Carriage of CARD15 variants and smoking as risk factors for resective surgery in patients with Crohn's ileal disease

BACKGROUND: It is controversial whether CARD15 variants are truly associated with a more severe form of Crohn's disease. The relative role of CARD15 genotype and smoking in Crohn's disease progression is also debated. AIM: To investigate the association between CARD15 variants and history of resective surgery in patients with Crohn's ileal disease, taking into account smoking as a possible confounding factor. Methods: We originally assessed CARD15 genotype in 239 north Italian Crohn's disease patients (mean follow-up: 10.1 +/- 8.1 years). We then focused on 193 patients with proven ileal involvement, 70 of whom (36.3%) carried CARD15-mutated alleles (G908R, R702W, L1007fs). RESULTS: Carriage of CARD15 variants was positively associated with family history and ileal-only disease and negatively associated with uncomplicated behaviour at maximal follow-up (P < 0.05). Ileal resection was the only variable independently associated with CARD15 variants at multivariate analysis (OR 3.8; 95% CI 1.6-9.2; P = 0.003). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that ileal resection was favoured both by CARD15 variant-carriage (P = 0.01) and by smoking (P = 0.05), but smoking did not affect progression to surgery in variant carriers (P = 0.31). Thirteen of 14 (93%) patients being resection-free at 15-year follow-up, had CARD15 wild-type genotype (P = 0.01), whereas only seven (50%) had never smoked (P = 1.0). CONCLUSIONS: In summary, CARD15 variant-associated Crohn's ileitis is virtually committed to stricturing and/or penetrating disease and, eventually, to resective surgery. Smoking accelerates progression to surgery in patients with wild-type CARD15 genotype, but it seems to exert no additional effect in CARD15-variant carriers.     

Has disease outcome in Crohn's disease changed during the last four decades?

BACKGROUND: Disease outcome in Crohn's disease might have changed during the last four decades. Disease outcome measurement in Crohn's disease has methodological difficulties because of patient selection and lack of proper definition of diagnostic and outcome measurement criteria. AIM: To assess possible changes in disease outcome in Crohn's disease during the last four decades. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed using the MEDLINE search engine and major international conference libraries. Articles and abstracts were selected according to stringent inclusion criteria. RESULTS: Forty articles and nine abstracts complied with the inclusion criteria. Seven studies with a median follow-up time between 11.1 and 17 years showed standard mortality ratios in Crohn's disease ranging between 2.16 and 0.72 with a tendency of decline during the last four decades. One study with 11.4 years mean follow-up time showed a statistically significant increased relative risk for colorectal cancer that was not confirmed by three others. Sixteen publications applied in the disease recurrence category. Probability of first resective surgery ranged between 38 and 96% during the first 15 years after diagnosis. The overall recurrence and surgical recurrence rates after first resective surgery ranged between 50 and 60, and 28 and 45% respectively during the following 15 years without an apparent time trend. CONCLUSION: This structured literature review provides no hard evidence for change in disease outcome in Crohn's disease during the last four decades.     

Behaviour of the bowel wall during the first year after surgery is a strong predictor of symptomatic recurrence of Crohn's disease: a prospective study

BACKGROUND: Recurrences after surgery for Crohn's disease are frequent and unpredictable. To date, there is little agreement as to which factors increase a patient risk of early recurrence. AIM: To assess whether the post-operative behaviour of diseased bowel walls, as determined by ultrasound, may be a useful predictor of relapse. METHODS: A total of 127 Crohn's disease patients were monitored after surgery by means of bowel ultrasound as well as by clinical and laboratory evaluations for a median follow-up of 41.0 months. Bowel wall thickness of diseased loops measured at ultrasound during follow-up was compared with the presurgery values. Multivariable survival analysis was performed to elucidate predictors of early post-operative recurrence. Receiver operating characteristic curves were also constructed taking into account bowel wall thickness for selecting Crohn's disease patients with high risk of clinical/surgical recurrence. RESULTS: The estimated 5 years survival probability of symptomatic Crohn's disease recurrence were 90% and 33%, respectively for unchanged/worsened bowel wall thickness vs. improved bowel wall thickness at 12 months from surgery. The hazard ratio for unchanged/worsened bowel wall thickness at 12 months was 8.9 (95% CI: 3.4-23.2). Receiver operating characteristic curve identified a bowel wall thickness > 6.0 mm at 12 months from surgery as directly associated with the risk of having a Crohn's disease recurrence (hazard ratio was 6.5, 95% CI: 2.8-15.4). CONCLUSIONS: Systematic ultrasound follow-up of diseased bowel walls after conservative surgery allows the early identification of patients at high risk of clinical/surgical recurrence.     

High-dose azathioprine in children with inflammatory bowel disease

BACKGROUND: Azathioprine is widely used as maintenance therapy in children with moderate to severe inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). There is no data on safety at higher doses and its impact on growth and surgical morbidity in children. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included all children treated with azathioprine and diagnosed with IBD between 1996-2001. Outcome measures included indications for azathioprine use, adverse-effects and reasons for treatment discontinuation. Height and weight at diagnosis, treatment onset and current follow-up was recorded, and Z scores for height standardised for time. RESULTS: 107 children received azathioprine at 3 mg/kg. 61% had Crohn's disease and 83% started azathioprine within 2 years of diagnosis. Only 2/107 children had to stop azathioprine because of persistent adverse effects and 16/107 required surgery. There was a trend toward better growth in a group of children with Crohn's disease following treatment with high dose azathioprine therapy (P = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS: Azathioprine is a safe and well-tolerated maintenance therapy at 3 mg/kg for children with IBD. The prevalence of surgery and growth failure in a cohort of children with moderate to severe IBD appears less than previously reported. In children with Crohn's disease, growth velocity may be maximised by an emphasis on nutritional therapy and the use of high dose azathioprine.     

Measuring quality of life in inflammatory bowel disease

In this study, the authors developed a disease-specific health related quality-of-life (HRQOL) measure that differentiated patients with ulcerative colitis (with and without surgery) from patients with Crohn's disease (with and without surgery). The purpose of the measure, which was facilitated by a questionnaire, was to produce a patient-orientated HRQOL index applicable to physicians' day-to-day management, and to provide a quality assurance mechanism to assess outcomes for these chronic diseases. The interview-directed questionnaire contained 47 items covering the following 4 domains: functional/economic, social/recreational, affect/life, and medical/symptoms. The items were selected by the authors from clinical experience and literature review, and showed good test-retest reliability over a 2-week period. The questionnaire had construct validity based on those items that correlated with the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP), a standardised generic health profile measure. From the 47 questions, a quality-of-life index was constructed by condensing the questionnaire to include only those 18 items that significantly differentiated between the 4 patient groups. Using this questionnaire, the authors studied 164 ambulatory patients (94 with ulcerative colitis, 70 with Crohn's disease) from a registry developed at the Cleveland Clinic. All patients had had their illness for at least 10 years, and 62% had undergone surgery because of it. When comparing the groups, the authors found that patients with ulcerative colitis had a better quality of life than those with Crohn's disease. In addition, patients who had not had surgery for their disease had a better quality of life than those who had.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Total vs. partial aponeurectomy for Dupuytren’s contracture — A literature review

The etiology of Dupuytren’s disease is controversial and thus the disease can only be treated when it presents with symptoms to warrant intervention. Surgical treatment is the method of choice to preserve hand dexterity and function. It is advisable to perform surgery at an early stage of disease progression, but various surgical techniques have been advocated. A partial fasciectomy is recommend by many authors, whereas a total aponeurectomy, where all palmar tissue is removed, might reduce the risk of recurrent disease due to the widespread removal of aponeurosis. The total aponeurectomy is performed less frequently due to the potential complications of this technique. In order to achieve an objective comparison of both surgical options we performed a literature meta-analysis, involving a comparison of surgical indications, results and complications following partial and total aponeurectomy, which are described in detail within this review article.     

Quadruple antimycobacterial chemotherapy in Crohn''s disease: results at 9 months of a pilot study in 20 patients

Twenty patients with active Crohn's disease, the majority refractory to conventional therapy, were treated with rifampicin, ethambutol, isoniazid, and pyrazinamide or clofazamine for 9 months. After this period, 10 were in remission (Crohn's disease activity index less than 150). Of the 10 not in remission, three had been at 6 months, but had relapsed on treatment. Nine of 10 patients on steroids at the beginning were off steroids at 9 months. Six patients came to surgery during the period, five for stricture formation without evidence of florid Crohn's disease outside the strictured segment. Three young patients with severe Crohn's disease facing total colectomy were spared surgery. No serious drug-related side-effects were encountered. The results of this pilot study suggest that controlled trials of antimycobacterial chemotherapy, using four or more of the best agents available, are worthy of assessment in Crohn's disease.     

An open-labelled study of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in the treatment of active Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND: Immunodeficiency syndromes associated with a Crohn's-like illness suggest innate immune defects may lead to Crohn's disease. Anecdotal cases using haemopoietic colony-stimulating factors report improvement in intestinal disease associated with these syndromes. AIM: To test the safety and efficacy of recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in active Crohn's disease. METHODS: In an open-labelled 12-week trial, patients with a Crohn's Disease Activity Index between 220 and 450 were treated with recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (filgrastim, Neupogen). Concomitant immunosuppressants were prohibited except prednisone < or =20 mg/day. Patient's received recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor 300 mcg daily subcutaneously adjusted to achieve an absolute neutrophil count between 25 and 35 x 10(9)/L. RESULTS: Twenty patients were enrolled with a mean initial Crohn's Disease Activity Index of 307 (range: 234-428). Fifteen patients (75%) completed 8 weeks; 13 patients (65%) completed 12 weeks with the mean Crohn's Disease Activity Index for patients continuing through those times of 196 (range: 36-343) and 162 (range: 20-308), respectively. At week 12, 11 patients (55%) demonstrated a decrease of at least 70 points; five (25%) achieved a sustained remission. The mean decrease was statistically significant at each assessment time-point. Three of four patients with fistulae had a positive response. Adverse effects included bone pain, mostly mild resolving with continued treatment. One patient was hospitalized with a viral-like syndrome but it is uncertain if this was treatment related. CONCLUSION: Recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor is safe and potentially effective therapy for active Crohn's disease.     

腹腔镜手术治疗重型子宫内膜异位症的临床分析

目的评价腹腔镜手术治疗重型子宫内膜异位症的效果。方法回顾性分析腹腔镜治疗38例重型子宫内膜异位症的手术时间、出血量、痛经症状的改善及复发率。结果38例患者均成功地进行了腹腔镜手术。33例行腹腔镜保守手术,5例行根治性手术。保守手术的手术时间110～250min,平均（159±41）min,出血量50～300ml,平均（193±46）ml。根治性手术的手术时间140～210min,平均（168±28）min;出血量100～350ml,平均（216±99）ml。保守性手术组和根治性手术组手术时间和出血量比较,差异均无统计学意义（t=0．68,t=0．88,P〉0．05）。患者均无严重并发症发生。随访到的32例患者中,25例痛经症状完全消失,4例缓解,总有效率90．6％。术后1年内4例复发,复发率10．5％,其中1例再次手术治疗。结论腹腔镜手术治疗重型子宫内膜异位症是可行的,能显著改善子宫内膜异位痱相关的症状。     

Age at onset of inflammatory bowel disease and the risk of surgery for non-neoplastic bowel disease

BACKGROUND: There is conflicting data regarding the response to medical and surgical therapy for inflammatory bowel disease with respect to age at disease onset. AIM: To determine if the age at onset of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis is a risk factor for surgery for non-neoplastic bowel disease. METHODS: This was a case-control study of patients evaluated between 1998 and 2001. Cases had undergone an initial operation for bowel disease. Controls were matched 1:1 for gender, disease subtype, date of first visit (+/-2 years), time from diagnosis prior to first visit (+/-3 years) and duration of follow-up. Association with age, disease extent, smoking history, medication use and co-morbidities vs. case/control status was assessed using multiple variable conditional logistic regression to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for undergoing surgery. RESULTS: Among 132 Crohn's patients, older patients had lower odds for surgery (OR per 5 years, 0.86; 95% CI: 0.75-0.98). The rate of surgery for non-neoplastic bowel disease was not significantly associated with disease distribution, co-morbidities or cigarette smoking. Among 234 ulcerative colitis patients, the rate of surgery was unrelated to age, disease extent, co-morbidities or cigarette smoking, CONCLUSIONS: For Crohn's disease, but not ulcerative colitis, the risk of surgery for non-neoplastic bowel disease decreases with increasing age at diagnosis, irrespective of disease distribution and history of cigarette smoking.     

Intestinal and extra-intestinal cancer in Crohn's disease: follow-up of a population-based cohort in Copenhagen County, Denmark

AIM: To determine the long-term risk of intestinal and extra-intestinal malignancies in Crohn's disease patients in Copenhagen County, Denmark. METHODS: In Copenhagen County, a strictly population-based cohort of 374 patients with Crohn's disease diagnosed between 1962 and 1987 was followed until 1997 in order to determine the long-term risk of intestinal and extra-intestinal malignancies. Information on cancer occurrence was provided by the Danish National Cancer Registry and confirmed by the examination of hospital files. The observed number of cases was compared with the expected number, calculated from individually computed person-years at risk and 1995 cancer incidence rates for the background population. RESULTS: The risk of small bowel adenocarcinoma was significantly increased, independent of age and gender (standardized morbidity ratio, 66.7; 95% confidence interval, 18.1-170.7). The risk of colorectal cancer was not increased, either in the total group of patients or in patients with colonic Crohn's disease exclusively (standardized morbidity ratio, 1.64; 95% confidence interval, 0.20-5.92). Extra-intestinal cancer did not occur more frequently than expected. CONCLUSIONS: This population-based study of patients with Crohn's disease revealed no increase in colorectal cancer risk, possibly due to maintenance treatment with 5-aminosalicylic acid preparations and surgery in treatment failure. In contrast, the risk of small bowel cancer was increased more than 60-fold, but the numbers were small. The risk of extra-intestinal cancer was not increased and no lymphomas were observed.     

重症急性胰腺炎伴高血糖手术治疗的疗效观察

目的 研究重症急性胰腺炎伴高血糖者手术治疗的疗效、住院时间长短及预后.方法 选取重症胰腺炎在发病期无糖尿病的患者578例,其中手术治疗271例,保守治疗307例;重症胰腺炎伴高血糖的患者共391例,其中手术治疗173例,保守治疗218例;不伴高血糖的重症胰腺炎187例,其中手术治疗98例,非手术治疗89例.观察各组长期住院率、死亡率、并发症出现率、治愈率.结果 非手术组长期住院率、治愈率、低于手术组,而病死率和并发症发生率高于手术组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0 l.05).在伴有高血糖的患者中,非手术组的治愈率明显高于手术组,死亡率、并发症发生率、长期住院率低于手术组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05).不伴高血糖的重症急性胰腺炎患者中,手术组治愈率高于非手术组,死亡率、并发症发生率、长期住院率低于非手术组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05).血糖值与治愈率呈负相关相关关系(r=-0.534,P<0.05),与长期住院率呈正相关(r=0.684,P<0.05).结论 重症急性胰腺炎高血糖者手术治疗的风险较大,治愈率较非手术治疗低,因此,在临床上,对于此类患者应严格掌握手术适应证,避免手术对患者造成进一步打击,尽量实施保守治疗,减少对患者的打击,提高治愈率.     

The quality of life in patients with Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND: Health-related quality of life studies provide insight into the influence of Crohn's disease on patients' lives, and the potential impact on professional and personal productivity. AIM: To compare health-related quality of life in Crohn's disease patients with that in other patients and healthy controls, and between medically and surgically treated Crohn's disease patients, and to correlate health-related quality of life with Crohn's disease activity. METHODS: An expanded MEDLINE search of full length, English language, adult Crohn's disease studies from January 1966 to September 2000 was performed. The key words utilized were: 'Quality of Life', 'Health Status' or 'Health Related Quality of Life' and 'Crohn's' or 'Inflammatory Bowel Disease'. RESULTS: A total of 258 articles were identified; 236 subsequently were excluded, leaving 22 for analysis. Compared with Crohn's disease patients, the health-related quality of life was better in healthy controls and in ulcerative colitis patients (except pre-colectomy), but similar to or worse than that in many other medical conditions. The health-related quality of life was directly correlated with Crohn's disease activity, and was worse in active disease than in remission. The health-related quality of life was improved only in the short term in surgically vs. medically treated Crohn's disease patients. CONCLUSIONS: Health-related quality of life analysis provides important insights into the impact of Crohn's disease, and should be included in clinical trials. Researchers, clinicians and other health care providers need to be cognizant of the impact of the health-related quality of life upon patients' lives.     

The epidemiology and natural history of Crohn's disease in population-based patient cohorts from North America: a systematic review

AIM: To quantify, through systematic review, the epidemiology and natural history of Crohn's disease in North America. METHODS: The selected articles contained: (i) population-based samples of patients followed from the time of diagnosis; and (ii) objective diagnostic criteria for disease. Studies on the natural history of Crohn's disease also contained sufficient follow-up. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: For prevalence studies, data on the incidence, prevalence, gender and age at diagnosis were extracted. For natural history studies, data on the disease activity, use of medications and surgery were extracted. MAIN RESULTS: The prevalence of Crohn's disease in North America ranges from 26.0 to 198.5 cases per 100,000 persons. The incidence rates range from 3.1 to 14.6 cases per 100,000 person-years. Most patients have a chronic intermittent disease course, while 13% have an unremitting disease course and 10% have a prolonged remission. Less than half require corticosteroids at any point. During any given year, approximately 10% are treated with corticosteroids and 30% are treated with 5-aminosalicylates. Up to 57% of patients require at least one surgical resection. CONCLUSIONS: Between 400,000 and 600,000 patients in North America have Crohn's disease, and the natural history is marked by frequent exacerbations requiring treatment with corticosteroids, 5-aminosalicylate products and surgery.     

The efficacy of corticosteroid therapy in inflammatory bowel disease: analysis of a 5-year UK inception cohort

BACKGROUND: Corticosteroids remain the mainstay of first-line therapy in active inflammatory bowel disease. AIMS: To determine the clinical outcome after the first corticosteroid-therapy and to identify factors which predict response/failure. METHODS: 216 (136 ulcerative colitis and 80 Crohn's disease) patients were identified in this 5-year inception cohort. The outcomes of early (30 days) and late (1 year) responses were used. Multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors associated with outcome. RESULTS: 86 (63%) and 60 (75%) ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease required corticosteroid therapy, respectively. In ulcerative colitis, at 30 days, 69 (51%), 42 (31%) and 25 (18%) patients demonstrated complete response, partial response and no response, respectively. For Crohn's disease, these outcomes were observed in 32 (40%), 28 (35%) and 20 (25%). After 1 year, 75 (55%), 23 (17%) and 29 (21%) patients with ulcerative colitis demonstrated prolonged response, corticosteroid-dependence or required surgery, respectively. For Crohn's disease, these outcomes were observed in 30 (38%), 19 (24%) and 27 (35%) patients. Extensive ulcerative colitis was a predictor of surgery (P = 0.001, OR: 15.2). In Crohn's disease, inflammatory disease behaviour was negatively associated with surgery (P = 0.02, OR: 0.13). CONCLUSION: Although corticosteroids are effective, dependence/resistance remains common. Patients with extensive ulcerative colitis and fistulizing/stricturing Crohn's are most at risk of failing corticosteroid therapy.     

冠心病心绞痛经皮冠状动脉介入治疗术的临床观察

目的 观察稳定型心绞痛、急性冠脉综合征患者经皮冠状动脉介入治疗(PCI)临床疗效与发病时情况进行研究.方法 收集该院2009年6月～2009年7月部分住院心绞痛患者共34例,根据以往胸痛特点分稳定型心绞痛、不稳定型心绞痛两组,分析患者不同年龄段病史特点,发病情况.相关实验室检查如肌钙蛋白cTnT等、胸片心电图特征及冠脉...     

Effect of antitumour necrosis factor-alpha therapy on bone turnover in patients with active Crohn's disease: a prospective study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Patients with Crohn's disease are at increased risk of osteoporosis. Disease activity and circulating proinflammatory cytokines are thought to play a role in this process. Infliximab, a chimaeric antitumour necrosis factor-alpha antibody is effective in the treatment of Crohn's disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of treatment with infliximab on bone turnover in Crohn's disease patients. METHODS: This was a prospective trial. Twenty-four patients with active Crohn's disease were treated with infliximab (5 mg/kg). Bone markers were assayed pre- and post-treatment. Bone formation was measured using serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase and total osteocalcin and bone resorption using serum N-telopeptide cross-linked type 1 collagen. RESULTS: Infliximab therapy caused a significant increase in both markers of bone formation in patients with active Crohn's disease. No significant change in the bone resorption marker serum N-telopeptide cross-linked type 1 was found. CONCLUSION: Infliximab therapy had a significant beneficial effect on bone metabolism in patients with active Crohn's disease. These findings further support the theory that active ongoing inflammation and high levels of circulating cytokines play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of bone loss in patients with Crohn's disease.     

Treatment of inflammatory bowel disease in the elderly: an update

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is most common in young adults, but it can also present in the elderly. Furthermore, with the aging of the population, the number of elderly patients with IBD is expected to grow. Other conditions, such as diverticulitis and ischaemic colitis, may be more common in the elderly and need to be considered in the differential diagnosis. Management of elderly patients with IBD follows the same principles as in younger patients, with a few exceptions. For patients with mild-to-moderate colitis, a 5-aminosalicylate drug is often used (sulfasalazine, olsalazine, mesalazine, balsalazide). Topical therapy may be sufficient for those with distal colitis, whereas an oral preparation is used for more extensive disease. In those with more severe or refractory symptoms, corticosteroids are used, although the elderly appear to be at increased risk for corticosteroid-associated complications. For patients with corticosteroid-dependent or corticosteroid-refractory disease, immunosuppression with azathioprine or mercaptopurine may help avoid surgery. In patients with Crohn's disease, a similar approach is followed, with the additional consideration that the formulation of drug used must ensure delivery of drug to the site of inflammation. In fistulising Crohn's disease, antibacterials, immunosuppressive drugs, infliximab and surgery are often used in combination. Controlled trials and clinical experience have shown that infliximab is a significant addition to the therapeutic armamentarium for patients with Crohn's disease.     

Thalidomide in luminal and fistulizing Crohn's disease resistant to standard therapies

BACKGROUND: Thalidomide has been shown to be an effective treatment in Crohn's disease. AIM: To assess the efficacy and tolerability of thalidomide in refractory Crohn's disease patients. METHODS: Twenty-five patients were treated. Retrospective 'estimated' Crohn's Disease Activity Indices were assessed at baseline and at the end of follow-up. Clinical response was defined as symptomatic improvement and a reduction in the 'estimated' Crohn's Disease Activity Index of >100 points, > or =50% reduction in draining fistulas or clinical improvement in perianal ulcers. Clinical remission was defined as symptom resolution and an 'estimated' Crohn's Disease Activity Index <150, complete fistula closure or complete ulcer healing. RESULTS: Six of eight patients treated for luminal disease responded to thalidomide at a median follow-up of 12 months (three clinical responses, three clinical remissions). The median reduction in 'estimated' Crohn's Disease Activity Index was 212 points (P = 0.005). Nine of 11 patients with active fistulizing disease responded to thalidomide (six responses; three remissions). The four patients treated for both luminal and fistulizing disease had fistula response. Three of them had a response in luminal disease activity. One of two patients with ulcerating perianal disease responded. Twelve patients discontinued treatment because of adverse effects (three sedation; two abdominal pain; one leucopoenia; six neuropathy). CONCLUSION: Thalidomide is an effective short- to medium-term treatment in selected patients with refractory luminal and fistulizing Crohn's disease. Its long-term use is limited by toxicity.     

甲状腺术中显露喉返神经的临床价值

目的：探讨甲状腺术中显露喉返神经对减少其损伤的价值。方法回顾性分析2012年6月-2014年1月该科119例甲状腺手术患者资料,按术中是否显露喉返神经将资料分为解剖组（79例）和未解剖组（40例）,根据病变范围采用广泛性切除术或保守性切除术,分析不同组别及不同术式喉返神经损伤情况。结果解剖组术后3例发生暂时性喉返神经损伤,无永久性喉返神经损伤发生,未解剖组术后6例发生喉返神经损伤,其中2例为永久性损伤。两组总的喉返神经损伤率差异有统计学意义（χ2＝4．77,P＜0．05）,在广泛性切除术中,两组差异有统计学意义（χ2＝12．37,P＜0．05）,在保守性切除术中,两组差异无统计学意义（χ2＝0．06,P＞0．05）。结论术中显露喉返神经是减少喉返神经损伤的有效方法,对于范围较小的良性病变行保守性切除术时,术中保留部分甲状腺背侧组织,不显露喉返神经亦是安全可靠的。