The optimal surgical management of papillary thyroid carcinoma has been an ongoing debate. Most recommendations in clinical practice guidelines are based on large retrospective studies and expert opinion. The objective of the article is to summarize the recent evidence and main arguments related to the surgical management of papillary thyroid carcinoma. A definitive correlation between locoregional recurrence and long-term survival and the extent of thyroid resection or lymph node dissection have not been established through randomized controlled clinical trials. Due to the low rates of recurrence and mortality associated with papillary thyroid cancer, large scale prospective randomized controlled trials that will help identify the optimal surgical management are unlikely to be available in the future as well. According to current consensus, hemithyroidectomy is sufficient for low-risk disease whereas total thyroidectomy should be performed in those with high-risk features. The place of therapeutic and prophylactic central compartment and lateral neck dissection is discussed based on evidence on short-term and long term outcomes. Furthermore, postoperative staging and dynamic risk stratification are important in determining adjuvant therapy and a follow-up plan.

Severe dengue infections in a postoperative patient may lead to significant derangement in the body’s homeostasis resulting in morbidity and sometimes even mortality. Reports on presentation and clinical manifestations of dengue in patients following major surgical procedures are scarce and restricted to few case reports. We describe a 26-year-old male with atypical presentation and late detection of dengue haemorrhagic fever following a major abdominal surgery. On postoperative day 6, he developed spontaneous bleeding from the drain site and moderate-to-massive bilateral pleural effusion with respiratory distress. His dengue IgM and IgG were positive. Therefore, a diagnosis of dengue haemorrhagic fever with bilateral lower zone pneumonia was made. A right-sided intercostal tube was inserted. Intensive care was given and was managed with intravenous antibiotics, targeted fluid therapy, and supportive care. He recovered from the infection and was discharged uneventfully. This case is unique because during the postoperative period, he went into critical phase with significant fluid leakage and developed bleeding manifestations without a clear febrile phase and deterioration in the haemodynamic parameters. High degree of suspicion and early detection are necessary to guide the fluid therapy and provide organ support in such patients.

Radiation-induced sarcoma of the breast is an iatrogenic malignancy that occurs secondary to radiotherapy, which is most commonly given following breast conservation surgery. It has an incidence of 3.2 per 1,000 patients at 15 years and is associated with a poor prognosis. We report a 62-year-old female with a history of bilateral breast conservation surgery and radiotherapy 5 years ago presenting with bilateral angiosarcoma. This case report highlights the importance of considering radiation-induced angiosarcoma of the breast as a differential diagnosis in a patient with recurrent breast neoplasms. The challenges in the management with recent evidence on new treatment modalities are discussed.