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Transoral Endoscopic Thyroidectomy Vestibular Approach for Thyroid Lobectomy
Published on: May 12, 2023
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Swallowing disorders after thyroidectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Chrysoula Vardaxi1,2, Nikolaos Tsetsos2, Aikaterini Koliastasi3
11st Department of Otorhinolaryngology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Summary
Swallowing problems after thyroid surgery are common but usually temporary, resolving within 2-3 months. Patients may still experience some dysphagia even a year post-operation.
Area of Science:
- Otolaryngology
- Gastroenterology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Swallowing disorders (dysphagia) are frequently reported after thyroidectomy, even without surgical complications.
- Understanding the prevalence and timeline of post-thyroidectomy dysphagia is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the prevalence of dysphagia at various time points following thyroidectomy.
- To analyze dysphagia across different types of thyroidectomy (total/partial, open/endoscopic) and disease etiologies (benign/malignant).
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature review was conducted using PubMed, SciELO, and Cochrane Library databases.
- PRISMA guidelines were followed, employing keywords such as 'dysphagia', 'thyroidectomy', and 'thyroid surgery'.
- Quantitative synthesis of data from 35 included studies was performed.
Main Results:
- A significant increase in swallowing impairment was observed shortly after thyroidectomy compared to baseline.
- Dysphagia typically resolved to pre-operative levels within 2-3 months post-surgery.
- A lower proportion of patients reported dysphagia one year after surgery, with no significant difference between open and endoscopic approaches at 2-3 months.
Conclusions:
- Swallowing disorders post-thyroidectomy are expected but may not always be objectively measurable.
- Patient-reported symptoms significantly impact quality of life and should not be underestimated.
- Further research may be needed to correlate subjective and objective measures of post-thyroidectomy dysphagia.
