title: Intra- and postoperative complications in 137 cases of giant thyroid gland tumor.
abstract: The intra- and postoperative complications resulting from surgery for giant thyroid gland tumors (diameter greater than 10 cm) present serious challenges to patient recovery. Although there are a number of methods, all have limitations. In this study, we present our experience with several complications of surgical treatment of giant thyroid gland tumors to increase the awareness and aid the prevention of these complications. A total of 137 consecutive patients who underwent surgical treatment in Henan Tumor Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Statistics pertaining to the patients' clinical factors were gathered. We found that the most common surgical complications were recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury and symptomatic hypoparathyroidism. Other complications included incision site infections, bleeding, infection and chyle fistula, the incidence of which increased significantly with increasing extent of surgery from group I (near-total thyroidectomy) to group V (total thyroidectomy plus lateral neck dissection). Low complication rates may be achieved with more accurate knowledge of the surgical anatomy, skilled surgical treatment and experience. More extensive surgery results in a greater number of complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Henan Tumor Hospital, Zhengzhou University;
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: DU
authors.forename: Shan-Ting
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Li-Yan
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Jin-Xing
authors.initials: JX
authors.lastname: Qi
authors.forename: Rui-Hua
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Lu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.forename: Li-Yuan
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.forename: Meng
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cui
authors.forename: Chang-Fu
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Fa-Yu
authors.initials: FY
authors.lastname: Liu