Changes in TSH, T4, T3 and Thyroglobulin Levels throughout Total Thyroidectomy

Introduction: To assess the impact of total thyroidectomy on thyroid function. Methods: Monocentric observational prospective study. Patients who benefited from a total thyroidectomy in the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery between September 2017 and July 2019 were included. Three blood samples were taken from each patient during the perioperative period: preoperatively (T₀), intraoperatively (T₁), and postoperatively (T₂). Changes in TSH, T4, T3, and thyroglobulin levels were evaluated from T₀ to T₂. Epidemiological data were retrieved from the medical charts. Statistical analyses were performed for the entire cohort and subgroups regarding preoperative treatment and type of disease. Results: Seventy-seven patients were included in the study. T4 and thyroglobulin levels increased significantly from T₀ to T₁. TSH, T4, T3, and thyroglobulin levels decreased significantly from T₁ to T₂. Conclusions: Our study confirmed the hypothesis of variable kinetics of thyroid hormone levels associated with the manipulation of the thyroid gland during surgery, but none of these changes resulted in clinical effects, including thyrotoxicosis.

Anaesthesia for ophthalmic procedures in patients with thyroid eye disease

Thyroid eye disease is an autoimmune inflammatory disorder of the orbit in adults. It causes inflammation, expansion and fibrosis of orbital fat, muscles and the lacrimal gland, leading to facial disfigurement, functional disability and, in severe cases, blindness. Overall, approximately 20% of affected patients need some form of surgical intervention requiring anaesthesia. This narrative review explores the background of thyroid eye disease, surgical procedures performed and their implications for anaesthesia. General anaesthesia is used for orbital decompression procedures, strabismus correction surgery and complex oculoplastic procedures. Local anaesthetic infiltration or regional anaesthesia under monitored anaesthesia care are the techniques most commonly employed for eyelid retraction surgery. It is important to limit the volume of local anaesthetic agent used during infiltration and continuously monitor the orbital volume and ocular pressure with a ballottement technique. In addition, the contralateral eye should be checked and, if necessary, protected against corneal exposure. Retrobulbar, peribulbar and sub-Tenon's blocks are best avoided. Topical anaesthesia has been used for some strabismus correction surgery but its use is limited to motivated and cooperative patients only.

Perioperative Management and Outcomes of Hyperthyroid Patients Unable to Tolerate Antithyroid Drugs

BACKGROUND

Prior to thyroidectomy for hyperthyroidism, it is recommended that patients are managed with antithyroid drugs (ATDs) and rendered euthyroid to decrease the risk of thyroid storm. However, not all patients tolerate ATD and the risk of thyroid storm during thyroidectomy in these patients is unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the management and outcomes of hyperthyroid patients that were on ATDs prior to surgery to those who were not.

STUDY DESIGN

A prospectively maintained, single-institution database was queried for all hyperthyroid patients who were initially treated with ATDs and underwent thyroidectomy from January 1, 2012, to June 18, 2018. Patients were divided into two groups: (1) those on ATDs at surgery (ATD group) and (2) those who could not tolerate and stopped ATDs prior to surgery (no-ATD group). Demographic and clinical data were collected. Primary outcomes were readmissions/emergency department visits and postoperative complications within 30 days of thyroidectomy.

RESULTS

Of the 248 patients, 231 were in the ATD group and 17 (7%) were in the no-ATD group. There were no mortalities or thyroid storm events in either group. There was no difference in Clavien-Dindo Grade 2 or 3 complications between the two groups. There were no ED visits or 30-day readmissions in the no-ATD group compared to 17 (7%) events in the ATD group (p = 1.0).

CONCLUSION

While it is preferable to render patients euthyroid prior to thyroidectomy for hyperthyroidism, results of this study suggest that when patients cannot tolerate ATDs, it is possible to perform thyroidectomy without increased risk of thyroid storm or intra- and postoperative complications.

Considerations for Thyroidectomy as Treatment for Graves Disease

Hyperthyroidism is a clinical state that results from abnormally elevated thyroid hormones. Thyroid gland affects many organ systems; therefore, patients usually present with multiple clinical manifestations that involve many organ systems such as the nervous, cardiovascular, muscular, and endocrine system as well as skin manifestations. Hyperthyroidism is most commonly caused by Graves disease, which is caused by autoantibodies to the thyrotropin receptor (TRAb). Other causes of hyperthyroidism include toxic multinodular goiter, toxic single adenoma, and thyroiditis. Diagnosis of hyperthyroidism can be established by measurement of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which will be suppressed with either elevated free T4 and/or T3 (overt hyperthyroidism) or normal free T3 and T4 (subclinical hyperthyroidism). Hyperthyroidism can be treated with antithyroid drugs (ATDs), radioactive iodine (RAI), or thyroidectomy. ATDs have a higher replacement rate when compared with RAI or thyroidectomy. Recent evidence has shown that thyroidectomy is a very effective, safe treatment modality for hyperthyroidism and can be performed as an outpatient procedure. This review article provides some of the most recent evidence on diagnosing and treating patients with hyperthyroidism.