Humanitarian Surgical Missions in Times of COVID-19: Recommendations to Safely Return to a Sub-Saharan Africa Low-Resource Setting.

Background: Since the declaration of the pandemic, humanitarian medicine has been discontinued. Until now, there have been no general recommendations on how humanitarian surgical missions should be organized.

Methods: Based on our experience in the field of humanitarian surgical missions to Sub-Saharan Africa, a panel of recommendations in times of COVID-19 was developed.

Prediction of hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy using indocyanine green angiography of parathyroid glands: A simple quantitative scoring system.

Background: Hypocalcemia is one of the most common complications after total thyroidectomy. Recently, indocyanine green (ICG) angiography of the parathyroid glands (PGs) has been suggested as a reliable tool for predicting postoperative hypocalcemia. The aim of our study was to evaluate the performance of a simple quantitative score based on ICG angiography of the PGs (4-ICG score) for predicting postoperative hypocalcemia.

Chyle fistula as complication of thyroid surgery in malignant pathology.

Introduction: Cervical chyle fistula (CF) is exceptional, and there is no agreement on its treatment. The study objective was to assess the efficacy of conservative and surgical treatment in this condition.

Method: Study population: Patients undergoing thyroid surgery who experience CF after the procedure.

Evaluation of the thyroid nodule with high-resolution ultrasonography and elastography without fine needle aspiration biopsy.

Introduction: Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) is the gold standard screening technique used in the diagnostic protocol for thyroid nodules. However, it is not free of complications.

Objective: To identify thyroid nodules in which FNAB could be avoided during the diagnostic process by means of the use of a high-resolution ultrasonography or elastography.

Prognostic factors of follicular thyroid carcinoma.

Introduction: Most prognostic studies in differentiated carcinoma have included a high number of papillary carcinomas and few follicular carcinomas, and not all of their conclusions therefore apply to the latter.

Objective: To analyze the prognostic factors of follicular thyroid carcinoma.

Selection Criteria: Patients with histological diagnosis of follicular carcinoma who had undergone potentially curative surgery, had no disseminated disease at diagnosis, and had been followed up for at least 5 years.

Pheochromocytoma in MEN 2A syndrome. Study of 54 patients.

Background: Pheochromocytoma occurs in nearly 50% of MEN 2A (multiple endocrine neoplasia, type 2A) cases. Many issues related to this tumor are still the subject of debate: the diagnostic management in patients who have had positive genetic study results (RET mutation), variations related to mutation, the best surgical option, and the real relapse rate during long-term follow-up. The aim of this study is to present our experience with this unusual disease, looking for answers to some of these questions.

Results of surgery for toxic multinodular goiter.

Purpose: We analyzed the clinical and histological features of patients operated on for toxic multinodular goiter (TMG) to determine the clinical profile and evaluate the surgical results.

Methods: We reviewed 672 patients who underwent surgery for multinodular goiter (MG), 112 (17%) of whom had hyperthyroidism, and analyzed the epidemiological, clinical, and surgical variables.

Results: The patients with TMG tended to be older than those with nontoxic MG, with a greater evolution time of the goiter and a higher rate of positive antithyroid antibodies.

Prophylactic thyroidectomy in MEN 2A syndrome: experience in a single center.

Background: Genetic study of the RET proto-oncogene has modified the management, treatment, and prognosis of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), multiple endocrine neoplasia 2A (MEN 2A), for patients with less advanced tumor stages. Classically, the diagnosis was based on an increase in basal and poststimulus peak calcitonin (bCT and pCT). Prophylactic thyroidectomy, based on results of genetic testing, may reduce recurrences in MTC.