Comparison of delayed bleeding to immediate bleeding following thyroidectomy

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Surgical Oncology
• Head and Neck Surgery

Background:

• Post-thyroidectomy bleeding poses significant risks, potentially necessitating airway intervention or reoperation.
• Identifying specific risk factors is crucial for managing and preventing postoperative complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare patient characteristics and surgical factors associated with postoperative bleeding after thyroid surgery.
• To analyze risk factors for bleeding based on the timing of reoperation.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study of 126 patients with postoperative bleeding after thyroidectomy (April 2009 - July 2022).
• Patients were grouped by time to reoperation: 0 days, 1-7 days, and >7 days.
• Comparison of patient demographics, surgical extent (total thyroidectomy, lateral neck dissection), and operation time.

Main Results:

• Higher ratios of male patients and lateral neck dissection were observed in the bleeding group compared to the non-bleeding group.
• Male sex, total thyroidectomy, and lateral neck dissection were positively correlated with delayed reoperation periods.
• Operation time differed significantly between reoperation groups.

Conclusions:

• Male sex and lateral neck dissection are identified as risk factors for postoperative bleeding after thyroidectomy.
• Male sex, total thyroidectomy, and lateral neck dissection are significant risk factors for delayed bleeding.
• Clinicians should consider these factors for proactive interventions against both immediate and delayed bleeding post-thyroidectomy.