Outcomes of Early Versus Delayed Completion Thyroidectomy for Malignancy. Issue 5 (May 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Park, Jaimie J.; Frank, Ethan; Simental, Alfred A.; Park, Joshua S.; Kim, Stephanie; Imperio-Lagabon, Kristelle; Van der Werf, Owen
• Is Part Of: American surgeon. Volume 89:Issue 5(2023)
• Page Start: 1580
• Page End: 1583
• Publication Date: 2023-05
• Subjects: completion thyroidectomy -- hemi-thyroidectomy -- thyroid cancer -- hypocalcemia -- interval; Surgery -- Periodicals; Surgery -- United States -- Periodicals; 617.0973
• DOI: 10.1177/00031348211067999
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-1348

Abstract

Purpose: To determine whether time interval between hemi-thyroidectomy and subsequent completion thyroidectomy impacts outcomes. Methods: Retrospective review of 68 patients having completion thyroidectomy from August 2012 to December 2019. Patients were separated into two groups based on the time interval between surgeries: early (≤10 days) or delayed (≥90 days). Results: Patients who underwent delayed completion thyroidectomy (n = 17) had significantly higher rates of hypocalcemia and/or hypoparathyroidism ( P = .03) and higher rates of requiring postoperative hospitalization ( P =.07) compared to those who underwent early completion thyroidectomy (n = 51). Delayed completion had significantly lower risk of developing one or more of dysphonia, dysphagia, or vocal cord paresis postoperatively ( P =.02). No patients developed hematoma or wound infection. Conclusions: Delayed completion thyroidectomy is associated with increased rates of hypocalcemia, but lower rates of dysphonia and dysphagia. Given the low risk of long-term complications in both groups, it may be beneficial to perform completion thyroidectomy early in order to expedite cancer treatment.