Thyroid : official journal of the American Thyroid Association
-
Review Meta Analysis
Efficacy and Safety of Radiofrequency and Ethanol Ablation for Treating Locally Recurrent Thyroid Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and ethanol ablation (EA) for treating locally recurrent thyroid cancer. ⋯ Both RFA and EA are acceptable treatment modalities to manage locally recurrent thyroid cancer in terms of efficacy and safety for poor surgical candidates or those who refuse surgery.
-
Review Meta Analysis
Effectiveness of preventative and other surgical measures on hypocalcemia following bilateral thyroid surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
A variety of measures have been proposed to reduce the incidence of post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of preventive and other surgical measures on post-thyroidectomy hypocalcemia as reported in the literature. ⋯ This review identified postoperative calcium and vitamin D supplementation and bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy (over HD) as being effective in prevention of transient hypocalcemia. However, the majority of RCTs were of low quality, primarily due to a lack of blinding. The wide variability in study design, definitions of hypocalcemia, and methods of assessment prevented meaningful summation of results for permanent hypocalcemia.
-
Review Meta Analysis
Which hemostatic device in thyroid surgery? A network meta-analysis of surgical technologies.
Energy-based hemostatic devices are increasingly being used in thyroid surgery. However, there are several limitations with regard to the existing evidence and a paucity of guidelines on the subject. The goal of this review is to employ the novel evidence synthesis technique of a network meta-analysis to assess the comparative effectiveness of surgical technologies in thyroid surgery and contribute to enhanced governance in the field of thyroid surgery. ⋯ The comparative effectiveness of ultrasonic coagulation in thyroid surgery outcomes seems superior to other techniques with the exception of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury. This network meta-analysis, one of a handful in a surgical field, offers preliminary and robust evidence to guide clinical decisions and policy makers to adopt safer thyroid operations.
-
Review Meta Analysis
A systematic review and meta-analysis of prophylactic central neck dissection on short-term locoregional recurrence in papillary thyroid carcinoma after total thyroidectomy.
Prophylactic central neck dissection (pCND) at the time of total thyroidectomy (TT) remains controversial in clinically node-negative (cN0) papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Despite occult central lymph node metastases being common, it is unclear if removing these metastases initially would reduce future locoregional recurrence (LRR). This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed at comparing the short-term LRR between patients who underwent TT with pCND and those who underwent TT alone. ⋯ Group A was more likely to have postoperative RAI ablation, temporary hypocalcemia, and overall morbidity than group B. Temporary hypocalcemia was the major surgical morbidity in pCND and, when excluded, the overall morbidity appeared similar between the two groups. Although our meta-analysis would suggest that those who undergo TT + pCND may have a 35% reduction in risk of LRR than those who undergo TT alone in the short term (< 5 years), it remains unclear how much of this risk reduction is related to increased use of RAI ablation and potential selection bias in some of the studies examined.
-
A combination of bilateral superficial cervical plexus block (BSCPB) and general anesthesia is recommended for thyroid surgery. Proof of the efficacy of this combination remains weak. Furthermore, data on the safety of this regimen are lacking. Therefore, a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCT) to evaluate the efficacy and safety of BSCPB as an adjunct to general anesthesia in patients receiving thyroid surgery was performed. ⋯ The combination of BSCPB and general anesthesia has a significant benefit in reducing pain 6 and 24 hours after thyroid surgery. However, the effect on pain reduction is too small to be of clinical relevance. Although it is a safe procedure, the existing evidence allows for no recommendation concerning the application of BSCPB in thyroid surgery. Further trials should evaluate a dose-response relationship and the incidence of PONV with this regimen.