Sinus tract in the neck: a rare complication of subtotal thyroidectomy for Graves' disease

The present report demonstrates a complication not previously reported secondary to thyroid surgery as a treatment of hyperthyroidism. This complication of a sinus tract extending 6 cm from the thyroid to the skin appeared to be due to a foreign body reaction to the sutures utilized in the operation. This sinus tract which extruded some sutures became infected with Staphylococcus aureus which prevented spontaneous closure. The formation of a sinus tract in the neck after a subtotal thyroidectomy for hyperthyroidism appears to be a much less common complication than the previously reported complications of bilateral abductor vocal fold paralysis, unilateral recurrent nerve paralysis, permanent post-operative hypoparathyroidism and thyroid storm secondary to this surgery, but the true incidence of sinus tract formation after thyroid surgery is unknown at present.