Gastrointestinal obstruction caused by solidification and coagulation of enteral nutrition: pathogenetic mechanisms and potential risk factors.

Enteral nutrition (EN) is preferred in order to provide nutrition and reduce catabolism in critically ill patients. Recent studies suggest that the use of EN is successful and complications are rare. However, an underestimated mechanical complication of tube feedings seen in critically ill patients is the coagulation and solidification of the EN causing gastrointestinal obstruction.

Monitored transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy via long monopolar stimulation probe.

This video aimed to describe the role of intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) during transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach (TOETVA) with emphasis given to IONM technical and technological notes, the identification of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN). Standardized technique of IONM consist in identifying and monitoring both the vagus nerve and the RLNs before and after resection (V1, V2, R1, R2). According to this report, IONM during TOETVA is feasible and safe in providing identification and function of laryngeal nerves.

Thyroidectomy in elderly patients aged ≥70 years.

Worldwide, the indications for thyroid surgery have been continuously extended among elderly patients in the last 20 years. The balance between treatment indication and surgical risk is certainly an interesting topic for every thyroid surgeon. This paper is a review of recent literature from January 2005 up to April 2017.

Pleural effusion as a complication of intrathoracic goitre.

The authors report their experience with a case of bilateral pleural effusions as a complication of intrathoracic goitre. They then go on to examine all the possible causes of this phenomenon. After discussing the anatomy of the superior mediastinum, they conclude that hydrothorax related to intrathoracic goitre could be the result of pressure of the mass on venous structures, especially on the superior vena cava, or on the intramediastinal lymphatic vessles, or, as in the case reported, on both.