[Extracervical approach for retrosternal goiter].

OBJECTIVE

To analyze treatment outcomes in patients with retrosternal goiter.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

There were 13 patients aged 32-77 years with retrosternal goiter between 2016 and 2024. The ratio of men and women was 2:11.

RESULTS

Twelve patients underwent thyroidectomy, one patient - video-assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy with resection of aberrant goiter. Among 12 patients, thyroidectomy through collotomy was performed in 6 patients, sternotomy was performed in 5 patients. Aberrant goiter was removed through thoracotomy in one patient with recurrent retrosternal goiter. Complicated postoperative period was observed in 4 patients. Two patients underwent postoperative tracheostomy (prevention of respiratory failure following high risk of bilateral paresis of recurrent laryngeal nerves in one case and laryngeal edema in the second case). There were no deaths in long-term period.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative planning should include CT-based analysis of intrathoracic component of thyroid gland and volume of chest cavity. This is valuable to plan the optimal surgical approach and reduces the risk of intraoperative complications.