Many surgical procedures in the head and neck regions produce visible scarring. The most common of these surgeries are tracheotomies and thyroidectomies. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has caused an increase in tracheotomy scars, particularly in those who survived severe infection with the disease and required long-term ventilation. Individuals with neck scars are at an increased risk of health consequences such as reduced quality of life, depression, and negative body image. Research on attitudes toward and reactions to individuals with such scarring is limited. The purpose of this study is to examine how people rate images of scarred individuals on personality and attractiveness attributions. In addition, dermatography, or medical tattooing, is an emerging cosmetic intervention used to mask scarring, and has demonstrated positive outcomes in cases of breast cancer. This study further aims to examine how people rate images of individuals with scars covered with medical tattoos. Personality attributions were measured using the Five Factor Scale and various dimensions of attractiveness were measured using the Interpersonal Attraction Scale. Acceptability of medical tattooing as a cosmetic intervention for head and neck scars was also examined using the Decision Satisfaction Scale. Participants consisted of 456 young adults and were presented with two series of images, each consisting of a young adult, the young adult with a neck scar, and the young adult with a tattoo covering the scar. Participants were asked to rate each image directly after viewing. We hypothesized that those without scars and those with medical tattoos would be rated more positively on personality and attraction scales than would those with scars. Multivariate analysis confirms scarring and medical tattoos influence personality attributions. Non-scarred individuals were rated more positively in perceived Agreeableness and Conscientiousness traits when compared to scarred individuals. However, when compared to non-scarred individuals, scarred individuals were rated more positively on the Openness to Experience trait. This demonstrates the variability of impressions that a neck scar can elicit. Reactions to scars covered with tattoos were mixed. Medical tattoo recipients were rated more positively on Extraversion and Openness to Experience traits compared to scarred individuals. They were also rated lower on Conscientiousness compared to scarred individuals. Acceptability of medical tattooing was higher in participants who reported lower levels of religiosity and higher levels of social media use. This study highlights the varying effects that head and neck scars can have on appearance and the use of medical tattooing in clinical practice.

Na primeira parte deste estudo, foram dissecados 30 polos superiores tireoideanos, de 15 cadáveres frescos, com o intuito de se identificar o ramo externo do nervo laríngeo superior (RELS) e analisar as suas relações anatômicas com o pedículo superior da glândula tireóide. Obedecendo a uma classificação eminentemente anátomo-cirúrgica, 1 nervo (3%) não foi localizado, 18 (60%) eram do Tipo 1 (cruzando os vasos tireoideanos superiores acima de 1 cm de um plano horizontal que passava pela borda do polo superior tireoideano), 5 (17%) eram do Tipo 2a (nervo a menos de 1 cm acima do plano acima descrito) e 6 (20%) eram do tipo 2b (nervo abaixo do plano). Esta última configuração anatômica foi considerada de alto risco de lesão iatrogênica durante uma hipotética tireoidectomia. A seguir, foi executado um estudo clínico, prospectivo e randomizado. Setenta e seis doentes, após uma avaliação fonoaudiológica completa pré-operatória, foram divididos em tres grupos. No Grupo 1, o polo superior foi dissecado pelo Autor com lupa, pesquisando-se o RELS, após a secção dos músculos pré-tireoideanos, por meio de um neuro-estimulador e observando-se a consequente contração do músculo crico-tireoídeo (MCf) no próprio campo operatório. No Grupo 2, o polo superior tireoideano foi dissecado por Médicos-Residentes de 20. Ano de Cirurgia Geral, estagiando na Disciplina de Cirurgia de Cabeça e Pescoço do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (DCCP-HC FMUSP), sem qualquer tentativa para se individualizar o RELS. Os indivíduos do Grupo 3 foram operados obedecendo à mesma técnica descrita no grupo anterior, pelo Autor. No período pós-operatório, foi repetida a avaliação fonoaudiológica e realizada uma eletromiografia de ambos os MCT. Os doentes que tiveram uma lesão completa do RELS, comprovada pela ausência de atividade elétrica do MCT, sofreram novas avaliações fonoaudiológica e eletromiográfica tardias, 6 meses após a cirurgia. Nenhum caso do Grupo 1 apresentou lesão completa do RELS. No Grupo 2, 28% dos pacientes exibiram esta lesão, que foi definitiva em 57%. No Grupo 3, constataram-se lesões totais em 12% dos doentes; nenhuma das lesões analisadas tardiamente neste grupo foi definitiva. Quando comparados com os nervos não dissecados, houve um aumento estatisticamente significativo de lesões completas nos Grupos 2 (p=O,0002776) e 3 (p=O,0346393), enquanto que não houve diferença nos doentes do Grupo 1. A avaliação fonoaudiológica revelou uma melhora nos parâmetros dos casos do Grupo 1, mormente aqueles relacionados com a respiração. Observou-se uma deterioração da performance vocal nos doentes do Grupo 2, que persistiu, em parte, na avaliação fonoaudiológica tardia. Já no Grupo 3 foi marcante uma piora estatisticamente significativa nas frequências mais altas e uma redução acentuada na extensão vocal, que foram atribuídas a lesões parciais do RELS, não detectadas pela avaliação eletromiográfica. Concluiu-se que a única forma eficaz de se prevenir uma lesão iatrogênica do RELS durante uma tireoidectomia foi a sua pesquisa sistemática e objetiva na região do polo superior, com O auxílio de um neuro-estimulador. / In the first part of this study, the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (RELS) was dissected in the region of 30 superior thyroid poles, in 15 fresh cadavers, with special attention for its anatomical relationship with the superior thyroid vessels. Four different kinds of nerves were found: Not localized - 1 (3%) nerve; Type 1 (crossing the superior thyroid vessels more than 1cm above a horizontal plane located at the upper limit of the superior thyroid pole) - 18 (60%); Type 2a (nerve situated less than 1 cm above the plane) - 5 (17%); Type 2b (nerve below the plane) - 6 (20%). This last relationship was considered to be \"high risk\", regarding an iatrogenic lesion during a hypothetical thyroidectomy. Then, a prospective randomized clinical study was undertaken. Seventy-six patients, after being submitted to a complete phonoaudiological evaluation, were divided in three groups. In Group 1, the superior thyroid pole was dissected by the Author with a loupe, searching the RELS with a nerve stimulator, after dividing the strap muscles to gain better exposure. The identification of the nerve was considered to be positive when a contraction of the cricothyroid muscle (MCT) was obtained. In Group 2, the superior thyroid pole was operated on by 2nd Year General Surgery Residents, training during a I-rnonth period at the Department of Head and Neck Surgery of Hospital das Clínicas of the University of São Paulo Medical School (DCCP-HC FMUSP), without any attempt to identify the RELS. In Group 3, the patients were operated on by the Author, according to the same technique described for the Group 2. In the postoperative period, the complete phonoaudiological evaluation was repeated and an electromiography of both MCTs was performed. Those cases who showed a complete lesion of the RELS, which was evident by the absence of any electrical activity of the MCT, underwent again both phonoaudiological and electromiographic evaluations, 6 months after the surgery. No patient in Group 1 showed any complete lesion of the RELS. In Group 2, 28% of the cases suffered this lesion, which was definitive in 57%. In Group 3, 12% of the patients had a complete paralysis of the nerve; none of the two lesions analyzed after 6 months (67%) proved to be definitive. A comparison of the three groups was established with the non-dissected nerves. A significant statistical difference was obtained in the Groups 2 (p=0.0002776) and 3 (p=0.00346393), clearly demonstrating an increased risk of lesion in these groups. No difference was observed between Group 1 and the non-dissected nerves group. An actual improvement in the vocal performance was noted in Goup 1, especially regarding respiratory characteristics. On the other hand, the vocal performance worsened in Group 2 patients, and this deterioration persisted, in part, also during the late evaluations. ln Group 3, there was a marked lowering of the highest frequencies, associated with a profound reduction in the vocal extension. These features were attributed to partial RELS lesions, which could not be detected by the electromiography. ln conclusion, the only effective way to prevent an iatrogenic lesion of the RELS during a thyroidectomy was, in this study, an objective and meticulous search of the nerve near the superior thyroid pole, using a nerve stimulator.

Na primeira parte deste estudo, foram dissecados 30 polos superiores tireoideanos, de 15 cadáveres frescos, com o intuito de se identificar o ramo externo do nervo laríngeo superior (RELS) e analisar as suas relações anatômicas com o pedículo superior da glândula tireóide. Obedecendo a uma classificação eminentemente anátomo-cirúrgica, 1 nervo (3%) não foi localizado, 18 (60%) eram do Tipo 1 (cruzando os vasos tireoideanos superiores acima de 1 cm de um plano horizontal que passava pela borda do polo superior tireoideano), 5 (17%) eram do Tipo 2a (nervo a menos de 1 cm acima do plano acima descrito) e 6 (20%) eram do tipo 2b (nervo abaixo do plano). Esta última configuração anatômica foi considerada de alto risco de lesão iatrogênica durante uma hipotética tireoidectomia. A seguir, foi executado um estudo clínico, prospectivo e randomizado. Setenta e seis doentes, após uma avaliação fonoaudiológica completa pré-operatória, foram divididos em tres grupos. No Grupo 1, o polo superior foi dissecado pelo Autor com lupa, pesquisando-se o RELS, após a secção dos músculos pré-tireoideanos, por meio de um neuro-estimulador e observando-se a consequente contração do músculo crico-tireoídeo (MCf) no próprio campo operatório. No Grupo 2, o polo superior tireoideano foi dissecado por Médicos-Residentes de 20. Ano de Cirurgia Geral, estagiando na Disciplina de Cirurgia de Cabeça e Pescoço do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (DCCP-HC FMUSP), sem qualquer tentativa para se individualizar o RELS. Os indivíduos do Grupo 3 foram operados obedecendo à mesma técnica descrita no grupo anterior, pelo Autor. No período pós-operatório, foi repetida a avaliação fonoaudiológica e realizada uma eletromiografia de ambos os MCT. Os doentes que tiveram uma lesão completa do RELS, comprovada pela ausência de atividade elétrica do MCT, sofreram novas avaliações fonoaudiológica e eletromiográfica tardias, 6 meses após a cirurgia. Nenhum caso do Grupo 1 apresentou lesão completa do RELS. No Grupo 2, 28% dos pacientes exibiram esta lesão, que foi definitiva em 57%. No Grupo 3, constataram-se lesões totais em 12% dos doentes; nenhuma das lesões analisadas tardiamente neste grupo foi definitiva. Quando comparados com os nervos não dissecados, houve um aumento estatisticamente significativo de lesões completas nos Grupos 2 (p=O,0002776) e 3 (p=O,0346393), enquanto que não houve diferença nos doentes do Grupo 1. A avaliação fonoaudiológica revelou uma melhora nos parâmetros dos casos do Grupo 1, mormente aqueles relacionados com a respiração. Observou-se uma deterioração da performance vocal nos doentes do Grupo 2, que persistiu, em parte, na avaliação fonoaudiológica tardia. Já no Grupo 3 foi marcante uma piora estatisticamente significativa nas frequências mais altas e uma redução acentuada na extensão vocal, que foram atribuídas a lesões parciais do RELS, não detectadas pela avaliação eletromiográfica. Concluiu-se que a única forma eficaz de se prevenir uma lesão iatrogênica do RELS durante uma tireoidectomia foi a sua pesquisa sistemática e objetiva na região do polo superior, com O auxílio de um neuro-estimulador. / In the first part of this study, the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (RELS) was dissected in the region of 30 superior thyroid poles, in 15 fresh cadavers, with special attention for its anatomical relationship with the superior thyroid vessels. Four different kinds of nerves were found: Not localized - 1 (3%) nerve; Type 1 (crossing the superior thyroid vessels more than 1cm above a horizontal plane located at the upper limit of the superior thyroid pole) - 18 (60%); Type 2a (nerve situated less than 1 cm above the plane) - 5 (17%); Type 2b (nerve below the plane) - 6 (20%). This last relationship was considered to be \"high risk\", regarding an iatrogenic lesion during a hypothetical thyroidectomy. Then, a prospective randomized clinical study was undertaken. Seventy-six patients, after being submitted to a complete phonoaudiological evaluation, were divided in three groups. In Group 1, the superior thyroid pole was dissected by the Author with a loupe, searching the RELS with a nerve stimulator, after dividing the strap muscles to gain better exposure. The identification of the nerve was considered to be positive when a contraction of the cricothyroid muscle (MCT) was obtained. In Group 2, the superior thyroid pole was operated on by 2nd Year General Surgery Residents, training during a I-rnonth period at the Department of Head and Neck Surgery of Hospital das Clínicas of the University of São Paulo Medical School (DCCP-HC FMUSP), without any attempt to identify the RELS. In Group 3, the patients were operated on by the Author, according to the same technique described for the Group 2. In the postoperative period, the complete phonoaudiological evaluation was repeated and an electromiography of both MCTs was performed. Those cases who showed a complete lesion of the RELS, which was evident by the absence of any electrical activity of the MCT, underwent again both phonoaudiological and electromiographic evaluations, 6 months after the surgery. No patient in Group 1 showed any complete lesion of the RELS. In Group 2, 28% of the cases suffered this lesion, which was definitive in 57%. In Group 3, 12% of the patients had a complete paralysis of the nerve; none of the two lesions analyzed after 6 months (67%) proved to be definitive. A comparison of the three groups was established with the non-dissected nerves. A significant statistical difference was obtained in the Groups 2 (p=0.0002776) and 3 (p=0.00346393), clearly demonstrating an increased risk of lesion in these groups. No difference was observed between Group 1 and the non-dissected nerves group. An actual improvement in the vocal performance was noted in Goup 1, especially regarding respiratory characteristics. On the other hand, the vocal performance worsened in Group 2 patients, and this deterioration persisted, in part, also during the late evaluations. ln Group 3, there was a marked lowering of the highest frequencies, associated with a profound reduction in the vocal extension. These features were attributed to partial RELS lesions, which could not be detected by the electromiography. ln conclusion, the only effective way to prevent an iatrogenic lesion of the RELS during a thyroidectomy was, in this study, an objective and meticulous search of the nerve near the superior thyroid pole, using a nerve stimulator.

INTRODUÇÃO: As queixas vocais e de deglutição podem ser apresentadas após o tratamento cirúrgico da doença de tireóide em pacientes com ou sem a mobilidade laríngea preservada. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar e comparar a voz e a deglutição de pacientes com e sem mobilidade laríngea alterada após a tireoidectomia. MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo no qual foram avaliados pacientes com doença de tireóide divididos em dois grupos: GA, com mobilidade laríngea alterada após a tireoidectomia e GB, preservada. O protocolo de avaliação vocal perceptivo-auditiva e acústica e nasofibroscopia da deglutição foi aplicado no pré, pós-operatório recente e tardio. Ambos apresentaram percentual maior de mulheres, da faixa etária entre 46 a 65 anos e de tireoidectomia total. O número reduzido de tabagistas e da indicação de esvaziamento cervical também foi comum aos dois grupos. O carcinoma papilífero foi mais freqüente no GA e o bócio, no GB; e o volume do tecido ressecado foi menor no GA em relação ao GB. RESULTADOS: A avaliação da deglutição revelou que no GA, não houve alteração no pré-operatório (PRE). No pósoperatório recente (POR) foi observada em 87% e no pós-operatório tardio (POT), em 67%. Houve diferença estatística entre os períodos PRE e POR e PRE e POT (p<0,001). A penetração e aspiração com líquido foram identificadas em 33% da amostra no POR (p=0,014). A estase de alimento ocorreu em 87% no POR e 60% no POT(p<0,001). No GB, somente os resultados entre PRE e POR tiveram significância estatística para deglutição, com aumento de 44% no número de indivíduos com disfagia, apresentando estase e escape prematuro do alimento. Os resultados de voz indicaram que a disfonia em grau discreto caracterizada pela rugosidade esteve presente em 67% da amostra do GA no PRE. Houve diferença significativa entre PRE e POR, no grau geral, tensão, instabilidade, pitch, loudness e foco ressonantal. Entre PRE e POT, a significância ocorreu apenas no pitch e loudness. Os dados acústicos não apresentaram diferença relevante no GA. No GB, 87% foi classificado como disfônico no PRE, com rugosidade (85%) discreta (64%) e ressonância faringolaríngea (67%) como as características mais notadas. A comparação entre PRE e POR revelou piora com diferença significante no grau geral, tensão, pitch e loudness. Entre PRE e POT, houve diferença apenas no pitch e loudness. CONCLUSÕES: Pacientes com doença de tireóide apresentam disfonia mesmo antes da cirurgia. Após a tireoidectomia, apresentam disfonia e disfagia, mais evidentes no pós-operatório recente e mais graves nos indivíduos com mobilidade laríngea alterada. As disfunções estão associadas a fatores supraglóticos e faríngeos e não somente a mobilidade de pregas vocais e podem ocorrer devido a intubação orotraqueal, manipulação da musculatura extrínseca e danos do nervo laríngeo. / INTRODUCTION: The vocal and deglutition complaints can be presented after surgical treatment of thyroid disease in patients with or without preserved laryngeal mobility. The objective of this study was to evaluate and to compare the voice and swallowing function of patients with and without laryngeal mobility after thyroidectomy. METHODS: This prospective study evaluated patients with thyroid disease divided in two groups: GA with laryngeal mobility modified after surgery and GB, preserved. The perceptual and acoustical analysis and fiberoptic endoscope of swallowing evaluation protocol were applied at preoperatory, recent and late post operatory. Both groups had presented bigger percentage of women, with age between 46 and 65 years, and total thyroidectomy. Reduced numbers of smokers and indication of neck dissection was common to the two groups. Papillary carcinoma was more frequent in the GA, and the benign tumor in the GB; and resected tissue volume was smaller in the GA in relation to GB. RESULTS: The evaluation of the deglutition indicated that the GA did not have alteration at preoperatory (PRE). At recent postoperative (POR) it was observed in 87% and at late period (POT), in 67%. There was statistical difference between PRE and POR, and PRE and POT (p< 0,001). Penetration and aspiration with liquid had been identified in 33% of the sample at POR (p=0,014). Residue of food occurred in 87% at POR and 60% at POT (p< 0,001). In the GB, the results between PRE and POR had significance only for deglutition, with increase of 44% in the number of individuals with dysphagia, presenting residue and premature escape of the food. Voice results had indicated light degree dysphonia characterized by the roughness in 67% of the sample of the GA at PRE. There was significant difference between PRE and POR, in the global grade, strain, instability, pitch, loudness and resonance focus. Between PRE and POT, the significance it occurred only in pitch and loudness. The acoustic data had not presented statistical difference in the GA. In GB, 87% was classified as dysphonic at PRE, with light (64%) roughness (85%) and pharyngolaryngeal resonance (67%) as the more observed characteristics. The comparison between PRE and POR showed worsening with significant difference in the global grade, strain, pitch and loudness. Between PRE and POT, it had difference only in pitch and loudness. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with thyroid disease present dysphonia before the surgery. After thyroidectomy, presents dysphonia and dysphagia, evidenced at POR and more severe in the individuals without laryngeal mobility. These dysfunctions are associated to pharyngeal and laryngeal factors and occur due to orotracheal intubation, manipulation of the extrinsic muscle and damage of the laryngeal nerve.

Orientador: Antonio José Maria Cataneo / Resumo: Introdução: A paralisia de pregas vocais caracteriza-se como uma das principais complicações e sequelas após a tireoidectomia. A técnica convencional compreende a identificação visual do trajeto do nervo para sua preservação e a neuromonitorização do nervo laríngeo recorrente (NLR) durante a cirurgia de tireóide visa a redução do risco de paralisias por injúria ao NLR, porém sua utilidade ainda é discutível. Objetivos: Determinar através de revisão sistemática se o uso da neuromonitorização do NLR durante tireoidectomias realmente apresenta benefícios comparado á técnica convencional de identificação somente do nervo durante a cirurgia, especialmente em termos de redução do risco de paralisia de prega vocal, seja transitória ou permanente. Materiais e Métodos: A pesquisa nas principais bases de dados, MEDLINE via PUBMED, LILACS, SCOPUS, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL); clinicaltrials.gov e fontes adicionais foi realizada em Maio de 2018. Uma revisão sistemática e meta-análise foram feitas usando o modelo de efeitos fixos. O GRADE foi usado para classificar a qualidade das evidências. Os desfechos primários avaliados foram o total de paralisias do NLR por nervos em risco, paralisias transitórias e permanentes e o tempo de cirurgia comparando-se as duas técnicas. Como desfechos secundário avaliou-se o tempo de cirurgia. Foi realizada análise de subgrupos de pacientes de alto e baixo risco de injuria do NLR. Também avaliamos como análise de subgr... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Introduction: Vocal cord paralysis is characterized as one of the main complications and sequels after thyroidectomy. The conventional technique comprises the visual identification of the nerve path for its preservation and recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) neuromonitoring during thyroid surgery aims to reduce the risk of paralysis due to injury to the RLN, but its usefulness is still debatable. Objectives: To determine through systematic review if the use of neuromonitoring of the RLN during thyroidectomies actually presents benefits compared to the conventional technique of only identification of the nerve during surgery, especially in terms of reducing the risk of vocal fold paralysis, whether transient or permanent. Materials and Methods: The search in the main databases, MEDLINE, LILACS, SCOPUS, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL); clinicaltrials.gov and additional sources was performed in May 2018. A systematic review and meta-analysis was done using the fixed-effects model. GRADE was used to classify the quality of the evidence. The primary endpoints evaluated were the total nerve paralysis for nerves at risk, transient and permanent paralyzes, and surgery time comparing the two techniques. As secondary outcomes, the time of surgery was evaluated. We also evaluated as subgroup analysis the transient and permanent paralysis in a group of patients with high and low risk of RLN injury. Results: Four randomized clinical trials involving 1.379 pat... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Submitted by TAMIRES FERREIRA SIQUEIRA (tamy_170@yahoo.com.br) on 2018-08-03T16:10:50Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese Mestrado Tamires.1.pdf: 1168639 bytes, checksum: b2029c52ab3322c660f0abd08f81dd9e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Sulamita Selma C Colnago null (sulamita@btu.unesp.br) on 2018-08-06T13:19:27Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 siqueira_tm_me_bot.pdf: 1168639 bytes, checksum: b2029c52ab3322c660f0abd08f81dd9e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-06T13:19:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 siqueira_tm_me_bot.pdf: 1168639 bytes, checksum: b2029c52ab3322c660f0abd08f81dd9e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-07-12 / Introdução: A paralisia de pregas vocais caracteriza-se como uma das principais complicações e sequelas após a tireoidectomia. A técnica convencional compreende a identificação visual do trajeto do nervo para sua preservação e a neuromonitorização do nervo laríngeo recorrente (NLR) durante a cirurgia de tireóide visa a redução do risco de paralisias por injúria ao NLR, porém sua utilidade ainda é discutível. Objetivos: Determinar através de revisão sistemática se o uso da neuromonitorização do NLR durante tireoidectomias realmente apresenta benefícios comparado á técnica convencional de identificação somente do nervo durante a cirurgia, especialmente em termos de redução do risco de paralisia de prega vocal, seja transitória ou permanente. Materiais e Métodos: A pesquisa nas principais bases de dados, MEDLINE via PUBMED, LILACS, SCOPUS, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL); clinicaltrials.gov e fontes adicionais foi realizada em Maio de 2018. Uma revisão sistemática e meta-análise foram feitas usando o modelo de efeitos fixos. O GRADE foi usado para classificar a qualidade das evidências. Os desfechos primários avaliados foram o total de paralisias do NLR por nervos em risco, paralisias transitórias e permanentes e o tempo de cirurgia comparando-se as duas técnicas. Como desfechos secundário avaliou-se o tempo de cirurgia. Foi realizada análise de subgrupos de pacientes de alto e baixo risco de injuria do NLR. Também avaliamos como análise de subgrupos as paralisias transitórias e permanentes em grupo de pacientes de alto e baixo risco de injúria do NLR. Resultados: Quatro ensaios clínicos randomizados envolvendo 1.379 pacientes submetidos à tireoidectomia utilizando a neuromonitorização ou com a identificação somente do NLR, sendo 2.605 o número total de nervos em risco foram avaliados. A neuromonitorização diminuiu o risco do total paralisias (transitórias e permanentes) de prega vocal em tireoidectomias (RR 0,64; IC 95% de 0,43 a 0,95, I 2 = 30%), assim como diminuiu o risco de paralisias transitórias (RR 0,60; IC 95% de 0,38 a 0,95, I 2 =10%), porém não diminuiu o risco de paralisias permanentes (RR 0,84; IC 95% de 0,36 a 1,93, I 2 = 0%). A análise da média do tempo de cirurgia foi conduzida em dois estudos, entretanto como a heterogeneidade entre os estudos foi maior que 75% a metanálise não foi apropriada para estabelecer a diferença do tempo médio de cirurgia entre os grupos. Quanto a análise de subgrupos, observou-se que a neuromonitorização não diminuiu o risco de paralisias transitórias (RR 0,61; IC 95% de 0,28 a 1,31, I 2 = 0%) e nem o risco de paralisias permanentes de prega vocal em tireoidectomias de baixo risco (RR 1,03; IC 95% de 0,21 a 5,07, I 2 não aplicável). Assim como também não diminuiu o risco de paralisias transitórias (RR 0,75; IC 95% de 0,18 a 3,07, I 2 = 71%) e de paralisias permanentes de prega vocal em tireoidectomias de alto risco (RR 0,69; IC 95% de 0,27 a 1,79, I 2 = 4%). Conclusões: Essa meta-análise utilizando apenas ensaios clínicos randomizados demonstrou que a neuromonitorização do nervo laríngeo recorrente em tireoidectomias possivelmente reduz ligeiramente o risco de paralisia transitória das pregas vocais, mas provavelmente faz pouca ou nenhuma diferença no risco de paralisia permanente. / Introduction: Vocal cord paralysis is characterized as one of the main complications and sequels after thyroidectomy. The conventional technique comprises the visual identification of the nerve path for its preservation and recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) neuromonitoring during thyroid surgery aims to reduce the risk of paralysis due to injury to the RLN, but its usefulness is still debatable. Objectives: To determine through systematic review if the use of neuromonitoring of the RLN during thyroidectomies actually presents benefits compared to the conventional technique of only identification of the nerve during surgery, especially in terms of reducing the risk of vocal fold paralysis, whether transient or permanent. Materials and Methods: The search in the main databases, MEDLINE, LILACS, SCOPUS, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL); clinicaltrials.gov and additional sources was performed in May 2018. A systematic review and meta-analysis was done using the fixed-effects model. GRADE was used to classify the quality of the evidence. The primary endpoints evaluated were the total nerve paralysis for nerves at risk, transient and permanent paralyzes, and surgery time comparing the two techniques. As secondary outcomes, the time of surgery was evaluated. We also evaluated as subgroup analysis the transient and permanent paralysis in a group of patients with high and low risk of RLN injury. Results: Four randomized clinical trials involving 1.379 patients undergoing thyroidectomy using neuromonitoring or with identification only of the RLN, of which 2.605 was the total number of nerves at risk evaluated. Neuromonitoring reduced the risk of total (transient and permanent) vocal fold paralysis after thyroidectomies (RR 0.64, 95% CI 0.93 to 0.95, I 2 = 30%), as well as decreased the risk of transient paralysis (RR 0.60, 95% CI 0.38 to 0.95, I 2 = 10%), but did not decrease the risk of permanent paralysis (RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.36 to 1.93, I2 = 0%). The analysis of the mean time of surgery was conducted in two studies, however, the heterogeneity between the studies was greater than 75% and the meta-analysis was not appropriate to establish the difference in the mean time of surgery between the groups. As the analysis of subgroups, it was observed that neuromonitoring did not reduce the risk of transient paralysis (RR 0.61, 95% CI 0.28 to 1.31, I 2 = 0%) and neither the risk of permanent paralysis in low-risk thyroidectomies (RR 1.03, 95% CI 0.21 to 5.07, I2 not applicable). As it also did not reduce the risk of transient paralysis (RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.18 to 3.07, I2 = 71%) and permanent vocal fold paralysis in high-risk thyroidectomies (RR 0, 69, 95% CI 0.27 to 1.79, I 2 = 4%). Conclusions: This meta-analysis using only randomized clinical trials has demonstrated that recurrent laryngeal nerve neuromonitoring in thyroidectomies possibly slightly reduces the risk of transient vocal fold paralysis but probably makes little or no difference in the risk of permanent paralysis.

INTRODUÇÃO: As queixas vocais e de deglutição podem ser apresentadas após o tratamento cirúrgico da doença de tireóide em pacientes com ou sem a mobilidade laríngea preservada. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar e comparar a voz e a deglutição de pacientes com e sem mobilidade laríngea alterada após a tireoidectomia. MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo no qual foram avaliados pacientes com doença de tireóide divididos em dois grupos: GA, com mobilidade laríngea alterada após a tireoidectomia e GB, preservada. O protocolo de avaliação vocal perceptivo-auditiva e acústica e nasofibroscopia da deglutição foi aplicado no pré, pós-operatório recente e tardio. Ambos apresentaram percentual maior de mulheres, da faixa etária entre 46 a 65 anos e de tireoidectomia total. O número reduzido de tabagistas e da indicação de esvaziamento cervical também foi comum aos dois grupos. O carcinoma papilífero foi mais freqüente no GA e o bócio, no GB; e o volume do tecido ressecado foi menor no GA em relação ao GB. RESULTADOS: A avaliação da deglutição revelou que no GA, não houve alteração no pré-operatório (PRE). No pósoperatório recente (POR) foi observada em 87% e no pós-operatório tardio (POT), em 67%. Houve diferença estatística entre os períodos PRE e POR e PRE e POT (p<0,001). A penetração e aspiração com líquido foram identificadas em 33% da amostra no POR (p=0,014). A estase de alimento ocorreu em 87% no POR e 60% no POT(p<0,001). No GB, somente os resultados entre PRE e POR tiveram significância estatística para deglutição, com aumento de 44% no número de indivíduos com disfagia, apresentando estase e escape prematuro do alimento. Os resultados de voz indicaram que a disfonia em grau discreto caracterizada pela rugosidade esteve presente em 67% da amostra do GA no PRE. Houve diferença significativa entre PRE e POR, no grau geral, tensão, instabilidade, pitch, loudness e foco ressonantal. Entre PRE e POT, a significância ocorreu apenas no pitch e loudness. Os dados acústicos não apresentaram diferença relevante no GA. No GB, 87% foi classificado como disfônico no PRE, com rugosidade (85%) discreta (64%) e ressonância faringolaríngea (67%) como as características mais notadas. A comparação entre PRE e POR revelou piora com diferença significante no grau geral, tensão, pitch e loudness. Entre PRE e POT, houve diferença apenas no pitch e loudness. CONCLUSÕES: Pacientes com doença de tireóide apresentam disfonia mesmo antes da cirurgia. Após a tireoidectomia, apresentam disfonia e disfagia, mais evidentes no pós-operatório recente e mais graves nos indivíduos com mobilidade laríngea alterada. As disfunções estão associadas a fatores supraglóticos e faríngeos e não somente a mobilidade de pregas vocais e podem ocorrer devido a intubação orotraqueal, manipulação da musculatura extrínseca e danos do nervo laríngeo. / INTRODUCTION: The vocal and deglutition complaints can be presented after surgical treatment of thyroid disease in patients with or without preserved laryngeal mobility. The objective of this study was to evaluate and to compare the voice and swallowing function of patients with and without laryngeal mobility after thyroidectomy. METHODS: This prospective study evaluated patients with thyroid disease divided in two groups: GA with laryngeal mobility modified after surgery and GB, preserved. The perceptual and acoustical analysis and fiberoptic endoscope of swallowing evaluation protocol were applied at preoperatory, recent and late post operatory. Both groups had presented bigger percentage of women, with age between 46 and 65 years, and total thyroidectomy. Reduced numbers of smokers and indication of neck dissection was common to the two groups. Papillary carcinoma was more frequent in the GA, and the benign tumor in the GB; and resected tissue volume was smaller in the GA in relation to GB. RESULTS: The evaluation of the deglutition indicated that the GA did not have alteration at preoperatory (PRE). At recent postoperative (POR) it was observed in 87% and at late period (POT), in 67%. There was statistical difference between PRE and POR, and PRE and POT (p< 0,001). Penetration and aspiration with liquid had been identified in 33% of the sample at POR (p=0,014). Residue of food occurred in 87% at POR and 60% at POT (p< 0,001). In the GB, the results between PRE and POR had significance only for deglutition, with increase of 44% in the number of individuals with dysphagia, presenting residue and premature escape of the food. Voice results had indicated light degree dysphonia characterized by the roughness in 67% of the sample of the GA at PRE. There was significant difference between PRE and POR, in the global grade, strain, instability, pitch, loudness and resonance focus. Between PRE and POT, the significance it occurred only in pitch and loudness. The acoustic data had not presented statistical difference in the GA. In GB, 87% was classified as dysphonic at PRE, with light (64%) roughness (85%) and pharyngolaryngeal resonance (67%) as the more observed characteristics. The comparison between PRE and POR showed worsening with significant difference in the global grade, strain, pitch and loudness. Between PRE and POT, it had difference only in pitch and loudness. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with thyroid disease present dysphonia before the surgery. After thyroidectomy, presents dysphonia and dysphagia, evidenced at POR and more severe in the individuals without laryngeal mobility. These dysfunctions are associated to pharyngeal and laryngeal factors and occur due to orotracheal intubation, manipulation of the extrinsic muscle and damage of the laryngeal nerve.

<p>Uvod: Hirur&scaron;ko lečenje nodozne bolesti &scaron;titaste žlezde predstavlja jednu od najče&scaron;će izvođenih operacija u endokrinoj hirurgiji. Pored klasičnih hirur&scaron;kih metoda, poslednjih godina su se pojavile različite tehnike minimalno invazivne tireoidektomije kao rezultat sveukupnog trenda razvoja minimalno invazivnih hirur&scaron;kih tehnika. Kliničke indikacije i prednosti izvođenja minimalno invazivne video-asistirane tiroidektomije (MIVAT) u odnosu na klasičnu hirur&scaron;ku tehniku u lečenju nodozne bolesti &scaron;titaste žlezde su i dalje nedovoljno definisane i u fokusu su savremenih istraživanja. Cilj istraživanja je procena učestalosti komplikacija (intraoperativno i postoperativno krvarenje, pareza i paraliza laringealnog živca, hipoparatireoidizam) tokom i nakon minimalno invazivne tireoidektomije u nodoznim benignim oboljenjima &scaron;titaste žlezde uz poređenje sa klasičnom tireoidektomijom, da se ispita intenzitet postoperativnog bola, merenjem pomoću vizuelno analogne skale tokom sedam postoperativnih dana, nakon minimalno invazivne tireoidektomije u nodoznim benignim oboljenjima &scaron;titaste žlezde uz poređenje sa klasičnom tireoidektomijom, kao i da se ispita dužina bolničkog boravka nakon minimalno invazivne tireoidektomije u nodoznim benignim oboljenjima &scaron;titaste žlezde uz poređenje sa klasičnom tireoidektomijom. Metodologija: Ispitivanje je sprovedeno kao prospektivna, kontrolisana randomizirana studija, u trajanju od novembra 2014. do aprila 2016. godine i obuhvatila je analizu 100 pacijenata operisanih na Klinici za grudnu hirurgiju Instituta za plućne bolesti Vojvodine zbog nodozne bolesti &scaron;titaste žlezde. Svi ispitanici su podeljeni u dve osnovne grupe u odnosu na operativnu tehniku: klasična metoda (KM) i minimalno invazivna videoasistirana metoda (MIVAM). Faze u toku ispitivanja su obuhvatile: analizu podataka o preoperativnim morfo-funkcionalnim dijagnostičkim testovima za nodoznu bolest &scaron;titaste žlezde (karakteristike ultrazvučnog nalaza nodozne promene i vrednosti volumena izmenjenog režnja &scaron;titaste žlezde), nalaz citolo&scaron;kog pregleda punktata tiroidnog nodusa dobijenog tankom iglom, laboratorijski pokazatelji poremećaja &scaron;titaste žlezde u cilju definisanja funkcionog stanja, odnosno postojanja autoimunog oboljenja &scaron;titaste žlezde; analizu perioperativnih karakteristika hirur&scaron;kih metoda [dužina incizije (cm), operativno vreme (min), težina odstranjenog patoanatomskog supstrata (gr), intraoperativni gubitak krvi (ml)], analiza ranih postoperativnih komplikacija (krvarenje i hematom, povreda donjeg rekurentnog laringealnog živca (nalaz direktne laringoskopije na kraju operacije), hipokalcemija, kolaps traheje, edem larinksa, serom, infekcija, dehiscencija], analiza nehirur&scaron;kih komplikacija, dužina hospitalizacije u danima, intenzitet i dužina trajanja postoperativnih bolova [(upotreba vizuelno analogne skale (VAS) bola 1, 2 i 7 postoperativnog dana)], kasne postoperativne komplikacije (6 meseci nakon operacije), stepen zadovoljstva esteskim rezultatom (anketa sprovedena na kontrolnom pregledu 6 meseci nakon operacije-kozmetski skor). Rezultati: U periodu izvođenja studije od novembra 2014. do aprila 2016. godine, nakon primene kriterijuma za uključivanje/isključivanje iz studije od 175 preostalo je 102 ispitanika, zbog patohistolo&scaron;kog nalaza maligniteta ex tempore biopsije kod jednog pacijenta, a kao i zbog intraoperativno uočenih izraženih adhezivnih promena kod jednog pacijenta urađena je konverzija, odnosno promena operativne tehnike minimalno invazivne u klasičnu metodu. U statističku obradu je uključeno ukupno 100 ispitanika podeljenih u dve grupe: grupu I bolesnika - KM (n = 50) i grupu II bolesnika - MIVAM (n = 50). U ispitivanje je ukupno uključeno 78 žena i 22 mu&scaron;karca. U odnosu na polnu strukturu u ispitivanim grupama nije uočena postojanje statistički značajne zastupljenosti u zastupljenosti mu&scaron;kog (p = 0,18), odnosno ženskog pola (p = 0,59). Takođe, uočeno je da među grupama ispitanika ne postoji statistički značajna razlika po godinama života (p = 0,16). Nije bilo statistički značajne razlike između ispitivanih grupa u odnosu na vrstu oboljenja &scaron;titaste žlezde i funkcioni status, kao ni u odnosu na ultrazvučne karakteristike solitarnog (dominantnog) nodusa kod ispitanika (veličine nodusa, ehogenost nodusa, ivica nodusa, kalcifikacija, vaskularizacije), u odnosu na citolo&scaron;ku dijagnozu aspirata uboda tankom iglom (benigni, neodgovarajući, sumnjivi), te u odnosu na volemn izmenjenog režnja. Analizom perioperativnih pokazatelja hirur&scaron;kih metoda u grupi MIVAM je utvrđena statički značajno manja dužina incije u odnosu na KM grupu (2,0 &plusmn; 0,5 cm vs. 7 &plusmn; 1,9 cm, p = 0,00), dok se težina patoanatomskog supstata (18,3 &plusmn; 6,4 vs. 19,6 &plusmn; 5,2 gr, p = 0,21), operativno vreme za izvođenje lobektomije (54 &plusmn; 14 vs. 61 &plusmn; 16 min, p = 0,25), odnosno operativno vreme za izvođenje tireoidektomije (72 &plusmn; 27 vs. 85 &plusmn; 24 min, p = 0,36) nisu statitički značajno razlikovali između ispitivanih grupa. U grupi MIVAM, rane postoperativne komplikacije (krvarenje, povreda donjeg rekurentnog laringealnog živca I hipokalcemija) su se javile kod 8% (4/50), a u KM grupi kod je 10% (5/50), &scaron;to nije bilo statistički značajno (p = 0,72). U odnosu na kasne postoperativne komplikacije, samo je kod jednog pacijenta iz MIVAM grupe registrovano postojanje keloida, dok se (trajni hipoparatiroidizam, recidivantni hipertiroidizam, reakcija na strano telo) nije zabeleženo. Nije uočena statistički značajna razlika (p &gt; 0,005 za sve) u zastupljenosti vrste nalaza patohistolo&scaron;kog pregleda odstranjenog supstrata (koloidna struma, folikularni adenoma, cista, papilarni karcinom i Hashimoto tiroiditis). Pacijenti iz MIVAM grupe statistički značajno imaju manji prosečan intenzitet bola po VAS skali u vremenskim intervalima nakon operacije 6h, 24h i 48 h (p &lt; 0,05, za sve). Ukupni kozmetski skor je bio statistički značajno vi&scaron;i u MIVAM grupi u odnosu na KM grupu (18,9 &plusmn; 1,4 vs. 15,8 &plusmn; 1,3, p = 0,00). Zaključci:Učestalost ranih postoperativnih komplikacija (intraoperativno i postoperativno krvarenje, pareza i paraliza laringealnog živca, hipokalcemija) je bez signifikantne razlike, praktično podjedanaka kod pacijenata operisanih minimalno invazivnom metodom u komparaciji sa klasičnom metodom. Prosečna dužina trajanja minimalno invazivne tireoidektomije i klasične tireoidektomije je bez signifikatne razlike, &scaron;to može govoriti o odgovarajućem nivou hirur&scaron;ke tehnike koji omogućava prednosti minimalne invazivnosti kao hirur&scaron;kog principa. Dužina hospitalizacije nakon minimalno invazivne tireoidektomije je značajno kraća u odnosu na klasičnu tireoidektomiju, &scaron;to značajno doprinosi sveukupnom oporavku pacijenta, a na taj način i tro&scaron;kovi lečenja se umanjuju.Primena minimalno invazivne tireoidektomije u odnosu na klasičnu tireoidektomiju, dovodi do smanjenja subjektivnog osećaja postoperativnog bola, u toku hospitalizacije (6 i 24 h), kao i sedam dana nakon intervencije. Kozmetski skor, kao pokazatelj zadovoljstva pacijenta sa izgledom ožiljka je statistički značano vi&scaron;i kod pacijenata koji su operisani minimalno invazivnom hirur&scaron;kom tehnikom u odnosu na pacijente koji su operisani klasičnom metodom, &scaron;to je u odnosu na predominantnu zastupljenost ženskog pola u ispitivanim grupama od posebnog značaja pri odabiru terapijskog tretmana. Prema rezultatima studije, nameće se opravdanost i potreba uvođenja minimalno invazivne tiroidektomije u standardnu kliničku praksu kao metode hirur&scaron;kog lečenja nodozne bolesti &scaron;titaste žlezde kod pacijenata sa urednim funkcionim statusom &scaron;titaste žlezde, kod kojih je veličina solitarnog/dominantnog nodusa do 35 mm.</p> / <p>INTRODUCTION: Surgical treatment of nodular thyroid disease is one of the most commonly performed procedures in endocrine surgery. In addition to traditional surgical methods, different techniques of minimally invasive thyreoid surgery have been developed. Clinical indications for the surgical treatment of nodular thyroid disease with minimally invasive video-assisted surgical technique are still insufficiently defined. The aim of the study was to estimate the incidence of complications (intraoperative and postoperative bleeding, paresis and paralysis of the laryngeal nerve, hypoparathyroidism) during and after minimally invasive thyroidectomy in benign nodular thyroid disease with a comparison with conventional thyroidectomy, to examine the intensity of postoperative pain, measured by a visual analog scale for seven postoperative days after surgery, as well as to examine the length of hospitalisation after minimally invasive thyroidectomy with a comparison with conventional thyroidectomy. METHODOLOGY: The study was conducted as a prospective, randomized controlled studies, from November 2014 to April 2016 and included the analysis of 100 patients operated at the Clinic for Thoracic Surgery, Institute for Pulmonary Diseases due to nodular thyroid disease. All subjects were divided into two basic groups according to the surgical technique: classical method (KM) and minimally invasive video-assisted method (MIVAM). Stages during the study included: analysis of data on preoperative morpho-functional diagnostic tests for thyroid disease (characteristic ultrasound findings, nodule caracteristics, volume of exchanged thyroid gland lobe), cytologic examination of aspirates of thyroid nodules obtained by fine needle, laboratory indicators of thyroid disorders gland in order to define the functional status and the presence of autoimmune thyroid disease; analysis of perioperative characteristics of surgical methods [incision length (cm), operative time (min), weight of removed pathoanatomic substrate (gr), intraoperative blood loss (ml)], the analysis of early postoperative complications (bleeding and hematoma, injury to lower recurrent laryngeal nerve (finding direct laryngoscopy at the end of the operation), hypocalcemia, the collapse of the trachea, laryngeal edema, seroma, infection, dehiscence] analysis nonsurgical complications, length of hospitalisation in hours, the intensity and duration of postoperative pain [(use of the visual analog scale (VAS) pain 1, 2 and 7 postoperative days)], late postoperative complications (6 months after surgery), the level of aesthetic satisfaction score (on control examination 6 months after surgery-cosmetic score). RESULTS: In the period of the study from November 2014 to April 2016, from 175 patients with nodular thyreoid disease 102 was observed after application of the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Since in the further analysis two patients was exluded (due to histological findings of malignancy ex tempore biopsy in one patient, and because of a perceived intraoperatively expressed adhesive changes in one patient underwent conversion) in statistical analysis patients were devided into two groups: group I patients - KM (n = 50) and group II patients - MIVAM (n = 50). The study included a total of 78 women and 22 men, it was observed that between the groups there was no statistically significant difference according to age (p = 0,16). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in terms of the type of thyroid gland function and functional status, as well as in relation to the ultrasonographic characteristics of solitary (dominant) nodule in the subjects (the size of nodules, echogenicity nodes, the edge nodes, calcification, vascularization), the cytological diagnosis of fine needle aspiration puncture (benign, inappropriate, suspicious) and with respect to the lobe volume. The analysis of indicators of perioperative surgical methods in the group MIVAM was significantly smaller length compared to KM group (2,0 &plusmn; 0,5 cm vs. 7 &plusmn; 1,9 cm, p = 0,00), until the weight of pathoanatomic supstrate (18,3 6 &plusmn; 4 vs. 19 &plusmn; 6 5 2 g, p = 0,21), the operating time for performing a lobectomy (54 &plusmn; 14 vs. 61 &plusmn; 16 min, p = 0,25) or operative time to perform the surgery (72 &plusmn; 27 vs. 85 &plusmn; 24 min, p = 0,36) were not significantly different between the groups. The group MIVAM, early postoperative complications (bleeding, injury to the lower recurrent laryngeal nerve and hypocalcemia) occurred in 8% (4/50), and KM group in 10% (5/50), which was not statistically significant (p = 0,72). Compared to late postoperative complications, only one patient from group MIVAM registered the existence of keloids, while (permanent hypoparathyroidism, recurrent hyperthyroidism, a reaction to a foreign body) was not recorded. There was no statistically significant difference (p &gt; 0,005 for all) in the presence of histological types of findings review the removed substrate (colloid goiter, follicular adenoma, cysts, papillary carcinoma and Hashimoto&#39;s thyroiditis). Patients in MIVAM groups have significantly lower average pain intensity by VAS scale at intervals after surgery 6h, 24h and 48 h (p &lt; 0,05, for all). Total cosmetic score was significantly higher in MIVAM group compared to the KM group (18,9 &plusmn; 1,4 vs. 15,8 &plusmn; 1,3, p = 0,00). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of early postoperative complications (intraoperative and postoperative bleeding, paresis and paralysis of the laryngeal nerve, hypocalcemia) were without significant differences between patients operated with minimally invasive method in comparison to the classical method. The average duration of minimally invasive thyroidectomy and classical thyroidectomy were without statistical significance difference, suggesting the appropriate level of surgical technique that enables the advantages of minimal invasiveness as surgical principles. Length of hospitalization after minimally invasive thyroidectomy was significantly shorter compared to conventional thyroidectomy, which significantly contributes to the overall recovery of the patient, lowering the cost of treatment. Minimally invasive thyroidectomy compared to conventional thyroidectomy, decreases the subjective feeling of postoperative pain, during hospitalization (6 and 24 h), as well as seven days after the intervention. In one-fifth of patients who underwent minimally invasive surgery method in the postoperative course of the subjective sensation of pain was not recorded. Cosmetic score as an indicator of patient satisfaction with the appearance of the scar was statistically higher in patients who underwent surgery less invasive surgical technique compared to patients who were operated by the classical method. According to the study, minimally invasive thyroidectomy has been demonstrated to be safe and superior to conventional open techniques for surgical treatment of nodular thyroid disease in patients with normal thyroid function with solitary/dominant nodule size &lt; 35 mm.</p>

The impact of the increasing incidence of thyroid cancer presents an interesting case study in public health policy and resource allocation. During the last three decades, thyroid cancer cases have increased by more than 400%. As an illness that affects the lives of hundreds of thousands each year, the human and economic costs will be magnified in the next decade. It is estimated that approximately 13-67% of people will have thyroid nodules during their life of which approximately 5% will be malignant. The standard treatment, a thyroidectomy frequently followed by radioactive 131 iodine treatment, accordingly would seem to be a likely future event for an increasing percentage of the population. Despite the magnitude of the increase, there has been no increase in age-adjusted mortality rates. This raises the question whether treatment is effective or warranted for many of these patients. Although there is almost no reliable data on its economic impact, its prevalence makes it likely that it is becoming one of the more expensive diseases in our health care system. Despite the pressing issue of its growth, thyroid cancer is one of the least studied and least funded cancers in the United States.

Notre thèse vise à étudier les conséquences d’une ablation totale ou partielle de la glande thyroïde suite à un dysfonctionnement thyroïdien, suivie ou non d’un traitement radiothérapique, et ce dans le domaine de la phonétique clinique. Ce type d’intervention perturbe généralement le système de production de la parole et conduit parfois à une dégradation de la qualité vocale de façon permanente (moins de 5% des cas) ou passagère. Le travail se veut une contribution aux recherches menées en linguistique et phonétique cliniques, plus particulièrement dans le cadre de l’analyse de faits compensatoires ou de réajustements mis en place par des patients, suite à une perturbation provoquée au niveau du fonctionnement de leur système phonatoire. Le travail a été effectué en collaboration avec le Groupe Hospitalier Saint-Vincent, et plus particulièrement avec la Clinique Sainte-Anne de Strasbourg, où se trouve le département de chirurgie thyroïdienne. Notre étude est longitudinale puisque nous avons suivi une cohorte de patients opérés de la glande thyroïde durant une année au moins, à raison d’une acquisition de données acoustiques et aérodynamiques par mois, l’examen post-opératoire ayant révélé ou non une lésion de la mobilité des plis vocaux. Nous avons étudié les possibles stratégies de compensation ou de réajustement que les patients ont pu mettre en place seuls ou à l’aide d’une rééducation orthophonique, et ce afin d’évaluer la flexibilité du système de production de la parole. Il s’agit donc d’étudier la flexibilité du système de production et de perception de la parole et de tenter de comprendre ce système à partir d’un dysfonctionnement d’origine pathologique. Il est ainsi question de déterminer les limites des déviations physiques imposées par les exigences linguistiques de clarté du système de perception de la parole. Par les différentes investigations que nous avons menées, nous avons tâché de rendre compte de la viabilité possible des unités phonétiques et phonologiques perceptivement stables, malgré une variabilité omniprésente dans le substrat physique, articulatoire, physiologique et acoustique. Une attention particulière est accordée aux dimensions sociétales liées à la qualité de vie (fatigue vocale, satisfaction des productions linguistiques, considération de soi, etc.). / Our thesis aims at studying the consequences of total or partial removal of the thyroid gland due to thyroid dysfunction, followed or not by a radiotherapy treatment, in the field of clinical phonetics. This type of intervention usually perturbs the speech production system and sometimes leads to permanent (less than 5% of cases) or transient degradation of voice quality. The work intends to be a contribution to research carried out in clinical linguistics and phonetics, more particularly in the area of compensatory or readjustment phenomena developed by patients, following perturbation provoked in their phonatory system. The work was carried out in collaboration with the Group Saint-Vincent Hospital, and more particularly with the Clinique Sainte-Anne of Strasbourg, within the department of thyroid surgery. Our study is longitudinal since we have followed a cohort of patients, who underwent thyroid gland surgery, for at least one year, acquiring acoustic and aerodynamic data every month, the postoperative examination having revealed or not a lesion in the mobility of the vocal folds. We have studied possible compensation or readjustment strategies that patients were able to deploy by themselves or with the help of speech therapy, in order to assess the flexibility of the speech production system. The purpose is thus to evaluate the flexibility of the speech production and perception system and to try to understand how this system works based on a specific dysfunction of pathological origin. It is thus a question of determining the limits of physical deviations imposed by linguistic requirements of clarity of the speech perception system. Through the various investigations that we have conducted, we have tried to account for possible viability of perceptually stable phonetic and phonological units, despite an omnipresent variability in the physical, articulatory, physiological and acoustic substrate. Particular attention is paid to societal dimensions related to quality of life (vocal fatigue, satisfaction of linguistic productions, self-esteem, etc.).