ABSTRACT
Retrosternal goiter is defined as any goiter in which at least 50% of the thyroid resides below the level of the thoracic inlet, and it is a common cause of compression of adjacent structures. To highlight the epidemiology, clinical features and surgical complications of retrosternal goiter. All patients operated for thyroid disease in period from June 1996 to Dec 2003 in the surgical department of 7[th] October Hospital were retrospectively analyzed age, gender and clinical features were noted. Out of 1898 thyroidectomies performed, 48 patient were found to have retosternal goiter [2.5%] The mean age was 42 yrs [25-77 yrs]. 41 [85.5%] were females and 7 [14.5%] patients were males. A 43 [89.6%] patients were euthyroid, 4 [8.3%] patients were toxic and 1 [2.1%] patient hypothyroid. About one fourth of the patients were asymptomatic. Commonly observed symptoms were, shortness of breath, hoarseness, dysphagia and superior vena cava obstruction. In all patient the goiter was resected through cervical incision, except one patient who needed partial sternotomy. Near total thyroidectomy was performed in 29 [60%] cases. There were three complications and no death. The incidence of retrosternal goiter with respect to thyroidectomy patients is [2.5%]. Cervical incision is nearly always adequate. Retrosternal goiter dosen't seem to be associated with increased incidence of postoperative complications