Retrosternal (intrathoracic) goiter has a prevalence of 4 to 20% of patients undergoing thyroidectomy for multinodular goiter. Although it is a condition affecting the older patient with a peak incidence in the sixth decade, the majority should be treated surgically. With few exceptions the operation can be safely accomplished through a cervical approach, only a small minority (approximately 2%...

In the past, it was generally advised that every patient undergoing thyroid surgery have a drain placed because of the fear of post-operative hematoma. In the past 9 years, we have performed 400 thyroidectomies. For the first 6 years, we drained the operative site in most of thyroid procedures. However, it was apparent from our experience that drains had very little effect on the prevention of ...

A postmenopausal female presented with an enlarging multinodular goiter. Microcalcifications within the largest thyroid nodule found by ultrasound prompted her to elect a total thyroidectomy. Histopathologic evaluation led to the diagnosis of confined papillary thyroid carcinoma (follicular variant). Elevated serum thyroglobulin levels were noted on postoperative laboratory workup, with the dif...

HYPOTHESIS Recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis after thyroidectomy can be unrecognized without routine laryngoscopy, and patients have a good potential for recovery during follow-up. DESIGN A prospective evaluation of vocal cord function before and after thyroidectomy. Periodic vocal cord assessment was performed until recovery of cord function. Persistent cord palsy for longer than 12 months...

Terms such as retrosternal, substernal, and intrathoracic have been used to define an extension of >50% the thyroid gland beyond thoracic inlet. The reported incidence retrosternal goiters is highly variable, ranging from 1% 45% thyroidectomies in studies with different defining criteria. Forgotten goiter lacks any parenchymatous or vascular connection cervical may represent remnants a partiall...