Hemi-Thyroidectomy versus Total Thyroidectomy in Patients with Low-Risk Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma Sized 2 cm or Less

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The controversy over the optimal extent of thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) has persisted over a long time period. Particularly, there is a lack of consensus in low-risk PTC sized >1 cm and ≤2 cm. In this retrospective study, we analyzed the oncologic outcomes between hemi-thyroidectomy and total thyroidectomy in patients with low-risk PTC sized 2 cm or less.MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review of 1107 patients who were diagnosed as unilateral low-risk PTC with maximal tumor size 2 cm or less and initially underwent either hemi-thyroidectomy (n=550) or total thyroidectomy (n=557) was conducted. All patients underwent ipsilateral prophylactic central neck dissection. Patients had no evidence of gross extrathyroidal extension or lymph node metastasis. Clinicopathologic factors and recurrence rate were compared according to the surgical extent and factors correlated to recurrence were analyzed.RESULTS: While the total thyroidectomy group had more aggressive clinicopathologic factors such as minimal extrathyroidal extension, multifocality, and lymph node metastasis, recurrence rate was higher in the hemi-thyroidectomy group (p=0.006). However, when the contralateral lobe recurrence was excluded there was no difference in recurrence between the two groups (p=0.597). In patients with tumor sized >1 cm and ≤2 cm there was no significant difference in recurrence between the two groups (p=0.100).CONCLUSION: Total thyroidectomy may not decrease recurrence in patients with PTC presented with unilateral tumor sized >1 cm and ≤2 cm. Hemi-thyroidectomy could be considered the treatment of choice in these patients when they are presented as a low-risk group.

The Effect of Mitomycin-C on Preventing Adhesion of Injured Flexor Tendon in Rabbit Model

PURPOSE: Adhesion after flexor tendon injury is a result of fibrosis between tendon and tendon sheath. This, finally interfere with gliding mechanism of tendon and results in functional problem of hands. Therefore, there have been many trials to reduce adhesion around the tendon. However, there is no standard procedure clinically practiced in hospitals. Mitomycin-C is an antineoplastic alkylating agent that decrease fibroblast proliferation and scar formation. It is commonly used in many surgery to reduce postoperative adhesion. This study was designed to observe the effect of Mitomycin-C on preventing adhesion in injured flexor tendon. METHODS: The deep flexor tendon of digit 2 and 4 in the left forepaw of 15 New Zealand White rabbits were subjected to partial tenotomy. In study group, injury site was exposed to a single 5-minute application of Mitomycin-C, and in control group was left untreated. Digit 2 and 4 in the right forepaw of each rabbit were considered as non-adhesion control group. After 2 weeks, the animals were sacrificed and digits were amputated for biomechanical test and histological study. RESULTS: In biomechanical study to measure yield point, mean yield point of non-adhesion control was 17.43+/-2.33 and 25.07+/-4.03 for adhesion control, which proves increase of adhesion in adhesion control group(p<0.05) in 95% confidence. In Mitomycin-C group, mean yield point was 12.71+/-4.97. Compared with adhesion control, there was decrease in adhesiveness in Mitomycin-C group(p<0.05) in 95% confidence. In histological study, the result of adhesion control revealed massive adhesions of bony structure, fibrotic tissue and tendon structure with ablation of the border. However in Mitomycin-C group, we could find increased fibrotic tissue, but adhesion is much lesser than adhesion group and borders between structures remain intact. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that Mitomycin-C can significantly reduce adhesion of injured flexor tendon in rabbit model.