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Updated: Dec 31, 2025
Minimal Invasive Resection of Large Retrosternal Thyroid Goiter
Published on: September 20, 2024
Safety of Outpatient Type 1 Thyroplasty
Jena Patel1, Maurits Boon1, Joseph Spiegel1
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 6559Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Objective:
Type 1 thyroplasty is an established procedure for the treatment of vocal fold paralysis to improve voice and swallowing outcomes. At our institution, we commonly perform this procedure on an outpatient basis in medically stable patients. With this study, we assess the safety of outpatient thyroplasty by examining complication and readmission rates, need for revision surgery, and predictors of these outcome measures.
Methods:
We performed a retrospective review of patients undergoing outpatient type 1 thyroplasty for vocal fold paralysis between 2013 and 2018 at our institution. We documented the etiology of paralysis, comorbidities, and demographic data. Our primary outcome measures were complications, need for readmission, and need for revision surgery.
Results:
During the study period, 160 patients met our inclusion criteria. Mean age at time of surgery was 62.1 ± 13.9 years; there were 82 (51%) males and 78 (49%) females. Nine (5.6%) patients experienced major complications after surgery and 7 (4.4%) patients required unplanned readmission. Mean time to complication was 6.9 ± 9.7 days. There were no instances of postoperative airway compromise requiring intervention. There were no mortalities. Of those who underwent primary surgery, 22 (14%) patients required revision surgery.
Conclusion:
Given that complications tend to occur in a delayed fashion rather than in the acute postoperative period, same-day discharge seems reasonable as compared to overnight observation in medically stable patients undergoing type 1 thyroplasty.
Level Of Evidence:
IV.
