Surgical complications after thyroid surgery performed in a cancer hospital.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluates the incidence and risk factors of complications in patients submitted to thyroidectomy in a cancer hospital with residency training.


METHODS
A retrospective chart and complications review of 1020 patients (1990-2000) underwent to thyroidectomy.


RESULTS
At our cancer hospital, 1020 patients underwent thyroidectomy. The main postoperative complications consisted of transient hypocalcemia in 134 (13.1%) patients, permanent hypocalcemia in 26 (2.5%) patients, transient vocal cord palsy in 14 (1.4%) patients, and permanent vocal cord palsy in 4 (0.4%) patients. The type of thyroidectomy, neck dissection, and paratracheal lymph node dissection were significantly associated with transitory and permanent hypocalcemia.


CONCLUSIONS
Thyroid surgery can be performed safely in a surgical residency training program under direct supervision of an experienced surgeon with little morbidity to the patients. Hypocalcemia is the most significant complication. Neck and paratracheal lymph node dissections were the most significant predictors of hypocalcemia in patients who underwent total thyroidectomy.
Gonçalves Filho
João
J
Head and Neck Surgery and Otorhinolaryngology Department, Centro de Tratamento e Pesquisa Hospital do Câncer A C Camargo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Kowalski
Luiz Paulo
LP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*