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Transoral Robotic Total Thyroidectomy and Bilateral Central Regional Lymph Node Dissection for Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
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Pediatric Thyroidectomy: Experience From a Portuguese Hospital
Paula Manuel Vieira1, Joana Barbosa Sequeira2, Sílvia Santos Monteiro3
1Pediatrics, Centro Materno-Infantil do Norte Albino Aroso, Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto, Porto, PRT.
Cureus
|February 6, 2023
Summary
Pediatric thyroid surgery, often for nodules, showed follicular tumors as the main surgical driver. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) accurately guided diagnosis and surgical planning in young patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Surgical Oncology
- Thyroidology
Background:
- Pediatric thyroid disease requiring surgery is uncommon, with nodules being a primary indication.
- While most pediatric thyroid nodules are benign, malignancy rates can reach up to 25%.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a single tertiary center's experience with pediatric thyroid surgery.
- To analyze indications, diagnostic accuracy, and outcomes of thyroid surgery in children.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of pediatric patients undergoing thyroid surgery from 2010 to 2021.
- Review of surgical indications, fine needle aspiration (FNA) findings, histopathology, and postoperative complications.
Main Results:
- Fifteen surgeries were performed on 14 pediatric patients, with thyroid nodules being the most common referral reason.
- Follicular tumors were the most frequent FNA finding and a leading surgical indication; histopathology confirmed follicular adenoma or colloid nodular goiter in most cases.
- Three complications occurred: recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, cervical hematoma, and transient hypoparathyroidism.
Conclusions:
- Follicular tumors were the primary indication for pediatric thyroid surgery in this cohort.
- Fine needle aspiration (FNA) demonstrated good correlation with histopathology, supporting its role in diagnosis and surgical planning.
- The complication rate observed is comparable to larger studies, indicating safe surgical practices.
