Prospective study of vocal fold function after loss of the neuromonitoring signal in thyroid surgery: The International Neural Monitoring Study Group's POLT study.

Objectives/hypothesis: Intraoperative neuromonitoring identifies recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury and gives prognostic information regarding postoperative glottic function. Loss of the neuromonitoring signal (LOS) signifies segmental type 1 or global type 2 RLN injury. This study aimed at identifying risk factors for RLN injury and determining vocal fold (VF) function initially and 6 months after definitive LOS.

Influence of atmospheric pressure on the incidence of spontaneous pneumothorax.

Background: This study analyses the relationship between the incidence of idiopathic spontaneous pneumothorax (ISP) and atmospheric pressure (AP).

Methods: A total of 288 cases of ISP were included, 229 men and 59 women. The AP of the day of diagnosis, of the 3 prior days and the monthly average was registered.

[Effect of vitamin D deficiency on hypocalcaemia after total thyroidectomy due to benign goitre].

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to analyse the relationship between preoperative serum levels of vitamin D and postoperative hypocalcaemia after total thyroidectomy.

Material And Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted on 113 patients treated by total thyroidectomy due to benign disease. Preoperative vitamin D serum levels and postoperative albumin-corrected calcium and parathormone (PTH) levels were determined.

[Laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Lateral transabdominal tecnique "step by step" and analysis of 41 consecutive patients].

Since the initial report in 1992, laparoscopic adrenalectomy has proved substantial advantages over the conventional procedure in terms of decreased postoperative pain and hospital stay, allowing earlier return to normal activity. The technical details are in permanent evolution and the most widely accepted laparoscopic surgery for the adrenal gland is the transabdominal lateral approach. We hereby describe step by step the way we perform the lateral approach after 41 consecutive cases.