Comparison of Transoral Endoscopic Thyroidectomy Vestibular Approach and Conventional Open Thyroidectomy in Benign Thyroid Tumors.

Conventional open thyroidectomy remains the standard treatment of surgery for benign thyroid tumors but leaves a permanent scar in the neck. We conducted this study to compare the surgical outcomes of transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) versus conventional open thyroidectomy (COT), and thence analyze the safety and viability of this approach. Seventy-eight patients who had undergone either COT or TOETVA from 2020 to 2021 in our institution to treat benign thyroid tumors were prospectively studied. Outcomes between the two groups were analyzed, including time of operation, blood loss, hospital stay, postoperative complications, and level of satisfaction. A total of 78 patients, in which TOETVA was applied to 47 patients and COT thyroid surgery was applied to 31 patients, participated in this study. COT has a shorter operative time (59.8 ± 10.8 min versus 102.3 ± 34.9 min, p < .001). TOETVA is less painful postoperatively (visual analog scale score on day 4 of 1.1 ± 1.2 versus 1.8 ± 0.7, p < .001). There were no significant differences between TOETVA and COT groups regarding incidences of transient recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury (10.6% and 6.5%, respectively, p = .697) and both transient and permanent hypoparathyroidism (8.5% versus 3.5%, p = .644 with transient and 0% versus 6.7%, p = .166 with permanent). Other complications were comparable between two arms such as bleeding, seroma, and infection. At 3 months after surgery, the TOETVA group had the significantly higher proportion of the very satisfied level than the COT group (80.9% versus 35.4%, p < .001). TOETVA in patients with favorable features is a safe, viable alternative to open thyroidectomy regarding postoperative outcomes and provide higher satisfaction after surgery in the long term.

Transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy by vestibular approach in Viet Nam: surgical outcomes and long-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND: The transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy by vestibular approach (TOETVA) has been developed for early-stage thyroid cancer treatment as well as benign thyroid nodules worldwide including Viet Nam, with low rate of complications and excellent results. However, there has not been any comprehensive studies with a large number of patients and long-term follow-up in our country. Therefore, we conducted this study to evaluate the results of treatment by TOETVA for benign and malignant lesions of thyroid gland in Viet Nam. METHODS: A prospective study was performed on 326 eligible patients who underwent TOETVA due to thyroid cancer and benign thyroid nodules in Department of Oncology and Palliative Care, Hanoi Medical University Hospital from July 2018 to April 2021. The clinical, surgical, and pathological characteristics, postoperative complications, and visual analog scale (VAS, 0-10 cm) score in day 1, 4, and 7 after surgery, long-term oncological and surgical outcomes were recorded. RESULTS: The mean age was 36.9 ± 9.8 years. 231 patients (70.9%) were diagnosed with differentiated cancer and 95 patients (29.1%) were diagnosed benign tumors of thyroid gland. In the cancer group, 12 patients (5.2%) undergone TOETVA had T3b-intraoperative-stage diagnosis, 219 patients (92.2%) were diagnosed T1 according to AJCC 8th. After 1 month of surgery, among thyroid cancer patients, there was no abnormality reported by thyroid scintigraphy and neck ultrasound as well as in unstimulated-Tg and anti-Tg values. The mean number lymph-node dissected in the cancer group was 6.1 ± 4.1 (range 0-21 nodes). However, only 2.6 ± 1.8 metastasis nodes were discovered (range 1-8 nodes), and the maximum size of these nodes was less than 2 mm. 81 patients presented occult lymph-node metastasis among thyroid cancer patients with cN0 stage (account for 35%). The occult lymph-node metastasis was 34.2% and 50% in patients diagnosed with T1 and T3b groups, respectively. The median postoperative hospital stay was 5.4 ± 0.7 days. Postoperatively, transient hypoparathyroidism was recorded in 12 patients (4.8%), transient hoarse was noted in 9 patients (3.6%), and numb chin was identified in 7 patients (2.8%). No permanent complication was noted. VAS score on first postoperative day was 4.5 ± 0.8. Median follow-up time was 12 (3-25) months. No recurrence was recorded. CONCLUSIONS: TOETVA is an innovative and revolutionary technique in the treatment of benign thyroid nodules, as well as early-stage differentiated thyroid cancer. The results of oncology, postoperative complications, and satisfied outcomes supported the wide application of TOETVA in Viet Nam.

Surgical Treatment of Advanced Thyroid Cancer with Tracheal Invasion.

INTRODUCTION: Tracheal invasion in thyroid cancer occurs in one-third of locally advanced cases and is the third most common site of infiltration following strap muscles and recurrent laryngeal nerves. Surgical resection plays an important role in the management strategy followed by either radioactive iodine or external beam radiotherapy. Nonetheless, there has been still controversy about the optimal extension of the surgery. Case Presentation. Total thyroidectomy, airway resection and bilateral neck dissection were performed in two cases diagnosed as advanced thyroid cancer with tracheal invasion (stage IV according to McCaffrey). The first case underwent partial tracheal resection and direct anastomosis by the V-shape technique, while the latter one required tracheal resection and permanent tracheotomy. After one-year follow-up, no evidence of tumor recurrence or any postoperative complications were found. CONCLUSION: Surgical resection still remains the mainstay of management for advanced thyroid cancer in general and for tracheal invasion cases in particular. The decision of surgical resection and tracheal reconstruction methods mostly depends on the extent of tracheal invasion.

Comparison of Transoral Thyroidectomy Vestibular Approach and Unilateral Axillobreast Approach for Endoscopic Thyroidectomy: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: Various approaches for endoscopic thyroidectomy have been developed recently that improve the cosmetic outcome, and some are even scar free. In this study, we compared the safety and surgical outcomes of transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) and unilateral axillobreast approach (UABA) thyroid surgery performed by a single surgeon. Materials and Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study among 101 patients undergoing endoscopic thyroidectomy from 2018 to 2019 in our institution. The factors analyzed included patients' clinical characteristics, types and time of operation, blood loss, hospital stay, postoperative complications, and cosmetic satisfaction. Results: Among 101 patients, 51 underwent TOETVA and 50 had UABA surgery. UABA has shorter operative time for lobectomy (91.7 ± 16.5 minutes versus 50.4 ± 6.8 minutes, P < .001), whereas TOETVA is associated with less postoperative pain (visual analogue scale score day 1 of 4.6 ± 1.0 versus 5.8 ± 1.0, P < .001). There were no significant differences between TOETVA and UABA groups regarding rates of transient recurrent laryngeal nerve injury (9.8% versus 2.0%, P = .205) and hypothyroidism (11.5% versus 2.0%, P = .112), in which all patients fully recovered 6 months after surgery and most of them were satisfied with the cosmetic result. Conclusions: Both TOETVA and UABA have been shown to be effective and safe surgical options for endoscopic thyroid surgery, as well as gave excellent cosmetic result. Each approach has its own advantages and disadvantages, and choice of technique should be tailored for each individual, and patient preference should be integrated in the treatment plan.

Transoral Endoscopic Thyroidectomy by Vestibular Approach with Central Lymph Node Dissection for Thyroid Microcarcinoma.

Background: The transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy by vestibular approach (TOETVA) has been developed for thyroid microcarcinoma (TMC) treatment worldwide, with low rate of complications and excellent oncological results. However, this approach has still not been routinely performed. Thus, in this study, we aim to demonstrate the feasibility and safety of this technique in the clinical practice. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, 29 patients diagnosed TMC and clinically node negative underwent thyroidectomy and prophylactic central lymph node dissection by TOETVA. The clinicopathologic characteristics, surgical outcomes, and cosmetic results were evaluated. Results: The mean age was 34.7 ± 8.5 years. Three patients had underlying Grave's disease. Thyroid lobectomy with isthmusectomy was performed in the majority of cases (72.4%). All patients underwent prophylactic central node dissection. The mean number of retrieved central node was 7.8 ± 3.7 (3-19). Seven patients (24.1%) had lymph node metastasis in postoperative pathology. Among them, the mean number of metastatic lymph nodes was 2.1 ± 1.7 (1-5). The mean operative time was 121.2 ± 22.6 minutes. Four patients experienced transient hoarse and 1 patient had hematoma. Visual analog scale score on first postoperative day was 2.8 ± 1.4 (0-5). Most of patients were satisfied with cosmetic outcome. Conclusions: The TOETVA is new technique for TMC in Vietnam. The initial results of oncology, postoperative complications, and cosmetic supported the application of TOETVA in TMC.

Solitary fibrous tumor behind the pubic bone: A rare case report.

Solitary fibrous tumors (SFT) is a rare type of soft tissue tumors and there have been only a few reported cases of SFTs at the perineum region. We report a SFT below the pubic bone in a 35-year-old male causing compression on his corpus spongiosum. The patient underwent en bloc tumor resection with preservation of spermatic vessels and the bladder neck. Pathological evaluation and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining with CD34(+), CD99(+), STAT6(+), S100(-) and Desmin(-) confirmed the diagnosis of SFT. Surgery plays a key role in treatment strategies and pathological examination with IHC is important in the diagnosis of SFTs.

A Case of Advanced Gastric Cancer with Folfiri as a Preoperative Chemotherapy.

INTRODUCTION: In advanced gastric cancer, preoperative chemotherapy is associated with survival benefit. FOLFIRI has demonstrated promising results in terms of survival and tolerance, especially in patients with poor performance status. CASE PRESENTATION: A 59-year-old male, diagnosed with pT4bN2M0 gastric cancer, underwent gastrointestinal anastomosis and three cycles of EOX chemotherapy. Due to disease progression, he was switched to FOLFIRI regimen. After 12 cycles, the patient received a subtotal gastrectomy and D2 lymphadenectomy. Microscopic examination achieved pCR, and the patient has been surviving 34 months without recurrence. No severe toxicities of chemotherapy were recorded. CONCLUSIONS: FOLFIRI might be a safe and effective option in neoadjuvant treatment for advanced gastric cancer among patients with poor performance status or progression after first-line chemotherapy.

Surgical treatment result of giant thyroid tumor: Case series in Vietnam.

INTRODUCTION: Giant thyroid tumors can be associated with severely compressive symptoms and surgery is inevitable for treatment strategy. However, the risk of surgical complications is higher as well as the duration of operation may be longer than those of small thyroid tumors. PRESENTATION OF CASES: Two patients with large neck tumors were admitted with history of thyroid goiters for more than 10 years. Recently, the patients have complained of worsening compressive symptoms including dyspnea and dysphagia. Imaging work-up indicated a deviation and compression of trachea. Both patients underwent either lobectomy or thyroidectomy and were discharged without any complications. Final histological results were thyroid adenoma in both cases. CONCLUSION: Surgical management is considered as primary treatment for most patients with giant thyroid tumors. It is necessary to be aware of complications and careful dissection to archive a good outcome.

Lower lip squamous cell carcinoma: A Vietnamese case report of surgical treatment with reconstruction by local flap.

INTRODUCTION: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of lower lip comprises over 25% of oral cancer. Surgical treatment plan for SCC patients includes tumor excision, lymph node dissection and reconstruction. CASE PRESENTATION: A 68-year-old patient was admitted with 1-year history of tumor in his lower lip. Examination revealed a large lower lip tumor with expansion to the upper lip and a 2 cm submental lymph node. Biopsy result of the tumor was SCC and fine needle aspiration result of the lymph node was metastasis SCC. He underwent a complete removal of the lower lip and 1/3 external of the upper lip plus dissection of bilateral cervical lymph node plus reconstruction with local flap. After a 4-hour operation and 14-day hospitalization, patient recovered with flap in excellent condition and without any complications. CONCLUSION: Treatment with tumor excision, lymph node dissection and reconstruction by local flap is primary treatment for patients with lower lip cancer. Choice of reconstruction method depends on various factors, whereas V-Y advancement flap presents dominant advantage in lower lip cancer treatment.