Prevention of hypocalcemia and hypoparathyroidism after total thyroidectomy. Recommendations of the Francophone Association of Endocrine Surgery (AFCE) with the French Society of Endocrinology (SFE) and the French Society of Nuclear Medicine (SFMN).

Postoperative hypoparathyroidism, resulting from removal and/or devascularization of one or more parathyroid glands, is a feared complication of total thyroidectomy. Two forms, which are distinguished by their frequency, their time to onset and their duration as well as by their presentation, must be individualized: early postoperative hypocalcemia, often secondary to early hypoparathyroidism is a frequent and often transient situation occurring within the first days after surgery; permanent hypoparathyroidism, which is rarer, manifests when parathyroid function remains impaired for more than six months after surgery. Because of their severity, these conditions must be known and ideally prevented during total thyroidectomy. The objective of this article is to provide surgeons with practical recommendations for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of hypoparathyroidism after total thyroidectomy. These recommendations, which are the fruit of a medico-surgical consensus, were developed by the Francophone Association of Endocrine Surgery (AFCE), the French Society of Endocrinology (SFE) and the French Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging. (SFMN). The content, grade and level of evidence for each recommendation was decided after consultation within a panel of experts, based on an analysis of recent literature.

Detection of BRAFV600E by digital PCR on fine-needle aspirate enables rapid initiation of dabrafenib and trametinib in unresectable anaplastic thyroid carcinoma.

Introduction: Recently, targeted therapies using BRAFV600E and MEK inhibitors (dabrafenib and trametinib, respectively) have been recommended in BRAF-mutated anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC). Considering the fast development of ATC, droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) performed on fine-needle aspirate (FNA), which is a rapid, reliable, and low-cost method, appears interesting for the detection of BRAFV600E mutation in these patients and allows early initiation of targeted therapies. Results: In our two patients, both presenting extensive cervical masses inaccessible to surgery, ddPCR results were available in less than 24 h. Therefore, dabrafenib and trametinib were started only a few days after first contact. Conclusions: We suggest that ddPCR on FNA be used in non-resectable cervical masses for rapid BRAFV600E mutation detection in the hope that starting targeted therapies early might improve outcomes.

Complete resection of ulcerating, infiltrative, voluminous differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

An 87-year-old woman was referred to our department for a 15 cm right-sided cervical tumor with bleeding and skin ulceration, developed on a 6 cm papillary thyroid carcinoma diagnosed two years earlier. Surprisingly, there were no other compressive symptoms. Unexpectedly, but successfully, total thyroidectomy and neck dissection were performed. There were no poorly differentiated or anaplastic components in the final histological analysis. Impressive dehiscence occurred shortly after surgery and was also successfully managed. Our case highlights the benefit of considering surgery in the context of a tertiary care center even for an apparent massive aggressive cervical mass and despite old age.

Management of the injured bowel: preserving bowel continuity as a gold standard.

BACKGROUND: Management of bowel traumatic injuries is a challenge. Although anastomotic or suture leak remains a feared complication, preserving bowel continuity is increasingly the preferred strategy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of such a strategy. METHODS: All included patients underwent surgery for bowel traumatic injuries at a high volume trauma center between 2007 and 2017. Postoperative course was analyzed for abdominal complications, morbidity and mortality. RESULTS: Among 133 patients, 78% had small bowel injuries and 47% had colon injuries. 87% of small bowel injuries and 81% of colon injuries were treated with primary repair or anastomosis, with no difference in treatment according to injury site (p = 0.381). Mortality was 8%. Severe overall morbidity was 32%, and abdominal complications occurred in 32% of patients. Risk factors for severe overall morbidity were stoma creation (p = 0.036), heavy vascular expansion (p = 0.005) and a long delay before surgery (p = 0.023). Fistula rate was 2.2%; all leaks occurred after repairing small bowel wounds. CONCLUSION: Primary repair of bowel injuries should be the preferred option in trauma patient, regardless of the site-small bowel or colon-of the injury. Stoma creation is an important factor for postoperative morbidity, which should be weighed against the risk of an intestinal suture or anastomosis.

Risk Score of Neck Hematoma: How to Select Patients for Ambulatory Thyroid Surgery?

BACKGROUND: The risk of postoperative compressive hematoma is the major limitation for a wide development of ambulatory thyroidectomy (AT). The aim of this study was to establish a risk score of hematoma on the basis of preoperative criteria. METHODS: All patients who underwent thyroidectomy between 2002 and 2017 were reviewed in a high-volume endocrine surgery center. Multivariate analysis of risk factors associated with hematoma was performed in lobectomy and total thyroidectomy (TT). We assigned the risk factors identified by multivariate analysis weighted points proportional to the regression coefficient values. A simple sum of all accumulated points for each patient calculated the total score. RESULTS: For lobectomy [31 hematoma among 3912 patients (0.8%)], the weighted points of Vit K antagonist (VKA) were 3 (OR 9.86), and 1 in male gender (OR 2.4). For TT [162 hematoma among 13,903 patients (1.2%)], the weighted points of VKA were 4 (OR 12.18), 1 in male gender (OR 1.89), and 1 for diabetes (OR 1.86). Other factors weighted 0 in both groups. A total score >1 was linked to a risk of hematoma > 1.3% for lobectomy or TT. AT should not be proposed to any patient under VKA, and in case of TT, to male patients with diabetes. Prospectively, patients had AT from May 2018 to February 2020, 529 patients underwent ambulatory TL (483) or TT (46) and only one patient experienced neck hematoma. CONCLUSION: We established a simple and reproducible predictive score of early discharge for lobectomy and TT that could be useful for patients' management.

Appendicitis is a Severe Disease in Elderly Patients: A Twenty-Year Audit.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Life expectancy has increased substantially. Elderly patients currently represent a large part of patients requiring emergency abdominal surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the postoperative outcomes of elderly patients who underwent appendectomy in a single French tertiary center. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients who underwent appendectomy for acute appendicitis between January 1, 1994 and December 31, 2014. We used the French threshold of ≥ 75 y-old to define elderly patients. Hence, elderly patients who underwent appendectomy were compared to the younger group. RESULTS: During the study period, 2,060 consecutive patients underwent appendectomy for acute appendicitis. Laparoscopic appendectomy was performed in 52% of cases. Similar rates of laparoscopic approach were recorded in both groups, but conversion to open surgery was six times more frequent in elderly patients (17% vs. 3%; P < .0001). A higher incidence of complicated appendicitis was observed in the elderly group (63% vs. 13.6%; P < .0001). Complications occurred more frequently in the elderly group (46% vs. 8%; P < .0001). 30-d mortality was 0.15% for patients < 75 y and 6.15% for elderly patients (P < .0001). Unsuspected presence of an appendiceal neoplasm was higher (7.7%) in the elderly population. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the fact that appendicitis in the elderly is associated with a higher rate of complicated appendicitis, morbidity, and mortality.

Association of Autofluorescence-Based Detection of the Parathyroid Glands During Total Thyroidectomy With Postoperative Hypocalcemia Risk: Results of the PARAFLUO Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Because inadvertent damage of parathyroid glands can lead to postoperative hypocalcemia, their identification and preservation, which can be challenging, are pivotal during total thyroidectomy. Objective: To determine if intraoperative imaging systems using near-infrared autofluorescence (NIRAF) light to identify parathyroid glands could improve parathyroid preservation and reduce postoperative hypocalcemia. Design, Setting, and Participants: This randomized clinical trial was conducted from September 2016 to October 2018, with a 6-month follow-up at 3 referral hospitals in France. Adult patients who met eligibility criteria and underwent total thyroidectomy were randomized. The exclusion criteria were preexisting parathyroid diseases. Interventions: Use of intraoperative NIRAF imaging system during total thyroidectomy. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was the rate of postoperative hypocalcemia (a corrected calcium <8.0 mg/dL [to convert to mmol/L, multiply by 0.25] at postoperative day 1 or 2). The main secondary outcomes were the rates of parathyroid gland autotransplantation and inadvertent parathyroid gland resection. Results: A total of 245 of 529 eligible patients underwent randomization. Overall, 241 patients were analyzed for the primary outcome (mean [SD] age, 53.6 [13.6] years; 191 women [79.3%]): 121 who underwent NIRAF-assisted thyroidectomy and 120 who underwent conventional thyroidectomy (control group). The temporary postoperative hypocalcemia rate was 9.1% (11 of 121 patients) in the NIRAF group and 21.7% (26 of 120 patients) in the control group (between-group difference, 12.6% [95% CI, 5.0%-20.1%]; P = .007). There was no significant difference in permanent hypocalcemia rates (0% in the NIRAF group and 1.6% [2 of 120 patients] in the control group). Multivariate analyses accounting for center and surgeon heterogeneity and adjusting for confounders, found that use of NIRAF reduced the risk of hypocalcemia with an odds ratio of 0.35 (95% CI, 0.15-0.83; P = .02). Analysis of secondary outcomes showed that fewer patients experienced parathyroid autotransplantation in the NIRAF group than in the control group: respectively, 4 patients (3.3% [95% CI, 0.1%-6.6%) vs 16 patients (13.3% [95% CI, 7.3%-19.4%]; P = .009). The number of inadvertently resected parathyroid glands was significantly lower in the NIRAF group than in the control group: 3 patients (2.5% [95% CI, 0.0%-5.2%]) vs 14 patients (11.7% [95% CI, 5.9%-17.4%], respectively; P = .006). Conclusions and Relevance: The use of NIRAF for the identification of the parathyroid glands may help improve the early postoperative hypocalcemia rate significantly and increase parathyroid preservation after total thyroidectomy. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02892253.

Risk of recurrence in a homogeneously managed pT3-differentiated thyroid carcinoma population.

BACKGROUND: International guidelines for the management of differentiated thyroid cancers are based on the 7th TNM classification: pT3 tumors are defined as differentiated thyroid cancers (DTCs) measuring more than 4 cm in their greatest dimension that are limited to the thyroid or any tumor with minimal extrathyroidal extension (ETE; sternothyroid muscle or perithyroid soft tissues). Differences in clinicohistological features and prognosis among patients with pT3 tumors remain controversial, and studies regarding pT3 subgroups are lacking. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the prognosis of four subgroups of pT3 DTCs (papillary, PTC; or follicular, FTC). DESIGN AND SETTING: The data of patients who underwent surgery for pT3 DTC between 1978 and 2015 in a surgical department specialized in endocrine surgery were reviewed. Patients were classified into four groups as follows: the pT3a (≤ 10 mm with ETE), pT3b (10-40 mm with ETE), pT3c (> 40 mm without ETE), and pT3d groups (> 40 mm with ETE). Recurrence-free survival (RFS) was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: One thousand eighty-eight patients with pT3 DTC were included, of whom 311 (29%) had pT3a; 548 (50%), pT3b; 165 (15%), pT3c; and 64 (6%), pT3d. For the 916 patients with lymph node (LN) dissection, metastatic LNs were more frequent in the pT3b and pT3d groups (61 and 61%, respectively) than in the other groups (44% pT3a and 10% pT3c; p < 0.001). During the median follow-up period of 9 years (range, 2-38 years), recurrence occurred in 169 patients with T3 tumors (16%), including 18 with pT3a (6%), 100 with pT3b (18%), 20 with pT3c (12%), and 31 with pT3d (48%). In a multivariate analysis, LN metastases (< 0.0001), extranodal extension (p = 0.03), FTC (vs. PTC) (p = 0.006), pT3b (p = 0.016), and pT3d (p = 0.047) were associated with an increased risk of recurrence. The 5-year RFS rates were 94.5, 82.2, 91.1, and 50.3% for the pT3a, pT3b, pT3c, and pT3d groups, respectively (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Except for microcarcinoma, the risk of LN involvement is high and similar for the DTC patients with minimal ETE, regardless of the size of the tumor. The association of a tumor size of > 4 cm and ETE are associated with a poor prognosis and should justify the classification of these cases as a high-risk group. Other pT3 patients with no LN metastases could be individualized as a low-risk group.

Prognosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma in elderly patients after thyroid resection: A retrospective cohort analysis.

The size of the elderly population and the incidence of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) in this group appear to be rapidly increasing, although published information based on more detailed older age groupings are lacking.This study aimed to determine the clinical features and outcomes of elderly patients in PTC.All consecutive patients who received surgery for PTC in our Department from 1978 to 2014 were included. We compared 3 patient groups: young (<65 years), older (65-75 years), and very old patients (>75 years). Total thyroidectomy was performed with lymph node (LN) dissection in most cases, and radioiodine therapy was administered as needed.A total of 3835 patients (3257 young patients, 450 older patients, and 128 very old patients) were identified. Very old patients were more likely to have advanced (III/IV) tumor, nodes, metastases (TNM) stage, greater tumor size, number of tumors, and extracapsular invasion compared with young and older patients. For the 2289 patients with LN dissection (60%), metastatic LNs were more frequent in the very old group (44%) than in the other groups (34% young and 33% older patients) (P = 0.01). Very old patients had more frequent distant metastases (5%) than the older (2%) and young groups (1%) (P < 0.001). The overall postoperative morbidity was not significantly different between the 3 age groups. Recurrence was documented in 202 (6.2%) young, 29 (6.4%) older, and 15 (11.7%) very old PTC patients (P = 0.04). The 5-year disease-free survival was 81.3% for very old, 92.9% for older, and 94.7% for young group (P < 0.001).Very old patients should be considered high-risk PTC patients and their therapeutic strategy may benefit from aggressive treatment.

Can We Predict the Lateral Compartment Lymph Node Involvement in RET-Negative Patients with Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma?

BACKGROUND: Lateral lymph node dissection (LND) in the absence of macroscopic nodal metastasis remains controversial in sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). OBJECTIVES: The aims of our study were to determine the risk of lateral lymph node (LN) metastases with a focus on lateral contralateral N1, and to define a risk-adapted surgical treatment for these patients. METHODS: All patients who underwent surgery from 1980 to 2012 for previously untreated RET-negative MTC were reviewed. We focused on the lateral compartments of LN metastases and identified three groups: no lateral LN metastases, ipsilateral lateral (ILL)-LN metastases with no contralateral LN involvement, and contralateral lateral (CLL)-LN metastases. RESULTS: Overall, 131 patients underwent surgery for RET-negative MTC. A total thyroidectomy with LND was performed in 112 patients (85 %), including 97 patients who had an ILL-LND and 92 patients who had a CLL-LND. Lateral LN metastases (N1) occurred in 40 patients (37 %): 31 patients (32 %) had ILL-LN metastases with no contralateral LN involvement, and 9 patients (10 %) had CLL-LN metastases. The preoperative cut-offs for LN metastases in the ILL compartment were very low, with a smallest tumor size of 5 mm, and lowest serum calcitonin level of 38 pg/ml. Disease-free survival rates decreased from 92 % for patients with no lateral LN metastases to 41 % for patients with ILL-LN metastases and 0 % for patients with CLL-LN metastases. CONCLUSIONS: ILL-LND should be performed in every patient and only a minority of MTC patients with small micro-MTC, and low serum calcitonin levels should not have a CLL-LND.

Does the T1 subdivision correlate with the risk of recurrence of papillary thyroid cancer?

BACKGROUND: Based on the AJCC seventh TNM classification, T1 intraglandular tumors are subdivided into T1a (≤10 mm) and T1b (11-20 mm), but the differences in prognosis remain controversial. The present study aimed to determine the clinicopathological features and outcomes of T1a and T1b patients. METHODS: A retrospective study of 2518 T1 patients, including 1840 T1a (73 %) and 678 (27 %) T1b patients who underwent surgery for PTC from 1978 to 2014, was conducted. In patients with a preoperative or operative diagnosis of PTC, a total thyroidectomy (TT) with prophylactic (macroscopically N0) or therapeutic (evident N1) lymph node dissection (LND) was performed. Other patients had a TT or partial thyroidectomy without LND. The mean follow-up time was 8.9 ± 8.8 years (median, 6.5 years; range, 1-36.4 years). RESULTS: A TT was performed in 2273 patients (90 %), including 1184 (52 %) with LND. Other patients (n = 245) had a single lobectomy with isthmectomy. Multifocality, bilaterality, number of tumors, sum of the largest size of all foci, vascular invasion, and (in patients with LND) LN metastases were significantly more frequent in T1b than in T1a patients. Of the 1184 patients with LND, 278 had LN metastases (N1, 23 %), including 136/680 T1a (20 %) and 142/504 (28 %) T1b patients (p = 0.002). These LN metastases were diagnosed after a prophylactic LND in 86/609 T1a (14 %) and 93/440 T1b (21 %) patients (p = 0.001). Recurrences were more frequent in T1b (n = 26, 3.8 %) than in T1a patients (n = 35, 1.9 %, p = 0.005). In the multivariate analysis, independent prognostic factors for recurrence in both groups were the number of tumors, the sum of the largest size of all foci and, in patients who had LND, LN metastases and extranodal extension. For N0-x patients, the recurrence rate was significantly higher in the T1b than in the T1a group (2.4 vs. 0.9 %, respectively, p = 0.005), although this rate was similar in N1 patients (16.2 % for T1a and 9.2 % for T1b patients, p = 0.1). The 5-year disease-free survival rates for T1a and T1b patients were 98.3 and 96.6 %, respectively (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: For PTC patients, T1b had poorer clinicopathological features and increased risk of recurrence than T1a.

How to Avoid Nontherapeutic Laparotomy in Patients With Multiple Organ Failure of Unknown Origin. The Role of CT Scan Revisited.

Diagnosis of intra-abdominal diseases in critically ill patients remains a clinical challenge. Physical examination is unreliable whereas exploratory laparotomy may aggravate patient's condition and delay further evaluation. Only a few studies have investigated the place of computed tomography (CT) on this hazardous situation. We aimed to evaluate the ability of CT to prevent unnecessary laparotomy during the management of critically ill patients. Charts of all consecutive patients who had undergone an emergency nontherapeutic laparotomy from 1996 to 2013 were retrospectively studied and patient's demographic, clinical characteristics, and surgical findings were collected. During this period 59 patients had an unnecessary laparotomy. Fifty-one patients had at least one preoperative imaging and 36 had a CT scan. CT scans were interpreted to be normal (n = 12), with minor anomalies (n = 10), or major anomalies (pneumoperitoneum, portal venous gas/pneumatosis intestinalis, thickened gallbladder wall, and small bowel obstruction signs). Surgical exploration was performed through laparotomy (n = 55) or laparoscopy. Overall mortality was 37% with a median survival after surgery of 7 days. In univariate analysis, hospitalization in ICU before surgical exploration was the only factor related to death. In our series CT scans, objectively interpreted, helped avoid unnecessary surgical exploration in 61% of our patients.

Ischaemic colitis: indications, extent, and results of standardized emergency surgery.

BACKGROUND: Acute ischaemic colitis can occur postoperatively, mainly after aortic surgery, or spontaneously. Surgical treatment is debated. Study aim was to describe factors related to ischaemic colitis severity, determine if postoperative and spontaneous ischaemic colitis share similar outcomes, and evaluate results of standardized management. METHODS: 191 consecutive cases of ischaemic colitis observed from 1997 to 2012 were retrospectively analyzed: 119 (62%) after surgery and 72 (38%) spontaneous. Colon resection was performed for endoscopic type 2 colitis with multiple organ failure, and for every type 3. Types 1 and 2 without multiple organ failure were managed nonoperatively. RESULTS: Seventeen patients (9%) were managed nonoperatively, without mortality. Mortality rate after resection was 48% (84/174), within 9 days (range, 0-152). Multivariate analysis found 2 independent factors associated with postoperative death: age≥75 years and multiple organ failure. The context in which ischaemic colitis occurred was not a risk factor for mortality. Mortality rates were 51% for final type 3 (66% with multiple organ failure, 17% without), 53% for final type 2 with multiple organ failure, and 0% for type 1 or type 2 without multiple organ failure. CONCLUSION: An aggressive surgical approach in patients with ischaemic colitis seems justified in patients with multiple organ failure and findings of severe form of ischaemia at endoscopy.

Randomized controlled trial of alfacalcidol supplementation for the reduction of hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of perioperative alfacalcidol on postoperative hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy. METHODS: A total of 219 patients scheduled for total thyroidectomy were randomized into groups not receiving (group A) or receiving (group B) perioperative alfacalcidol. Postoperative hypocalcemia was compared between groups on postoperative day (POD) 1 and POD2. Patients with hypocalcemia (<2.00 mmol/L) received oral calcium supplementation. Calcium and vitamin D levels were measured at 5-week and 6-month follow-ups. RESULTS: The incidence of symptomatic hypocalcemia was significantly lower in group A (P = .02), whereas similarly low levels of calcemia were observed in both groups on POD1 (37% and 30%, respectively; P = not significant) and persisted on POD2 (14% and 6%, respectively; P = not significant). Patients with severe hypocalcemia (<1.90 mmol/L) showed faster recovery in group A compared with group B (6% vs 1%, P = .04). At 5 weeks, calcium and vitamin D levels were similar between the groups. Six months after surgery, 4% (group A) versus 0% (group B) of subjects exhibited permanent hypoparathyroidism (P = .04). CONCLUSIONS: Although the treatment did not correct vitamin D deficiency, perioperative alfacalcidol uptake resulted in decreased transient hypocalcemia and related symptoms in patients undergoing total thyroidectomy.

Prophylactic lymph node dissection in papillary thyroid carcinoma: is there a place for lateral neck dissection?

BACKGROUND: Cervical lymph node (LN) metastases are common in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), and they have a negative impact on recurrence. The management of preoperatively node-negative (N0) PTC is still controversial. The aim of our study was to describe the results of a prophylactic bilateral lymph node dissection (LND) and to investigate its impact on recurrence. METHODS: From 2003 to 2011, we analyzed 603 consecutive preoperatively N0 PTC patients. For each patient, we reviewed demographics data, tumor characteristics, pattern and risk factors of LN metastasis, and outcome. RESULTS: Lymph node metastases were found in 23 % of patients: 19 % in the central compartment and 8 % in the lateral compartment, including 1 % in the lateral compartment on the opposite side from the tumor. Multivariate analysis showed that hyperthyroidism and extrathyroidal invasion of the tumor were significantly associated with LN metastasis. Further analysis showed that localization of the tumor in the upper third of the thyroid lobe and metastatic LN in the central compartment were independent risk factors for lateral LN metastasis. During the 4.3-year follow-up, 23 recurrences were observed (4 %), including 5 in the central compartment. Recurrence rates were 2 % in the N0 group, 5 % in N1a patients, and 22 % in N1b patients (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In preoperatively N0 PTC patients, LN metastases are frequent in central and ipsilateral lateral compartments. Prophylactic LND in the central and ipsilateral lateral compartments should therefore be recommended in the presence of PTC to identify high-risk patients.

Early detection of hypocalcemia after total/completion thyroidectomy: routinely usable algorithm based on serum calcium level.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this prospective bicentric study was to investigate the course of serum calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (Phph) after total/completion thyroidectomy to establish a reliable and cost-effective strategic algorithm to detect patients at risk for postoperative hypocalcemia. METHODS: This observational study included 136 patients. Serum Ca and Phph levels were preoperatively and postoperatively recorded 6, 12, 20, and 48 h (H) after skin closure. Criteria for hypocalcemia were postoperative Ca levels ≤1.9 mmol/L at any time point and/or patients experiencing symptoms of hypocalcemia. Postoperative Ca supplementation was never given before H20 assay. Ca levels and their differences between time points were compared. RESULTS: Twenty-four percent of patients experienced hypocalcemia. At H12 and H20, the rates of patients with Ca levels ≤1.9 mmol/L were similar and larger than at H6 (p < 0.001). The H20-preoperative difference had the best area under the ROC curves (value = 0.87), and a difference ≤-0.3 was significantly more frequent in case of hypocalcemia (p = 0.001). The H20 assay and the difference H20-preop were consequently selected to design a new algorithm for hypocalcemia detection. Adding H48 assay in some specific cases (12.5 % of all included patients) enabled 100 % detection. Phosphorus assays were not informative in detecting hypocalcemia. CONCLUSIONS: This new algorithm enables, with 100 % sensitivity and 88.4 % specificity, early detection of severe hypocalcemia after total/completion thyroidectomy. It may become a useful and cost-effective tool for safe and early patient discharge, especially if PTH assays cannot be routinely used because of their availability or cost.

Trichobezoar: A rare cause of bowel obstruction.

A bezoar is an intraluminal mass formed by the accumulation of undigested material in the gastrointestinal tract. A trichobezoar is a bezoar made up of hair and is a rare cause of bowel obstruction of the proximal gastrointestinal tract. They are seen mostly in young women with trichotillomania and trichotillophagia and symptoms include epigastric pain, nausea, loss of appetite and bowel or gastric outlet obstruction. We herein describe a case of a trichobezoar that presented as a gastric outlet obstruction and was subsequently successfully removed via a laparotomy.

Clinical outcome after laparoscopic adrenalectomy for primary hyperaldosteronism: the role of pathology.

BACKGROUND: Primary hyperaldosteronism (PHA) is potentially curable by laparoscopic unilateral adrenalectomy (LUA). Pre-operative assessment rarely differentiates adrenal adenoma from hyperplasia. This study aimed to evaluate the results of LUA for PHA according to pathologic findings when an adrenal mass was identified unequivocally on a CT scan. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of LUA for PHA from July 1997 to May 2008 was performed. The minimal follow-up was 6 months. We considered hypertension to be cured in patients with normal blood pressure without antihypertensive medication (AM). Improvement was defined by a decrease of AM. RESULTS: Fifty-seven patients were included. Thirty-six patients (63%) had an adrenal adenoma and 21 (37%) a hyperplasia. The median follow-up was 6.4 years. Hypokalemia was cured in all patients, 33 patients (58%) were cured of their hypertension, and 23 (96% of the 24 noncured patients) were improved with a reduction of the number of AM. Predictive factors for a cure were: gender, age, BMI, duration of hypertension, number of pre-operative AMs, pre-operative arterial systolic blood pressure, creatinin and plasma renin activity. Postoperative predictive factors were pathology, size of the mass, and systolic and diastolic arterial pressures. In the multivariate analysis the only remaining factor was pathology. CONCLUSION: LUA for PHA cured all patients from their hypokalemia and cured or improved hypertension in 98%. Pre-operative diagnosis of adenoma or hyperplasia is not mandatory but it is important to warn patients that hypertension can persist after adrenalectomy, especially in case of adrenal hyperplasia, although this hypertension is easier to control.

Improving the management of acute adhesive small bowel obstruction with CT-scan and water-soluble contrast medium: a prospective study.

PURPOSE: Adhesive small bowel obstruction is usually managed nonoperatively, but there is still debate over the optimal duration of nonoperative management and the factors that predict failure of medical treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate an algorithm using CT-scans and Gastrografin in the management of small bowel obstruction. METHODS: In a prospective study, each patient admitted for small bowel obstruction underwent a physical examination, a plain film, and a CT-scan evaluation. Patients underwent emergency surgical exploration when bowel ischemia was suspected. Other patients received oral Gastrografin, and a second plain abdominal radiograph was done after 12 hours. In patients with clinical improvement, the nasogastric tube was removed and an immediate liquid diet was resumed. Other patients were referred for surgery. RESULTS: In total, 118 patients with 123 episodes of small bowel obstruction were included. Thirty-six (29%) required immediate surgery because they presented clinical characteristics of bowel ischemia (36/36; 100%) or a defect in vascularization of the small bowel on CT-scan (5/36; 14%). The 87 remaining patients were managed nonoperatively, of which 28 deteriorated and were referred for surgery. The 59 other patients showed clinical improvement. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the diagnostic role of Gastrografin(R) in discriminating between partial and complete small bowel obstruction. CT-scans were disappointing in their ability to predict the necessity of emergent laparotomies. We therefore recommend the use of Gastrografin(R) in adhesive small bowel obstruction patients who do not have clinical evidence of bowel ischemia. CT-scans should not be routinely performed in the decision-making process except when clinical history, physical examination, and plain film are not conclusive for small bowel obstruction diagnosis.

Effect of systemic corticosteroids on elective left-sided colorectal resection with colorectal anastomosis.

BACKGROUND: The impact of systemic steroid therapy on surgical outcome after elective left-sided colorectal resection with rectal anastomosis is not well known. METHODS: We compared 606 consecutive patients including 53 patients who were on steroids and undergoing surgery between 1995 and 2005. RESULTS: Postoperative mortality and anastomotic leakage rates were equivalent. The postoperative complications rate, especially infections, was higher in steroid-treated patients than in non-steroid-treated patients: 38% (20 of 53 patients) versus 25% (139 of 553 patients), respectively (P = .046). In the steroid group, univariate analysis revealed 3 significant risk factors for postoperative complications: blood transfusion, preoperative anticoagulation, and chronic respiratory failure. In a multivariate analysis, blood transfusion and chronic respiratory failure remained independent factors for postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: Patients on steroids have a higher incidence of postoperative complications after elective left-sided colorectal resection with rectal anastomosis.