Anterior cervical incision-sparing thyroidectomy: Comparing retroauricular and transoral approaches.

OBJECTIVES: The robotic retroauricular approach and transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) have been employed to avoid anterior neck scarring in thyroidectomy with good success. However, outcomes have yet to be compared between techniques. We compare our initial clinical experience with these approaches for thyroid lobectomy at our institution. METHODS: A review of initial consecutive patients who underwent robotic facelift thyroidectomy (RFT) (August 2011-August 2016) at our institution was conducted. This was compared with the same number of initial consecutive patients who underwent TOETVA (September 2016-September 2017) at our institution. Demographics, operative time, pathology, complications, and learning curve were compared between cohorts. Learning curve was defined based on the slope of linear regression models of operative time versus case number. RESULTS: There were 20 patients in each cohort. There was no statistically significant difference in demographic data between cohorts. One hundred percent of RFT cases versus 95% TOETVA cases (P = .999) were completed without conversion to standard open technique with median operative times of 201 (124-293) minutes versus 188 (89-343) minutes with RFT and TOETVA, respectively (P = .36). There was no incidence of permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve injury in either cohort. The slopes of the regression models were 0.29 versus -8.32 (P = .005) for RFT and TOETVA, respectively. CONCLUSION: RFT and TOETVA are safe and feasible options for patients motivated to avoid an anterior neck scar. However, the quicker learning curve without the need for a costly robotic system may make TOETVA the preferred technique for institutions wishing to perform anterior cervical incision-sparing thyroidectomy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4.

The incidence of vocal fold motion impairment after primary thyroid and parathyroid surgery for a single high-volume academic surgeon determined by pre- and immediate post-operative fiberoptic laryngoscopy.

BACKGROUND: Vocal fold motion impairment (VFMI) is a well-recognized complication of thyroid and parathyroid surgery. Preoperative counseling requires a thorough understanding of the incidence, risk factors, and value of early diagnosis of postoperative VFMI. Our objective is to describe the incidence of and risk factors for VFMI for a single high-volume academic surgeon, and to assess the utility of immediate postoperative fiberoptic laryngoscopy (FOL) in early diagnosis of VFMI. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing primary thyroid and parathyroid procedures by a single high-volume surgeon at an academic tertiary care center. All patients underwent preoperative and immediate postoperative FOL. The primary outcome was incidence of VFMI, either temporary (<1 year) or permanent (1 year or more). The unit of analysis was number of recurrent laryngeal nerves (RLN) at risk. Risk factors for VFMI were analyzed using logistic regression, reporting unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios (OR and aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: The study population comprised 1547 patients undergoing 1580 procedures for a total of 2527 nerves at risk, excluding the 27 nerves found to have motion impairment on preoperative FOL. Sixty-seven new incidents of VFMI were identified on postoperative FOL, with an additional six new incidents detected after voice complaints prompted FOL upon follow-up. Thus, the incidence of postoperative VFMI was 2.9% of RLNs at risk (73 of 2527). The sensitivity and negative predictive value of immediate postoperative FOL were 92% and 99.8% respectively. Permanent VFMI occurred in 9 cases (0.4%), 3 of which were from intentional RLN transection for malignancy. Odds of VFMI were significantly lower after parathyroidectomy (aOR = 0.1, 95%CI = 0.01-0.8 compared with hemithryoidectomy) and higher with central neck dissection (aOR = 2.4, 95CI = 1.0-5.9). Among cases of malignancy, odds of VFMI increased significantly with increasing T-stage (adjusted ptrend<0.001). CONCLUSION: VFMI is rare and usually temporary after primary thyroid and parathyroid procedures, with increased risk associated with larger primary malignancies and the inclusion of central neck dissection. Immediate postoperative FOL is useful for early detection of VFMI that may allow for clear definition of temporary and permanent immobility rehabilitation especially if there is evidence to support early intervention.

Postoperative IPTH compared with IPTH gradient as predictors of post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Predicting patients' risk for hypocalcemia after thyroidectomy may allow for same-day discharge. This study was designed to compare postoperative intact parathyroid hormone (IPTH) alone with percentage change in IPTH (IPTH gradient) in predicting post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: Patients undergoing total thyroidectomy by the senior author from May 2015 to May 2016 were included. Serum IPTH was measured preoperatively and 1 hour postoperatively, and IPTH gradient was calculated. Postoperative hypocalcemia was mild (≥8.0, <8.4) or severe (<8.0 and/or hypocalcemic symptoms). Postoperative IPTH and IPTH gradient were compared with hypocalcemia using logistic regression. Receiver operating characteristic analysis of IPTH measures as predictors of hypocalcemia was performed, and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated. RESULTS: Overall, 119 patients were included. Forty-seven percent of the patients developed postoperative hypocalcemia, including 26 (22%) with mild and 30 (25%) with severe hypocalcemia. Thirteen patients had hypocalcemic symptoms. Median IPTH gradient and postoperative IPTH each differed significantly by category of hypocalcemia (P < .001). Higher IPTH gradient was significantly associated with odds of severe and symptomatic hypocalcemia (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.21, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06-1.39 and aOR: 1.34, 95% CI: 1.05-1.71 per 10% increase), whereas lower postoperative IPTH was not (aOR: 1.27, 95% CI: 0.95-1.68 and aOR: 1.44, 95% CI: 0.90-2.31 per 10 pg/mL decrease). The AUC for predicting severe hypocalcemia was nonsignificantly higher for IPTH gradient than postoperative IPTH (AUC = 0.77 vs. 0.69, P = .10). The AUC for predicting symptomatic hypocalcemia was significantly higher for IPTH gradient (AUC = 0.75 vs. 0.72, P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the IPTH gradient may be more useful than postoperative IPTH alone in predicting risk of post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4. Laryngoscope, 128:769-774, 2018.

Online and call center referral for endocrine surgical pathology within institutions.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized that self-referred patients to academic centers will be equally distributed between general surgery and otolaryngology departments that perform thyroid surgery. We sought to quantify disparities in the assignment of these self-referred patients who may reach an institution through call centers or online pathways. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. METHODS: Key words "thyroid surgery" and "thyroid cancer" were used along with the name of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-listed otolaryngology program in both Google and Bing search engines. The top three search results for departments were reviewed, and a tally was given to general surgery (GS), otolaryngology-head and neck surgery (OLHNS), or neither. A multidisciplinary center with both GS and OLHNS was recorded as "equitable." Telephone calls were tallied if they were directed to GS or OLHNS. RESULTS: Out of 400 program tallies, 117 (29.25%) patients were directed to GS and 50 (12.5%) were directed to OLHNS. An additional 181 (45.25%) were directed to neither group ("neither") (P < .05). Fifty-two (13%) of the patients were referred to multidisciplinary groups ("equitable"). A telephone call survey had 62 patients (62%) assigned to a general surgeon, as opposed to 38 (38%) for OLHNS (P < .05). Five institutions offered a multidisciplinary group when searching with Bing, and 11 were found by searching with Google. CONCLUSIONS: There is not an equal distribution of self-referred patients with thyroid surgical pathology. It may be important to increase the online presence of OLHNS surgeons who perform thyroid surgery at academic medical institutions. Multidisciplinary centers focused on thyroid and parathyroid surgical disease represents one model of assigning self-referred patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA Laryngoscope, 1977-1981, 2018.

Preoperative information for thyroid surgery.

The preoperative information necessary to communicate to the patient to obtain informed consent in thyroid surgery is not detailed in length in the current medical literature. Advances in technology and the advent of remote access approaches in thyroid surgery have increased the need for a detailed communication of risks, benefits and alternatives to achieve an informed consent. In this review article, we outline the indications for thyroid surgery, risks of thyroid surgery, different approaches to thyroidectomy, and possible consequences of using advanced technology using intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM) as an example. A truly detailed informed consent in the modern age of thyroid surgery is crucial. This article not only details the risks, benefits and alternatives of thyroid surgery, but also incorporates new practices, guidelines and technologies to allow patients to achieve a comprehensive preoperative understanding of treatment recommendations.

Transoral thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy - A North American series of robotic and endoscopic transoral approaches to the central neck.

OBJECTIVE: Most thyroid surgery in North America is completed via a cervical incision, which leaves a permanent scar. Approaches without cutaneous incisions offer aesthetic advantages. This series represents the largest series of transoral vestibular approaches to the central neck in North America, and the first published reports of robotic transoral vestibular thyroidectomy for thyroid carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data was prospectively collected for patients that underwent transoral vestibular approach thyroidectomy and/or parathyroidectomy between April 2016 and February 2017. RESULTS: Fifteen patients underwent the procedure for removal of the thyroid (n=12), parathyroid (n=2) or both thyroid and parathyroid glands (n=1). The first case was converted to an open procedure. Fourteen were completed through these remote access incisions, including patients with a body mass index as high as 44. There were no permanent complications. The postoperative median Dermatology Life Quality Index score was 3, which indicates a small effect on quality of life. CONCLUSION: The transoral vestibular approach to the central neck is a promising technique for patients who desire to optimize aesthetics.

Transoral robotic thyroidectomy: a preclinical feasibility study using the da Vinci Xi platform.

Transoral thyroid surgery allows the surgeon to conceal incisions within the oral cavity without significantly increasing the amount of required dissection. TORT provides an ideal scarless, midline access to the thyroid gland and bilateral central neck compartments. This approach, however, presents multiple technical challenges. Herein, we present our experience using the latest generation robotic surgical system to accomplish transoral robotic thyroidectomy (TORT). In two human cadavers, the da Vinci Xi surgical system (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) was used to complete TORT. Total thyroidectomy and bilateral central neck dissection was successfully completed in both cadavers. The da Vinci Xi platform offered several technologic advantages over previous robotic generations including overhead docking, narrower arms, and improved range of motion allowing for improved execution of previously described TORT techniques.

Minimally invasive and remote-access thyroid surgery in the era of the 2015 American Thyroid Association guidelines.

Thyroid surgery has evolved throughout the years from being one of the most dangerous surgeries to becoming one of the safest surgical procedures performed today. Recent technologic innovations have allowed surgeons to remove the thyroid gland from a remote site while avoiding visible neck scars. There are many endoscopic approaches for thyroidectomy. The most common cervical approach is the minimally invasive video-assisted technique developed by Miccoli et al. The robotic transaxillary and axillary breast approaches avoid a neck scar and have been demonstrated to be safe and effective in international populations. Novel approaches under investigation include face-lift robotic thyroidectomy and the transoral approach. This article aims to provide the reader with an overview of the current minimally invasive and alternate-site approaches used and their capability to assist the surgeons in accomplishing remote-access thyroid surgery under the scope of the 2015 American Thyroid Association Guidelines.