± 0.7 mg/dL and 9.1 ± 0.9 mg/dL, respectively. The plasma concentrations of calcium, PTH, and the size of the surgical pieces were higher in patients with hypercalcaemic crisis (P<0.001). There were no differences in the other parameters studied or in the cure rate. CONCLUSIONS: Hypercalcaemic crises were caused by larger and heavier tumours that led to higher plasma Ca and PTH plasma concentrations. All patients had long-standing symptoms and parathyroidectomy led to cure of the disease.