Only 15 years ago, the first description of near-infrared autofluorescence of parathyroid glands emerged.3 Found below the wavelength of visible light, parathyroid gland tissues emit a near-infrared ...(NIRAF) signal at 785nm which is different than the surrounding tissues. ...aside from finding and understanding parathyroid function during thyroid surgery, endocrine surgeons aim to localize parathyroid disease prior to an operation for hyperparathyroidism. Common modalities include ultrasound, multiphase CT (4DCT), Technicium Scan (SESTAMIBI) and more rarely MRI and venous sampling.6 Specific PET radiotracers including Choline based molecules to localize parathyroid glands in large trials have been successful especially when other common conventional imaging is unsuccessful.7 Interestingly, if used with a PET/MRI, Fluorocholine has been shown to not only be more effective than conventional imaging for parathyroid localization, but also can identify concerning thyroid nodules for further investigation prior to parathyroidectomy.8 As Canadian Endocrine Surgeons, we owe a great deal of our knowledge and support to Dr Pasieka. Since that first day as her trainee on a snowy October morning in Calgary, Alberta, to today as her mentee and friend, I have understood that her attitude towards caring for patients is of the highest respect and humility.
Background
Renaming encapsulated follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (EFVPTC) to noninvasive follicular thyroid neoplasm with papillary-like nuclear features (NIFTP) was recently ...suggested to prevent the overtreatment, cost and stigma associated with this low-risk entity. The purpose of this study is to document the incidence and further assess the clinical outcomes of reclassifying EFVPTC to NIFTP.
Methods
We searched synoptic pathologic reports from a high-volume academic endocrine surgery hospital from 2004 to 2013. The standard of surgical pathology practice was based on complete submission of malignant thyroid nodules along with the nontumorous thyroid parenchyma. Rigid morphological criteria were used for the diagnosis of noninvasive EFVPTC, currently known as NIFTP. A retrospective chart review was conducted looking for evidence of malignant behavior.
Results
One hundred and two patients met the strict inclusion criteria of NIFTP. The incidence of NIFTP in our cohort was 2.1% of papillary thyroid cancer cases during the studied time period. Mean follow-up was 5.7 years (range 0–11). Five patients were identified with nodal metastasis and one patient with distant metastasis. Overall, six patients showed evidence of malignant behavior representing 6% of patients with NIFTP.
Conclusion
Our study demonstrates that the incidence of NIFTP is significantly lower than previously thought. Furthermore, evidence of malignant behavior was seen in a significant number of NIFTP patients. Although the authors fully support the de-escalation of aggressive treatment for low-risk thyroid cancers, NIFTP behaves as a low-risk thyroid cancer rather than a benign entity and ongoing surveillance is warranted.
Introduction
Continuing Professional Development opportunities for lifelong learning are fundamental to the acquisition of surgical expertise. However, few opportunities exist for longitudinal and ...structured learning to support the educational needs of surgeons in practice. While peer-to-peer coaching has been proposed as a potential solution, there remains significant logistical constraints and a lack of evidence to support its effectiveness. The purpose of this study is to determine whether the use of remote videoconferencing for video-based coaching improves operative performance.
Methods
Early career surgeon mentees participated in a remote coaching intervention with a surgeon coach of their choice and using a virtual telestration platform (Zoom Video Communications, San Jose, CA). Feedback was articulated through annotating videos. The coach evaluated mentee performance using a modified Intraoperative Performance Assessment Tool (IPAT). Participants completed a 5-point Likert scale on the educational value of the coaching program.
Results
Eight surgeons were enrolled in the study, six of whom completed a total of two coaching sessions (baseline, 6-month). Subspecialties included endocrine, hepatopancreatobiliary, and surgical oncology. Mean age of participants was 39 (SD 3.3), with mean 5 (SD 4.1) years in independent practice. Total IPAT scores increased significantly from the first session (mean 47.0, SD 1.9) to the second session (mean 51.8, SD 2.1),
p
= 0.03. Sub-category analysis showed a significant improvement in the Advanced Cognitive Skills domain with a mean of 33.2 (SD 2.5) versus a mean of 37.0 (SD 2.4),
p
< 0.01. There was no improvement in the psychomotor skills category. Participants agreed or strongly agreed that the coaching programs can improve surgical performance and decision-making (coaches 85%; mentees 100%).
Conclusion
Remote surgical coaching is feasible and has educational value using ubiquitous commercially available virtual platforms. Logistical issues with scheduling and finding cases aligned with learning objectives continue to challenge program adoption and widespread dissemination.
Hyperparathyroidism is a common endocrine disorder that occurs secondary to abnormal parathyroid gland functioning. Depending on the type of hyperparathyroidism, surgical extirpation of ...hyperfunctioning parathyroid glands can be considered for disease cure. Intraoperative parathyroid hormone (IOPTH) monitoring improves outcomes in patients undergoing surgery for primary hyperparathyroidism, but studies are needed to characterize its institutional adoption and its role in surgery for secondary and tertiary hyperparathyroidism, as these entities can be difficult to cure. Hence, we will perform a cross-sectional survey study of surgeon rationale, operational details, and barriers associated with IOPTH monitoring adoption across North America. We will utilize a convenience sampling technique to distribute an online survey to head and neck surgeons and endocrine surgeons across North America. This survey will be distributed via email to three North American professional societies (i.e., Canadian Society for Otolaryngologists–Head and Neck Surgeons, American Head and Neck Society, and American Association of Endocrine Surgeons). The survey will consist of 30 multiple choice questions that are divided into three concepts: (1) participant demographics and training details, (2) details of surgical adjuncts during parathyroidectomy, and (3) barriers to adoption of IOPTH. Descriptive analyses and multiple logistic regression will be used to evaluate the impact of demographic, institutional, and training variables on the use of IOPTH monitoring in surgery for all types of hyperparathyroidism and barriers to IOPTH monitoring adoption. Ethics approval was obtained by the Hamilton Integrated Research Ethics Board (2024-17173-GRA). These findings will characterize surgeon and institutional practices with regards to IOPTH monitoring during parathyroid surgery and will inform future trials aimed to optimize the use of IOPTH monitoring in secondary and tertiary hyperparathyroidism.
Background The management of low-risk micropapillary thyroid cancer <1 cm in size has come into question, because recent data have shown that nonoperative active surveillance of micropapillary ...thyroid cancer is a viable alternative to hemithyroidectomy. We conducted a cost-effectiveness analysis to help decide between observation versus operation. Methods We constructed Markov models for active surveillance and hemithyroidectomy. The reference case was a 40-year-old patient with recently diagnosed, low-risk micropapillary thyroid cancer. Costs and health utilities were determined using extensive literature review. The willingness-to-pay threshold was set at $100,000/quality-adjusted life year gained. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed to account for uncertainty in the model's variables. Results Active surveillance is dominant (less expensive and more quality-adjusted life years) for a health utility <0.01 below that for disease-free, posthemithyroidectomy state, or for a remaining life expectancy of <2 years. For a utility difference ≥0.02, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (the ratio of the difference in costs between active surveillance and hemithyroidectomy divided by the difference in quality-adjusted life years) for hemithyroidectomy is <$100,000/QALY gained and thus cost-effective. For a utility difference of 0.11—the reference case scenario—the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for hemithyroidectomy is $4,437/quality-adjusted life year gained. Conclusion The cost-effectiveness of hemithyroidectomy is highly dependent on patient disutility associated with active surveillance. In patients who would associate nonoperative management with at least a modest decrement in quality of life, hemithyroidectomy is cost-effective.
Adaptive surgical trials are scarce, but adopting these methods may help elevate the quality of surgical research when large-scale RCTs are impractical.
Randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) are the ...gold standard for evidence-based healthcare. Despite an increase in the number of RCTs, the number of surgical trials remains unchanged. Adaptive clinical trials can streamline trial design and time to trial reporting. The advantages identified for ACTs may help to improve the quality of future surgical trials. We present a scoping review of the methodological and reporting quality of adaptive surgical trials.
We performed a search of Ovid, Web of Science, and Cochrane Collaboration for all adaptive surgical RCTs performed from database inception to October 12, 2023. We included any published trials that had at least one surgical arm. All review and abstraction were performed in duplicate. Risk of bias (RoB) was assessed using the RoB 2.0 instrument and reporting quality was evaluated using CONSORT ACE 2020. All results were analyzed using descriptive methods.
Of the 1338 studies identified, six trials met inclusion criteria. Trials were performed in cardiothoracic, oral, orthopedic, and urological surgery. The most common type of adaptive trial was group sequential design with pre-specified interim analyses planned for efficacy, futility, and/or sample size re-estimation. Two trials did use statistical simulations. Our risk of bias evaluation identified a high risk of bias in 50% of included trials. Reporting quality was heterogeneous regarding trial design and outcome assessment and details in relation to randomization and blinding concealment.
Surgical trialists should consider implementing adaptive components to help improve patient recruitment and reduce trial duration. Reporting of future adaptive trials must adhere to existing CONSORT ACE 2020 guidelines. Future research is needed to optimize standardization of adaptive methods across medicine and surgery.
Intraoperative hemodynamic instability is a major challenge during adrenalectomy for pheochromocytoma. Typically, pheochromocytoma is performed laparoscopically either through the retroperitoneal or ...transperitoneal approach. We aimed to determine if the operative approach affects intraoperative hemodynamic instability during surgery for pheochromocytoma in a large multicenter multicenter cohort.
Retrospective, multicenter analysis of consecutive patients with pheochromocytoma who underwent total unilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy without conversion were included. Statistical analysis was performed using established intraoperative criteria for intraoperative hemodynamic instability: 1) systolic blood pressure >160 mm Hg; 2) systolic blood pressure > 200 mm Hg; 3) mean arterial pressure <60 mm Hg; 4) systolic blood pressure >160 mm Hg + mean arterial pressure <60 mm Hg; and 5) systolic blood pressure >200 mm Hg + mean arterial pressure <60 mm Hg; and 6) intravenous vasopressor + vasodilator.
In total, 341 patients met the inclusion criteria, 101 (29.6%) underwent retroperitoneal adrenalectomy and 240 (70.4%) transperitoneal adrenalectomy. Multivariate analysis showed that retroperitoneal adrenalectomy carries greater risk for mean arterial pressure <60 mm Hg (odds ratio 6.255, confidence interval 1.134–34.235, P = .035) compared with transperitoneal adrenalectomy. Overall and cardiovascular morbidity rates were comparable between the 2 approaches. The medical center was a significant independent influencing factor for all 6 intraoperative hemodynamic instability definitions.
Variability in institutional management of pheochromocytoma intraoperatively has significant impact on all 6 intraoperative hemodynamic instability definitions. Standardization of anesthesia should be considered to reduce this variability.
The long-term health-related quality-of-life implications of treating low-risk differentiated thyroid cancer with total thyroidectomy or hemithyroidectomy is important to patients but remains poorly ...understood.
Using a cross-sectional mailed survey, we compared long-term health-related quality-of-life in low-risk differentiated thyroid cancer survivors treated with hemithyroidectomy to those treated with total thyroidectomy between 2005 and 2016 at a university hospital. European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life core Questionnaire version 3.0, the supplementary Thyroid Cancer specific questionnaire module version 2.0, and the Assessment of Survivor Concerns (ASC) questionnaires were used. Our primary outcome was the global scale of quality of life. Exploratory outcomes included differences among other health-related quality-of-life items corrected for potential confounders in multivariable regression analyses.
The response rate was 51.0% (270 of 529), of which 59 patients (21.9%) were treated with hemithyroidectomy. Main outcome score global quality of life did not differ between groups (76.9 hemithyroidectomy vs 77.7 total thyroidectomy, P = .450). Exploratory analyses showed hemithyroidectomy to be associated with more worry about recurrence on the Assessment of Survivor Concerns questionnaire (2.4 hemithyroidectomy vs 2.1 total thyroidectomy, P = .021).
Long-term quality of life was not significantly different between low-risk differentiated thyroid cancer patients treated with total thyroidectomy compared with hemithyroidectomy. In secondary analyses, worry about recurrence appeared to be higher in individuals treated with hemithyroidectomy. These data highlight previously unreported impact of surgical regimen to the health-related quality-of-life for low-risk differentiated thyroid cancer patients.
Background The recently published 2015 American Thyroid Association guidelines recognize lobectomy as a viable alternative for low-risk cancers and advise more conservative use of radioactive iodine. ...Some factors indicating adjuvant treatment with radioactive iodine (and therefore completion total thyroidectomy), however, only can be found upon pathologic investigation. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis including patients with American Thyroid Association low- and low-to-intermediate risk well-differentiated thyroid cancer 1–4 cm. We evaluated how often radioactive iodine would be indicated and compared this with our historic rate. A subanalysis was performed to determine the rate of completion total thyroidectomy necessary, based on the indications for adjuvant radioactive iodine therapy. Results A total of 394/1,000 (39.4%) patients were included for final analysis. Adjuvant radioactive iodine would have been favored in 101/394 (25.6%) of patients, which is 2.5 times less than was given in our historic cohort. Completion total thyroidectomy to enable adjuvant radioactive iodine would have been recommended in 29/149 (19.5%) patients preoperatively eligible for lobectomy. Conclusion Despite the tightened regulations for radioactive iodine, about 20% of patients with apparently “low-risk” well-differentiated thyroid cancer who are eligible for lobectomy may need completion total thyroidectomy because of pathologic findings for which radioactive iodine use is listed as considered or favored by the current guidelines.
