title: Ethnic disparities in thyroid surgery outcomes in New Zealand.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although thyroid disease is known to have significant ethnic variability, ethnic disparities in outcomes of thyroid surgery have been poorly studied.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review of 716 consecutive thyroid operations at Counties Manukau Health, a public health provider in New Zealand, from January 2002 to August 2013.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with Europeans, Māori and Pacific Islanders have longer operation times (P < 0.001) and heavier thyroid glands (P < 0.001). Polynesians also had higher risk of post-operative haemorrhage compared with non-Polynesians (P = 0.016). They also have higher body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists scores and rates of smoking. There were no differences in length of inpatient stay and readmission rates.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There are significant ethnic differences in certain outcomes of thyroid surgery. Part of this may be explained by higher co-morbid characteristics.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Counties Manukau Health, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Hyok Jun
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Counties Manukau Health, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Randall P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Morton
mesh_terms: D005006:Ethnicity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013959:Thyroid Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D013965:Thyroidectomy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: ethnicity; length of stay; outcome assessment (health care); thyroid disease; thyroidectomy