Prevalence of long-term upper aerodigestive symptoms after uncomplicated bilateral thyroidectomy.
BACKGROUND
Subjective nonspecific upper aerodigestive symptoms (UADS) are not uncommon after thyroidectomy. Their type, duration, and prevalence, however, have not been investigated in a controlled design. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of UADS after thyroidectomy.


METHODS
A consecutive cohort of 60 patients who had undergone uncomplicated total (n = 38) or near total (n = 22) thyroidectomy were investigated retrospectively at a mean of 4 years after surgery. An independent unblinded researcher interviewed each patient and asked for the presence or frequency of voice changes, cough, dysphagia, neck strangling, and annual incidence of common colds, before and after thyroidectomy. Sixty patients, matched for age, sex, and smoking habits, who had undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy during the same years served as control subjects.


RESULTS
The prevalence of UADS was similar before thyroidectomy (13%) and cholecystectomy (15%). After operation, UADS had a higher prevalence among thyroidectomized patients: nonspecific voice changes (28% vs 3%), neck strangling (22% vs 0%), and impaired swallowing (15% vs 3%) (P < or = .02 in each). Neck strangling was associated with voice changes and dysphagia (P < or = .03 each).


CONCLUSIONS
Subjective UADS are common long after thyroidectomy. These symptoms may be related to injury to the extrinsic perithyroidal neural plexus innervating the pharyngeal and laryngeal structures.
Pereira
José A
JA
Department of Health Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain.
Girvent
Meritxell
M
Sancho
Joan J
JJ
Parada
Carlos
C
Sitges-Serra
Antonio
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003139:Common Cold / Q000209:etiology*; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology; D003371:Cough / Q000209:etiology*; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009333:Neck / Q000473:pathology*; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000209:etiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000209:etiology*