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The Middle Thyroid Vein: Anatomical and Surgical Aspects

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Abstract

Background

An issue that has been overlooked in medical literature concerns the prevalence and topographic relationships of the middle thyroid vein (MTV), which have been studied, with a prospective approach, in patients with various thyroid diseases.

Methods

MTV prevalence has been investigated in 394 consecutive lobes and a number of different variables (age, gender, thyroid pathology, gland weight) have been considered. Moreover, in cooperation with our Human Morphology Department, we brought to completion a dedicated anatomy report, with the clear objective of providing a detailed anatomic description of MTV.

Results

The prevalence of MTV was 38% of the dissected lobes and 62% of operated patients. Most veins arise from the mid region of the thyroid lobe (80%): B, 3, and 2 positions in accordance with our scheme. As far as thyroid pathology is concerned, we found that the presence of MTV was more frequent in hyperthyroidism and large goiters (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

A better understanding of the anatomic variability in MTV may be useful not only to minimize the risk of bleeding, but it also can help to perform a more accurate dissection with the goal of preserving the laryngeal nerves and parathyroid glands, especially because of its location and relationships with other adjacent structures.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgical Sciences, Endocrine Surgery Research Center, University of Insubria, Ospedale di Circolo – Polo Universitario, Viale Guicciardini, 21100, Varese, Italy

    Gianlorenzo Dionigi, Terenzio Congiu, Francesca Rovera & Luigi Boni

Authors
  1. Gianlorenzo Dionigi
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  2. Terenzio Congiu
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  3. Francesca Rovera
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  4. Luigi Boni
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Correspondence to Gianlorenzo Dionigi.

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Dionigi, G., Congiu, T., Rovera, F. et al. The Middle Thyroid Vein: Anatomical and Surgical Aspects. World J Surg 34, 514–520 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-009-0350-6

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