Surgical Technique Options in Thyroid Operations

Abstract

<jats:p>The article highlights the analysis of 552 surgical interventions on different types of goiter performed on at the clinical base of the Department of Surgery No. 1, Ukrainian Medical Stomatological Academy (Poltava). The study included 491 women (88.9%) and 61 men (11.1%). Diffuse toxic goitre was diagnosed in 48 (8.7%) individuals, thyrotoxic adenoma occurred in 8 cases (1.5%), unilateral nodular goitre in 162 (29.3%), multinodular goitre in 334 (60.4%) patients. 20 (3.6%) patients were operated on relapsed goitre. The large size of the goitre, the adhesive process, and the cervical-retrosternal location of the thyroid gland complicate operating situation and often require innovative surgical decisions. Original methods for preventing the damage to the laryngeal nerves and thyroid glands, which are successfully used in non-standard surgical situations, as well as a method of mobilizing the thyroid gland in cervical and thoracic goitre. Complications during surgery were avoided by using extrafascial techniques for manipulating on the thyroid gland, using reliable controlled haemostasis and accuracy during the operation. The main factor to prevent specific intraoperative complications during surgery on the thyroid gland is a reasonable combination of the latest technology and the experience of the surgeon. Postoperative transitory hypoparathyroidism on days 7-8 was observed in 9 (1.6%) patients with normalization of clinical manifestations and calcium levels; 6 (1.1%) complained of hoarseness and weakening of the voice for 3 weeks. Most of these complications occurred in the first half of the period that was analyzed. These variants for performing surgery in difficult situations have enabled to improve the results of surgical treatment.</jats:p>