Thyroid surgery as a 23-hour stay procedure.

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Surgical Oncology
• General Surgery

Background:

• Key challenges for short-stay thyroidectomy include hemorrhage, recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy, and hypocalcemia.
• This study evaluated thyroidectomy as a 23-hour stay procedure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the safety and efficacy of thyroidectomy as a 23-hour stay procedure.
• To evaluate the impact of prophylactic calcium and vitamin D3 supplementation on postoperative outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 164 patients undergoing total or completion thyroidectomy over 25 months.
• Patients received prophylactic calcium and vitamin D3 supplements post-surgery.
• Identified patients with admissions exceeding 23 hours and readmissions.

Main Results:

• Only 2% of patients required admission longer than 23 hours.
• No emergency interventions were needed for hemorrhage or airway compromise.
• Hypocalcemia occurred in one patient (0.6%) despite supplementation; 7.3% of patients required A&E visits post-discharge, with most for wound infections or hypocalcemia.

Conclusions:

• Thyroidectomy can be safely and effectively performed as a 23-hour stay procedure.
• Prophylactic calcium and vitamin D3 supplements are cost-effective in reducing hypocalcemia, prolonged admissions, and readmissions.
• This approach enhances patient recovery and optimizes hospital resource utilization.