Management of patients with substernal goiters

The presence of a substernal goiter is an indication for thyroidectomy, even in asymptomatic patients, because there is no other effective method of preventing growth of the goiter. Both primary and secondary substernal goiters usually exhibit slow but steady growth, which leads to tracheal, esophageal, vascular, and neurologic compression syndromes. Airway obstruction, which poses a life-threatening situation, may be suddenly precipitated by spontaneous or traumatically induced bleeding into the substernal goiter, as well as by tracheal infections. Substernal goiters can also produce symptoms of thyrotoxicosis. In addition, substernal goiters are known to have a relatively high incidence of malignancy. CT scans permit proper distinction between primary and secondary goiters and allow for sound preoperative planning. Advances in anesthetic techniques and the use of small-caliber endotracheal tubes facilitate proper perioperative management, even for patients with significant respiratory compression symptoms. A tracheostomy is rarely necessary. Aggressive surgical therapy for substernal goiters avoids life-threatening situations and results in minimal morbidity and practically zero mortality when performed by a surgeon experienced in managing such patients. Resection of substernal goiters generally can be accomplished through a transcervical approach, either by digital mobilization alone or with the addition of a spoon technique. Morcellization or fragmentation of the goiter is less desirable because of the possibility of dissemination of potential malignancies within the goiter. Primary intrathoracic goiters, recurrent goiters, and malignant goiters often require a median sternotomy for safe removal. The recurrence rate of goiters after surgical removal is low.