Parathyroid gland anatomical distribution and relation to anthropometric and demographic parameters: a cadaveric study.

Parathyroid glands play an important role in controlling calcium levels, which influence muscular contraction and neurotransmission. The number of variants, localization and ectopic positions make these glands tricky during surgical exploration. Detailed anatomical knowledge of these glands is fundamental to avoid postsurgical hypoparathyroidism, such as failures during thyroidectomy and parathyroid procedures. The purposes of this work were to study and report practical knowledge for surgeons in order to localize the glands. Dissections were performed on 56 cadavers. Gland identity was confirmed by histological study. Also, mediastinal tissue and the carotid sheath were treated with Carnoy's solution to identify ectopic glands. The thyroid gland was divided and sliced to identify parathyroid glands in the parenchymal and subcapsular space. Four or more parathyroid glands were found in 89.3% of the studied specimens. Mean gland weight was 33.1 mg, and its mean measurements were 6.7 × 3.9 × 2.0 mm. In more than 90% of the cases there was a correlation with the inferior laryngeal nerve and the parathyroid glands: the upper glands were located in medial positions, and the lower ones were found to be located laterally. In 42.8% of cases at least one ectopic gland was observed. The main ectopic regions were the mediastinum and thymus (19.6%), thyroid subcapsular space (12.5%) and thyroid parenchyma (5.4%). Quantity, gland characteristics and location were not influenced by anthropometric and demographic parameters. Here we show the high incidence of parathyroid glands positioned at "abnormal" locations, and as a controversial topic in endocrine surgery, this matter must be continuously studied and reported in the literature.

"Cruzeiro do Sul": Técnica simplificada para autotransplante de paratireoide / "Southern Cross": A simplified technique for parathyroid autotransplantation

Introdução: A paratireoidectomia total com autotransplante imediato é utilizada no tratamento do hiperparatireoidismo renal. A descrição inicial do autotransplante de paratireoide utilizou vinte lojas com um fragmento em cada loja. Objetivo: O presente estudo analisa aspectos técnicos e funcionais de um método simplificado de autotransplante. Método: Análise retrospectiva do tempo empregado para realizar o implante de paratireoide pela técnica tradicional (grupo A, 18 to 20 lojas) e pela simplificada (grupo B, 5 lojas). A função do tecido autotransplantado foi avaliada de acordo com os níveis sistêmicos do paratormônio (PTH). A função do implante foi classificada em quatro grupos, de acordo com os níveis de PTH, como a seguir: estado funcional 1 (EF1), PTH abaixo da faixa normal para o método; estado funcional 2 (EF2), PTH dentro dos limites da normalidade; estado funcional 3 (EF3), PTH elevado não mais que três vezes o limite superior da normalidade e estado funcional 4 (EF4), PTH elevado acima de três vezes o limite superior da normalidade. Resultados: No grupo A, o tempo empregado para realizar o auto-implante variou de 30 a 60 minutos (média 44,0) e no grupo B, o tempo variou de 10 a 30 minutos (média 18,6) (p< 0,0001). A mediana do nível sistêmico do PTH foi de 43,1 pg/mL no grupo A e 39pg/mL no grupo B. A distribuição dos estados funcionais no grupo A e B foram, respectivamente: EF1 17% e14,6%; EF2 50% e 58,5%; EF3 23% e 22%; EF4 10% e 4,9%. (p=0,8). Conclusões: A redução do número de lojas criadas para autotransplante de paratireoide para cinco lojas não afetou o estado funcional e reduziu o tempo empregado para o implante.

Introduction: Total parathyroidectomy with immediate autotransplantation is employed in the management of renal hyperparathyroidism. The initial description of parathyroid autotransplantation employed twenty pockets with one fragment of parathyroid in each pocket. Objective: The present study analyzes technical and functional aspects of a simplified method of autotransplantation. Methods: Retrospective analysis of time spent to perform a traditional (Group A, 18 to 20 pockets) parathyroid autotransplantation and a simplified (Group B, 5 pockets) technique. The function of the transplanted tissue was evaluated according to systemic levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH). Graft function was classified into four groups according to PTH levels, as follows: Implant Functional Status 1(FS1): PTH below the normal range; FS2: PTH within the normal range; FS3:PTH elevated to no more than three times the upper limit, and FS4: PTH levels more than three times the upper limit. Results: In Group A, the time spent to perform the autograft varied from 30 to 60 minutes (mean 44.0) and in Group B it varied from 10 to 30 min (mean 18.6) (p< 0.0001). The median level of postoperative systemic PTH was 43.1 pg/mL in group A and 39 pg/mL in group B. Functional status distribution in Group A and B were, respectively: FS1 17% and 14.6%; FS2 50% and 58.5%; FS3 23% and 22%; FS4 10% and 4.9%. (p=0.8). Conclusions: The reduction of the number of pockets created for parathyroid autotransplantation to five pockets did not affect parathyroid transplant functional status and reduced the time spent for implantation.

How to minimize complications in thyroid surgery?

BACKGROUND: In ancient times, operations on the thyroid gland caused unacceptable morbidity and mortality. Only after the landmark work of Kocher, the technical principles of thyroidectomy were solidly established, and are still valid nowadays. METHODS: Revision article on practical suggestions to decrease morbidity associated with thyroidectomy, as well as warning against common pitfalls that the surgeon may encounter. RESULTS: The following subjects are objectively addressed: how to manage upper airway obstruction, how to avoid non-esthetic scars and how to recognize the most prevalent anatomic variations concerning the recurrent nerve, the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve and the parathyroid glands, in order to decrease operative morbidity. CONCLUSION: The Head and Neck Surgeon must be fully aware of the complex anatomy of the central visceral compartment of the neck, as well as must be prepared to handle some complications of thyroidectomy that can be life-threatening.

Recurrent laryngeal nerve: a plexus rather than a nerve?

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the frequency of extralaryngeal branching (ELB) of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) in a consecutive series of patients undergoing thyroidectomy by the same group of surgeons during an extended period and to compare our findings with the data available in the literature. DESIGN: Retrospective medical record study. SETTING: Academic research. PATIENTS: From March 1, 1983, to September 30, 2008, 2677 patients underwent thyroidectomy. Of these, 1638 patients had surgical information about at least 1 RLN. A total of 1081 patients underwent bilateral operations. During the last 5 years of the study, intraoperative laryngeal nerve monitoring was performed in selected patients using a commercially available system. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Information was obtained regarding 2154 RLNs. RESULTS: A total of 1390 RLNs (64.53%) had ELB. Among 447 patients in whom intraoperative laryngeal nerve monitoring was used, the anterior branches usually exhibited more electrophysiologic activity. CONCLUSIONS: Extralaryngeal branching was found in 64.53% of RLNs in this case series. In recent patients with intraoperative laryngeal nerve monitoring, electrophysiologic activity was observed in the branches, particularly the anteriorly situated ones. Recognition of this frequent anatomical configuration and meticulous preservation of all branches are of paramount importance to decrease postoperative morbidity associated with thyroidectomy.

Perineural invasion in aggressive skin carcinomas of the head and neck. Potentially dangerous but frequently overlooked.

INTRODUCTION: Perineural invasion is a well-recognized form of cancer dissemination. However, it has been reported only in few papers concerning cutaneous carcinomas (basal cell, BCC, and squamous cell, SCC). Moreover, the incidence is considered to be very low. Niazi and Lambert [Br J Plast Surg 1993;46:156-157] reported only 0.18% of perineural invasion among 3,355 BCCs. It is associated with high-risk subtypes, as morphea-like, as well as with an increased risk of local recurrence. No paper was found in the literature looking for perineural invasion in very aggressive skin cancers with skull base extension, with immunohistochemical analysis. METHODS: This is a retrospective review, including 35 very advanced skin carcinomas with skull base invasion (24 BCCs and 11 SCCs, operated on at a single institution from 1982 to 2000). Representative slides were immunohistochemically evaluated with antiprotein S-100, in order to enhance nerve fibers and to detect perineural invasion. The results were compared to 34 controls with tumors with a good outcome, treated in the same time frame at the same Institution. RESULTS: Twelve (50.0%) of the BCCs with skull base invasion had proven perineural invasion, as opposed to only 1 (4.6%) of the controls, and this difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Regarding SCCs, 7 aggressive tumors (63.6%) showed perineural invasion compared to only 1 (10.0%) of the controls, but this difference did not reach significance (p = 0.08), due to the small number of cases. CONCLUSIONS: In this series, it was demonstrated that immunohistochemically detected perineural invasion was very prevalent in advanced skin carcinomas. In addition, it was statistically associated with extremely aggressive BCCs with skull base invasion.

First-bite syndrome after resection of the styloid process.

BACKGROUND: First-bite syndrome (FBS) may occur after operations on parapharyngeal space. The main symptom is excruciating pain only after the first one or two bites of meals. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this article is to report a case of FBS after resection of the styloid process (SP). CASE REPORT: This 51-year-old woman had a 4-month history of pain on her left neck. Computed tomography scan showed a left hypertrophic SP. A diagnosis of Eagle syndrome (ES) was then established. She underwent excision of the left SP through a lateral cervicotomy. Postoperative recovery was uneventful with pain relief. However, 2 months postoperatively, intense pain appeared related to the first bite in every meal. She received 800 mg carbamazepine per day with good pain control. Medication was discontinued after 2 years with no further relapse. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report on FBS after surgical treatment of ES. It is important to remember the possibility of the diagnosis and to maintain the patient under heavy specific medication, sometimes for longer periods.

Parotidectomy for primary nonparotid diseases.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the indications and results of parotid gland resections for patients with primary nonparotid diseases. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective analysis of 442 consecutive parotidectomies (76 for primary nonparotid disease) in a referral head and neck surgery service, tertiary care university hospital. RESULTS: Skin cancer (mainly squamous cell and basal cell carcinomas) was the most common indication for parotidectomy. Superficial parotidectomy with preservation of the facial nerve was the most commonly performed operation (61.8%), with some form of nerve sacrifice necessary in 31.6%. Parotid gland parenchyma and/or lymph nodes were pathologically positive in 46 cases. Neck dissections were carried out in conjunction with parotidectomy in 42 patients (1 patient had had previous neck dissection), of which 16 turned out to be pN+. CONCLUSION: Parotidectomy should be considered as part of the surgical treatment of tumors whenever oncologically necessary for appropriate margins, lymph node dissection, and for proper identification and preservation of the facial nerve.

Acidos graxos ômega-3 por via parenteral: impacto no tratamento de colite aguda experimental / Omega-3 fatty acids by parenteral route: impact in experimental colitis treatment

Nos últimos anos, a literatura tem dedicado especial atençäo aos efeitos imuno-moduladores de emulsöes lipídicas (EL) enriquecidas com óleo de peixe (FO)sobre processos inflamatórios. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar os efeitos da administraçäo parenteral de EL enriquecidas com ácidos graxos ômega-3 (AGn-3) em colite aguda experimental. Métodos: setenta e quatro ratos Wistar machos adultos foram randomizados em seis grupos submetidos a induçäo de colite com ácido acético a 10 por cento (exceto grupo CS). Os ratos foram alimentados com dieta oral sem gorduras "ad libitum" em gaiolas metabólicas individuais. Durante sete dias, os grupos controle CS (sem colite) e CC (com colite) receberam soluçäo fisiológica e os outros grupos, EL específicas por catéter venoso central (0,5 ml/hora). As composiçöes lipídicas e as razöes entre AGn-6 dos grupos foram: grupo L -1:7,7 (TCL; n=12), M-1:7,0 (TCMnCL; n=12), LW-3-1:4,5 (TCL+FO; n=12) e mw-3 -1:3,0 (TCM/TCL+FO; n=13). Os ratos foram avaliados quanto à ocorrência de diarréia, relaçäo ingestäo/peso, as alteraçöes na cavidade abdominal (dilataçäo e espessamento da parede intestinal, mesenterite, aderências de epíplon ou do intestino delgado), celularidade de macrófagos (por imuno-histoquímica), alteraçöes histológicas, e concentraçöes de leucotrienos (LTB4 e C4), prostaglandina (pGE2) e tromboxane(TXB2) no cólon (por ensaio imuno-enzimático). Resultados: os grupos M,MW-3 e LW-3 apresentaram maior número de ratos com fezes normais que o grupo näo tratado (CC). Os ratos MW-3 foram os únicos cuja média de ingestäo/peso näo diferiu do grupo CS e foi superior a CC. Somente os animais que receberam suplementaçäo com AGn-3 (LW-3 e MW-3) apresentaram menor número de alteraçöes inflamatórias em comparaçäo aos ratos CC. A formaçäo de úlceras da mucosa intestinal do grupo MW-3 equiparou-se ao grupo sem colite (CS). Somente os grupos CS, M e MW-3 apresentaram escores I de celularidade de macrófagos inferiores ao grupo CC. Em relaçäo às dosagens de mediadores inflamatórios, näo houve diferença estatística quanto às médias de L TC4 entre os grupos. Em comparaçäo ao grupo CC, foram menores as concentraçöes teciduais de LTB4 dos grupos CS, LW-3 e MW-3, de PGE2 dos grupos CS, M e MW-3 e de TXB2 dos grupos CS e MW-3

Acidos graxos de cadeia curta e doenças colorretais / Short-chain fatty acids and colorectal diseases

O cólon humano contribui de maneira importante para a fermentaçäo de polissacárides näo absorvidos, produzindo ácidos graxos de cadeia curta (AGCC). Este artigo analisa a importância fisiológica dos AGCC para os colonócitos e as perspectivas de sua utilizaçäo clínica no tratamento das doenças colorretais. Diversos efeitos benéficos säo atribuídos ao processo de fermentaçäo e à subsequente produçäo de AGCC, como a contribuiçäo às necessidades energéticas, à manutençäo da integridade e funçäo da mucosa colônica e implicaçöes no metabolismo nitrogenado, de lipídes e glicídios. Além disso, diversas afecçöes colorretais tem sido relacionadas a deficiência de AGCC, como a colite por desuso, colite ulcerativa, bolsite pós-proctocolectomia com anastomose íleo-anal e câncer colorretal. Por este motivo, o fornecimento de AGCC diretamente à mucosa intestinal ou por via intravenosa tem sido preconizado em diversas condiçöes clínicas

Padronizaçäo tecnica e histologica de colite experimental com acido trinitrobenzenosulfonico (TNBS) / Technical and histological standardization of experimental colitis with trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid

A tentativa de reproduzir doença inflamatoria experimental no colon gerou varios modelos de colite. Desde os trabalhos pioneiros de Morris e col., soluçöes de acido 2,4,6-trinitrobenzesulfonico (TNBS) vem sendo utilizadas em diferentes doses. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram padronizar a induçäo de colite, avaliar os efeitos clinicos (peso, ingestäo diaria, diarreia) e intestinais (alteracçös morfologicas do intestino inflamado) da utilizaçäo de soluçöes com TNBS e atestar a reprodutibilidade do processo inflamatorio. Utilizaram-se ratos Wistar submetidos a introduçäo por via retal de 2,5 ml de soluçöes contendo diferentes concentraçöes de TNBS a 5 por cento diluido em etanol...

Postoperative total parenteral nutrition

O trauma cirurgico induz complexas alteracoes fisiologicas que levam ao catabolismo e deplecao da massa celular corporea. Esta reacao geralmente e moderada, mas pode ser exacerbada por desnutricao previa ou complicacoes pos-operatorias. Para evitar repercussoes metabolicas graves, terapia nutricional deve ser prescrita, usando a via enteral sempre que possivel. Nutricao parenteral total pos-operatoria e indicada a pacientes recebendo nutricao parenteral total pre-operatoria, gravemente desnutridos antes de cirurgia de grande porte, incapazes de se alimentarem satisfatoriamente por sete dias ou mais, ou apresentacoes pos-operatorias severas. Nutricao parenteral total pos-operatoria deve durar por pelo menos sete dias...