Sialoendoscopia y abordaje mixto para el manejo dela patología obstructiva de las glándulas salivales / Sialoendoscopy and mixed approach for the management of obstructive pathology of the salivary glands

Introducción. La sialoendoscopia es un procedimiento cuya finalidad es visualizar los conductos salivales. Se utiliza como método diagnóstico y terapéutico de procesos inflamatorios, estenosis de los conductos y procesos obstructivos. Métodos. Describir los procedimientos realizados para el tratamiento de pacientes con patología inflamatoria y obstructiva de las glándulas salivales, de forma única con sialoendoscopia o con abordajes mixtos. Resultados. Un total de 24 pacientes fueron incluidos en el estudio, con edad promedio de 42 años, en su mayoría mujeres y compromiso submaxilar en 58,3 % y de parótida en 41,7 %. Respecto a la intervención, al 29,2 % de los sujetos se le realizó extracción de cálculos, al 29,2 % sialoplastia, al 25 % dilatación de conductos y al 37,5 % lavado de conductos en el mismo momento quirúrgico. Conclusión. La sialoendoscopia y el abordaje mixto es un procedimiento que puede garantizar el manejo de patologías obstructivas y estenosis de los conductos salivales, con buen pronóstico y resultados, preservando la glándula y evitando las complicaciones de la cirugía.

Introduction. Sialoendoscopy is a procedure which purpose is to visualise the salivary ducts. It is used as a diagnostic and therapeutic method for inflammatory and obstructive processes and duct stenosis. Methods. To describe the procedures performed for the management of patients with inflammatory and obstructive pathology of the salivary glands, only with sialoendoscopy or with mixed approaches. Results. A total of 24 patients were included in the study, with mean age of 42 years, mostly female, and 58.3% submaxillary involvement 41.7% parotid involvement. Regarding the intervention, 29.2% of the subjects underwent stone extraction, 29.2%, sialoplasty, 25% duct dilatation, and 37.5% duct lavage at the same surgical time. Conclusions. Sialoendoscopy and the mixed approach is a procedure that can guarantee the management of obstructive pathologies and stenosis of the salivary ducts with good prognosis and results, preserving the gland and avoiding the complications of surgery.

Management of oral feeding following total laryngectomy around the world: YO-IFOS international study.

BACKGROUND: To analyze worldwide practices regarding the initiation of oral feeding after total laryngectomy (TL). METHODS: Online survey. RESULTS: Among the 332 responses received, 278 from 59 countries were analyzed. Our results showed that 45.6% of respondents started water and 45.1% started liquid diet between postoperative days 7 and 10. Semi-solid feeds were initiated between days 10 and 14 for 44.9% of respondents and a free diet was allowed after day 15 for 60.8% of respondents. This timing was significantly delayed in cases of laryngo-pharyngectomy and after prior radiotherapy (p < 0.001). A greater proportion of respondents in Africa and Oceania allowed early oral feeding before day 6 as compared with the rest of the world (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Despite increasing number of publications, there is still a lack of evidence to support early oral feeding. The majority of respondents preferred to delay its initiation until at least 7 days after surgery.

Prophylactic central neck dissection for well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma: results and methodological assessment of systematic reviews.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this review was to assess the methodological quality of systematic reviews evaluating the effectivness of prophylactic central neck dissection plus thyroidectomy to decrease locoregional recurrence in patients with thyroid carcinoma. INTRODUCTION: Many systematic reviews have been published concerning prophylactic central neck dissection in well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma, finding inconsistent results regarding the risk of locoregional recurrence. Because systematic reviews are considered the best source on which to base clinical decisions, the assessment of methodological quality is important. INCLUSION CRITERIA: This paper included studies that mentioned that a systematic review was performed in adult patients with confirmed diagnosis of well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma without evidence of nodal metastatic disease who underwent total thyroidectomy. Reviews evaluated prophylactic central neck dissection compared with no neck diessection for decreasing locoregional recurrence. METHODS: A systematic search was performed using MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, LILACS, Web of Science, CNKI, and Google Scholar. PROSPERO was searched for unpublished studies and gray literature. Data regarding the study characteristics, patient types, numbers of patients, and locoregional recurrence by group were extracted. Methodological characteristics, type of statistical analysis and summary estimator, heterogeneity, and publication bias were recorded. The methodological quality was measured using the AMSTAR 2 tool. RESULTS: The search identified 12 systematic reviews. Only four systematic reviews reported adherence to methodological guidelines. The AMSTAR 2 critical criteria classified all the studies as critically low quality. The pooled risk difference for locoregional recurrence varied among studies from -5% to 0%. Most of the studies were published in high-impact journals. CONCLUSIONS: The published systematic reviews that assessed prophylactic central neck dissection as an intervention to decrease the rate of locoregional recurrence have a critically low methodological quality. The results and recommendations based on these studies should be used with caution. The evaluation of methodological quality by peer reviewers must be improved.

Submental Artery Island Flap in Oral Cavity Reconstruction. An Observational, Retrospective Two-centre Study.

Introduction The submental flap provides an alternative technique in orofacial reconstruction, especially in situations in which free flaps are not available, or the patients are unfit. Objective To demonstrate the oncological safety and benefits of this flap in oral cavity reconstruction. Methods A total of 14 patients with oral cavity cancers, who underwent submental flap reconstruction from January 2016 to January 2018, were included in the study. Results There were 11 male and 3 female patients with a mean age of 66.7 ± 14 (Min: 52/Max: 91) years old. The most common primary tumor site was the mobile tongue in 12 (85.7%) patients. All of the patients underwent ipsilateral selective neck dissection after the flap was harvested. Flap partial necrosis was observed in one patient, and total necrosis in another one. The mean follow-up was of one year. Nonlocal or regional recurrences were observed. Conclusion Submental island flap represents a good option in oral cavity reconstruction in a restricted setting or in patients considered not fit for free flap reconstruction. Preoperative selection of clinically neck node-negative patients is essential due to the potential risk of occult metastasis.

Submental Artery Island Flap in Oral Cavity Reconstruction. An Observational, Retrospective Two-centre Study

Abstract Introduction The submental flap provides an alternative technique in orofacial reconstruction, especially in situations in which free flaps are not available, or the patients are unfit. Objective To demonstrate the oncological safety and benefits of this flap in oral cavity reconstruction. Methods A total of 14 patients with oral cavity cancers, who underwent submental flap reconstruction from January 2016 to January 2018, were included in the study. Results There were 11 male and 3 female patients with a mean age of 66.7 ± 14 (Min: 52/Max: 91) years old. The most common primary tumor site was the mobile tongue in 12 (85.7 %) patients. All of the patients underwent ipsilateral selective neck dissection after the flap was harvested. Flap partial necrosis was observed in one patient, and total necrosis in another one. The mean follow-up was of one year. Nonlocal or regional recurrences were observed. Conclusion Submental island flap represents a good option in oral cavity reconstruction in a restricted setting or in patients considered not fit for free flap reconstruction. Preoperative selection of clinically neck node-negative patients is essential due to the potential risk of occult metastasis.

Facial nerve monitoring during parotid gland surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Facial nerve injury remains the most severe complication of parotid gland surgery. However, the use of intraoperative facial nerve monitoring (IFNM) during parotid gland surgery among Otolaryngologist-Head and Neck Surgeons continues to be a matter of debate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature was conducted including articles from 1970 to 2019 to try to determine the effectiveness of intraoperative facial nerve monitoring in preventing immediate and permanent postoperative facial nerve weakness in patients undergoing primary parotidectomy. Acceptable studies included controlled series that evaluated facial nerve function following primary parotidectomy with or without intraoperative facial nerve monitoring. RESULTS: Ten articles met inclusion criteria, with a total of 1069 patients included in the final meta-analysis. The incidence of immediate and permanent postoperative weakness following parotidectomy was significantly lower in the IFNM group compared to the unmonitored group (23.4% vs. 38.4%; p = 0.001) and (5.7% vs. 13.6%; p = 0.001) when all studies were included. However, when we analyze just prospective data, we are not able to find any significant difference. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that IFNM may decrease the risk of immediate post-operative and permanent facial nerve weakness in primary parotid gland surgery. However, due to the low evidence level, additional prospective-randomized trials are needed to determine if these results can be translated into improved surgical safety and improved patient satisfaction.

La cirugía como una sinfonía. Un proyecto para el trabajo en equipo y coordinado / Surgery as a symphony. A project for team and coordinated work

La seguridad del paciente es uno de los aspectos de mayor relevancia en la atención en un quirófano. El trabajo en equipo y coordinado, sumado al liderazgo, permite que los errores sean menos. Mantener un equipo estable en el quirófano, que conozca bien los procedimientos, y donde cada participante sabe el rol que juega, es uno de los factores más importantes para lograr un trabajo eficiente, con disminución de las complicaciones y del tiempo quirúrgico. Comparar el trabajo en el quirófano con una orquesta sinfónica, nos ayuda a entender la importancia del trabajo coordinado

Patient safety is one of the most important aspects of care in an operating room. Coordinated teamwork, coupled with leadership, allows mistakes to be fewer. Maintaining a stable team in the operating room, who knows the procedures well, and where each participant knows the role they play, is one of the most important factors to achieve efficient work, with a reduction in complications and surgical time. Comparing work in the operating room with a symphony orchestra helps us understand the importance of coordinated work

Desgaste profesional en residentes colombianos de cirugía: resultados de un estudio nacional / Professional burnout in Colombian surgical residents: results of a national study

Objetivo. El síndrome de desgaste profesional es una entidad muy prevalente en cirujanos que tiene un impacto negativo en los resultados clínicos y educativos. El objetivo del estudio fue determinar la prevalencia del síndrome de desgaste profesional en residentes colombianos de cirugía, y su variación en función de la edad, el sexo, el tipo de programa, el año de residencia y la región geográfica. Métodos. Se utilizó el Maslach Burnout InventoryHuman Services Survey (MBI-HSS) en 202 residentes. Se calculó el porcentaje global de síndrome de desgaste profesional. Se realizaron análisis univariados para el puntaje global del MBI-HSS y sus subescalas en función de los factores propuestos, y multivariado para evaluar su independencia. Resultados. La prevalencia del síndrome de desgaste profesional fue de 33,15 %. No se encontraron diferencias significativas entre el puntaje global y el de las subescalas del MBI-HSS entre residentes con síndrome de desgaste profesional y sin él, de acuerdo con las variables propuestas. La prevalencia del síndrome de desgaste profesional fue mayor en los programas del centro del país (OR=4,76; IC95% 2,0-11,2). Conclusiones. El síndrome de desgaste profesional en residentes colombianos de cirugía es una entidad prevalente que no se relaciona con la edad, el sexo, el tipo de programa ni el año de residencia. Existen variaciones regionales que indican un mayor riesgo de síndrome de desgaste profesional entre los residentes de los programas del centro del país, las cuales deben explorarse en profundidad

Objectives: The Burnout Syndrome (BS), a highly prevalent entity among surgeons, holds negative impact on clinical and educational outcomes. Our aim was to measure the prevalence of BS in Colombian surgical residents, and their variation according to age, gender, type of program, level of residence and geographic region. Methods: The MBI-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) was administered to 202 surgical residents. The overall percentage of BS was calculated. Univariate analyses were performed for the global score of the MBI-HSS and its subscales according to the proposed variables, and multivariate analyses were conducted in order to assess their independence. Results: The prevalence of BS was 33.15%. No significant difference was found in the global and sub-scores of the MBI-HSS between residents with BS and no BS according the proposed variables. The prevalence of BS was higher in the central region of the country (OR 4.76 IC95% 2.0-11.2). Conclusions: BS in Colombian surgical residents is a prevalent entity, which is not related to age, gender, and type of program or level of residence. There are regional variations indicating a higher risk of BS among active residents in programs in the central region of the country, which requires further studies

Economic analysis of routine neuromonitoring of recurrent laryngeal nerve in total thyroidectomy / Análisis económico de la monitorización neurológica rutinaria del nervio laríngeo recurrente en la tiroidectomía total

Introduction: Thyroidectomy is a common surgery. Routine searching of the recurrent laryngeal nerve is the most important strategy to avoid palsy. Neuromonitoring has been recommended to decrease recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy. Objective: To assess if neuromonitoring of recurrent laryngeal nerve during thyroidectomy is cost-effective in a developing country. Materials and methods: We designed a decision analysis to assess the cost-effectiveness of recurrent laryngeal nerve neuromonitoring. For probabilities, we used data from a meta-analysis. Utility was measured using preference values. We considered direct costs. We conducted a deterministic and a probabilistic analysis. Results: We did not find differences in utility between arms. The frequency of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury was 1% in the neuromonitor group and 1.6% for the standard group. Thyroidectomy without monitoring was the less expensive alternative. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was COP$ 9,112,065. Conclusion: Routine neuromonitoring in total thyroidectomy with low risk of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury is neither cost-useful nor cost-effective in the Colombian health system.

Introducción. La tiroidectomía es una cirugía común. La búsqueda rutinaria del nervio laríngeo inferior es la estrategia más importante para evitar la parálisis. Objetivo. Evaluar el costo-efectividad en un país en desarrollo de la monitorización neurológica del nervio laríngeo inferior durante la tiroidectomía. Materiales y métodos. Se diseñó un análisis de decisiones para evaluar el costo-efectividad de la monitorización neurológica del nervio laríngeo inferior. Para las probabilidades se usaron datos de un meta-análisis. La utilidad se determinó con medidas de preferencia. Se incluyeron los costos directos. Se hizo un análisis determinístico y probabilístico. Resultados. No se encontraron diferencias en la utilidad entre las estrategias. La frecuencia de la lesión de este nervio fue de 1 % en el grupo bajo monitorización neurológica y de 1,6 % en el grupo de control. La tiroidectomía sin monitorización fue la alternativa menos costosa. La razón de costo-efectividad incremental fue de COP$ 9.112.065 Conclusión. La monitorización neurológica rutinaria en la tiroidectomía total con bajo riesgo de lesión del nervio laríngeo inferior, no es útil con relación a su costo ni costo-efectiva en el sistema de salud colombiano.

Economic analysis of routine neuromonitoring of recurrent laryngeal nerve in total thyroidectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Thyroidectomy is a common surgery. Routine searching of the recurrent laryngeal nerve is the most important strategy to avoid palsy. Neuromonitoring has been recommended to decrease recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy. OBJECTIVE: To assess if neuromonitoring of recurrent laryngeal nerve during thyroidectomy is cost-effective in a developing country. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We designed a decision analysis to assess the cost-effectiveness of recurrent laryngeal nerve neuromonitoring. For probabilities, we used data from a meta-analysis. Utility was measured using preference values. We considered direct costs. We conducted a deterministic and a probabilistic analysis. RESULTS: We did not find differences in utility between arms. The frequency of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury was 1% in the neuromonitor group and 1.6% for the standard group. Thyroidectomy without monitoring was the less expensive alternative. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio was COP$ 9,112,065. CONCLUSION: Routine neuromonitoring in total thyroidectomy with low risk of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury is neither cost-useful nor cost-effective in the Colombian health system.

Anatomía quirúrgica cervical de importancia en cirugía tiroidea / Surgical anatomy of the neck of importance in thyroid gland surgery

La anatomía quirúrgica es la parte de las ciencias básicas que es aplicada por los cirujanos en el desarrollo de los procedimientos quirúrgicos. La anatomía quirúrgica hace énfasis en las áreas corporales con una visión tridimensional de sus estructuras y en las relaciones entre estructuras. El cuello es el sitio con mayor densidad de órganos y tejidos por área corporal. La cirugía de cuello se ha considerado de alta complejidad y en ella el conocimiento profundo de la anatomía permite un adecuado tratamiento con reducción de las complicaciones y las secuelas. El objetivo de esta revisión es ofrecer una aproximación general a los puntos más relevantes que deben considerarse en la cirugía de tiroides.

Surgical anatomy is the field of basic science that is applied by surgeons in the performance of surgical procedures. Surgical anatomy emphasizes the body areas with a three dimension approach and the relationship among the structures. The neck is the site with the highest density or organs and tissues by body area. Neck surgery has been considered as of high complexity and thus a profound knowledge of the anatomy allows for better treatment with consequent reduction in complications and sequelae. The aim of this review is to offer an approach to the more relevant issues that should be considered in the practice of thyroid surgery.

Neuromonitoring in thyroidectomy: a meta-analysis of effectiveness from randomized controlled trials.

Neuromonitoring in thyroid surgery has been employed to make nerve identification easier and decrease the rates of laryngeal nerve injuries. Several individual randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been published, which did not identify statistical differences in the rates of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) or external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (EBSLN) injuries. The objective of this report is to perform meta-analysis of the combined results of individual studies to measure the frequency of RLN and EBSLN injuries in patients who underwent thyroidectomy with routine neuromonitoring in comparison with common practice of search and identification. RCTs comparing routine neuromonitoring versus no use in patients who underwent elective partial or total thyroidectomy were evaluated. Outcomes measured were temporary and definitive palsy of the RLN and EBSLN. A systematic review and meta-analysis was done using random effects model. GRADE was used to classify quality of evidence. Six studies with 1,602 patients and 3,064 nerves at risk were identified. Methodological quality assessment showed high risk of bias in most items. Funnel plot did not reveal publication bias. The risk difference for temporary RLN palsy, definitive RLN palsy, temporary EBSLN palsy, and definitive EBSLN palsy were -2% (95% confidence interval -5.1 to 1); 0% (-1 to 1); -9% (-15 to -2) and -1% (-4 to 2), respectively. Quality was rated low or very low in most outcomes due to methodological flaws. Meta-analysis did not demonstrate a statistically significant decrease in the risk of temporary or definitive RLN injury and definitive EBSLN injury with the use of neuromonitoring. The neuromonitoring group had a statistically significant decrease in the risk of temporary EBSLN injury.

Surgical management of thyroid cancer.

Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine neoplasm; however, it only accounts for less than 1% of all human malignances. Thyroid cancers are divided into well differentiated and non-well differentiated cancers, according to their histology and behavior. The surgical management options of well-differentiated thyroid cancer include total or near-total thyroidectomy, subtotal thyroidectomy and lobectomy plus isthmusectomy. The extent of surgery for thyroid cancer continues to be an area of controversy. Complications associated with thyroid surgery are directly proportional to the extent of thyroidectomy and inversely proportional to the experience of the operating surgeon. They occur less frequently with good surgical technique and better understanding of surgical anatomy, and include wound healing and infections (seroma, hematoma and wound infection), nerve injury, hypoparathyroidism, hypothyroidism, postoperative hemorrhage and respiratory obstruction.