Endoscopic Thyroidectomy Via the Cervico-axillary Approach for Thyroid Cancer: Initial Experience in a Single Institute / 대한내분비외과학회지

PURPOSE: Endoscopic thyroidectomy using a cervico-axillary approach (CAA) provides optimal visualization with a smaller dissection plane. Despite the excellent cosmetic results and high patient satisfaction, the surgical and oncologic safety of CAA endoscopic surgery has not been fully established. The present study evaluated the feasibility, safety, and surgical outcomes of CAA endoscopic thyroidectomy. METHODS: From October 2009 to April 2012, 100 patients with papillary thyroid cancer underwent CAA endoscopic thyroidectomy. Patient demographics, pathologic features, and surgical outcomes including complications and recurrence were collected. RESULTS: CAA endoscopic thyroidectomy was successful in all patients, and none required conversion to open thyroidectomy. All patients underwent ipsilateral thyroid lobectomy with or without central compartment neck dissection. The mean tumor size was 1.0±0.6 cm (range, 0.5~1.6), and 35.0% of tumors showed extrathyroidal extension. The mean number of harvested lymph nodes was 4.1±4.4, and metastasis was found in 12.0% of patients. The mean surgical time was 175.2±50.4 min, mean intraoperative blood loss was 42.5±69.2 ml, and the mean hospital stay was 3.3±0.6 days. There were five cases of postoperative transient hypocalcemia and eight cases of vocal cord palsy. No permanent complication or postoperative bleeding was observed. Patients continued to be seen for a median period of 63.7 months, and no recurrence of thyroid cancer was seen. CONCLUSION: CAA endoscopic thyroidectomy is a feasible and safe procedure for low-risk thyroid cancer, with excellent cosmesis. It can be recommended as an alternative option for selected patients with low-risk thyroid cancer.

Significance of Hypotension after Return of Spontaneous Circulation from Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest

PURPOSE: Arterial hypotension after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) from out of hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) occurs frequently. However, few studies have described post-ROSC hypotension and the relationship with outcome in OHCA. This study aimed to find the prevalence of post-ROSC hypotension and to determine whether post-ROSC hypotension predicts outcome in OHCA. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with ROSC (>20 minutes) after OHCA and who were admitted to the emergency department in a tertiary hospital from July, 2005 to June, 2009. Patients' baseline characteristics, presence of arterial hypotension (<90 mmHg), mortality, and neurologic outcome were evaluated. Mortality rates were compared and multivariate logistic regression was used to determine if post-ROSC hypotension independently predicted death. RESULTS: One hundred forty seven patients (93 males) were studied. Post-ROSC hypotension occurred in 108(73%) patients and was associated with significantly higher mortality compared to non-exposure (82% vs. 44% p<0.001). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, post-ROSC hypotension (OR 4.4 [95% CI]) and non-cardiogenic causes (OR 19.7 [95% CI]) were independent predictors of death. CONCLUSION: Post-ROSC hypotension is common and can be an independent predictor of death in OHCA.