[Endothoracic goiter operated on by cervicosternotomy. Apropos of 18 cases]

From 1968 to 1992, 18 sternotomies were performed on a total amount of 225 operated substernal goiters (8% of cases). These operations concerned 14 females and 4 males aged of about 67.8 years. 7 patients had already been operated of a goiter within 1 to 50 years. The substernal goiter was discovered on a systematic x ray chest 5 times, and a x-ray scanner once, also clinical symptoms were still present with compressive troubles in 16 times (particularly acute dyspnea 3 times). The sternotomy was always total. It was only required if the operative problems were important at the time of the cervicotomy. Indications for sternotomy were:--impossibility to extraction due to the volume of the goiter 10 times, (including 5 recurrent goiters), independent retrosternal goiter without cervical connexion, 2 times (including 2 recurrent goiters), hemorrhagic linkage, 3 times, invasive cancer, 3 times. Excluding the 3 invasive cancers, the mortality was inexistant and the morbidity very low, especially without respiratory problems. Post operative complications were 2 definitive hypoparathyroidism and 1 regressive recurrential palsy (plus 2 recurrential palsy still present before the operation). The authors pointed out the good tolerance of the sternotomy which, in special case, should be absolutely preferable the cervicotomy alone, in order to reduce the operative risks, especially hemorrhagic and nervous.