Outcomes and predictors of complications of thyroidectomy in a scarce resource setting: Retrospective cross-sectional study

Mulugeta Taeme G/Tsion; Abel Balcha Berhanu; Mengistu Worku Mitiku; Aschalew Tibebu Shumargaw; Kiflom Hadgu Kidane

doi:10.1016/j.amjoto.2023.104125

Outcomes and predictors of complications of thyroidectomy in a scarce resource setting: Retrospective cross-sectional study

Am J Otolaryngol. 2024 Mar-Apr;45(2):104125. doi: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2023.104125. Epub 2023 Nov 28.

Authors

Mulugeta Taeme G/Tsion¹, Abel Balcha Berhanu², Mengistu Worku Mitiku², Aschalew Tibebu Shumargaw³, Kiflom Hadgu Kidane⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Science, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia. Electronic address: mullerab1988@gmail.com.
² Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Science, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia.
³ Department of Surgery, Dessie Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Dessie, Ethiopia.
⁴ Department of Medicine, Menilik II Medical and Health Science College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

PMID: 38039910
DOI: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2023.104125

Abstract

Background: Outcomes and predictors of complications of thyroidectomy are diverse and have been extensively studied, but data from our country and other African countries with high disease burdens are limited.

Objective: To evaluate the outcomes and predictors of complications of thyroidectomy among operated patients.

Method: Single institution retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted by reviewing charts from 365 patients who had undergone thyroidectomy on an elective basis between March 2018-February 2022. All patients who were admitted and underwent thyroidectomy were included in this study. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to identify risk factors. P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Result: Overall, post-thyroidectomy complications occurred in 17 % of the cases. The two most common complications were hypocalcemia and voice change; the latter being due to injury of either external branch of superior laryngeal nerve or recurrent laryngeal nerve with an incidence of 4.9 % and 2.5 % respectively. Thyroidectomy performed by surgical residents and having total thyroidectomy were significantly associated with overall complications of thyroidectomy. Total thyroidectomy was found to be a risk factor for postoperative hypocalcemia (AOR = 12.24 (95%CI: 4.53, 19.65); P = 0.02). Younger age of the patient (AOR =0.3(95%CI, 0.12,0.51)) and prolonged duration of presentation (AOR = 2.53(95%CI, 1.17,7.76)) were detected predictors of voice change due to injury of either external branch of superior laryngeal nerve or recurrent laryngeal nerve.

Conclusion: The rate of thyroidectomy complications is relatively similar to other studies. In this study demographic and clinical factors associated with increased risk of complications after thyroid surgery were identified. This information will be useful for educating patients about the risks of thyroid surgery.

Keywords: Hypocalcemia; Predictors of outcome; Recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy; Thyroid surgery; Thyroidectomy outcome.

MeSH terms

Cross-Sectional Studies
Dysphonia* / etiology
Humans
Hypocalcemia* / epidemiology
Hypocalcemia* / etiology
Postoperative Complications / epidemiology
Postoperative Complications / etiology
Postoperative Complications / surgery
Retrospective Studies
Thyroid Gland / surgery
Thyroidectomy / adverse effects