Efficacy and Oncologic Outcomes of Thermal Ablation Techniques in the Treatment of Primary Low-Risk Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the safety, efficacy, and oncologic outcomes of thermal ablation techniques, including radiofrequency, laser, and microwave ablation, in treating primary thyroid cancer compared with surgical resection.

Method: We conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis, which included 21 comparative studies and 40 noncomparative studies.

Results: The three thermal ablation techniques showed significant superiority over surgical resection in terms of operative time, pain, cost, quality of life, and complications.

Outcomes and effectiveness of active surveillance for low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes and effectiveness of active surveillance (AS) in patients with low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and compare them to those of immediate surgery (IS).

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis, including 14 comparative studies and 7 noncomparative studies, was conducted, encompassing a total of 9,397 patients.

Results: AS was associated with lower rates of familial history of thyroid cancer, multiplicity, and overall mortality compared to IS.

Efficacy of postoperative radioactive iodine therapy for patients with low and intermediate risk papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of postoperative radioactive iodine (RAI) and its impact on recurrence rates and survival benefits in low- to intermediate-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC).

Methods: This retrospective study involved the examination of 1286 patients diagnosed with low- to intermediate-risk PTC who underwent total thyroidectomy with or without neck dissection, supplemented with postoperative RAI therapy or not between the years 2000 and 2021.

Results: From the patient pool, 589 (45%) were classified as low-risk and 697 (55%) as intermediate-risk according to the 2015 American Thyroid Association guidelines.

Feasibility of remote-access and minimally invasive video-assisted approaches in lateral neck dissection for papillary thyroid carcinoma: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Background: This study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility and surgical outcomes of minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy (MIVAT) and three remote-access approaches, namely the robotic bilateral axillo-breast approach (BABA-R), endoscopic breast-chest approach (BCA-E), and robotic gasless transaxillary approach (GTAA-R) in lateral neck dissection for papillary thyroid carcinoma, compared with conventional transcervical approach (CTA).

Methods: The literature search was conducted in the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases, covering the period January 2000 to February 2024. A systematic review and network meta-analysis were performed to compare surgical feasibility, safety, and oncologic outcomes between approaches.

Oncologic outcomes and surgical completeness of remote-access thyroidectomy: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Background: The oncologic safety and surgical completeness of remote-access thyroidectomies are not yet clearly established. This study evaluates the oncologic outcomes and surgical completeness of three prevalent remote-access thyroidectomies: the gasless transaxillary approach (GTAA), bilateral axillo-breast approach (BABA), and transoral approach (TOA), in comparison with conventional transcervical thyroidectomy (CTT).

Methods: Literature searches were conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library databases, covering the period from 2000 to 2023.

Long-term functional swallowing and speech outcomes after transoral robotic surgery for oropharyngeal cancer.

Objectives: Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) has emerged as a minimally invasive approach for oropharyngeal cancer, aiming to improve functional preservation and reduce morbidity. However, the long-term effects on speech and swallowing, crucial aspects of quality of life, remain unclear. This study investigates the long-term functional swallowing and speech outcomes of TORS for oropharyngeal cancer.

Surgical Training Using Augmented Reality-Based Optical Head-Mounted Displays: A Pilot Study.

While the educational benefits of the modern techniques such as virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) have been suggested, there is still a lack of reports on actual surgeons' experiences. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of a holographic AR-based surgical training in tonsillectomy. Two otolaryngologists, 1 trainee and 1 instructor, performed 5 tonsillectomies using an AR headset (HoloLens 2, Microsoft, USA).

Case Report: Two cases of recurrences at the suprasternal space and lymph nodes between the sternocleidomastoid and sternohyoid muscles in papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Recently, lymph node metastasis to the suprasternal space (SSLN) and lymph nodes between the sternocleidomastoid and sternohyoid muscles (LNSS) have received attention. This article reports two cases of SSLN and LNSS recurrence and emphasizes the need for a thorough evaluation and consideration of the possibility of recurrence in this region. The clinical significance of the prophylactic dissection of SSLN and LNSS remains unclear, and further studies are required to determine its value.

Longitudinal Changes in Quality of Life Before and After Thyroidectomy in Patients With Differentiated Thyroid Cancer.

Objective: The objective of this prospective study was to assess longitudinal variations in health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) in patients diagnosed with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) before and after thyroidectomy.

Methods: A cohort of 185 DTC patients who underwent thyroidectomy between January 2013 and December 2017 and who completed all necessary questionnaires was evaluated. Their HR-QOL was gauged using the University of Washington Quality of Life questionnaire (UW-QOL) and the City of Hope Quality of Life-Thyroid Version questionnaire (QOL-TV) both prior to surgery and at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, and 5 years postoperatively.

Evaluation of the validity and reliability of a self-assessment questionnaire for cosmetic outcomes after thyroidectomy: a cross-sectional validation study.

Purpose: The Self-Assessment Questionnaire for Cosmetic Outcomes (SAQCO) was developed by us to evaluate the cosmetic outcome of patients after thyroidectomy. This study aimed to examine the reliability and validity of SAQCO.

Methods: We analyzed the cosmetic outcomes of 368 patients who underwent thyroidectomy and completed the SAQCO 1 year after surgery.

Patient-reported swallowing outcomes after transoral robotic thyroidectomy: Comparison with conventional transcervical thyroidectomy.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the swallowing outcomes after transoral robotic thyroidectomy (TORT) and compare them with those of conventional transcervical thyroidectomy.

Method: We enrolled 146 patients who underwent thyroidectomy (73 TORT; 73 conventional approach). We prospectively analyzed swallowing outcomes using the Swallowing Impairment Index-6 (SIS-6) questionnaire, a patient-reported measure, before and 1, 3, and 6 days; 1, 3, and 6 months; and 1 year after surgery.

Incidence and risk factors of hypoparathyroidism and hypocalcemia after hemithyroidectomy.

Purpose: The incidence and risk factors for hypoparathyroidism after total thyroidectomy is well-known. However, the characteristics of hypoparathyroidism and hypocalcemia after hemithyroidectomy have not been investigated well. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the incidence, characteristics, and risk factors of hypoparathyroidism and hypocalcemia after hemithyroidectomy.

Impact of Alcohol Dehydrogenase 7 Polymorphism and Alcohol Consumption on Risk of Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Korean Case-Control Study.

Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is closely associated with alcohol consumption and individual genetic susceptibility, such as single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH). This study aimed to investigate the association of ADH7 SNPs with the risk of HNSCC.

Methods: We analyzed ADH7 rs1573496C>G, rs3737482T>C, rs1154460G>A, and rs284787T>C SNPs in 250 patients with HNSCC and 322 controls in the Korean populations.

Serial Changes in Parotid Gland Volume and Symptoms After Radiation Therapy in Oropharyngeal Cancer.

To evaluate the serial changes in the volume of the parotid gland and clinical symptoms after a course of radiation therapy (RT) in patients with oropharyngeal cancer. : A total of 33 patients who were diagnosed with oropharyngeal cancer and had been treated with RT or concurrent chemoradiation therapy were evaluated. Parotid gland volumes were measured serially by head and neck computed tomography with contrast-enhanced images before RT, and 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after RT.

Five-Year Oncologic Outcome and Surgical Completeness of Transoral Robotic Thyroidectomy for Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: Comparison with Conventional Transcervical Thyroidectomy Using Propensity Score Matching.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the oncological outcomes and surgical completeness of transoral robotic thyroidectomy (TORT) for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) compared with conventional transcervical thyroidectomy.

Methods: We analyzed 489 patients with PTC who underwent thyroidectomy with or without central neck dissection (CND; 311 conventional thyroidectomy and 178 TORT) between January 2017 and December 2021. Patients with gross invasion of the surrounding structures, revision or completion thyroidectomy, and lateral neck dissection were excluded.

Occult metastasis to the superficial level VI lymph nodes in papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the incidence and risk factors of occult metastasis to superficial level VI, defined as the space anterior to the strap muscles, including the lymph nodes between the sternocleidomastoid and sternohyoid muscles and suprasternal space lymph nodes.

Methods: We studied 129 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma who underwent thyroidectomy and neck dissection, including superficial level VI dissection.

Results: Of the 129 patients, 62 (48%) had lymph nodes in the harvested specimens of superficial level VI, and the mean number of lymph nodes retrieved was 1.

Learning curve of transoral robotic thyroidectomy.

Background: Transoral thyroidectomy has superior cosmesis and better postoperative voice outcomes than conventional thyroidectomy. However, it usually requires a steep learning curve and longer operative time. The transoral robotic thyroidectomy (TORT) learning curve has not been well investigated.

Positive Rate of Human Papillomavirus and Its Trend in Head and Neck Cancer in South Korea.

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the positive rate of human papillomavirus (HPV) and its trend in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in South Korea and to evaluate the clinical differences between HPV-positive and -negative tumors.

Methods: We studied 300 patients with HNSCC arising in the oropharynx ( = 77), oral cavity ( = 65), larynx ( = 106), hypopharynx ( = 40), and sinonasal cavity ( = 12), treated in a tertiary university hospital in South Korea from January 2008 to July 2020. HPV status was determined using p16 immunohistochemical staining of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues.

Retinopathy of Prematurity and Hearing Impairment in Infants Born with Very-Low-Birth-Weight: Analysis of a Korean Neonatal Network Database.

Background: To investigate hearing impairment and its association with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) among children born with very low birth weight (VLBW, birth weight < 1500 g).

Methods: This prospective registry study included 7940 VLBW infants who underwent both ophthalmic (ROP) and hearing screening at the 70 participating centers of the Korean Neonatal Network. Hearing screening was performed using auditory brainstem response and/or automated otoacoustic emission testing.

Analysis of the Association between Female Medical History and Thyroid Cancer in Women: A Cross-Sectional Study Using KoGES HEXA Data.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between female medical history and thyroid cancer. Data from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study were collected from 2004 to 2016. Among a total of 1303 participants with thyroid cancer and 106,602 control (non-thyroid cancer) participants, the odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of hysterectomy, oophorectomy, use of oral contraceptives, and number of children were evaluated.

Aggravation of Reflux Finding Score (RFS) after thyroidectomy.

Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) has been suggested as a possible cause of post-thyroidectomy syndrome. However, the pathophysiology and relationship between thyroidectomy and LPR have not been well investigated. We aimed to evaluate the correlation between thyroidectomy and LPR by assessing changes in LPR-related symptoms and laryngoscopic findings before and after thyroidectomy.

Risk factors for hypothyroidism and thyroid hormone replacement after hemithyroidectomy in papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Purpose: Thyroid lobectomy is now preferred over total thyroidectomy to preserve thyroid function and reduce complications in patients with low-risk papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). One inevitable consequence of thyroidectomy includes hypothyroidism. This study aimed to evaluate the risk factors for hypothyroidism and thyroid hormone replacement after hemithyroidectomy in patients with PTC.