Outpatient thyroidectomy: is it a safe and reasonable option?

Abstract

Background: Outpatient surgery is cost effective and convenient. The aim of this study was to determine the safety and feasibility of outpatient thyroidectomy.

Methods: Retrospective review was performed of all thyroidectomy patients from a tertiary care center between January 2004 and March 2010.

Results: One hundred forty-eight patients met the inclusion criteria. Subtotal and hemithyroidectomies (n = 79) were compared against completion and total thyroidectomies (n = 72). Nine total thyroidectomy patients (12.5%) required unplanned overnight admission, compared with 4 hemithyroidectomy patients (5.1%) (P = .15). The majority were admitted for pain and nausea control. Overnight admissions were highest among men (32% vs 5%, P = .002) and patients with Graves' disease (36% vs 6%, P = .003). Postoperative complications occurred in 6 total thyroidectomy patients (8.3%) and 3 hemithyroidectomy patients (3.8%) (P = .31). Only 4 patients (2.6%) required readmission for complications. There were no deaths.

Conclusions: Outpatient thyroidectomy performed by an experienced surgeon is safe and feasible. Men and patients with Graves' disease have a higher probability of requiring postoperative admission.