Biomedical subjects

Pier Francesco Alesina

Publications and source records attributed to Pier Francesco Alesina.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

Predictive factors for recurrence after thyroid lobectomy for unilateral non-toxic goiter in an endemic area: results of a multivariate analysis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to identify the factors that are predictive of recurrence after thyroid lobectomy for unilateral non-toxic thyroid goiter in an endemic region through a multivariate analysis. METHODS: Two hundred sixty-eight consecutive patients who underwent thyroid lobectomy and who were evaluated by the same endocrinologist were included. Univariate and multivariate analysis analyzed the relationship between sex, age, preoperative thyroid-stimulating hormone, duration of disease, duration of levothyroxine (LT4) preoperative therapy, cytologic results, histologic results, resected thyroid weight, numbers and diameters of thyroid nodules, morphologic alterations of the remnant lobe, follow-up length, postoperative LT4 therapy, ultrasonographic evidence of recurrence, and reoperation. RESULTS: The incidence of recurrence was 33.9% (91/268 patients) after a mean follow-up time of 79.9 months (range, 12-251 months), female sex ( P = .016), multiple nodules ( P = .017), and lack of postoperative LT4 therapy ( P = .0009) were predictive factors of recurrence. Reoperation was performed in 20 patients (7.4%); factors that were predictive of reoperation were the presence of multiple nodules ( P = .008), resected thyroid weight ( P = .00006), and lack of postoperative hormonal therapy ( P = .0005). CONCLUSIONS: Thyroid lobectomy for unilateral non-toxic goiter, when combined with suppressive or substitutive thyroxin therapy, resulted in a low rate of recurrence and reoperation in an endemic area.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Video-assisted vs conventional thyroid lobectomy: a randomized trial.

HYPOTHESIS: Video-assisted thyroid lobectomy improves the cosmetic outcome of the cutaneous scar and reduces postoperative pain. PARTICIPANTS: Patients admitted to the Division of Endocrine Surgery of the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy, between March 1999 and December 2000 who were candidates for thyroid lobectomy because of a single, small (< or = 3 cm) thyroid nodule were considered eligible. Of the 62 patients who were randomized, 31 underwent conventional thyroid lobectomy (COS group), and 31 underwent video-assisted surgery without carbon dioxide neck insufflation (VAS group), a new technique created by the authors. RESULTS: The cosmetic outcome was evaluated by scoring patients' satisfaction with their scars. Satisfaction was higher in the VAS group (mean +/- SD, 9.2 +/- 0.5) than the COS group (mean +/- SD, 5.8 +/- 0.7) (P<.001). Postoperative pain in the first and second days after surgery was lower in the VAS group (mean +/- SD, 1.8 +/- 0.2 and 1.2 +/- 0.1, respectively) than in the COS group (mean +/- SD, 6.2 +/- 0.2 and 5.8 +/- 0.2, respectively) (P<.001). There were no significant differences in complications (eg, bleeding, wound infection, permanent recurrent nerve palsy). Postoperative hospital stay was lower in the VAS group (mean +/- SD, 1.1 +/- 0.1 days) than in the COS group (mean +/- SD, 2.2 +/- 0.2 days) (P<.05). CONCLUSION: Video-assisted thyroid lobectomy is a valid alternative to conventional surgery in patients with single, small nodular thyroid lesions.

Cicatrix↗

PubMed2002

Video-assisted thyroidectomy.

OBJECTIVE: In 1998, we developed a technique for video-assisted thyroidectomy (VAT). In this paper, we report on the entire series of patients who underwent VAT and discuss the results obtained. METHODS: Seventy-three patients were selected for VAT. Eligibility criteria were: thyroid nodules </=35 mm in maximum diameter; estimated thyroid volume within normal range or slightly enlarged; small, low-risk papillary carcinomas; no previous neck surgery or irradiation and no thyroiditis. The VAT procedure was totally gasless. It was performed under endoscopic vision through a single 1.5 to 2.0-cm skin incision, using a technique very similar to conventional surgery. RESULTS: Eighty-one VATs were attempted on 73 patients. Forty-five lobectomies, 24 total thyroidectomies and eight completion thyroidectomies were successfully performed. Mean operative time was 82 minutes for lobectomy, 100 minutes for total thyroidectomy and 77 minutes for completion thyroidectomy. The conversion rate was 4.9%. Postoperative complications included two transient recurrent nerve palsies, five transient symptomatic postoperative hypocalcaemias and one wound infection. The cosmetic result was considered excellent by most of the patients. CONCLUSION: VAT is a feasible and and safe procedure that allows for excellent cosmetic results. In selected cases, it can be a valid option for the surgical treatment of thyroid diseases.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Is routine supplementation therapy (calcium and vitamin D) useful after total thyroidectomy?

BACKGROUND: Our goal was to determine whether routine oral calcium (OC) and vitamin D (VD) administration can effectively prevent symptoms of hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy. METHODS: Seventy-nine patients who underwent total thyroidectomy were randomly allotted to one of the following groups: (1) group A, no treatment; (2) group B, OC 3 g per day; (3) group C, OC 3 g + VD 1 mg per day. Treatment was started on postoperative (PO) day 1 in groups B and C. RESULTS: Fewer patients in groups B and C experienced symptoms when compared with group A (P =.005). Patients in groups B and C had only minor symptoms, whereas 2 patients in group A experienced major symptoms and 6 required intravenous calcium (P <.01). The rate of hypocalcemia was slightly lower in group C (P = not significant). Treatment was discontinued by PO day 7 in all but 8 patients. Two patients still required treatment 6 months after operation (2.5%). PO parathyroid hormone levels did not differ in the 3 groups (P = not significant). CONCLUSIONS: Routine supplementation therapy with OC or VD effectively prevents symptomatic hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy and may allow for a safe early discharge. Further studies are necessary to determine the best treatment. The combination of OC and VD may further reduce the rate of PO hypocalcemia, without inhibiting parathyroid hormone secretion.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Central neck lymph node removal during minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy for thyroid carcinoma: a feasible and safe procedure.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In 1998, we developed a technique for video-assisted thyroidectomy (VAT) which we proposed using also in patients with small low-risk papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTC). In some cases, enlarged lymph nodes are incidentally found at surgery for PTC. These nodes should be removed because of the risk of metastases. In this paper, we report on the patients in whom we removed enlarged central neck lymph nodes during VAT for PTC and discuss the feasibility and safety of video-assisted central neck lymph node dissection (VALD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The procedure is performed by a totally gasless video-assisted technique through a single 1.5-to 2.0-cm skin incision above the sternal notch. Dissection is performed under endoscopic vision using a technique very similar to that of conventional surgery. Only enlarged lymph nodes were removed and sent for frozen section examination (FS). No other dissection was performed in case of negative FS. Five patients underwent VALD during VAT for PTC. RESULTS: The mean number of lymph nodes removed was 2.4. No metastases were found at FS or final histology examination. Postoperative complications included two transient postoperative hypocalcemias. No evidence of residual or recurrent disease was observed at postoperative follow-up. The cosmetic result was excellent. CONCLUSION: Our experience demonstrates that removal of central compartment lymph nodes is feasible and safe. Perhaps also complete central neck lymph node dissection can be performed. Some doubts persist about the oncologic validity of this approach. For definitive conclusions, larger series and comparative studies are necessary.

Adult↗