Journal des troubles thyroïdiens et de la thérapie
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Asphyxia Following Complete Thyrodiectomy in a Patient with Relapsed Grave’s Disease

Han-Yun Wu and Ming-Ho Wu

A rare complication of post-thyroidectomy asphyxia developed in a patient with relapsed Grave’s disease. Causes of the asphyxia were preoperative tracheal narrowing, previous thyroidectomy related diffuse oozing, and long-term use of Methimazole resulting in thrombocytopenia. The patient was successfully resuscitated by removal of neck stitches and endotracheal intubation.

The incidence of bleeding after thyroid surgery is low (1.48%). Some risk factors including grave’s disease, bilateral operation, and previous thyroid surgery etc. were identified in a systemic review [1]. Delayed oozing is potentially life-threatening. We describe a rare complication of asphyxia following complete thyroidectomy in a patient with relapsed Grave’s disease.