Assessment of operative treatment of patients with tertiary hyperparathyroidism after kidney transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of the study was to assess the results of operative treatment of patients with tertiary hyperparathyroidism (tHPT) after kidney transplantation. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 30 patients in whom kidney transplantation was performed between 2006 and 2013, and in whom parathyroidectomy had to be performed at a later time because of tHPT. There were 17 (56.7%) women and 13 (43,3%) men in the group, aged 18-64, mean 46.1 years. In order to locate the lesion before the operation, all patients had to undergo USG, and 14 had scintigraphy MIBI in addition. Serum levels of PTH, ionised calcium, and creatinine were determined together with glomerular filtration rate (GFR). The results of control tests were compared with those performed one day before parathyroidectomy (PTX) and three days after the operation. RESULTS: Among 30 patients, 19 (63.3%) underwent total resection of three parathyroid glands and 3/4 of the fourth. Two parathyroid glands were resected in eight (26.7%) patients, and one in the remaining three (10%) patients. Histopathological examination showed one parathyroid adenoma in six (20%) patients, and one parathyroid adenoma and hyperplasia of the remaining glands in one (3.3%) patient. Five (16.7%) patients had hyperplasia of two parathyroid glands whereas no changes were observed in two patients. On the other hand, hyperplasia of all glands was noted in 18 (60%) patients. Serum PTH level was significantly lower compared to the level before operation (p < 0.001), being 5.5-58.5 pg/mL, on day 3 postoperatively. Differences in the levels of serum-ionised calcium were also significant (p < 0.0001) after eight months. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical resection of parathyroid glands is a management of choice in patients after kidney transplantation accompanied by hypercalcaemia lasting longer than one year. Resection of 3 3/4 parathyroid glands because of hyperplasia in patients with hyperparathyroidism after kidney transplantation enables restoration of normal calcium metabolism. Moreover, resection of 3 3/4 parathyroid glands can allow avoidance of autotransplantation, which is necessary in cases of total resection of parathyroid glands.

Postoperative Acute Respiratory Failure In Patients Treated Surgically For Goiters.

UNLABELLED: The aim of the study was to present a clinical picture, treatment and prognosis regarding patients who developed acute respiratory failure (ARF) while treated surgically for a goiter. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 3810 patients were treated for goiters between 2008 to 2013. Symptoms of postoperative ARF were recognized in 39 (1%) patients. RESULTS: Symptoms of postoperative ARF were a postoperative hemorrhage in 31 (79.4%), lymphorrhagia in 1 (2.6%), bilateral paralysis of recurrent laryngeal nerves in 6 (15.4%) and acute circulatory - respiratory failure in 1 (2.6%). Postoperative hemorrhage appeared in 19 patients operated for nodular goiter, 4 with a retrosternal nodular goiter, 1x nontoxic recurrent retrosternal nodular goiter, 1x toxic recurrent retrosternal goiter nodular goiter, 2x Graves'goiter and 4x with malignant goiter. The cause of hemorrhage was parenchymal bleeding from the stumps and / or short neck muscles (29x), arterial bleeding (1x) and bleeding into the subcutaneous tissue (1x). Massive lymphorrhagia appeared as a result of damage to the thoracic duct after total thyroidectomy due to papillary thyroid carcinoma with cervical lymph node dissection on the left side. All patients who were diagnosed with bilateral paralysis of RLN, tracheostomy was performed. Of all 39 patients who underwent surgery two died - one in 6 days after surgery due to myocardial infarction, and another as a result of micropulmonary embolism and acute circulatory - respiratory failure in 18 hours after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: 1. The most frequent causes of acute respiratory failure in postoperative period are a hemorrhage from the operation site and bilateral paralysis of recurrent laryngeal nerves. 2. Acute postoperative respiratory failure is an indication for postoperative wound revision.

Non-Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve.

UNLABELLED: The aim of the study was to assess the frequency of non-recurrent laryngeal nerves (Non-RLN). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 6110 patients were operated in our hospital between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2013 for various goiters (5429) and various types of hyperparathyroidism (618). Laryngeal nerve was exposed during operation in 1700 patients from superior aperture of the chest to superior aperture of the larynx. Identification process of RLN was started with dissecting inferior thyroid artery (ITA) and its junction with the nerve. Then main trunk of the nerve was exposed backwards till the region of superior aperture of the chest together with the end portion till the nerve outlet to the larynx. RESULTS: In the group of 1700 patients, RLN was exposed bilaterally in 1400 (82.4%) and unilaterally in 300 (17.6%). In the group of 3100 dissected RLNs the course of RLN was observed on the right side in 1710 patients and on the left in 1390. Irreversible nature RLN was shown in four cases (0.1%) - four women (02%) aged 42-55 (mean 49.3) - three operated for non-toxic nodular goiter and one for primary hyperparathyroidism. Each time the Non-RLN was seen on the right side. The other patients manifested recurrent character RLN. Moreover, interstitial course of RLN was found on the left side in one man. CONCLUSION: Non recurrent laryngeal nerve is a rare anatomical variation, occurring more frequently on the right side. Surgeon during surgery of the thyroid and parathyroid glands should be aware of its existence to avoid damage.

Acute respiratory failure in goitre patients qualified for operative treatment.

INTRODUCTION: To present a clinical picture and management of goitre patients with acute respiratory failure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 7,356 patients were operated on between 2000 and 2011 for various goitres, including 1,214 (16.5%) retrosternal or mediastinal types. Eight (0.1%) patients (six women and two men aged 61-84, mean 76.9 years) presented with acute respiratory failure on admission. Seven patients were intubated on admission, and one showed severe dyspnoea at rest accompanied by symptoms of peripheral cyanosis. RESULTS: Giant retrosternal goitres were found in the eight operated patients. In two cases, the goitre was recurrent in character, and another two patients had previously suffered from hyperthyroidism (one treated pharmacologically, and one using J131). X-ray examination revealed tracheostenosis in all patients. No disorders in thyroid function was observed. Preoperative unilateral paralysis of laryngeal recurrent nerve was found in three patients. The operations were considered as most urgent. Four goitres were neoplastic: two were anaplastic carcinoma, one was follicular cell carcinoma and one was squamous cell carcinoma. These patients received partial resection to enable reduction of the goitre mass. In three patients, tracheostomy was necessary. On the other hand, four patients with non-malignant goitres underwent complete resection (one patient), nearly complete resection (two), and complete resection of one lobe and partial resection of the other (one). Three patients required mechanical ventilation postoperatively. Two of them, referred to the Intensive Therapy Unit, died from acute circulatory failure on day 6 and day 10 postoperatively. The rest were discharged in good general condition. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Acute respiratory failure caused by a giant goitre is a life-threatening condition that almost always requires an emergency intubation. 2. Due to a high risk of complications and high mortality, patients with acute respiratory failure caused by giant goitres should be operated in hospitals that are very experienced not only in thyroid but also in mediastinal surgery.