Thyroidectomy Then and Now: A 50-Year Australian Perspective.

BACKGROUND: Since the mid-1800s, thyroidectomy has transformed from a procedure associated with high to near-zero mortality. Nonetheless, surgeons must continue to strive to improve patient care. Using historical records and contemporary data, this study compares the practice and outcomes of thyroid surgery at a tertiary institution during two periods, 50 years apart. METHODS: 'The Alfred Hospital Clinical Reports' recorded all cases of surgically managed thyroid disease from 1946 to 1959. These historical cases were compared to contemporary thyroidectomy cases at the Alfred Hospital from 2007 to 2016. Cases were compared for surgical indication and post-operative outcomes. RESULTS: There were 746 patients in the historical group (mean age 53 years; 87% female) and 787 patients in the contemporary group (mean age 52 years; 80% female). The most common indication for thyroidectomy in both groups was non-toxic nodular goitre. A greater proportion of the contemporary group were diagnosed with thyroid malignancy (27% vs. 8%; p < 0.001). The contemporary group recorded significantly fewer cases of thyrotoxic crisis (2.1% vs. 0%; p = 0.001), permanent nerve palsy (4.6% vs. 0.4%; p < 0.001) and bilateral nerve palsy (1.2% vs. 0%; p = 0.01). There were no mortalities in the contemporary group, while the historical data recorded three deaths (0.44%). CONCLUSIONS: This study compared thyroid surgery in two cohorts separated by a 50-year period. While it is not surprising that outcomes of thyroidectomy have improved, this study uniquely demonstrates trends of thyroid surgery over time and areas in which further improvements may be made.

A systematic review of the management and outcome of toxic epidermal necrolysis treated in burns centres.

INTRODUCTION: Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a rare condition characterised by mucocutaneous exfoliation of greater than 30% total body surface area (%TBSA), increasingly being treated in burns centres. The rate of mortality varies significantly in the literature, with recent prospective studies in non-burns centres reporting percentage mortality of approximately 45%. We undertook a systematic review of published studies that included TEN patients treated specifically in burns centres to determine a cumulative mortality rate. METHODS: Electronic searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE and The Cochrane Library (Issue 4, 2010) databases from 1966 onwards were used to identify English articles related to the treatment of TEN in burns centres. RESULTS: The systematic literature search identified 20 studies which specifically described patients with TEN grater than 30% %TBSA. Treatment regimens varied amongst studies, as did mortality. The overall percentage mortality of the combined populations was 30%. Risk factors commonly described as associated with mortality included age, %TBSA and delay to definitive treatment. CONCLUSION: The review highlights the variation between principles of treatment and mortality amongst burns centres. It offers a standard that burns centre can use to internationally compare their mortality rates. The review supports the ongoing reporting of outcomes in TEN patients with epidermal detachment greater than 30%.

Hospital management and clinical factors associated with ophthalmic involvement in toxic epidermal necrolysis.

BACKGROUND: Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) is characterized by an exfoliative rash resembling widespread burns. It is often considered on the same spectrum of disease as Stevens Johnson Syndrome but is distinguished by epidermal detachment of >30% of total body surface area (TBSA). Ocular involvement of TEN may result in complications requiring intensive topical, systemic or operative treatment. This study aimed to identify the current hospital management of, and factors associated with, ophthalmic involvement in adult TEN patients. METHODS: All adult TEN patients admitted to the Victorian Adult Burns Service over an 12-year period were included. Retrospective data analyzed included patient demographics, site of TEN involvement, % TBSA, complications, duration of ocular follow up and visual outcomes. RESULTS: TEN patients with and without ocular involvement were compared. Cutaneous involvement of the head and neck was found to be significantly associated with ocular involvement of TEN. Age, TBSA involvement, presence of a prodrome, and presence of comorbidities were not found to be significantly associated with ocular involvement. Management of ophthalmic involvement of TEN varied between patients. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion for ocular involvement when exfoliation of the head and neck is present and should seek ophthalmological advice early in the course of disease.

A comparison of external and endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy in regard to patient satisfaction and cost.

BACKGROUND: Definitive treatment of nasolacrimal duct obstruction is with external or endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR). Recent trials suggest surgical equivalency between techniques. We sought to compare alternative outcomes of DCR techniques in terms of quality of life and cost. METHODS: This study was a multicentre prospective nonrandomized case series comparing adult patients treated with external or endonasal DCR. Groups were allocated according to DCR technique. Participation did not affect treatment choice. The Glasgow Benefit Inventory (GBI) was utilized to compare postoperative quality of life, and an activity-based costing (ABC) method used to estimate costs of the two techniques. Surgical data were also collected. A minimum of 3 months follow-up was observed. RESULTS: Seventy-seven patients were included--37 external and 40 endonasal. Both techniques resulted in positive health status change, with mean GBI scores of +16.1 for external DCR and +24.1 for endonasal (p = 0.18). Using an ABC method, the operative costs of external DCR were less than endonasal at $715.79 AUD and $932.52 AUD respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This trial suggests that external and endonasal DCR produce comparable outcomes in terms of postoperative quality of life, with external DCR resulting in lower operative costs.