Changes in Tracheal Respiratory Mucosa After Thyroidectomy: A Rat Model

Area of Science:

• Otorhinolaryngology
• Surgical Pathology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Post-thyroidectomy discomfort is a common patient complaint.
• The underlying mechanisms, particularly changes in the tracheal mucosa, require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate alterations in the tracheal mucosa following thyroidectomy.
• To correlate these mucosal changes with potential causes of post-thyroidectomy discomfort.

Main Methods:

• Forty rats underwent thyroid isthmectomy (with cauterization or cold instrument) or sham surgery.
• Tracheal tissues were analyzed at 1 and 4 weeks post-surgery.
• Histological analysis included mucosal edema, glandular hyperplasia, mucin 5AC (MUC5AC), and keratin 5 (KRT5) expression.

Main Results:

• All surgical groups exhibited increased tracheal mucosal area at both time points.
• Submucosal glandular hyperplasia was more pronounced in the group undergoing isthmectomy without hemostasis.
• Significantly elevated MUC5AC and KRT5 expression indicated altered mucin production and basal cell activity in surgical groups.

Conclusions:

• Thyroidectomy induces significant changes in the tracheal mucosa.
• These surgical-induced mucosal alterations may contribute to the discomfort experienced by patients post-thyroidectomy.