When patients call their surgeon's office: an opportunity to improve the quality of surgical care and prevent readmissions.

Background: Little is known about care coordination and communication with outpatient endocrine surgery patients. This study evaluated phone calls between office nurses and surgical patients to identify common issues addressed and their effect on patient care.

Methods: Qualitative analysis of preoperative and postoperative phone conversations between office nurses and endocrine surgery patients.

Preventing postoperative hypocalcemia in patients with Graves disease: a prospective study.

Background: Hypocalcemia occurs after total thyroidectomy (TT) for Graves disease via parathyroid injury and/or from increased bone turnover. Current management is to supplement calcium after surgery. This study evaluates the impact of preoperative calcium supplementation on hypocalcemia after Graves TT.

Surgeon and staff radiation exposure during radioguided parathyroidectomy at a high-volume institution.

Introduction: Radioguided parathyroidectomy (RGP) uses technetium-99 m sestamibi causing gamma ray emission during RGP to aid dissection and confirm parathyroid excision. Source (the patient) proximity and exposure duration determine degree of exposure. The purpose of this study was to quantify surgeon and staff radiation exposure during RGP.

A multi-institutional international study of risk factors for hematoma after thyroidectomy.

Background: Cervical hematoma can be a potentially fatal complication after thyroidectomy, but its risk factors and timing remain poorly understood.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective, case-control study identifying 207 patients from 15 institutions in 3 countries who developed a hematoma requiring return to the operating room (OR) after thyroidectomy.

Results: Forty-seven percent of hematoma patients returned to the OR within 6 hours and 79% within 24 hours of their thyroidectomy.