Medial Approach For The Resection Of Goiters With Suprahyoid, Retropharyngeal, Or Substernal Extension

Authors

H H. Ching, University of Nevada, Las VegasFollow
J B. Kahane, University of Nevada, Las VegasFollow
M J. Foggia, University of Nevada, Las VegasFollow
A E. Barber, University of Nevada, Las VegasFollow
R C. Wang, University of Nevada, Las VegasFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2018

Publication Title

World Journal of Surgery

Publisher

Springer New York LLC

Volume

42

Issue

5

First page number:

1415

Last page number:

1423

Abstract

Background: Resection of massive goiters with suprahyoid, retropharyngeal, and substernal extension may not be amenable to standard approaches. This study evaluates a surgical approach allowing resection of massive goiters with minimal substernal and deep neck dissection. Methods: Cases of thyroidectomy for goiters with substernal, retropharyngeal, or suprahyoid extension at a single institution from 2006 to 2017 were reviewed. The technique involves initial complete division of the medial thyroid tracheal attachments after identification of the RLN medial-inferiorly or superiorly. Deep components are then delivered into the superficial paratracheal region of the neck. Results: Sixty patients were included, 46 of which had substernal and 14 had only suprahyoid or retropharyngeal extension. Mean substernal extension was 3.7 cm (range 1.5–7.5 cm). The medial approach was successful in identifying the RLN in 70 (83%) of 84 goiter sides (71% medial-inferiorly and 29% superiorly). Standard inferior/lateral approaches were used in 12 (14%) nerves or not found until after goiter removal in 2 (2.5%). No patients required sternotomy or tracheotomy. Complications included postoperative seroma/hematoma (n = 9, 15%) with one re-exploration, transient RLN injury (n = 4, 4% of all lobectomies), transient hypocalcemia (n = 6, 16% of total thyroidectomies), permanent hypocalcemia (n = 2, 5% of total thyroidectomies), and permanent RLN paralysis (n = 1, 1% of all lobectomies). Conclusion: Large suprahyoid, retropharyngeal, and substernal goiters were resected transcervically with low morbidity. Early complete division of Berry’s ligament after medial-inferior RLN identification was achieved in a high proportion of patients, facilitating goiter delivery with minimal mediastinal and deep neck dissection. © 2018, Société Internationale de Chirurgie.

Language

English

Repository Citation

Ching, H. H., Kahane, J. B., Foggia, M. J., Barber, A. E., Wang, R. C. (2018). Medial Approach For The Resection Of Goiters With Suprahyoid, Retropharyngeal, Or Substernal Extension. World Journal of Surgery, 42(5), 1415-1423. Springer New York LLC.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00268-018-4576-z