Tracheomalacia after thyroidectomy for retrosternal goitres requiring sternotomy- a myth or reality?

Tracheomalacia in patients undergoing thyroid surgery-What is the true estimate: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives

Tracheomalacia is defined as the weakening of the tracheal rings secondary to long-standing compression or inherent structural weakness, leading to stridor and airway compromise. The common etiological factor of tracheomalacia includes compression of the tracheal framework due to a large multinodular goiter. There are various management techniques described in the literature to manage a patient with tracheomalacia including tracheostomy, tracheal stenting, and tracheopexy. However, the evidence of tracheomalacia in the literature is conflicting. Therefore, a systematic review was conducted to estimate the incidence of tracheomalacia after thyroidectomy.

Methods

The systematic review was conducted according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A literature search was performed on PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane library, and Elton B. Stephens Co. cumulative index to nursing and allied health literature plus to determine the incidence of tracheomalacia among patients undergoing thyroidectomy up till October 2021. The eligibility was assessed by two independent authors. A quality assessment of individual studies was performed using the National Institute of Health quality assessment tool. Outcomes were double data extracted and were analyzed using OpenMeta.

Results

The online search retrieved 214 papers, out of which 17 studies were included that fulfilled the eligibility criteria. The number of patients included in the systematic review who underwent thyroidectomy was 1108. The mean age was 55.8 ± 7.7 years, ranging from 48 to 75 years. Tracheomalacia was reported in 146 patients (1.4%). Sternotomy was performed in 102 patients to approach the goiters with retrosternal extension. The most common intervention to manage tracheomalacia was tracheostomy or prolonged intubation.

Conclusions

Tracheomalacia is a rare complication. In cases where tracheomalacia is encountered, common methods of management include tracheostomy or prolonged endotracheal intubation. Prospective, long-term studies are required to accurately assess its true incidence and associated factors.

Outcomes of Total Thyroidectomy in Large Goiters With Retrosternal Extension and Tracheal Compression: A Multivariate Analysis

INTRODUCTION

Large retrosternal goiters often cause tracheal compression and deviation, leading to respiratory symptoms and complicating surgical treatment. Total thyroidectomy is the treatment of choice though it carries a risk of complications due to the altered anatomy and its proximity to vital structures. This study examines the outcomes of total thyroidectomy in patients with retrosternal goiters and assesses the impact of tracheal compression on clinical results.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 32 patients treated with total thyroidectomy for retrosternal goiter between January 2018 and June 2024. Patient records were analyzed for clinical presentation, tracheal status, extent of retrosternal extension, intubation details, surgery performed, intraoperative findings, and postoperative complications. Tracheal compression and deviation were noted by preoperative imaging and flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy. A correlation between difficult intubation and tracheal status was attempted. Complications such as hypocalcemia, recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy, and tracheomalacia were assessed alongside surgical variables.

RESULTS

Among the 32 patients, tracheal deviation was noted in 62.5% (n=20), and tracheal compression occurred in 43.8% (n=14). Complications included hypocalcemia in 43.8% (n=14) of cases, recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy in 6.25% (n=2), and tracheomalacia in 15.6% (n=5). Advanced airway management techniques such as flexible fiberoptic-assisted intubation were often required, particularly in cases with significant tracheal compression. Malignant goiters showed a higher incidence of tracheal deviation and postoperative complications but overall complication rates were comparable to benign cases.

CONCLUSION

Large retrosternal goiters carry the risk of airway compromise and surgical complications, particularly in the presence of tracheal compression. Hence, preoperative assessment of tracheal involvement and tailored surgical approaches are essential to manage airway complications and improve postoperative outcomes. A multidisciplinary approach is recommended for the management of these cases to enhance patient outcomes.

Postoperative laryngeal granuloma in mediastinal goitre with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease

Reported postoperative complications of mediastinal goitre include recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy, hypoparathyroidism and tracheomalacia. Voice and swallowing symptoms after thyroid surgery have been associated with laryngopharyngeal reflux, but it is unclear whether the retrograde flow of gastric contents into the oesophagus, larynx and pharynx worsens after thyroid surgery. We present the case of a man in his 40s with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) who developed heartburn and laryngeal granuloma after total thyroidectomy for mediastinal goitre. Vonoprazan therapy effectively controlled these symptoms. Although the exact cause remains unclear, we suggest that changes in pressure dynamics after thyroidectomy may worsen the retrograde flow of gastric contents into the oesophagus, larynx and pharynx, contributing to GERD symptoms and laryngeal granuloma. This case highlights the need to consider the management of retrograde flow of gastric contents into the oesophagus, larynx and pharynx in the postoperative care of mediastinal goitre resections.

Airway collapse hinders recovery in bronchoscopy therapy for postintubation tracheal stenosis patients

BACKGROUND

Expiratory central airway collapse (ECAC) following postintubation airway stenosis (PITS) is a rare phenomenon. The impact of airway malacia and collapse on the prognosis and the success rate of bronchoscopic interventional therapy in patients with PITS had been inadequately investigated.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this research was to assess the influence of airway malacia and collapse on the efficacy of bronchoscopic interventional therapy in patients with PITS.

DESIGN

This retrospective analysis examined the medical documentation of individuals diagnosed with PITS who underwent bronchoscopic intervention at the tertiary interventional pulmonology center of Emergency General Hospital from 2014 to 2021.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Data pertaining to preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative stages were documented and subjected to analysis.

RESULTS

The patients in malacia and collapse group (MC group) exhibited a higher frequency of perioperative complications, including intraoperative hypoxemia, need for reoperation within 24 h, and postoperative intensive care unit admission rate (P < 0.05, respectively). Meanwhile, patients in group MC demonstrated significantly worse postoperative scores (higher mMRC score and lower KPS score) compared to those in pure stenosis group (P < 0.05, respectively), along with higher degrees of stenosis after treatment and a lower success rate of bronchoscopic intervention therapy cured (P < 0.05, respectively). Pearson analysis results showed that these terms were all significantly correlated with the occurrence of airway malacia and collapse in the airway (P < 0.05, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The presence of malacia or collapse in patients with PITS was associated with increased perioperative complications following bronchoscopic interventional therapy, and significantly reduced the long-term cure rate compared to patients with pure tracheal stenosis. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry on 06/12/2021.

REGISTRATION NUMBER

ChiCTR2100053991.

Surgical Management of 48 Patients with Retrosternal Goiter and Tracheal Stenosis: A Retrospective Clinical Study from a Single Surgical Center

Background

Benign retrosternal thyroid goiters can become large enough to compress the trachea and result in tracheomalacia and stenosis. This retrospective study from a single surgical center aimed to study the surgical management of 48 patients with retrosternal goiter and tracheal stenosis diagnosed and treated from January 2017 to December 2021.

Material/Methods

All preoperative contrast-enhanced CT scans showed retrosternal goiter and tracheal stenosis. RG was classified into type I in 28 patients, type II in 12 patients, and type III in 8 patients. TS was classified into grade I in 31 patients, grade II in 11 patients, and grade III in 6 patients. All patients were referred for surgery. Clinicopathologic features and surgical outcomes were recorded.

Results

All operations were successfully performed. There were 41 patients with transcervical incision, 4 with cervical incision+sternotomy, 2 with cervical incision and thoracoscopic surgery, and 1 with cervical incision and surgery via the subxiphoid approach. Two patients presented recurrent laryngeal nerve injury. One patient showed short-term hand and foot numbness. The patients were pathologically diagnosed as simple nodular goiter (n=27), nodular goiter combined with cystic change (n=6), adenomatous nodular goiter (n=10), and thyroid adenoma (n=5). There was no prominent tumor recurrence or gradual TS remission.

Conclusions

This study has highlighted that patients with retrosternal goiter and tracheal stenosis may have comorbidities and require a multidisciplinary approach to management. The choice of anesthesia, surgical approach, and maintenance of the airway during and after surgery should be individualized.