Evaluation of early postoperative complications after thyroidectomy: A retrospective study

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to report our experience in early postoperative complications of thyroid surgery. Patients and Methods: This study was conducted by retrospectively analyzing the files of 196 patients (145 females, 51 males; mean age: 48.0±18.9 years; range, 18 to 86 years) who underwent thyroid surgery between January 2017 and December 2021. Patients under the age of 18, patients with preexisting hypocalcemia, vocal cord paralysis, Horner's syndrome, tracheal or esophageal injuries, previous history of thyroid surgery (lobectomy, subtotal thyroidectomy), and patients whose files could not be reached were excluded from the study. Patients’ demographic data, preoperative indications, surgical technique, and early postoperative complications were recorded. Results: The most common surgical indication was multinodular goiter, with a rate of 33.7% (n=66). As the surgical technique, total thyroidectomy was performed in 127 (64.8%) patients, 54 (27.6%) patients underwent isthmelobectomy, and 15 (7.6%) patients underwent neck dissection combined with total thyroidectomy. Of the neck dissection patients included in the study, 12 (6%) were bilateral central, and three (1.6%) were lateral neck dissection. Early postoperative complications developed in 89 (45.4%) patients who underwent thyroid surgery. No complications were observed in 107 (54.6%) patients. Hypocalcemia was the most common complication with 33.1% (n=65). Hypocalcemia was followed by recurrent laryngeal nerve injury in 10.2% (n=20). Hematoma was observed in 3% (n=6), seroma in 3.5% (n=7), and wound infection in 1% (n=2). Tracheal damage, hoarseness, and chylous fistula were not observed among the patients included in the study. Conclusion: With close postoperative follow-up, a multidisciplinary approach to complications, and high surgical experience, the rates of complications developing in the early period due to thyroid surgery are reduced. Thyroid surgery is a safe surgery with low morbidity and mortality rates when suitable conditions are provided.