Serum PTH at 4 h after total thyroidectomy as a predictor of hypocalcemia: a prospective time frame analysis in search of evidence.

INTRODUCTION: There has not been a universal agreement about the timings and the threshold level of PTH that can accurately predict the risk of hypocalcemia. Our study aimed to investigate the changes in the serum PTH levels at various time intervals and correlate it with the development of subsequent hypocalcemia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients had a pre-operative serum PTH done and were again assessed intra-operatively, at 4 h, 24 h, 72 h, and 1 month after the thyroid surgery. Absolute serum PTH value at various time points, absolute change in serum PTH values compared to pre-operative level, and relative change (percentage change) in serum PTH values compared with pre-operative levels were used to predict post-operative Hypocalcemia. RESULTS: 49 patients were included in the study. The sensitivity and negative predictive value was 100% for serum PTH at 4 h. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups that required calcium supplementation versus the group that did not require it. The maximum relative reduction in serum PTH value with respect to the pre-operative level occurred at 4 h in the calcium supplement required group which was 82.5%. Use of combination of 4 h serum PTH and relative change at 4 h yielded the best results. CONCLUSION: A combination of absolute serum PTH level at 4 h and the relative decline in serum PTH at 4 h has the highest diagnostic accuracy. The use of this combined parameter helps to reliably predict patients who would require supplementation.

Analysis of Outcomes following TORS in a Mixed Cohort of Recurrent and New T1-T2 Oropharyngeal Cancer- A Single Institution Study.

Purpose: . The transoral robotic surgery is a newer modality being used in surgical treatment of early oropharyngeal cancer. The aim of this study is to assess the outcome of these cases in terms of two year disease free survival and overall survival. Methods: Between July 2016 and September 2018, 58 patients suffering from early oropharyngeal cancer underwent transoral robotic surgery with neck dissection at a tertiary referral centre. 43 of them have completed two years follow up and were analyzed for disease free survival and overall survival. 41 patients had HPV analysis done . Results: The surgical margins were positive in 9/43 patients ( 6 in upfront surgery and 3 in the salvage cohort). Adjuvant therapy was administered to 16/34 patients on account of either positive margins or multiple nodal metastasis. 88% patients were found to be HPV negative. The two year disease free survival for the upfront cohort was 88.2% and salvage cohort was 55.5%. The overall survival was 86.05%. Conclusions: The study highlights good locoregional control and two year disease free survival in HPV negative oropharyngeal cancer undergoing robotic surgery. Additionally, a positive surgical margin and recurrence were the statistically significant variables influencing 2 year disease free survival. Trans oral robotic surgery is an excellent tool for early tumors of the oropharynx. The presence of a positive surgical margin is a grim sign for survival and has a significant impact on positive outcome. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12070-022-03139-5.

Necrotising Fasciitis of Neck in a 7 Day Neonate Following Insect Bite.

Necrotizing fasciitis is severe inflammation of the muscle sheath that leads to necrosis of the subcutaneous tissue and adjacent fascia. The disease entity is more commonly described in adults and the literature seems quite sparse with respect to children and even lesser in neonates. Monomicrobial infection with necrotizing fasciitis in Neck following insect bite is rare and even rarer in neonates. 07 day old neonate had history of rapid onset discoloration and swelling of the Right side of Neck following an insect bite which was followed fever and irritability and eventually black discoloration. The neonate was irritable with excessive crying, had tachycardia, tachypnea and was febrile. There was a diffuse swelling in the right side of neck with multiple patchy areas of tissue necrosis in form of blackening of the skin over the swelling Management: Necrotizing fasciitis was identified early and the neonate prepped for surgery. All the biochemical parameters were WNL. CRP was raised. Empirical treatment with Cefotaxime, Clindamycin and cloxacillin started and neonate taken for local debridement. All necrotic tissue was removed including tail of parotid. Over next 5 days serial debridement and wound wash with Hydrogen peroxidase, Betadine, saline and metronidazole was done. The edges of the wound became healthy with no new slough formation and necrotic tissue. An early diagnosis and definitive management with both surgery and antibiotics is the key to a reduce mortality in the neonates. It needs to be followed up with good local wound care.