Uncovering a rare but critical complication following thyroid surgery: an audit across the UK and Ireland

Serious wound infection after thyroidectomy is uncommon, but actual incidence is not well documented in the literature. In the past a patient in our unit died secondary to fulminant streptococcal sepsis after thyroidectomy for benign disease. This prompted us to audit experience of serious wound infection among British Association of Endocrine Surgery (BAES) members.

A questionnaire was posted to BAES members inquiring about experience of major wound infection following cervicotomy, incidence of minor wound infection, and prophylactic and therapeutic antibiotic usage.

Eight respondents experienced a case of fulminant wound infection after cervicotomy (8% total respondents). Five patients died and, in 6 patients, cases of streptococci were cultured. Then, 9% of respondents used prophylactic antibiotics routinely, 16% sometimes and 75% never. The most commonly used antibiotic was augmentin, and the most common reasons for use among those with a selective policy were re-operative cases (38%) and immunocompromised patients (38%). Also, 40% of respondents experienced major wound infection requiring intravenous antibiotics or surgical drainage. The most common choices of antibiotic used before sensitivities were obtained were augmentin (43%) and flucloxacillin (35%).

Although rare, fulminant streptococcal wound infection after cervicotomy does occasionally occur and carries a high mortality.