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The aim of this study was to compare the incidence of postoperative hypoparathyroidism in two groups of patients who were treated for differentiated thyroid cancer. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 179 patients who were treated for differentiated thyroid cancer in our institution from January 2011 until December 2018 was performed. Only patients initially treated with total thyroidectomy and those who did not have preoperatively confirmed central compartment and lateral neck lymph node metastases were included in this study. Two main groups of patients were analysed. The patients who were treated with total thyroidectomy and elective central compartment lymph node dissection simultaneously were included in the first group. The patients who were treated only with total thyroidectomy were included in the second group. The rate of transitory and persistent postoperative hypoparathyroidism was compared between the two groups. Results: A total of 117 patients (65.4%) underwent total thyroidectomy and elective central compartment lymph node dissection simultaneously (TT + CCLN d group). The remaining 62 patients (34.6%) underwent total thyroidectomy only (TT group). A total of 22.6% patients in the TT group developed postoperative hypoparathyroidism compared with 25.6% in the TT + CCLN d group. The rate of persistent hypoparathyroidism in the TT and TT + CCLN d groups was 3.2% and 6.0%, respectively. The difference in the rate of transient and persistent postoperative hypoparathyroidism was not statistically significant between the two groups. Within the TT + CCLN d group, 82.9% of patients underwent ipsilateral paratracheal lymph node dissection and 17.1% underwent bilateral paratracheal lymph node dissection. The rate of postoperative hypoparathyroidism was analysed in those two subgroups of patients and did not prove to be statistically significant. Discussion: While its impact on the local recurrence rate is still controversial, elective central compartment lymph node dissection could be a great tool for selection of patients who could profit from adjuvant radioiodine treatment. On the other hand, central compartment lymph node dissection could potentially increase the risk of hypoparathyroidism due to involuntary injury to parathyroid glands and/or their blood supply. Our study did not find a statistically significant difference regarding postoperative hypoparathyroidism between patients who underwent central compartment lymph node dissection compared with patients who underwent total thyroidectomy only. Our data are not in accordance with some of the previously published studies. Our results demonstrated that elective central compartment lymph node dissection is a safe procedure and does not significantly increase the risk of postoperative hypoparathyroidism when it is performed simultaneously with total thyroidectomy., Cilj rada je usporediti incidenciju postoperativnog hipoparatireoidizma između dvije skupine bolesnika liječenih zbog dobro diferenciranog karcinoma štitnjače. Metode: Retrospektivno smo analizirali 179 bolesnika koji su u našoj ustanovi liječeni zbog dobro diferenciranog karicnoma štitnjače u periodu od siječnja 2011 do prosinca 2018. U studiju su bili uključeni samo bolesnici kod kojih je inicijalno učinjena totalna tiroidektomija te oni koji na osnovu preoperativne obrade nisu imali potvrđene metastaze na lateralnom vratu i u regiji VI. Analizirane su dvije skupine bolesnika. U prvu skupinu su uključeni bolesnici kod kojih je u istom aktu učinjena totalna tireoidektomija i disekcija regije VI. Svi ostali bolesnici kod kojih je učinjena samo totalna tireoidektomija uključeni su u drugu skupinu. Stopa tranzitornog i trajnog hipoparatireoidizma je uspoređivana između dvije skupine. Rezultati: Kod ukupno 117 bolesnika (65,4%) učinjena je disekcija regije VI istodobno s totalnom tireoidektomijom. (TT + CCLN d skupina). Kod preostalih 62 bolesnika (34,6%) učinjena je samo totalna tireoidektomija. (TT skupina). Ukupno 22,6% bolesnika iz TT skupine je razvilo postoperativni hipoparatireoidizam usporedno s 25,6% bolesnika iz TT + CCLN d skupine. Stope trajnog hipoparatireoidizma u TT i TT + CCLN d skupinama su iznosile 3,2 i 6 %. Stopa tranzitornog kao i trajnog postoperativnog hipoparatireoidizma nije bila statistički značajna između dvije skupine. Unutar TT + CCLN d skupine, kod 82,9% bolesnika je učinjena disekcija ipsilateralnih paratrahealnih limfnih čvorova, za razliku od 17,1% bolesnika kod kojih je učinjena disekcija bilateralnih paratrahealnih čvorova. Stopa postoperativnog hipoparatireoidizma je analizirana u dvjema podskupinama i nije se pokazala statistički značajnom. Rasprava: Iako je utjecaj elektivne disekcije regije VI na lokoregionalno recidiviranje i dalje kontroverzan, ona može biti odličan alat za probir bolesnika koji mogu imati korist od adjuvantne radiojodne ablacije. S druge strane, disekcija regije VI potencijalno može povećati rizik hipoparatireoidizma zbog nenamjerne ozljede doštitnih žlijezda ili/i njihove krvne opskrbe. Naša studija nije pokazala statistički značajnu razliku u stopi postoperativnog hipoparatireoidizma između skupine bolesnika kod kojih je učinjena disekcija regije VI u usporedbi sa skupinom bolesnika kod kojih je učinjena samo totalna tireoidektomija. Naši podaci su u proturiječju s nekim ranije publiciranim studijama. Naši rezultati su pokazali da je elektivna disekcija regije VI sigurni postupak i značajno ne povećava rizik postoperativnog hipoparatireoidizma kada se izvodi istodobno s totalnom tireoidektomijom.

To determine the levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH) in the fluids of various tissues for identification of parathyroid glands during thyroidectomy. Our study comprised 31 patients with thyroid cancer who underwent lobectomy with central compartment dissection at our hospital from October 2014 to February 2015. A total of 186 tissue samples, including 28 from parathyroid glands and 158 from non-parathyroid tissues, were obtained during the operations. Tissue fluids were collected via fine-needle aspiration to measure PTH levels; the tissue was punctured 3 times with a 26-gauge syringe needle and washed with 0.5 mL normal saline. Tissues were also prepared for pathological examination. PTH concentrations were significantly higher in parathyroid tissues than non-parathyroid tissues. None of the patients had irremediable parathyroid dysfunction after surgical resection. Use of fine-needle aspiration for quantification of PTH levels in tissue fluids rapidly, safely, and effectively identifies the parathyroid glands during thyroidectomy.

Papillary thyroid cancer is one of the cancers with favorable prognosis, although the long-term recurrence rate in the paratracheal region is reported to be as high as 30%. The use of ¹³¹I is considered to be a reliable treatment option for lymph node metastases in the paratracheal region. According to the majority of internationally accepted guidelines, it is not recommended to perform central node dissection (CND) routinely. Total thyroidectomy (TT) remains an adequate treatment for these patients. According to many studies, CND is associated with higher rates of hypoparathyroidism. However, CND improves staging. Methods: We performed a retrospective study. We included 248 patients treated for papillary thyroid cancer during a 20-year period. Data were collected on patient (age, sex) and tumor (size, focality) characteristics, presence of metastases in the central neck compartment, incidence of postoperative hypoparathyroidism, and locoregional failure. We divided patients into two groups based on pathological analysis: those without positive lymph nodes (N0) and those with positive paratracheal lymph nodes (N1). We compared patient and tumor characteristics and risk of recurrence between the two groups. Results: There were 39.5% patients with central neck metastases in our series. In the central neck dissection specimen, 5.5 nodes were found on average. Hypoparathyroidism was found in 23.4% of patients and remained permanent in 3.2% of patients. Female and older patients had a lower chance of central compartment metastases, as did patients with smaller and unifocal tumors. Recurrence risk was doubled for the N1 group. All tested differences between the groups reached statistical significance. Discussion and conclusion: In our hands, CND was a safe and effective surgical procedure. It improved staging and postsurgical management. Efforts should be made to improve the preoperative work-up in order to more accurately identify high-risk patients., Papilarni karcinom štitnjače spada u tumore s povoljnom prognozom unatoč opisivanoj stopi recidiva u paratrahealnoj regiji i do 30% slučajeva. Radiojodna ablacija se smatra pouzdanom metodom liječenja metastaza u paratrahealnim čvorovima. Većina međunarodno prihvaćenih smjernica ne preporuča rutinsko izvođenje disekcije regije VI (CND) već se samo totalna tireidektomija (TT) smatra adekvatnim liječenjem u ovoj skupini bolesnika. Prema mnogim studijama CND je povezana s višom pojavnošću hipoparatireoidizma. S druge strane, CND pomaže u utvrđivanju točnog staginga bolesti. Metode: Proveli smo retrospektivnu studiju u koju smo uključili 248 bolesnika koji su liječeni zbog papilarnog karcinoma štitnjače tijekom 20 godina. Podaci su analizirani temeljem karakteristika bolesnika (dob, spol), tumora (veličina, uni – i mutifokalnost), prisustva metastaza u centralnoj regiji vrata, incidencije postoperativnog hipoparatireoidizma i stope lokoregionalnog povrata bolesti. Na osnovu patohistološkog nalaza podijelili smo bolesnike u dvije skupine: bolesnike bez pozitivnih limfnih čvorova u regiji VI (N0 skupina) kao i one s pozitivnim limfnim čvorovima u regiji VI (N1 skupina). Uspoređivali smo osobine bolesnika i karakteristike tumora kao i rizik lokalnog recidiva bolesti između ove dvije skupine. Rezultati: U našoj seriji bilo je 39.5% bolesnika s metastazama u regiji VI vrata čiji su disektati u prosjeku sadržavali 5.5 limfnih čvorova. Postoperativni hipoparatireoidizam je verificiran kod 23.4% bolesnika, a ostao trajan u 3.2% bolesnika. Žene i bolesnici starije životne dobi imali su manji rizik od metastaza u regiju VI, isto kao i bolesnici s manjim i unifokalnim tumorima. Rizik povrata bolesti bio je udvostručen za N1 skupinu bolesnika. Sve analizirane razlike između skupina pokazale su statističku značajnost. Rasprava i zaključak: U našoj ustanovi CND smatramo sigurnom i učinkovitom operacijom koja poboljšava staging bolesti i time unapređuje daljnje liječenje bolesnika. Nužno je poboljšati preoperativnu obradu kako bismo prepoznali bolesnike visokog rizika.

Background In this study, we aimed to compare the kinetics of intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) during the perioperative period of endoscopic thyroidectomy via bilateral areola approach (ETBAA) in the same period, following a traditional open thyroidectomy approach (OTA). Methods We conducted a prospective observational study of patients who were undergoing thyroidectomy and level VI clearance. Patients who had been affected by papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) were stratified into three groups: those eligible for endoscopic treatment (ETBAA); patients who were eligible for ETBAA but had opted for OTA (OTA-L); and patients who were not suitable for endoscopic intervention (OTA-H). A process for locating parathyroid glands was utilized to stratify gland dissection laboriousness. In Type A, the gland is firmly fixed to thyroid gland. This type can be sub-classified into three subtypes. A1: the parathyroid gland is attached to the inherent thyroid capsule. A2: the gland is partially embedded in the thyroid gland. A3: the gland is located in the thyroid tissue. Type B is defined as a gland which is separated from the thyroid gland. The iPTH was sampled at wound closure. Results There were 100 patients in each group. We found a significant difference between the ETBAA and OTA-H groups for type A2, as well as a loss of parathyroid glands and a number of parathyroid transplantation procedures. The endoscopic group was treated during an earlier stage of thyroid cancer. The iPTH profile of each group decreased, although this was the most consistent in the OTA-H group. A comparison of ETBAA with OTA-L demonstrates that the iPTH level change is similar. Conclusion There is no advantage of endoscopic treatment for preserving parathyroid function.

Backgraund. Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) has a favorable course and low mortality rates. However, the incidence of morbidity and mortality continues to increase, especially in the high-risk group. BRAF mutation is a marker of the PTC aggressive course. Aims. Тo study the relationship between surgical treatment tactics and the BRAF positive PTC prognosis. Materials and methods. Our prospective study included 80 patients with BRAF positive PTC, operated from 2009 to 2016 y. Surgical tactics were determined by existing clinical guidelines. To the patients with BRAF positive thyroid cancer it is proposed to perform thyroidectomy with central compartment lymph node dissection. BRAF status was determined by the PCR method in fine needle aspiration biopsy material (FNAB). Results. Recurrence was detected in 7 of the 18 patients of the hemi/thyroidectomy group. Among 62 patients from the group of thyroidectomy with central compartment lymph node dissection recurrence was detected only in 3 cases. The mean recurrence time also differed significantly, and in the group of patients with (hemi)thyroidectomy without central compartment lymph node dissection is detected earlier (53 months and 59.61 months). Also, organ-preserving operations without central compartment lymph node dissection in BRAF positive tumor has worse result, regardless of T stage. Conclusions. In the presence of BRAF-positive PTC thyroidectomy with central compartment lymph node dissection is indicated.