Endoscopic thyroidectomy has been applied prudently to malignant thyroid tumors. The purpose of our study was to compare the surgical outcomes of endoscopic thyroidectomy (ET) and conventional open thyroidectomy (COT) for micropapillary thyroid carcinoma.

Kim DJ, et al. J Gastric Cancer. 2024 Dec;25:e8. https://doi.org/10.5230/jgc.2025.25.e8

Background: Retroperitoneal abscess (RA) is an unusual life-threatening disease that has insidious and occult presentations. Although the incidence of this disease is low, diagnosis and treatment are challenging due to its nonspecific presentation and the complex anatomy of the retroperitoneal space. Recently, we experienced one case of a RA with extensive thrombophlebitis of the portal venous system. Case presentation: An 80-year-old male presented to the emergency room with symptoms and signs of septic shock; however, the decision making for diagnosis and treatment was difficult, as no clinical and radiological evidence supported key findings regarding the origin of sepsis. Although this patient eventually recovered after surgical drainage, we suggested that more straightforward diagnostic and treatment procedures were required in this patient to avoid possible critical complications. Through a retrospective review of operative findings, patient history, and microbiology, we found that the RA in this patient was caused by lumbar acupuncture, which is usually performed for the management of chronic back pain with long needles. Conclusion: Early surgical intervention should be considered for RA whenever the patient does not respond to broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment. Acupuncture is a possible cause of otherwise unexplained soft tissue infections, such as RA, especially in Asian countries.

Background: Laparoscopic total gastrectomy (LTG) for advanced gastric cancer (AGC) is a technically and oncologically challenging procedure for surgeons. Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the technical safety and long-term oncological feasibility between LTG and open total gastrectomy (OTG) for patients with AGC using a propensity score (PS)-matched analysis. Methods: Between 2004 and 2014, 185 patients (OTG: 127, LTG: 58) underwent curative total gastrectomy for AGC. PS matching was performed using the patients’ clinicopathological factors, and comparisons were made based on surgical outcomes and long-term survival rates. Results: After PS matching, 102 patients (51 patients in each group) were enrolled. The total numbers of retrieved lymph nodes were similar in both groups. The numbers of retrieved lymph nodes around the splenic hilum were similar in both groups. A longer operation time was required for the LTG group than for the OTG group, but less intraoperative bleeding was observed in the LTG group. The overall morbidity and mortality rates of both groups were similar. Between the 2 groups, there was no difference in the 5-year overall survival rate or disease-free survival rate. Conclusions: For treating proximal AGC, LTG may be a technically and an oncologically safe and feasible method.

Lee H, et al. J Metab Bariatr Surg. 2024 Jun;13(1):17-26. https://doi.org/10.17476/jmbs.2024.13.1.17