• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.14
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• pp.5921-5926
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• 2014

A large proportion of patients with thyroid nodules in China undergo thyroidectomy in order to get confirmatory histology diagnosis. The financial impact of this modality remains to be investigated. To evaluate rationality of performing thyroidectomy without a routine FNA preoperatively from the economic perspective, we conducted a retrospective, observational study of all archival thyroidectomies with records of cost per stay (CPS), cost per day (CPD) and length of stay (LOS) from 2008 to 2013 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. We compared all the parameters between cancer and non-cancer thyroidectomies. We recruited 6, 140 thyroidectomies with valid records of CPS, CPD and LOS in this period. The CPS of cancer thyroidectomy was significantly higher than non-cancer thyroidectomy. The percentage of cancer thyroidectomy increased from 26.5% to 41.6%. The percentage of annual cost of cancer thyroidectomies rose from 30.2% to 45.2%. The LOS for cancer and non-cancer thyroidectomy decreased while the CPD increased in the past six years. The estimated national cost in 2012 for all thyroidectomies would be USD 1.86 billion with USD 1.09 billion for non-cancer thyroidectomies. We have witnessed great improvement in the healthcare for patients with thyroid nodules in China. However, given limited healthcare resources, currently thyroid FNA for more precise preoperative diagnosis may help to curb the rapidly increasing demand in healthcare costs in the future for nodular thyroid disease in China.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.89-96
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• 2022

Background and Objectives The quality of life after thyroidectomy, such as voice change, is considered to be as important as control of the disease. In this study, we aimed to evaluate changes in both subjective and objective voice parameters after thyroidectomy resulting in normal morbidity of the vocal cords. Materials and Method In this prospective cohort study, 204 patients who underwent thyroidectomy with or without central neck dissection at a single referral center from Feb 2015 to Aug 2016 were enrolled. All patients underwent prospective voice evaluations including both subjective and objective assessments preoperatively and then at 2 weeks, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Temporal changes of the voice parameters were analyzed. Results Values of the subjective assessment tool worsened during the early postoperative follow-up period and did not recover to the preoperative values at 12 months postoperatively. The maximal phonation time gradually decreased, whereas most objective parameters, including maximal vocal pitch (MVP), reached preoperative values at 3-6 months postoperatively. The initial decrease in MVP was significantly greater in patients undergoing total thyroidectomy, and their MVP recovery time was faster than that of patients undergoing lobectomy (p=0.001). Patients whose external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve was confirmed intact by electroidentification showed no difference in recovery speed compared with patients without electroindentification (p=0.102), although the initial decrease in MVP was lower with electroidentification. Conclusion Subjective assessment in voice quality and maximal phonation time after thyroidectomy did not show recovery to preoperative values. Aggravation of MVP was associated with surgical extent and electroidentification.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.88-93
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• 1998

In order to review the clinicopathologic characteristics of the thyroid cancer associated with benign thyroid disease, we evaluated 47 patients treated between January, 1993 and September, 1997 at the Chonnam National University Hospital. In those period, we had operated a total of 690 thyroidectomy of which 320 were diagnosed as thyroid cancer. Forty three(91.4%)occurred in women and four(8.5%)occurred in men. The mean age at operation was 46.7years(range, 15 to 76 years). Forty three of the 47 cancers(91.4%) were papillary carcinomas while 4(8.5%)were follicular. Twenty four of the 47 patients (51%) were occult thyroid carcinomas measured less than 1 cm in diameter. The concurrent benign disease were nodular goiter(n=17), Hashimoto's thyroiditis(n=16), follicular adenoma(n=10), Graves' disease(n=2) and diffuse hyperplasia(n=2). Thirty one patients were diagnosed by preoperative FNAC and they underwent total thyroidectomy. Three were diagnosed by frozen section examination at the time of operation. Among them, one underwent total thyroidectomy and two underwent subtotal thyroidectomy. Eight cases revealed lymph node metastases and 2 cases extended to surrounding muscles. In conclusion, concurrent thyroid cancers and benign thyroid disease are not uncommon and a regular ultrasonic follow-up with selective aspiration cytologic examination is recommaned to enhance their diagnostic accuracy.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.106-111
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• 1994

During a 9-year period(March 1985 to February 1994), 111 consecutive total thyroidectomies and modified or radical neck dissections were performed at 81. Vincent Hospital, Catholic University Medical College, for benign and malignant disease. There were three permanent complications, persistent hypoparathyroidism, in total thyroidectomies. Overall complications were observed 20(62.5%) in benign diseases, 47(59.5%) in malignancy. In benign and malignant thyroid diseases. the complications were transient hypoparathyroidisms (28.8%), transient hoarsenesses(21.6%), wound infections (3.6%), bleedings(3.6%), and permanent hypoparathyroidisms(2.7%). Our experience suggests that the morbidity of total thyroidectomy relates primarily to the extracapsular extension, necessitating en bloc exision accompanied by additional lymph node dissection. The low incidence of permanent complications in thyroid disease suggests the feasibility of total thyroidectomy as the operation of choice when surgeons are familiar with the technique and indications.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.38-41
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• 2001

Background and Objectives: Thyroid nodules can be diagnosed by FNAB, neck sonography, CT scan, or frozen section with relative accuracy. But some cases, which show no malignancy with those methods, are proved differentiated carcinomas on permanent sections. These false negative results of those diagnostic methods pose difficulties in the surgeon's decision-making process. We analyzed completion thyroidectomies retrospectively in order to make a treatment guideline for thyroid nodules. Materials and Methods: During the last six years, we performed 243 thyroid lobectomies, no evidence of malignancy with preoperative or intraoperative diagnostic methods at the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Ansan and Anam Korea University Hospital. Among these cases, 23 patients (male 6, female 17, mean age 33.4 year old) were proved differentiated thyroid carcinomas on permanent section and we performed completion thyroidectomies. Results: Preoperative FNAB showed seven cases of nodular hyperplasia, 11 cases of follicular adenoma, and five cases of inadequate specimen. Among total 15 cases on frozen section, five cases were nodular hyperplasias, and 10 cases were follicular adenomas. Pathologic results of the permanent section were six cases of papillary cell carcinoma and 17 cases of follicular cell carcinoma. Completion thyroidectomy was performed on all these cases. Conclusion: FNAB and frozen section cannot be sufficient to make the diagnosis of thyroid nodule, we consider that completion thyroidectomy should be performed at the moment with malignant evidence on permanent section.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.114-117
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• 2012

Background and Objectives : To assure the surgical completeness of the gasless endoscopic thyroidectomy via single incision axillary approach using flexible videoscope which provide wide angle and working space, we compared single incision axillary approach and axillo-areolar approach by means of clinical, surgical outcomes. Materials and Methods : From March 2011 to July 2012, 24 patients who had underwent endoscopic thyroidectomy via transaxillary approach were enrolled. Of total, 17 patients underwent single incision axillary approach(group I) and the other 7 underwent axillo-areolar approach(group II). Results : Patient demographics, surgical indications were similar between the two groups. The operating time(group I 144.6min, group II 153.6 min ; p=.29), blood loss(group I : 55.4cc, group II : 35.7cc : p=.64), hospital stay(group I : 4.2days, group II : 4.4 days ; p=.65) were similar in the two groups. Overall, two patients in group I(2/17, 11.8%) experienced postoperative complications, including one hematoma and one seroma. Due to narrow working space, one patient was change to axillo-areolar approach during single incision axillary approach with $30^{\circ}$ rigid endoscope. Conclusion：Single incision axillary approach is safe and effective similar to other endoscopic thyroidectomy methods using flexible videoscope. Different with $30^{\circ}$ rigid endoscope, 10-mm flexible videoscope can put inside the axillary inicision site in different axis with endoscopic instruments. This difference in endoscopic axis help to prevent crash with endoscopic instrument.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.52-60
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• 1999

Objectives: For investigation of the differentiation between transient and permanent hypocalcemia, we focused on a postoperative calcium requirement and an interval of normalization in serum hypocalcemic level and studied for the causes of postoperative hypocalcemia. Material and Method: Postthyroidectomy hypocalcemia was studied in 193 patients who were admitted from January, 1991 to December, 1998 and underwent lobectomy, subtotal thyroidectomy or total thyroidectomy. We compared postoperative serum calcium, phosphate and ionized calcium levels among three groups which were lobectomy, subtotal thyroidectomy and total thyroidectomy, respectively. Result: All patients revealed postoperative decline in serum calcium and ionized calcium, especially, the lowest serum calcium level was seen in 48 hours after surgery. Serum calcium level was returned to normal in five to six postoperative days in most patients. But 24 patients required calcium supplementation due to symptomatic hypocalcemia. In this series, we discovered that the important period for monitoring of serum calcium level was 24 to 96 hours after surgery. If the calcium replacement therapy was not required in the first 72 hours after surgery, it would not be needed during the remainder of the patient's hospital course. Symptomatic transient hypocalcemia was 22 cases(11.4%) and permanent hypocalcemia was 2 cases(1%). Conclusion : We found that hypoalbuminemia, preoperative hyperthyroidism and impairment of blood supply to parathyroid were the main causes of postthyroidectomy hypocalcemia. We also thought that the interval from initial medication to normalization in serum calcium level, and the increase of requirement in calcium and vitamin D were the important factors for differentiation between transient and permanent hypocalcemia.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.241-246
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• 1997

It has become evident in recent years that parathyroid adenoma and well differentiated thyroid cancer occur together more than would be expected by chance alone. However, the association between them is not well understood. We have experienced 4 cases of coexistent parathyroid adenoma and well-differentiated thyroid cancer during the past 16 years. None of them had a familial incidence or a history of radiation exposure. Three cases showed symptomatic hypercalcemia(including renal stones, bone pain, joint pain) and in two of them(patient 1 and patient 2), thyroid abnormalities were detected preoperatively by neck ultrasonography or neck CT for evaluation of parathyroid lesions. However, in patient 3, a parathyoid humor was identified and removed incidentally during the course of thyroidectomy. In 3 cases, surgeries for thyroid carcinoma and parathyroid adenoma were performed during the same exploration of the neck, but in patient 4, thyroidectomy preceded parathyroidectomy; The interval between thyroidectomy and subsequent parathyroidectomy was 11 yeras. The thyroid tumors in 3 cases were papillary carcinoma, the sizes of which ranged from 1.0 cm to 1.5 cm in greatest diameter. The remaining case(patient 4) was minimal invasive follicular carcinoma. Total or near-total thyroidectomy with various types of cervical lymphnode dissection and bilateral neck exploration for the parathyroid lesion was performed in 3 cases with papillary carcinoma. Ipsilateral lobectomy and contralateral partial thyroidectomy with consequent unilateral neck exploration for the parathyroid tumor was performed in the case of follicular cancer. In our experience, parathyroid adenoma and well-differentiated thyroid carcinomas can be coexistent and we felt that the attention to the hypercalcemic patients would be needed for detection of this rare condition.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.200-205
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• 1997

Background: There is considerable controversy concerning the most appropriate surgical treatment of patients with DTC. Objectives: In order to selection of the appropriate surgical treatment for DTC, we have analyzed the outcome of the different types of surgical treatment in low and high risk groups of DTC. Materials and Methods: From January 1968 through december 1980, a total of 71 patients with DTC were treated surgically at our institution. According to Cady and Rossi's scoring system, the patients were divided into low risk and high risk groups. Results: Seventy percent of patients were defined as low risk group with a 4% death rate whereas 30% of patients at high risk with a death caused by thyroid cancer in 38%(p<0.05). There was no difference in mortality between ipsilateral lobectomy and total thyroidectomy in both low and high risk groups(p>0.1). Conclusion: In our study, total thyroidectomy was not benefit in high risk group. These results suggested that total thyroidectomy must be selected carefully and based on clear evidence of major improvement in outcome or absence of other suitable surgical approaches. However, follow up study of more cases will be needed for accurate determination of the efficacy of total thyroidectomy in high risk group.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.35-39
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• 2011

Objectives The high sensitivity of ultrasound and thyroglobulin determination for follow-up of differentiated thyroid cancer allows early detection of nonpalpable recurrences. Intraoperative localization of these small foci in previously dissected necks is a surgical challenge. We assessed the safety and effectiveness of ultrasound-guided tattooing (US-tattoo) with a charcoal suspension for localizing nonpalpable cervical recurrences after thyroidectomy for thyroid cancer. Subjects and Methods Between March 2009 and December 2010, we retrospectively reviewed 19 patients who underwent US-tattoo with injection of a charcoal suspension for recurrent thyroid papillary cancer on central neck compartment after thyroidectomy. All patients underwent the surgical dissection after US-tattoo. The complications and effectiveness of US-tattoo were evaluated. Results The technical success rate of US-tattoo for suspicious lesions was 100%. There was no complication with regard to US-tattoo. During surgery, all but one tattooed lesions were detected by surgeons. On final pathologic reports, all recurrence lesions but two cases were successfully removed. Conclusion Preoperative US-tattoo is a safe and effective method for successful reoperation of central neck compartment recurrences after thyroidectomy.