ABSTRACT Introduction: Providing widespread access to thyroidectomies while consolidating services in high-volume centers is a significant challenge in healthcare. In this context, from a national perspective, we aimed to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the institutional case volumes of thyroid surgery in Brazil. Material and methods: We analyzed retrospective thyroidectomy data from the Department of Informatics of the Unified Health System (Datasus), stratifying institutions into low-volume, intermediate-volume, and high-volume centers (<10, 10-100, and >100 thyroidectomies/year, respectively). We assessed the differences in absolute numbers and percentages of thyroidectomies performed during the pandemic years (2020-2022) compared with the pre-pandemic year (2019). Differences in the proportion of institutions based on case volumes from 2019 to 2022 were assessed using Cochran's Q test. Results and discussion: In 2019, 556 Brazilian institutions performed 15,331 thyroidectomies. Of these, 46.4% were categorized as low-volume, 48.4% as intermediate-volume, and 5.2% as high-volume institutions, accounting for 5.5%, 61.4%, and 33.1% of the thyroidectomies, respectively. Compared with 2019, the volume of thyroidectomies was lower by 41.2% in 2020, 37.0% in 2021, and 12.8% in 2022. When analyzing the proportions of institutions that maintained their pre-pandemic case volume in the first pandemic year, the intermediate and high-volume institutions experienced reductions of 34.9% (p < 0.001) and 58.6% (p < 0.001), respectively, while low-volume institutions presented a 4.3% reduction (p = 0.081). Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the landscape of thyroidectomies in Brazil, particularly affecting intermediate-volume and high-volume institutions, while low-volume institutions showed greater resilience. Introduction highvolume high healthcare context perspective COVID19 COVID 19 COVID-1 Brazil methods Datasus, Datasus , (Datasus) lowvolume, lowvolume low volume, intermediatevolume, intermediatevolume <10, 10 (<10 10100, 10100 100, 100 10-100 >10 thyroidectomiesyear thyroidectomies/year respectively . respectively) 20202022 2020 (2020-2022 prepandemic pre 2019. (2019) 201 202 Cochrans Cochran s test discussion 55 15331 15 331 15,33 these 464 46 4 46.4 484 48 48.4 52 5 2 5.2 5.5% 614 61 61.4% 33 1 33.1 412 41 41.2 370 37 0 37.0 2021 128 12 8 12.8 349 34 9 34.9 p 0.001 0001 001 586 58 6 58.6 0.001, 43 3 4.3 0.081. 0081 0.081 081 0.081) Conclusion resilience COVID1 COVID- (Datasus <10 (<1 1010 10-10 >1 2020202 (2020-202 (2019 20 1533 15,3 46. 48. 5. 5.5 61.4 33. 41. 37. 12. 34. 0.00 000 00 58. 4. 008 0.08 08 <1 (< 101 10-1 > 202020 (2020-20 (201 153 15, 61. 0.0 ( 10- 20202 (2020-2 (20 0. (2020- (2 (2020 (202

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar os resultados da vertebroplastia percutânea (VP) em fraturas por fragilidade da coluna (osteoporose/tumoral), analisando possíveis complicações. Método: Foram avaliados 33 pacientes com fratura da coluna vertebral (FXV) por osteoporose ou tumor, entre janeiro e novembro de 2021, submetidos à VP. Foi realizado exame físico junto à obtenção da história e fatores de risco para fragilidade óssea / tumor, além de avaliação radiológica da coluna para constatação de FXV. O método semiquantitativo de Genant foi empregado para a classificação no pós-operatório, além do score EVA e do questionário de incapacidade (ODI). O controle tomográfico foi avaliado por médico radiologista para quantificação do preenchimento vertebral e extravasamento, determinando para onde ocorreram. Resultados: Foram operadas 46 vértebras de 33 pacientes, como média de idade de 71 anos, sendo 11 pacientes com mais de um nível operado. Do total, 13 pacientes apresentavam fraturas tumorais e 20 possuíam fraturas por insuficiência. Observou-se extravasamento do PMMA em 31 vértebras, mais frequentemente para Plexo Venoso Vertebral Externo (23), Corpo Discal (9), Recesso Epidural Anterior (4) Vasos Pulmonares (4), Plexo Venoso Vertebral Interno (3), Cava Inferior (2), Plano Adiposo (2) e Veia Ázigos (1). Nenhum paciente apresentou complicações clínicas. Ainda, o EVA pré-operatório médio foi 8 e o pós-operatório de 3, enquanto o ODI pré-operatório médio foi de 56 e o pós-operatório de 30. Conclusão: O extravasamento de PMMA foi frequente em diversos locais e níveis, sem nenhuma complicação clínica. A VP mostrou-se eficaz na melhora de dor e função. Nível III; Estudo Longitudinal Coorte Retrospectivo.

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the results of percutaneous vertebroplasty (PV) in spinal fragility fractures (osteoporosis/tumor), analyzing possible complications. Method: We evaluated 33 patients with spinal fractures (FXV) due to osteoporosis or tumor who underwent PV between January and November 2021. A physical examination was performed, obtaining the history and risk factors for bone fragility/tumor and a radiological evaluation of the spine to verify FXV. Genant’s semiquantitative method was used for postoperative classification, the VAS score, and a disability questionnaire (ODI). A radiologist evaluated tomographic control to quantify vertebral filling and extravasation, determining where they occurred. Results: 46 vertebrae of 33 patients were operated on, with a mean age of 71 years, and 11 patients with more than one level of surgery. Of the total, 13 patients had tumor fractures, and 20 had fractures due to insufficiency. PMMA extravasation was observed in 31 vertebrae, most frequently in the External Vertebral Venous Plexus (23), Discal Body (9), Anterior Epidural Recess (4), Pulmonary Vessels (4), Internal Vertebral Venous Plexus (3), Inferior Cava (2), Adipose Plane (2) and Azygos Vein (1). No patient had clinical complications. Furthermore, the mean preoperative VAS was eight, the postoperative one was 3, the mean preoperative ODI was 56, and the postoperative one was 30. Conclusion: PMMA extravasation was frequent in several locations and levels without any clinical complications. VP proved to be effective in improving pain and function. Level III; Longitudinal Retrospective Cohort Study.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Evaluar los resultados de la vertebroplastia percutánea (PV) en fracturas por fragilidad de columna (osteoporosis/tumor), analizando posibles complicaciones. Método: Se evaluaron 33 pacientes con fractura de columna (FXV) por osteoporosis o tumor, entre enero y noviembre de 2021, que fueron sometidos a PV. Se realizó examen físico junto con obtención de antecedentes y factores de riesgo de fragilidad ósea/tumor, además de evaluación radiológica de columna para verificar FXV. Para la clasificación postoperatoria se utilizó el método semicuantitativo de Genant, además de utilizar la escala EVA y un cuestionario de discapacidad (ODI). El control tomográfico fue evaluado por un radiólogo para cuantificar el llenado vertebral y la extravasación, determinando dónde se producían. Resultados: Se operaron 46 vértebras de 33 pacientes, con una edad promedio de 71 años, 11 pacientes con más de un nivel de cirugía. Del total, 13 pacientes presentaron fracturas tumorales y 20 fracturas por insuficiencia. Se observó extravasación de PMMA en 31 vértebras, con mayor frecuencia en el Plexo Venoso Vertebral Externo (23), Cuerpo Discal (9), Receso Epidural Anterior (4), Vasos Pulmonares (4), Plexo Venoso Vertebral Interno (3), Cava Inferior (2), Plano Adiposo (2) y Vena Azygos (1). Ningún paciente presentó complicaciones clínicas. Además, la EVA preoperatoria media fue de 8 y la postoperatoria de 3, mientras que la ODI preoperatoria media fue de 56 y la postoperatoria de 30. Conclusión: La extravasación de PMMA fue frecuente en varias localizaciones y niveles, sin complicaciones clínicas. VP demostró ser eficaz para mejorar el dolor y la función. Nivel III; Estudio de cohorte retrospectivo longitudinal.