Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery: The General Otolaryngologist Experience

✍ Scribed by Alyn J. Kim; David A. Ross; Erich P. Voigt

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2011
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 268 KB
• Volume: 121
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0023-852X
• DOI: 10.1002/lary.22241

✦ Synopsis

Objectives/Hypothesis

Previous studies on complication rates of thyroid and parathyroid surgery focus on cases performed by general surgeons and fellowship trained head and neck or endocrine surgeons. This study examines the complication rate of thyroid and parathyroid surgery performed by a non-fellowship trained general otolaryngologist and compares it to rates reported by general surgeons and fellowship trained endocrine surgeons.

Study Design

Retrospective chart review.

Methods

We reviewed 96 cases of thyroidectomy and/or parathyroidectomy performed between 2002 and 2010 by a general otolaryngologist. Data collected included patient age, sex, ultrasound scans, fine needle aspiration results, surgical time, nerve monitor use, drain use, estimated blood loss, pathology, calcium levels, recurrence, vocal cord paresis, complications and mortality.

Results

We found comparable rates of hypocalcemia, vocal cord paralysis, scar formation and hematoma when compared to previously published studies. Nine patients (9.3%) had transient hypocalcemia and no patients developed permanent hypocalcemia. One patient (1.0%) had temporary vocal cord paresis lasting less than 6 months, and one patient (1.0%) had permanent unilateral vocal cord paralysis secondary to sacrifice of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Two patients (2.0%) developed keloid scars. One patient (1.0%) underwent reoperation for evacuation of a postoperative hematoma. These rates are within or below the ranges reported in the aforementioned literature. One patient (1.0%) developed a wound infection treated with antibiotics. There were no airway complications, chyle leaks, or deaths.

Conclusions

This study reports a favorable complication rate and supports the safety of thyroid and parathyroid surgery performed by a general otolaryngologist.