Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 26, 2026
Gasless Endoscopic Thyroidectomy via the Trans-Axillary Approach
Published on: September 15, 2023
Determinants of Postoperative Outcomes and Cost in Short-Stay Total Thyroidectomy Hospitalisations: A Retrospective
Elisa Bass1, Justin Hintze2, Brent Chang2
1Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, Arizona, USA.
Background:
Predictors of complications and length of stay (LOS) in patients requiring brief inpatient stays after total thyroidectomy remain poorly understood. We identify preoperative risk factors for complications, differentiate predictors of overnight versus two-day stays and estimate associated hospital costs.
Methods:
The National Inpatient Sample for 2016-2021 was used to analyse adult patients undergoing total thyroidectomy with LOS = 1 or 2 days. Multivariate regressions identified predictors of complications and LOS. Costs were transformed logarithmically.
Results:
Of 26 560 patients, 70% had an overnight stay. Two-day stays were associated with higher complication rates, comorbidity index, neck dissection and increased cost. Hispanic and Asian or Pacific Islander race, comorbidity and surgery in a rural hospital increased the risk of any thyroidectomy-specific complication. Two-day stays had a 29% higher cost than overnight stays.
Conclusions:
Preoperative characteristics can help predict complications and LOS following total thyroidectomy. Risk stratification supports cost-effective, patient-centred care planning.
