1.Striving forward to create new glory—20 years of development and future directions in the field of thyroid tumors in China
Chinese Journal of General Surgery 2025;34(5):837-841
Over the past two decades,the field of thyroid oncology in China has undergone rapid development.Through improvements in standardization processes,continuous innovations in treatment methods,and in-depth basic research,the 5-year survival rate of thyroid cancer has significantly increased from 67.5%to 92.9%.In diagnostics,advancements in color Doppler ultrasound technology,the establishment of the TI-RADS classification system,and innovations in fine-needle aspiration biopsy methods,particularly the integration of molecular diagnostics,have greatly improved the accuracy of preoperative diagnosis.In terms of treatment,there has been a gradual shift from traditional surgery to individualized precision therapy.Combined with radioactive iodine therapy,endocrine regulation,targeted therapy,and immunotherapy,a multidisciplinary comprehensive diagnosis and treatment system has been formed,providing patients with more precise and effective treatment options.Significant progress has also been made in the treatment of advanced thyroid cancer,with the application of targeted drugs bringing new hope to patients.In research,Chinese scholars have greatly increased their publications in the field of thyroid cancer,with high-quality studies emerging continuously,reflecting China's rapid rise in this area.Meanwhile,the establishment of academic organizations and the promotion of professional guidelines have substantially enhanced the diagnostic and treatment capabilities of primary care physicians.Looking ahead,efforts will continue to focus on the development of next-generation targeted drugs,the application of artificial intelligence and intelligent decision-making systems in diagnosis and treatment,the construction of prognosis prediction models based on big data,and the popularization of 5G-enabled remote medical care.These advances will drive the development of thyroid oncology toward more precise,minimally invasive,and personalized directions,creating new brilliance once again.
2.Association between overweight and lymph node metastasis in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma and its sex-based heterogeneity
Lu CHEN ; Yan SUN ; Zhijun ZHAN ; Hailong TAN ; Ning LI ; Junda YIN ; Neng TANG ; Shi CHANG ; Peng HUANG
Chinese Journal of General Surgery 2025;34(5):892-902
Background and Aims:Papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC)is the most common endocrine malignancy in China,with cervical lymph node metastasis being a frequent and critical clinical feature that directly affects patient prognosis and recurrence risk.In recent years,with the rapid increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity in China,the role of body mass index(BMI)in various tumors has attracted growing attention.This study aimed to investigate the association between overweight and cervical LNM in PTC,analyze sex-specific differences and influencing factors,and provide evidence for precise clinical management.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinicopathologic data of 1 445 patients with classical PTC treated at Xiangya Hospital of Central South University between August 2021 and June 2022.Patients were divided into groups based on the presence or absence of lymph node metastasis.Restricted cubic spline analysis explored the nonlinear relationship between BMI and lymph node metastasis risk.Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were applied to identify independent risk factors.Furthermore,sex-stratified analysis was performed among overweight patients(BMI≥24 kg/m2)to determine sex-specific risk factors for lymph node metastasis.Results:Among all patients,716(49.6%)had lymph node metastasis.Univariate analysis showed that BMI,sex,age,tumor diameter,multifocality,and extrathyroidal extension were significantly associated with cervical lymph node metastasis in PTC patients(all P<0.05).A nonlinear positive correlation was observed between BMI and lymph node metastasis risk,which was more pronounced in male patients.Additionally,BMI was positively correlated with triglyceride levels and negatively correlated with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.Sex-stratified analysis revealed that in overweight male patients,younger age(OR=0.954),larger tumor diameter(OR=1.085),and multifocality(OR=2.776)were independent risk factors for LNM;in overweight female patients,younger age(OR=0.943)and larger tumor diameter(OR=1.074)were the main influencing factors.Conclusion:Overweight is closely associated with cervical lymph node metastasis in PTC,and the high-risk factors for LNM differ between male and female overweight patients.Young age,larger tumor size,and multifocality in overweight males,and young age and larger tumors in overweight females indicate a higher risk of metastasis.It is recommended that high-risk populations receive enhanced preoperative evaluation and individualized lymph node dissection strategies to achieve precise treatment and improved risk control.
3.Key factors affecting complications and operative time in endoscopic thyroidectomy via oral vestibule and submandibular approach
Yifan LIU ; Hui OUYANG ; Lei XIAO ; Botao SUN ; Ning BAI ; Xinying LI
Chinese Journal of General Surgery 2025;34(5):879-891
Background and Aims:To overcome the limitations of the transoral endoscopic thyroidectomy vestibular approach,such as restricted operative space and high complication risks,our team proposed a modified technique—endoscopic thyroidectomy via oral vestibule and submandibular approach(ETOSA).Preliminary studies have confirmed its safety and feasibility.This study aims to systematically evaluate the key factors affecting postoperative complications and operative time in ETOSA,explore the interactions among these variables,and construct a learning curve model to support its broader clinical adoption.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 125 patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma who underwent ETOSA at Xiangya Hospital,Central South University,between March 2022 and March 2023.Clinical characteristics,surgical parameters,and postoperative complications were extracted.A random forest model was employed to identify the major influencing factors for complications and operative time,as well as their interaction effects.Partial dependence plots based on case sequence were used to generate the learning curve.Results:All 125 patients successfully underwent ETOSA with no conversion to open surgery.The median operative time was 95.0 min,and the median intraoperative blood loss was 15.0 mL.The overall postoperative complication rate was 16.0%,with no cases of permanent hypoparathyroidism or hypocalcemia.The average neck appearance score was 1.05,indicating high patient satisfaction.The random forest analysis identified case number,surgical extent,lymph node yield(LNY),Hashimoto's thyroiditis(HT),and body mass index(BMI)as the key predictors of postoperative complications,while surgical extent,case number,LNY,HT,and blood loss were the key factors affecting operative time.A significant positive interaction was observed between case number and both surgical extent and HT,particularly in the first 20 cases,suggesting a higher risk during the early learning phase.The learning curve analysis indicated that surgical proficiency stabilized after 20 cases.Operative time and complication rate in the proficient phase were significantly lower than those in the learning phase(90.0 min vs.102.5 min;11.4%vs.40.0%,both P<0.05).Conclusion:ETOSA is a safe and feasible technique characterized by minimal invasiveness,favorable cosmetic outcomes,and a relatively short learning curve.case number,surgical extent,LNY,HT,BMI,and blood loss are key factors affecting complications and operation time.
4.Assessment of the quality of diagnosis and surgical procedure coding for thyroid cancer on the front page of medical records in a single center
Wen LIU ; Dewei RAO ; Zhizhong DONG ; Miao YANG ; Ruochuan CHENG
Chinese Journal of General Surgery 2025;34(5):921-929
Background and Aims:As a core data source in the development of medical informatization,the front page of inpatient medical records plays a crucial role in determining the usability of research data and the scientific quality of clinical decision-making.Given the relatively standardized diagnostic and treatment protocols for thyroid malignancies,this disease serves as a representative model for evaluating the data quality of medical record front sheets.This study aimed to systematically assess the accuracy of diagnostic and surgical procedure coding for thyroid malignancies on the medical record front page,identify existing problems,and explore strategies for improvement and the potential for future application in clinical research.Methods:A total of 3 361 patients who underwent initial surgical treatment and were pathologically confirmed with thyroid cancer at the Department of Thyroid Surgery,the First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University from January 2018 to December 2020 were retrospectively included.Postoperative pathology reports and surgical records were used as reference standards to evaluate the accuracy of primary and secondary diagnosis codes,as well as primary and secondary surgical procedure codes on the medical record front page.Results:The accuracy rate of primary diagnosis coding reached 98.8%.However,among 1 368 patients with cervical lymph node metastasis,only 31.2%had correctly recorded secondary diagnosis codes and metastatic sites,with an omission rate as high as 67.8%.The overall accuracy rate for primary surgical procedure coding was 90.4%,with thyroid lobectomy(TL)and total thyroidectomy(TT)coding accuracies of 85.5%and 96.0%,respectively.Among the coding errors,70.0%involved TL procedures being incorrectly coded as TT.Secondary surgical procedure codes—mainly for lymph node dissection—were highly inconsistent,with up to 14 different coding types,reflecting a lack of standardization and unified input criteria.Notably,the error rate for primary surgical coding in 2020 increased significantly compared with the previous two years,suggesting subjectivity and variability in manual data entry.Conclusion:This study highlights major accuracy deficiencies in surgical procedure coding for thyroid malignancies on the medical record front page,which may compromise the scientific validity of real-world data.Going forward,leveraging artificial intelligence technologies to support structured documentation and automated coding,alongside establishing a proactive quality control system through multidisciplinary collaboration,may significantly improve data accuracy.These efforts are essential for strengthening data foundations for precision treatment,performance evaluation,insurance payment,and clinical research on thyroid cancer.
5.Evaluation of the application effect of a self-made annular smoke evacuation device in open thyroid surgery
Xiangxin ZHENG ; Sai ZHOU ; Xiaochao ZHU ; Tong SHI ; Jie WU ; Liling ZHONG
Chinese Journal of General Surgery 2025;34(5):913-920
Background and Aims:With the widespread use of electrosurgical devices in open thyroid surgery,the surgical smoke generated during procedures has become a significant concern,as it compromises surgical visibility,reduces operational efficiency,and poses health risks to medical staff.Currently,local smoke evacuation is commonly performed by an assistant using a handheld suction device,which is limited in range,interferes with surgical procedures,and increases labor costs.This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness,safety,feasibility,and staff satisfaction associated with a self-made annular smoke evacuation device constructed from readily available materials for use in open thyroid surgery.Methods:A total of 82 patients undergoing open surgery for papillary thyroid carcinoma at Suqian First People's Hospital between March and June 2024 were randomly assigned to an observation group and a control group(41 patients each).During surgery,the observation group used a self-made annular smoke evacuation device for continuous smoke removal,while the control group used conventional manual suction via an assistant.Outcomes compared between the two groups included PM2.5 concentrations 30 cm above the surgical field,operative time,intraoperative blood loss,and medical staff satisfaction with smoke removal.Results:During thyroid tissue dissection,the PM2.5 concentration in the observation group was(63.26±11.71)μg/m3,corresponding to a"good"air quality level,while in the control group it was(126.35±40.12)μg/m3,ranging from"mild to severe pollution"—a statistically significant difference(P<0.05).In the observation group,operative times for unilateral and bilateral procedures were(31.25±11.36)min and(71.13±17.12)min,respectively,with intraoperative blood loss of(10.5±5.3)mL and(18.6±5.5)mL.In the control group,times were(39.27±15.42)min and(78.35±22.35)min,with blood loss of(12.5±5.8)mL and(20.5±6.5)mL,respectively—all differences not statistically significant(all P>0.05).Staff satisfaction was significantly higher in the observation group compared to the control group(97.6%vs.31.7%,P<0.05).Conclusion:The self-made annular smoke evacuation device demonstrated favorable results in open thyroid surgery,effectively reducing surgical smoke concentration,improving visibility,and minimizing health risks to medical staff without compromising surgical efficiency or safety.The device is cost-effective,easy to assemble,and can be repurposed postoperatively as a drainage tube,requiring no additional consumables.Its reusability and ease of integration offer strong practical value and clinical applicability.
6.Comparison of pedicled lateral thoracic artery perforator flap and mammoplasty in oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery for early-stage breast cancer
Yixian LI ; Mingquan HUANG ; Haiyan WANG ; Bin WU ; Huaiquan ZUO ; Yi QUAN ; Guangrui PAN
Chinese Journal of General Surgery 2025;34(5):953-962
Background and Aims:Oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery(OBCS)integrates oncologic and plastic surgical techniques and includes two primary approaches:volume displacement and volume replacement.The pedicled lateral thoracic artery perforator(LTAP)flap is a commonly used technique for volume replacement.Although recent studies in China have confirmed its safety in OBCS,its patient-reported outcomes have not been systematically evaluated,and comparative data with volume displacement techniques remain lacking.Therefore,this study was performed to compare the clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction of LTAP flap versus mammoplasty(volume displacement)in OBCS,to inform surgical decision-making.Methods:A retrospective case-control study was conducted,including 106 patients with unilateral stage 0-Ⅲ breast cancer who underwent OBCS at the Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from January 2023 to June 2024.Patients were divided into the LTAP flap group(27 cases)and the mammoplasty group(79 cases)based on the surgical technique.Intraoperative variables,cosmetic outcomes,postoperative complications,and Breast-Q scores before and after surgery were compared between the two groups.Results:There were no significant differences between the two groups in clinicopathological characteristics or preoperative Breast-Q scores(all P>0.05).The LTAP group had longer operative times,larger excised tissue volumes,and greater postoperative drainage volumes(all P<0.001).Postoperative cosmetic outcomes were significantly better in the LTAP group,with a higher rate of excellent-to-good cosmetic results(88.9%vs.57.3%)and higher Breast-Q scores in breast satisfaction,psychosocial well-being,and physical well-being(all P<0.05).There were no significant differences in complication rates or local recurrence between the two groups(all P>0.05).Conclusion:In OBCS,the LTAP flap demonstrates comparable safety to mammoplasty while achieving superior cosmetic outcomes and patient satisfaction.It is particularly suitable for patients with small breast volumes requiring large tissue excision and holds promise for broader clinical application.
7.Clinical outcomes of total parathyroidectomy with forearm autotransplantation in the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism
Guojin LI ; Yin SU ; Zhongqiang WU ; Jinsong HE ; Junqiang TAN ; Yanghao LONG
Chinese Journal of General Surgery 2025;34(5):937-944
Background and Aims:Secondary hyperparathyroidism(SHPT)is a common and difficult-to-treat complication of chronic kidney disease(CKD),significantly impairing patients'quality of life and prognosis.For patients who respond poorly to medical therapy,surgical intervention remains an effective treatment option.This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of total parathyroidectomy with forearm autotransplantation(tPTX+AT)in the treatment of CKD-related SHPT.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 40 patients with CKD complicated by SHPT who underwent tPTX+AT in Gaozhou People's Hospital between January 2020 and June 2023.Changes in intact parathyroid hormone(iPTH),serum phosphorus,calcium,alkaline phosphatase(ALP),and bone mineral density(BMD)were recorded preoperatively and at multiple postoperative time points.Postoperative symptom relief,complications,and follow-up outcomes were also analyzed.Results:A total of 158 parathyroid glands were removed during surgery.Among the patients,38 had four glands successfully excised,while two had only three glands removed.After operation,levels of iPTH,phosphorus,calcium,and ALP decreased significantly compared to preoperative values(all P<0.05),and BMD increased significantly at 3 months(P<0.05).Symptoms such as bone pain,pruritus,and restless leg syndrome improved markedly by 3 months postoperatively(all P<0.05).Hypocalcemia occurred in 34 cases(85.0%);one patient experienced transient recurrent laryngeal nerve injury and one had superior laryngeal nerve injury,both of which resolved after treatment.The two patients who had only three glands removed exhibited persistent SHPT postoperatively,with iPTH levels of 457 pg/mL and 609 pg/mL,respectively.Although their symptoms improved partially,the condition was medically controlled without the need for reoperation.Conclusion:tPTX+AT can effectively correct mineral metabolism disorders and improve BMD and clinical symptoms in SHPT patients.The procedure achieves a high rate of complete gland resection and stable autograft function.Although postoperative hypocalcemia is common,overall complications are manageable.This surgical approach is safe and effective for the treatment of refractory SHPT.
8.Robotic surgery at the forefront:highlights from the 97th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Gastric Cancer Association 2025
Fanghui DING ; Tao FU ; Shougen CAO ; Peng CUI ; Jun LU ; Hao CHEN ; Zhen FANG ; Leping LI ; Liang SHANG
Chinese Journal of General Surgery 2025;34(5):1012-1017
The 97th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Gastric Cancer Association was held from March 12 to March 14,2025,in Nagoya,Japan.The conference was chaired by Professor Kazuhiro Uyama from Fujita Medical University and attracted nearly 2 000 scholars from around the world,including Japan,China,the republic of Korea,the United States,and Europe.With the theme of"Digital Innovation in Gastric Tumors,"the conference focused on the application of artificial intelligence,robotic surgery,and other innovations in the treatment of gastric cancer.It explored how high-precision and highly reproducible robotic surgical techniques are transforming traditional approaches to gastric cancer surgery,along with topics such as digital innovation,future medical policies,and strategies that herald a new era in healthcare.The meeting featured one main venue and 60 sub-venues with different themes,ultimately accepting 1 003 submissions.A total of 158 oral presentations covering 80 topics and 203 poster presentations were delivered.Among them,approximately 145 lectures were related to robotic surgery for gastric cancer,and when including poster presentations,nearly 255 topics were associated with gastric cancer robotic surgery.Additionally,the 7th edition of the Japanese Gastric Cancer Treatment Guidelines was released during the meeting.Our team had the honor of participating in this prestigious event.Drawing from our experience at both this conference and the 17th Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society for Robotic Surgery held in Utsunomiya,Japan,from March 7 to March 8,2025,we provide a detailed report on the latest advancements in robotic surgery for gastric cancer,hoping to offer valuable insights and references for fellow surgeons both in China and abroad.
9.Perioperative skin Staphylococcus dynamics and their association with pruritus in end-stage liver disease patients undergoing liver transplantation
Tianyin WANG ; Yi ZHU ; Peiting LI ; Xuyu XIANG ; Yingzi MING
Chinese Journal of General Surgery 2025;34(5):996-1011
Background and Aims:Patients with end-stage liver disease(ESLD)frequently experience persistent pruritus,which significantly impairs their quality of life.Although relief of pruritus after liver transplantation is often attributed to the normalization of bilirubin levels,the role of skin microbiota in developing pruritus remains unclear.This study aimed to investigate the dynamic changes in skin microbiota during the perioperative period of liver transplantation in ESLD patients and to explore their association with pruritic symptoms.Methods:Fifteen ESLD patients treated in the Third Xiangya Hospital between 2022 and 2023 were enrolled and skin swabs were collected from the anterior tibial region at three time points:before liver transplantation and on postoperative days 7 and 30.Skin samples from 15 age-matched healthy controls were collected at the same anatomical site.Microbial composition was analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing.Meanwhile,pruritus severity was assessed using a visual analogue scale(VAS),and multiple serological indicators were measured to evaluate correlations between microbiota changes,pruritus severity,and liver function parameters.Results:Compared with healthy controls,ESLD patients exhibited significantly altered β-diversity in skin microbiota and an increased relative abundance of Staphylococcus(LDA>4),which was strongly correlated with VAS scores for pruritus(r=0.93,Padj=3.08×10?1?).On postoperative day 7,α-diversity decreased,and Staphylococcus abundance peaked,then gradually normalized by day 30 as pruritus improved.Further analysis revealed that Staphylococcus abundance was positively correlated with alanine aminotransferase,aspartate aminotransferase,total bilirubin,direct bilirubin,total bile acids,and international normalized ratio,and negatively correlated with albumin(all Padj<0.05).Notably,Staphylococcus levels were significantly higher in patients with moderate to severe pruritus(VAS score>5).Conclusion:ESLD patients demonstrate marked dysbiosis of the skin microbiota during the perioperative period of liver transplantation,characterized by an abnormal proliferation of Staphylococcus,which may contribute to the development and exacerbation of pruritus.Targeting the skin microbiome,particularly interventions against Staphylococcus,may offer a novel therapeutic strategy for alleviating pruritus in ESLD patients.
10.Seven-step procedure for robot-assisted endoscopic thyroidectomy(BABA approach)
Zheng DING ; Bomin GUO ; Youben FAN ; Xianzhao DENG ; Ling ZHAN ; Xuanbin TAO ; Xiaohui GU ; Zixia TAO ; Zhihua XIA ; Jingfu SUN ; Bo YANG
Chinese Journal of General Surgery 2025;34(5):859-866
Traditional open thyroid surgery often leaves a scar on the neck,which can affect cosmetic outcomes.Therefore,various endoscopic thyroidectomy approaches via extra-cervical approaches have been developed.However,due to the unique anatomical characteristics of the neck and limitations of endoscopic instruments,conventional endoscopic techniques have certain drawbacks.Robot-assisted endoscopic thyroid surgery can help overcome these limitations.At present,robotic surgical systems remain expensive and the associated surgical costs are high,limiting their widespread adoption.Most surgeons are still relatively unfamiliar with the technique.Nevertheless,with ongoing technological advancements and cost reductions,robot-assisted surgery holds great promise for broader application.Based on years of large-scale experience in endoscopic thyroid surgery at our center,and drawing upon both domestic and international experiences with robotic thyroidectomy,this paper summarizes and proposes a seven-step protocol for robot-assisted endoscopic thyroidectomy via the bilateral axillo-breast approach,aiming to provide a practical reference for the clinical adoption of this technique.

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