ObjectiveTo establish a stable laboratory model of temporary hypoparathyroidism following thyroid operation in rabbits. MethodsTwenty New Zealand white rabbits were randomized into 2 groups (the four parathyroid glands injured group and the two inferior parathyroid glands injured group, n=10 for each group). In the two inferior parathyroid glands injured group, blood supply vessels of the two inferior parathyroid glands were injured with ligation. In the four parathyroid glands injured group, total thyroidectomy (including two superior parathyroid glands) were performed and blood supply vessels of the two inferior parathyroid glands were injured with ligation. The number of the identified parathyroid glands were counted during operation. Serum calcium and parathyroid hormone (PTH) were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively on 1 d, 2 d, 3 d, 5 d and in 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks, and 4 weeks. Model achievement rate were calculated. ResultsFour parathyroid glands were identified in rabbits. The two superior parathyroid glands were in thyroid tissue which were identified with histology, and the two inferior parathyroid glands located in the fascia plane between the sternohyoid, sternothyroid muscles and the carotid artery which can easily be identified with naked eye. There were no significant difference in preoperative calcium and PTH between the two groups (P > 0.05). In the two inferior parathyroid glands injured group, significantly decreased in serum calcium were observed on 1 d, 2 d and 3 d after operation (P < 0.05). In the four parathyroid glands injured group, significantly decreased in blood calcium were observed on 1 d, 2 d, 3 d and 5 d after operation (P < 0.05). The lowest level of serum calcium was observed on 1 d in two groups. Postoperative serum PTH were significantly declined in two groups on 1 d, 2 d, 3 d, 5 d, and in 1 week, 2 weeks and 3 weeks (P < 0.05). The lowest serum PTH was also observed on 1 d in two groups. Significantly lower serum PTH were found in the four parathyroid glands injured group on 1 d, 2 d and 3 d than in the two inferior parathyroid glands injured group (P < 0.05). Lower PTH level were found in the four parathyroid glands injured group on 5 d, and in 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks and 4 weeks, but no significance (P > 0.05). Positive correlation between serum calcium and PTH were noticed (r=0.771, P=0.000). Model achievement rate were higher on 3 d and 5 d in the four parathyroid glands injured group than that of the two inferior parathyroid glands injured group (P < 0.05). ConclusionsStable animal model of temporary hypoparathyroidism following thyroidectomy can be established by total-thyroidectomy plus ligation the blood vessels of the two inferior parathyroid glands. This model can be used for further study.
Objective To investigate the causes and treatment of recurrent laryngeal nerve （RLN） injury during the operation of thyroidectomy. Methods Clinical data of 48 patients that RLN were injured during thyroidectomy in and out of our hospital from Jun. 2003 to Mar. 2007 were reviewed. Results No patient died while operation and staying in hospital. There were 47 cases of unilateral RLN injury, 1 case of bilateral RLN injury; 21 cases （43.7%） were injured because of suture or scar adhesion, 13 cases （27.1%） were partly broken with formed scar, 14 cases （29.2%） were completely cut off; The locations of RLN injuries were closely adjacent to the crossing of the inferior thyroid artery and RLN in 13 cases （27.1%） and 35 cases （72.9%） were within 2 cm below the point of RLN entering into throat. The injured RLN were repaired surgically in 43 cases, among which 39 cases’ phonation and vocal cord movement were restored completely or had their vocal cord movement recovered partly; There were only 4 cases that the phonation and vocal cord movement were not recovered. Another 5 cases that did not take any repair did not recovered naturally. Conclusion The location of most RLN injuries caused by mechanical injury during thyroid surgery is closely adjacent to the entrance of RLN into throat. Early nerve exploratory operation should be performed once the RLN is injured, and the method of repair should be decided according to concrete conditions of injury．
Objective To explore the clinical significance of exposure the recurrent laryngeal nerve（RLN） for preventing the RLN injury in thyroidectomy. Methods The data of 1 723 patients with thyroid diseases undergoing total or subtotal thyroidectomy from September 2006 to August 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. RLN were exposed in 914 cases, 1 203 RLNs were exposed（exposed group）. RLN were unexposed in 809 cases, 1 013 sides were cut（unexposed group）. To compare RLN injury rate after operation and recovery of vocal cord in 6 months after operation between the two groups. Results In exposed group, 11 cases had RLN injury, the rate of RLN lesion was 0.91%. In unexposed group, 21 cases had RLN injury, the rate of RLN lesion was 2.07%. The differences between the two groups had statistical significance（P＜0.05）. When six months after operation, 0 case and 13 cases in exposed group and unexposed group respectively occurred permanent RLN injury, the differences between the two groups had statistical significance（P＜0.01）. Conclusion Exposure of RLN in total and subtotal thyroidectomy can significant avoid RLN injury, especially RLN permanent injury.
Objective To evaluate if performing thyroidectomy through small incision has any notable aesthetic impact on patients compared with larger incision. Methods Thirty consecutive patients underwent thyroidectomy were enrolled from March 2008 to June 2008 in this prospective randomized pilot study. The incision length was 6 cm in the small incision group and 9 cm in the larger incision group. After 3 years follow-up，the scar aesthetics were evaluated by patients and surgeons using the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale （POSAS），Vancouver Scar Scale （VSS），respectively. Digital photographs about scars were taken and assessed by non-research related viewers. Results There were 13 cases who received scar aesthetic assessment in both groups. The demographic characteristics of both groups were comparative. The overall patients’ satisfactions for the small incision group and the larger incision group were （2.5±1.9） scores and （2.2±1.5）scores， respectively （P=0.55）. There were no significant differences in scar assessment scale score as for other scar assessment scales （including VSS score，PSAS score，and OSAS score） between the two groups. The evaluation of digital photographs about scars by non-research related viewers was no significant difference （P＞0.05）. Conclusion Larger cervical scar in thyroidectomy does not decrease patients’ satisfaction with their scar results.
Objective To sum up experiences in diagnosis and treatment for Hashimoto′s disease (HD). Methods Clinical records of 78 patients who underwent operations and were diagnosed as Hashimoto′s disease by histologic examination in our hospital from Jan. 1988 to Dec. 1998 were analyzed. Results Seventy females and 8 males, aged 9 to 70 years (average of 41.6 years). HD was coexistent with 10.3% of thyroid gland malignant tumor, 23.1% of adenoma and 30.8% of other thhroid gland diseases. The misdiagnosis rate was 35.9% and missed diagnosis rate was 46.2%. The clinical feature of HD and most common cause of misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis have been discussed. Conclusion It is emphasized that patients with diffuse goiter, palpable nodules, lighty color on scintillation scintigraphy, elevation of antimicosomiaux and antithyroglobuline but no finding on Bus should be highly suspected of having Hashimoto′s disease.
Objective To explore the feasibility and safety of endoscopic thyroidectomy via chest-breast approachand summarize the operation skill. Method The clinical data of 40 cases performed endoscopic thyroidectomy via chest-breast approach from August 2010 to August 2012 in this hospital were analyzed retrospectively. Results The endoscopic thyroidectomies via chest-breast approach were successfully performed in all 40 patients without conversion to open surgery， massive haemorrhage， hypercapnia， severe subcutaneous emphysema， cutaneous necrosis on chest，permanent impairment of recurrent laryngeal nerve， and permanent hypoparathyroidism. One case of hoarseness was found on 2d after operation， who returned to normal after symptomatic treatment. One case of numbness in the extremitieshappened on day 2 after operation and the symptom was relieved through intravenous and oral administration of calcium treatment in 3d. One case of cutaneous tightness on chest happened， and it was spontaneous remission in a month. The operation time was （102±28.4） min （55-182 min）， intraoperative bleeding was （46±16.6） mL （30-106 mL）， and the drainage tube was removed postoperative 2-7d with an average （4±2.2） d， the postoperative hospitalization was 3-8 d with an average （4±1.1） d. All of the cases were followed-up after operation without low calcium， low parathyroid hormone， hoarseness， and local goiter recurrence. Two cases of hypoparathyroidism returned to normal after oral thyroxine dose adjustment. All the patients were satisfied with the cosmetic results. Conclusions The endoscopic thyroidectomy via chest-breast approach is safe and feasible with good cosmetic results. The subcutaneous Y tunnel， the “upper yellow middle white lower red” appearance on the chest， and the landmark of inverse trapezium on the neck are the key points for creation of operation compartment. Sufficient exposure， stepwise procedure， blunt dissection combined with sharp dissection in the precise gap are the surgical skills for endoscopic thyroidectomy.
Objective To investigate the indications and prevention of complications of total thyroidectomy in the management of thyroid diseases. Methods Eighty five patients who received total thyroidectomy between Jan. 2009 and Dec. 2011 were retrospectively analyzed with regard to the surgical procedures and postoperative complications. There were 46 thyroid cancers， 38 nodular goiters， and 1 Hashimoto thyroiditis. Results The postoperative pathological exam-inations revealed that 9 （19.6%） of 46 thyroid cancers were bilateral， and all of nodular goiters were also bilateral multiple nodule. Bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerves were exposed in all of the patients in which 4 recurrent laryngeal nerves were invaded by cancer and 1 was sacrificed. There were 5 patients whose parathyroids were not identified and protected during the operation. Two patients developed postoperative bleeding and needed reoperation， 6 patients developed hoarseness of whom 5 patients recovered except for the one whose nerve was sacrificed. And in terms of hypoparathyroidism， 33 （38.8%） patients developed transient hypocalcemia related symptoms. The permanent hypoparathyroidism occurred only in 2 patients. Conclusions Total thyroidectomy is a safe procedure in the management of thyroid cancer and bilateral nodular goiter. Exposing the recurrent laryngeal nerve and parathyroid is an effective method to prevent major complica-tions. Invasion of recurrent laryngeal nerve by thyroid cancer might not lead to hoarseness.
Objective To compare the therapeutic effects between endoscopic thyroidectomy by anterior chest approach and modified Miccoli thyroidectomy. Methods Sixty patients with thyroid goiter were performed endoscopic thyroidectomy by anterior chest approach (endoscopic thyroidectomy by anterior chest approach group, n=30) and modified Miccoli thyroidectomy (modified Miccoli group, n=30) respectively. The operative time, the drainage volume, cosmetic benefit, the postoperative hospitalization time, the expenses of hospitalization and postoperative complications of two groups were compared. Results The operative time and the drainage volume after operation of endoscopic thyoidectomy by anterior chest approach group were significantly more than modified Miccoli group 〔(99.9±23.4) min vs. (74.0±29.6) min; (68.6±8.7) ml vs. (40.9±6.1) ml, respectively〕, Plt;0.05. The cosmetic benefit score of endoscopic thyoidectomy by anterior chest approach group was higher than that of modified Miccoli group 〔(4.7±0.2) points vs. (3.7±0.1) points〕, Plt;0.05. The postoperative hospitalization time and expenses of hospitalization were no significant differences between the two groups 〔(6.5±1.7) d vs. (5.5±0.9) d; (9 328.3±1 107.1) yuan vs. (8 568.2±1 032.3) yuan, respectively〕, Pgt;0.05. One case had transient hoarseness in 2 groups respectively, no other complications happened. Conclusions Modified Miccoli operation is both minimally invasive and cosmetic, but endoscopic thyroidectomy by anterior chest approach has better cosmetic benefit, which can release patients’ psychological trauma. The patients with specific cosmetic demand may choose endoscopic thyroidectomy by anterior chest approach.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the value of parathyroid hormone (PTH) in predicting hypocalcemia at different time after thyroidectomy. MethodsThe literatures in CBM, WanFang, CNKI, VIP in Chinese, and OVID, PUBMED, EMBASE, and MEDLINE in English were searched. Hand searches and additional searches were also conducted. The studies of predicting hypocalcemia after thyroidectomy by detecting postoperative PTH at different time were selected, and the quality and tested the heterogeneity of included articles were assessed. Then the proper effect model to calculate pooled weighted sensitivity (SEN), specificity (SPE), positive likelihood ratio (LR+), and negative likelihood ratio (LR-) were selected. The summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve was performed and the area under the curve (AUC) was computed. ResultsTwenty-three articles entered this systematic review, 21 articles were English and 2 articles were Chinese. Fifteen of 23 articles were designed to be prospective cohort study (PC) and 8 of 23 articles were retrospective study (Retro). These articles were divided into two groups. Group 1 was the studies of detecting postoperative PTH in 1 hour, which included 2 012 cases (494 of them occurred hypocalcemia). Group 2 was the studies of detecting postoperative PTH between 4-12 hours, which included 693 cases (266 of them occurred hypocalcemia). The publication bias of 2 groups were smaller that founded through the literature funnel. Meta analysis showed that in addition to merge SEN, between the 2 groups with merge SPE, LR+, LR-, and AUC differences were statistically significant (P < 0.01);the forecast effect of group 1 was better than group 2, and the AUC was the largest area when the PTH value in 1 hour after operation was below 16 ng/L. ConclusionDetection of postoperative PTH value is an effective method for predicting postoperative hypocalcemia. The 1 hour after operation for detecting PTH value below 16 ng/L to predict postoperative hypocalcemia have the best effect.
【Abstract】Objective To explore the operative technique of endoscopic thyroidectomy and prevent its complications. Methods A retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of 32 patients with benign thyroid diseases who were treated with endoscopic thyroidectomy between May 2002 and March 2005. Results Thirtytwo cases were successfully treated with the mean operation time 130 min(80～180 min). Twelve cases with thyroid adenomas and 20 cases with thyroid tubers were confirmed by histologic examinations. In this group, the postoperative complications included fat liquefaction in 2 cases and transient hoarseness in 1 case who recovered 3 months after operation. No parathyroid injury occurred. The drainage tubes were removed 2~3 days after operation. All of the patients were discharged 2~5 days after operation.Conclusion Endoscopic thyroidectomy is safe and feasible with favorable cosmetic effect.