Resection of pulmonary metastases from colon and rectal cancer: factors to predict survival differ regarding to the origin of the primary tumor.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present study was to determine differences in prognostic factors for survival of patients with pulmonary metastases resected in curative intent from colon or rectum cancer. METHODS: Between 1980 and 2006, prognostic factors after resection of pulmonary metastases in 171 patients with primary rectum or colon tumor were evaluated. Survival of patients after surgical metastasectomy was compared with that of patients receiving standard chemotherapy by matched-pair analysis. RESULTS: Median survival after pulmonary resection was 35.2 months (confidence interval 27.3-43.2). One-, 3-, and 5-year survival for patients following R0 resection was 88.8, 52.1, and 32.9 % respectively. Complete metastasectomy (R0), UICC stage of the primary tumor, pleural infiltration, and hilar or mediastinal lymph node metastases are independent prognostic factors for survival. Matched-pair analysis confirmed that pulmonary metastasectomy significantly improved survival. Although no difference in survival for patients with pulmonary metastases from lower rectal compared to upper rectal or colon cancer was observed, factors to predict survival are different for patients with lower and middle rectal cancer (R0, mediastinal and/or hilar lymph nodes, gender, UICC stage) compared with patients with upper rectal or colon cancer (R0, number of metastases). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that distinct prognostic factors exist for patients with pulmonary metastases from lower rectal compared with upper rectal or colon cancer. This supports the notion that colorectal cancer should not be considered as a single-tumor entity. Metastasectomy, especially after complete resection resulted in a dramatic improvement of survival compared with patients treated with chemotherapy alone.

[Non-curable tumours of the female genital tract: therapeutic options in bowel stenosis and bleeding]. / Inoperable Genitaltumoren der Frau: Therapeutische Optionen bei Darmstenose und -blutung.

BACKGROUND: Tumours of the female genital tract are often diagnosed at an advanced stage or re-lapse after initial curative therapy. Ovarian cancer is in particular associated with peritoneal carcinomatosis or local tumour progression entailing different intestinal complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Based on our own results and a systemic PubMed search, different intestinal complications in non-curable tumours of the female genital tract were defined and different surgical and non-surgical therapeutic options were analysed. RESULTS: Stenosis of the small bowel is often caused by direct infiltration of the tumour. Peritoneal carcinomatosis or postoperative abdominal adhesions may lead to an acute or even more often chronic recurrent obstruction. The rectum or sigmoid colon is in particular affected by stenosis caused by tumour masses within the pelvis, occurring fistulas or direct tumour infiltration which may lead to bleeding complications or a large bowel obstruction. Radiation-induced abdominal adhesions or stenosis of the small bowel as well as radiation-induced chronic proctocolitis are further common abdominal complications. Special attention with regard to a well balanced indication towards surgical, oncological or conservative management must be given in the palliative setting of the genital tract. CONCLUSION: In particular the dictum of "primum nihil nocere" has to be followed in consideration of the patient's declared intention, the patient's prognosis, general condition, psychological strain as well as the expected complications.

[Tracheal stents for esophagotracheal fistula in laryngectomy patients. Safe fixation to the tracheostoma]. / Trachealstents wegen ösophagotrachealer Fistel beim Laryngektomierten. Sichere Fixierung am Tracheostoma.

BACKGROUND: Postradiotherapy or malignant esophagotracheal fistulas still represent a dilemma. In the absence of surgical options attempts are made to close the fistula endoscopically by means of esophageal and/or tracheal stents. Tracheal stent placement in laryngectomy patients with terminal stomas is particularly problematic due to the risk of stent dislocation during cannula replacement PATIENTS AND METHODS: Six laryngectomy patients with high esophagotracheal fistulas were each fitted with a coated Ultraflex stent (Boston Scientific, Watertown/MA, US). Following skin undermining, the stents were fixed to the tracheostoma with interrupted sutures and the skin flaps attached to the stent with a second row of sutures. RESULTS: Fistulas could be completely closed in all patients and there were no cases of stent dislocation. Cannula replacement was unproblematic. CONCLUSIONS: Suture fixation of tracheal stents is a viable procedure even for patients with esophagotracheal fistulas and terminal tracheostomy following laryngectomy.

[Management of cholecysto- and choledocholithiasis--survey and analysis of 16 615 cholecystectomies and common bile duct explorations in bavaria]. / Aktuelle Therapie der Cholezysto- und Choledocholithiasis - Umfrageergebnisse mit Analyse von 16 615 Eingriffen in Bayern.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: The aim of this study was the evaluation of the management of cholecysto- and choledocholithiasis and outcome of -laparoscopic as well as open cholecystectomy (CHE) and common bile duct (CBD) exploration in Bavaria, Germany. A written questionnaire -in-cluding 201 structured items was sent to all 180 hospitals and departments performing gen-eral or abdominal surgery in Bavaria. RESULTS: The response rate was 60 %. A total of 16 615 operations for gallstone disease including 16 051 cholecystectomies and 453 CBD explo-ra-tions with or without cholecystectomy were -reported. 88 % of all cholcystectomies started -laparoscopically, the conversion rate was 5.6 %. The Veres needle (69 %), 4 trocar techniques and electrosurgical hook knife were reported as standard procedures. A retrieval bag was used by 53 % of all surgeons. The overall complication rate for cholecystectomy was 5.46 % including 0.15 % -major bile duct injuries. Relaparoscopy was performed in 0.35 %, relaparotomy in 0.44 % and postoperative treatment by ERC in 1.45 %. The overall hospital mortality rate was 0.13 %. When choledocholithiasis was suspected, a two-stage management ("therapeutic splitting") with preoperative ERC was preferred (99 %). The conversion rate of simultaneous laparoscopic CHE+CBD exploration was 43 %. CONCLUSION: These results allow an estimation of the frequency and overall risks in surgical therapy for gallstones. At present, new techniques like combined laparoscopic and endoscopic proce-dures, microinstruments or N.O.T.E.S do not play a significant role in Germany.

Endoluminal vacuum therapy for the treatment of anastomotic leakage after anterior rectal resection.

Anastomotic leakage is the most important complication after (deep) anterior rectal resection, and is the main cause for the high level of patient mortality and morbidity. It can lead to generalized peritonitis, with a severe septic progression involving multiple organ failure and potentially culminating in the death of the patient. Despite numerous improvements in the surgical technique, it has so far not been possible to reduce the leakage rate significantly. An innovative endoscopic method for treating anastomotic leakage has now been developed and established clinically at the Department of Surgery, University of Munich-Grosshadern. Working together with B. Braun, we have been able to develop the technique of endoluminal vacuum therapy further into the Endo-SPONGE treatment, and prepare it as an autonomous therapeutic method. In the following report we present our experiences to date in the area of endoluminal vacuum therapy.

Ursodeoxycholic acid reduces lipid peroxidation and mucin secretagogue activity in gallbladder bile of patients with cholesterol gallstones.

BACKGROUND: Recently it has been postulated that gallbladder mucin hypersecretion observed in the pathogenesis of cholesterol gallstone disease may be induced by biliary lipid peroxidation. Ursodeoxycholic acid treatment reduces mucin concentration and the formation of cholesterol crystals in the gallbladder bile of patients with cholesterol gallstones and this effect might be mediated by a decrease of biliary lipid peroxidation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial patients with symptomatic cholesterol gallstones received either ursodeoxycholic acid (750 mg daily) (n = 10) or placebo (n = 12) 10-12 days prior to cholecystectomy. As a marker for lipid peroxidation malondialdehyde was measured in bile together with mucin concentration. In addition, the mucin secretagogue activity of the individual bile samples was assessed in cultured dog gallbladder epithelial cells. RESULTS: Ursodeoxycholic acid therapy resulted in a significant reduction of lipid peroxidation in bile as determined by the biliary malondialdehyde concentration (1.36 +/- 0.28 vs. 2.05 +/- 0.38 micromol L(-1); P < 0.005) and the malondialdehyde (micromol L(-1))/total bile acid (mmol L(-1)) ratio (0.02 +/- 0.005 vs. 0.06 +/- 0.01; P < 0.001). Furthermore, a decrease in mucin concentrations (0.7 +/- 0.3 vs. 1.3 +/- 0.5 mg mL(-1); P < 0.005) and of the mucin secretagogue activity of gallbladder bile (0.9 +/- 0.2 vs. 2.2 +/- 0.3 times control; P < 0.001) was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The reduction of lipid peroxidation and mucin secretagogue activity of gallbladder bile induced by ursodeoxycholic acid treatment may contribute to the beneficial effects of this drug on gallbladder bile composition and symptoms in cholesterol gallstone patients.

[Zenker's diverticulum treated by transoral diverticulostomy: technique and results]. / Die Technik der transoralen Divertikulostomie bei Zenker-Divertikeln - Langzeitresultate und Literaturvergleich.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The surgical technique of transoral diverticulostomy by a modified Endo-GIAtrade mark Stapler (Multifire Endo GIA, Tyco Healthcare) is described. Experiences of this procedure in 31 patients are analysed and compared with different endoscopic and conventional surgical therapies of Zenker's diverticula, which are reported in the literature. METHOD: From January 1996 to December 2005, 31 transoral diverticulostomies were performed. All patients were included porspectively into the study. The median follow-up time after diverticulostomy was 54 months. Manometry, pH-study of the esophagus, endoscopy and swallow radiography were performed before and after surgery. All patients completed the Gastrointestinal quality of live index (GQLI) and the Grosshadern dysphagia score (GHDS). RESULTS: Subjective comfort of the patients as measured by the Smiley Index, the GQLI and the GHDS was increased significantly (p < 0.001) after therapy. Manometry showed that the upper esophageal sphincter functioned normally before and after intervention. A gastrografin swallow excluded leakage at the stapler suture-line in all cases. A conversion to a conventional cricomyotomy with resection of the diverticulum had to be performed once due to a dissection of the esophagus that occurred during insertion of the spreader. In one patient a bleeding out of the suture line was successfully treated with a metal clip. A prothesis broke due to the insertion of the spreader. Two patients developed relapses during the follow-up period of 54 months. CONCLUSION: Compared to standard procedure the endoscopic minimal-invasive therapy proved to be safer. The operation time and the postoperative stay are shorter.

Developing effective screening strategies in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN 1) on the basis of clinical and sequencing data of German patients with MEN 1.

BACKGROUND: Multiple-endocrine-neoplasia-type-1 (MEN1) is an autosomal-dominant inherited disorder characterized by the combined occurrence of primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT), gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (GEP), adenomas of the pituitary gland (APA), adrenal cortical tumors (ADR) and other tumors. As the tumors appear in an unpredictable schedule, uncertainty about screening programs is persisting. OBJECTIVE: To optimize screening and to analyze possible differences in sporadic versus familial cases. METHODS: We analyzed data of 419 individuals including 306 MEN-1 patients (138 isolated and168 familial cases out of 102 unrelated families). RESULTS: A total of 683 tumors occurred consisting of 273 pHPT, 138 APA, 166 GEP, 57 ADR, 24 thymic- and bronchial-carcinoids as well as 25 neoplasms of other tissues. The age-related penetrance was determined as 10%, 35%, 67%, 81% and 100% at 20, 30, 40, 50 and 65 years respectively. Although pHPT being the most frequent first manifestation (41%), also GEP (22%) or APA (21%) were found to be the first presentation. APA occurred significantly more frequent (p<0,05) in isolated (n=138) than in familial (n=168) cases, whereas GEP showed a tendency to occur more often in familial cases. Genotype/phenotype correlation in 140 clinically affected MEN-1 cases showed a tendency for truncating mutations, especially nonsense mutations to be associated to GEP and carcinoids of the lungs and thymus. CONCLUSION: In view of the morbidity and frequency in familial cases an effective screening programme should aim at an early diagnosis of GEP particularly when truncating, especially nonsense mutations are found.

Lipid peroxidation and mucin secretagogue activity in bile of gallstone patients.

BACKGROUND: Chronic inflammation of the gallbladder wall and mucin hypersecretion are considered to be important factors in the pathogenesis of cholesterol gallstone disease. The aim of the study was to compare mucin concentration and mucin secretagogue activity with lipid peroxidation in gallbladder bile of patients with cholesterol or pigment stones. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied mucin concentration and, as a marker of lipid peroxidation, malondialdehyde concentration in 11 rapid (1 to 3 days) and eight non-nucleating (> 21 days) gallbladder biles of patients with cholesterol or pigment stones. Furthermore, the mucin secretagogue activity of rapid and non-nucleating gallbladder biles, as well as 1-5 micromol L(-1) malondialdehyde on cultured gallbladder epithelial cells, was determined. RESULTS: Our data show an increased malondialdehyde (7.2 +/- 1.8 vs. 3.8 +/- 0.5 micromol L(-1), P = 0.01) and mucin concentration (0.9 +/- 0.09 vs. 0.41 +/- 0.03 mg mL(-1), P = 0.01) and an increased mucin secretagogue activity (2.0 +/- 0.5 vs. 1.1 +/- 0.3 mucin secretion/control, P = 0.04) and cholesterol saturation index (1.2 +/- 0.1 vs. 08 +/- 0.1, P = 0.04) in rapid as compared to non-nucleating gallbladder biles. Malondialdehyde stimulated mucin secretion of cultured gallbladder epithelial cells in a concentration dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support a promoting effect of gallbladder mucin hypersecretion by lipid peroxidation leading to rapid formation of cholesterol crystals in gallbladder bile. These findings suggest that besides hypersecretion of cholesterol in bile, chronic inflammation of the gallbladder wall is implicated in the pathogenesis of cholesterol gallstone disease.

Laparoscopic colonoscopic rendezvous procedures for the treatment of polyps and early stage carcinomas of the colon.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Endoscopic treatment of large or colonoscopically inaccessible polyps or early stage tumors in the colon holds the risk of incomplete resection and colonic perforation. The combination of colonoscopy and laparoscopy offers a minimally invasive treatment modality for the complete resection of polyps with low risk. Aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and outcome of patients operated on by laparoendoscopic rendezvous procedures at the colon. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records of 38 patients (21 male, 17 female, median age 66 years [range 39-90]) undergoing rendezvous surgery at the colon were reviewed prospectively. Follow-up data were obtained by clinical examination and personal communication via telephone or questionnaire. The median follow up was 54 months. RESULTS: From January 1998 until April 2007, 38 patients were treated with rendezvous procedures in our hospital. In 30 cases, a colonoscopically assisted laparoscopic procedure was performed and in eight patients a laparoscopically controlled colonoscopic procedure. A benign lesion was confirmed histologically in 31 patients. In five cases, histopathologic diagnosis revealed a malignancy necessitating colonic surgery. A coprolith extraction and a suture of the sigma were performed in one case each. Complications occurred in two patients. One patient developed an anastomosis insufficiency that necessitated a revision. One patient developed pneumonia postoperatively. A conversion to laparotomy had to be performed in two cases. CONCLUSION: Rendezvous procedures offer a safe, minimal-invasive therapeutic approach allowing the resection of benign sessile or colonoscopically inaccessible localized polyps and of early stage colon cancer.

Transoral diverticulostomy with a modified Endo-Gia stapler: results after 4 years of experience.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of Zenker's diverticulum is low (2/100,000). Standard surgical treatment is cricopharyngeal myotomy with diverticulectomy. Various minimally invasive surgical approaches pursued recently have treated Zenker's diverticulum adequately. The functional minimally invasive therapy is performed alternatively using an Endo-Gia stapler inserted transorally to perform an esophageal diverticulostomia, or using thermal coagulation applied by a carbon dioxide (CO2) or argon plasma laser. The key to a successful procedure is adequate exposure of the diverticulum by insertion of a pharynx spreader before the surgery. METHODS: Since 1996, 31 patients who underwent minimally invasive diverticulostomies performed in our clinic have been included prospectively in the current study. All the patients were examined endoscopically before and after surgery. Furthermore, the intraesophageal and intragastric pressure was examined by transesophageal manometry, and the pH in the esophagus and stomach was determined by pH-metry. A barium swallow was performed to exclude leakage at the stapler suture line as proof of sufficient anastomoses. Manometry showed that the upper esophageal sphincter functioned normally before and after surgery. The results were compared with those of patients undergoing conventional procedures. RESULTS: The median follow-up period after resection of the diverticulum was 46 months. Both the Gastrointestinal Quality-of-Life Index (GQLI) (p < 0.001) and the modified dysphagia score (GHDS) increased significantly, indicating that the operations were successful. The minimally invasive procedure is faster than cricopharyngeal myotomy and significantly safer. It is better tolerated by patients, and they are discharged earlier. CONCLUSION: Transoral esophagodiverticulosomy has become the standard procedure for Zenker's diverticulum in the authors' department. The endoscopic minimally invasive approach proved to be safer than standard surgical procedures. It offers a significantly shorter operation time and postoperative hospital stay (p < 0.001).

[Role of vacuum therapy in the management of the septic abdomen]. / Einsatzmöglichkeiten der Vakuumtherapie zur Therapie des septischen Abdomens.

Progress in intensive care medicine contributed substantially in lowering the mortality rate of patients suffering from diffuse secondary peritonitis. In the medical care of patients presenting a septic abdomen the persisting septic focus is one of the greatest problems. This is associated with other problems like temporary closure of the abdomen, complications due to re-laparotomies, healing of the abdominal wall after soft tissue infection, loss of abdominal wall musculature, or persisting enteral fistulas. The vacuum therapy is used with increasing frequency for the treatment of septic complications in different areas of the body. The excellent drainage characteristics of the vacuum therapy appear to be a therapeutic option for the control of surgically untreatable septic processes in the abdominal cavity. More and more experience is gathered with the successful treatment of enterocutaneous fistulas, small intestine and pancreatic fistulas as well as anastomotic leakage after rectal surgery. There exist hardly any evidence-based recommendations for the application of vacuum therapy for treatment of the septic abdomen. But the good results of temporary closure of open abdomen of trauma patients by the vacuum therapy arises hope that the results can be transferred to the treatment modalities of persisting peritonitis. Additionally, these patients could profit from the drainage characteristics of the vacuum therapy.

Development of a cost-effective system for digital off-line analysis of transrectal ultrasound.

BACKGROUND: Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) is the most sensitive and accurate technique for preoperative staging and follow-up of rectal cancer. One of the most relevant problems of this technique is that the assessment of TRUS is possible only during real-time examination. Furthermore, interpretation of the ultrasound findings is difficult and requires long experience. We show the development of a new, cost-effective software solution for off-line examination and documentation of transrectal ultrasound. METHODS: The ultrasound device is connected to a frame-grabber card in a standard PC. Video capturing is done using a freeware software solution and various video codecs. The whole examination course is recorded. The examiner only has to concentrate on producing an artifact-free realization of the examination. RESULTS: The software solution offers a flexible review of each individual "frame" of the investigation on the personal computer, very similar to CT and MRI scans. Infiltration depth and lymph node status can be assessed at any time, independently of the investigation and the investigator. The picture quality is excellent even if a lossy codec is used. It is not necessary to do definitive assessment of the TRUS during the examination. CONCLUSIONS: This new technique gives a cost-effective possibility for high-quality off-line staging, re-examination, re-evaluation, and documentation of rectal cancer. TRUS becomes an examiner-independent objective examination technique for staging and follow-up of rectal cancer.

[Primary hyperparathyroidism: parathyroid scintigraphy and ultrasound in problem patients]. / Primärer Hyperparathyreoidismus. Nebenschilddrüsenszintigraphie und Sonographie bei Problempatienten.

AIM: In a retrospective study, the sensitivity of parathyroid scintigraphy and ultrasound was investigated in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) with prior histories of surgery of the thyroid or parathyroid (unsuccessful or recidive). METHODS: Preoperative ultrasound and parathyroid scintigraphy were performed on 65 patients who had had successful surgery and on 12 who had had unsuccessful surgery. The scintigraphy was carried out using a combined double phase/double nuclide technique with 300-600 MBq 99mTc-sestamibi for parathyroid imaging and 80-100 MBq 99mTc-pertechnetate for thyroid imaging. RESULTS: The sensitivity of parathyroid scintigraphy was 86% in patients with normal thyroid glands, 77% in those with recurrent goiter, and 62% in those with recurrent or persistent HPT. The ultrasound sensitivity was 86%, 50%, and 57% respectively. CONCLUSION: The sensitivity of parathyroid scintigraphy and ultrasound decreases considerably after surgery. That of parathyroid scintigraphy lay significantly below results published to date. However, parathyroid scintigraphy should be performed precisely in these cases, because the number of alternative parathyroid imaging methods aside from ultrasound are limited.

[Postoperative endoscopy for the diagnosis and therapy of complications]. / Postoperative Endoskopie zur Diagnose und Therapie von Komplikationen.

A variety of endoscopic methods are available as the main tools in the diagnostics and therapy of various complications after visceral and thoracic surgery. Indications for endoscopic interventions are anastomotic leaks, stenoses, Gl-tract bleedings, biliary lesions and functional problems after surgical procedures. The most common are fibrin sealing of fistulas, dilatation and bougienage, injection therapy for bleeding, bile duct interventions and stent implantations. In most cases operative revisions can be avoided by using endoscopic methods with an overall good success rate. No disadvantages are foreseen following conventional operative interventions if the endoscopic treatment is not successful.

Asymptomatic hypercalcemia due to an ectopic parathyroid adenoma in an 8-year-old boy.

The diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism in children is often delayed and is usually based on symptoms of hypercalcemia rather than abnormal laboratory values alone. We report the case of an 8-year-old boy with hypercalcemia, hypophosphatemia and mildly, but inadequately elevated intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) who presented without any symptoms of hyperparathyroidism. Although imaging studies were misleading and four normal parathyroid glands were found intraoperatively, exploration of the thymus revealed an ectopic parathyroid adenoma. After removal of the ectopic gland, a rapid iPTH immunoassay proved immediate normalization of iPTH. This is the first report of sporadic isolated primary hyperparathyroidism diagnosed in an asymptomatic child on the basis of hypercalcemia and hypophosphatemia.

Thyroid surgery according to Enderlen-Hotz or Dunhill: a comparison of two surgical methods for the treatment of Graves' disease.

The surgical therapy of Graves' disease is favored in Germany, which is an iodine-deficient area, and nodular transformation is common. The surgical methods mainly differ in their extent of resection. We examined 152 patients with regard to operative and postoperative complications in a prospective randomized study. Patients were randomized to two groups: treated either by subtotal resection on both sides (STT) or subtotal resection with contralateral hemithyroidectomy (SHT), the two most common surgical procedures. The follow-up period was 6 years; complication and recurrence rates were studied. There was no significant difference concerning mortality, recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy, hypocalcemia, secondary hemorrhage, wound infections, or recurrence rate between STT and SHT. However, SHT only requires a unilateral resection in case of a recurrence, thus reducing the risk of bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy.

Surgery for recurrent goitre: its complications and their risk factors.

OBJECTIVE: To find out the morbidity of reoperation for benign recurrent thyroid disease, and the risk factors associated with it. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Specialist endocrine unit, Germany. SUBJECTS: 1031 patients operated on for recurrent goitre between 1 January 1983 and 31 December 1996. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Incidence of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy and hypocalcaemia. RESULTS: 82/1031 patients were excluded from assessment for recurrent laryngeal nerve function leaving 949 for analysis. There were no cases of bilateral permanent palsy, but 1 patient developed temporary bilateral palsy. 33 patients (3%) developed permanent unilateral palsy and 46 (5%) temporary palsy. 1307 nerves were at risk, and the rate of permanent palsy was therefore 2% of nerves at risk. This was 5 times the rate after the initial operation. Hyperthyroidism and not exposing the nerve during operation were predisposing factors. 118 patients were excluded from assessment of hypocalcaemia leaving 913 for analysis. 23 patients developed temporary hypocalcaemia (2%), but only 5 (0.5%) developed permanent hypocalcaemia. Because so few patients developed hypocalcaemia we were unable to designate risk factors. CONCLUSION: Because of the high risk of complications operations for recurrent goitre should be done only if the patient cannot be treated in any other way. The risk of recurrence should be minimised by excision of all nodules during the initial operation.

Indications, risks, and acceptance of total thyroidectomy for multinodular benign goiter.

Selective morphology- and function-adapted resection is generally regarded as the surgical treatment of choice for benign goiter causing iodine deficiency. This procedure aims to reduce the need for patients to undergo reoperations for recurrence by completely removing all nodules. However, to achieve this sometimes requires a total thyroidectomy, the option of which is often rejected because of a presumed higher rate of complications. In this study, 324 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy were evaluated retrospectively. The patients were interviewed about their postoperative course and their acceptance of the procedure performed. The complications were compared with those associated with subtotal resection or hemithyroidectomies performed in our collective experience. The rate of complications associated with total thyroidectomy, namely, recurrent nerve palsy in 0.9%, hypocalcemia in 0.9%, wound infection in 0.9%, and secondary hemorrhage in 0.6%, did not differ significantly from that associated with subtotal resections/ hemithyroidectomies. Moreover, 88.3% of the patients who underwent total thyroidectomy were satisfied with the results of surgery. These findings indicate that total thyroidectomy is an acceptable surgical alternative for benign multinodular goiters.