Our Summary

This study looked at the medical data of children who underwent thyroid surgery between 2010 to 2014. The 361 patients were, on average, 13.5 years old and the majority (79.8%) were female. They were treated for different thyroid conditions including thyroid cancer, Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type II, toxic nodular disease, and non-toxic benign disease.

Most of these surgeries (67.7%) involved the removal of the entire thyroid. A small percentage (3.2%) of children who initially had only a part of their thyroid removed had to return for further surgery within three months. Post-surgery complications occurred in 14.2% of the patients, with a low calcium level in the blood being the most common issue. This was particularly seen in children with thyroid cancer and toxic thyroid diseases.

Interestingly, one quarter of the children were treated exclusively in children’s hospitals. However, the treatment in these specialized hospitals did not result in better outcomes or shorter hospital stays. Instead, it was associated with significantly higher healthcare costs.

In summary, most children undergo thyroid surgery for non-cancerous conditions. These surgeries are usually performed in general hospitals, not specialized children’s hospitals. While treatment in children’s hospitals is more expensive, it does not seem to provide any additional benefits in terms of patient outcomes or hospital stay duration.

FAQs

  1. What were the most common thyroid conditions treated in children who underwent thyroid surgery?
  2. Are there any notable post-surgery complications experienced by children who undergo thyroid surgery?
  3. Does treatment in a specialized children’s hospital yield better outcomes or shorter hospital stays for children undergoing thyroid surgery?

Doctor’s Tip

A doctor might tell a patient undergoing a thyroidectomy to be aware of the potential complications, such as low calcium levels, and to follow up closely with their healthcare provider post-surgery. They may also advise the patient to discuss the option of surgery in a general hospital versus a specialized children’s hospital, weighing the potential benefits and costs. Additionally, the doctor may recommend ongoing monitoring of thyroid function and regular follow-up appointments to ensure optimal recovery and management of their thyroid condition.

Suitable For

Typically, patients who are recommended for thyroidectomy include those with thyroid cancer, Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia type II, toxic nodular disease, and non-toxic benign disease. In the study mentioned above, children with these conditions underwent thyroid surgery, with the majority of surgeries involving the removal of the entire thyroid gland. Complications post-surgery were mainly related to low calcium levels in the blood, particularly in children with thyroid cancer and toxic thyroid diseases. Treatment in children’s hospitals was found to be more expensive but did not result in better outcomes or shorter hospital stays compared to general hospitals.

Timeline

Before thyroidectomy:

  • Patient is diagnosed with a thyroid condition, such as thyroid cancer, toxic nodular disease, or non-toxic benign disease.
  • Patient undergoes pre-operative testing, such as blood tests, imaging scans, and consultations with healthcare providers.
  • Patient may need to make dietary or medication adjustments to prepare for surgery.
  • Patient undergoes thyroidectomy surgery, which may involve partial or total removal of the thyroid gland.

After thyroidectomy:

  • Patient is monitored for complications post-surgery, such as low calcium levels in the blood.
  • Patient may need to take thyroid hormone replacement medication for the rest of their life.
  • Patient may need additional treatments, such as radioactive iodine therapy or further surgery.
  • Patient may experience changes in their voice or difficulty swallowing, which may improve over time.
  • Patient may have follow-up appointments with their healthcare provider to monitor their thyroid function and overall health.

What to Ask Your Doctor

Questions a patient should ask their doctor about thyroidectomy:

  1. What are the reasons for recommending a thyroidectomy for my condition?
  2. What are the potential risks and complications associated with thyroid surgery?
  3. How will the surgery affect my thyroid function and hormone levels?
  4. Will I need to take thyroid hormone replacement medication after the surgery?
  5. What is the expected recovery time and what post-operative care will be required?
  6. Are there any long-term effects or complications I should be aware of?
  7. Will I need to follow a specific diet or make lifestyle changes after the surgery?
  8. How often will I need follow-up appointments and monitoring after the surgery?
  9. Are there any alternative treatments or procedures that could be considered instead of thyroid surgery?
  10. What is the experience of the healthcare team in performing thyroidectomies, and what is the success rate for this procedure in patients with my condition?

Reference

Authors: Al-Qurayshi Z, Peterson JD, Shama MA, Kandil E. Journal: Am J Otolaryngol. 2022 Mar-Apr;43(2):103298. doi: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2021.103298. Epub 2021 Dec 4. PMID: 34953247