Complications of thyroid surgery: Analysis of 1159 cases

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the rate of complications after thyroid surgery and the risk factors contributing to complications in 1,159 patients who had had the operation from 1995 to 2005. Gender, physical findings, imaging methods, laboratory results, extension of resection, differences in surgical technique, a history of previous thyroid surgery, perioperative complications, and histopathologic diagnosis were interrogated as the affecting factors on postoperative complications such as hypocalcemia and recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS [Statistical Package for Social Sciences, Chicago, USA] program. The mean age of patients was 43.3 [7–78] years. In the early postoperative period, the most frequently seen complications were vocalcord paralysis [n=146, 12.6%] and hypocalcemia [n=131,11.3%]. In our study, permanent vocal cord paralysis occurred in 39 [3.4%] patients. The permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy ratio was 1.9% when assessed for, per nerve at risk. The risk factors affecting recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy were adhesions [p=0.05], recurrent thyroidectomy operation [p<0.01], extension of resection [p=0.03], and the presence of early postoperative complications [p=0.01]. Permanent hypoparathyroidism was developed in 22 [1.9%] patients. The factors affecting this situation were the number of parathyroid glands observed during surgery [p=0.02], the type of the operation [p=0.01], and female gender [p=0.04]. Irreversible complications cause significant health problems, so the indications for surgery and the extension of resection should be determined precisely. The recurrence secondary to inadequate resection and complementary resections for patients whose histopathological diagnosis are consistent with malignancy can be avoided with total thyroidectomy.