Radiofrequency Ablation for Solitary Autonomously Functioning Thyroid Nodules: Multicenter Study from Latin America.

Autonomously functioning thyroid nodules (AFTNs) represent ∼5% of all thyroid nodules and often necessitate definitive treatments such as surgery or radioiodine (I), both of which have inherent risks. Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has emerged as an effective and safe therapeutic option for managing AFTNs. This study aims to assess the effectiveness and safety of RFA for solitary AFTNs in various countries across Latin America.

The Influence of Impedance on the Efficacy of Radiofrequency Ablation for Benign Thyroid Nodules.

Objective: Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) uses the heat generated by a high-frequency alternating electric current, and according to Ohm's and Joule's law, the delivered current is inversely proportional to the circuit impedance. The primary objective of this study was to investigate whether tissue impedance during radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for benign thyroid nodules is related to the degree of volume reduction.

Methods: This observational study included consecutive patients treated with RFA for benign thyroid nodules from February 2020 to August 2023.

Facial nerve monitoring in parotid gland surgery: Design and feasibility assessment of a potential standardized technique.

Background: Even though the use of nerve monitoring during parotid gland surgery is not the gold standard to prevent damage to the nerve, it surely offers some advantages over the traditional approach. Different from thyroid surgery, where a series of steps in intraoperative nerve monitoring have been described to confirm not only the integrity but-most importantly-the function of the recurrent laryngeal nerve, in parotid gland surgery, a formal guideline to follow while dissecting the facial nerve has yet to be described.

Methods: A five-year retrospective study was done reviewing the intraoperative records of patients who underwent parotid gland surgery under neural monitoring.

Completion thyroidectomy: is timing important for transcervical and remote access approaches?

Completion thyroidectomy (CT) is employed after lobectomy when histopathological results mandates total removal of the gland as in case of well differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC). It is also employed as a second stage thyroid surgery when unfavorable events occur as in recurrent laryngeal nerve injury or when the surgeon finds out the case is beyond his/her expertise in an attempt to protect the contralateral side and allowing time for recovery or for an expert surgeon to help.

Clinical behavior and outcome of papillary T1 thyroid cancers: South Korea vs. Turkey vs. Colombia in a cohort study analyzing oncological outcomes.

Background/purpose: There has not been an international multicentric study to examine the relationship between thyroid cancer clinical outcomes and geographic location for South Korea, Colombia, and Turkey, whereas thyroid cancer is amongst the highest three cancer types seen in South Korea and Turkey. The aim of the study was to assess regional differences of T1 papillary thyroid cancer outcomes in Korea, Turkey and Colombia.

Methods: This is an observational non-randomized study.

Phrenic nerve stimulation during neck dissection for advanced thyroid cancer involving level IV: is it worth doing it?

During thyroidectomy and neck dissection surgery for advanced or recurrent metastatic thyroid cancer under intraoperative monitoring, we used the available technology to assess the feasibility of such an intervention to monitor those patients with phrenic nerves at risk. A retrospective review of patients operated on from January 2009 to December 2015 by a single surgeon (CSD) was conducted. Patients who had neck and mediastinal dissection, with or without total thyroidectomy, due to advanced or recurrent metastatic disease to the neck were selected.

The current situation of Endocrine Surgery in Latin America.

The management of patients with surgical endocrine diseases requires a multidisciplinary team of endocrinologists, radiologists, pathologists and surgeons. As the incidence of surgical endocrine disorders has increased, Endocrine Surgery has emerged as a recognized specialty within general surgery. The number of endocrine surgeons has gradually increased worldwide, however, different from Europe and North America, the specialty has not developed enough in Latin America.

Hypoglossal nerve monitoring, a potential application of intraoperative nerve monitoring in head and neck surgery.

Background: Intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM) has many applications in different surgical fields. In head and neck surgery, IONM has been used to perform surgery of the parotid, thyroid and parathyroid glands, preserving the facial and recurrent nerves. However, hypoglossal nerve neuromonitoring has not been addressed with such relevance.

A randomized trial of hemithyroidectomy versus Dunhill for the surgical management of asymmetrical multinodular goiter.

Objective: To assess the immediate and long-term clinical results of 2 different surgical procedures for the treatment of asymmetrical multinodular goiter (AMG).

Background: Half of the patients presenting with a single benign thyroid nodule have contralateral subclinical disease. There is a controversy whether these patients should be treated with hemithyroidectomy (HMT) or with a more extensive procedure.