Value of fine-needle aspiration in evaluating large thyroid nodules.

Background: The American Thyroid Association (ATA) recommends using ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA) in order to evaluate supracentimetric and suspect thyroid nodules. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effective use of FNA before surgery for nodules over 3 cm in diameter.

Methods: In this retrospective study, we analyzed the results of ultrasound-guided FNA and postoperative histological analysis in 843 nodules >3 cm.

Role of thyroid surgery in the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Objectives: To study the impact of thyroid surgery on obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) evaluated by the apnea/hypopnea index (AHI) was studied. Secondary objectives were to evaluate the impact on the positional component of OSAS and to highlight possible predictors of improvement of OSAS after thyroidectomy.

Methods: Twenty-eight patients with OSAS are included in this monocentric study: they underwent total thyroidectomy (n = 26) or left loboisthmectomy.

Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy followed by surgery in locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva.

Alternative therapies have been sought to alleviate mutilation and morbidity associated with surgery for vulvar neoplasms. Our prime objective was to assess tumor absence in pathological vulvar and nodal specimens following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced vulvar neoplasms. Data were retrospectively collected from January 2001 to May 2009 from 22 patients treated with neoadjuvant therapy for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva.

[Acoustic study of sustained vowels made by patients with recurrent nerve paralysis after thyroidectomy].

The objective of this work is to evaluate the consequences of thyroid surgery on the voice of patients suffering from recurrent paralysis. The consequences of the surgery are evaluated using a corpus of sustained vowels in order to identify the various disruptions that this procedure may produce. This research also looks for possible compensatory and/or readjustment strategies that can be used by a patient alone and with the help of speech therapy.

Vulvar reconstruction by a "supra-fascial" lotus petal flap after surgery for malignancies.

Objective: The aim of this study is to report on our experience with the supra-fascial lotus petal flap following the resection of vulvar cancer.

Methods: The original lotus petal flap or gluteal-fold flap technique was initially described with fascial elevation. However, flap harvesting in a supra-fascial plane is feasible.

Thoracic duct fistula after thyroid cancer surgery: towards a new treatment?

The use of somatostatin analogs is a new conservative therapeutic approach for the treatment of chyle fistulas developing after thyroid cancer surgery. The combination therapy with a total parenteral nutrition should avoid the high morbidity of a re-intervention with an uncertain outcome. This promising trend is supported by the present case report of a chyle leak occurring after total thyroidectomy with central and lateral neck dissection for a papillary carcinoma, which was treated successfully without immediate or distant sequelae.

Role of intraoperative neuromonitoring of the recurrent laryngeal nerve in high-risk thyroid surgery.

Background: Thyroid surgeries associated with an elevated incidence of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury are considered high-risk thyroidectomies. These high-risk operations include surgery for thyroid cancer, Graves disease, and recurrent goitre. In addition, the size of the goitre is an important risk factor for RLN injury.

Effect of pantothenic acid and ascorbic acid supplementation on human skin wound healing process. A double-blind, prospective and randomized trial.

This study aimed at testing human skin wound healing improvement by a 21-day supplementation of 1.0 g ascorbic acid (AA) and 0.2 g pantothenic acid (PA).

Does fibrin glue improve drainage after axillary lymph node dissection? Prospective and randomized study in humans.

The aim of this prospective and randomized study was to establish whether the use of fibrin glue was beneficial after axillary lymph node dissection. From January 1990 to January 1991, 40 women were randomized before surgery for breast cancer: 20 patients (group A) underwent vaporization of fibrin glue (Tissucol, 5 ml of 500 IU thrombin) only in the area of axillary dissection; another 20 patients (group B) served as controls. The two groups were compared for age, number of nodes removed and involved, volume and duration of fluid drainage and complications.

[Biological glue does not reduce lymphorrhoea after lymph node excision. Randomized prospective study on 40 patients].

The aim of this prospective and randomized study, was to demonstrate the benefit by using fibrin glue after axillary lymph node dissection. From January 1990 to January 1991, forty females were randomized before surgery for breast cancer: 20 patients of the group A underwent additional application of fibrin glue (5 ml containing 500 IU of thrombin) by spray only in the area of axillary dissection, while the 20 patients of group B acted as the control group. The two groups were compared for age, number of nodes removed and involved, drainage volume and duration and complications.

The unopened colostomy: a procedure to protect colonic anastomosis.

The results of an alternative to the classic diverting lateral colostomy when used to protect a high risk anastomosis are reported. Fourteen out of 122 patients undergoing colonic or colorectal resection had a restoration of intestinal continuity with a proximal closed loop colostomy--of these 11 did not require opening in the immediate post-operative period. These had an uneventful early post-operative course, and the return of the colostomy to the abdominal cavity was performed within 10 days post-operatively, without having been opened.

Variations of magnesium, iron, copper and zinc during the colonic wound healing process: experimental study on rabbits.

The role of trace elements in the wound-healing process is still controversial. Their variations within a normal colonic wound healing have never been studied. An experimental study on rabbits was designed to study magnesium, iron, copper and zinc variations in blood, normal colonic walls and colonic anastomoses on each of the first 7 postoperative days.

[Improvement in the healing of colonic anastomoses by vitamin B5 and C supplements. Experimental study in the rabbit].

To study the effects of vitamins B5 and C on the healing process of colonic anastomoses, 3 groups of 20 rabbits were given daily either placebo (group A), or vitamin B5 (100 mg/kg: group B) or vitamin C (100 mg/kg: group C). After 8 days of supplementation, via a midline incision and under general anaesthesia, 2 colonic segments were removed, and the continuity was restored. On the 3rd post-operative day, the rabbits were killed and the anastomoses were removed.