Comparison of [18F]fluorocholine PET/CT with [99mTc]sestamibi and ultrasonography to detect parathyroid lesions in primary hyperparathyroidism: a prospective study.

Background: Primary hyperparathyroidism is a common endocrine disorder produced by the increase of parathyroid hormone (PTH) due to a benign adenoma of a single parathyroid gland, or as multiple gland hyperplasia, or as a rare malignant tumor. Preoperative imaging scans are frequently necessary for the minimally invasive parathyroidectomies to identify the location of enlarged parathyroid glands and to design the procedure. Methods: The diagnostic reliability of [18F]fluorocholine positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FCH PET/CT), [99mTc]sestamibi [multiplexed ion beam imaging (MIBI)] and cervical ultrasonography was analyzed in 37 patients diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism undergoing minimally invasive parathyroidectomy. The three preoperative imaging techniques were correlated with intraoperative and histopathological findings as well as changes in biochemical parameters (serum PTH and calcium levels). Statistical analysis was carried out with SPSS version 24.0. Results: In 30 of 37 patients (81.1%), FCH PET/CT correctly localized the pathological gland. In 3 cases of ectopic adenomas, the accuracy of the techniques was 100% (3/3) for FCH PET/CT, 66.7% (2/3) for MIBI, and 33.3% (1/3) for neck ultrasonography. Neither neck ultrasonography nor MIBI were able to locate pathological parathyroid glands in those patients with multiglandular disease, while FCH PET/CT correctly located one patient (1/3, 33.3%) with two adenomas and 3 patients (3/6, 50.0%) with hyperplasia. The three imaging techniques, FCH PET/CT, MIBI and neck ultrasound yielded a sensitivity of 92.1%, 57.9% and 32.4%, a positive predictive value of 94.6%, 84.6% and 78.6%, and a diagnostic accuracy of 96.4%, 85.7% and 79.0%, respectively. Conclusions: In this group of patients diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism, FCH PET/CT was superior to MIBI and neck ultrasound in detecting adenomas, particularly in the presence of ectopic glands or multiglandular disease.

Efficacy and safety of preoperative preparation with Lugol's iodine solution in euthyroid patients with Graves' disease (LIGRADIS Trial): Study protocol for a multicenter randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Currently, both the American Thyroid Association and the European Thyroid Association recommend preoperative preparation with Lugol's Solution (LS) for patients undergoing thyroidectomy for Graves' Disease (GD), but their recommendations are based on low-quality evidence. The LIGRADIS trial aims to provide evidence either to support or refute the systematic use of LS in euthyroid patients undergoing thyroidectomy for GD. METHODS: A multicenter randomized controlled trial will be performed. Patients ≥18 years of age, diagnosed with GD, treated with antithyroid drugs, euthyroid and proposed for total thyroidectomy will be eligible for inclusion. Exclusion criteria will be prior thyroid or parathyroid surgery, hyperparathyroidism that requires associated parathyroidectomy, thyroid cancer that requires adding a lymph node dissection, iodine allergy, consumption of lithium or amiodarone, medically unfit patients (ASA-IV), breastfeeding women, preoperative vocal cord palsy and planned endoscopic, video-assisted or remote access surgery.Between January 2020 and January 2022, 270 patients will be randomized for either receiving or not preoperative preparation with LS. Researchers will be blinded to treatment assignment. The primary outcome will be the rate of postoperative complications: hypoparathyroidism, recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, hematoma, surgical site infection or death. Secondary outcomes will be intraoperative events (Thyroidectomy Difficulty Scale score, blood loss, recurrent laryngeal nerve neuromonitoring signal loss), operative time, postoperative length of stay, hospital readmissions, permanent complications and adverse events associated to LS. CONCLUSIONS: There is no conclusive evidence supporting the benefits of preoperative treatment with LS in this setting. This trial aims to provide new insights into future Clinical Practice Guidelines recommendations. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03980132.

Applicability of sentinel lymph node biopsy in papillary thyroid cancer.

BACKGROUND: The optimal surgical management of papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) for T1-T2 tumors without pre or intrasurgical evidence of lymph node metastasis (cN0) remains controversial, since approximately 40% of patients have lymph node involvement (pN1) which becomes evident when a prophylactic lymphadenectomy (PL) is performed. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of sentinel lymph node (SLN) identification with SPECT/CT lymphoscintigraphy imaging along with intraoperatory image techniques in early stages of PTC undergoing PL of central neck compartment (CNC). METHODS: A single-center, prospective consecutive study was designed for SLN mapping in patients with high suspicion of PTC (Bethesda V or VI) in early stage (cT1-2, cN0). Twenty-four patients underwent SLN identification with preoperative SPECT/CT and planar images (99mTc-nanocolloid albumin intratumoral injection). During surgery, SLN located in CNC was found by means of a gamma probe and portable gamma camera, and excised. Afterwards, CNC lymphadenectomy was performed in all cases without modifying the established protocol. RESULTS: SLNs were identified and accurately located in 23 (95.8%) patients. Nodal metastases (pN1) were confirmed in 9 (37.5%) patients, with one false negative case. The sensitivity was 88.9% and negative predictive value (NPV) was 93.3%, would have allowed to avoid PL in more than half of cases, a higher proportion than those found in other similar studies. No complications associated with the procedure were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support that SLN biopsy by SPECT/CT along with intraoperatory image techniques is applicable in early stages of PTC (cT1-2, cN0), allowing to avoid unnecessary PL.

[Endoscopic lateral parathyroidectomy as surgical treatment for patients with primary hyperparathyroidism]. / Paratiroidectomía lateral endoscópica en el manejo de pacientes con hiperparatiroidismo primario.

BACKGROUND: Most surgeons have rapidly accepted the use of minimally invasive surgical approaches for the treatment of primary hyperparathyroidism. The role of the endoscope in neck surgery is still being discussed due to its technical difficulty and complex patient selection criteria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective study was conducted between April 2010 and April 2013. It included patients diagnosed with sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism (sPHPT) by locating a single adenoma using ultrasound and sestamibi scintigraphy imaging. All patients agreed to be included in the study. Experienced endocrine surgeons that had been trained in endocrine minimally invasive surgery performed the procedure. The same surgical technique was used in all of the cases. The demographic and clinical variables were evaluated. A descriptive analysis was performed on the data measuring mean, standard deviation, and range. RESULTS: A total of 28 endoscopic lateral parathyroidectomies were performed. All patients were diagnosed with sporadic hyperparathyroidism sPHPT. The mean age was 68 years (59-89). No intraoperative complications were registered. Postoperative morbidity was comparable to that reported in the classical approach. A favourable outcome was observed in 27 of the 28 patients (96%) after a mean follow-up time of 22 (9 - 53) months. CONCLUSIONS: An endoscopic approach for hyperparathyroidism sPHPT is feasible and reproducible, and it obtains comparable results to the classical open surgery. Several factors make this technique suitable for highly specialised hospitals with a high patient volume and specialised endocrine surgery units.

[Application of fibrin sealant in patients operated on for differentiated thyroid cancer. What do we improve?]. / Aplicación de sellante de fibrina en pacientes operados por cáncer diferenciado de tiroides. ¿Qué mejoramos?

BACKGROUND: In recent years, several publications have shown that new adhesives and sealants, like Tissucol(®), applied in thyroid space reduce local complications after thyroidectomies. STUDY AIMS: To demonstrate the effectiveness of fibrin glue Tissucol(®) in reducing the post-operative hospital stay of patients operated on for differentiated thyroid carcinoma in which total thyroidectomy with central and unilateral node neck dissection was performed (due to the debit drains decrease), with consequent cost savings. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective randomised study was conducted during the period between May 2009 and October 2013 on patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma with cervical nodal metastases, and subjected to elective surgery. Two groups were formed: one in which Tissucol(®) was used (case group) and another where it was not used (control group). Patients were operated on by surgeons specifically dedicated to endocrine surgical pathology, using the same surgical technique in all cases. RESULTS: A total of 60 total thyroidectomies with lymph node dissection were performed, with 30 patients in the case group, and 30 patients in control group. No statistically significant differences were observed in most of the studied variables. However, the case group had a shorter hospital stay than the control group with a statistically significant difference (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Implementation of Tissucol(®) has statistically and significantly reduced the hospital stay of patients undergoing total thyroidectomy with neck dissection, which represents a significant reduction in hospital costs. This decrease in hospital stay has no influence on the occurrence of major complications related to the intervention.

Compliance with recommendations on surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism-from guidelines to real practice: results from an Iberian survey.

PURPOSE: Knowledge about compliance with recommendations derived from the positional statement of the European Society of Endocrine Surgeons on modern techniques in primary hyperparathyroidism surgery and the Third International Workshop on management of asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism is scarce. Our purpose was to check it on a bi-national basis and determine whether management differences may have impact on surgical outcomes. METHODS: An online survey including questions about indications, preoperative workup, surgical approach, intraoperative adjuncts, and outcomes was sent to institutions affiliated to the endocrine surgery divisions of the National Surgical Societies from Spain and Portugal. A descriptive evaluation of the responses was performed. Finally, we assessed the correlation between the different types of management with the achievement of optimal results, defined as a cure rate equal or greater than the median of all interviewed institutions. RESULTS: Fifty-seven hospitals (41 Spanish, 16 Portuguese) answered the survey. First-ordered imaging tests were neck ultrasound and sestamibi scan. Facing negative or non-concordant results, 44 % of surgeons ordered additional tests before first-time surgery, and 84 % before reoperations. When indicated, selective parathyroidectomy was an acceptable option for 95 % of institutions as first-time surgery and for 51 % in reoperations. Intraoperative parathormone measurements were used by 92 % of departments. The surgical outcomes were good in most institutions (median cure rate 97 %) and were influenced mostly by the presence of an endocrine surgery unit in the surgical department (p = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS: Practice of Iberian endocrine surgeons is consistent with current recommendations on surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism, with variability in some areas.

25 años de cirugía laparoscópica en España / 25 years of laparoscopic surgery in Spain

INTRODUCCIÓN: La introducción de la cirugía laparoscópica (CL) puede considerarse el avance más importante que ha experimentado nuestra especialidad en los últimos 25 años. A pesar de sus ventajas, la implantación y consolidación de la CL no ha sido homogénea, especialmente si tenemos en cuenta las técnicas laparoscópicas avanzadas. El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar el nivel de desarrollo e implantación de la CL en España en el momento actual y analizar su evolución en los últimos años. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Durante el segundo semestre de 2012 se desarrolló una encuesta que evaluaba distintos aspectos relacionados con la implantación y el desarrollo de la CL en nuestro país. La encuesta se realizó mediante un cuestionario electrónico. RESULTADOS: La tasa global de respuesta a la encuesta fue del 16% y 103 jefes de Servicio contestaron el cuestionario. El 92% correspondió a cirujanos de centros sanitarios públicos. El 99% de los encuestados realizaba CL básica y el 85,2%, avanzada. La mayor parte de los encuestados (79%) considera que el instrumental y los equipos para CL de los que dispone son correctos y el 71% considera que, en su medio, la CL está en el lugar adecuado. CONCLUSIONES: La CL básica ha logrado desarrollarse en nuestro país hasta considerarse un estándar practicado por la mayoría de los cirujanos y ser parte de la formación básica del residente de cirugía. Con respecto a la CL avanzada, aunque los porcentajes de utilización son altos, todavía existen déficits y, en consecuencia, oportunidades de mejora

INTRODUCTION: The introduction of laparoscopic surgery (LS) can be considered the most important advancement in our specialty in the past 25 years. Despite its advantages, implementation and consolidation has not been homogenous, especially for advanced techniques. The aim of this study was to analyse the level of development and use of laparoscopic surgery in Spain at the present time and its evolution in recent years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: During the second half of 2012 a survey was developed to evaluate different aspects of the implementation and development of LS in our country. The survey was performed using an electronic questionnaire. RESULTS: The global response rate was 16% and 103 heads of Department answered the survey. A total of 92% worked in the public system. A total of 99% perform basic laparoscopic surgery and 85,2% advanced LS. Most of the responders (79%) consider that the instruments they have available for LS are adequate and 71% consider that LS is in the right stage of development in their environment. CONCLUSIONS: Basic laparoscopic surgery has developed in our country to be considered the standard performed by most surgeons, and forms part of the basic surgical training of residents. With regards to advanced LS, although it is frequently used, there are still remaining areas of deficit, and therefore, opportunities for improvement

[25 years of laparoscopic surgery in Spain]. / 25 años de cirugía laparoscópica en España.

INTRODUCTION: The introduction of laparoscopic surgery (LS) can be considered the most important advancement in our specialty in the past 25 years. Despite its advantages, implementation and consolidation has not been homogenous, especially for advanced techniques. The aim of this study was to analyse the level of development and use of laparoscopic surgery in Spain at the present time and its evolution in recent years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: During the second half of 2012 a survey was developed to evaluate different aspects of the implementation and development of LS in our country. The survey was performed using an electronic questionnaire. RESULTS: The global response rate was 16% and 103 heads of Department answered the survey. A total of 92% worked in the public system. A total of 99% perform basic laparoscopic surgery and 85,2% advanced LS. Most of the responders (79%) consider that the instruments they have available for LS are adequate and 71% consider that LS is in the right stage of development in their environment. CONCLUSIONS: Basic laparoscopic surgery has developed in our country to be considered the standard performed by most surgeons, and forms part of the basic surgical training of residents. With regards to advanced LS, although it is frequently used, there are still remaining areas of deficit, and therefore, opportunities for improvement.

Análisis comparativo de la administración de contraste vía oral versus control, en pacientes afectos de suboclusión intestinal. Influencia sobre la estancia hospitalaria y complicaciones / No disponible

Este trabajo pretende analizar si la administración de contraste hidrosoluble radiopaco a pacientes afectos de obstrucción intestinal parcial que no requieren intervención quirúrgica urgente ejerce una influencia significativa sobre la resolución del cuadro clínico (AU)

No disponible