Sedation using dexmedetomidine and remifentanil with local anesthesia for intraoperative speech monitoring: a case report / Sedação com dexmedetomidina e remifentanil em anestesia local para monitoração intraoperatória da fala: um relato de caso

Abstract Background and objective Some surgical procedures such as laryngoplasty require patients to remain conscious during the intraoperative phase in order to enable speech monitoring. Dexmedetomidine and remifentanil were used in this study, since they promote appropriate patient collaboration with facilitated awakening, and are rapidly eliminated. Case report The patient complained of dysphonia, which had resulted from unilateral vocal fold paralysis after previous thyroidectomy. The surgical treatment was performed under local anesthesia in association with sedation using dexmedetomidine and remifentanil. The patient was stable and cooperative during the entire intraoperative period, without desaturation and with rapid postoperative awakening. Conclusion Dexmedetomidine and remifentanil can be used for safe sedation; however, the presence of an anesthesiologist is required during the entire intraoperative period.

Resumo Justificativa e objetivos Alguns procedimentos cirúrgicos requerem que o paciente se mantenha consciente no intraoperatório, como as laringoplastias, para que a monitoração da voz seja feita. Optamos pelo uso de dexmedetomidina e remifentanil por serem fármacos que proporcionam adequada colaboração do paciente com fácil despertar, são rapidamente eliminados do organismo. Relato de caso Paciente com queixa de disfonia por paralisia de corda vocal unilateral após realização de tireoidectomia. O procedimento foi realizado com anestesia local associada à sedação com dexmedetomidina e remifentanil. A paciente ficou estável e colaborativa durante toda a operação, sem períodos de dessaturação e com rápido despertar pós-operatório. Conclusão Dexmedetomidina e remifentanil podem ser utilizados para sedação com grande segurança, mas isso não dispensa a necessidade do cuidado por um anestesiologista em tempo integral durante o procedimento.

Effectiveness of harmonic scalpel in patients submitted to total thyroidectomy: systematic review with meta-analysis

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the harmonic scalpel compared to the conventional technique in patients submitted to total thyroidectomy. METHOD: This is a systematic review with inclusion of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared both techniques. An electronic search was carried out in the Medline and Lilacs databases until June 2017. The outcomes analysed were operation time, intraoperative bleeding, surgical morbidity, and costs. RESULTS: Data from 31 primary studies were included. The use of the harmonic scalpel correlates to a shorter operation time (p <0.001) and a lower volume of intraoperative bleeding (p <0.001). There were no differences in the risk of transient (p = 0.53) and permanent (p = 0.70) hypocalcaemia, transient (p = 0.61) and permanent (p = 0.50) dysfunctions of the inferior laryngeal nerve and hematoma (p = 0.14). CONCLUSION: Total thyroidectomy using a harmonic scalpel is effective and safe compared to the conventional technique.

Eficacia, seguridad y eficiencia de las nuevas tecnologías en cirugía tiroidea / Effectiveness, safety and efficiency of new technologies in thyroid surgery

Introduction: Surgery of the thyroid gland is the most performed procedure by the endocrine surgeon. In the last years, new techniques have been incorporated in this procedure. Our objective is to analyse the impact of these techniques in our department. Methods: We performed a retrospective and comparative study among three samples of patients submitted for total thyroidectomy. Group I: Sample of 96 patients operated between 2004 and 2007 performing total thyroidectomy. In this period we didn't use ultrasonic scalpel (US) nor intraoperative neuromonitoring (INM). Group II: Sample of 108 patients operated between 2008 and 2010. In this group we used US for hemostasis. Group III: Sample of 82 patients operated between 2011 and 2012. In this group we used both US and INM. The groups are compared: complications, postoperative stay, surgical time and costs per patient. Results: We analysed the following complications: haemorrhage, postoperative hipocalcemia and recurrent nerve palsy. We didn't find significant differences among the samples of patients but there were a less percentage of recurrent palsy in the third group (4.9 percent vs 12.5 and 11.1 percent). We found significant differences when stay, surgical time and costs were analysed. Conclusion: The use of new techniques in thyroid surgery has supposed an improvement not only in the clinic outcomes but in the surgical time.

Objetivo: La cirugía de la glándula tiroides representa el procedimiento más frecuente que realiza el cirujano endocrino. En los últimos años se han ido incorporando nuevas técnicas aplicadas a este procedimiento. El objetivo de nuestro trabajo es analizar el impacto que dichas técnicas han tenido en nuestro servicio. Material y Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo y comparativo entre tres muestras de pacientes a los que se realizó tiroidectomía total. Grupo I: Muestra de 96 pacientes intervenidos entre 2004 y 2007 a los que se realizó tiroidectomía total. En este período no se utilizó bisturí ultrasónico (BU) ni neuromonitorización intraoperatoria (NMI). Grupo II: Muestra de 108 pacientes intervenidos entre 2008 y 2010. En este grupo se realizó hemostasia con BU. Grupo III: Muestra de 82 pacientes intervenidos entre 2011 y 2012. Se utilizó tanto el BU como la NMI. Se comparan los grupos en cuanto a: complicaciones, estancia postoperatoria, tiempo quirúrgico y coste por paciente. Resultados: Las complicaciones analizadas fueron: hemorragia, hipocalcemia postoperatoria y parálisis del nervio laríngeo recurrente. No encontramos diferencias significativas entre los grupos aunque sí hay una menor tasa de parálisis recurrenciales en el tercer período (4,9 por ciento vs 12,5 y 11,1 por ciento). Hemos obtenido diferencias significativas en estancia, tiempo quirúrgico y coste por paciente. Conclusión: La inclusión de las nuevas técnicas en cirugía tiroidea ha supuesto una mejora en los resultados clínicos así como un ahorro de tiempo de quirófano.

Comparison of Natural Drainage Group and Negative Drainage Groups after Total Thyroidectomy: Prospective Randomized Controlled Study

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare a negative pressure drain with a natural drain in order to determine whether a negative pressure drainage tube causes an increase in the drainage volume. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-two patients who underwent total thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) were enrolled in the study between March 2010 and August 2010 at Gyeongsang National University Hospital. The patients were prospectively and randomly assigned to two groups, a negative pressure drainage group (n=32) and natural drainage group (n=30). Every 3 hours, the volume of drainage was checked in the two groups until the tube was removed. RESULTS: The amount of drainage during the first 24 hours postoperatively was 41.68+/-3.93 mL in the negative drain group and 25.3+/-2.68 mL in the natural drain group (p<0.001). After 24 additional hours, the negative drain group was 35.19+/-4.26 mL and natural drain groups 21.53+/-2.90 mL (p<0.001). However, the drainage at postoperative day 3 was not statistically different between the two groups. In addition, the vocal cord palsy and temporary and permanent hypocalcemia were not different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that a negative pressure drain may increase the amount of drainage during the first 24-48 hours postoperatively. Therefore, it is not necessary to place a closed suction drain when only a total thyroidectomy is done.

Incidencia de granulomas en el lecho tiroideo con el uso de bisturí ultrasónico en pacientes sometidos a tiroidectomía total por cáncer / Postoperative thyroid bed granuloma incidence using ultrasonic knife in total thyroidectomy in cancer patients

Background: The postoperative thyroid bed granuloma incidence is high and it is an adittional difficulty for the ultrasound differential diagnosis of eventual local cancer recurrence. The ultrasonic knife utilization eventually can reduce the incidence of these granuloma when is compare with other traditional ligatures methods. Objective: to evaluate the postoperative thyroid bed granuloma incidence with the ultrasonic knife utilization, detected by ultrasound. Methods: retrospective study of 57 evaluable thyroidectomy performed for cancer between March and September 2010. In 46 patients were used traditional ligatures (silk or linen) and in 11, ultrasonic knife. Results: of the 57 patient included, 47 were females. The age average was 44 years old. Postoperative thyroid bed granuloma incidence was 36.3 percent (CI95 percent, 7.9 percent-64.7 percent) in the group where ultrasonic knife was used and 36.9 percent (IC95 percent, 23.0 percent-50.9 percent) in which traditional ligatures were used. No statistical difference was found (p = 0.974). Conclusions: The ultrasonic knife utilization had not reduced the postoperative thyroid bed granuloma incidence, when was compared with conventional ligatures. In this sense, this device is probably unable to add benefits for the differential diagnosis of thyroid cancer local recurrence.

Introducción: La incidencia de granulomas postoperatorios en el lecho tiroideo es alta y dificulta el diagnóstico diferencial ecográfico de posibles recidivas locales en cáncer. La utilización de bisturí ultrasónico disminuiría la incidencia de estos granulomas en comparación con métodos de sutura y hemostasia tradicionales con ligaduras. Objetivo: Evaluar si el uso de bisturí ultrasónico disminuye la incidencia de granulomas postoperatorios en el lecho tiroideo, que se detectan ecográficamente. Métodos: Retrospectivamente se revisaron los hallazgos ecográficos postoperatorios de 57 pacientes evaluables con cáncer de tiroides operados entre marzo y septiembre de 2010. En 46 pacientes se utilizó ligaduras (lino o seda) y en 11, bisturí ultrasónico. Resultados: De los 57 pacientes, 47 fueron mujeres. La edad promedio fue 44 años. La incidencia de granulomas fue 36,3 por ciento (IC95 por ciento de 7,9 por ciento-64,7 por ciento) en los pacientes en que se utilizó bisturí ultrasónico y 36,9 por ciento (IC95 por ciento de 23,0 por ciento-50,9 por ciento) en los pacientes en que se utilizó ligadura convencional. No hubo diferencia estadística (p = 0,974). Conclusiones: El uso de bisturí ultrasónico no disminuyó la incidencia de granulomas del lecho tiroideo, comparado con suturas convencionales. De esta forma, este recurso no aportaría beneficio en la diferenciación ecográfica de nódulos en el lecho tiroideo que pueden corresponder a recidivas tumorales o granulomas cicatriciales.

Gasless Endoscopic Thyroidectomy via an Anterior Chest Wall Approach Using a Flap-Lifting System

PURPOSE: Endoscopic thyroidectomy (ET) requires a proper working space for adequate visualization of anatomical structures and proper instrument manipulation. The purpose of this prospective study was to estimate the feasibility and safety of ET using an anterior chest wall approach without gas insufflation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The working space was created under a direct and endoscopic view through a 3-cm incision on the anterior chest wall. A retracting device was then inserted to establish the working space, and subsequent procedures were performed endoscopically. All data were reviewed using a prospective database. RESULTS: We performed 30 ETs in patients with benign thyroid tumors from December 2003 to December 2005. The procedures were completed successfully in 29 patients (mean operative time: 160.6 min; range: 90-345 min). One patient with ET was converted to open thyroidectomy secondary to substernal extension of the tumor. None of the patients developed permanent postoperative hypocalcemia or recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis. Three patients exhibited some degree of transient recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that gasless ET using an anterior chest wall approach is safe and feasible in selected patients for treating benign thyroid tumors. This technique may offer good operative working space when performed by surgeons with relatively low-volume ET practices.

Patología tiroidea operada: 12 años de experiencia en el Hospital Cayetano Heredia / Thyroid pathology operated: 12 years of experience at the Hospital Cayetano Heredia

Se presenta las características clínicas, técnica operatoria, estudio histopatológico y evolución de 173 pacientes con patología tiroidea operada en el Hospital Nacional Cayetano Heredia entre 1976 y 1987. 52.6 por ciento presentaron bocio nodular, 63.5 por ciento presentaron nódulos fríos y 21.1 por ciento nódulos calientes. Las técnicas operatorias empleadas fueron: lobectomía total más istmectomía (65.8 por ciento), tiroidectomía subtotal bilateral (19 por ciento), lobectomía total más istmectomía más lobectomía parcial contralateral (8 por ciento) y tiroidectomía total (4 por ciento). La biopsia por congelación se realizó en 95 por ciento de los pacientes. Bocio coloide fue el resultaado histopatológico más frecuente (67.6 por ciento). La patología benigna se encontró en 84.6 por ciento y la maligna en 15.4 por ciento. Las complicaciones fueron: lesión unilateral del nervio recurrente (4 por ciento), hematomas sofocantes (2.3 por ciento) e hipoparatiroidismo transitorio (1.7 por ciento). La mortalidad fué de 0.5 por ciento