Serum intact parathyroid hormone as a predictor of hypocalcaemia after total thyroidectomy.

Background: Hypocalcaemia from hypoparathyroidism is a complication of total thyroidectomy. The aim of the present study was to determine whether an early postoperative level of serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) after total thyroidectomy predicts the development of significant hypocalcaemia and the need for treatment.

Methods: Patients undergoing total thyroidectomy had their serum level of intact PTH checked 1 h after removal of the thyroid gland.

Reduced use of drains following axillary lymphadenectomy for breast cancer.

Background: Axillary dissection is frequently performed during the treatment of operable breast cancer, and is associated with certain morbidities. Accumulation of axillary fluid, otherwise known as a seroma, is a frequent complication that appears to be related to the degree of dissection. Based on empirical evidence, surgeons have attempted to reduce the occurrence and duration of seromas by using suction drainage, but this concept has been challenged by several authors.

Comparative genomic hybridization analysis of adrenocortical tumors.

Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) is a molecular cytogenetic technique that allows the entire genome of a tumor to be surveyed for gains and losses of DNA copy sequences. A limited number of studies reporting the use of this technique in adult adrenocortical tumors have yielded conflicting results. In this study we performed CGH analysis on 13 malignant, 18 benign, and 1 tumor of indeterminate malignant potential with the aim of identifying genetic loci consistently implicated in the development and progression of adrenocortical tumors.