Evaluation and Management of Postoperative Neck Hematoma after Benign Thyroid Surgery

Background: A neck hematoma that obstructs the airway following thyroidectomy might be life-threatening if it is formed early after the procedure. Objective: To evaluate the incidence and timing of postoperative bleeding and to identify the potential etiological factors of cervical hematomas complicating thyroid surgery. Patients and Methods: We examined 18 cases of benign thyroid diseases underwent the thyroid surgery. All patients had been subjected to full clinical assessment, routine laboratory studies, thyroid profile, neck ultrasound (US), and no patient was allowed to be operated upon unless became adequately prepared and euthyroid. Results: The incidence of hematoma post total thyroidectomy was 16.67% as a mild to moderate collection that didn’t need surgical intervention. In eighteen patients there was no postoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve injury found (0%) and just one case complained of transient hypocalcemia that regressed one month later Conclusion: Using better technique with bipolar technology, Valsalva maneuver and rubber drain decrease the incidence of hematoma.