Does using an energized device in open thyroidectomy reduce complications?

Background: Although using energy devices during open thyroidectomy might shorten the procedure time compared with the conventional technique, its effect on procedure-related complications remains unclear and controversial. In an era of cost containment, we aimed to compare the rate of procedure-related complications (particularly vocal cord palsy and hypoparathyroidism) between patients who underwent thyroidectomy using reusable ultrasonic shears and those who did not.

Methods: Of 508 eligible patients, 237 (46.

Factors affecting the adequacy of lymph node yield in prophylactic unilateral central neck dissection for papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Background: Determinants for adequate lymph node yield (LNY) in prophylactic central neck dissection (pCND) for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) remain unclear. We aimed to determine factors affecting LNY in pCND.

Methods: Of 230 patients, 109 (47.

A review of risk factors and timing for postoperative hematoma after thyroidectomy: is outpatient thyroidectomy really safe?

Background: Although postoperative hematoma after thyroidectomy is uncommon, patients traditionally have been advised to stay overnight in the hospital for monitoring. With the growing demand for outpatient thyroidectomy, we assessed its safety and feasibility by evaluating the potential risk factors and timing of postoperative hematoma after thyroidectomy.

Methods: From 1995-2011, 3,086 consecutive patients underwent thyroidectomy at our institution; of these, 22 (0.

A prospective evaluation of quick intraoperative parathyroid hormone assay at the time of skin closure in predicting clinically relevant hypocalcemia after thyroidectomy.

Background: Post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia is a major contributing factor in delayed hospital discharge and dissuading surgeons from ambulatory thyroidectomy. We prospectively evaluated the accuracy and reliability of quick parathyroid hormone level measurement at skin closure (PTH-SC) in predicting clinically relevant hypocalcemia (i.e.