The method and management of thyroid surgery in the pediatric patient

Thyroid surgery in the pediatric age patient accounts for a small minority of all thyroid surgery. Batsakis and Nishiyama reported only 136 patients under the age of 18 who underwent thyroid surgery in 27 years at the University of Michigan. In most series involving the pediatric age group, the majority of thyroid procedures are performed on adolescents. Thyroid surgery in the young child requires special precautions in addition to those routinely associated with thyroidectomy in the adult. The techniques and perioperative management of the pediatric thyroidectomy employed at our institution has evolved as experience is gained. Our experience with five such patients with adequate follow-up will be presented.