[Emergency and urgent operations in the treatment of patients with thyroid cancer]

The report analyses clinical manifestations, preoperative preparatory procedures, variants and results of urgent and emergency surgical procedures carried out in 47 cases of advanced thyroid cancer. Syndrome of grave lung-heart failure proved a major clinical sign of the disease. It could be compensated by intensive care (in a special ward included). Cervical and cervico-transsternal access was used, and surgery was performed to an extent determined by the pattern and extension of tumor. Thirteen patients died within a few days after operation and 23 at later stages. Among immediate causes of death were lung artery embolism, obstructive tracheobronchitis and tumor progression. Development of emergencies was avoided in many cases by carrying out timely examination and treatment.