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Updated: Aug 18, 2025
Transoral Endoscopic Thyroidectomy Vestibular Approach for Thyroid Lobectomy
Published on: May 12, 2023
Outcomes of pediatric thyroidectomy: a cross-sectional evaluation
Sarah Azari1, Jackson Randolph1, Harry Shi1
1University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida, USA.
Insights
Pediatric thyroidectomy complications are low, but surgical specialty impacts outcomes. Pediatric otolaryngology showed more complications than pediatric surgery, indicating a need for further investigation into surgical techniques and patient safety.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Otolaryngology
- Thyroid Surgery
Background:
- Thyroidectomy in children is performed by various surgical specialties.
- Common pediatric thyroidectomy complications include pain and transient hypocalcemia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess adverse events in pediatric thyroidectomy.
- To determine the relationship between surgical specialty and complications.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis of 344 pediatric thyroidectomy cases (Jan 2014 - Nov 2015).
- Data sourced from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database.
- Included thyroid cyst/adenoma excision, unilateral lobectomy, and total thyroidectomy.
Main Results:
- Overall complication rate was 2.9% (10/344 patients).
- Most frequent complications: readmission, surgical site infections, wound disruption.
- Significant association between surgical specialty and complications (p=0.006).
- Pediatric otolaryngology had significantly more complications than pediatric surgery (p<0.008).
Conclusions:
- Adverse events following pediatric thyroidectomy are infrequent.
- Surgical specialty is a significant factor in pediatric thyroidectomy outcomes.
Introduction:
Pediatric thyroidectomy is performed by a variety of surgical specialties. Thyroidectomy can result in a number of complications. Previous studies cite that the most common complications in children are pain and transient hypocalcemia. The purposes of this report are to assess the adverse events of thyroidectomies performed in the pediatric population and to assess the relationship between surgical specialties and postoperative thyroidectomy complications.
Methods:
We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of cases from January 1, 2014 through November 1, 2015 using the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database for patients undergoing excision of cyst or adenoma of the thyroid, unilateral thyroid lobectomy, or total thyroidectomy.
Results:
Of the 344 patients who underwent thyroidectomy, 10 (2.9%) experienced at least one complication. The most common complications were readmission, surgical site infections, and wound disruption. There was a statistically significant association between complication incidence and surgical specialty (p=0.006). Pediatric otolaryngology had a statistically significantly higher number of complications than pediatric surgery (p<0.008).
Conclusion:
Overall, the incidence of adverse events following pediatric thyroidectomy was low.
