Perioperative Analgesia for Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery: A Review of Current Practices.

This article discusses the algorithms and published practice patterns on perioperative analgesia for thyroid and parathyroid surgery. This includes medications and techniques used for general anesthesia, local anesthesia including nerve block methods, and oral medication used for postoperative pain control. The authors also discuss multimodality pain control and the increased trend to reduce opioid analgesics without inadequate pain control or patient satisfaction.

Rethinking Malignancy Risk in Indeterminate Thyroid Nodules with Positive Molecular Studies: Southern California Permanente Experience.

Objectives: To recognize that thyroid nodules with atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance (AUS/FLUS; Bethesda III) have different risks of malignancy based on genetic mutation and to consider molecular testing of nodules with AUS/FLUS to help avoid unnecessary morbidity or cost.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Multiple locations within Southern California Permanente Medical Group.

Hylan B gel restores structure and function to laser-ablated canine vocal folds.

Objectives: We evaluated cross-linked hyaluronic acid (hylan B gel) as a scaffold for tissue regeneration and mucosal wave restoration in carbon dioxide laser-ablated canine vocal folds.

Methods: Five beagles underwent stroboscopy before ablation of the left vocal fold with a carbon dioxide laser. Four weeks later, stroboscopy was repeated before and after submucosal injection of hylan B gel into the left vocal fold of 4 animals and of saline solution in 1 animal.

Injection laryngoplasty with calcium hydroxylapatite gel implant in an in vivo canine model.

The ideal injectable agent for vocal fold medialization is biocompatible, durable, sized to prevent phagocytosis and migration, and formulated for easy injection and does not adversely affect the viscoelastic properties of the vocal fold. We tested a cohesive implant of calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) particles in a gel carrier in an in vivo canine model of phonation. Six dogs underwent unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve section and injection laryngoplasty of the paralyzed vocal fold with a CaHA implant.

Development of a canine model for recurrent respiratory papillomatosis.

A canine model for recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) was developed with canine oral papillomavirus (COPV) inoculated into the buccal mucosa and supraglottic larynx of 5 beagles. The animals received systemic immunosuppression with daily oral prednisone at doses of 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 mg/kg. Buccal papillomata developed at 6 weeks in all animals and regressed by 10 weeks in the animals that received 0 and 1 mg/kg.

Local and systemic effects of intralaryngeal injection of cidofovir in a canine model.

Objective: The safety of intralaryngeal injection of cidofovir remains a concern. Our goal was to evaluate local and systemic effects of intralaryngeal injection of cidofovir.

Study Design: Animal study using a canine model.