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Updated: Jul 15, 2026
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Minimal Invasive Resection of Large Retrosternal Thyroid Goiter
Published on: September 20, 2024
Benign nodular goitre presenting as acute airway obstruction
Deepak Abraham1, Nikhil Singh, Brian Lang
1Department of Surgery, The University of Hong Kong Medical Centre, Queen Mary Hospital, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
ANZ Journal of Surgery
|May 15, 2007
Summary
Benign nodular goitre can cause severe airway obstruction. Prompt airway protection and total thyroidectomy during the same hospital admission are recommended for a favorable outcome in these challenging cases.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Surgical Oncology
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Benign nodular goitre, though rare in non-endemic regions, poses a significant clinical challenge due to potential acute airway obstruction.
- Management strategies for this condition require careful consideration due to associated risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the clinical management and outcomes of patients with benign nodular goitre causing acute airway obstruction.
- To evaluate the efficacy of prompt airway protection and subsequent total thyroidectomy.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 7 patients who underwent thyroid surgery between 1996 and 2005 for benign nodular goitre causing acute airway obstruction.
- Analysis of aetiology, presentation, perioperative management, and postoperative outcomes.
Main Results:
- All 7 patients were elderly women with symptomatic goitres and comorbidities. Five required emergency tracheal intubation, and two underwent urgent tracheostomy.
- Total thyroidectomy was performed successfully in all patients, with no in-hospital mortality. Perioperative complications included pneumonia, renal failure, and duodenal ulcer. Surgically related complications included transient recurrent nerve palsy and hypocalcaemia.
- Two patients died of cerebrovascular accident during a median follow-up of 22 months.
Conclusions:
- Prompt airway protection is crucial for patients with benign nodular goitre causing acute airway obstruction.
- Total thyroidectomy within the same hospital admission is a recommended and effective treatment, associated with favorable outcomes despite potential complications.
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