How we do it: 'tonsil swabs please' - an alternative use in open neck surgery.

BACKGROUND: Thyroid and parathyroid surgery often involves the use of heated instruments for dissection. Whilst these are beneficial, accidental thermal damage to the exposed skin edges can occur, resulting in an unsatisfactory cosmetic outcome. Tonsil swabs can be used in head and neck surgery intra-operatively to control bleeding. This paper describes an alternative use for them in protecting wound edges during the procedure. METHOD: Damp tonsil swabs are sutured onto the wound edges after the initial skin incision. They remain present for the duration of the surgery and are removed at the time of skin closure. RESULTS: The tonsil swabs provide protection and help avoid accidental injury to the skin. No complications with this technique have been experienced. CONCLUSION: This paper describes a simple, effective and practical technique for protecting the skin during neck procedures using resources readily available in a standard ENT operating theatre.

The usefulness and utilization of a detachable steel wire-rimmed retractor (KN retractor) for endoscopic thyroid and parathyroid surgery.

PURPOSE: In endoscopic surgery, surgeons occasionally encounter difficulties due to visual field obstruction by muscles or blood vessels. In these situations, specialized instruments that can effectively retract these obstructions are required. Recently, we developed a new detachable wire-rimmed retractor (KN retractor) for narrow-space surgery. METHODS: We evaluated the utility of this KN retractor in 15 patients with thyroid and parathyroid disease. Of those, five patients with papillary thyroid cancer had gasless endoscopic hemithyroidectomy with central node dissection, five underwent endoscopic total thyroidectomy for Graves' disease, and the remaining five received endoscopic parathyroidectomy with gas insufflation. RESULTS: Surgeons were able to perform meticulous operations in a satisfactory visual field supported by the KN retractor. In all patients, the strap muscles were preserved without cutting. The average operating time was 149, 154, and 81 min in patients who underwent hemithyroidectomy with central node dissection, total thyroidectomy, and parathyroidectomy, respectively. Gas insufflation was successfully completed in all cases while maintaining sufficient airtightness. CONCLUSIONS: The KN retractor is suitable for both the gasless lifting method and gas insufflation surgery in a narrow space. We believe that the KN retractor is a new device that will greatly improve the safety and shorten the operation time in endoscopic surgery.

Use of Alexis retractor in thyroid and parathyroid surgery. / Uso de retractor Alexis en cirugía de tiroides y paratiroides.

In thyroid and parathyroid surgical procedures, good visibility of the thyroid gland is essential. This is traditionally achieved by means of traction sutures of the dermo-plastysmal flaps to the drapes of the operative field, producing tension and even damage to the skin. The Alexis® retractor ring improves exposure and facilitates stable access to the thyroid, protecting the skin from injury during the intervention.

Reducing cost and improving operating room efficiency: examination of surgical instrument processing.

BACKGROUND: Operating room efficiency can be compromised because of surgical instrument processing delays. We observed that many instruments in a standardized tray were not routinely used during thyroid and parathyroid surgery at our institution. Our objective was to create a streamlined instrument tray to optimize operative efficiency and cost. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Head and neck surgical instrument trays were evaluated by operating room team leaders. Instruments were identified as either necessary or unnecessary based on use during thyroidectomies and parathyroidectomies. The operating room preparation time, tray weights, number of trays, and number of instruments were recorded for the original and new surgical trays. Cost savings were calculated using estimated reprocessing cost of $0.51 per instrument. RESULTS: Three of 13 head and neck trays were converted to thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy trays. The starting head and neck surgical set was reduced from two trays with 98 total instruments to one tray with 36 instruments. Tray weight decreased from 27 pounds to 10 pounds. Tray preparation time decreased from 8 min to 3 min. The new tray saved $31.62 ($49.98 to $18.36) per operation in reprocessing costs. Projected annual savings with hospitalwide implementation is over $28,000.00 for instrument processing alone. Unmeasured hospital savings include decreased instrument wear and replacement frequency, quicker operating room setup, and decreased decontamination costs. CONCLUSIONS: Optimizing surgical trays can reduce cost, physical strain, preparation time, decontamination time, and processing times, and streamlining trays is an effective strategy for hospitals to reduce costs and increase operating room efficiency.

[Pectoral-retroauricular approach for endoscopic parathyroidectomy (experimental study)]. / Pektoral'no-retroaurikuliarnyi operativnyi dostup dlia éndoskopicheskoi paratireoidéktomii.

AIM: To develop and investigate in the experiment the method of endoscopic parathyroidectomy in order to prevent intraoperative 'conflict of the instruments' and to reduce surgical trauma via extracervical approach. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The results of 10 experimental endoscopic parathyroidectomies with original pectoral-retroauricular approach were analyzed. RESULTS: Mean time of surgery was 77.8±10.2 minutes (65-97), mean time of surgical exposure - 50.3±6.7 minutes (41-59). Visualization and identification of parathyroid glands were achieved in 100% of cases. Recurrent laryngeal nerve was preserved in 100% of cases. CONCLUSION: Original endoscopic pectoral-retroauricular approach for parathyroidectomy is methodologically and technically justified and can be recommended for clinical application.

Transoral endoscopic parathyroidectomy vestibular approach: a novel scarless parathyroid surgery.

BACKGROUND: Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery developed for neck surgery become increasing popular. Herein, an innovative transoral endoscopic parathyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOEPVA) was developed for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and renal hyperparathyroidism (rHPT). METHODS: Incisions were made at the oral vestibule under the inferior lip. A 10-mm trocar was inserted through the center of the oral vestibule with two 5-mm trocars laterally. The subplatysmal space was created down to the sternal notch, and carbon dioxide pressure was insufflated at 6 mmHg to maintain the working space. Parathyroidectomy was performed using laparoscopic instruments. Intraoperative parathyroid hormone level and frozen section were conducted. Autotransplantation of the parathyroid gland was performed at the non-dominant forearm in an rHPT patient. RESULTS: From March 2015 to June 2016, TOEPVA was successfully performed in 12 patients (six PHPT and six rHPT). The mean operative time for parathyroidectomy in PHPT patients was 107.5 min (range 88-127) and 185.8 min in rHPT patients (range 155-214). One patient experienced a transient recurrent laryngeal nerve injury which was spontaneously resolved within 1 month. No permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve injury was found. Serum calcium level returned to normal range in all patients. The serum parathyroid hormone level of the PHPT and the rHPT group at 30 days was 36.38 ± 7.1 pg/mL (range 27.7-46.5) and 60.35 ± 15.94 pg/mL (range 38.7-87.2), respectively. The postoperative cosmetic outcome was excellent. No mental nerve injury or infection was found. CONCLUSIONS: TOEPVA is a feasible, safe, and reasonable surgical option for patients with hyperparathyroidism, especially those with cosmetic concerns.

A Prospective Study Comparing the Efficacy and Surgical Outcomes of Harmonic Focus Scalpel Versus LigaSure Small Jaw in Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery.

Background The use of sealing devices has been established in thyroid surgeries. Recently, LigaSure Small Jaw (LS), a new device that utilizes bipolar energy, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in different head and neck procedures. The purpose of this study is to assess the efficiency and safety of LS use in thyroid surgery compared to Harmonic Focus Scalpel (HS), a well-established device. Methods A prospective study was conducted to compare the efficacy of LS versus the HS. We evaluated 301 patients who underwent surgery at a North American academic institution. Patients were allocated into two groups according to LS or HS use. All patients underwent vocal cord assessment using direct laryngoscopy preoperatively and postoperatively. Analyses were performed to examine the difference in perioperative outcomes resulting from the utilization of either device. Results No difference was seen in operative time between both groups (124.20 ± 68.44 minutes in HS vs 125.20 ± 72.13 minutes in LS, P = .99). Overall complications were similar between both groups (22.86% in HS vs 13.84% in LS, P = .05). However, LS use was also associated with a lower incidence of postoperative transient hypocalcemia as compared to the HS (P = .025). No significant difference was found between both groups regarding the incidence of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury (P = .52). Conclusion The use of the LS is safe, feasible, and is associated with comparable outcomes to HS. Both intraoperative and postoperative variables were similar between both devices. Future larger studies are warranted to further investigate the effect on postoperative transient hypocalcemia.

Robotic parathyroidectomy.

Robotic parathyroidectomy has recently been described. Although the procedure eliminates the neck scar, it is technically more demanding than the conventional approaches. This report is a review of the patients' selection criteria, technique, and outcomes.

Mamun-TKC parathyroid retractor: Parathyroid glands squashed or scooped!

Parathyroid gland by its physiologic and anatomic diversity has interestingly been dealt by multiple specialties, including Urology. Besides primary hyperparathyroidism, urologists in close working relationship with nephrologists, tend to get referrals for tertiary hyperparathyroidism. Data from 1999 to 2012 was retrieved for all parathyroidectomies. Medical record of only cases undergoing parathyroidectomy utilising the instrument Mamun-TKC Parathyroid Retractor were reviewed. It is a metal body surgical instrument resembling Gil Vernet retractor having functional flat metal head attached to solid long handle, designed in two forms; one 'Straight' and other 'Angled' at 30°. During the period, 28 cases of parathyroidectomies were performed. The instrument was used in two cases. It was found to facilitate dissection, retraction and pedicle ligation of parathyroid gland by a-traumatic handling.

Transoral robotic-assisted surgical excision of a retropharyngeal parathyroid adenoma: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Transoral robotic surgery has been used with increasing frequency for oropharyngeal malignancies. We present the first known case of a transoral robotic-assisted parathyroidectomy. METHODS/RESULTS: A 77-year-old woman with primary hyperparathyroidism was suspected of having a parathyroid adenoma. After several nonlocalizing single photon emission CT/CT sestamibi scans, a neck ultrasound revealed a suspicious low level 6 nodule. Surgical excision of this nodule proved to be a reactive lymph node. She then had a dynamic parathyroid protocol MRI and CT, which revealed a small retropharyngeal adenoma candidate. A transoral robotic-assisted surgical approach was utilized to bluntly dissect the retropharyngeal space just above the arytenoids to excise the nodule. After excision, the intraoperative parathyroid hormone (PTH) normalized and surgical pathology confirmed parathyroid adenoma. CONCLUSION: Transoral robotic-assisted surgery is a novel technique that can be utilized for resection of a parathyroid adenoma in the retropharyngeal space.

Robotic excision of a huge parathyroid adenoma via a retroauricular approach.

Primary hyperparathyroidism results from the overproduction of parathyroid hormone by 1 or more autonomously hyperfunctioning parathyroid glands and often causes hypercalcemia. Once this condition has been diagnosed, the treatment of choice is surgical removal. There have been many attempts to remove the hyperfunctioning gland with minimally invasive surgical techniques, with cure rates comparable with those of conventional techniques. On the basis of our initial surgical experiences of robotic thyroidectomy and other head and neck surgeries via a retroauricular (RA) approach, we have recently successfully performed robotic excision of a huge parathyroid tumor via an RA approach on a 44-year-old woman who had been diagnosed with a parathyroid adenoma. It is the first to describe in detail the successful completion of a robotic parathyroidectomy via an RA approach.

[First experience in the thyroid and parathyroid surgery using the da Vinci® system]. / Erste Erfahrungen in der Schilddrüsen- und Nebenschilddrüsenchirurgie mit dem da Vinci®-System.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic surgery for the treatment of thyroid and parathyroid pathologies is gaining increasing attention. The da Vinci® system has been already widely used in different fields of medicine including recently thyroid and parathyroid surgery. Herein we report our first experiences in endoscopic surgery of thyroid and parathyroid pathologies using the da Vinci® system. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 8 patients presenting with struma nodosa in 6 cases and parathyroid adenomas in 2 cases have been treated using the da Vinci® system at the ENT department of Homburg/Saar University. RESULTS: The skin incision to introduce the instruments with the da Vinci® system were axilar or at the lateral segment of the clavicle. The neurovascular structures like inferior laryngeal nerve as well as the pathologies were clearly 3-dimensional visualized in all 8 cases. No paralysis of the vocal cord was observed. All patients had in histological examination a benign pathology. CONCLUSIONS: The endoscopic surgery of the thyroid and parathyroid gland can be performed using the da Vinci® system and offers an excellent, intraoperative, 3-dimensional visualization of the neurovascular structures. Additionally the da Vinci® system enables skin incisions within considerable distance from the thyroid and parathyroid gland.

[Application of the da Vinci robotic system in thoracic surgery]. / Anwendung des daVinci-Robotersystems in der Thoraxchirurgie.

INTRODUCTION: The latest technical developments of minimally invasive thoracic surgery are characterized by robotic-assisted operative procedures. Robotic-assisted thymectomy is the most advanced method in this field. METHODS: A systematic literature search (PubMed, Medline) was carried out and the databank system of Intuitive Surgical (Sunnyvale, CA) was analysed. Target criteria were the analysis of the quantitative data over time, technical advantages and limiting factors of robotic-assisted thoracic surgery. RESULTS: The da Vinci robotic system has been used in thoracic surgery since 2001, and up to 2012 a total of 10,895 robotic-assisted lobotomies have been carried out worldwide. A total of 12 ectopic parathyroid glands in the mediastinum were resected and published. Furthermore, more than 3,500 cases of robotic-assisted thymectomy were performed. A rapid increase in the number of operations has occurred particularly for thymectomy and lung resections. DISCUSSION: Acceptance of robotic-assisted thymectomy for myasthenia and/or thymoma and mediastinal tumors is growing rapidly. For anatomic lung resection in lung cancer, robotic-assisted hilar and lymph node dissection due to this new quality are also comparable to open surgical techniques. The principles form the intrinsic technical advantages of the da Vinci robotic system.

Preoperative parathyroid harpoon localisation: a new technique helpful in reoperative patients with persistent hyperparathyroidism.

Surgery for persistent primary hyperparathyroidism remains a major challenge for surgeons and these reoperative procedures require an experienced parathyroid surgeon. The goal of reoperative surgery is to excise the abnormal parathyroid gland(s) and limit exploration to help minimise the potential complications. At least two positive and concordant localising studies should be available before reoperation because the technical difficulties in these cases make an exact localisation necessary before surgery. We describe the placement of a metallic harpoon under ultrasonography guidance as a safe, simple and inexpensive technique for localisation of the enlarged gland prior to conservative surgery.

Trans-areola single-site endoscopic parathyroidectomy: report of one case.

This study presents a case report of parathyroid adenoma, which was managed by trans-areola single-site endoscopic parathyroidectomy. Two incisions were made along the right areola margin. The single subcutaneous narrow tunnel from the areola to neck was bluntly dissected in the right anterior chest. The authors successfully removed the adenoma through this channel. The intraoperative quick parathyroid hormone was decreased to a great extent. The operative time for the whole procedure was 110 minutes. The patient experienced transient postoperative hypocalcemia without recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy. She was very satisfied with the cosmetic results.

Robotic-assisted transaxillary parathyroidectomy of an atypical adenoma.

The advancement of minimally invasive surgical technologies over the past several years has led to improved surgical outcomes and greater patient satisfaction. Particularly for patients undergoing parathyroidectomies, endoscopic surgeries resulted in smaller surgical scars when compared with the open approach. Early endoscopic methods, however, were still restricted in their ability to provide adequate dexterity, two-dimensional views of the operative field; and while smaller than open surgeries, still left the presence of a small cervical scar. The limitations of endoscopic surgery led to application of the da Vinci S surgical robot system (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) and a novel transaxillary approach for parathyroidectomy. This surgical technique and approach is ideal for patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. This case report demonstrates that parathyroidectomy with en bloc thyroid lobectomy for atypical parathyroid adenomas using robotic- assisted transaxillary surgery is safe and feasible.

Robotic thoracoscopic mediastinal parathyroidectomy for persistent hyperparathyroidism: case report and review of the literature.

Recurrent and persistent primary hyperparathyroidism remains a significant surgical challenge. Abnormal, hypersecreting parathyroid glands are found in ectopic locations in up to 15% to 20% of patients. A small portion of these ectopic glands will be found in the mediastinum at a location that precludes removal through the traditional cervical incision. Minimally invasive approaches to these glands are desirable because of the significant morbidity, pain, and hospital stay associated with sternotomy or thoracotomy. Recently, robotic approaches have been described for mediastinal parathyroids. We report a case of young woman with persistent primary hyperparathyroidism who was cured after undergoing robotic thoracoscopic mediastinal parathyroidectomy using radiooperative and intraoperative parathyroid hormone guidance.

[Transoral partial parathyroidectomy]. / Transorale partielle Parathyreoidektomie.

Improvements in minimally invasive surgical techniques have resulted in the development of natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) to minimize operative trauma and perioperative morbidity. Considering the embryologic origin and development of the thyroid and parathyroid glands and their descent during embryogenesis into the final position in the neck, a transoral access to the thyroid region via a sublingual mucosal incision seems to be feasible. After implementation and improvement of a transoral access to the thyroid region in an animal model and human cadavers, we now report the first transoral excision of a parathyroid adenoma in a 37-year-old woman suffering from primary hyperparathyroidism.

Endoscopic para-thyroidectomy: a new approach.

Two patients (one male and one female) underwent endoscopic para-thyroidectomy for parathyroid adenoma at the Department of Surgery, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh. Three ports (one mid line and two laterals) were employed, a 10 mm telescope was used for the visualization and a harmonic scalpel was used for the dissection. To the best of our knowledge, there was no report of endoscopic para-thyroidectomy from Bangladesh. Both patients were fed on the first post operative day and discharged from the 4th and 8th operative day. Both patient's parathyroid hormone (PTH) level dropped to about one fourth the level in 12 to 20 minutes after enucleation (as compared to the immediate pre operative level). Endoscopic para-thyroidectomy appears to be a technically feasible patient friendly modality of treatment for the selected cases of para-thyroid pathology in experienced hand with excellent cosmetic outcome.