Cervical Dissection Research Articles

FORESTIER DISEASE

Introduction We present the case of M.E., a 73 year old patient, who presented to his local medical services for progressive dysphagia. Follow-up cervical CT scan revealed ossification of the anterior longitudinal ligament, at C3 - C4, C4 - C5 and C5 - C6 levels, consistent with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH), also known as Forestier disease. Material and Methods The patient was operated on by a multidisciplinary team (Neurosurgery and O.M.F. surgery). After a left sided vertical cervical incision and dissection of tissue, the spinal cervical levels were identified radiologically, followed by reduction of bony elevations at C3 - C4, C4 - C5 and C5 - C6 using a regular drill tip. Postoperatively the patient’s dysphagia was completely alleviated. Conclusion Although Forestier disease is usually identified incidentally, patients may present with decreased neck mobility, cervical pain and dysphagia. While the disease is similar to ankylosing spondylitis, it does not have a genetic component and it mainly affects the cervical and thoracic spines. Surgery may be necessary if dysphagia progresses.

Diagnosing Monogenic Stroke at Younger Age.

An increasing number of monogenic conditions underlying stroke are being identified. We explored the possibilities of increasing the diagnostic yield of monogenic stroke in a population under 56 years of age. Fifty probands ≤55 years at their first stroke episode were characterized clinically and investigated by whole genome sequencing. Probands had one or more of: (1) one or more first to second degree relatives with stroke under 60 years or same stroke-causing condition/disease; (2) no hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, heart disease, or smoking; or (3) either multiple stroke episodes or multiple arterial dissections. Variants with minor allele frequency under 0.01, identified by using our stroke gene panels, were assessed. The stroke subtypes, including large artery atherosclerotic, large artery nonatherosclerotic (tortuosity, dolichoectasia, aneurysm, nonatherosclerotic dissection, or occlusion), cerebral small vessel disease, cardioembolic (arrhythmia, heart defect, or cardiomyopathy), coagulation dysfunctions (venous thrombosis, arterial thrombosis, or bleeding tendency), intracerebral hemorrhage, vascular malformations (cavernoma or arteriovenous malformations), metabolic disorders, or cryptogenic embolic, were used for genotype-phenotype correlation. In a final step, we combined genetic and clinical information to determine if the genetic variant likely was the cause of stroke in the patients. Whole genome sequencing of younger patients with stroke identified 17 clinically matching genetic variants in 15 of 50 (30%) patients, while a stronger clinical correlation with stroke was established in only 6 (12%) of them. Stroke-related genetic variants were identified in 4 of 5 (80%) patients with cardioembolic stroke subtype, 3 of 4 (75%) with intracerebral hemorrhage, 7 of 18 (39%) with cryptogenic embolic stroke, 1 of 6 (17%) with small vessel disease, and 3 of 15 (20%) of patients with nonatherosclerotic large artery stroke, including 1 of 11 (9%) with cervical dissection stroke. Careful clinical interpretation of whole genome data using stroke gene panels can detect monogenic causes of early stroke, allowing individualized follow-up and opening new possibilities for potential treatment.

Anesthesia for Posterior Tracheopexy in Pediatric Patients.

Tracheobronchomalacia refers to an abnormally excessive collapse of the trachea and/or bronchi during exhalation. In the pediatric population, tracheobronchomalacia is increasingly recognized as a cause of morbidity and mortality. Historically, options for medical management and surgical intervention were limited, and patient outcomes were poor. Over the last decade, select US pediatric institutions have devoted significant resources to the establishment of dedicated surgery and anesthesia teams and the development of novel techniques for the successful identification, assessment, and surgical correction of tracheobronchomalacia in a highly complex subset of the pediatric population. The close communication, collaboration, and evolution of anesthesia techniques to meet the unique requirements of new surgical procedures have greatly improved patient safety and optimized outcomes. More than 800 cases have been performed across 2 US pediatric institutions using these techniques. This article reviews the posterior tracheopexy procedure, a newer but increasingly common surgery designed to address tracheobronchomalacia, and provides an overview of related anesthesia considerations and unique challenges. In addition, this article describes novel anesthesia techniques developed specifically to facilitate optimal diagnosis of tracheobronchomalacia and intraoperative management of posterior tracheopexy and similar airway surgeries. These include methods to safely enable 3-phase rigid dynamic bronchoscopy for accurate tracheobronchomalacia diagnosis, recurrent laryngeal nerve monitoring during cervical and thoracic surgical dissection, continuous intraoperative bronchoscopy to enable real-time images during airway reconstruction, and intraoperative assessment of airway repair adequacy to ensure successful correction of tracheobronchomalacia.

802. TECHNICAL DETAILS: FREE JEJUNAL GRAFT AND REVERSE SAPHENOUS VEIN GRAFT FOR RECONSTRUCTION AFTER TOTAL PHARYNGO-LARYNGECTOMY AND PROXIMAL ESOPHAGECTOMY

Abstract Background We would like to show our tips for free jejunal graft and vascular reconstruction after pharyngo-laryngectomy and proximal esophagectomy. Methods 65 years-old man with history of hypopharynx squamous cell carcinoma cT3 cN0 cM0 who underwent radical Qt/Rt with initially complete response. After 2 years follow-up, he presented dysphagia and recurrence of squamous cell carcinoma proven by histology. Upper endoscopy shows cervical esophageal stenosis due to tumor infiltration. Rescue surgery was decided after systemic dissemination was ruled out with PET-CT. Results Pharyngo-laryngectomy, total thyroidectomy and proximal esophagectomy was performed. Free margin tumor was confirmed by frozen section. Jejunal segment with adequate vascular supply is selected, preferable with a single artery and vein. Peristaltic direction of the jejunum is marked to avoid mistakes during graft transposition. Division of mesenteric branches to prevent postoperative bleeding. Before jejunal section we recommend administration of hyoscine butilbromide 20 mg iv to avoid jejunal spams. Measuring the length graft needed before dividing the jejunum to avoid redundant or short graft is recommended. We must carefully isolate the pedicle avoiding damaging blood supply. To reduce time of ischemia, jejunal graft pedicle should not be ligated until cervical dissection is completed and we have ruled out if venous graft may be needed. After cervical artery and vein dissection, we ensure adequate blood flow and heparinize vessels before clipping. When dividing the pedicle, artery should be divided before the vein to avoid venous congestion, posteriorly we must heparinize the vessels. Povidone-iodine intraluminal washing is recommended. Jejuno-jejunal anastomosis for GI tract restoration. GI reconstruction first is recommended to avoid unnecessary traction on the vascular anastomosis. After ensuring adequate direction of the jejunal graft jejuno-esophageal anastomosis is performed with interrupted suture. Pharyngo-jejunal anastomosis is performed with barbed 3-0 running suture for anterior and posterior layer. Methylene blue test is performed for check the anastomosis. Vascular reconstruction technique depends on the vascular anatomical variations and availability. In this case, superior thyroid artery and sublingual vein were available. Saphenous vein graft might be needed, this graft must be used in reverse way to avoid the vein valves and length must be adjusted. Venous anastomosis should be performed before than arterial reconstruction after heparinize solution in both vessels to avoid thrombosis. Conclusion Free jejunal graft is a highly complex procedure that must be extremely coordinated and protocolized to avoid longer time of ischemia and risk of thrombosis that might compromise the graft viability. https://1drv.ms/v/s!AmFrct07P6MP1Fbyh_7Ce_OK5bB8?e=OMSjsK

More efficient endoscopic submucosal dissection with deep endotracheal intubation for superficial cervical esophageal carcinoma: a dual-center, prospective, randomized controlled study

Deep endotracheal intubation (DET) has been proposed to improve cervical esophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) because of the limited space and visibility. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of DET. In the current dual-center trial, patients were randomized into DET or conventional endotracheal intubation (CET) groups. Complete resection rate, operation time, and adverse events were measured and compared. Fifty-nine patients (60 lesions) were assigned to the groups, showing comparable baseline characteristics. The complete resection rates were similarly high in both groups. However, DET significantly reduced ESD operation time (52.2 minutes vs 71.1 minutes, P< .001) and postoperative pain scores (3.1 vs 4.7, P< .01). Severe stenosis occurred more frequently in the CET patients (20% vs 0%, P= .035). No significant differences were observed in other adverse events. DET can overcome technical challenges to improve therapeutic efficiency and safety. (Clinical trial registration number: NCT06420258.).

Parotid Ductal Carcinoma with skin metastasis

Introduction: ductal carcinoma of the parotid salivary gland, have an epithelial origin. The behavior of this disease is aggressive, so a correct and early diagnosis is vital. Objective: to present a case with a diagnosis of parotid ductal carcinoma with metastatic skin lesions.Case presentation: 60-year-old male patient with a history of high blood pressure who for approximately 3 months has been experiencing discomfort in the pre-auricular region, lower third of the right side of the face, and exophytic lesions in the skin of that area. An oral examination revealed poor oral hygiene, the presence of root remains, an increase in the volume of the excretory duct of the right parotid gland, and changes in the integrity of the buccal mucosa. Complementary and imaging tests are indicated (imaging, biopsy, computed axial tomography and immunohistochemistry). The diagnosis was confirmed with a T4N2M1 staging and total surgical treatment was determined immediately. Conclusions: patients with ductal carcinoma, despite treatment with parotidectomy, cervical dissection and postoperative radiotherapy, a large proportion of patients develop local and distant recurrence, so a timely diagnosis can guarantee greater survival for the patient.

Ultrasound-guided approach to surgery for nodal recurrence following lateral neck dissection for differentiated thyroid carcinoma. A single institution experience.

Total thyroidectomy (TT) and central neck dissection (CND) had a significant effect on the reduction of local recurrence compared with TT alone. Lateral Neck Dissection (LND) was performed in all the cases with therapeutic intent. The suspicion of nodal recurrence is provided by the appearance of one or more enlarged nodes in the central and/or laterocervical compartment during the follow up period. From January 2018 to November 2023, 16 patients at the University General Surgery unit of the Polyclinic of Foggia underwent reoperation due to nodal recurrence after previously undergoing total thyroidectomy with central and lateral cervical dissection. All surgical interventions were approached with intraoperative ultrasound performed by the operating surgeon. In all cases, ultrasound identification of the suspicious lymph node led to histological confirmation of malignancy. In only two cases it was necessary to carry out an extemporaneous intraoperative histological examination. No complications were recorded during the operations. Surgical reintervention in patients with nodal recurrence is challenging and requires an assessment by members of the interdisciplinary team. The ideal method should be economically convenient, easy to practice, with a quick learning curve, easily reproducible, and safe for patients. Intraoperative, ultrasound-guided, is a safe and effective technique. It facilitates tumor localization and removal, especially in patients requiring re-operative neck surgery.

Isolated internal carotid artery dissection after a motorcycle accident: A case report

Extra cranial carotid artery dissection is one of the most important complications associated with blunt head and neck trauma. It is a major cause of ischemic stroke in young adults. We report a case of internal carotid artery dissection which caused transient hemiparesis, horizontal gaze to right and anisocoria in a 19-year-old male motorcyclist involved in a collision. Unenhanced brain computed tomography scan showed well defined infarction in the right frontotemporoparietal area. Digital subtraction angiography showed complete occlusion of the proximal cervical right internal carotid artery. Moreover, intimal dissection was observed in distal cervical left internal carotid artery which did not limit blood flow to the brain. A stent was placed at the site of dissection in the left internal carotid artery. Intravenous heparin was commenced to avoid further thrombosis. He was discharged home 40 days after the accident with oral anticoagulation. Extra cranial carotid artery dissection is a rare condition which may happen after a non-significant neck trauma. Accordingly, the diagnosis of a cervical vascular dissection requires strong clinical suspicion

Simultaneous multiple cervical vessel dissection manifested as pulsatile tinnitus.

A previously healthy 43-year-old woman with Wallenberg syndrome, stemming from a left vertebral artery dissection and resulting in a left lateral medulla oblongata infarct, was later diagnosed with simultaneous bi-carotid and right V3 dissection. Seven days post-admission, she experienced sudden right-sided pulsatile tinnitus and exhibited a right-sided carotid murmur. High-resolution vessel wall MR imaging confirmed the new dissections. While spontaneous cervical vessel dissections involving more than two arteries are rare (less than 2% of cases), the prognosis is generally favorable. This case is noteworthy for presenting pulsatile tinnitus as a rare post-stroke dissection recurrence symptom, as documented in medical literature.

Nonmelanoma facial skin cancer: surgical planning for resection and reconstruction

Introduction The most effective treatment for nonmelanotic fascial skin cancer is surgical excision. Preoperative planning and a thorough grasp of reconstructive procedures, such as primary closure skin grafting, locoregional tissue flaps, remote tissue flaps, and free tissue transfer, are essential for the surgical therapy of these tumors. The choice of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) therapy is very specific to each patient and is influenced by the patient’s age, size, histologic subtype, and location of the disease. Treatment is to obliterate the lesion while maintaining normal tissue, function, and appearance. The ideas and methods of surgical excision and reconstruction of skin malignancies unique to the face were covered in this study. Patients and methods This study involved 98 patients of various ages and sexes. Of them, 89% had basal cell carcinoma and 11% had squamous cell carcinoma, both low-and high-risk tumors with varying sizes, locations, and histological subtypes. A safety margin of 3–5 mm is used for excision of low-risk malignancies and 5–10 mm for high-risk cancers. In 17 patients, skin grafts (split-thickness skin grafts and full-thickness skin grafts) are employed. 56 patients underwent local advancement, transposition, and rotational flaps; 15 patients underwent regional interpolation flaps; 6 patients sustained neck lymph node infiltration so they underwent cervical block dissection and distant pedicled flaps as latissimus dorsi muscle flaps; and 4 patients underwent cervical block dissection and free tissue transfer. Results Six patients experienced problems in the form of two partial graft and flap losses, two wound infections, and one scar retraction; however, with targeted care, they recovered well. Ninety-two percent of patients found the cosmetic outcomes satisfactory, and the functional outcome was good. Conclusion Wide excision and appropriate surgical reconstruction are ideal treatment modalities and may yield good aesthetic results or functional outcome, also the use of split-thickness skin grafts does not come as a first priority, where a lot of cases could have been treated with local flaps, as demonstrated in this consecutive series of treated patients. Treatment of NMSC on the face required a basic knowledge, presents a challenge to plastic surgeons, and is based on achieving the best oncological, functional, and cosmetic result. It is crucial to emphasize the need of patient education and appropriate tumor monitoring after NMSC therapy. A review of a big series of facial malignancy that may guide further studies cannot be understated.

Impact of Day 1 carotid patency on outcome in dissection-related tandem occlusions treated with mechanical thrombectomy

The clinical benefit of mechanical thrombectomy(MT) for stroke patients with tandem occlusion is similar to that of isolated intracranial occlusions. However, the management of cervical internal carotid artery(ICA) occlusion during the MT, particularly in the setting of carotid dissection, remains controversial. We aimed to investigate the clinical impact of cervical ICA patency at day 1 on 3-month functional outcome. We collected data from the Endovascular Treatment in Ischemic Stroke, a prospective national registry in 30 French centers performing MT between January 2015 and January 2022. Inclusion criteria were consecutive tandem occlusions related to cervical ICA dissection treated with MT. Tandem occlusions of other etiology, isolated cervical ICA occlusions without intracranial thrombus and patients without day-1 ICA imaging were excluded. Primary endpoint was the 3-month functional outcome. Secondary endpoints included intracranial hemorrhage(ICH), excellent outcome, mortality and early neurological improvement. A sensitivity analysis was performed in patients with intracranial favorable recanalization after MT. During the study period, 137 patients were included of which 89(65%) presented ICA patency at day 1. The odds of favorable outcome did not significantly differ between patients with patent and occluded ICA at day 1(68.7 vs 59.1%;aOR=1.30;95%CI 0.56-3.00,p=0.54). Excellent outcome, early neurological improvement, mortality and ICH were also comparable between groups. Sensitivity analysis showed similar results. ICA patency at day 1 in patients with tandem occlusions related to dissection did not seem to influence functional outcome. Endovascular recanalization of the cervical ICA including stenting might not be systematically required in this setting.

The diagnostic value of GICA used for intraoperative lymph node FNA-Tg measurement to evaluate thyroid cancer metastases.

It is crucial to diagnose lymph node (LN) metastases (LNM) before or during thyroid carcinoma surgery. Measurement of thyroglobulin (Tg) in the fine needle aspirate washout (FNA-Tg) is useful to assist in the diagnosis of LNM for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). This study aimed to assess the diagnostic performance of a new technique based on a colloidal gold-based immunochromatographic assay (GICA) for intraoperative FNA-Tg in diagnosing LNM. This study is registered with chictr.org.cn, ID: ChiCTR2200063561 (registered 11 September, 2022). This prospective study enrolled 51 PTC patients who underwent cervical LN dissection. A total of 150 LNs dissected from the central and lateral compartments were evaluated by FNA-Tg-GICA at three different time points and compared with frozen sections and the conventional Tg measurement method electrochemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLIA). Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) and area under the curve (AUC), cutoff value to discriminate benign and malignant LNs, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were provided. The cutoff value of FNA-Tg to predict LNM was 110.83 ng/mL for ECLIA and 13.19 ng/mL, 38.69 ng/mL, and 77.17 ng/mL for GICA at 3, 10, and 15 min, respectively. There was no significant difference between the AUCs of GICA at different time points compared to using ECLIA and frozen sections. Besides, the diagnostic performance of GICA and ECLIA showed no significant difference in evaluating LNM from central and lateral compartments or between the TgAb-positive subgroup and TgAb-negative subgroup. GICA is a promising method for intraoperative FNA-Tg measurement and has high value in predicting LNM. It may be a novel alternative or supplementary method to frozen section or ECLIA.

Geometric, landmark-guided technique reduces tissue trauma, surgery time, and subjective difficulty for canine peripheral lymphadenectomies: an educational crossover study.

To compare the effect of a geometric, landmark-guided lymphadenectomy (LL) approach to peripheral lymph nodes (LNs) on successful LN identification, surgical time, tissue trauma, and ease of LN identification compared to standard lymphadenectomy (SL) and methylene blue-guided lymphadenectomy (MBL). 18 adult, mixed-breed canine cadavers operated on by 7 veterinarians and 5 fourth-year veterinary students between July 23 and October 12, 2022. Participants were provided standardized, publicly available materials regarding the anatomy and surgical techniques for SL of 3 peripheral lymphocentrums: superficial cervical, axillary (ALN), and superficial inguinal (SILN). Participants performed the 3 SLs unilaterally on canine cadavers. Thereafter, they were randomly assigned to 2 crossover groups: MBL and LL. All dissections were separated by at least 2 weeks for each participant. Primary outcome measures included successful LN identification, surgical time, tissue trauma scores, and subjective difficulty. Successful LN identification was highest with LL (86%) compared to SL (69%) and MBL (67%). Subjective difficulty scores were reduced with LL for SILN dissections. Tissue trauma scores were reduced when using LL for ALN and SILN compared to MBL and SL. Time to LN identification was reduced for ALN with LL. No significant differences were observed between MBL and SL, or for the superficial cervical dissections. Peripheral lymphadenectomies are time consuming and difficult for veterinarians in early stages of surgical training. Little surgical guidance is provided within current literature. Geometric, landmark-guided lymphadenectomies may improve LN identification success and reduce surgical time, tissue trauma, and procedure difficulty, which could encourage their clinical application.

SAT544 Abnormal Labs Reveal Metastatic Papillary Thyroid Cancer

Abstract Disclosure: M. Shahid: None. S. Bellamy: None. A. Ottley: None. M. Griffith: None. Objective:Abnormal thyroid function studies are commonly referred to Endocrinology for further evaluation. In most cases, once studies are repeated and normal no further work up is considered. It is uncommon to order a thyroid ultrasound if the patient is asymptomatic with repeat normal labs and physical exam. Clinical Case:43 yo female with no significant medical history who presented to Endocrine clinic for evaluation of abnormal thyroid function labs. She denied taking any medications. Review of systems was positive only for a five pound weight gain over three months. Her physical exam was unremarkable. Labs were significant for TSH level of 0.25 uIU/mL (normal range 0.45 - 5.33 uIU/mL), free T4 of 0.57 ng/dL (normal range 0.61 - 1.12 ng/dL). At the initial visit, thyroid function tests, thyroid antibodies, and thyroid ultrasound were ordered. Results included a normal serum TSH , Free T4 and Thyroid Stimulating Immunoglobulin. Thyroid Peroxidase Antibody resulted as detectable at 124 IU/mL (normal value &amp;lt;9 IU/mL). Thyroid ultrasound showed nodules bilaterally; some subcentimeter in size with two meeting criteria for FNA; one in the right mid pole measuring up to 1.8 cm with suspicious features of hypoechogenicity and a feeding blood vessel, and another isoechoic left mid pole nodule measuring up to 1.8 cm. Per pathology, the right mid pole nodule was considered Betheseda Category V, suspicious for Hurtle cell neoplasm or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, with the possibility of medullary or papillary thyroid carcinoma. The left mid pole nodule was considered Bethesda Category II. Following surgical consultation, the patient underwent total thyroidectomy with right cervical neck dissection. Pathology revealed pT3N1Mx Metastatic Papillary Thyroid Cancer (conventional type) involving the skeletal muscle and one out of six right cervical neck lymph nodes. The resection margins were negative for carcinoma. Post operatively the patient received radioactive iodine treatment and Levothyroxine was initiated. DISCUSSION:In Endocrine practice, the use of thyroid ultrasonography is common. However, the clinician is usually prompted to order an ultrasound due to consistent abnormal thyroid studies revealing thyrotoxicosis and/or abnormal physical exam findings such as nodular goiter. Or in the case of known diagnoses such as thyroid cancer, it is useful for pre and post surgical management. Nonetheless, in some cases, when ordered outside of common practice, unexpected pathology may be discovered. CONCLUSION:This case demonstrated an unexpected finding of metastatic papillary thyroid cancer , despite initial presentation of abnormal thyroid function tests with normal repeat result and physical exam. Thyroid ultrasound was useful in revealing the diagnosis, preventing a delay in treatment. Presentation Date: Saturday, June 17, 2023

Metachronous immune-related adverse events involving type 1 diabetes and isolated adrenocorticotropic hormone deficiency associated with pembrolizumab monotherapy for metastatic head and neck cancer: a case report

BackgroundImmune checkpoint inhibitors might cause immune-related adverse events that are still largely unknown.Case presentationAn 80-year-old Asian female was diagnosed with cervical lymph node metastasis from lip cancer (cT1N0M0) and underwent right cervical neck dissection. Subsequently, she developed right cervical lymph node relapse and lung metastasis. The patient was deemed eligible for pembrolizumab owing to unresectable neck recurrence and pulmonary metastasis. The Combined Positive Score of the submandibular lymph nodes was 100. Pembrolizumab monotherapy was initiated, and complete remission was achieved. She developed diabetic ketoacidosis in the eighth month and was diagnosed with fulminant type 1 diabetes mellitus. Insulin induction was performed. The patient developed adrenal insufficiency after 10 months. These were immune-related adverse events, caused by pembrolizumab. The patient has remained in complete remission, and pembrolizumab therapy was continued.ConclusionsThe study presents the first reported case of type 1 diabetes in a patient with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma treated with pembrolizumab monotherapy, in Japan. Efficient interdepartmental collaboration will promote the management of severe immune-related adverse events and improve the quality of life of patients.

Vocal Cord Paralysis after Repair of Esophageal Atresia.

Etiology of vocal cord paralysis (VCP) and laryngeal dysfunction may be congenital or surgical trauma of recurrent and superior laryngeal nerves. We assessed the incidence, risk factors, and morbidity of VCP after repair of esophageal atresia (EA). Medical records of 201 EA patients from 2000 to 2022 were reviewed for this retrospective study. Postrepair vocal cord examination (VCE) included awake nasolaryngeal fiberoscopy by otolaryngologist or laryngoscopy under spontaneous breathing anesthesia. Before 2017, postoperative VCE was performed in symptomatic patients only and routinely after 2017. Overall, VCE was performed on 79 (38%) patients (52 asymptomatic), whereas 122 asymptomatic patients underwent no VCE. VCP was diagnosed in 32 of 79 patients (right 12, left 10, and bilateral 10; symptomatic 25 and asymptomatic unilateral 7) corresponding with extrapolated overall VCP incidence of 16 to 24% among 201 patients including asymptomatic ones. Ten patients (bilateral VCP 8 and left VCP 2) required tracheostomy. Of 10 patients with bilateral VCP, three underwent laryngotracheal expansion surgery (left VC lateralization in one and laryngoplasty in two with acquired subglottic stenosis), three remained tracheostomy dependent, three were off tracheostomy, and one died of complications after redo esophageal reconstruction. All patients with unilateral VCP managed without tracheostomy. Cervical dissection or ostomy formation was a major risk factor of VCP. Repair of EA is associated with a considerable risk of VCP and associated morbidity. Cervical EA surgery significantly increased the risk of VCP. Bilateral VCP may eventually require laryngotracheal expansion surgery.

Surgical outcomes of 500 robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomies for esophageal carcinoma.

In 2003, robot-assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy (RAMIE) was first reported to overcome the technical limitations of minimally invasive esophagectomy. RAMIE requires repeated modifications to set up the robotic system, and sufficient experience is required to gain technical proficiency. This study aimed to identify the learning periods and the outcomes of RAMIE for esophageal carcinoma. We retrospectively reviewed 500 consecutive RAMIE cases for esophageal cancer from December 2008 to February 2021. The learning curve for RAMIE was identified using cumulative sum analysis. In a total of 500 RAMIE patients, the Ivor Lewis and McKeown operation were performed in 267 patients (53.4%) and 192 patients (38.4%), respectively. We classified learning periods into the learning phase (first 50 cases), the developing phase (51-150 case), and the stable phase (151-500 case). The rates of vocal cord palsy (42.0% vs. 28.4%) and anastomotic leakage (10.0% vs. 6.4%) were reduced after the learning phase. The mean total operative time (420 vs. 373 min), the mean length of stay (21.6 vs. 16.7 days), and the rate of anastomotic stricture (27.0% vs. 12.4%) were significantly reduced after reaching stable phase. In the stable phase, the proportion of the Ivor Lewis operation (26.0% vs. 67.1%), neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (14.0% vs. 25.7%), and bilateral cervical node dissection cases (12.0% vs. 22.0%) were significantly increased. Fifty procedures might be needed to achieve early proficiency, and extensive experience of more than 150 procedures is needed for quality stabilization.

150. PATTERN OF LYMPH NODE RECURRENCE AFTER NEOADJUVANT CHEMORADIOTHERAPY AND MODIFIED EN BLOC ESOPHAGECTOMY

Abstract Background Esophageal cancer is an aggressive malignancy with high incidence of lymph node metastasis and recurrence rate even after neoadjuvant treatment and radical resection. Previous study has shown that modified en bloc esophagectomy (mEBE) improves survival for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT). In this study, we aim to investigate the pattern of lymph node recurrence after nCRT+mEBE. Methods The data of patients who received nCRT followed by curative surgical resection for ESCC were retrospectively reviewed. The mEBE includes ‘mesophagus’ dissection and bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve node dissection, whereas conventional esophagectomy (CE) only requires periesophageal tissues dissection that were close to the esophagus. The pattern of recurrence, especially lymph node recurrence (cervical, upper mediastinum, infra-carina, and abdominal), were compared between CE and mEBE, with stratification according to pathological stage (ypT0N0 or not.) Results A total of 221 (CE, n = 181; mEBE, n = 40) patients were included. Mediastinal lymph node recurrence was noted in 16.0% and 7.5% of patients after CE and mEBE, respectively (p = 0.166). In ypT0N0 patients who received CE, 6.0% had upper mediastinum recurrence, whereas no mediastinal recurrence was noted after mEBE (p = 0.329). In non-ypT0N0 stage patients who received CE, 15.3% and 8.2% had upper mediastinum and infra-carina recurrences, compared to 12.0% and 0% after mEBE (p = 0.283). There cervical/abdominal recurrences were noted in 6.6%/7.2% and 15.0%/5.0% after CE and mEBE, respectively (p = 0.080/0.618). Conclusion Although there was no significant difference in lymph node recurrence pattern between mEBE and CE, we observed that (1) 6% of ypT0N0 patients developed mediastinal lymph node recurrence after CE, implying the possibility of understaging after CE; (2) no patients developed infra-carina lymph node recurrence after mEBE, suggesting the necessity of mesoesophagus dissection, and (3) high incidence of cervical lymph node recurrence even after mEBE, indicating that cervical dissection should be considered in selected patients.

Meta-Analysis of Predictors of Post-Thyroidectomy Hypocalcaemia

Abstract Background Hypocalcaemia is common after thyroidectomy. Accurate prediction and appropriate management may help reduce morbidity and hospital stay. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic literature review and meta-analysis of predictors of post-thyroidectomy hypocalcaemia. Patients and Methods A systematic search of PubMed and the Cochrane Library databases was undertaken, and the evaluation of titles, abstracts, eligibility and quality of studies. Results 11 articles were included. Clinical predictors that had a significant association with post thyroidectomy hypocalcemia include female patients [OR = 0.625, 95% CI (0.420–0.932), p-value = 0.021], patients who did autotransplantation [OR = 2.020, 95% CI (0.968–4.215), p-value = 0.061] and patients who did cervical LN dissection [OR = 1.680, 95% CI (1.054–2.679), p-value = 0.029]. Clinical predictors that had higher insignificant association with post thyroidectomy hypocalcemia include patients with Graves' disease [Odds ratio (OR) = 1.054, 95% CI (0.623–1.784), p-value = 0.844], patients with more than two parathyroid glands preserved [OR = 1.131, 95% CI (0.259–4.939), p-value = 0.870] and patients who did not undergo reoperation [OR = 0.963, 95% CI (0.594–1.563), p-value=0.879]. Conclusion Clinical predictors of post Thyroidectomy hypocalcaemia include female sex, autotransplantation and cervical LN dissection.

Collision tumor of a papillary and follicular thyroid carcinoma: a case report

BackgroundPapillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) are common differentiated thyroid cancers, but the detection of a collision tumor is an extremely rare event. Case presentationThe patient was a 69-year-old Japanese female with multiple cervical lymph node swellings and a thyroid tumor. Preoperative fine needle aspiration cytology of the enlarged lymph node revealed a cytological diagnosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). A total thyroidectomy, right cervical dissection and paratracheal dissection were performed. Histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses of resected specimens revealed a collision tumor of PTC and FTC. Multiple metastases of papillary carcinoma were found in the dissected lymph nodes. In the PTC lesion, IHC for BRAF (V600E) was positive but negative for the FTC lesion. Genetic analyses further revealed a TERT promoter C228T mutation in PTC and a NRAS codon 61 mutation in FTC. The patient died of recurrent cancer 8 months after surgery.ConclusionsA case of a collision tumor of PTC and FTC is very rare, and even fewer cases have been subjected to genetic scrutiny. The present case was successfully diagnosed by pathological examination using immunohistochemical and genetic analyses. The TERT promoter mutation in the PTC lesion was consistent with the aggressive behavior of the cancer.