title: [Specific morbidity of substernal goiters. A comparative study with a matched series of cervical goiters].
abstract: The operative morbidity rates in patients operated for substernal goiter (SG) vary from one series to another. The aim of this study was to reevaluate the morbidity using a matched technique. Each SG was matched to a cervical goiter for surgical technique, histology and thyroid function. There were 97 SG (75% of women), 43% with normal thyroid function, 28% with mild hyperthyroidism, 29% with hyperthyroidism. 87% of thyroidectomies were bilateral. Mean age was 66.5 +/- 11.5 years versus 55.8 +/- 11.9 years for cervical goiters (p < 0.001). The percentage of men was higher for SG than for cervical goiter (25% versus 10%, p < 0.01). Specimen weighed 166 +/- 109g versus 76 +/- 95g (p < 0.0001). Total volume of drainage was 164.0 +/- 68 ml versus 123.2 +/- 68 ml (p = 0.003). No operative death occurred. Early hypoparathyroidism rate was 3% versus 2% (p = 0.5), and late hypoparathyroidism was 1% versus 0% (p = 0.5). There was a 10 mg/l in serum calcium post-operative drop in both groups but no change in serum phosphate was noted (bilateral thyroidectomies). The early recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy rate was 4% versus 0% (p = 0.06) and 3% versus 0% one year later (p = 0.12). Early postoperative reoperation rate for hemostasis was 2% versus 1% respectively (p = 0.25). We conclude that there is no significant difference in surgical morbidity between thyroidectomies for SG and cervical goiters when patients are operated in specialized centers. Operative fears are not justified.
authors.affiliation: Service de Chirurgie Viscérale et Urgences, CHRU Dijon.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Goudet
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ragois
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guergah
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cougard
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006045:Goiter, Substernal / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D006996:Hypocalcemia / Q000209:etiology; D007011:Hypoparathyroidism / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D016555:Matched-Pair Analysis; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000209:etiology