BackgroundGraves’ disease represents an autoimmune disease of the thyroid gland where surgery has an important role in its treatment. The aim of our paper was to analyze the results of surgical treatment, the frequency of microcarcinoma and carcinoma, as well as to compare surgical complications in relation to the various types of operations performed for Graves’ disease.MethodsWe analysed 1432 patients (221 male and 1211 female) who underwent surgery for Graves’ disease at the Centre for Endocrine Surgery in Belgrade during 15 years (1996–2010). Average age was 34.8 years. Frequency of surgical complications within the groups was analyzed with nonparametric Fisher’s test.ResultsTotal thyroidectomy (TT) was performed in 974 (68%) patients, and Dunhill operation (D) in 221 (15.4). Carcinoma of thyroid gland was found in 146 patients (10.2%), of which 129 (9%) were a microcarcinoma. Complication rates were higher in the TT group, where there were 31 (3.2%) patients with permanent hypoparathyroidism, 9 (0.9%) patients with unilateral recurrent nerve paralysis and 10 (1.0%) patients with postoperative bleeding. Combined complications, such as permanent hypoparathyroidism with bleeding were more common in the D group where there were 2 patients (0,9%), while unilateral recurrent nerve paralysis with bleeding was more common in the TT group where there were 3 cases (0,3%).ConclusionsFrequency of complications were not significantly statistically different in relation to the type of surgical procedure. Total thyroidectomy represents a safe and efficient method for treating patients with Graves’ disease, and it is not followed by a greater frequency of complications in relation to less extensive procedures.

In breast cancer patients, there is a strong correlation between tumor size, its histological and nuclear grades and the risk of axillary lymph nodes involvement.

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Parathyroid glands are small endocrine glands found in the neck which secrete parathyroid hormone or parathormone (PTH) which has a combined role together with calcitonin and vitamin D in regulating levels of calcium and phosphate concentrations in humans. The most common disease of parathyroid glands is increased and uncontrolled secretion of PTH which is defined as primary hyperthyroidism, if it is offset as a result of intensified function of one or more parathyroid glands, or as secondary hyperparathyroidism which is mostly caused by chronic kidney insufficiency or by vitamin D deficiency. Carcinoma of parathyroid glands is a rare disease and one of the rarest malignant endocrine tumors. Frequency of carcinoma in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism is less than 1%. Best treatment for patients with this primary lesion is intraoperative recognition of the tumor by surgeons, adequate resections with removal of primary lesion, and histopathological verification.

The use of screening programms in elderly population (age ≥65 years) comprises an increasing proportion of patients undergoing emergency general surgery (EGS) procedures nowadays. The aim was to determine the intra-hospital mortality rate in elderly patients undergoing gastric surgical procedures. 108 elderly patients (≥65 years old) were examined, divided into two groups: deceased and surviving surgical patients, treated for diseases (benign and malignant) of the stomach. The patients were divided into four age groups and five ASA groups, taking into account the presence of chronic diseases, the values of some laboratory parameters, administered transfusion and the occurrence of surgical complications during hospitalization. The mortality rate among elderly patients was 28.7%. The significant risk factors for mortality were: emergency surgery (p < 0.001), bleeding gastric ulcer operations (p = 0.042), lung (p = 0.003), kidney (p < 0.001), heart (p = 0.025) diseases, ASA score of 4 or higher (p < 0.001), serum levels (higher after two times measurement) of creatinine, haemoglobin, CRP, PCT and glycemia (p < 0.001). In order to improve medical treatment, the determination of independent validated risk indicators for mortality in elderly patients might lead to developing a dedicated scoring system.