Permanent Nerve Palsy Research Articles

Does Extralaryngeal Branching Have An Impact on the Rate of Postoperative Transient or Permanent Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Palsy?

This prospective study assessed the prevalence of the extralaryngeal branching of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) and its impact on the incidence of postoperative transient or permanent RLN palsy. Total or hemithyroidectomy was performed in 115 patients, with a total of 195 RLNs displayed. The RLN extralaryngeal branches were routinely identified and preserved. The postoperative course of each patient was evaluated. Outcomes of patients with and without branching RLN were compared. In all, 36 of 195 (18.5%) nerves showed extralaryngeal branching: 27 cases (25.5%) on the right and 9 on the left side (10.1%; p = 0.0088).Trifurcation of the RLN was identified in two dissections (1%). Bilateral bifurcations were observed in 3 of 80 (3.7%) patients. We reported four (2.1%) unilateral permanent RLN palsies, eight cases of unilateral transient nerve palsy (4.1%), and one bilateral transient RLN injury (0.6%). The comparative analysis of postoperative outcomes between branched and nonbranched RLNs revealed that the anatomical variation was more frequently associated both with unilateral permanent RLN palsy (relative risk, 13.25; 95% confidence interval, 1.42-123.73; p = 0.0204) and unilateral transient RLN palsy (relative risk, 7.36; 95% confidence interval, 1.84-29.4; p = 0.0061). The only case of bilateral transient RLN injury was associated with a nonrecurrent inferior laryngeal nerve. Branched RLNs represent a risk factor both for transient and permanent nerve palsy after surgery. Awareness of this anatomical variation and its routine investigation are essential during thyroid surgery to limit its relevant impact on postoperative RLN injury rate.

The Change in Surgical Practice from Subtotal to Near‐Total or Total Thyroidectomy in the Treatment of Patients with Benign Multinodular Goiter

Although total thyroidectomy is the procedure of choice in patients with thyroid carcinoma, this surgical approach has emerged as a surgical option to treat patients with benign multinodular goiter (BMNG), especially in endemically iodine-deficient regions. The aim of this study was to review our experience with patients with BMNG in an endemically iodine-deficient region treated by either subtotal or total/near-total thyroidectomy, and to document whether total or near-total thyroidectomy decreased the rate of completion thyroidectomy for incidentally diagnosed thyroid carcinoma in comparison to the patients with BMNG treated initially by subtotal thyroidectomy. Two thousand five hundred ninety-two patients with BMNG were included. There were 1695 bilateral subtotal thyroidectomies (group 1) and 1211 total or near-total thyroidectomies (group 2) for BMNG during this period. All patients were euthyroid and had no history of hyperthyroidism, radiation exposure, or familial thyroid carcinoma. Any patient with preoperative or perioperative suspicion of malignancy or hyperthyroidism was excluded. Bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy was performed in 1695 patients (58.3%) in group 1 and total or near-total thyroidectomy in 1211 patients (41.7%), in group 2, respectively. The incidence of incidental thyroid carcinoma was found to be 7.2% (n = 210/2906). Although the rate of permanent hypoparathyroidim and transient or permanent unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy were not significantly different between the two groups, transient hypoparathyroidism was significantly higher in group 2 than in group 1 (8.4% vs. 1.42%; p < 0.001, odds ratio [OR] = 52.98). The incidence of thyroid carcinoma was significantly higher in group 2 (10.7%, n = 129/1211) than in group 1 (4.68%, n = 81/1695) (p < 0.001; OR = 39.1).Thirty-eight patients in group 1 (2.24%) underwent completion thyroidectomy, whereas completion thyroidectomy has been not indicated in group 2 (p = 0.007). Two of 38 patients (5.26%) had thyroid papillary microcarcinoma on their remnant thyroid tissue. The rate of recurrent goiter was 7.1% in group 1. The average time to recurrence in group 1 was 14.9 +/- 8.7 years. Six of 121 patients with recurrent disease (4.95%) has been operated on. Subtotal thyroidectomy resulted in a significantly higher rate of completion thyroidectomy for incidentally diagnosed thyroid carcinoma compared with total or near-total thyroidectomy in patients with BMNG. The extent of surgical resection had no significant effect on the rate of permanent complications. We recommend total or near-total thyroidectomy in BMNG to prevent recurrence and to eliminate the necessity for early completion thyroidectomy in case of a final diagnosis of thyroid carcinoma.

Endoscopic Parathyroidectomy: Why and When?

In recent years, several new minimally invasive techniques for parathyroidectomy (MIP) have been developed. There was a rapid worldwide acceptance of mini-open procedures by most surgeons. However, the use of an endoscope remains debatable. This study was designed to determine the role of preoperative imaging studies in the decision-making for using an endoscope during MIP. All patients with sporadic primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) and candidate for MIP underwent localizing studies. MIP was proposed only for patients in whom a single adenoma was localized by both ultrasonography and sestamibi scanning. Three locations were described: (1) posterior to the two superior thirds of the thyroid lobe; (2) at the level of or below the inferior pole of the thyroid lobe but in a plane posterior to it; (3) at the level of or below the tip of the inferior pole of the thyroid lobe but in a superficial plane. In locations 1 and 2, the nerve was considered to be at risk and an endoscopic lateral approach was indicated. In location 3, a mini-open approach was indicated. Of the 165 patients operated on for PHPT in 2006, 86 underwent MIP. According to the results of imaging studies, 39 patients presented an adenoma in location 1, 21 in location 2, and 26 in location 3. In locations 1 and 2, 59 patients (1 false-positive) had an adenoma that was located posteriorly, in close proximity to the nerve; all were cured. In location 3, 25 patients (1 false-positive) presented an inferior parathyroid adenoma superficially located; all were cured. There was no transient or permanent laryngeal nerve palsy. In patients who are candidates for MIP, we recommend the use of the endoscope for the resection of parathyroid adenomas that are located deeply in the neck.

S152 – Injury Predictive Value of Nerve Monitoring in Thyroidectomy

Objectives 1) To evaluate the efficacy of a nerve monitoring(NM) system in a series of patients submitted to thyroidectomy; 2) To critically analyze the negative-predictive-value(NPV) and positive-predictive-value(PPV) of the method. Methods NIM® system efficacy was prospectively analyzed in 447 patients submitted to thyroidectomy between 2001 and 2008(366 female/81 male; 420 Caucasian/47 non-Caucasian; 11- to 82-years-old, median: 43 year-old). There were 421 total thyroidectomies and 21 partial thyroidectomies leading to 868 nerves at risk. The gold standard to evaluate inferior laryngeal nerve function was early postoperative videolaryngoscopy, which was repeated after 4 to 6 months in all patients with abnormal endoscopic findings. Results At the early evaluation, 858 nerves (98.8%) presented normal videolaryngoscopic features postoperatively. 10 paretic/paralyzed nerves (1.2%) were detected (2 unexpected unilateral paresis, 1 unexpected bilateral paresis, 1 unexpected unilateral paralysis, 2 unexpected bilateral paralysis and 1 expected unilateral paralysis). At the late videolaryngoscopy, only 2 permanent nerve paralysis were noted (0.2%), with an ultimate result of 99.8% functioning nerves. NM showed absent or markedly reduced electrical activity at the end of the operations in 25/858 nerves (2.9%), including all 10 endoscopically compromised nerves, with 15 false-negative nerves. There were no false-positive nerves. Therefore, NPV was 40.0% and PPV was 100%. Conclusions In the present series, NM had a very high PPV, but a low NPV for the detection of recurrent nerve injury.

Surgical Management of Carotid Body Tumors

Carotid body tumors (CBT) should be considered when evaluating every lateral neck mass. A retrospective study was conducted of 52 patients with 57 CBT. The surgical approach and complications were reviewed. All patients were operated on without preoperative embolization. Multifocal paraganglioma (PG) were detected in six cases. A succinate dehydrogenase subunit D (SDHD) mutation was discovered in four patients. Vascular peroperative complication occurred in one case. Vascular reconstruction was decided peroperatively in five cases (8.8%). Vascular reconstruction was 0% for Shamblin 1 or 2 tumors, but 28.5% for Shamblin 3. A postoperative nerve paresis was reported in 24 patients (42.1%) and vagal nerve paralysis persisted in four cases (7.01%). The rate of serious complications, e.g., permanent nerve palsy, preoperative and postoperative complications, was 14.03%; it was 2.3% for Shamblin 1 or 2 tumors and 35.7% for Shamblin 3. One patient had malignant PG with node metastasis and was not referred for radiotherapy. No recurrence or metastasis was reported after 6-year follow-up. Early surgical treatment is recommended in almost all patients after preoperative evaluation and detection of multifocal tumors. Surgical excision of small tumors was safe and without complication, but resection of Shamblin 3 tumors can be challenging. Routine preoperative embolization of carotid body paragangliomas is not required.

Transcervical Extended Mediastinal Lymphadenectomy: Results of Staging in Two Hundred Fifty-Six Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Transcervical extended mediastinal lymphadenectomy (TEMLA) is a new surgical procedure for staging of the mediastinal lymph nodes in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The operation is performed through the 5- to 8-cm collar incision in the neck and enables complete removal of all mediastinal nodal stations except for the pulmonary ligament nodes (station 9) and the most distal left paratracheal nodes (station 4L). Generally, TEMLA is an open procedure performed partly with mediastinoscopy-assisted and videothoracoscopy-assisted techniques. Operative technique of TEMLA includes elevation of the sternal manubrium with a special retractor and bilateral visualization of the laryngeal recurrent and vagus nerves. From January 1, 2004 to November 15, 2005, TEMLA was performed in 256 patients. Length of operation was 80 to 330 minutes (mean, 161 minutes). Complication of TEMLA occurred in 11.3% of patients with temporary laryngeal nerve palsy in 6 of 256 patients (2.3%) and permanent nerve palsy in 2 of 256 patients (0.8%). The number of dissected nodes during TEMLA was 15 to 85 (mean, 38.9). N2-3 nodes were found in 80 patients (31.3%). During subsequent thoracotomy, omitted N2 nodes were found in 5 of 138 patients, and omitted normal mediastinal nodes were found in 13 of 138 patients (9.4%). Sensitivity of TEMLA in discovery of N2-3 nodes was 94.1%, specificity was 100%, accuracy was 98%, negative predictive value was 97.2%, and positive predictive value was 100%. Preliminary results may suggest some therapeutic impact for patients who underwent TEMLA and subsequent R0 resection, with a 77.2% survival rate after the mean 24-month follow-up period.

SAFETY OF TOTAL THYROIDECTOMY

Total thyroidectomy is the preferred operation for multinodular goitre, Graves' disease and thyroid cancer. This study reviewed prospectively collected data on a personal consecutive series of 336 total thyroidectomies to assess whether results reported in world centres of excellence could also be achieved elsewhere. Between 1991 and 2004, 336 total thyroidectomies (85% over the last 6 years) of median age 53 years (13-86 years) and male : female ratio of 1:4.3 were undertaken for multinodular goitre 232 (69%), Graves' disease 26 (7.7%), thyroid cancer 60 (17.9%) and other benign conditions 17 (5.4%). Thirty-nine patients had 2-stage procedures. No patient required median sternotomy. Parathyroid autotransplantation was carried out in 43 (12.8%). Permanent unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy occurred in 0.3% and permanent hypoparathyroidism in 1.8%. Significant temporary hypocalcaemia occurred in 13.4%. Non-significant temporary hypocalcaemia occurred in 23.8%, resulting in an overall rate of hypocalcaemia of 38.9% for the total series. Hypocalcaemia was more common after 1-stage compared with 2-stage surgeries (P < 0.001). Temporary hypocalcaemia was commoner after surgery for Graves' disease than surgery for other conditions. The rate of postoperative haemorrhage was 0.9% and wound infection, 1.5%. There was no postoperative mortality. Total thyroidectomy removes the disease process completely, lowers local recurrence rates and avoids the substantial risks of reoperative surgery. Total thyroidectomy is safe and can be carried out with low complication rates that are equal to world centres of excellence.

Clinical Outcomes of 3 Fusion Methods Through the Posterior Approach in the Lumbar Spine

This prospective randomized study compared 3 fusion methods: posterolateral fusion (PLF), posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF), and PLIF combined with PLF (PLF+PLIF). To compare the outcomes of the 3 fusion methods and find a useful fusion method. Many studies have shown clinical results, advantages, and postoperative complications of each fusion method, but few have compared the 3 fusion methods prospectively. A total of 167 patients who underwent 1 or 2-level fusion surgery because of degenerative lumbar disease from January 1996 to September 2000 were studied. Minimum follow-up was 3 years. The patients were randomized into 1 of 3 treatment groups: group 1 (PLF; n = 62); group 2 (PLIF; n = 57); and group 3 (PLF+PLIF; n = 48). A visual analog scale, the Oswestry Disability Questionnaire, and Kirkaldy-Willis criteria were used to measure low back pain, leg pain, and disability. For radiologic evaluation, disc height, lumbar lordosis, segmental angle, and bone union were examined. Postoperative complications were also analyzed. At the last follow-up, good or excellent results were obtained in 50 cases of PLF (80.7%), 50 cases of PLIF (87.8%), and 41 cases of PLF+PLIF (85.5%). No statistical differences were found among the 3 groups (P = 0.704). All methods indicated significant improvement in the disc height (P < 0.05), with PLF having the highest loss in disc height. Lumbar lordosis and segmental angle increased significantly, and improvement of the segmental angle in the 3 fusion methods had statistically significant differences. The nonunion rates at the last follow-up in the 3 fusion groups were not statistically significant, with 8% in group 1, 5% in group 2, and 4% in group 3 (P > 0.05). Complications included deep infection in 3 cases, transient nerve palsy in 4, permanent nerve palsy in 1, and donor site pain in 6. No significant differences in clinical results and union rates were found among the 3 fusion methods. PLIF had better sagittal balance than PLF. PLIF without PLF had advantages of the elimination of donor site pain, shorter operating time, and less blood loss.

Mid term results of PlantTan plate in the treatment of proximal humerus fractures

This prospective study evaluates the clinical efficacy of a special implant, PlantTan plate used for fixation of displaced proximal humerus fractures. The PlantTan plate was used for internal fixation of closed displaced proximal humeral fractures in 68 patients from September 1999 to June 2002, in a University Hospital. One of the surgeries was for a non-union, and five patients were lost to follow-up. The patients' ages ranged from 19 to 76 years (mean 61 years and median 66 years). Of the remaining 62 patients, 42 were female and 20 were male. As defined using the Neer classification 19 patients had two part, 37 three part and 6 had four part fractures. Median follow-up was 19 months (11-38). The outcome was assessed using radiographs, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score and Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) scoring system. Fifty-two patients achieved union in a median of 8 weeks. The median cumulative score of activities of daily living of ASES was 20.4/30 (13-27). According to HSS, 11 scored excellent, 26 good, 14 fair and 11 scored poor. Eight patients had fixation failure and two developed avascular necrosis. Eleven patients developed an infection. Six patients developed an infection resulting in implant removal. One had a transient and one permanent axillary nerve palsy. Since the PlantTan plate provides stability, early active rehabilitation can be instituted. The implant is distally placed reducing impingement symptoms. However, the implant requires wide surgical exposure, is bulky and has an unacceptable infection rate. The fixation failure is high in patients with osteoporosis. In view of the above encountered problems, the implant has been discontinued in our hospital.

Parotid tumours: a review of parotid tumour surgery in the Northern Regional Health Authority of the United Kingdom 1978-1982.

A review of inpatients treated for parotid tumours during the 5-year period 1978 to 1982 in the Northern Regional Health Authority of the United Kingdom revealed 376 new parotid tumours and 28 recurrent tumours. The incidence of new parotid tumours was 2.4 per 100,000 and of pleomorphic adenomas 1.5 per 100,000 per annum. Local excision was the most common operation and was employed to remove 156 (67.2 per cent) of the 232 pleomorphic adenomas but there was evidence of incomplete excision in 60 (38.5 per cent) of these tumours. Incomplete excision also occurred in 12 (15.8 per cent) of the 76 pleomorphic adenomas removed by conservative parotidectomy. Global temporary facial nerve palsy was more common after conservative parotidectomy for benign tumours (21.8 per cent) than after local excision (3.7 per cent) but global permanent nerve palsy only occurred after local excision (0.9 per cent). The widespread use of local excision resulted in its use in 12 (27.3 per cent) of the 44 malignant tumours. The low incidence of parotid tumours and their treatment by a relatively large number of surgeons resulted in limited experience for surgeons and few opportunities for training in parotid surgery.

Total thyroidectomy replaces subtotal thyroidectomy as the preferred surgical treatment for Graves’ disease

Total thyroidectomy is increasingly being adopted for patients requiring surgical treatment for Graves' disease based on a comparable surgical risk and the lack of recurrence, as well as the questionable ability of subtotal thyroidectomy to maintain euthyroidism. The purpose of the present paper was to evaluate its safety and efficiency. Total thyroidectomy was adopted as part of the routine surgical treatment for Graves' disease from 2000. Patients who underwent subtotal thyroidectomy (STT) from 1995 to 1999 (n = 119) were compared with those who underwent total thyroidectomy (TT) from 2000 to 2003 (n = 98) with respect to immediate postoperative morbidity and long-term outcome. Fourteen (11.8%) and 22 patients (22.4%) required calcium supplement on discharge in the STT and TT groups, respectively (P < 0.05). One (0.8%) and three patients (3.1%) developed permanent hypocalcaemia, respectively. Transient recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy occurred in 9.2% (n = 11) and 5.1% (n = 5) of patients or 5.0% and 2.6% of nerves at risk after STT and TT, respectively. None of the patients had permanent nerve palsy. The estimated blood loss was less and hospital stay shorter after TT. During a mean follow up of 64 months, 86 patients (72.3%) in the STT group required thyroxine replacement and seven patients (5.9%) developed relapse. Subtotal thyroidectomy was associated with relapse as well as hypothyroidism in a significant proportion of patients during long-term follow up. Total thyroidectomy can be performed as safely as STT and should be recommended as the procedure of choice for patients requiring surgical treatment for Graves' disease.

A safe and reliable technique for visualization of the laryngeal recurrent nerves in the neck

Background The risk of an injury of the laryngeal recurrent nerve is an important issue during any surgical procedure in the lower neck. Methods Based on our experience with the transcervical-subxiphoid bilateral videothoracoscopic maximal thymectomies, we developed an original technique of visualization for both of these nerves. The key point of the presented technique is the dissection in the lower part of the neck, beneath the level of the thyroid gland. The central step is the division of the deep cervical fascial layers covering and obscuring the recurrent nerves. Preservation of the deepest layer protects the nerves from an injury. Results We used this technique in 100 consecutive transcervical-subxiphoid bilateral videothoracoscopic maximal thymectomies without any case of permanent recurrent nerve palsy. Conclusion The presented technique is safe, reliable, and relatively simple. It may be used during an extended thymectomy, as well as during a thyroid resection and other operations in the lower neck.

Differentiated Operative Strategy in Minimally invasive, Video‐assisted Thyroid Surgery Results in 196 Patients

To date, experience in minimally invasive thyroid surgery has been limited to unilateral lobectomy and total thyroidectomy. There are no reports regarding selective operative strategy, guided by morphology and function, which is widely accepted in endemic goiter regions. To analyze the efficiency and outcome of tissue-preserving thyroid surgery using a minimally invasive video-assisted technique (MIVA-T), a total of 196 patients were operated on for thyroid nodules between February 1999 and October 2003. Concurrent primary hyperthyroidism was treated in 22 (11%) cases. Indications for operation were solitary, multiple unilateral, or bilateral nodules with a maximum diameter of 30 mm and a maximum lobe volume of 15 ml. Contraindications for minimally invasive operation were thyroid malignancy diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration (FNA), recurrent goiter, and Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Nodule excision was performed in 6% of these cases; subtotal lobectomy, in 6%; selective resection, in 48%; and total lobectomy, in 39%. Histological examination revealed follicular adenoma in 82%, colloid and cystic lesions in 11%, thyroiditis in 1%, and differentiated thyroid carcinoma in 6%. Conversion to open surgery was necessary in 7.7% of the patients (secondary to malignancy demonstrated on frozen section in 3% and to technical difficulties in 4.7%). Transient and permanent laryngeal nerve palsy occurred in 2.0% and 0.5% of patients, respectively. Temporary hypoparathyroidism occurred in 5.6% of patients exclusively after conversion to open total thyroidectomy or in those patients ( n = 22) with additional primary hyperparathyroidism. Given a correct indication, MIVA-T technique can be performed with low conversion and complication rates. Selective operative strategy, guided by morphology and thyroid function, with a variety of operative procedures fitting the individual situation may be performed by this minimally invasive technique.

Evaluation of intraoperative recurrent nerve monitoring in thyroid surgery.

Surgical exposure of the recurrent laryngeal nerve decreases the incidence of nerve injuries during thyroid surgery. Intraoperative neuromonitoring was introduced to facilitate identification and protection of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Between February 1996 and June 2002 a total of 288 patients underwent thyroid surgery with intraoperative identification and intraoperative neuromonitoring of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. The overall incidences of permanent and transient recurrent nerve palsy (considered as a percentage of the nerves at risk) were 1.4% and 8.7%, respectively. Results were stratified in benign, malignant, and recurrent thyroid disease. Intraoperative function testing revealed a positive predictive value of 33% and negative predictive value of 99%. We concluded that the incidence of recurrent nerve lesions in benign, malignant, and recurrent thyroid disease was not lowered by the use of intraoperative neuromonitoring. Although an intact nerve can be verified by the neuromonitoring, the loss of nerve function cannot be reliably identified.

Microscopic thyroidectomy: a prospective controlled trial

The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate microsurgical thyroidectomy by comparing it with traditional thyroidectomy. Before surgery, patients were assigned either to the microscopic thyroidectomy group (MT group), with the use of the surgical microscope, or the traditional thyroidectomy group (TT group), without the use of visual magnification. Outcome measures were operative time, intraoperative bleeding and complication rates including injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN), the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (EBSLN) or the parathyroid glands. Ninety-eight patients underwent thyroid surgery (58 patients in the MT group, 40 patients in the TT group). The two groups were similar in age, sex, surgical procedures and histological findings. There was no difference between the two techniques regarding the operative time and the amount of blood loss. Neither permanent nerve palsy nor persistent hypocalcemia occurred in either group. Transient nerve palsies (RLN and EBSLN) were lower in the MT group (1.7%) compared to the TT group (7.5%), but the difference did not reach statistical significance (P>0.05). Overall transient hypocalcemia was significantly lower in the MT group (1.7%) compared with the TT group (12.5%, P=0.032). If the population was restricted to total thyroidectomy, the rate of transient hypocalcemia was 4.1% in the MT group and 33.3% in the TT group, respectively (P=0.022). In conclusion, microsurgical thyroidectomy is a feasible and efficacious surgical procedure. It significantly reduces the complications without increasing the operating time in thyroid surgery procedures. A major advantage of this technique is the possibility of attaching a camera to the microscope, thereby greatly facilitating teaching.

When and how to interfere in thyroid and parathyroid surgery

Thyroid and parathyroid surgery is a part of the neck surgery and is performed frequently at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (ORL/HNS) worldwide, but this is not automatically part of its specialty. For some departments of ORL/HNS, thyroid is a surgery challenge. We prefer total surgery that means total lobectomy, hemithyroidectomy or total thyroidectomy. During the years 1987–2001, all kinds of thyroid and parathyroid surgery were performed at the Department of ORL/HNS, University Hospital of Hradec Kralove. Altogether, 1885 patients were operated. Postoperative hypoparathyroidism was found in 28 patients (1.6%). Permanent postoperative laryngeal recurrent nerve palsy in prospective study of 604 patients occurred in 12 cases (1,2%). There is no correlation between postoperative hoarseness and laryngeal recurrent nerve palsy. Laryngoscopy immediately after surgery is the most valuable diagnostic procedure. The meticulous dissection is necessary and should be typical for otolaryngologist performing thyroid and parathyroid surgery.

Ethanol Embolization of Arteriovenous Malformations: Results and Complications of 33 Cases

Purpose: To assess the effectiveness of ethanol embolization for the treatment of arteriovenous malformation (AVM), and the complications, if any, arising. Materials and Methods: Thirty-three patients with AVMs underwent 145 staged sessions of ethanol embolization. AVMs were located in an upper extremity (n=14), a lower extremity (n=10), the pelvis (n=7), the thorax (n=1), or the abdomen (n=1). Eighty-five transcatheter embolizations and 60 direct percutaneous puncture embolizations were performed, and seven patients underwent additional coil embolization of the dilated outflow vein. The therapeutic effectiveness of embolization was evaluated in terms of the extent to which an AVM was obliterated between baseline and the final angiogram. Complications were classified as minor or major. Results: In 13 patients (39%), AVMs were totally obliterated. In eitht patients (24%), more than 75% were obliterated; in three (9%), the proportion was 50-75%; and in four (12%), less than 50%. Five patients (15%), were not treated. The reasons for failure were the difficulty of approaching the nidus due to previous surgical ligation or coil embolization of the feeding artery, the subcutaneous location of an AVM, post-procedural infection, and massive bleeding during the follow-up period. Twenty-one minor complications such as focal skin necrosis or transient nerve palsy developed during 145 sessions of (an incidence of 14%), but these were relieved by conservative treatment. The five major complications arising (3%) were cerebral infarction, urinary tract infection, acute renal failure due to rhabdomyolysis, permanent median nerve palsy, and infection. Conclusion: Ethanol embolization by direct percutaneous puncture or using a transcatheter technique is an effective approach to the treatment of an AVM. However, to overcome the considerable number of complications arising, further investigation is required.

A medium-term follow-up study of 44 Souter-Strathclyde elbow arthroplasties carried out for rheumatoid arthritis

The results of 44 primary Souter-Strathclyde total elbow arthroplasties performed on 36 patients with rheumatoid arthritis are reported, with a mean follow-up of 6 years (range, 17 months–12 years; median, 6 years). Of these patients, 63% reported complete freedom from pain in the elbow, 25% mild intermittent pain, and 12% moderate pain. The mean range of motion at follow-up was 97° (range, 40°-135°). This represented a mean gain of 16.5° of flexion, but only a 1.5° gain in extension. Twenty-sevenelbows had a range of motion of 100° or greater compared with 13 before surgery. There was 1 permanent ulnar nerve palsy and 1 deep infection requiring debridement. Six cases (4%) required revision, 2 for olecranon fractures and 4 for loosening. In patients with rheumatoid arthritis with low functional demand, the Souter-Strathclyde total elbow arthroplasty performs well in abolishing pain and increasing independence in carrying out the activities of daily living. (J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2002;11:486-92)

Basedow disease. From subtotal to total thyroidectomy

Surgical treatment of Graves' disease is based on modern pathophysiolic understanding and adequate surgical tactic and technique. This is an audit from one institution about 81 consecutive, prospectively documented patients, undergoing subtotal (remnant < 6 g) or total thyroidectomy, by the technique of capsular dissection. Patients were female in 89%, aged 11-79 (median 35) years. They constitute 9% of all thyroid operations, i.e. 47% of those performed for hyperthyroidism. Indications were persistence and recurrence of disease, orbitopathy, large goiter, nodule formation, refusal of radioiodine, preconception control. Preoperative treatment was thyrostatic (97%), iodine (87%), propranolol (50%). During the study period use of total thyroidectomy increased from 0% to 87% (p < 0.0001), and the remnant size decreased from median 3.5 g to 0 g (p < 0.0001). Goiter weight was 20-255 g, median 70.28 (23%) patients had concomitant colloid or adenomatous nodules, 5 (6%) had an incidental microcarcinoma, and 3 (4%) had a clinical papillary or follicular carcinoma, 1 patient had a parathyroid adenoma. Mortality was 0; surgical morbidity was early postoperative haemorrhage (n = 2 (2.5%)), permanent nerve palsy (1 patient with recurrence after previous resection (1.2%; 0.6% of nerves at risk)); no case of permanent hypoparathyroidism occurred. Functional results: In 6 patients (8%; 15% of those with subtotal resection) recurrent hyperthyroidism developed, 1 month to 8 years postoperatively, necessitating reablative treatment (surgical in 2 instances). 1 further patient developed preclinical hyperthyroidism 11 years postoperatively. Postoperative thyroxine substitution was found to be inadequate in 16/73 (20%) patients, as demonstrated by suppressed or elevated TSH values. Recurrence-free survival at 10 years was 100% in patients with a remnant measuring < 3 g, vs. 55.8% in those with a remnant size > or = 3-6 g (p = 0.002). Ophthalmopathy improved in 33/47 (70%) and deteriorated in 5 (10%) patients postoperatively, independently of the procedure (total or subtotal). Extensive or total thyroidectomy is necessary for late recurrence-free survival.--Variation of the spontaneous remnant function may occur and contribute to inadequate substitution.--(Near) total thyroidectomy has a low morbidity and is considered the treatment of choice, also with the theoretical advantage of complete autoantigene removal.--Surgical progress is based on capsular dissection with fine preparatory operative technique.

Recurrent Nerve Paralysis after Esophagectomy for Carcinoma of the Thoracic Esophagus.

Between 1985 and 2000, 128 esophageal cancer patients underwent esophagectomy with resulting vocal cord paralysis (VCP). They were disease free at least 1 year after surgery. They were divided into Group A (63 patients operated on between 1985 and 1993) and Group B (65 patients operated on between 1994 and 2000). In 1993, we revised our surgical techniques in removing the recurrent nerve lymphatic chains in order to reduce postoperative VCP. Thus, we could compare these two groups of patients. Only two patients (3.1%) of Group B complained of severe hoarseness 1 year after surgery, as compared to 18 patients (28.6%) in Group A. Of the 108 patients who did not complain of severe hoarseness, the mean duration of their difficulty in talking was 3.3 months for Group B and 6.0 months for Group A. The incidence of the persistent VCP 1 year after surgery significantly decreased from 57.1% in Group A to 24.6% in Group B, mainly owing to a recovery from left recurrent nerve palsy. In the group of patients with severe hoarseness 1 year after surgery, daily activity and percentage of ideal body weight at 1 year had deteriorated. Severe hoarseness, therefore, does not seem to be an inevitable consequence of esophagectomy for cancer but rather to surgical maneuver and a poor nutritional state. From the viewpoint of quality of life, the permanent nerve paralysis caused by esophageal cancer surgery is worrisome and a factor in the deterioration of daily activity until it is adequately treated.