ABSTRACT
Objective To summarize the experience ofmultidisciplinary team (MDT) in diagnosis and treatment of complicated and refractory thyroid tumors.Methods A retrospective review was performed on clinical data of 46 cases with complicated and refractory large thyroid tumors admitted to our hospital from Jan.2010 to Dec.2016.There were 23 cases in MDT group and 23 cases in the control group,respectively.The MDT group received diagnosis and treatment provided by multidisciplinary team during perioperative period whereas the control group received conventional surgery.Results Short-term complications such as trouble breathing and thyroid crisis were not observed in 46 patients after surgery.In the control group,the mean durations were (52±11.5)minutes for anesthesia,(159±38.1) minutes for surgery and (11 ±3.5) days for hospital stay,respectively.After surgery,bleeding occurred in 5 cases,hoarseness in 5 cases,irritating cough when drinking in 7 cases,transient hypocalcemia in 8 cases,permanent hypocalcemia in 6 cases,and neck tracheotomy due to tracheomalacia during surgery in 2 cases.In MDT group,the mean durations were (37±8.5) minutes for anesthesia,(134±28.5) minutes for surgery and (7±1.5) days,respectively.After surgery,bleeding occurred in 0 case,hoarseness in 0 case,irritating cough when drinking in 1 case,transient hypocalcemia in 2 cases,permanent hypocalcemia in 0 case,and neck tracheotomy due to tracheomalacia during surgery in 4 cases.Conclusion Application of multidisciplinary team in diagnosis and treatment of complicated and refractory thyroid tumors can reduce duration of preoperative endotracheal anesthesia as well as surgery,decrease postoperative complications,shorten duration of hospitalization and improve life quality after surgery.