Cervical block anesthesia in thyroidectomy

Seven hundred and sixteen (716) patients with pathological thyroid gland conditions underwent surgical management during the period 1956 to 1981. Of these, 433 (60.0%) cases underwent surgery under cervical block anesthesia. Lobectomy was performed in 47 (10.8%) cases, subtotal thyroidectomy in 91 (21%) cases and bilateral subtotal thyroidectomy in 295 (68.2%) cases. Complications such as phonation changes (hoarseness), swelling and hematoma at the injection sites were observed in 27 (6.2% cases). No mortality nor serious complications, attributable to cervical block anesthesia, were encountered during this time.