"Before skin incision" high-resolution ultrasound in primary hyperparathyroidism: a new imaging tool for surgeons?

PURPOSE: Various diagnostic methods have been utilized for localizing pathologic parathyroid glands to consequently provide the possibility of avoiding bilateral neck dissection in cases of primary hyperparathyroidism. Scintigraphy, combined with ultrasound, became established as the standard method of localization in the 2000s. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of the "before skin incision" surgeon-performed ultrasound in determining the improvement in the diagnostic accuracy in a large case series. METHOD: The method used in this research is a retrospective observational study (study period: between 1-2014 and 12-2020) comparing two patient groups before (control group: 31 patients) and after (study group: 70 patients) the introduction of the ultrasonography surgical protocol: combined preoperative and "before skin incision" surgeon-performed ultrasound. RESULTS: The sensitivity of the combined preoperative "before skin incision" surgeon-performed ultrasound was 97%, and the positive predictive value was 93% in regard to detecting the number of diseased glands and the appropriate anatomic location (right versus left, upper versus lower). The sensitivity of the parathyroid scan (Tc-MIBI-scintigraphy) was 74%, and the positive predictive value was 92%. The duration of surgery was significantly shorter in the test group (84.7 vs. 66.4 min; Mann‒Whitney U: 0.006). No differences were detected between the two groups in regard to avoiding intraoperative or postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: The combination of the preoperative "before skin incision" surgeon-performed ultrasound could improve the efficiency of the preoperative location and anatomic classification using the standard literature-suggested diagnostic methods.

Heart injuries related to cardiopulmonary resuscitation: a risk often overlooked.

BACKGROUND: Current studies focus primarily on skeletal injuries following cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Few studies report on intrathoracic injuries (ITI) and none, to our knowledge, focus exclusively on cardiovascular injuries related to cardiac massage. This study was based on autopsy findings and assessed the incidence of non-skeletal CPR related injuries related to chest compression. METHODS: This was a retrospective forensic autopsy cohort study conducted in a single institution after resuscitation. Pathologists recorded autopsy data using standardized protocol contained information from external and internal examination of the body. RESULTS: Thirty-eight autopsy reports (21 males and 17 females), post- CPR-failure were studied. Heart lesions were reported in 19 patients (group A). The average age was 65.7 years (69.05 group A and 66.5 group B). Median weight was 75.2 Kg and was significantly higher in group B (p = 0.01). Pericardial lesions were identified in 6 patients in group A and 2 in group B (p = 0.2 ns). No significant difference was observed among the two groups (Table 4) with the exception of the average number of rib fractures which was higher in group A (p = 0.04). Autopsy findings revealed heart injuries in 50% of patients with a high prevalence (52.6%) of left ventricle injuries. CONCLUSION: Cardiac lesions represent frequent and serious complications of unsuccessful CPR. Correct performance of chest compressions according to guidelines is the best way to avoid these complications.

Thoracoscopic resympathectomy for persistent or recurrent palmar hyperhidrosis: single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: In case of recurrence or persistent palmar hyperhidrosis, a sympathetic chain resection is suggested, however, many surgeons are still reluctant to offer further intervention because of the inability to predict the efficacy of such a procedure. We analyzed our large series of resympathectomy. METHODS: Substantive retrospective analysis of 39 patients underwent a resympathectomy (minimally invasive bilaterally sympathetic chain Th2-3 resection). Patients referred from other hospitals or primarily operated at our institution for recurrence or persistence palmar hyperhidrosis were included in the study group. RESULTS: No intraoperative complications were detected. Reoperation or chest tube positioning was necessary in 2 patients. Twenty-eight patients had a positive response (excellent or good results). Seven patients described a substantial, but not sufficient, reduction of the symptomatology. Four patients were very unsatisfied and regretted the operation. CONCLUSIONS: Resympathectomy is highly effective procedure for patients who have persistent or recurrent symptoms. However, the indication of the operations should be more dissuasive as possible to avoid the risk of any undesirable psychologically side effects.