Thyroid surgery in children: our experience.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION\nThyroid surgery in children is a\xa0rare operation. The aim of our paper is to point out the specifics of thyroid surgery in children.\n\n\nMETHODS\nRetrospective analysis of patients hospitalized at the Department of Paediatric Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and National Institute of Childrens\xa0Diseases in Bratislava during a\xa010-year period (20072016) who underwent thyroid surgeries.\n\n\nRESULTS\nThe retrospective analysis included 81 patients: 66 (81%) girls and 15 (19%) boys. The mean age of the patients was 14 years ±8 months (range 418 years). The most common indications for thyroid surgery were: a\xa0nodule in 36 (44.4%) patients, Graves Basedow thyrotoxicosis in 19 (23.5%) patients, and suspected thyroid carcinoma in 11 (13.6%) patients. Cervical lymph node metastases (mts) were diagnosed in 9 (11.1%) patients, and distant pulmonary metastases in 5 (6.17%) patients. Total thyroidectomy (TTE) was performed in 43 (53%) patients, total lobectomy (TL) in 20 (24.7%) patients. Extended surgery on regional lymph nodes was performed in 9 (11.1%) patients. Eight (9.9%) patients underwent reoperation. A\xa0total of 12 (14.8%) patients experienced postoperative complications. Unilateral transient recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) paralysis occurred in 2 patients, and permanent in one patient. Transient postoperative hypoparathyroidism with hypocalcaemia was reported in 8 (9.9%) patients; no permanent condition of this type was observed.\n\n\nCONCLUSION\nMultidisciplinary collaboration ensures that optimal surgical results are achieved in the patients. Experience of the surgeon performing thyroid surgery in children remains crucial.