title: [Surgical emergency in thyroid disease: acute respiratory failure caused by tracheal obstruction].
abstract: Diagnostic and therapeutic approach to emergency due to acute and severe respiratory compromise by thyroid goiters with tracheal obstruction is discussed. Such an alarming condition was observed in 5 (2.3%) out of 215 mediastinal goiters operated between 1967-91. Retrospective and critical analysis of these cases pointed out that preventive removal of a large goiter is the best prophylaxis; first management is not surgical, although urgent features. Admission to intensive care center and endotracheal intubation allow an adequate interpretation of the pathologic condition and operative troubles and risks. Diagnostic investigations, effective and kept to a minimum (chest x-ray, tracheo-laryngoscopy, TAC), must be carried out without delaying thyroidectomy and prolonging intubation for days. The extraction of goiter is nearly always performable by the cervicotomic way. Whenever necessary endotracheal intubation obviates the need of tracheostomy for solving transient postoperative complications such as laryngeal oedema, local hematoma and recurrent nerves stupor.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Patologia Chirurgica II, Padova.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Pelizzo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Toniato
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Piotto
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Narne
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Volpin
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Barbieri
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D014135:Tracheal Stenosis / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*
vernacular_title: Emergenza chirurgica in patologia tiroidea: insufficienza respiratoria acuta da ostruzione tracheale.