Modified minimal incision subcapital osteotomy for hallux valgus correction.

The potential advantages of minimal incision surgery for hallux valgus (HV) correction are the following: reduced surgical exposure, diminished soft-tissue stripping, and less blood supply impairment. These advantages imply fewer complications. We retrospectively reviewed patients who were consecutively treated with a modified minimally invasive osteotomy from January 2006 until December 2009 for HV deformity. We radiographically assessed the HV angle, 1-2 intermetatarsal (IM) angle, and tibial sesamoid position. Clinical outcomes were determined using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Hallux Metatarsophalangeal Interphalangeal (AOFAS HMI) Clinical Rating Scale. A paired Student's t test was used to determine significance, with P < .01. There were 126 patients (146 feet) with an average age of 52.6 years and an average postoperative follow-up of 29.1 months. Preoperatively, the average HV angle was 32.3°, and postoperatively, it was 4.5° (P < .01). The preoperative average IM angle was 14.4°, whereas postoperatively, it was 4.8° (P < .01). The average tibial sesamoid position was 6.3 preoperatively and 2.5 postoperatively (P < .01). The average AOFAS HMI score was 54.6 preoperatively and 85.3 postoperatively (P < .01). There were 15 postoperative complications (10.3%) that included hallux varus, painful hardware, and delayed union. The results are comparable with those of traditional open techniques, with the additional advantages of a minimally invasive procedure.

Meta-analysis of thyroidectomy with ultrasonic dissector versus conventional clamp and tie.

BACKGROUND: We conducted a systematic review to evaluate the role of Ultrasonic dissector (UAS) versus conventional clamp and tie in thyroidectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched for all published RCT in into electronic databases. To be included in the analysis, the studies had to compare thyroidectomy with UAS versus conventional vessel ligation and tight (conventional technique = CT). The following outcomes were used to compare the total thyroidectomy group with UAS versus CT group: operative duration, operative blood loss, overall drainage volume during the first 24 hours, transiet laryngeal nerve palsy, permanent laryngeal nerve palsy, transiet hypocalcaemia and permanent hypocalcaemia. RESULTS: There are currently 7 RCT on this issue to compare thyroidectomy with UAS versus CT. From the analysis of these studies it was possible to confront 608 cases: 303 undergoing to thyroidectomy with UAS versus 305 that were treated with CT. Actually, it was shown a relevant advantage of cost-effectiveness in patients treated with UAS; there is a statistically significant reduction of the operative duration (weighted mean difference [WMD], -18.74 minutes; 95% confidence interval [CI], (-26.97 to -10.52 minutes) (P = 0.00001), intraoperative blood loss (WMD, -60.10 mL; 95% CI, -117.04 to 3.16 mL) (P = 0.04) and overall drainage volume (WMD, -35.30 mL; 95% CI, -49.24 to 21.36 mL) (P = 0.00001) in the patients underwent thyroidectomy with UAS. Although the analysis showed that the patients who were treated with USA presented more favourable results in incidence of post-operative complications (transient laryngeal nerve palsy: P = 0.11; permanent laryngeal nerve palsy: not estimable; transient hypocalcaemia: P = 0.24; permanent hypocalcaemia: P = 0.45), these data didn't present statistical relevance. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis shown a relevant advantage only in terms of cost-effectiveness in patients treated with UAS; it is subsequent to statistically significant reduction of operation duration, intraoperative blood loss and of overall drainage volume during the first 24 hours. Although the analysis showed that the patients who were treated with UAS presented more favourable results in incidence of post-operative complications (transiet laryngeal nerve palsy; transiet hypocalcaemia and permanent hypocalcaemia), these data didn't present statistical relevance.

[Role of surgery in patients with metastases from melanoma. A case report]. / Ruolo della chirurgia in pazienti con metastasi da melanoma. Un caso clinico.

INTRODUCTION: The prognosis of patients with melanoma varies according to the staging of disease at the moment of diagnosis. Melanoma can metastasize to every organ or tissue, but the most common site involved is locoregional. In selected patients surgery plays a central role with the possibility of changing the prognosis at distance. CASE REPORT: A 65-year-old man with a diagnosis of neoplasm of the left thyroid lobe and metastatic melanoma with unknown primitive localization. Since 2003 the patient has undergone many operations to remove metastatic melanoma. Currently he is in good conditions and performs neoadjuvant palliative treatments. DISCUSSION: The indication for surgery in cases of patients with distant disease (IV stage) or metastases in transit (IIIc stage) is linked to the possibility of surgical removal of individual lesions. In particular are candidates for surgery patients who have a visceral localization less than or equal to 2 sites, a number less than or equal to 8 metastases, in good health and having a melanoma-specific survival estimated more than 3 months; surgical approach requires an accurate and early identification by imaging study. The case report shows that in selected cases, some patients may benefit from aggressive surgery, especially in terms of survival at distance.

Control results on a sample of patients subjected to total thyroidectomy for papillary carcinoma: proposal for a personal diagnostic-therapeutic follow-up.

Well-differentiated thyroid neoplasms may be included among the most frequently occurring thyroid carcinomas. Papillary ca. is without doubt the best behaved type. The aim of the present work is to perform a retrospective case history study to assess patients with con papillary ca. who have been treated surgically over the last 17 years and have been subjected to periodic checks. A sample of patients was therefore extrapolated who had all undergone total thyroidectomy for papillary ca. of the thyroid. The incidence of local recurrence of the disease was verified, together with the results at distance. Furthermore, the assessments performed were evaluated and compared. From the sample of patients observed we inferred that papillary carcinoma of the thyroid can have a good prognosis over time provided periodic random checks are carried out.