Post-Operative Complications of Hyperthyroidism Surgery: A Study of 42 Cases Operated in Yaoundé and Douala

Abstract

Introduction: Surgical treatment of hyperthyroidism can achieve rapid euthyroidism but is responsible for recurrence nerve and bleeding morbidity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the postoperative complications of hyperthyroidism surgery and to search for possible risk factors for these complications.Methodology: This was a retrospective descriptive study, conducted from 1 January 2010 to 31 January 2021, in the university hospitals of Yaounde and Douala. Sociodemographic, clinical, therapeutic and evolutionary data were studied.Results: 42 patients were included, representing a frequency of 12.8% of thyroidectomies. Female predominance with a sex ratio of seven females to one male. The average age of the patients was 45±11 years. The etiologies of hyperthyroidism were 23 (55%) Graves' disease, 17 (40%) toxic GMNH and 2 (5%) toxic nodules. Failure of medical treatment was the main preoperative indication (32 patients). Total thyroidectomy was the most commonly used technique (37 patients). 19 (45.2%) patients had postoperative complications. These complications were divided into 1 (2.3%) case of acute thyrotoxic crisis leading to death, 6 (31.5%) cervical hematomas. 3 (15.7%) cases of transient recurrent paralysis. 17 (89.4%) patients had hypocalcemia. Operative mortality was 2.3%. Conclusion:Surgery for hyperthyroidism is a useful therapeutic modality, albeit with significant complications.