Recurrent substernal nodular goiter: incidence and management. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • BACKGROUND: Surgery for recurrent multinodular goiter is associated with an increased risk of complications. When recurrence occurs in a substernal location, difficulties associated with surgical removal may be even more significant. METHODS: Information relating to indications for surgery, procedure performed, pathologic findings, and surgical complications was obtained from a prospective thyroid surgery database maintained in our unit for the past 39 years. RESULTS: During the study period 234 patients underwent operation for retrosternal recurrence of a nodular goiter. In the majority of cases (51%) the indication for surgery was the presence of compressive symptoms. In only four cases was a sternal split required to remove substernal recurrence. Complications occurred in 35 patients, including four permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve palsies. No patient had permanent hypoparathyroidism. CONCLUSIONS: Surgery for recurrent substernal goiter, although technically demanding, can be performed with a minimum of morbidity if appropriate attention is paid to anatomy and embryology. A sternal split is only rarely required.

publication date

  • December 1, 1996

Research

keywords

  • Goiter

Identity

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 0029949152

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1016/s0039-6060(96)80057-2

PubMed ID

  • 8957497

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 120

issue

  • 6