Is There an Optimal Time for Parathyroidectomy in Patients with Secondary Hyperparathyroidism?

World Journal of Surgery -     

Hypoparathyroidism after Total Parathyroidectomy plus Subcutaneous Autotransplantation for Secondary Hyperparathyroidism—Any Side Effects?

Background

This retrospective, case–control study was designed to find side effects of hypoparathyroidism after total parathyroidectomy plus autotransplantation.

Methods

After successful total parathyroidectomy plus autotransplantation for symptomatic secondary hyperparathyroidism, 19 patients who had intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels <10 pg/ml during the follow-up period of 1 year and 38 patients, who had levels >10 pg/ml, were enrolled as the hypoparathyroid and nonhypoparathyroid groups. Data were collected on etiology, symptoms, serum levels of calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase (Alk-ptase), iPTH, and bone mineral density (BMD) at different sites. Then, 1 week, 3 months, and 1 year after surgery, serum levels of calcium, phosphate, Alk-ptase, and iPTH were measured again. Three months later, symptoms were recorded. One year after surgery, the BMD at different sites was measured again. Patients’ daily requirements of calcium carbonate and vitamin D3 were recorded at the mean follow-up of 24 months.

Results

Calcium, phosphate, and iPTH levels decreased significantly 1 week, 3 months, and 1 year after surgery, and Alk-ptase levels increased at 1 week and then decreased significantly 3 months and 1 year after surgery. Symptoms improved significantly 3 months after surgery. The BMD of different sites increased significantly at 1 year. There were no differences between the two groups regarding changes of symptoms, BMD, and calcium, phosphate, and Alk-ptase levels. Hypoparathyroid patients required significantly more calcium carbonate and vitamin D3 than nonhypoparathyroid patients did (P = 0.002).

Conclusions

Even though hypoparathyroid patients require more calcium carbonate and vitamin D3 than nonhypoparathyroid patients do, they do not have any side effects.     

Is Focused Minimally Invasive Parathyroidectomy Appropriate for Patients With Familial Primary Hyperparathyroidism?

Background  

The aim of this study was to determine whether a focused minimally invasive parathyroidectomy (MIP) for patients with primary hyperparathyroidism and concordant pre-operative localization studies is appropriate for patients with a family history of the disease. Familial hyperparathyroidism may be seen as a chronic disease in which recurrence is inevitable. Patients frequently undergo subtotal or total parathyroidectomy for perceived 4-gland parathyroid hyperplasia in an attempt to reduce this risk. Controversy remains regarding whether a MIP is appropriate in this setting.     

Serum Magnesium Measurements After Parathyroidectomy for Primary Hyperparathyroidism: Should It be Routine?

Background

Parathyroidectomy is the treatment of choice in primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). Following surgery, significant changes in bone and mineral metabolism may follow, but routine magnesium monitoring is not standard practice. The occurrence of significant clinical events linked to hypomagnesaemia in 3 patients after parathyroidectomy led to our evaluation of magnesium levels after surgery for PHPT.

Methods

Serum magnesium levels before and after parathyroidectomy for PHPT were prospectively evaluated in a single centre over a year. The incidence and severity of hypomagnesaemia and its correlation with other biochemical variables were assessed.

Results

A total of 138 patients underwent parathyroidectomy for PHPT. Pre-operative and day 1 post-operative serum magnesium levels were available in 57/138 (41.3%) and 99/138 (71.7%) patients, respectively. Serum magnesium decreased significantly after surgery (mean ± SD of 0.85 ± 0.08 and 0.75 ± 0.11 mmol/L, respectively, p < 0.001). On the day after parathyroidectomy, 31/99 (31.3%) patients had hypomagnesaemia (<0.70 mmol/L); in 3 of whom it was severe (<0.50 mmol/L). Patients with hypomagnesaemia had lower pre-operative magnesium (mean ± SD of 0.78 ± 0.06 and 0.87 ± 0.07 mmol/L, p < 0.001), higher pre-operative calcium [median (IQR) of 2.83 (2.71–2.99) and 2.71 (2.63–2.80) mmol/L, p = 0.001] and higher post-operative calcium [median (IQR) of 2.41 (2.30–2.51) and 2.35 (2.28–2.43) mmol/L, p = 0.046] compared to those with normomagnesaemia. In addition, these patients demonstrated higher drop in calcium levels after surgery (0.44 ± 0.20 and 0.35 ± 0.18 mmol/L, p = 0.033). Magnesium levels after surgery correlated positively with pre-operative magnesium (r = 0.561, p < 0.001) and post-operative PTH (r = 0.210, p = 0.037) and negatively with pre-operative adjusted calcium (r = − 0.389, p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Serum magnesium decreased significantly following parathyroidectomy for PHPT and nearly a third of patients developed post-operative, mostly mild hypomagnesaemia. Whilst routine serum magnesium measurements could facilitate prompt recognition and treatment of this electrolyte disturbance, further research needs to establish the clinical importance of mild hypomagnesaemia in these clinical settings and, if indicated, to devise optimal treatment strategies.

     

Duplicated Ureters in Transplantation—A Single-center,Retrospective Study

Background

Kidney transplantation remains the best therapeutic option for chronic renal failure. The objective of the study was to evaluate the impact of ureteral duplication in donor kidneys on transplantation outcome.

Results of Video-assisted Parathyroidectomy: Single Institution’s Six-year Experience

Endoscopic surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) started in 1996 with a parathyroidectomy performed by Michel Gagner. The technique we propose and have been using for 6 years is based on a unique central access and external retraction. From February 1997 to October 2003, 370 of 520 patients affected with PHPT (71%) underwent minimally invasive video-assisted parathyroidectomy (MIVAP). There were 72 men and 298 women, with a mean age of 55.8 years. Twenty-four patients (6.5%) of the 370 in this series underwent MIVAP under loco-regional anesthesia, and the others had general anesthesia. Eleven patients were lost to follow-up. Surgical cure of PHPT was achieved in 353 patients (98,3%), as confirmed by a median follow-up of 35.1 months (range: 2–82 months). Video-assisted exploration was successfully performed in 350 patients (94%). The mean operative time was 36.2 minutes. In 21 cases (5.6%) a concomitant procedure was performed: a thyroid lobectomy in 14 cases and a total thyroidectomy in 7 cases. Patients were generally discharged the day after surgery. Most of the patients (91%) were satisfied with the cosmetic result 6 or more months after the procedure. Complications developed in 14 cases: 10 cases (2.7%) of transient hypoparathyroidism 3 cases (0.8%) of definitive palsies of the recurrent nerve, and 1 case of postoperative bleeding (0.27%). After 6 years of experience, MIVAP appears to be as safe and curative as traditional surgery, with better cosmetic results and better postoperative outcome.This article was presented at the International Association of Endocrine Surgeons meeting, Uppsala, Sweden, June 14-17, 2004.     

Persistent Perforation in Non-Faeculant Diverticular Peritonitis—Incidence and Clinical Significance

Background

Non-resectional strategies (NRS) have improved outcomes for a sub-group of patients with perforated diverticulitis. NRS are applicable to patients with non-faeculant peritonitis (Hinchey II and III). Success is dependent on the initial perforation sealing, which Hinchey estimated occurred ‘most of the time’. An exact percentage remains ill-defined.

Objective

We aimed to define the percentage and clinical significance of a persistent perforation in non-faeculant diverticular peritonitis.

Design

A retrospective review was conducted of all patients admitted with a diagnosis of perforated diverticulitis between January 1999 and July 2010. Patients undergoing an emergency operation were analysed according to Hinchey and physiological and operative severity scores and compared with histological findings.

Results

One hundred fifteen patients were identified. Fifty-three patients underwent a ‘resectional’ procedure. At surgery, 15 patients had faeculent peritonitis, 27 patients had purulent peritonitis and 11 patients had a contained abscess. Of the patients with non-faeculant peritonitis, 2/9 (22.2 %) Hinchey II and 10/27 (37.1 %) Hinchey III patients had persistent perforation on review of histology. Persistent perforation was associated with a significant increase in morbidity, length of stay, physiological and operative severity score (p?=?0.015, 0.011, 0.049 and 0.002, respectively).

Conclusion

A proportion of patients with non-faeculant peritonitis have a persistent perforation which is associated with a poorer outcome and is likely to result in failure of a non-resectional management strategy. Updated classification systems and tailored peri-operative investigations are required to identify this sub-group of patients and improve patient outcomes.     

Preemptive Kidney Transplantation—A Team Experience in Uruguay

Kidney transplantation is the best treatment for end-stage chronic renal disease. In Uruguay, the prevalence of patients on dialysis is 757 patients per millon inhabitants, plus 316 alive with a functioning renal graft. We install a preemptive renal transplantation program. Twenty-five patients received grafts without dialysis from 2004 to 2013, 5 receiving their 2nd transplantation and 17 from cadaveric donors, with 7.4 ± 7.7 months in the waiting list. At 24 months, patients' survival rate was 100% and the grafts' 97%, with a serum creatinine of 1.4 ± 0.6 mg%. The developed programs of dialysis and renal health care contributed install our preemptive kidney transplantation. Kidney transplantation should be proposed to selected patients with chronic renal failure as primary therapy of substitution of renal function.     

Laparoscopic Surgery for Inflammatory Bowel Disease—The Experience in China

ABSTRACT

Background: The incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has risen rapidly in China over the last 15 years. Increasing numbers of people with IBD require surgery during their lifetime, but few reports of IBD in Eastern populations have been described to date. The aim of this study was to assess the short-term effects of the laparoscopic surgery for IBD in Chinese patients. Materials and methods: From February 2010 to March 2012, 35 patients with IBD underwent laparoscopic operations and the clinical data obtained for these patients were reviewed. Results: Patients with Crohn's disease (CD) (N = 21) and ulcerative colitis (UC) (N = 14) underwent laparoscopic surgery. In the CD group, the mean age was 37.4 years. Two patients (9.5%) required conversion to an open procedure. The median length of postoperative hospitalization was 9 (7–40) days. Overall morbidity was 26.3% and no patients required re-operation. In the UC group, the mean age was 55.2 years. The conversion rate was 14.3% (2/14). The median time to regular diet was 4 (3–10) days and the median length of postoperative hospitalization was 8 (7–25) days. Four patients developed postoperative complications and one patient developed ileostomy retraction requiring urgent operative intervention to rebuild the stoma. Conclusions: Laparoscopic surgery in patients with IBD can be accomplished safely and with reasonable operative times, conversion rates and morbidity rates. The main advantages of the laparoscopic approach are rapid recovery, improved cosmesis, less postoperative pain, and patient satisfaction.     

Persistent müllerian duct Syndrome in brothers

Persistent Müllerian duct syndrome is associated with cryptorchidism and transverse testicular ectopia. Such gonads are at an increased risk of malignant transformation. Furthermore, most patients have azoospermia. Here in we report about two brothers with persistent Müllerian duct syndrome. The diagnosis was made during surgical operation for testicular cancer in younger brother. In the other one, persistent Müllerian duct syndrome was diagnosed during examination for infertility.     

Parathyroidectomy in secondary hyperparathyroidism: Is there an optimal operative management?

BACKGROUND: Subtotal parathyroidectomy (SPTX) and total PTX with autotransplantation (TPTX + AT) are both accepted operations for secondary hyperparathyroidism (2HPT). Studies have shown the 2 procedures to have similar rates of recurrent or persistent HPT (0% to 10%). The majority of these reports are small case series and despite apparently similar outcomes; the optimal operative management for 2HPT remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there were any clinical outcome differences between these apparently comparable operations. METHODS: A meta-analysis of 53 publications on reoperative operation for 2HPT from 1983 to 2004 identified 501 patients who had undergone an operation for recurrent or persistent 2HPT. The data evaluated included the type of initial operation, the need for reoperative operation as it related to the type of initial operation, and the intraoperative findings. RESULTS: The initial operation had been a SPTX in 36% and a TPTX + AT in 64% of patients. Reoperative operation was for persistent 2HPT in 82 of 485 (17%) and for recurrent 2HPT in 403 of 485 (83%) patients. Findings at reoperation included: autograft hyperplasia (49%), supernumerary glands (20%), remnant hyperplasia (17%), a missed in situ gland (7%), and a negative exploration (5%). Supernumerary glands, missed in situ glands, and negative explorations occurred at equal rates for both operations. Reoperation determined that inadequate cervical explorations occurred in 42% of patients who had undergone a SPTX and in 34% of patients who had undergone a TPTX + AT. CONCLUSIONS: Operative failures occur because of the limitations in preoperative localization, inadequate exploration, and the natural history of hyperplastic parathyroid tissue. The initial operation should include an attempt to localize supernumerary glands both pre- and intra-operatively.     

Banded Sleeve Gastrectomy—Initial Experience

Background  

Isolated sleeve gastrectomy is being used with increasing frequency for the treatment of morbid obesity. This study was done to determine the potential benefit of placing a band of processed human dermis around the upper portion of a sleeve gastrectomy to prevent late dilatation and weight gain.     

Survival Outcomes of Oversized Cardiac Allografts in Pediatric Patients—A Single-Center Experience in Taiwan

Objectives

An oversized cardiac allograft may have a negative impact on survival outcomes according to previous studies; however, due to the shortage of pediatric donor hearts, the use of oversized cardiac allografts is sometimes inevitable. In this study, we reported the survival outcomes of pediatric patients in relation with the donor-recipient weight ratio.

Bilateral Neck Exploration in Primary Hyperparathyroidism—When Is It Selected and How Is It Performed?

Background  

Although most patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) are ideal candidates for minimally invasive parathyroidectomy, some will have more than one enlarged gland and require bilateral neck exploration to achieve biochemical cure. We evaluated the clinical evidence for when to choose bilateral neck exploration for patients with PHPT.     

Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Patients Undergoing Bariatric Surgery—A Tertiary Center Experience

Background  

The patient population that is evaluated for bariatric surgery is characterized by a very high body mass index (BMI). Since obesity is the most important risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), sleep disordered breathing is highly prevalent in this population. If undiagnosed before bariatric surgery, untreated OSA can lead to perioperative and postoperative complications. Debate exists whether all patients that are considered for bariatric surgery should undergo polysomnography (PSG) evaluation and screening for OSA as opposed to only those patients with clinical history or examination concerning sleep disordered breathing. We examined the prevalence and severity of OSA in all patients that were considered for bariatric surgery. We hypothesized that, by utilizing preoperative questionnaires (regarding sleepiness and OSA respiratory symptoms) in combination with menopausal status and BMI data, we would be able to predict which subjects did not have sleep apnea without the use of polysomnography. In addition, we hypothesized that we would be able to predict which subjects had severe OSA (apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) > 30).     

Laparoscopic Heller Myotomy for Achalasia Cardia—Initial Experience in a Teaching Institute

Laparoscopic Heller cardiomyotomy and Dor fundoplication is the surgical procedure of choice for esophageal achalasia. The aim of our study was to investigate the clinical outcome and safety of laparoscopic Heller–Dor procedure performed by using Hook electrocautery and as a teaching module for advanced laparoscopic surgery. Between January 2005 and December 2010, 25 consecutive patients with achalasia underwent laparoscopic Heller–Dor operation by a single surgeon. All the patients received upper gastrointestinal series (barium swallow), esophagogastroscopy, and esophageal manometry to exclude esophageal carcinoma and to confirm the diagnosis. All the patients were operated by laparoscopic modified Heller myotomy with Dor fundoplication by using hook electrocautery. Among 25 operated patients, 14 were male and 11 were female with a median age of 43 years (range 18–72 years). The mean operative time was 93.3 min (range 50–50 min), the mean operative blood loss was 90 ml (range 40–200 ml), the median time to oral feeding was 2 days (2–4 days), and the median hospital stay was 4 days (4–7 days). There was no conversion to open surgery. Intraoperative mucosal perforation was encountered in three patients and was repaired in all of them by laparoscopic suture. All the patients had an uneventful recovery without postoperative complication and had excellent clinical response (96 %) during follow-up. Laparoscopic Heller–Dor operation using hook electrocautery is safe, inexpensive, and effective treatment for achalasia which is useful for teaching and training surgical residents in advanced laparoscopic surgery.