Demographical Variations And Outcomes In Patients Undergoing Thyroid Surgery Having Palpable Thyroid Gland

Abstract

Objective: To determine the demographical variations and outcomes of patients undergoing thyroid surgery having a palpable thyroid gland.

Study design and setting: Observational cross-sectional, Department of ENT, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi.

Methodology: After ethical approval, patients were selected from ENT wards and OPDs. Patients with palpable thyroid gland undergoing thyroid surgery were included and were discharged 48–72 hours postoperatively. All patients had their vocal cords checked at time of extubation. On follow-up visit at day 5, final diagnosis of outcomes/complications was assessed. For data analysis, SPSS v23.0 was used. Cross tabulation was done with demographics and outcome of surgeryto see effect of these on outcome variables by applying chi square test. A p-value ≤0.05 was taken as significant.

Results: From total 157 patients with palpable thyroid gland, mean age of patients was 39.8±12.2 years. Total 112(71.3%) were males and 45(28.7%) were females. 47 (29.9%) were between 18-30 years, 57 (36.3%) between 31-45 years while 53 (33.8%) were >45 years of age. 72 (45.9%) had disease duration of <3 years while 85 (54.1%) >3 years.Regarding outcomes, 14(8.9%) had hypoparathyroidism, while, 72(45.9%), 40(25.5%), 16(10.2%) and 15(9.6%) had hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, RLN paralysis and airway obstruction with insignificant demographical differences respectively.

Conclusion: Demographical variations do not play a substantial role in determining the outcome of patients undergoing thyroid surgery for palpable thyroid gland.