Background: Multinodular goiter is a relatively common thyroid disorder with a marked female preponderance. Most of these goiters weigh less than 100 grams with those weighing more than 500 grams being exceptional. Th...Background: Multinodular goiter is a relatively common thyroid disorder with a marked female preponderance. Most of these goiters weigh less than 100 grams with those weighing more than 500 grams being exceptional. The massively expanding goiter due to the strategic anatomic location of thyroid gland, in addition to being cosmetically disfiguring can seriously compromise the patency of the trachea and oesophagus. Thyroidectomy for such goiters is a surgical challenge due to the possible association of tracheomalacia, retrosternal extension, skin involvement and the difficulty in intubation and dissection of the thyroid gland due to distorted and displaced anatomy. Material and methods: While presenting 2 patients who underwent thyroidectomy for glands weighing more than 500 grams, the literature is reviewed to analyze the technical difficulties and approach in such patients and the frequently encountered complications in them and their management. Results: A review of the literature revealed an additional 7 cases of patients who had undergone thyroidectomy for glands weighing more than 500 grams. Massively enlarged goiter was often associated with tracheomalacia, tracheal stenosis and retrosternal extension. Difficulty during surgery was most often encountered in establishing the airway and in exposure of the gland particularly when the skin was involved. The predominant postoperative complications were related to respiratory distress as a consequence of tracheomalacia and tracheal stenosis. Conclusion: In spite of the technical challenge related to the airway, and thyroidectomy, surgery continues to be the best option in experienced hands due to its distinct advantage of its immediate effect and complete resolution of compressive symptoms.展开更多
Preoperative tracheobronchoscopy(TBS) in the diag-nostic assessment of newborns affected by esophageal atresia(EA) was described in 1981. Nevertheless, the value of the procedure is actually much debated; only a few s...Preoperative tracheobronchoscopy(TBS) in the diag-nostic assessment of newborns affected by esophageal atresia(EA) was described in 1981. Nevertheless, the value of the procedure is actually much debated; only a few studies have clearly explored the advantages of TBS and this procedure is not yet routinely included inthe diagnostic and therapeutic assessment in many in-ternational pediatric surgery settings. Routine preoper-ative TBS is a safe procedure that enables the accurate examination of the tracheobronchial tree, the visualiza-tion of tracheoesophageal fistula and the diagnosis of tracheomalacia or associated respiratory anomalies. When a distal fistula is found, its occlusion with a Fog-arty balloon catheter improves mechanical ventilation and facilitates surgical repair. This review provides a detailed overview on the use of TBS in newborns with EA, focusing on technical aspects, anesthesiological management, indications and limits. The benefits and risks of the procedure are also compared with alterna-tive diagnostic tools, such as an esophageal contrast study, computed tomography scan and ultrasound.展开更多
In patients who undergo prolonged endotracheal intubation, tracheostomy is performed to prevent the tracheal and laryngeal trauma which may be caused by the intubation tube. In this report, a patient who was intubated...In patients who undergo prolonged endotracheal intubation, tracheostomy is performed to prevent the tracheal and laryngeal trauma which may be caused by the intubation tube. In this report, a patient who was intubated after a cerebrovascular embolism and required a tracheostomy for 6 months due to decannulation problems is presented. The patient subsequently developed a tracheomalacia. A stent was inserted and seen to provide functional support. Upon removal of the stent, the tracheomalacia improved. Although surgical therapy is claimed to provide higher success rate, stenting may also be a viable option for the management of tracheomalacia and improve the quality of life in patients with good general condition.展开更多
文摘Background: Multinodular goiter is a relatively common thyroid disorder with a marked female preponderance. Most of these goiters weigh less than 100 grams with those weighing more than 500 grams being exceptional. The massively expanding goiter due to the strategic anatomic location of thyroid gland, in addition to being cosmetically disfiguring can seriously compromise the patency of the trachea and oesophagus. Thyroidectomy for such goiters is a surgical challenge due to the possible association of tracheomalacia, retrosternal extension, skin involvement and the difficulty in intubation and dissection of the thyroid gland due to distorted and displaced anatomy. Material and methods: While presenting 2 patients who underwent thyroidectomy for glands weighing more than 500 grams, the literature is reviewed to analyze the technical difficulties and approach in such patients and the frequently encountered complications in them and their management. Results: A review of the literature revealed an additional 7 cases of patients who had undergone thyroidectomy for glands weighing more than 500 grams. Massively enlarged goiter was often associated with tracheomalacia, tracheal stenosis and retrosternal extension. Difficulty during surgery was most often encountered in establishing the airway and in exposure of the gland particularly when the skin was involved. The predominant postoperative complications were related to respiratory distress as a consequence of tracheomalacia and tracheal stenosis. Conclusion: In spite of the technical challenge related to the airway, and thyroidectomy, surgery continues to be the best option in experienced hands due to its distinct advantage of its immediate effect and complete resolution of compressive symptoms.
文摘Preoperative tracheobronchoscopy(TBS) in the diag-nostic assessment of newborns affected by esophageal atresia(EA) was described in 1981. Nevertheless, the value of the procedure is actually much debated; only a few studies have clearly explored the advantages of TBS and this procedure is not yet routinely included inthe diagnostic and therapeutic assessment in many in-ternational pediatric surgery settings. Routine preoper-ative TBS is a safe procedure that enables the accurate examination of the tracheobronchial tree, the visualiza-tion of tracheoesophageal fistula and the diagnosis of tracheomalacia or associated respiratory anomalies. When a distal fistula is found, its occlusion with a Fog-arty balloon catheter improves mechanical ventilation and facilitates surgical repair. This review provides a detailed overview on the use of TBS in newborns with EA, focusing on technical aspects, anesthesiological management, indications and limits. The benefits and risks of the procedure are also compared with alterna-tive diagnostic tools, such as an esophageal contrast study, computed tomography scan and ultrasound.
文摘In patients who undergo prolonged endotracheal intubation, tracheostomy is performed to prevent the tracheal and laryngeal trauma which may be caused by the intubation tube. In this report, a patient who was intubated after a cerebrovascular embolism and required a tracheostomy for 6 months due to decannulation problems is presented. The patient subsequently developed a tracheomalacia. A stent was inserted and seen to provide functional support. Upon removal of the stent, the tracheomalacia improved. Although surgical therapy is claimed to provide higher success rate, stenting may also be a viable option for the management of tracheomalacia and improve the quality of life in patients with good general condition.
