First tracheal ring fracture in a complex thyroid surgery

Tracheal injury is a rare complication of thyroidectomy that endocrine surgeons might face during or after the surgery. It accounts for less than 1 % of all thyroidectomy complications.

A 48-year-old who presented with hyperthyroidism signs and symptoms, diagnosed with Graves' disease. Patient underwent total thyroidectomy after failure of the medical management that ended in first tracheal ring laceration. Tracheal laceration discovered intraoperatively and repaired with primary closure.

Tracheal injury is one of the rare complications of thyroidectomy. It can be discovered intraoperative or postoperative. Tracheal injury can be managed conservatively or surgically depending on the size of the injury. But, the early diagnosis of it can lead to better outcome and decrease the mortality and morbidity.

Tracheal injury can be prevented by increasing the awareness of its presentation and its risk factors.