study of the complications of thyroid surgery

ABSTRACT

This study included 250 consecutive cases undergoing thyroidectomy. The chief indications were nodular goitre [67.6%] and secondary toxic goitre [10%]. There were 132 males and 118 females whose ages ranged from 19 to 68 years. The routine technique involved cutting the strap muscles without exposure of the recurrent laryngeal nerves [RLN]. The majorcomplicationswereinjury to the RLN [2%], hypoparathyroidism [1.2%], reactionary hemorrhage [0.8%] and tracheal instability [0.4%]. The commonest minor complications were wound infection [8%], brawny edema of the upper skin flap [4%], laryngeal edema [2%], injury of the superior laryngeal nerve branches [1.6%] and adherent scar. The overall incidence of complication was 24.4%. Major complications occurred in 4.4% and 6.8% of patients suffered from more than one complication. There was a significantly higher incidence of major and multiple complications among the malignant, toxic and recurrent cases