Search

Introduction/Objective. Alcohol abuse influence on developing thyroid cancer is controversial. While some studies consider it a protective factor, others deny any impact on thyroid cancer. The objective of the paper was to establish a possible link between alcohol abuse and certain types of thyroid cancers. Methods. The retrospective study included 502 patients with thyroid cancer and a control group of 600 patients with benign forms of thyroid diseases (e.g. nodular, multinodular, and toxic nodular goiter). Thyroid cancer patients were divided into four groups: I ? papillary, II ? medullary, III ? anaplastic, and IV ? follicular carcinoma, and grouped by sex, age (< 30 years; > 30 years) and alcohol abuse, as defined by the World Health Organization. Results. Thyroid cancer patients were predominantly male of younger age. This distribution difference was statistically significant in groups I and II (p < 0.001). Of total 10 (0.9%) patients with chronic alcohol abuse, eight (1.6%) had thyroid cancer, while two (0.3%) belonged to the control group (p < 0.001). In thyroid cancer patients, chronic alcohol abuse was absent from groups III and IV. Distribution in groups I and II was six (1.6%) and two (2%), respectively (p < 0.001). Conclusion. Alcohol abuse deserves to be considered as a risk factor for papillary and medullary forms of thyroid cancer, while it does not stay the same for anaplastic and follicular thyroid cancers.

Preoperative anxiety is associated with increased morbidity and/or mortality in surgical patients. This study investigated the incidence, predictors, and association of preoperative anxiety with postoperative complications in vascular surgery.Consecutive patients undergoing aortic, carotid, and peripheral artery surgery, under general and regional anesthesia, from February until October 2019 were included in a cross-sectional study. Anesthesiologists assessed preoperative anxiety using a validated Serbian version of the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale. Patients were divided into groups with low/high anxiety, both anesthesia- and surgery-related. Statistical analysis included multivariate linear logistic regression and point-biserial correlation.Of 402 patients interviewed, 16 were excluded and one patient refused to participate (response rate 99.7%). Out of 385 patients included (age range 39-86 years), 62.3% had previous surgery. High-level anesthesia- and surgery-related anxieties were present in 31.2 and 43.4% of patients, respectively. Independent predictors of high-level anesthesia-related anxiety were having no children (OR = 0.443, 95% CI: 0.239-0.821, p = 0.01), personal bad experiences with anesthesia (OR = 2.294, 95% CI: 1.043-5.045, p = 0.039), and time since diagnosis for ≥ 4 months (OR = 1.634, 95% CI: 1.023-5.983, p = 0.04). The female sex independently predicted high-level surgery-related preoperative anxiety (OR = 2.387, 95% CI: 1.432-3.979, p = 0.001). High-level anesthesia-related anxiety correlated with postoperative mental disorders (rSince preoperative anxiety affects the postoperative course and almost every third patient experiences anxiety preoperatively, routine screening might be recommended in vascular surgery.

Ectopic thyroid tissue is a rare pathological finding bellow the diaphragm and extremely rare finding is ectopic thyroid tissue in the adrenal gland. Thyroid tissue can be located anywhere along the way of embryological migration pathway of thyroglossal duct. In most cases of ectopic thyroid tissue, it is located in the neck. Pathohistologically ectopic thyroid tissue in all cases was formed of follicular cells that expressed TTF-1, Thyroglobulin, PAX8, and cytokeratin 7, and there was lack expression of calretinin. In the literature we found 15 such cases. Women are much more affected than men (14:1), and it usually presents in the fifth decade (mean age 49). In all cases it was composed of normal follicular cells, and C cells were not found. Review of the literature reveals that adrenal ectopic thyroid tissue is almost always cystic, and has distinctive pathologic features. The most important thing is that ectopic thyroid tissue must be distinguished from metastatic deposits from thyroid gland carcinoma.

Airway management is a crucial step in treating emergency medical conditions. Numerous complications, which can further worsen the patient's condition, can occur as a result of difficulties in airway management. The most well-known and frequently used tests for assessing the airway in emergencies are the Mallampati class and a series of abbreviated procedures, which are mnemonically called LEMON. They have a significant role in predicting difficult airway management and enabling the medical team to adequately prepare. When securing the airway, it is necessary to provide adequate equipment, monitoring and trained personnel. If an assessment is made that the airway management could prove to be difficult, it is best to follow das algorithms, which not only help doctors secure a problematic airway but also protect them from criminal liability should complications or even death of the patient occur. This way, securing an airway in emergencies can present a very serious, but not insurmountable problem.

Primary aldosteronism (PA) is associated with increased prevalence of metabolic disorders (impaired glucose and lipid metabolism and insulin resistance), but also with more frequent cardiovascular, renal and central nervous system complications.Biochemical and clinical parameters were retrospectively analysed for 40 patients with PA caused by aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) and compared to the control groups of 40 patients with nonfunctioning adrenal adenoma (NFA) and essential hypertension (HT), and 20 patients with adrenal Cushing syndrome (CS) or subclinical CS (SCS).Systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressures were significantly higher in the PA group (p=0.004; p=0.002; p=0.001, respectively) than in NFA+HT group. PA patients had longer hypertension history (p=0.001) than patients with hypercorticism and all had hypokalaemia. This group showed the smallest mean tumour diameter (p0.001). The metabolic syndrome was significantly less common in the PA group (37.5% vs. 70% in CS+SCS and 65% in NFA+HT group; p=0.015), although there was no significant difference in any of the analysed metabolic parameters between groups. PA group was found to have the most patients with glucose intolerance (81.8%), although the difference was not significant. The mean BMI for all three groups was in the overweight range. Patients with PA had higher microalbuminuria and a higher tendency for cardiovascular, renal and cerebrovascular events, but the difference was not significant.Our results support the importance of the early recognition of primary aldosteronism on the bases of clinical presentation, as well as an increased screening intensity.Primarni aldosteronizam (PA) je praćen povećanom prevalencom metaboličkih poremećaja, (oštećen glukozni i lipidni metabolizam i insulinska rezistencija), ali i češćim kardio vaskularnim, renalnim i komplikacijama centralnog nervnog sistema.Analizirane su retrospektivno biohemijske i kliničke karakteristike 40 pacijenata sa PA zbog aldosteron-produkujućeg adenoma (APA) i upoređene sa kontrolnim grupama od 40 pacijenata sa afunkcionim adrenalnim adenomom (NFA) i esencijalnom hipertenzijom (HT), i 20 pacijenata sa adrenalnim Cushing-ovim sindromom (CS) ili subkliničkim CS (SCS).Sistolni, dijastolni i srednji arterijski pritisci su bili značajno viši u grupi sa PA (p=0,004; p=0,002; p=0,001, redom) nego u grupi NFA+HT. PA pacijenti su imali dužu istoriju hipertenzije (p=0,001) nego pacijenti sa hiperkorticizmom i svi su imali hipokalemiju. Ova grupa je imala najmanji srednji prečnik tumora (p0,001). Metabolički sindrom je bio značajno ređi u PA grupi (37,5% vs. 70% u CS+SCS i 65% u NFA+HT grupi; p=0,015), mada nije bilo značajne razlike u bilo kom analiziranom metaboličkom parametru među grupama. U PA grupi je nađen najveći procenat pacijenata sa glikoznom intolerancijom (81,8%), mada razlika nije bila značajna. Srednja vrednost BMI za sve tri grupe je bila u rangu prekomerne težine. Pacijenti sa PA su imali veći stepen mikroalbuminurije, veću tendencija ka javljanju kardiovaskularnih, renalnih i cerebrovaskularnih događaja, ali razlika nije bila značajna.Naši rezultati podržavaju značaj ranog prepoznavanja primarnog aldosteronizma na osnovu kliničke prezentacije, ali i povećanog korišćenja skrininga.

Objective: Thyroid dysfunction is a common cause of atrial fibrillation (AF). Incidence of AF is high in patients with both expressed and subclinical hyperthyroidism. The aim of our study was to determine the incidence and predictors of new onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) in euthyroid patients undergoing thyroid surgery. Subject and Methods: The study included 1,252 euthyroid patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status ASA 2 and ASA 3, who were 18 years and older and were in sinus rhythm. Patients without comorbidity and patients with persistent AF were excluded. We investigated the influence of the following preoperative characteristics on the occurrence of NOAF: age, sex, body mass index, ASA score, admission diagnoses, and comorbidity. We noted the influence of difficult intubation of trachea, type and duration of surgery, and time under general anaesthesia. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to determine predictors of occurrence of NOAF. Results: NOAF was noted in 0.72% of patients. Patients with NOAF were older (63.11 vs. 56.81 years) than patients without NOAF, but this was not statistically significant. Significantly more patients from the NOAF group had preoperative heart rhythm disturbance and a history of angina pectoris, in contrast to patients without registered NOAF (p = 0.001; p = 0.017). Multivariate analysis showed that a history of heart rhythm disturbance was an independent predictor of NOAF. Conclusions: Incidence of NOAF during thyroid surgery is similar to the other type of surgery, if the values of thyroid hormones are normal.

Introduction The number of patients in the world who have undergone heart transplantation is increasing, with better and longer survival rates, and therefore the number of patients who undergo various surgical interventions after transplantation is also increasing. This presents a challenge for anaesthesiologists. Case outline A 45-year-old female patient underwent a total thyroidectomy due to suspected thyroid cancer. She had a heart transplant three years earlier. Preoperative preparation included evaluation of cardiac function, consultative examinations by a transplant cardiologist, laboratory and other diagnostic procedures, as well as a detailed analysis of all 20 medications that the patient uses in daily therapy. Common drugs were used for premedication and general endotracheal anaesthesia, with careful dose titration. Medicines were also prepared for the occurrence of heart rhythm disorders, bearing in mind that the heart is denervated, but there was no need for their use. The operation and postoperative course went smoothly and on the third postoperative day the patient was discharged from the hospital in good general condition. Conclusion Preoperative preparation, anaesthesia and postoperative treatment of this patient represented a challenge for our team, which was successfully overcome, considering that this is the first case of operative treatment of a patient with a transplanted heart in Serbia.

Introduction. Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is one of the most common postoperative complications. The incidence in adult population is 20?30%, and it can be up to 80% in high-risk population such as gynecological and laparoscopic surgeries. The objective of this study is to compare the efficiency of the combination therapy in comparison with monotherapy in the prevention of PONV in gynecological and laparoscopic surgeries. Methods. An observational prospective cohort study was conducted on a sample of 64 patients (32 patients per group) treated postoperatively at the Gynecology and Obstetrics Ward of GH Subotica, in the period from January?March 2017. The anesthesiologist in charge administered the combination of dexasone and metoclopramide or granisetron in monotherapy according to protocol to patients for prevention of PONV. Results. The demographic characteristics of patients are homogenous and show a statistically significant difference only in the characteristics of length of smoker status and maximum intra-abdominal pressure during surgery. The total incidence of postoperative nausea in the fifth, 15th and 60th minute was 15.6%, 17.2% and 18.7% respectively, and in the fourth, eighth, 12th, and 24th postoperative hour it was 12.5%, 7.8%, 10.9%, and 6.2%, respectively. The incidence of postoperative vomiting in the fifth, 15th, and 60th minute was 1.6%, 4.7%, and 4.7%, respectively, and in the fourth, eighth, 12th, and 24th postoperative hour it was 1.6%, 3.2%, 1.6%, and 1.6%, respectively. Conclusion. The study proved that the combination effect of dexasone and metoclopramide is not inferior compared to monotherapy with granisetron.

Introduction/Objective Intraoperative variations in blood pressure and/or cardiac dysrhythmias (IOVBP/CD) represent one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality in surgical patients. The aim of the study was to determine the incidence and risk factors for IOVBP/CD in thyroid surgery patients with comorbidities. Methods The study included 1,252 euthyroid patients with ASA 2 and ASA 3 status (American Society of Anesthesiologists - physical status classification) who underwent thyroid surgery. The following risk factors were examined: sex, age, body mass index (BMI), ASA status, admission diagnoses, type of operation, duration of surgery, time under general anesthesia, difficult intubation of trachea, and coexisting diseases - hypertension, cardiomyopathy, cardiac arrhythmias, angina pectoris, diabetes mellitus, kidney disease. The following intraoperative events were recorded: hypertension, severe hypertension, hypotension, and cardiac arrhythmias. We used Pearson χ2 square test, univariate, and multivariate logistic regression for statistical analysis. Results The majority of patients were female (86.3%). In 903 (72.1%) patients IOVBP/CD were detected. The most common problem was intraoperative hypertension (61.4%). Eight risk factors for IOVBP/CD were registered by univariate analysis: advanced age, ASA 3 status, BMI > 25 kg/m2, duration of surgery, time under general anesthesia, hypertension, and cardiomyopathy as a coexisting disease. The multivariate regression model identified three independent predictors for IOVBP/CD: age, hypertension, and cardiomyopathy. Conclusion IOVBP/CD are common in thyroid surgery. The most common is intraoperative hypertension. Older age, hypertension, and cardiomyopathy as a coexisting disease are independent risk factors for IOVBP/CD., Uvod/Cilj Intraoperativne varijacije krvnog pritiska i/ ili srčane disritmije (IVKP/SD) jedan su od najčešćih uzročnika morbiditeta i mortaliteta hirurških bolesnika. Cilj studije je bio da ispita učestalost i faktore rizika za pojavu IVKP/SD u tireoidnoj hirurgiji kod bolesnika sa komorbiditetima. Metode Ispitivanje je obuhvatilo 1252 eutireoidna bolesnika ASA 2 i ASA 3 statusa podvrgnutih tireoidnoj hirurgiji. Ispitivan je uticaj sledećih faktora rizika: pol, starost, indeks telesne mase (ITM), ASA status, prijemna dijagnoza, tip operacije, trajanje operacije, trajanje anestezije, otežana intubacija traheje, kao i komorbiditeti: hipertenzija, kardiomiopatija, srčane aritmije, angina pektoris, dijabetes melitus, bolesti bubrega. Registrovani su intraoperativno: hipertenzija, hipertenzivna kriza, hipotenzija i srčane aritmije. Korišćen je Pirsonov χ2-test, univarijantna i multivarijantna regresiona analiza za statističku obradu podataka. Rezultati Većinu bolesnika su činile žene (86,3%). IVKP/ SD su registrovani kod 903 (72,1%) bolesnika. Najčešći poremećaj je bila intraoperativna hipertenzija - 61,4%. Univarijantnom analizom je registrovano sedam faktora rizika za pojavu IVKP/SD: godine života, ASA 3 status, ITM > 25 kg/m2, trajanje hirurgije, trajanje anestezije, hipertenzija i kardiomiopatija kao komorbiditet. Multivarijantnom regresionom analizom izdvojila su se tri nezavisna prediktora pojave IVKP/SD: godine starosti, hipertenzija i kardiomiopatija. Zaključak IVKP/SD su česte u tireoidnoj hirurgiji. Najčešća je intraoperativna hipertenzija. Starije životno doba, hipertenzija i kardiomiopatija kao koegzistirajuće bolesti su nezavisni faktori rizika za pojavu IVKP/SD.

While the use of simulation in medical education has a long history, it has seen its greatest strides in the past 15-odd years. It may be defined as imitation, artificial while at the same time faithful, of various clinical situations through well-crafted medical ?scenarios? where, instead of actual people, we use standardized patients: plant, animal, or synthetic models, computerized interactive manikins ? simulators, with audiovisuals, as well as medical equipment used in everyday clinical practice. The fundamental goal of using simulation in medical education is an optimal balance between professional education on the one hand and complete safety and protection of patients on the other. Depending on the available finances and the level of advancement of the healthcare and education systems, medical simulation can take various forms ? from simple improvisation to the creation of a high-fidelity simulation in centers for medical simulation. Our example shows that, even with modest financial means, enthusiasm, creativity, and good ideas make it possible to establish a center for medical simulation. A separate section of the paper is devoted to the staging of a simulation scenario based on the authors? experiences.

The occurrence of cardiac arrest during anesthesia and surgery is nowadays associated with many challenges imposed by 21st century medicine. On the one hand, good education of healthcare practitioners, sophisticated anesthetic techniques and equipment, along with safer anesthetics and improved surgical techniques have significantly reduced the risk of cardiac arrest during the perioperative period. Still, the introduction of new, invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in the aging patients and those with comorbidities carries along new risk and challenges. Epidemiological data indicate that intraoperative cardiac arrest is an extremely rare event. Due to variety of moral and ethical prejudices, intraoperative cardiac arrest is frequently presented as if it has happened in the immediate postoperative period, following surgery and anesthesia. The preventive measures, the etiology and diagnosis of cardiac arrest, as well as the specificities regarding organization and performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the operating room, result in a better prognosis compared to other hospital departments. The article also describes the specifics of cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the catheterization laboratory, while a separate section is dedicated to cardiopulmonary resuscitation following systemic toxicity of local anesthetics. Since intraoperative cardiac arrest and death represent very rare complications, European Resuscitation Council has only recently published Guidelines for Resuscitation for performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the operating room ? in 2015.

Intraoperative bradycardia (IOB) is one of the most common cardiac arrhythmias observed in clinical anaesthetic practice. Controlled hypotension, as a strategy of lowering patient's blood pressure during anesthesia has been practiced for decades in head and neck surgery. The aim of our study was to determine the incidence and the risk factors for intraoperative bradycardia in maxillofacial, ear, nose and throat surgery, as well as to determine whether controlled hypotension affects the occurrence of IOB. The retrospective study included 2304 patients who underwent maxillofacial, ear, nose or throat surgery. We studied the influence of: sex, age, comorbidity, type of surgery, duration of anesthesia and controlled hypotension on the occurrence of IOB. IOB was registered in 473 patients (20.5%). Patients with controlled hypotension had IOB significantly more often than patients without controlled hypotension (33.9 vs 15.1%) (p = 0.000). The significant predictors of IOB were: age (OR = 1.158; 95% CI = 1.068-1.256; p = 0.000), sex (OR = 0.786; 95% CI = 0.623-0.993; p = 0.043), ischemic heart disease (OR = 2.016; 95% CI = 1.182-3.441; p = 0.010); ear surgery (OR = 1.593; 95% CI = 1.232-2.060; p = 0.000), anesthesia duration, (OR = 1.006; 95% CI = 1.004-1.007; p = 0.000) and controlled hypotension (OR = 2.204; 95% CI = 1.761-2.758; p = 0.000). IOB is common in maxillofacial, ear, nose and throat surgery, particularly in male, older age and patients with ishemic heart disease. The ear surgery, longer anesthesia duration and controlled hypotension raise the risk for occurrence of IOB.

The objective of our study was to determine the serum concentrations of protein S100B and neuron specific enolase (NSE) as well as their ability and accuracy in the prediction of early neurological outcome after a traumatic brain injury.A total of 130 polytraumatized patients with the associated traumatic brain injuries were included in this prospective cohort study. Serum protein S100B and NSE levels were measured at 6, 24, 48 and 72 hours after the injury. Early neurological outcome was scored by Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) on day 14 after the brain injury.The protein S100B concentrations were maximal at 6 hours after the injury, which was followed by an abrupt fall, and subsequently slower release in the following two days with continual and significantly increased values (p0.0001) in patients with poor outcome. Secondary increase in protein S100B at 72 hours was recorded in patients with lethal outcome (GOS 1). Dynamics of NSE changes was characterized by a secondary increase in concentrations at 72 hours after the injury in patients with poor outcome.Both markers have good predictive ability for poor neurological outcome, although NSE provides better discriminative potential at 72 hours after the brain injury, while protein S100B has better discriminative potential for mortality prediction.Cilj studije je bio da se odrede serumske koncentracije proteina S100B i neuron-specifične enolaze (NSE) i njihova sposobnost i preciznost u predikciji ranog neurološkog ishoda nakon traumatske lezije mozga.Sto trideset politraumatizovanih pacijenata sa udruženom traumatskom lezijom mozga je uključeno u ovu prospektivnu kohortnu studiju. Serumski nivoi proteina S100B i NSE su mereni u 6, 24, 48. i 72. satu nakon povređivanja. Rani neurološki ishod je procenjivan Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) skorom četrnaestog dana nakon povrede mozga.Koncentracije proteina S100B su bile maksimalne u 6. satu nakon povređivanja i pračene su naglim padom, a zatim sporijim oslobađanjem u naredna dva dana uz konstantno i signifikantno povišene vrednosti (p0,0001) kod pacijenata sa lošim ishodom. Sekundarni porast proteina S100B u 72. satu zabeležen je kod pacijenata koji su preminuli (GOS 1). Dinamiku promena za NSE karakteriše sekundarni porast koncentracija u 72. satu nakon povređivanja kod pacijenata sa lošim ishodom.Oba markera imaju dobru prediktivnu sposobnost za loži neurološki ishod, mada NSE obezbeđuje bolji diskriminativni potencijal u 72. satu nakon povrede mozga, dok protein S100B ima bolji diskriminativni potencijal u predikciji mortaliteta.

Difficult tracheal intubation (DI) is more common in thyroid than in other surgical branches due to thyromegaly. Proper preoperative airway evaluation is necessary in order to reduce the potential numerous complications. The study examined the incidence of DI in thyroid surgery and the influence of tracheal dislocation and other risk factors on DI. A prospective study was conducted on 2379 patients who underwent thyroidectomy at the Center for Endocrine Surgery, Clinical Center of Serbia, from 2007 to 2012. Patients were divided into groups with (n = 162) and without DI (n = 2217). Besides tracheal dislocation, another 13 risk factors contained in 13 screening tests and three additional factors of gender, age and diagnosis were defined. The incidence of DI in our study was 6.81%. The presence of tracheal dislocation was statistically significant, but not an independent predictor of DI. The diagnosis, large circumference and small neck length, previous DI, recessive mandible, tooth characteristics and oral anomalies were the most significant and independent predictors of DI. Neck circumference and small neck length had highest sensitivity. Previous DI had highest specificity. Thyromegaly, if causing tracheal dislocation and/or stenosis, represents a significant DI predictor, not individually, but in combination with other factors.

The purpose of this study was to compare two groups in postoperative recovery, whether there were any complications and whether the length of their hospital stay differed. One group received intraoperatively a combination of crystalloids and a small colloid dose, while the other group received only the crystalloids intraoperatively.This randomized prospective study included 80 patients with colorectal cancer prepared for major elective colorectal surgery. The patients were randomly assigned to either the control group (CG) which received only crystalloid solutions intraoperatively or to the research group (RG) which received a combination of colloid and crystalloid solutions. Regional and general endotracheal anesthesia techniques were combined in all patients. Goal-directed fluid therapy was administered to patients in both groups. After extubation, patients were transferred in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). We measured the administered fluids, fluid balance, the volume of received red packed cells (RPC) and fresh frozen plasma (FFP). Recorded were the first bowel movement, the first flatus, the tolerance on oral food, complications by Clavian-Dindo classification, days of patient's recovery delay in the ICU, Surgery Department (SD) and the total length of hospital stay (LOS).Statistically significant differences were present in all parameters of postoperative recovery. RG patients showed better results relative to the CG patients. RG patients were faster in restoring bowel movement and peristalsis, get the first postoperative stool and re-acquire oral food tolerance. According to the Clavian-Dindo classification of complications, no significant difference between these two groups was noted.Goal-directed colloid-crystalloid therapy significantly improved postoperative recovery.

To determine whether there was a correlation between the type of administered infusion solutions intraoperatively with the quantity of administered infusion solutions, differences in values of cardiac output (CO) and cardiac index (CI) and need to use vasopressors and inotropes, between control and research groups.This randomized prospective study included 55 patients with colorectal cancer. Subjects in the control group received only crystalloid solutions intraoperatively and postoperatively. The patients in the research group received a combination of colloid in dosage of 10mg/kg and crystalloid solutions. Patients in both groups were given goal directed fluid therapy.The control group received a significantly larger amount of crystalloid solution per kg of body weight during the entire surgical operation, in comparison with the volume of crystalloids in the research group (mean±SD 50.78±28.13 vs. 31.63±25.60 respectively, p=0.01). During the first hour of the surgery, the control group received a larger quantity of fluid in comparison with the research group (mean±SD 31.14±9.78 vs. 22.17±9.92 respectively, p=0.001). From the beginning of anesthesia until 6th postoperative hr the values of CI were significantly higher in the research group in comparison with the control group.Goal directed fluid therapy with colloids, followed by crystalloids during surgery, decreased the total intraoperative fluid volumes, and provided higher values of CI intraoperatively which were also maintained postoperatively.

Background: To present for the first time a clinical case of a patient with giant neglected and exulcerated tall-cell papillary thyroid cancer, who was surgically treated. Methods: We report a case of a 73-year-old woman with large firm infiltrated and exulcerated anterior neck tumefaction (12 cm in diameter) clinically suspected as anaplastic thyroid cancer. Patient had a goiter for more than 20 years with rapid growth in last months, after that presented with infiltration and exulceration of the skin. Results: Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) revealed papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Total thyroidectomy with en-block dissection of the infrahyoid muscles and skin was performed. Lymph node metastasis were not present. Pathologically, goiter and tall-cell papillary carcinoma were present without anaplastic dedifferentiation. Postoperative radioiodine therapy was done, than L-thyroxin suppressive therapy, patient refused transcutaneous radiotherapy. Serum thyroglobulin was 0.15 ng/ml. Vocal cord paralysis and hypocalcaemia were not present. In following 3 years patient did not come to postoperative control, then she came with local recurrence of disease and tracheostomy. Tumor reduction was a second operation which was performed. Pathologically, it was tall-cell papillary carcinoma with regional lymph node metastases. The skin defect was reconstructed with a local transpositional flap. Patient refused radioiodine and transcutaneous radiotherapy and died 4 years after first operation, she was 77-years old. Conclusions: Skin infiltration and exulceration are rare in papillary thyroid cancer but they can be found in patients with neglected and poorly differentiated papillary carcinomas. Exulcerated tall cell papillary carcinoma can be unpredictable even in radically performed operation.

nema

Background Hypotension is a common adverse effect of IV anaesthetics, especially during the induction of anaesthesia. The aim of our study was to determine the incidence and risk factors for intraoperative hypotension (IOH) in thyroid surgery, as well as to determine whether and to what extent IOH affects the occurrence of postoperative hypotension. Material and methods The study included 1252 euthyroid patients, ASA 2 and ASA 3 status (American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification), who had thyroid surgery between 2007 and 2011. IOH was defined as a decrease in systolic blood pressure of >20% of baseline values. We studied the influence of demographic characteristics (sex, age, body mass index-BMI), comorbidity, type and duration of surgery, and anaesthesia on the occurrence of IOH. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to determine predictors of occurrence of IOH. Results IOH was registered in 6.5% of patients. The most common operation was thyroidectomy. Patients with IOH were younger, had lower BMI, and significantly less often had hypertension as a coexisting disease. The multivariate regression model identified BMI and the absence of hypertension as a coexisting disease, and as independent predictors of occurrence of IOH. Significantly more patients with IOH had postoperative hypotension (9.9% vs. 2.4%, p=0.000). Conclusions IOH is common, even during operations of short duration and with minimal bleeding. It is necessary to pay special attention to these patients, given that many of these patients remained hypotensive during the postoperative period.

% thyroid nodules KR nema Introduction: Fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) remains the cornerstone of thyroid cancer diagnosis. The aim of this study was to find how much ultrasound alone and jointly with FNAB, can differentiate benign from malignant nodules, in our circumstances. Patienets and methods: FNwas performed in 203 out of 290 (70 %) patients referred to the Department of Endocrine Surgery, Clinical Center Belgrade in four-year period for ultrasound evaluation of TNs with diameter to or greater than 10 mm. All the patients with suspicious or malignant FNfindings underwent surgery. The Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TIRADS) classification was used. Results: Patients were aged between 26-88 years (mean 49 years). Out of 203 patients, 49 had an inadequate FNAB, 87 were checked on 6-12-36 months and found benign. Due to incomplete data required for a test 38 patients were excluded. Out of the 116 nodules underwent FNAB, 53 found to be benign, 30 suspicious and 33 malignant. At the final postoperative histopathologic examinations it was found 70 and 46 benign and malignant TNs, respectively The frequency of malignant TNs was slightly higher in the nodules with a diameter over 10mm in diameter than in those under 10mm (p

The hyomental distance ratio (HMDR) is the ratio between the hyomental distance (HMD) (the distance between the hyoid bone and the tip of the chin) at the extreme of head extension (HMDe) and the one in the neutral position (HMDn). The objective of the study was to examine the predictive value, sensitivity, and specificity of HMDe, HMDn, and HMDR in predicting difficult endotracheal intubation (DI). A prospective study included 262 patients that underwent elective surgical operations. The following parameters were observed as possible predictors of DI: HMDR, HMDe, HMDn, Mallampati score, and body mass index (BMI). The cut-off points for the DI predictors were HMDe

Subtrochanteric fractures of the femur have a special place because of a significant number of complications following treatment. Powerful loading forces asymmetrically acting to this bone segment, as well as poor vascularization interfere with bone union. There are basically two current approaches in the fixation of subtrochanteric fractures; the first involves a plate with a compression screw and another one is intramedullary (IM) nail, with two options: centromedullary (standard interlocking femoral nail) and cephalomedullary femoral nail with two modifications, reconstructive and trochanteric. All IM nails may be used by open technique or closed minimal invasive method. IM nailing is favoured in view of a shorter operative time, shorter hospitalisation and complications. Indirect fracture reduction and knowledge of biology of bone fracture may result in full success without any bone graft.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a risk factor for development of intraoperative and postoperative pulmonary complications. Regarding the type and the extent of surgical procedure, patients with COPD are at risk of aggravation of pulmonary function which leads to complicated perioperative course. In order to reduce perioperative complications, preoperative evaluation and preoperative patient preparation are of great importance. Goals of preoperative preparation and anesthesia in patients with COPD are maintaining ventilation-perfusion ratio, preventing development of hipoxemia, intraoperative brochospasm, pneumothorax and disturbances of cardivascular system.

The goal of this article is to present the importance of diabetes mellitus as comorbidity in patients submitting to different surgical procedures. The results of numerous studies that have been presented here showed worst surgical outcome in patients with bad diabetes control. This review considers the elements for preoperative evaluation and preparation of these patients (former therapy, longterm metabolic control, micro and macrovascular complications etc). According to existing data, the goals for preoperative preparation and the regimes for their achievement have been defined. Also, the regimes for blood glucose controle during intraoperative and postoperative period have been evaluated in this article.

Cardiomyopathies are myocardial diseases in which there is structural and functional disorder of the heart muscle, in the absence of coronary artery disease, hypertension, valvular disease and congenital heart disease. Cardiomyopathies are grouped into specific morphological and functional phenotypes: dilated cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, restrictive cardiomyopathy, arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy and unclassified cardiomyopathies. Patients with dilated and hypertrophic cardiomypathy are prone to the development of congestive heart failure in the perioperative period. Also, patients with hypertrophic and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy are prone to arrhythmias in the perioperative period. Preoperative evaluation includes history, physical examination, ECG, chest radiography, complete blood count, electrolytes, creatinine, glomerular filtration rate, glucose, liver enzymes, urin analysis, BNP and echocardiographic evaluation of left ventricular function. Drug therapy should be optimized and continued preoperatively. Surgery should be delayed (unless urgent) in patients with decompensated or untreated cardiomyopathy. Preoperative evaluation requires integrated multidisciplinary approach of anesthesiologists, cardiologist and surgeons.

Preoperative preparation of patients with hyperparathyroidism planned to be operated and/or already operated because of some other disease have specific characteristics in function of the type of hyperparathyroidism, primary or secondary. In primary hyperparathyroidism, repercussions of pronounced hypercalcemia on organs and systems are of essential importance. The most important aspect of preoperative preparation of these patients is therefore the treatment of hypercalcemia. In patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism as comorbidity, calcium level is of lesser importance since it stays mostly within reference values. Essential for perioperative preparation of these patients is the fact that they have chronic renal insufficiency and usually are on extrarenal depuration, so that uremic toxic disorders important for the perioperative course should be taken into account. Disorders caused by primary or secondary hyperparathyroidism (and terminal chronic renal insufficiency) must be brough to so-called "stable state" in elective surgical interventions. Preoperative preparation in urgent surgical interventions is focused only on vitally endangering consequences of hyperparathyroidism such as hypercalcemic crisis or extreme hyperkalemia.

The aim of the study was to examine the factors which play a role in the occurrence of differentiated thyroid cancer as related to anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC). A case–control study was performed during the period 1993 to 2005. The case group comprised of 126 patients with ATC. The control group comprised of 126 patients with papillary thyroid cancer. Cases were individually matched by gender and place of residence. ATC was significantly related to older age (odds ratio = 1.11, 95% confidence interval = 1.07–1.14) and goiter (odds ratio = 1.20, 95% confidence interval = 1.07–1.35).

Liberase HI has many advantages over traditional collagenases. Liberase performs the rapid dissociation of human pancreata and allows for the preservation of the morphological and functional integrity of isolated islets. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different concentrations of Liberase HI (1.5, 2.5 and 3.5 mg/ml) on the yield, viability and function of islets isolated by a non-automated method. Based on our results, the Liberase HI concentration 1.5 mg/ml is recommended for this method of isolation. .

BACKGROUND/AIM The most effective method for human adult pancreatic islets purification is density-gradient centrifugation. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of non-automated purification on preservation of functional capacity of human adult pancreatic islet cells. METHODS Human pancreata were obtained after pancreatectomy in the patients with chronic pancreatitis or benign tumors. Pancreatic islets were purified by non-automated method in discontinuous Ficoll density gradient. The samples were divided in 2 fractions: purified (P) and non-purified (NP) cultures. Islets were stained with diphenyl-thiocarbazone. The efficiency of separation was determined by comparing percentage of stained cells in P and NP cultures on day 1, 3 and 7 of shortterm cultivation. Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion was expressed as stimulation index (SI). RESULTS The results obtained showed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.01) between P and NP cultures. P cultures had higher percentages of stained cells (70.43 +/- 3.97%, 73.77 +/- 4.22% and 71.34 +/- 4.69% on the first, third and seventh day of cultivation, respectively) than NP cultures (53.68 +/- 1.71%, 57.14 +/- 3.94% and 43.97 +/- 4.56%, respectively). P cultures had higher values of SI for the first, third and seventh day of cultivation than NP cultures (0.45 +/- 0.08, 0.80 +/- 0.21, 1.28 +/- 0.15 and 0.46 +/- 0.10, 0.752 +/- .0.16, 0.76 +/- 0.11 for P and NP cultures respectively). The difference was statistically significant on day seven (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION Although during purification process islets were exposed to a number of insults that might result in cellular damage and functional impairment, our assessments showed that islets in P cultures preserved their functional capacity better than islets in NP cultures, since they had greater insulin secretion.

Background. The occurrence of an acute myocardial infarction following a hornet sting has been very rarely reported in the previous literature. Pathogenetic mechanisms include direct action of the venom components on the coronary endothelium and allergic reaction with mediators released from mast cells. The anaphylactic reaction and venom components can produce acute coronary artery thrombosis. Case report. We reported a 45-year-old man with acute myocardial infarction after a hornet sting in the presence of anaphylaxis. We also discussed clinical implications and pathophysiological mechanisms of acute myocardial infarction caused by hymenoptera sting. Conclusion. A case report of this unusual acute myocardial infarction highlights the potential acute myocardial ischemia associated with hymenoptera sting which requests early diagnosis, thorough cardiovascular evaluation and appropriate treatment.

Background/Aim. The incidence of difficult intubation (DI) is 1-10%, and DI leading to inability to intubate occurs in 0.04% of the population. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of DI in thyroid surgery and to assess possible correlation of difficult tracheal intubation with sex and primary diagnosis. Methods. We studied 2 000 consecutive patients (1 705 females) scheduled for thyroid surgery who were assessed for DI prior to general anesthesia, with respect to primary disease diagnosis and sex. Patients were divided into four groups: patients with nodal goiter (group A), polynodal goiter (group B), hyperthyroidism (group C) and thyroid carcinoma (group D). Difficult intubation was predicted using the scoring system which included 13 parameters ranged from 0 to 2. Additive score > 5 was accepted as a predictor of DI. True DI was defined as impossible visualization of glottis with direct laryngoscopy (grade III and IV). Results. Difficult intubation was observed in 110/2 000 patients (5.5%). The incidence of DI was higher in males (26/295, 8.8%) then females (84/1 705, 4.9%) (p < 0.01). The incidence of DI was highest in the group B (6.2%). Extremely DI occurred in 15/2000 patients (0.75%), the most of them in the group C (1.1%). Sensitivity of used scoring system was 91.8% and specificity 86.5%. Conclusions. The incidence of DI was highest in patients with polynodal goiter but extremely DI was present mostly in patients with hyperthiroidism. Men seem to be at higher risk for DI than women. Scoring system used in this study for prediction of DI may be useful in this patient population.

The present study attempted to identify the diagnostic significance of procalcitonin (PCT) in acute abdominal conditions as well as the range of concentrations relating to diagnosis of abdominal sepsis. This was prospective clinical study. The study included 98 consecutive patients with acute abdominal conditions, divided in sepsis and systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) group. PCT concentrations on admission were significantly higher in the sepsis group than in the SIRS group (median [interquartile range] 2.32 [7.41] vs 0.45 ng/ml [2.62]). A cutoff value of 1.1 ng/ml yielded 72.4% sensitivity and 62.5% specificity. In a group of patients with abdominal symptoms lasting for more than 24 h, a cut-off value of 1.1 ng/ml yielded higher sensitivity (82.9%) and higher specificity (77.3%). Our results suggest that PCT measurements may be useful for early, preoperative diagnosis of abdominal sepsis.

Introduction The main causes of reduced glucose levels during metformin therapy appear to be an increase in insulin action in peripheral tissues and reduced hepatic glucose output due to inhibition gluconeogenesis. Objective The purpose of the study was to establish the effect of metformin on fasting and postprandial insulin secretion. Method The study carried out was double blind, controlled, comparative, randomized, multicentric, including two groups of out-patient department (OPD) patients. 43 patients were administered metformin (Tefor ICN Canada), and 46 patients were given placebo. Patients enrolled in the study were newly diagnosed with diabetes mellitus (DM) type 2, glycaemia < 12 mmol/l, and had the Body Mass Index (BMI) > 30 kg/m2. Before treatment, blood biochemistry was done: fasting and postprandial glycaemia, glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) value, fasting and postprandial insulinaemia, blood lipids (total cholesterol, total triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol), and gamma glutaryl transferase (GGT) level. BMI was also established. After 42 days of treatment, fasting and postprandial insulinaemia were tested again. Analysis of the effects of therapy, and identification of co-variants for fasting and postprandial insulinaemia, were done by ANOVA two way and ANCOVA method. Results It was shown that metformin accompanied by diet, as compared to placebo accompanied by diet, lowered the fasting insulinaemia value during six weeks of therapy in obese patients with DM type 2 (24.392 mU/l vs. 25.667 mU/l), interacting both with BMI pre-therapy, and interacting with fasting insulinaemia pre-therapy (p

Aims To provide updated knowledge regarding the airway management and the possibility of difficult intubation in diabetic patients. Materials and methods We preformed a systematic literature review of the English language literature, published over the past 10 years which deals with this subject. Results The vast majority of the modern literature data supports the fact that diabetic population has higher risk for difficult intubation occurrence. The most important characteristics of diabetic patients that are considered to be contributing factors for the difficult intubation are obesity, increased neck circumference and stiff joint syndrome. Conclusion A special attention and thorough preoperative preparation should be given to patients with diabetes. In order to predict and prevent difficult intubation in these patients, further studies are needed to investigate this issue closely.

Background Graves’ disease represents an autoimmune disease of the thyroid gland where surgery has an important role in its treatment. The aim of our paper was to analyze the results of surgical treatment, the frequency of microcarcinoma and carcinoma, as well as to compare surgical complications in relation to the various types of operations performed for Graves’ disease. Methods We analysed 1432 patients (221 male and 1211 female) who underwent surgery for Graves’ disease at the Centre for Endocrine Surgery in Belgrade during 15 years (1996–2010). Average age was 34.8 years. Frequency of surgical complications within the groups was analyzed with nonparametric Fisher’s test. Results Total thyroidectomy (TT) was performed in 974 (68%) patients, and Dunhill operation (D) in 221 (15.4). Carcinoma of thyroid gland was found in 146 patients (10.2%), of which 129 (9%) were a microcarcinoma. Complication rates were higher in the TT group, where there were 31 (3.2%) patients with permanent hypoparathyroidism, 9 (0.9%) patients with unilateral recurrent nerve paralysis and 10 (1.0%) patients with postoperative bleeding. Combined complications, such as permanent hypoparathyroidism with bleeding were more common in the D group where there were 2 patients (0,9%), while unilateral recurrent nerve paralysis with bleeding was more common in the TT group where there were 3 cases (0,3%). Conclusions Frequency of complications were not significantly statistically different in relation to the type of surgical procedure. Total thyroidectomy represents a safe and efficient method for treating patients with Graves’ disease, and it is not followed by a greater frequency of complications in relation to less extensive procedures.

Sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (SA-AKI) severely impacts morbidity and mortality in surgical patients with sepsis. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of matrix rnetalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) have an important role in pathophysiology of sepsis but they have been unexplored in SA-AKI. We aimed to investigate the role of MMP-9 and TIMP-1 in septic surgical patients with SA-AKI and to evaluate them as diagnostic biomarkers of SA-AKI. This prospective observational study compared 53 major abdominal surgery patients with sepsis divided into SA-AKI (n = 37) and non-SA-AKI (n = 16) group to 50 controls without sepsis matched by age, gender, comorbidities and type of surgery. Blood and urine samples from septic patients were collected on admission to ICU and 24, 48, 72 and 96 h later and once from the controls. The levels of MMP-9, TIMP-1, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), kidney injury molecule-1, urea and creatinine were measured. MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio and disease severity scores, such as Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA), were calculated. Septic patients with SA-AKI had higher serum TIMP-1 levels and lower serum MMP-9 levels and lower MMP-9/TIMP ratio, compared to septic patients without SA-AKI and controls. The levels of these biomarkers did not change significantly over time. MMP-9, TIMP-1 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio correlated with urea, creatinine, NGAL, and SOFA scores. Moreover, using the area under ROC curve, we showed that TIMP-1 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio, but not MMP-9, were good diagnostic biomarkers of SA-AKI. We report for the first time the potential diagnostic value of TIMP-1 and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio in SA-AKI.

Cognitive dysfunctions are relatively common in postoperative and critically ill patients. This complication not only compromises recovery after surgery, but, if persistent, it minimizes and compromises surgery itself. Risk factors of postoperative cognitive disorders can be divided into age and comorbidity dependent, and those related to anesthesia and surgery. Cardiovascular, orthopedic and urologic surgery carries high risk of postoperative cognitive dysfunction. It can also occur in other types of surgical treatment, especially in elderly. Among risk factors of cognitive disorders, associated with comorbidity, underlying psychiatric and neurological disorders, substance abuse and conditions with elevation of intracranial pressure are in the first place in postoperative patients. Preoperative and perioperative predisposing conditions for cognitive dysfunction and their incidence were described in our paper. These are: geriatric patients, patients with substance abuse, preexisting psychiatric or cognitive disorders, neurologic disease with high intracranial pressure, cerebrovascular insufficiency, epilepsia, preeclampsia, acute intermittent porphyria, operation type, brain hypoxia, changes in blood glucose level, electrolyte imbalance, anesthetic agents, adjuvant medication and intraoperative awareness. For each of these factors, evaluation, prevention and treatment strategies were suggested, with special regard on anesthetic technique.

Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is one of the most aggressive tumors in human medicine. Despite the multimodal therapy, the average survival of patients is just several months. Fortunately, it is an extremely rare tumor. Most frequently, ATC occurs in the elderly, with the average age of the patients being almost 70 years. It is extremely rare that ATC occurs in people under the age of 40. We report a case of a 33 year old woman with ATC, with the diameter of the tumor being 8x7cm, confirmed by histopathology and imunohistochemistry. In January 2001, a total thyroidectomy was performed, and the tumor was completely resected. Postoperatively, the patient received radiation therapy. Ten years after the surgery, on regular check-ups, the patient is still living and there is no evidence of a recurrent tumor or metastases. This case is instructive for two reasons, as it shows that ATC can occur in younger people and that there is a possibility of long term survival.

Papillary thyroid cancer is after ovarian cancer the most frequent malignant disease of the endocrine system and because of this fact, early detection and appropriate surgical treatment is essential. Radical surgical treatment lower the risk of the disease relapse and postoperative adjuvant therapy with radio iodine is possible as well as postoperative follow up with tireoglobulin measurement. If the total thyroidectomy is performed in highly specialized institution the risk of postoperative complications is acceptable and therefore is the treatment of choice for papillary thyroid cancer. Only the patients with occult papillary thyroid cancer can be treated with hemythyroidectomy. In our series of 410 patients the majority of the patients (85,12%) were in the early phase of the disease and the degree of successfully performed radical surgery for papillary thyroid cancer was very high (tumor reduction was performed in only 1,46% of cases).

The aim of the present paper was to study some characteristics and posibility of surgery of anaplastic thyroid cancer. During five years period in Center for endocrine surgery, we found anaplastic thyroid cancer in 65 patienst (44 female and 21 male), median age 63 years (from 37 to 88 years). Surgical treatment was peerformed in one half (32) anaplastic thyroid cancer patients, at majority of them operative biopsy or tumor reduction only. Radical syrgery was performed in about 10% patients. Posibility of surgery in anaplastic thyroid cancer are very limited. In one third patients there were longstanding goter or thyroid nodul or histological verified dediferentiation of papillary thyroid cancer. This patienst should be operated formerly, before anaplastic transformation.

Thyroid carcinomas arise from follicular cells (papillary, follicular, Hurthle, anaplastic), parafollicular cells (medullary) and stroma (lymphoma, sarcoma?). Gradation and prognostic factors are different for every one of histological type. Most patients with papillary and follicular thyroid cancer have an excellent prognosis. At the other extreme is anaplastic thyroid cancer whose usual mean survival can be measured in months. Exposure to external radiation and living in endemic goiter area increase the frequency of thyroid cancer. Medullary thyroid carcinoma is often familial and may occur in associations with the multiple endocrine neoplasia syndromes.

Primary thyroid lymphomas are rare. Surgery is seldom indicated. The aim of the study is to find out the main characteristics of primary thyroid lymphomas in our patients, indications for surgery and the possibility of treatment, frequency and characteristics of rare thyroid tumors. Method: retrospective study of 1044 patient operated for malignant thyroid tumor. Results: From 1995 to may 2003, we operated upon 15 patients with primary thyroid lymphomas, 2 men and 13 women mean age of 50.12 years (from 22 to 74 years), also one patient of age 69 with insular thyroid cancer. Reason for surgery was thyroid tumor in all, compressive disturbances in 9, among them 4 with asphyxia. Radical total thyroidectomy was performed in 4 (26.7%), whole in others some residual tumor tissue was could not be removed in spite of thyroidectomy in 3, hemithyroidectomy in 2, tumor debulking in 5 and only open biopsy was performed in one patient. There was no operative mortality, no postoperative hypocalcaemia and no recurrent nerve palsy. Histological type of tumor was Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 13 patients, Hodgkin disease in 2 female patients of age 22 and 24. Hashimoto thyroiditis was present in 3 patients. After surgery, 13 patients were treated with chemotherapy, one patient died one month after the operation and one patient refused chemotherapy. Follow-up data are available for 9 patients and the mean follow-up period was 20 months (1-48months). Three patients died after a month, 2 and 3 years after surgery. Six patients are without local relapse. In one patient who refused chemotherapy, a year after thyroid surgery, resection of large intestine was performed because of lymphoma of the colon. Conclusion: Malignant thyroid lymphomas are rare. They present with rapidly growing thyroid tumor, compression and asphyxia. Surgery is only temporarily effective and it is necessary to start with chemo-radiotherapy as soon as possible. Rare forms of thyroid cancer have to be histological recognized in order to choose the best way of treatment.

Introduction. State of severe oxidative stress is encountered in sepsis. Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) protects against oxidative stress but also undergoes inactivation upon that condition. We investigated PON1 activity in surgical patients with sepsis in relation to oxidative stress status, inflammation, disease severity, and survival.Methods. Prospective observational study. Sixty-nine surgical patients with sepsis were compared to 69 age/sex matched healthy controls. PON1 paraoxonase and diazoxonase activities, selected biochemical, hematological and oxidative stress parameters were measured on admission to ICU and 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours later. Disease severity scores were calculated daily.Results. Septic patients had significantly lower PON1 activities compared to control group at all time points. PON1 activities had good capacity to differentiate septic patients from healthy controls. Low PON1 activities were associated with higher disease severity scores and higher risk of death. Correlation between PON1 activity and markers of inflammation failed to reach significance. Decrease in PON1 activity was correlated with an increase in reducing components in plasma.Conclusion. Our study demonstrated lower PON1 activity in surgical patients with sepsis compared to healthy controls. PON1 activity also reflected severity of the disease. Low PON1 activity was associated with higher mortality of surgical patients with sepsis.