Tracheal necrosis, oesophageal fistula: unusual complications of thyroidectomy. Report of two case and literature review
Conzo, G.; Stanzione, F.; Della Pietra, C.; Palazzo, A.; Candilio, G.; Fiorelli, A.; Santini, M.
Annali Italiani di Chirurgia 83(3): 259-264
2012
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-469X PMID: 22610123 Document Number: 662412
Thyroidectomy is considered a low-risk operation. The authors report a case of tracheal necrosis after total thyroidectomy for multinodular goiter with bilateral adenomas, and a case of oesophageal fistula after total thyroidectomy for papillary cancer. The patient with tracheal perforation was treated by a non operative management after clinical stabilization. The patient with oesophageal perforation underwent surgical treatment consisting of neck drain placement. Both patients are alive after 12 months of follow-up, although the patient who had surgery for papillary cancer of the thyroid gland was found to have multiple diffuse liver and lung metastases. Thyroidectomy is a safe surgical procedure, but in some patients major complications may arise. In cases of iatrogenic tracheal or oesophageal perforation, conservative non-surgical or conservative surgical treatment, in specialized centers, results in a favourable outcome. The authors discuss the risk factors and management of these two rare complications.